Which Tripod Panning Head

[SUD1988]

I am looking for a new panning head for my tripod. I don’t have much experience in this area. I saw the VA-5 was mentioned in a few places. Is it still a good option? Any others I should consider? I am trying to stay under $150.

Thanks

 

[Jmort1754]

The new wiser head looks good, not in your budget though.

 

[realunlucky]

The va5 head is great. This year I'm using the MTNHNTR nano pan head and saving some oz's and still have great performance

Nano Pro Fluid Tripod Head

Lighter than your Pan tripod head, the Nano Pro Fluid Head delivers ultra smooth, and stable performance in an ultra lightweight, 9 oz. true fluid tripod head.

mtnhntr.com

 

[TCUHunter34]

There’s an outdoorsman’s panhead for sale I literally just saw. I haven’t bought one in a long time, I’m very happy with my outdoorsman mini panhead

 

[cwitt]

As long as you’re not looking specifically for an ultralight type head, the VA5 is still the best bang for buck I’ve tried. I probably spend 125-150 days a year using my optics and I grab it more than anything. I’ve got a couple VA5s, multiple outdoorsmans, a manfroto, and I am even ashamed to say I bought a Tricer BP that’s got some use. I gave it a fair shot but it’s hard to call it anything else other than trash, especially when it does so poorly against a head 1/4 of its price.

I haven’t spent much time behind the really big heads like the Outdoorsman fluid head or the VH10 but the guys I work with that run twin spotters do really like them. Just overkill for me.

My Outdoorsmans Gen 1 pan head has had a ton of use too. Very smooth panning and it’s bombproof. Also supporting a hunting company and made here. The inability to adjust the tension is what keeps me from using it more. It’s either locked down or it’s free. But it still gets the nod when I’m trying to cut down on weight while being able to handle my 95. There are lighter options like the Wisers and eventually I plan to pick one of those up as well. For now at I believe 10oz, the Outdoorsman gets it done.

To specifically answer your question, under $150 and not going uber lightweight, the VA5 is absolutely the way to go. A used Outdoorsman Gen 1 pan head might pop up around that price and it’s also a solid option. But now you’re looking at using their plates vs arca swiss, which factors into cost as well.

 

[SUD1988]

Thanks for all the help. That nano head has my interest peaked. Do you guys know if the VA-5 and VA-5x have the same handle length? I know there are some changes made to the 5x. The handle just looks really long.

 

[cwitt]

Thanks for all the help. That nano head has my interest peaked. Do you guys know if the VA-5 and VA-5x have the same handle length? I know there are some changes made to the 5x. The handle just looks really long.

I don’t notice any difference in mine as far as length. That is worth noting that the X model is definitely the way to go for the quick release system. If the handle is a major concern for you, Rydell at Aziak makes a carbon replacement handle that is lighter and can be cut down if desired.

 

[Smcask100]

The new wiser head looks good, not in your budget though.

Picked up the new wiser precision warden head the other day. Just from playing with it in the garage, it seems great. Again, a little outside of OPs posted budget but you get ball head feature with it too. Seems really nice, versatile, lightweight and will do the job.

BT-20 Ridge Warden Ball Tilt Head

The BT-20 Ridge Warden "Ball Tilt" head is the brain child of a "what if" question. What if there was a head that worked great for glassing and shooting? We answered that question with the Ridge Warden. The Ridge Warden is essentially a ball head but with a novel mechanism to lock the ball into...

www.wiserprecision.com

 

[intunegp]

I have the MTNHNTR mentioned earlier, looks like the price has increased since I purchased it. Searching "micro fluid head" on Amazon will bring up multiple options that appear functionally identical for less than half the price even though the owner of MTNHNTR claims his is different/better. If I was shopping in that range again I'd go with one of the Amazon options. If the budget can be stretched the new BT-20 from Wiser looks like an awesome do-all solution.

 

[SUD1988]

The va5 head is great. This year I'm using the MTNHNTR nano pan head and saving some oz's and still have great performance

Nano Pro Fluid Tripod Head

Lighter than your Pan tripod head, the Nano Pro Fluid Head delivers ultra smooth, and stable performance in an ultra lightweight, 9 oz. true fluid tripod head.

mtnhntr.com

How are you liking this head? Painted arrow has their FH-1 head that appears to be the same head. I found a good deal on it.
How does is compare to the va5? Do you feel like you are giving anything up? The weight is nice, but I don’t need an ultralight setup at the moment, so I could handle the extra weight of the Va5 if it’s better overall.

 

[Nicaburns]

Tricer LP if you can find one on sale