Review: SmallRig x Potato Jet Tribex SE tripod

Friday 12 September 2025, 12:24 by Nando Harmsen | 3,258 views | 0 comments

This article was translated from Dutch with the help of AI. Read the original.

At the end of 2024, manufacturer SmallRig released a unique hydraulic video tripod in collaboration with YouTuber Potato Jet. This tripod now has a successor, the Second Edition. Read more about this tripod in this review.

YouTuber Gene 'Potato Jet' Nagata designed a tripod with SmallRig whose legs can literally be extended in the blink of an eye. This is done using a hydraulic system.

SmallRig's unique hydraulic X-Clutch system.
I reviewed the original tripod in December 2024. You can find the review via this link, complete with a video showing it in use.

The SE version has a simpler damped video head and is more compact overall. However, it still has the hydraulic X-Clutch system for setting up the tripod quickly.

The SmallRig x Potato Jet Tribex SE in the wild

The appearance and details

The first thing that stands out is the tripod's legs. The top section has a pleasant-feeling rubber finish. It provides plenty of grip and looks smart. This applies to the overall appearance as well.

There is a removable centre column and the legs can be set to three positions. The clips pull out fully and click into place automatically when a leg reaches the desired angle. Each leg has a rubber foot.

The video head is a simple version with damping for smooth movements.
The video head is a simple damped version. There is no adjustable counterbalance. The head is suitable for the Manfrotto or DJI RS system, with a 1/4"-20 connection for accessories. The panning handle can be adjusted in length.

Choose between the standard Manfrotto or DJI RS system.

The tripod has two 1/4"-20 connection points for attaching accessories. Unfortunately, the Hawklock system does not fit between the legs.

The hydraulic X-Clutch system

What this tripod is really about, of course, is the hydraulic system for extending the legs. It works in the same way as on the original tripod. See the review of that tripod to see it in action. There are some improvements and changes on this SE version.

The system's handle clicks into place in two positions. The release button is noticeably red. The handle has also become more streamlined.
With the first version, it was already clear that the hydraulic system needs time to build up pressure. After releasing the handle, you have to wait a second. There is now a warning on the handle to remind you of this.

A clear warning reminds you that the hydraulic system needs a second to build up pressure.
The great thing about this system is how quickly you can set up the tripod on uneven ground. The legs extend when you press the handle and lock when you release it. The only thing you need to do is keep the tripod level.

The tripod in different situations. There is no fiddling around to extend the legs. A clear bubble level helps you keep the head level.

In use

The speed at which you can set up the tripod makes it very convenient to use. Especially when you change position often and are working on uneven ground. The automatic clip system for setting the leg spread is very useful.

The SmallRig Potato Jet Tribex SE in use.
The centre column provides extra flexibility for reaching the desired height. It can also be removed if required. As with the original version of the tripod, you need an Allen key for this. The Allen key is stored in the video head.

Removing the centre column requires a bit of skill.

At the maximum leg spread, the handle of the X-Clutch system can touch the ground. Keep this in mind because of sand, water and dirt.

With the maximum leg spread, you still need to consider the height of the video head. If you need to get lower, turn the centre column around.

If required, the centre column can be fitted upside down. This is useful for getting very low.

Compared with the original first version

It is, of course, logical to compare this SE version with the first model, which appeared at the end of 2024. The appearance of the SE tripod, with its attractive finish, stands out in particular. Do bear in mind that the SE version is a lighter model.

The original version next to the SE version. The latter is clearly the more attractive model.

The handle of the hydraulic X-Clutch system has been improved in several ways. Unfortunately, it can no longer be clicked into place at 45 degrees. Instead, it can be locked in the vertical position.

The handle is better on the SE version. But the video head is simpler, with fewer adjustment options.

It is noticeable that the tripod is not much smaller than the first version. With the legs retracted, it is a little smaller, but when extended it is almost exactly the same height. The main difference is in the video head, which is much simpler on the SE version.

There is not much difference in size and weight. Less than you might expect.

