I used this stand for a festival last year and will be using it for that same one again this year. For the price it is a real winner. Definitely not as well made as a Manfrotto/Bogen or classic Shure stand in terms of the weight and the connectors, but at that price, it doesn't have to be. The carrying case is a nice bonus, and makes me kind of mad my Manfrotto didn't come with one.