During our recent July 2026 safari at Umlani Bushcamp in South Africa’s Timbavati, I set up my trail camera outside my room to see what was moving around during the night. We always hear nocturnal wildlife without knowing what is going on. We don’t recommend wandering throughout the night!
So, what did my Umlani Trailcam detect? A porcupine, a genet and a spotted hyena.
I enjoy setting the cameras up and reviewing the footage afterwards. It is a useful and simple bit of fieldwork, but you never quite know what you are going to find.
The camera I use is a GardePro E8 2.0 Pro. It has Wi-Fi, a rechargeable battery and a no-glow infrared sensor. It is reasonably priced, which is just as well because I regularly strap trail cameras to trees and leave them outside, where elephants, hyenas, lions may do their worst. I sometimes coat it in dry elephant dung to mask the scent! Understandably, I am reluctant to spend a fortune on them. It may not be the best trailcam in terms of visual acuity, but that isn’t really what I need it for.
The important thing is that it can record what is happening in pitch black darkness. I’m not looking for award winning images from it. I simply want to know what is passing through while I’m asleep and provide our photography safari guests with another interesting experience. As this footage from Umlani shows, there can be quite a lot going on.
Click here to read more about our safari in South Africa’s TImbavati with Penda Photo Tours. READ MORE
I am a strong advocate for using monopods on photography safaris. I always place a high level of importance on versatility in my gear. For me, monopods are the simplest and most versatile support for a heavy lens on safari. This brings me to my review of the 3 Legged Thing AirHed Trinity.
The bottom line? Monopods are highly portable, travel-friendly, and perfectly suited for use in a safari vehicle.
However, the choice of a monopod head is a crucial component. Unlike a typical tripod setup, a monopod does not need the freedom of movement that a ball head offers. In fact, ball heads offer too much movement! A monopod’s inherent design handles panning and side-to-side leaning. Adding a ball head means you’re using and correcting two separate systems offering the identical axis of motion simultaneously.
A monopod will also tilt naturally. But with your eye at the viewfinder, this movement is dictated by your own body. We must over-extend or perhaps crouch backwards to maintain framing.
This is why a dedicated tilt head for a monopod is the correct tool for the job. It isolates up and down movement while letting the inherent design of a monopod do the rest.
The Wimberley MonoGimbal
I previously dabbled with the Wimberley MonoGimbal; while well-engineered, its off-centre balance feels lopsided and counter-intuitive when panning. It requires constant effort to keep the monopod vertical and this is something I struggled to get used to. A straightforward mechanism that maintains the centre of gravity directly over the monopod feels much more ergonomic and intuitive to me. It is very overpriced too at £230 here in the UK.
Versatility?
Problem solved? Not quite.
A basic tilt-only head has a limited application and fails the versatility test. But if you add an independently lockable panning base, you suddenly gain a smooth panning option for video and, when unlocked, a fully functional 2-way head.
Ever since discovering their fantastic support systems, I have been pestering my friends at 3 Legged Thing to design a monopod head that delivers the versatility, build quality, and value they are renowned for. Today (30th April 2024), they have done exactly that the 3 Legged Thing AirHed Trinity.
Trinity: The state of being three.
The 3 Legged Thing AirHed Trinity is a very compact fluid motion pan and / or tilt head. Independent locks allow the pan and tilt mechanisms to be used independently of each other. The addition of a detachable arm facilitates smooth panning for video work.
Versatility box ticked!
Detachable arm and rubber grip
Arm removal lock
Arca-swiss twist clamp lock
Tilt control / lock
Independently lockable panning base
Height
7.7cm
Width (with / without arm)
21cm / 9cm
Base Diameter
4cm
Weight (with / without arm)
374g / 265g
Panning Range
360°
Tilt Range
170° (+90° / -80°)
Load
5kg
My primary use for the AirHed Trinity is as a monopod tilt head head, so for the majority of use so far I have removed the arm. Removal and replacement is very straightforward using a knurled screw. It makes it much easier to pack in a camera bag for transportation where every inch and gram is precious.
As we’d expect, the panning and clamp twist controls are easy to grip, tighten and release. They’re comfortable to use with and without gloves and feel well-engineered, reliable and easy to use. The tilt control lock releases and controls the tension of the fluid 170° tilt action. This is the main control for me, and it feels like a perfect balance between minimising the overall size while maintaining the right ergonomic control for thumb and index finger.
AirHed Trinity comes in two different colour schemes, Lava and Darkness. A 38mm Arca-Swiss compatible quick release plate is supplied but in the photograph above, it is attached directly to the Arca-Swiss compatible foot of my Fujifilm XF150-600mm lens.
Ergonomics
For me, locking the lens to the monopod head with an Arca-Swiss type of arrangement is a must for good telephoto ergonomics. I want my right hand on the camera obviously, but I want my left hand free, especially if I am using a zoom lens. I don’t want it placed holding and securing a connection between the monopod head and the tripod foot. Keeping my left hand at the front of the lens not only allows me to use a zoom feature, it dampens down any vibrations and facilitates use of forward placed customisable lens buttons such as focus recall. Manufacturers put those buttons at the front for a reason. That’s exactly where your hand belongs when shooting with a long lens.
It also comes with Toolz, 3 Legged Thing’s multi tool carabiner keyring hex tool / screw tool. Oh, and all-important bottle-opener for those sun-downer evenings on the African savannah!
EDIT: As of Spring 2026, we can also add an Ultra Clamp – multi-function Arca-Swiss compatible clamp quick release lever.
I’ve been using the AirHed Trinity since March 2024. It is light, compact and its ‘three’ function versatility make it ideal for travelling. We can also attach the Trinity directly to the Docz Foot stabiliser. I often use Docz as a mini tripod when travelling or photographing from a very low viewpoint. The AirHed Trinity is also a fantastic option for wildlife spotters who are using a scope. It’s all about that V word again… Versatility!
Final Words
The AirHed Trinity is very simple to use, well-engineered and the addition of the removable handle opens up options as a wonderfully smooth videography head.
It is ideal for photographers who need a compact tilt head for a monopod and a pan and tilt head for a tripod, it’s size and multi-function versatility make it absolutely perfect for travelling.
It has already earned its place in my camera bag and I’m looking forward to using it on our safaris over the summer.
The 3 Legged Thing AirHed Trinity costs £79.99 / $89.99. Purchasing via my link provides a small commission that supports this site at zero extra cost to you. I maintain absolute editorial independence. If a product fails to deliver, I will always give you my honest opinion.
