Sirui VA-5 the one

[tracker12]

Looking to replace my fluid head for my Swaro ATM 65. Is the Siri VA-5 still the standard. Weight is not a big consideration in my choice. I tried some of the LW Chinese builds (Smallrig) and did not like them.

 

[Wheels]

I’ve got an Outdoorsmans pan head and a VA-5 and actually like the smoothness of the Sirui better. I’m sure the Outdoorsmans fluid head would be great for large optics but not necessary for a 65mm.

 

[Camera Land]

The VA5 is a great head. By far our best seller. Plus we have a promo code good on Sirui in checkout, promo24. That gets you 10% off of the sale price

Feel free to call me with any questions
Joel
Camera Land- Rokslide Sponsor
516-217-1000

 

[bojangles808]

look up the tricer offerings.

 

[Geewhiz]

Man if weight wasn't an issue and you didnt care about ARCA compatibility I would go with something like a benro s4 or a manfrotto head. I bought a va5 after hearing you guys go on about them and its a significant step down in smoothness and user friendliness from my benro s4. It is, however, significantly smaller and lighter.

 

[tracker12]

I am set on ARCA compatibility. I do see that Sirui now has the 5X and older VA-5 is on sale ay many places right now.

 

[Baller]

Still the standard with people I hunt around..

 

[archp625]

It’s very good. With that said I played with a Tricer LP at scheels and think I’m going that direction.

 

[MC2FS]

I’m with archp, the VA5 is good but I went went with the Tricer LP. There’s pros and cons to each and I think the VA5 is right in the middle of them. For me, the weight and panning was better in the Tricer.

I’ll bet Tricer’s new BP head is awesome. The con being the price.

 

[Buglebrush]

I run the VA-5 on one tripod and the Tricer LP on another. Both tripods are Slik 624's. Love the weight of the Tricer, but it takes constant adjusting of the tension. The VA-5 is much better for long glassing sessions. I just put in over 16 hours behind the glass over the weekend, and was so annoyed I was using my Tricer instead of the VA-5.

 

[waspocrew]

I have the VA-5 and it's been great with my ATX 85mm. I went that route as I heard the tricer had a little more difficulty with larger spotters. If I was going with a small spotter (like a Swaro ATC0) or binos, maybe I'd be looking at the tricer a bit more.

 

[Middleofnowhere]

I bought the Wiser head for my binoculars, but it holds my 99mm Kowa pretty stable. It’s very smooth on the pan and tilt. Made in USA if that’s important to you.

PH-170 NightHawk Ultralight Pan Head

The PH-170 NightHawk Ultralight Pan Head is the perfect choice for hunters looking to stabilize their optics while saving weight. When you get your optics stable you are guaranteed to spot more animals. The NightHawk Pan Head pairs perfectly with our Quick-StiX System or any standard tripod to...

www.wiserprecision.com

 

[tracker12]

I ended up going with the VA-5.. B&H had them for $104 with $15 rebate. For that price and the positive reviews for such a long time I couldn’t pas it up. Thanks for all the input.

 

[tracker12]

Update: I got the VA-5 in and while I loved the overall function I hated the knob that locked down the plate. I run n=my handle forward and the knob is in the way. When I tried to index it for a better position it just didn’t lock down right. Interesting that’s what SIRUI changed with the VA-5X. While the VA-5A feels a little better than the SmallRig I have been using it was not enough to overcome what I disliked about the VA 5. Wether I order a 5X is yet to be decided,

 

[Sako79]

I have a VA5 And that's great i'm thinking about getting the wiser nighthawk. $30 more than the Tricer. But the wiser has lifetime warranty And it's made in u s a. The Tricer Has a one year warranty and is made in china

 

[passinggas33]

This has become my favorite tripod head and I’m actually surprised that more people on here have gone over to it. Had the VA-5 and sold all of them and replaced them with these cause I liked them so much.

Leofoto Ranger BV-1

Leofoto Ranger BV-1 Video Head

Rob's new favorite video head for 65mm and larger spotting scopes, the BV-1 has been tested and approved for backcountry use. The Leofoto BV-1 weighs in around 14oz and handles 65-80mm spotting scopes very well. It has a spring loaded counter balance and fluid tension vertical and very smooth...

sandsarchery.com

 

[GreyBeck]

The va-5x doesn’t have a push button release in the base. It’s a solid oval nub in the middle of the camp to prevent plates from sliding out once tension is released. Arca plates with a flat bottom do not fit all the way - only clamped by a portion. While I have several Surui plates - they’re redundant as I have Arca adapterss on my spotter and binos. Has anyone ground off the nub on the bottom of the head so all feet fit?