New VA-5X

[Delaylover]

Has anyone had any time with the Sirui VA-5X?

Looks like an upgraded version of the well loved VA-5. Has a locking lever for the arca plates and the handle can be moved to both sides. Seems it’s been out for awhile but I haven’t heard anything about it.

 

[Hussar]

I got one for Christmas and have had it on all my hunts this year. I have no experience with the original one. I've been happy with it. It's handled multiple arca plates and locks down well. You can adjust the tension on the lever with a hex wrench.

The only "gotcha" with it seems to be a raised nub in the middle of the head. It's what stops plates from sliding off when the lever is released. If you have a small plate without a lot of depth, it's possible this nub would prevent you from seating the plate completely and getting it to lock down. It only allows me to lock in 3/4 of the Aziak Bino clamp.