Gene Nagata, known as Potato Jet, is a renowned YouTuber with over 17 years of experience in filmmaking.

   

   

The story of this collaboration started about a year ago, in 2023.

   

Gene has always been on the lookout for a tripod that could assist him in his daily shootings. He owned numerous tripods but had not yet found the 'perfect' one on the market that would meet all his needs, including quick setup, portability, ease of control, and smooth movement - all essential for capturing great shots. When SmallRig approached him to co-design an innovative tripod, he eagerly embraced the opportunity and offered numerous suggestions and ideas. As a professional YouTuber and an experienced videographer, Gene had a clear vision of what he wanted, so we knew he would significantly contribute to this project.

   

   

Gene had been a user of our products long before he became a YouTuber. It was heartwarming to see the nostalgic smile on his face as he recognized some of the accessories on our presentation stand. When asked why he chose to collaborate with us, Gene mentioned that some of his gear still included parts he had purchased at the start of his filmmaking journey, and he was impressed by SmallRig's consistent ability to maintain a balance between quality and cost.

  

   

The process of creating a completely new tripod demanded significant time and effort from both sides. Throughout this journey, Gene and his team offered ideas and insights on how to improve the tripod, while our engineers worked on potential solutions.

   

  

A crucial aspect of a tripod is the tactile experience, particularly with the new X-CLUTCH technology. Gene, his team, and friends tested around 10 prototypes before TRIBEX reached the mutual approval of both sides. Following what he terms 'selfish design,' Gene visited China twice to expedite the process and build a closer relationship with the SmallRig team. On both occasions, he took prototypes for a few days of outdoor shooting.

  

  

Not all prototypes met expectations initially. The first few tripods we shipped to Gene for testing barely worked, but gradually our team refined TRIBEX. Only on his first visit, we presented the sample with the working X-clutch hydraulic technology for a single-action setup, and the tripod started to resemble its current form and functionality. However, after a day of shooting Gene's hand felt sore, so our engineers were prompted to brainstorm ways to make the X-clutch softer and smoother without compromising functionality.

  

  

  

The main goal was to rigorously test the tripod in various scenarios. Gene only kept the prototypes for a while before cycling them to other filmmakers to get as much real-world use as possible. One tripod even journeyed to Alaska to film polar bears, while another was used to capture rodeo events, where compactness and speed are highly valued.

   

 

  

Unveiling TRIBEX at the NAB show after months of hard work marked a significant milestone for the entire team. Anticipation ran high as we awaited the public's response, with a mix of excitement and nerves.

     

 

  

Preparations before the presentation weren't without challenges. Gene wanted to hang on the tripod the way he did during his initial visit, while we preferred to avoid any potential issues. However, the moment the countdown ended, there was a collective gasp as all three legs smoothly extended, setting up the tripod in seconds, and causing the following online hype.

   

  

  

After the NAB event, we further honed both the design and technology, incorporating Potato Jet's suggestions and the feedback gathered from NAB's attendees. We enhanced the functionality of the fluid head, improved the structure of the center column, and refined the bubble level design. Given the challenge of maintaining overall lightweightness without sacrificing performance, we had to meticulously tweak within the confined structural space, resulting in the creation of over 30 prototypes. Five months of relentless effort finally culminated in a finished product that exceeded our expectations.

  

  

Despite the challenges encountered during this creative journey, we take immense pride in TRIBEX. We believe we have streamlined the workflow for creators by simplifying and speeding up the camera setup process. With its overall smoothness of setting up and shutting down, only a few minutes of training are needed to become accustomed to it.

  

  

  

  

   

No tripod can satisfy everyone. With TRIBEX, we prioritized price, compactness, and speed, creating the best possible tripod within these constraints. Fortunately, we didn't have to compromise much to achieve this.