Originally posted by panoguy Ballheads: Definitely don't try to save money on a cheap one
Amen to that.
I'm currently using a Vanguard ballhead and it's one of the best purchases I've made regarding accessories. I got it at a good price and don't regret the money it cost.
My tripod is a 40$ Dolica aluminum. A colleague has an Induro and we compared them : they are identical. Except that his tripod cost 120$.
I also have a Dynatran (Henry's chinese supplier) carbon monopod. I use my Vanguard head on it.
As you can see I'm not a big fan of expensive lengs. As long as there are three of them, that the heigth is good and the weigth acceptable, then I wouldn't spend a fortune on legs. I might change my mind if I ever get a very expensive tripod but I doubt it... I don't see what could be so very different. I've used a laser bubble level tripod for a while and it also served me well.
So in short, my advice is : get a great head, a decent set of legs, and be done with it
EDIT : and get a head with an arca-swiss compatible plate. Absolutely.