Tripod Head for Shooting Purposes? Are joysticks the best options?

[mckchome]

I need to pick up a head for the tripod I use for hunting/shooting. I typically mount a PIG Saddle on a variety of Manfrotto Tripods to hold both binos for extended glassing and to shoot distances < 500 yards. The head must allow me to make adjustments to rifle quickly. My first thought is to pick up a "joystick" style head ( e.g., Manfrotto 327RC2 or the larger, heavier 322RC2). Are these my best options? Other suggestions?

 

[IOWASHOOTER]

What's the budget? I've found the best all around to be the anvil30.

 

[mckchome]

What's the budget? I've found the best all around to be the anvil30.

Sorry, forgot to mention budget! I'd like to stay @ or < $200.

 

[canezach]

You didn't mention what tripod you have. Personally, I went away from the blahhead/Hog Saddle combination to the RRS universal leveling base. The good news is it's incredibly stable. Much better than my old setup. The bad is A) it's pricey, and B) you then have to make everything you have Arca compatible, which means more money. I got a smoking deal on my RRS leveling base, so it's possible to find them in the $250 range or you could go with one of the less expensive models, like a Sunwayfoto and add an Arca Swiss type clamp. A friend of mine has the tripod from the Hog Saddle guys with an inexpensive leveling base and it seems to be pretty steady

 

[mckchome]

You didn't mention what tripod you have. Personally, I went away from the blahhead/Hog Saddle combination to the RRS universal leveling base. The good news is it's incredibly stable. Much better than my old setup. The bad is A) it's pricey, and B) you then have to make everything you have Arca compatible, which means more money. I got a smoking deal on my RRS leveling base, so it's possible to find them in the $250 range or you could go with one of the less expensive models, like a Sunwayfoto and add an Arca Swiss type clamp. A friend of mine has the tripod from the Hog Saddle guys with an inexpensive leveling base and it seems to be pretty steady

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm currently locked into the Manfrotto universe, as that is what my photography team uses (we keep it all the same for interchangeability). With that said, I'll gladly look into these other options as they seem to be pretty popular.