I was about to order another Really Right Stuff TVC43 after my original was stolen. I'd had my RRS (along with an ArcaSwiss C1 head, also taken) for over five years, and loved the combination. But given the length of time since I last purchased this equipment, I thought it was prudent to reconduct the research, much like I had done when I bought the RRS & the Cube. Boy am I glad I did. After about a week of research, I stuck with the SwissArca Cube. I was tempted by the C1's sister model, the D4, but ultimately decided I was familiar with the C1 and absolutely loved its functionality and ergonomics. As researched, ProMediaGear's products caught my attention. At first, the company's biggest and most ambitious tripod series, the "42" series, seemed superficially similar to RRS's "43" series. But the more I looked, the more the subtle and nuanced difference revealed themselves. The ProMediaGear's top plate is more robust and elegant, is far more mechanically beautiful, and includes a method for changing the plate for cinema or other style heads that is much easier and ergonomically elegant compared with the RRS. The reversible spiked foot is a feature unavailable on the RRS. The aluminum twist locks on the PMG are higher quality and more robust than the rubber and plastic units on the RRS. These are some the many details that ultimately caused me to switch my tripod loyalties. After receiving the tripod, more differences revealed themselves. Put generally, as nicely made as the RRS is, the PorMediaGear takes build quality to a noticeably higher level. Kudos to the engineers and designers at ProMediaGeaf for designing what I think is the best large carbon tripod on the market today.