Good "all around" head for shooting/hunting

[shields shtr]

Looking for a head to serve as an all purpose mount for a set of Binos, rifle, and maybe a spotting scope. Debating between a setup like the Outdoorsmans Micro pan head, or a ball type head like a Feisol, Sunway Foto, etc. Just wondering if the handle would be more useful on the Outdoorsmans type setup with my 15x56 Binos, or if just setting the tension on a ball type head works just as well. Or is there an option out there that has a detachable handle?
Wondering if anyone has any experience with these two types of setups.

Thanks.

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

What's your budget? I'm in the process of switching from a Manfrotto grip head (which works well, but not great for spotting) to a RRS Anvil-30 ball head. The grip works pretty well for spotting, but it can be a bit fidgety to get precisely on target. I'm hoping the Anvil will be an improvement.

 

[shields shtr]

Hadn't really thought about budget...I don't know 300 bucks maybe? Seems like the ones Outdoorsmans sells are built pretty solid, but their mounting system is proprietary and not Arca. I was thinking of maybe the Leofoto LH55? Seems like a decent setup. I have never really used a ball type system, mainly had the old school pistol grip heads and the straight "pan and tilt".

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

Hadn't really thought about budget...I don't know 300 bucks maybe? Seems like the ones Outdoorsmans sells are built pretty solid, but their mounting system is proprietary and not Arca. I was thinking of maybe the Leofoto LH55? Seems like a decent setup. I have never really used a ball type system, mainly had the old school pistol grip heads and the straight "pan and tilt".

What legs are you using? If you have something that will work with a leveling base, that may well be the way to go. If not, it might be worth stretching to the RRS BH-40 ball head. The ones I have played with were impressive. You could also save up a bit more and go for the Anvil - mine should be here Friday, and I will be shooting with it this weekend.

Edit: The universal leveling base might be another good option, and it's $300 with clamp - and currently in stock at RRS.

 

[502Chevelle]

Check out the Leofoto lh-55 ball head. It is a little more affordable than some other models, but it is pretty nice. I have one and really like it, but I don’t have enough time on it to give a solid review. So far it seems to work really good and I’m happy with the purchase.

 

[NVScout]

Tag

 

[FarSighted]

Watching this thread. I have a Manfrotto tripod and am curious about heads for spotting, maybe rifle rest...

 

[The King]

I like my hunting and shooting head to be slow and smooth. Keeps me steady for the upcoming shot.

None of this frantic, jerky, high friction head action before I need to blast something hard.

I also prefer to have a quick release option- lord knows I don’t want anything getting clingy when I got to run.

 

[502Chevelle]

That’s why the Leofoto has a twin adjustment knobs for friction. A knob to get it in your preferred ballpark, and another to tune it to your perfection.

 

[The King]

My entire post was an oral sex joke. I guess I have become too subtle in my old age.

 

[shields shtr]

I ended up going with the Sirui K40x. I went down to the local camera shop and picked it out. I really like it. No problems clamping on to my 18lb comp gun. It's has some numbers on the adjustment wheels that kind of give you a reference for the right tension for glassing, shooting, etc. I just put the arca adapter plate that came with the head on my Outdoorsmans bino mount for my 15x56 Meoptas. I have a shoot tomorrow, so I am gonna take the whole system out and check it out. So far so good though.

@The King. I couldn't find one with a prostate massager. That subtle enough?

 

[afv338]

i was in the same boat i wanted something light for field work, and hunting. i ended up with fesoli 3342 legs and a rrs 40 with a rrs clamp. so far im happy with it i use it with a lupy spotter and to shoot with. i cant complain. i have a swaro str spotter but i dont like using it with it, im always afraid to walk away from it and it falling over. with a 15 pound rifle in it its good to shoot with, but i wont walk away from it. im looking at buying a rrs 34 with a anvil right now to but i have never seen or used one i think a geared head would be best spotting from what i have read some one correct me if im wrong.

 

[502Chevelle]

After I saw your post I went back and re read your original post. Good one. (This was for The King)