The clever clutch mechanism that made the Tribex Tripod stand out has now migrated to a new form factor. SmallRig has taken its collaboration with YouTuber Potato Jet a step further with the SmallRig x Potato Jet TRIBEX PRO X-Clutch Hydraulic Monopod, a support that promises to get you from folded to fully deployed in a single, satisfying motion.
The headline trick is the X-Clutch One-Touch Hydraulic Deployment. Instead of fiddling with individual leg locks, you squeeze one handle and every leg section extends in roughly one second, then locks automatically. It’s the kind of feature that sounds gimmicky until you’re chasing a moment and don’t have three hands to spare.
Underneath the party trick sits a genuinely capable piece of kit. The monopod uses a mix of lightweight carbon fiber and aluminum, with a 3-section carbon fiber design that folds down to 89.0cm (35.0in). The video version stretches across a working height range of 35.4 to 66.9 inches — plenty for standing operation without hunching. It weighs 2.6kg (5.72lb) and shoulders a load capacity of 6.0kg (13.2lb), enough for a rigged-out mirrorless or a modest cinema setup.
The Video Kit rounds things out with a professional fluid video head and an Arca-type quick release plate, so it slots neatly into existing workflows.
SmallRig is offering the system in four configurations to match whatever you already own:
- Basic Edition — $200
- Standard Edition — $360
- Photography Kit — $430
- Video Kit — $430
The Video Version was also listed at $429.99 under model 6286.
The design first surfaced as a prototype at IBC 2025 before being reworked into monopod form. As of now, the Video Version is available for purchase, though some video items remain in pre-order status, shipping once the pre-order window closes.
What makes this collaboration interesting isn’t just the spec sheet — it’s the philosophy. A monopod is the tool you reach for when a tripod is overkill and handheld is too shaky. Anything that shaves seconds off setup while keeping the rig steady is a real win for run-and-gun shooters, and the X-Clutch mechanism looks tailor-made for exactly that crowd.
