iFootage Seastars Q1S Quick Release System

This is the best accessory I've found in my almost 50 years of shooting! I used to keep 5 tripods in my truck (main one, one I use in salt water, one with gimbal head, two small ones for hiking). All that changed when I bought this. I researched several companies that make quick release systems for tripod heads and iFootage seemed to be the best. I purchased one to try it out and it worked PERFECTLY, so I sold three of my tripods and purchased three and a bunch of the male inserts and still had money left over and a lot more space in my truck! You can swap out heads in a matter of seconds and they lock down absolutely ROCK SOLID. They have made my life easier, gave me more storage room, and even made me a little money. Can't complain about that!

iFootage has some great products. The Q1 SSeastars are one of them. Easy to install and rock solid to use, for the most part. However, a few improvements can be made. The system relies on hex screws to keep the seastar plates from twisting off. It works great unless your mounting site isn't large enough to reach the anti-twist hex screw. I had issues with several ballheads I own. The plates did not stay on very well.

Simple to use and install. It sped up my workflow and my gear feels secure. No complaints. I like the fact that I can secure the base more securely to my video gear by tightening a screw affixed to the release system. No worrying if my gear will spin off the base plate.

This will probably be my last iFootage purchase. I've had two faulty products from this company, including this one (shark nano was the other). And now that hassle of sending this thing back. I really want to like this company. The spider crab arms are fantastic. The shark nano I got is great when it works (I think I got a bum battery in the kit). But this Seastar worked 1 time only. Basically, the locking mechanism in the baseplate won't retract when in the unlocked state so the top plate can't attach. I was tempted to buy the car mount kit, but now I'm too scared to try it. In fairness, I will say that I have 2 other Seastars that work just fine and are very convenient.

i think the pro is that unlike other QR base it's got 'star' shaped QR handle for quick and easy release. con might be that it can break off when impacted while transported. i should be careful. i'll report back after couple of months if usage.

I have a heavy duty Gitzo tripod, a Manfrotto Carbon Fiber travel tripod and a basic Manfrotto monopod. A large Gitzo ballhead, medium Gitzo ballhead, a large Leofoto ballhead (55mm) and a Wimberley sidemount gimbal (Sidekick). With a QR system like this, I can now interchange betweeny tripods and ballheads, WITHIN SECONDS! I don't have to be stuck with the ballhead tripod combo every time. When I expect to do a little hike or walk, I can just grab the CF travel tripod and whichever ballhead thats suitable for the camera and lens I plan on using! This is a game-changer! The reason why I chose this iFootage over the Leofoto QR system is because iFootage has 1 size configuration so there's no confusion. The Leofoto system has about 4 or 5 different sizes to choose from, but that just too complicated. So the question remains: is it a good product? My answer = YES! I recommended it to my friends. I was hesitant because I was worried about potential wobble or loose connections between the base and QR piece. I was proven wrong. It's solid. When locked in, it stays locked, tight, rattle-free, noiseless. Components and materials feel/function premium. I will be buying another set so I can adapt my Sachler video tripod and fluid head into my entire mix. I'll be able to use the Sachler video fluid head on my Gitzo or Manfrotto tripods for doing travel video. The included tools is nice but it gets in my way. I just removed it. Besides, there's no need to remove anything. The point of this system is NOT needing any tools to remove/install tripod heads. Highly recommend this to anyone with multiple tripods and heads.