This carbon rapid center column is compatible with Series 3 and carbon Series 4 Gitzo Systematic tripods. The ''rapid'' column slides freely and quickly in the tripod shoulder and is locked and unlocked via a simple twist mechanism, offering the same strength and solid locking under heavy loads. The safety catch feature, when used together with recent Systematic tripods with a safety button, prevents the column from dropping out of the tripod even if it is inadvertently left unlocked.