Advice on buying a new tripod head

[wizzo]

I have a Manfrotto tripod with a Manfrotto 804RC2 pan and tilt head. This combination is absolutely fine for general photography but the head is really difficult to use with my spotting scope. Do any of you have any suggestions for a head that would be more suitable. I've been advised that Manfrotto do a head with a pistol grip that is supposed to be quite good? Any advice would be gratefully received. Thanks Wizzo

[Hobjob]

The piostol grip will be useless for scope - you can't pan it around properly. I've used one and hated it.

Your existing head shouldn't be too bad, but most scopes in bird reserves have a long handle on the head.

Mine is Manfrotto 701rc2 and really smooth. I am however, horrified to see its present price. Several friends have the same.

The "fluid" ones are so much better as they don't jerk, and hold rock steady when locked tight.


I bought cheapish several year ago and gave it away.

[glsammy]

I agree the pistol grip wouldn't be good for a scope. I've got one I use with my tripod, although I usually only use the tripod at home with my macro lens. The grip works well enough, but not the best idea for scope work.
The problem is the lack of fine control. It's easy to move to a general position, but I imagine to get the control needed at high magnification with a moving subject would be very tedious and difficult.

[wizzo]

Thanks guys for the replies. The long handled types seem very popular amongst the birders I've seen today. The only problem being with my present head, is that the handles are too short and are hard to grasp underneath the scope body. I assume that's why the long handle comes in handy. Thanks again for the quick response....I'm off to Jessops! Wizzo