| Another note:
While fiddling with the head this evening I managed to accidentally loosen the head mount platform from the end of the center column when attempting to remove the head. The whole business literally fell apart in my hands. The mounting bolt for the head is a pass-through affair and does double duty as the mounting bold for the head mount platform and the head itself.
This is a common design, but usually the bolt is captive on the platform in some way to avoid loosening when a head is tightened down. On the AB1, the bolt is tightened onto the platform with a nut from above. The nut has no washer or lock-washer. When a head is mounted, the action lifts the nut off its seat and allows the platform to unscrew from the center column. Not good. I applied a little "Loktite" (the temporary type) until I can get some sort of lock washer. I will also send a word to Induro's U.S. distributors alerting them to the problem.
As a precaution, the owner should tighten the head mount platform firmly against the end of the center column with the supplied wrench. The owner should also take care to not over-tighten the head onto the tripod. This is a good idea in general. The mount platform has three small set screws that may be extended up against the head base to more properly secure the head without over-tightening.
Steve |