Went looking for a better tripod today. My price was about $200 plus/minus $50 (Canadian $) I looked at the Slik 550 with pistol grip and bubble level $239.00, Manfrotto-190XB with 486RC2 Ballhead $249.00.
I then saw the Velbon 200R Sherpa, it was $99.00. I wanted a ball head, not a pan head. The 200R is light, even with the pan head and and very sturdy. I asked to take off the pan head and throw on a beefer ball head than the above Manfrotto 190. The next step up is the 496RC2 head, a very nice unit for $99.00.
So, with the Velbon 200R legs and 496RC2 head it came to $200 plus tax. It is a very solid tripod.