Giottos MT 9360 tripod with Giottos MH 1301-657 ballhead (both courtesy of Santa Steve)
Giottos 9300 series Giottos ballheads
I am extremely pleased with the ballhead. It was more money than I was planning on spending, but it works so well! The tripod is well-made and very stable, though I am not sure if it meets my needs as well as I had hoped. Either way, both are a significant step up from my old Slik U8000.
Steve
P.S. Santa Giottos threw in a MV-8250 monopod as part of the deal! Ho! Ho! Ho!