Originally posted by GregX999 Their panning ball head (CB-40D) looks quite nice as well. It's got quite a large max-load as well.
I was just going to make one comment. The CB-40D is not a true panning head. In fact most ball heads are not true panning ball heads. If the tripod is not set perfectly level (via the legs), then when you rotate the ball head using the panning base (which is usually beneath the ball), you will not be able to get a true level horizontal pan.
In order to get a true level pan, with out the tripod being perfectly level, you need the panning plane to be on top of the ball of the ball head, with the quick release clamp on top of that. This stacking arrangement will ensure that whatever near level (or not level) orientation the tripod may be in, that once the ball head is leveled, they you will have a true level panning plane.
I cant tell how much this may matter to your intended use (it might not matter at all) ....