Reviews > Camp Tables and Seating > Tables > Beckworth Smartflip Bamboo Table > Test Report by Nancy Griffith

BECKWORTH SMARTFLIP STANDARD BAMBOO PORT
TEST SERIES BY NANCY GRIFFITH
LONG-TERM REPORT
September 27, 2019

CLICK HERE TO SKIP TO THE FIELD REPORT
CLICK HERE TO SKIP TO THE LONG-TERM REPORT

TESTER INFORMATION

My outdoor experience began in high school with a co-ed scout group which made a 10-day canoe voyage through the Quebec wilds. I've been backpacking since college in Pennsylvania. I have hiked 1/4 of the Appalachian Trail and 2/3 of the Pacific Crest Trail. My typical trip is in the Sierra Nevada from a few days to a few weeks long. My base weight is lightweight at 15 lb (6.8 kg) while still using a tent, stove and quilt. Longer mileage summer trips are now stoveless.

INITIAL REPORT

PRODUCT INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS

Table Set Up

In Storage Case

Manufacturer: Beckworth & Co.
Year of Manufacture: 2019
Manufacturer's Website: http://www.beckworthandco.com
MSRP: $99.99 US

Listed Weight: 8.4 lb (3.8 kg)
Measured Weight: 8.5 lb (3.86 kg)
Measured Weight (bag only): 9.7 oz (275 g)
Listed Support Weight: 66 lb (30 kg)

Listed Folded Size: 25.6 in x 6 in x 4.3 in (65 cm x 15.4 cm x 11 cm)
Listed Adjustable Height: 17 to 25.6 in (43.2 to 65 cm)


Measured Dimensions:
Table top: 25.6 in (65 cm) x 19.75 in (50 cm)
Folded Size and Adjustable Height: Confirmed As Listed

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

The Beckworth SmartFlip Bamboo Portable Table is a small folding table that is made of 7075 aircraft grade aluminum legs and supports with a Moso Bamboo table surface. The unique thing is that even though it folds to such a small package, it is ONE piece so it folds and unfolds without any loose parts to assemble. The basic idea is that the table top folds in quarters and the attached legs and table supports fold up with the table top for one compact rectangular cuboid shape. It also comes with a carrying case to make it even easier to store and carry.

The height of the table is adjustable by just twisting the legs and extending them in or out to the desired height and twisting again to lock in place. This means that there are no set points for the height so it can be set to ANY position in between the minimum and maximum heights. Each leg is independently adjustable too, so it should be possible to get a level table on uneven ground. There are caps with a grippy surface on the ends of each leg.

The legs hinge open and lock in place with a leg brace similar to other folding tables. There are two tabletop supports that pivot out sideways to provide a cross-wise support directly underneath the bamboo segments.

INITIAL IMPRESSIONS & TRYING IT OUT

Completely Folded

Half Unfolded

Unfolded

The table seemed very much as advertised on the website. There are two discrepancies that I saw on the website. One is that the maximum height is listed at 25.2 in (64 cm) but is shown as 25.6 in (65 cm) in the diagram. No big deal but I measure it at the higher value. And secondly, the support weight is listed as 88 lb (66 kg) but is shown as 66 lb (30 kg) in the diagram. The included instruction sheet lists these as the latter figures, so I went with that in the specifications.

I can think of a zillion uses for a small table. As a backpacker, I know how I am constantly looking for places to set things on the trail. I use my tent, tree stumps, branches and bushes for storing and hanging things to keep them off of the ground. Though I won't use this table for backpacking, I look forward to taking it on other adventures. Even when 4WD camping or boat camping in undeveloped areas, a table is such a welcome item. The SmartFlip seems like a great solution since it is easy to fold up and store in a vehicle or boat.

The table seems to be well-constructed and is a sold quality product. It seems beefy and strong and looks like it would weigh more than it does. I think that the bamboo helps to keep the weight down.

I was easily able to unfold and open it and then fold it back to the storable configuration with no problems and with no need for any instructions. The process is all pretty intuitive. There was a sheet included with instructions though that were clear and easy to follow.

Legs Extended

Cross Supports In Place

The four table top sections of bamboo are even with each other making the table nice and flat. The legs were easy to twist to unlock, extend and lock back at a different height. The table seemed stable and solid at the lowest height. The tallest height is similar to a tv table and makes it slightly more wobbly. I noticed that when I wanted to grab the assembled table to move it with one hand, there was no easy-to-grip spot to grab onto. So, I found myself grabbing the leg bracket. This worked just fine but was a little awkward.

The storage bag is a nice addition since the folded table doesn't have any handle or grip by itself. The bag keeps everything folded up and has a sturdy handle for carrying. I'm wondering though whether I'll want to have some type of shoulder strap for carrying the table. That way I could carry more gear at once to and from my vehicle to camp. We'll see!

READING THE INSTRUCTIONS & WARRANTY

Beckworth offers a lifetime guarantee which covers the repair or replacement of the functional parts (i.e. parts needed to make the product work) for the life of the product. If through the normal use of the product something stops functioning, they will take care of it.

The table came with a sheet listing basic specification and directions to open in English along with pictures. It states that the sheet also includes how to care for your table, but I didn't see that listed nor could I find it on the website. I'm not sure if bamboo has special care instructions.

SUMMARY

The Beckworth SmartFlip Bamboo Portable Table is a small folding table that folds down into a compact size and can be carried in the included bag.

Initial Likes:
Nice size
Folds to compact package
Lightweight
No assembly or parts to lose
Can level tabletop on uneven ground

Initial Concerns:
Will I want a shoulder strap on the carrying bag?
Do the leg brackets pinch my fingers?
Does bamboo need special care?
Is the table too wobbly at the tallest setting?

