New 6X carbon fiber is 30% lighter without sacrificing strength or stability

Tokyo, JAPAN (23 March, 2006) –Gitzo, revered throughout the world for its precision, quality and innovation in bringing new products to market for both the professional photo and video markets, is proud to announce the Mountaineer GT2540L 2 Series  6X Long Tripod.  The new tripod is an extension of the popular Mountaineer line as well as part of a new line of carbon fiber tripods incorporating a revolutionary design process that reduces overall weight up to 17 percent without sacrificing strength or stability.

Available in a four leg section configuration and with a maximum capacity of 8 kg, the new Mountaineer rapid column tripod introduces a new concept of “Eye Level” height tripods. According to this concept, tripods can hold the equipment up to eye level without extending the center column. Photographers and birders no longer need to compromise between tripod performance and use comfort. The taller GT2540L reaches maximum heights of 149,5 cm and 172 cm (with fully extended central column) and folds to 56,5 cm for travel.

Used together with the new G2180 Series 1 Fluid Head – also being introduced at PIE 2006 – the GT2540L Mountaineer 6X Tripod is ideal for bird watching and supporting medium sized spotting scopes.

New 6X Carbon Fiber Technology
The existing 1.5mm Gitzo carbon fiber tube wowed the world with its unsurpassed strength, stability and remarkable lightweight form factor. Utilizing a three-crossed multilayer carbon structure, bonded together at high pressure and temperature by high quality resins, Gitzo was able to offer professionals a carbon fiber tube that proved to be the ultimate in vibration absorption, strength and stability.

Tapping into its revolutionary resources and utilizing its unmatched experience with composite materials, Gitzo was able to develop a new, six-crossed multilayer 1mm carbon fiber 30 percent lighter than the previous generation that features the same exceptional performance of stability and vibration absorption and unbeatable quality.

Backing Gitzo 6X technology is the new six-crossed multilayer range which features the Anti Leg Rotation (ALR) system.  The ALR system allows for a fast and smooth setup, yet maintains the uncompromised locking strength of the traditional Gitzo twist lock system.  Just loosen all twist locks at the same time and pull down the leg before tightening them, making setup a mere 15 seconds for this four sectioned tripod.

By fine tuning its market leading three layer technology to a six layer, with advanced parameters in terms of pressure, temperature and bonding resins, Gitzo was able to create the 6X generation. The six-crossed multilayer tubes measure only 1mm, but are equally as strong and as stable as the 1.5mm, three layer carbon fiber tubes.  The 6X range represents, once again, Gitzo leadership not only in introducing unique and world-first innovations, but above all in creating the best products in terms of quality and performances.

In addition to the new, exclusive six-crossed multilayer structure tube and the Anti Leg Rotation System, the new 6X carbon fiber tripods have been further improved to achieve an even higher quality standard.  In a world where details matter, even the smallest details on these tripods have been improved.  Top casting now features high quality corrosion resistant, polished stainless top casting bolts for added stability and a redesigned built-in, spring-loaded retractable hook on the bottom of the center column provides a place to hang a stabilizing counterweight such as camera, sand or water bags.