Before our signature orange cables became the go-to for professional tethered photography, Tether Tools started with a table. The Tether Table Aero launched in 2008 after our founder, Josh Simons, experienced firsthand how clunky and inefficient early tethered setups could be.
Assisting on a shoot in the middle of the desert, he was tasked with carrying a heavy DIY wooden worktable to support a photographer’s laptop. By the time he got home, he had a better idea. A quick stop for parts, a little ingenuity and some crafty welding led to a lightweight, tripod-mounted platform that was stable, portable, and purpose-built for tethered photography. That prototype became the Tether Table Aero, and for more than a decade, it’s served as a reliable standard for portable workstations.
The Creative Shift and the Workstation Gap We Saw
Over the years, new workstation options evolved. At one end were budget tables, which were affordable but flimsy and limited in their configuration. At the other end were heavy, expensive systems that were built well but a burden to transport. What was missing? A true middle ground—professional quality that was truly portable, adaptable, and priced for everyday use.
We knew it was time to reimagine the tethered workstation. The AeroTrac Workstation System is our answer to filling that gap to be the lightest, most compact and most versatile creative workspace yet.
Designed Around What Creators Need
Just as the original idea for Tether Table Aero was inspired by a need, the AeroTrac was inspired by what we heard were top needs for today’s photographers, digitechs, videographers and hybrid creators.
Their top priorities?
- Portability — A workstation that is lighter, easier to carry in a backpack, and faster to set up
- Value — Professional quality at a price tag that makes sense for everyday use
- Versatility — Configurable for different applications and types of work, accommodating industry-standard gear
Those three priorities became our design mandate and our primary spec for creating the AeroTrac Workstation System.
Meet the AeroTrac Workstation System
The AeroTrac Workstation System was built to give creators a professional, adaptable, and portable workspace they can take anywhere. At just 3.3 pounds, it folds in half for transport, yet supports up to 30 pounds of gear. You can carry it in one hand, easily pack it in a backpack or case and have it ready to set up in seconds.
Its unique track-based design is the key to AeroTrac’s versatility. Accessories can be configured on top or underneath with precision, sliding and securing gear exactly where you want it. The track system is also cold shoe compatible and works with industry-standard mounting points, so it integrates into gear you have such as tripods and stands.
That means you can walk onto a set with confidence, knowing your laptop, storage, and power are all right where you need them. One day you might be running a tight portrait setup in a small studio. The next you could be on a remote location building out a full digital village. AeroTrac adapts to both without missing a beat.
Core Features That Will Define Your Workflow
Every system ships with core accessories that give it strength, portability, and a professional edge:
- AeroTrac Workstation Plate – The foundation of the system, built to withstand the rigor of everyday use without adding bulk
- Tech Clamps – Low-profile, one-piece and dual-padded clamps hold laptops and other electronics such as tablets. Strong enough to hold tech in place while in transit.
- Removable Carry Handle – Slides into the track for easy, comfortable transport between locations
- Action Tabs – A magnetic locking system that makes folding and unfolding fast and simple
- Configuration Tool – Sits flush into the track for quick adjustments without tearing down your setup
- 1/4”-20 Accessory Threads – Mount and secure industry-standard gear anywhere on the platform
From there, the optional operational accessories take AeroTrac from great to game changing:
- Workstation Legs – Turns AeroTrac into a freestanding table while leaving space underneath for mounted gear
- Retractable Accessory Holder – Keeps your phone, light meter, or a water bottle within arm’s reach, then tucks away when not needed
- Hooks – Keeps cables and bags organized and off the floor
- Tech Straps – Secures batteries, drives, or mini-CPUs right to the platform
- VersaMounts – Adds connection grooves and threads wherever you need them, including the corners
- AeroTrac Carrying Case – Padded, organized, and ready to protect your workstation, tripod, and accessories
These accessories are all problem solvers on-set or in-transport, and were created from real feedback about what slows down, clutters, or complicates a set up.
Built to Work With Your Gear
AeroTrac was never meant to replace your entire kit — it was designed to integrate seamlessly into it. It works hand-in-hand with existing Tether Tools gear and mounting accessories. It’s also fully compatible with industry-standard tripods, stands, carts and grip gear utilizing ¼”-20, ⅜”-16, ⅝” baby pins and junior stands (with Rock Solid Baby Ballhead Adapter) and Arca-Swiss, so you can connect it to the tools you already trust. That means you can roll it onto a grip cart for a big commercial shoot, mount it to a compact travel tripod for a quick location session, or pair it with a light stand to make the most of tight studio space.
And because the track system is open to so many possibilities, you can integrate with a larger set-up that includes monitors, tablets, lights, arms, batteries, storage, speakers and more. You can keep your setup lean and travel-ready, or you can build a full-scale command center. The only limit is your imagination.
From our first tripod-mounted table to the AeroTrac Workstation System, our mission has always been the same: make creative workflows easier, faster, and more professional. The AeroTrac Workstation System is the lightest, most compact, and most versatile workstation we’ve ever made, and it’s ready to work anywhere you do.
