Really Right Stuff is based in Lehi, Utah and they seem to do the bulk of their manufacturing in the USA. Their quality (and prices) reflect this.
I once had my mind made up to buy a Gitzo tripod (I now own two). At the time I had none, and was shopping. I found their website so confusing and the diversity of their offerings so confusing, that I never did buy one at that time. Later a used one came my way and I was happy to get it.
RRS seems to be aiming at the same level of confusion with a recent rework of their website. I am more determined now and am here to help you.
First let's analyze their model numbers and decypher the secret code. Consider the model "TFC-14". The first letter "T" is easy and it simply indicates "tripod". The middle letter is the type of column. The last letter is material, A for aluminum, C for carbon fiber.
In a nutshell, a "versa" is a modular design that allows you to install a flat platform (like a FC) or a column, or a leveling head, or who knows. It will be bigger and heaver, so in my case I am going for a TFC with the goal of simple, light, and compact.
The following guide is truly superb with all kinds of valuable information:
Back to the tripods. What about those numbers (as in the "14" in TFC-14"? Here the last number is easy. It is the number of leg sections. So the TFC-14 has 4 leg sections and can be collapsed into a short package. This comes with a bit of extra weight, a bit less rigidity, and a longer setup time.
The other number (i.e. the "1" in TFC-14) is the "series". This is sort of like "caliber". A bigger number indicates bigger diameter and heavier legs, but it is not clear whether this has any exactly meaning in terms of dimensions. It probably does, but the general public doesn't get clued it, or so it seems.
There can also be an optional final letter as in:
The BH-55 is rated for 50 pounds and is clearly massive overkill for anything I will ever do.
Someday I hope to own the little TFA-01 Ultra. It is common to put the little BH-18 "inverted" ballhead on these legs. One reviewer put a BH-30 on the legs, but admitted it was a bit silly. The RRS catalog suggests the BH-25, and I find that a tempting suggestion (at $210). The "ultra" legs weigh 5.1 ounces (at $140). Together this makes for a $350 pocket pod.
My friend Dave has the TFC-14 Mk2 legs along with the BH-30 ball head, and calls this his "day pack tripod". He warns me that I may wish it was higher, but says he is entirely happy with it.
The TFC-14-II holds 50 pounds, weighs 2.5 pounds, is 47.2 inches tall, costs $895.
RRS calls this their "ultralight tripod".
The BH-30 with compact lever is $330 and 11.2 ounces.
The BH-30 with full sized lever is $340 and 13 ounces
The extra 1.8 ounces is insignificant and you do get a level bubble with the full sized BH-30 so I would probably go with the full size.
The big appeal is the working height for the given weight. I would like to check reviews before diving in though.
You could consider a series 3 tripod like the TVC-34L, but it would add a pound and only gain you 2 inches of height, so we say no.
The TFC-24L holds is $1055, weighs 3.68 pounds, is 66.1 inches tall.
Then you add the ball head of your choice. The BH-40 with full lever is $455 and weighs 17.1 ounces. The head adds 3 inches to the height.
So, the TFC-24L with a full lever BH-40 would weigh 4.75 pounds
Folks say the BH-55 is the worlds ultimate ballhead, but we aren't looking at it because we are trying to minimize size and weight. If you were going to get one of those, it would seem right on a series 3 set of legs.
RRS is going through some kind of marketing remake that I don't like. They seem to be inventing new and friendly names for all their products. Their web page is infested with this confusion and now I am running into it with this item. It seems that they now want to call it a "pocket pod". If they would just stick to their model numbers, the world would be a better place.
This all leads to confusion. Does the pocket pod come with legs? Is a pocket pod an ultra or a basic? You want the ultra (where the legs lock in 3 positions) and not the basic (where you rely on friction to maintain the leg position).
The review above talks about putting a BH-30 on these legs. This will work (he has to use a "bushing"), but is definitely overkill. The legs have a 1/4-20 stud and the BH-30 has a 3/8-16 tapped hole.
Another option is to use a BC-18 inverted ballhead. To do this, you unscrew the 1/4-20 stud from the tripod legs, revealing a 1/4-20 tapped hole that the stud on the BC-18 threads right into. This is a $140 item, bringing the cost of the whole little rig up to $280.
Yet another option is the BPC-16 which is a "panning clamp". It has a smaller ball than the BC-18 and less capacity (5 pounds). Price is $190, but it would not be my choice.
The legs are rated for 15 pounds. The BC-18 is rated for 8.5 pounds. Either way, I could put my Canon 5D with 24-70 f/2.8 lens on it and be well within the capacity limits. With my lighter Sony A6000 mirrorless there is no question about this being adequate.
B and H sells it for $140, you get just the legs for that price, and they seem to be the ultra legs (pay attention to the model number to be sure).
Tom's Photography Info / tom@mmto.org