Just a minor correction to this article.

The MT9170 does not come with spiked feet (although the Warehouse Express website kind of makes you think it does) but you can buy the Multi Functional Shoe for £10.99 which IIRC does give you spiked feet. That said I've used my MT9170 on very uneven ground and never had the need to use spiked feet which might possibly be due to the fact that the MT9170 has rounded rubber feet rather than flat feet which many other tripods have which allows the foot to grip on any surface at most angles.

And I want to know why Dave is 'thinking like a girl'! :)

"And I want to know why Dave is 'thinking like a girl'! :)" :)) - we'll have to wait until Tuesday to ask him....

(OK it's cos Karen Parker wrote the article)

It is because Karen Parker wrote it! I had a very busy last day at work and I must have got confused.

I've found rubber feet to be quite stable as well. All spiky feet really achieve is getting covered in mud which gets you in trouble when you get home (that and accidentally impaling yourself or someone else)

"The MT9170 does not come with spiked feet"

They must have changed the spec or you didn't read the manual. For spiked feet you pull off the rubber boots, at least on mine you do!!

DenisG

Really????

I did try pulling the feet off when I first got it but I was having to pull so hard I thought I would break it.

Hmm, I'm gonna have another look now!

Nope, they do unscrew but they dont look like they can pull off to leave a spike. How does it work on yours Denis?

Mine is approx 18 months old Oliver, don't know if thats relevant!.

The rubber boots are quite soft and flexible (it is well used mind! ;-) ). Either a straight pull or flexing sideways should do it if the spikes are present. No unscrewing necc.

Just make sure they are tightly screwed in and keep your pull line away from your jawline lol!. I just bend mine to the side and they 'pop' off.

If you don't want to risk it, I'll try and put a pic up on my website for reference.

Once the 'boots' are off though, don't drop the pod on your toes, they really are spikes.............

Denis.

Oliver, take a look at this and you will see how the spike is hidden. http://www.johnsons-photopia.co.uk/media/documents/giottos2/giottos_updated.pdf

The boot must be removed, the screw is immaterial, leave it tight.

Denis.

Yup, same on mine, just give it a good tug.You wont break the foot, its turned aluminium.