favorite tripod head.

[mtnrunner260]

Hey guys and gals I'm looking to upgrade the ball head on my tripod. Either a pan head or pistol grip will do. I can't afford an outdoorsman but will still spend a little. I'd like it to be lightweight and compact.
What are you guys using and being able to pay with PayPal would be a plus.
Thanks.

 

[AZGUY]

I use the Vanguard PH-111v 2-way pan head that I bough from S&S archery and it has worked fantastic for both my binoculars and 85MM spotter. The best thing is it's only $70.

 

[WyoElk]

I use the Vanguard PH-111v 2-way pan head that I bough from S&S archery and it has worked fantastic for both my binoculars and 85MM spotter. The best thing is it's only $70.

I will second this panhead but check out B&H photo, they have it for $50.

 

[hntnnut]

i use the vanguard ph-111v 2-way pan head that i bough from s&s archery and it has worked fantastic for both my binoculars and 85mm spotter. The best thing is it's only $70.

x 3

 

[dotman]

I use the Vanguard PH-111v 2-way pan head that I bough from S&S archery and it has worked fantastic for both my binoculars and 85MM spotter. The best thing is it's only $70.

X4...

 

[colonel00]

@$@!$@!%#$!@#$!@%#$.......I hate this place. I had been thinking about grabbing a tripod head but it wasn't a priority and then this thread pops up...mine arrives on Tuesday...*Shakes head in disgust*...


Admission of a problem is the first step, right?

 

[Screamrider]

X4...

I use the Vanguard PH-111v 2-way pan head that I bough from S&S archery and it has worked fantastic for both my binoculars and 85MM spotter. The best thing is it's only $70.

x5!

 

[5MilesBack]

Hmmmm.......popular head. I might have to try one out.

 

[KHNC]

yep, I use the same one as well.

 

[R Miller]

http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/s.nl/it.A/id.4201/.f

 

[mtnrunner260]

Wow you all have spoken and I have listened. Its on the way.
Thanks for the input guys.

 

[colonel00]

Ok, so mine just arrived and it pans nice and smooth even with good resistance on the locking knob. However, the tilt seems to stick and is quite jerky when initiating movement. Not only did I get this for hunting but also for use with my DSLR and video camera. In all applications, I can see where you could lose a distant subject with the jerky motion. Is this the case with any of you other users of this head?

 

[boom]

Ok, so mine just arrived and it pans nice and smooth even with good resistance on the locking knob. However, the tilt seems to stick and is quite jerky when initiating movement. Not only did I get this for hunting but also for use with my DSLR and video camera. In all applications, I can see where you could lose a distant subject with the jerky motion. Is this the case with any of you other users of this head?

no..mine is smooth as snot.

i did read a couple of reviews where some complained of a notchy-ness to the movement. my pan and tilt move pretty much the same. maybe exchange it?

 

[colonel00]

Interesting. I will see what a few others have to say. It's almost like there is a rubber gasket that becomes stuck when you tighten down the locking knob. Then, when you loosen it, you have to break the tilt axis free. After that it is nice and smooth. I guess it could also be a matter of the weather as we are in the 90's with high humidity and this was sitting on the porch for a while. I can live with it but it just seems like it would be a pain if I was spotting an animal and when the animal moved, I totally lose it and have to zoom out and reset since the head jerks.

 

[bbrown]

Mine does the exact same thing. After it "pops" loose it's smooth but it does seem to catch or bind after you tighten. Not sure what's causing it...
Otherwise I really like this head and thinking about ditching the ball head I have even if it weighs less and is more compact.

 

[SDHNTR]

Jim White. Everything else I've seen is too big, IMO.

 

[bradb]

As much as I like my Jim white tripod head, with Jim passing its hard to say if I would go that route

 

[trophytaka]

I use the Vanguard PH-111v 2-way pan head that I bough from S&S archery and it has worked fantastic for both my binoculars and 85MM spotter. The best thing is it's only $70.

I run this one as well

 

[vegas hunter]

X...whatever we're up to. This head is not the best of the best but for the price it works well. I was digiscoping with a ball head that perturbed the hell out of me. The PH-111 made keeping on the animal much smoother. I'm sure there are better and more expensive options, but the Vanguard does what it needs to.

 

[dotman]

Ok, so mine just arrived and it pans nice and smooth even with good resistance on the locking knob. However, the tilt seems to stick and is quite jerky when initiating movement. Not only did I get this for hunting but also for use with my DSLR and video camera. In all applications, I can see where you could lose a distant subject with the jerky motion. Is this the case with any of you other users of this head?

Mine is smooth as butter but when I first got it it would stick if I really really got it tight. It doesn't have to be cranked down hard at all to hold. It is also smoother with weight from my spotter.