Ball Heads: is there any advantage to buying it separate and adding it, or - is it better to buy a tripod with a ball head already attached?
Dec 23, 2017 21:58:26 #
Chris T wrote:
John ... "a panning base with wedge for my tracker" ... could you elaborate on this, a little?
Feisol PB-90 panning base
Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer Latitude (EQ) Base (i.e. wedge)
Dec 23, 2017 22:05:05 #
jcboy3 wrote:
Feisol PB-90 panning base
Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer Latitude (EQ) Base (i.e. wedge)
Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer Latitude (EQ) Base (i.e. wedge)
Okay, John ... so, this is a pan-tilt design, then ....
And you reckon this is the best for astro work, is it?
Dec 23, 2017 22:18:26 #
Chris T wrote:
Okay, John ... so, this is a pan-tilt design, then ....
And you reckon this is the best for astro work, is it?
And you reckon this is the best for astro work, is it?
I reckon this is the best cheap combination for mounting a tracker on a tripod. Level the tripod, dial in the declination of the NCP, rotate to right ascension of the NCP (I use a compass). Fine tune with a polar scope for long exposures, or just shoot away for short exposures.
I use a Sirui L-20S pan/tilt head mounted on the tracker. Or just on the tripod.
The problem with a ball head is maintaining a level position. But if you've gone to the trouble to level the tripod, then the pan/tilt head preserves that level.
Dec 23, 2017 22:26:19 #
jcboy3 wrote:
I reckon this is the best cheap combination for mo... (show quote)
Is that a 3-way, or a 5-way, John?
Dec 24, 2017 01:57:39 #
Chris T wrote:
So, then, Jim ... based on THAT particular observation - it'd make sense to find a tripod which was equally as comfortable, whether it was mounted with a ball head, gimbal, or 5-way pan-tilt, right? ... Is there such a beast? 
Induro make two 5-way pan/tilt heads. They are the PHQ1 and PHQ3. They also make a head with a unique design that is a combination of a ball head and pan/tilt head. It's the PHD3 model.
Induro PHQ1 5-way head. The PHQ3 is the same but larger
Induro PHD3. It's a merging of a ball head and pan/tilt head
Dec 24, 2017 07:52:07 #
CO wrote:
Induro make two 5-way pan/tilt heads. They are the PHQ1 and PHQ3. They also make a head with a unique design that is a combination of a ball head and pan/tilt head. It's the PHD3 model.
That is soooooooooooooooooooooooooo neat, huh, CO?
Dec 25, 2018 14:43:41 #
Hi and Merry Christmas!
I agree with the idea of choosing the tripod and the ball head separately and that if they are the same brand it may fit the user's requirements.
I have a Sirui T2205x tripod and a K-30 ball head for it and also a Sirui P-326 monopod and a L-10 tilt monopod head for it. I'm very pleased/satisfied with both. The tripod, monopod, and heads were all purchased separately, after reading and listening to numerous reviews. Good hunting in whatever choices you make.
I agree with the idea of choosing the tripod and the ball head separately and that if they are the same brand it may fit the user's requirements.
I have a Sirui T2205x tripod and a K-30 ball head for it and also a Sirui P-326 monopod and a L-10 tilt monopod head for it. I'm very pleased/satisfied with both. The tripod, monopod, and heads were all purchased separately, after reading and listening to numerous reviews. Good hunting in whatever choices you make.
Dec 25, 2018 14:43:41 #
Hi and Merry Christmas!
I agree with the idea of choosing the tripod and the ball head separately and that if they are the same brand it may fit the user's requirements.
I have a Sirui T2205x tripod and a K-30 ball head for it and also a Sirui P-326 monopod and a L-10 tilt monopod head for it. I'm very pleased/satisfied with both. The tripod, monopod, and heads were all purchased separately, after reading and listening to numerous reviews. Good hunting in whatever choices you make.
I agree with the idea of choosing the tripod and the ball head separately and that if they are the same brand it may fit the user's requirements.
I have a Sirui T2205x tripod and a K-30 ball head for it and also a Sirui P-326 monopod and a L-10 tilt monopod head for it. I'm very pleased/satisfied with both. The tripod, monopod, and heads were all purchased separately, after reading and listening to numerous reviews. Good hunting in whatever choices you make.
Jan 1, 2019 13:03:28 #
CO wrote:
Induro make two 5-way pan/tilt heads. They are the PHQ1 and PHQ3. They also make a head with a unique design that is a combination of a ball head and pan/tilt head. It's the PHD3 model.
That's pretty neat, CO … but, it looks as though, in providing a Ball Joint, in ADDITION to Pan/Tilt - the latter's adjustments and total maneuverability - have suffered, somewhat …
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