The model shown is a DUAL clamp tripod……that happens to have 1 quick clamp at the top, and a screw clamp (wing nut) at the bottom. Very secure tripod since the user clamps BOTH top clamps and bottom clamps……legs wont loosen and drop your expensive instrument. I recommend a Dual-Clamp tripod for Total Stations, GPS Instruments, and Robotics Instruments since they all have some weight to them. Auto Levels and Transits and Lasers you'd be okay with a Single Clamp tripod. Some Dual Clamp tripods use screw clamps at top AND bottom. Some use Quick Clamps at top AND bottom. Some have a quick clamp AND screw clamp. This is pretty much the combinations I have seen. The screw clamp is most tight and secure. The quick clamp is a lever with a cam type of clamp that gets tight when you flip the lever.
Single Clamp tripods have clamps only at top , or only at bottom. Some have only screw clamp, some only have quick clamp.
Example of Various Types of Tripods
Single Clamp tripod with screw type only (only at top, nothing at bottom)
Dual Clamp with both quick and screw type
Single Clamp with quick type clamp ONLY (for quick setups, lighter instruments)
Then you have "Elevator Tripods" that have a crank handle that raise/lower the head
These are special application tripods, and some users are using them for rotary laser height adjustment.
Elevator with Quick Clamp