The original version weighs 5.5 kilograms and can carry 25 kilograms. The SE version weighs 5.4 kilograms and can carry no more than 15 kilograms. Both video heads are limited to 6 kilograms. Both tripods have a maximum height of 1.68 metres.

Conclusion

The hydraulic system makes working with the tripod very pleasant. You can set it up in the blink of an eye, regardless of the ground. There is one disadvantage to this approach. Fine-tuning and levelling the tripod is more difficult.

Flat ground or stairs. You can set it up in the blink of an eye.
When levelling, you have to press the handle of the X-Clutch system again. This releases all the legs, rather than just the one that needs to be slightly longer or shorter. This is, of course, inherent to the system.

It is very pleasant to use. The damped tripod head is adequate for simple and relatively light video setups. The heavier the setup becomes, the less effective the damping is. The lack of fine adjustment for the damping is then a drawback.

The SE version with its simple video head is less suitable for heavy setups. The damping is not adjustable, so it quickly becomes too much.
The longer the focal length, the more sensitive the movements become. Good damping is then essential. I could use the tripod head in a well-controlled way up to around 300mm. Especially with the panning handle extended to its maximum length.

As long as no panning is needed, you can use a 500mm focal length with APS-C perfectly well. When panning, anything over 300mm is not damped sufficiently.
At more than 300mm, the damping was questionable. Panning in particular was not very smooth, with moments when the resistance briefly increased. This was not reproducible.

It was noticeable that the caps on the tripod legs are very smooth. This was particularly troublesome on polished concrete. Other surfaces are less of a problem. Fortunately, the caps can be replaced, with spikes for example. Unfortunately, SmallRig does not supply these as standard with the tripod.

The rubber caps on the SE version are very smooth, especially on concrete where they slide around. The original version was better prepared for different surfaces.
The principle behind the tripod, setting it up quickly and easily, works very well. Regardless of the ground, you can level the tripod without difficulty. If you work in conditions where the legs may get dirty, they can only be cleaned superficially.

Using it in sand and water makes the legs dirty. They can only be cleaned superficially. Wipe them with a cloth before retracting the legs.
In principle, no dirt will get into the legs. The hydraulics are a closed system, after all. If it does happen, however, you cannot fix it yourself and the tripod will have to be sent away for repair. At least, that is what I expect.

Setting it up is quick and easy. Make sure everything is level before releasing the handle of the X-Clutch system. An extra bubble level in the base would be useful.
Compared with the first version, this tripod has many small improvements. Although it is a lighter model, which is particularly apparent in the tripod head, the SE version offers hardly any weight saving. But when retracted, it is a little shorter.

The tripod is certainly not perfect. There are still a number of areas where improvements would be welcome. These points are not important to everyone, however, so you should decide for yourself what matters to you.

What I like

Visually attractive design
Rubber finish on the tripod legs
Automatic locking when setting the leg spread
X-Clutch handle also clicks into the vertical position
Feet can be replaced
Large bubble level, compared with the first version
Allen key included in the video head
Convenient click system for attaching the tripod plate
Suitable for Manfrotto and DJI RS systems
1/4"-20 connection points for accessories
Nice bag included, including phone holder

What I like less

Panning sometimes encounters unexpected resistance
X-Clutch handle does not click into the 45-degree position
Not enough space between the legs for the Hawklock system
Rubber feet on the legs are too smooth
I miss the hook in the centre column from the first version
No spikes included
Cleaning the tripod legs is impossible because of the hydraulics
No significant weight saving compared with the standard version
Needs an extra bubble level on the base plate

The SE version is perfect for light setups.
The SmallRig Potato Jet Tribex SE is perfect if you want to be able to set up a tripod quickly and easily. The supplied video head is simple and suitable for light video rigs. The tripod is certainly recommended.

The tripod is available for just over 450 euros, which is a reasonable price for a tripod of this calibre.

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About the author

Nando Harmsen has been photographing for more than 40 years. He specialises in wedding photography and landscape photography. Nando also gives talks, workshops, masterclasses and photo trips, and regularly reviews new and interesting equipment.

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