Best fluid head for large spotter?

[Alpine4x4]

So as the title states, I'm looking for a new fluid head for an 86mm spotter and my mirrorless camera setup. I have the Tricer LP, Smallrig CH10, and Aziak Front Country heads currently. The Tricer struggles with the big spotter and my camera, has to be locked down to keep it from drifting. Same with the smallrig. The Aziak works good, but not sold on the ballhead for glassing and no handle is a bummer. Looking at the Tricer BP, VA-5, and Leofoto BV-1. I assume all of the mentioned can handle a bigger rig without issue or springback? Thanks.

 

[alexnelon]

Best is probably a miller skyline 90

Pretty decent is a sachtler ace xl

Usable would be something like a manfrotto 502ah

Anything super tiny like the ch10 or va5 has major drawbacks

 

[digger]

I’d get the Tricer

 

[Camera Land]

Two great options are the Benro S4Pro and the S6Pro

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[tradman]

I use a Sirui Va5x with a 85mm spotter. I find its more than enough to handle the spotter.

 

[Alpine4x4]

I use a Sirui Va5x with a 85mm spotter. I find its more than enough to handle the spotter.

Kinda where I'm leaning. Seems to be the gold standard for the price.

 

[waspocrew]

Sirui does great with my 85 Swaro. My Tricer LP doesn’t do as well. Never tried the BP though.

 

[Spiral Horn]

It depends - my Sirui VA-5 definitely punches above it’s weight - perfect for my Kowa 66A and is adequate for a full-sized spotter; but my VH-10 removes all doubt when dealing with a bigger rig.

 

[Camera Land]

If you are mounting a mirrorless camera to the spotter, depending on its weight the VA5 may NOT be the one to go with

 

[Alpine4x4]

If you are mounting a mirrorless camera to the spotter, depending on its weight the VA5 may NOT be the one to go with

Mirrorless camera will be attached to a L lens not the spotter, but the L lens weighs around the same as an 85mm spotter. Camera is 1.5lbs. I plan on getting a gimbal eventually for the camera setup, but if theres something that can pull double duty without being too expensive and heavy thats a plus.

VA-5 weighs 1.2lbs whereas the VH-10 comes in at 2lbs even and supports double the weight. VH-10 might be the go to option as if I want to pack and be light I can always run my Tricer LP since I wont have my heavy spotter with me, just my 65mm.