Tricer DZ head first impression

[8404]

Just walked through the door last night after a bear hunt and the new Tricer DZ head was sitting here. Would have loved to have had it in the field this last week but a shipping problem kept that from happening. In any case, first impression is a very good one.


The head is significantly larger and heavier than their LP head, but adds the function of instantly going from a pan/tilt head to a ball head with the throw of a lever.

I’ll compare the Tricer AD tripod/DZ head to the Sirui ST-124/VA-5 head. I think a lot of guys are running the Sirui setup.



On my scale, the DZ weighs 14.8oz (compared to the VA-5 which weighs 14.5)

The Sirui ST-124 and VA5 weighs 3 lb 7.6 oz.
The Tricer AD and DZ weigh 2lb 15.8 oz

So the Tricer combination is 7.8 oz lighter than the Sirui setup BUT adds the ball head function. (Somebody check my math)

If you’re already running the Tricer LP head, switching from the LP head to the DZ adds 10.3 ounces to the Tricer setup.




The DZ fluid head pan and tilt function is SUPER smooth. The ball feature provides a very solid lockup when the lever is closed. If you only want the head to pan and tilt for glassing, that’s exactly what you have. If you need to switch from glassing to shooting, you just pop your optic off, clamp your rifles ARCA rail into the head, throw the lever and now you’re using a ball head.

The handle collapses or you can extend it for more leverage if you’re using a heavier optic.



One thing that annoyed me about the LP head is the handle sticks out at a weird angle when you’re trying to stow the tripod. The DZ handle tucks neatly between two legs of the tripod.



I think I’m going to like this head a lot.

Anyone else have one and what are your impressions?

 

[idahohunter29]

Been curious of this head myself…i am just concerned it makes the tripod kinda bulky

 

[8404]

Been curious of this head myself…i am just concerned it makes the tripod kinda bulky

When the tripod is strapped to my pack I don't see it anyway, and when the tripod is in use, the head just seems like an easy size to manipulate. I was also concerned about the size but what you gain in functionality more than makes up for the increased size and weight, in my opinion.

 

[4th_point]

Thanks for the post and pics.

Two questions:

1. Will it hold an 80mm class scope for high angle viewing?
2. It doesn't look like there is separate drag control, so assuming that it can handle a heavy 80mm+ scope for high angle viewing, how is the tilt? Smooth, or do you need to fiddle with it?

The VA-5 struggles with big scopes and steep angles, and the lack of separate drag control doesn't help, even with an extended mounting plate.

 

[8404]

Thanks for the post and pics.

Two questions:

1. Will it hold an 80mm class scope for high angle viewing?
2. It doesn't look like there is separate drag control, so assuming that it can handle a heavy 80mm+ scope for high angle viewing, how is the tilt? Smooth, or do you need to fiddle with it?

The VA-5 struggles with big scopes and steep angles, and the lack of separate drag control doesn't help, even with an extended mounting plate.

If you look closely, there is a knurled ring on each pivot point. Those can be tightened to the point where the joint is fairly solidly locked up. Whether you’re using a lot of friction, or a little, the head movement remains fluid and smooth (up to the point where the friction is basically locked)

I haven’t put a HUGE optic on it, but it will easily lock a 11 pound rifle in any position.

 

[4th_point]

Thanks for the reply.

I'd be interested in your thoughts if you put a spotting scope on there and tried to slowly tilt while viewing at a steep angle, pause and view, then repeat. Will it be smooth for viewing, and hold the scope when you stop tilting? Maybe too much to ask for, given the compact size and weight.

Many smaller heads with no fluid drag control - like the VA5 - don't do well at the smooth motion part. You end up having to set the lock loose enough to tilt, but then it won't hold the scope in place without then tightening the lock. So you end up fiddling with it. The knob is really just a lock and not a separate fluid drag.

I use an extended plate with the VA5 and it struggles with steep angles, but I also don't want to carry a big video head either!

 

[8404]

Thanks for the reply.

I'd be interested in your thoughts if you put a spotting scope on there and tried to slowly tilt while viewing at a steep angle, pause and view, then repeat. Will it be smooth for viewing, and hold the scope when you stop tilting? Maybe too much to ask for, given the compact size and weight.

Many smaller heads with no fluid drag control - like the VA5 - don't do well at the smooth motion part. You end up having to set the lock loose enough to tilt, but then it won't hold the scope in place without then tightening the lock. So you end up fiddling with it. The knob is really just a lock and not a separate fluid drag.

I use an extended plate with the VA5 and it struggles with steep angles, but I also don't want to carry a big video head either!

Great questions, unfortunately I don’t know. My hunting (Sierra Nevada mule deer and bear hunting mainly) doesn’t necessitate the really big spotting scopes. I run a 65mm spotter and the head is smooth as butter. I have not noticed a jumpy or notchy tilt or pan experience.

 

[hoyt-guy]

Just got mine last week. I'm super impressed. So smooth, and handles my 85 swaro spotter no problem. This was the issue I had with the Tricer-LP head. The LP was great to glass with my bino's, but when I put my spotting scope on it, it was too heavy for it.