FIELD REPORT

FIELD LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS

Over the test period, I ended up using the table several days up to every day per week at home. Then I used it multiple times for car camping, softball games and picnics.

Car Camping:
Colorado National Monument, Western Colorado: 5,771 ft (1,759 m) elevation; clear conditions; 59 to 85 F (15 to 29 C)

Royal Gorge Campground, Canon City, Colorado: 6,829 ft (2,081 m) elevation; cloudy to torrential thunderstorm conditions; 62 to 87 F (17 to 31 C)

Castle Crags Campground, Northern California: 2,053 ft (626 m) elevation; clear conditions; 55 to 93 F (13 to 34 C)

PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD

I used the SmartFlip in the house as a tv table and end table. We have been remodeling our kitchen, so all of our furniture is scattered in the wrong rooms. This has made us either dine in the living room or on the deck. When we are in the living room, the SmartFlip works great while sitting on the couch or as a side table while at the dining table. Mostly though, I have used the SmartFlip on the deck for working on my laptop. The extended height is perfect for using the laptop or for eating. The collapsed height is great as an end table.

In the home situations, the flooring was level so I didn't have to worry about extending the legs to variable heights. However, once I took the table out into the field, I really appreciated the ability to adjust the legs independently. Campsites seem too often be out-of-level even when they look level, so it was simple to create a flat table surface without much effort. The twist-to-loosen adjustment method is such an easy-to-use system.

At the tallest height, the SmartFlip was slightly unstable. For instance, my tea wobbled a little from my typing on my laptop but there was no chance of spillage. At the lowest height, the table was quite sturdy and I was more comfortable to set say a glass of wine on it without fear of knocking the glass over or spilling anything.

I like that the legs can be folded in or the stability cross bars can be folded in first. The order that things are unfolded doesn't matter which makes it easy to set up. I never had any issues with my fingers being pinched in the folded mechanisms.

For travel, I stored the SmartFlip in the carrying bag. It was easy to fit inside and provided handles for carrying the table to and from camp or other venue. I haven't yet had much distance to carry the table, so I haven't wished for a shoulder strap. However, I can see that if I was trying to carry the SmartFlip along with a ton of other gear at once that it would be convenient to have an optional shoulder strap.

As I mentioned in my Initial Report, I did not receive care instructions with the table. However, I emailed Beckworth and very quickly received a response with a detailed sheet of care instructions. The table should be kept clean and just wiping with a damp cloth or dusting it off is all that is necessary. Also, periodic treatment with a mineral oil is beneficial for maintaining the bamboo. I have kept it wiped and dusted clean, but I haven't done any longer-term treatment.

LONG-TERM REPORT

LONG-TERM TEST LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS

During the Long-Term Test Period, I was traveling on an extended seven-week road trip across the country. The table came in handy on multiple occasions for camping and for picnicking.

Camping:
French Broad River, Alexander, North Carolina: 2,195 ft (669 m) elevation; clear skies to morning fog; 65 to 90 F (18 to 32 C)

Lost Creek State Park, Montana: 6,164 ft (1,879 m) elevation; cool damp conditions; 38 to 55 F (3 to 13 C)

Icicle Creek, Wenatchee National Forest, Washington: 1,876 ft (572 m) elevation; pleasant night after a rainstorm; 50 to 60 F (10 to 15 C)

Deschutes River, Deschutes National Forest, Oregon: 4,248 ft (1,295 m) elevation; freezing temperatures overnight

Picnicking:
Stones River National Battlefield, Murfreesboro, Tennessee: Used in the park when the only picnic table that we could find was in a sunny hot location. We set up in a nice shady spot!

Parthenon, Nashville, Tennessee: No picnic tables nearby so again we made our own spot.

Black Hills, South Dakota

Grand Menard Picnic Area/Historic Ninemile Ranger Station, near Missoula, Montana

PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD

The table was really handy to have in the car on our extended road trip. We kept a cooler with picnic items on hand so whenever it was time for lunch, we'd find a place to relax. The table was so easy to pull out, set up, level out (if needed) and use for food and drinks. Even if a picnic area or campground had a picnic table, the Beckworth was still useful. Picnic tables were often wet or in a sunny (too hot) or shady (too cold) spot. The Beckworth along with some camp chairs allowed us to be completely flexible and find a spot that was just right for lunch. In camp, I would use the picnic table for some things but still loved having the Beckworth for more flexibility and a perfect table height.

Adjusting the table height is so easy that I would level it out every time even if it wasn't too off-kilter. I could hold the table level with one hand and adjust one leg at a time with the other hand. It was easier with two people but still amazingly easy even with one!

I liked the travel bag for keeping the table protected in the car. It was easy to grab with the handle to carry to wherever I needed to set it up. There were times that I thought a shoulder strap might be useful when I was carrying lots of other gear to a site, but the handle worked out well.

The table is very stable at the lowest height and a little unstable at the highest height. For instance, at the highest height, I wouldn't be comfortable to try to cut a steak with a glass of wine on the table at the same time. But for nearly anything else, the stability was great for such a small and lightweight table.

SUMMARY

The Beckworth SmartFlip Bamboo Portable Table is a small folding table that folds down into a compact size and can be carried in the included bag.

Likes:
Convenient size
Folds to compact package
Lightweight
No assembly or parts to lose
Can level tabletop on uneven ground
Travel bag

Dislikes:
Nothing!

This concludes my Long-Term Report and this test series. Thanks to Beckworth and BackpackGearTest.org for the opportunity to test this product.

Reviews > Camp Tables and Seating > Tables > Beckworth Smartflip Bamboo Table > Test Report by Nancy Griffith