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.