BEST Tripod ball heads for shooting?

[_MountainBum]

Snagged a used two vets tripod and am looking for input on most preferred ball heads for shooting 10 ish lb setups. Budget to more expensive. Open to suggestions!

 

[wpeach1912]

Anvil 30 is the best. The Leofoto ma-40L and ma-30l are pretty decent for more budget. I’m curious to see what the new Leofoto/mountain forged head is like. I like levers for clamping into a rail much more than the knob. Knob works better though if you have an assortment of China arca rails that vary significantly in dimensions. The lever may be tight on some and loose on others (they can be adjusted, just frustrating). A lever tension mechanism seems to work best.

 

[JMundy84]

I haven't tried very many but I'm really liking my aziak front country

 

[wildernessrimfab]

RRS Anvil 30.

Thread closed.

 

[DroptineNW]

Leofoto ma-40 https://leofotousa.com/products/leo...l-rapid-lock-ball-head?variant=49692655485221

 

[wildernessrimfab]

The Leofoto is an obvious Chinese made copy of the Anvil 30.

 

[firemtn]

Before I upgraded to the RRS Anvil 30 I used the sunwayfoto IB-30. Cheaper alternative and it was pretty decent. The Leofoto Juggernaut head looks pretty awesome, that'll probably be the next one I try.

 

[wind gypsy]

Anvil 30 is it. Leofoto - MA 30L is the knockoff that isn't quite there but close. My MA 30L got dusty and is grabby AF now.

 

[OrangeMan73]

Aziak ridgeline has been working great for me to shoot from, and when I wanna glass (spotter or bino) I just lock the head down and throw the vantage pan head on top of it. Maybe not as light as tricers panhead but smooth and compact when stowing.

 

[Smokinyotes]

I have a sunway foto IB65 ball head. I really like it and locks up solid.

 

[Matt1214]

I have the Anvil 30, the gas pedal lever on it for a right handed shooter is absolutely money. You can be on the gun with your right hand while handling the head with your left hand. But it makes your tripod essentially only convenient for shooting off of, its hard to glass with an anvil. By far the best shooting head.

I also have the tricer DZ. Its like a panning head with an anvil knock off on top. Dual purpose. I use it for cutting weight to glass and shoot off. The handle is backwards though, so not as seamless as the anvil. To be completely honest I feel like tricer does it on purpose to be different...their tripod legs twist open the opposite of Aziak and RRS, the new DZ head handle goes the other direction. They could be the best for price, but they are just cheaper and less user friendly imo. It works well, but could be better. That's my rant about tricer.

 

[Treelineasassin]

I have used the Sunwayfoto ib30, rrs anvil 30 and the leofoto ma30(blatant anvil clone) and all have been good for hunting distance. Past 600y, the ib30 isn't the best. But the leofoto anvil clone is 95% of RRS performance for half the price.

Rrs was able to get the clone taken off most US retail sites, but still found on ebay. They aren't great for glassing, so I have a lightweight 3d print tac table in the pack. Utilizing a shooting bag and binos atop the tac table is sufficient for me.

 

[K9TXS]

If I'm using a ball head, it's the Fatboy invert 50. I prefer the leveling head that came with my tripod. Depends where I'm hunting on what I use. Takes just a few seconds to switch them out.

 

[coast range]

I have used the Sunwayfoto ib30, rrs anvil 30 and the leofoto ma30(blatant anvil clone) and all have been good for hunting distance. Past 600y, the ib30 isn't the best. But the leofoto anvil clone is 95% of RRS performance for half the price.

Rrs was able to get the clone taken off most US retail sites, but still found on ebay. They aren't great for glassing, so I have a lightweight 3d print tac table in the pack. Utilizing a shooting bag and binos atop the tac table is sufficient for me.

Are you using the ma30 or the ma30L?

 

[Treelineasassin]

Are you using the ma30 or the ma30L?

The 30L. That's the unit they make near clones the anvil 30 entirely.

 

[wind gypsy]

Anyone have a line on the best place to buy an anvil 30 or should i just live with full MSRP?

 

[Treelineasassin]

Anyone have a line on the best place to buy an anvil 30 or should i just live with full MSRP?

I've never really found RRS stuff below msrp. A friend has dealer acct through Europtic, very good prices on most stuff. Nothing for discounts on RRS unfortunately.

 

[JDMBEND]

Cheaped on the Anvil 30 and found a Leo MA30-L on ebay. I have shot off a friend’s Anvil and it is better, but not by much.
My hack for glassing is put the Tricer LP on a plate and throw it on top of the MA30L. It is fast and much better than glassing off a ball head.

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

Anvil 30 is it. Leofoto - MA 30L is the knockoff that isn't quite there but close. My MA 30L got dusty and is grabby AF now.

Ever figure out a way to smooth the 30 back out? I liked mine but after a few years of use it’s gotten jerky as well. I tried cleaning with alcohol, compressed air, etc but not what it once was. Reviews seem mixed on using some kind of lubricant…. I don’t mind picking up an anvil either but the ma-30 saves 3-4 ounces.

 

[wind gypsy]

Ever figure out a way to smooth the 30 back out? I liked mine but after a few years of use it’s gotten jerky as well. I tried cleaning with alcohol, compressed air, etc but not what it once was. Reviews seem mixed on using some kind of lubricant…. I don’t mind picking up an anvil either but the ma-30 saves 3-4 ounces.

I haven't tried anything further, meaning to contact leofoto one of these days to have them weigh in on it. It's a grabby and squeeky biotch now.

I just ordered an anvil from Eurooptic. There seems to be more play/slop in the MA30L on dauntless tripod with the anvil adapter than the RRS TFCT-24L i used for years prior. I'm hoping that isn't because the RRS had the Anvil incorporated into the Apex but we'll see. Not something i think would be noticed from a bag but is when clipped in.