Did We Find A Tripod head to beat the VA-5??? (for hunting optics)

That's right, we think we have found a tripod head to beat the Sirui VA-5! We took a large array of different heads and tested them all to see what we liked and didn't like. There was one very clear winner.
Our goal was to find the lightest, smallest, and most affordable fluid head that could still handle the weight of a spotting scope. Product links are below!
Segments:
Intro: (00:18)
Sirui VA-5: (02:11)
Manfrotto XPRO: (07:00)
Benero S2 Pro: (08:34)
Slik SVH-501: (10:13)
Manfrotto Befree: (11:41)
Sirui L-Series: (12:40)
Small Rig Selection: (16:54)
Heads Tested:
Sirui VA-5
$164.90
13.2 oz. w/o handle
www.huntinfool...
Small Rig Selection Fluid Head
$49
6.0 oz. w/o handle
www.amazon.com...
Manfrotto befree MVH400AHUS
$100
10.6 oz. w/o handle
www.amazon.com...
Slik SVH-501
$129
12.3 oz. w/o handle
www.bhphotovid...
Sirui L Series L-20S
$139
12.9 oz. w/o handle
www.amazon.com...
Benero S2 Pro
$104
16.5 oz w/o handle
www.amazon.com...
Manfrotto MHXPRO-2W XPRO
$159
22.4 oz. w/o handle
www.amazon.com...
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[@RockyBighorn]

after this review I bought the small rig 3259 to try out, swapped out my VA-5 head and ive been using it for about a month now. I have to say its my new favorite fluid head! its so compact and light but performs flawlessly. I really appreciate the in depth review here, you just made my glassing setup lighter and more compact.

[@TheSavagederek]

It's amazing the difference a nice smooth fluid head makes when scoping .

[@tommysmith6914]

Second time I have seen someone giving the small rig props. That’s good to know since I am about to order one. Lol.

[@MrDirkad]

I bought the small rig last year and used it extensively for the past year. 2 negitives for me: 1st pan is extremely stiff. As in it takes alot of force to move quickly. But it is still smooth. 2nd: the pan and tilt force changes with temperature. When it is hot I like the head MUCH better. But it still worked OK for my late season elk hunt.

[@paul-ardn]

This is very helpful video for figuring out which beginner video head to buy

[@huntinfool_official]

Check out our updated video on Gear Fool's KZbin channel!

[@brandtbuchanan5526]

Where can i find reviews from hunting guides that actually use this stuff in the field?

[@tonesmith909]

I just purchased my third tripod, an Innorel (which are awesome btw) and took a chance on an “Ulanzi M-190 Fluid head” and man this thing for $50 is pretty freaking amazing. You guys shoukd check it out. I have a VA-5 on 1 tripod (an Innorel) and I run the Spartan Davros on another Sirui tripod. Honestly cant justify getting another VA-5 , the 2 cons I have are the handle and the fluidity, its like the VA-5, too strong for binos, not strong enough for my Kowa 883 spotter. Im going to add a small worm clamp to the handle so it wont fall off and be captured like the VA-5. Nice review and good call outs!

[@huntinfool_official]

We're currently working on an updated review for the Gear Fool KZbin channel, and will likely include the Ulanzi. Thank's for the mention!

[@mikemilgiore4917]

Would love to get a follow up review on the small rig head

[@huntinfool_official]

Garth has been using it all year and so far so good!

[@AZGunner-mp7yx]

No mention of the Outdoorsman’s heads at all ??

[@pemborsky]

Yes we have, but the Outdoorsman Fluid Head isn't in this video 🤔

[@Froggies505]

So I got a Leupold alpine sx-2 hd for a deal. That va-5 won’t support it is my understanding?

[@Wrpipertwin]

Try a Ulanzi U190 very similar to small rig but larger head.

[@corbettreddoch3144]

Check out the new design Field Optics Research has. I’m amazed at the size and the ease of operation.

[@xAeschylusx]

I just want a tripod head with one knob and I can’t seem to find one. I hate having to screw with two knobs. I think the VA-5 is overrated for hunting tbh. It’s very fluid, but I don’t really care about that because I don’t film. I just want one lever for both adjustments horizontally and vertically, and I want the tension to be the same horizontally and vertically

[@souvanthongkhanhnara1830]

Good Reviews, Have you tried the Leofoto BV-5 Fluid Video Head? How does it Compare to the VA-5 Head?

[@bradleybendzak9134]

You should check out the Tricer heads I just got one and they are pretty nice

[@gardy90]

Don’t discount the fact you can change almost any of those mounting plates to arca, I have a manfrotto I converted to arca, only takes pulling out 1 screw.

[@johnnewcomb5162]

You guys left out the better model smallrig head. Its better than anything you have on the table $90 bucks. Great review though

[@lanetaglio]

John,..will the $90 smallrig work with ARCA?? TY!

[@johnnewcomb5162]

@@lanetaglio yes, if you don't mind waiting 3 weeks, you can cut the middle man out and get them for $45 bucks instead of $90. Just order of wish or the other overseas online site. They are exactly the same from the same factory.

[@johnnewcomb5162]

@@lanetaglio get the 3457 model. Most people get the wrong model , then they start to complain.

[@SKREE299]

It BLOWS MY MIND that you didn't compare the Manfrotto 700RC2 and 128RC.

[@steelandsanderoutdoors2617]

What's the difference and pros and cons of a pan head vs a fluid head? Thanks

[@Live_Wild_Outdoors]

Thanks for the great in depth review. You saved me and lots of others a lot of money to figure out a lot of these issues/features! Any follow up on the Small Rig? I know you described that the plate is a little different, but will it accept a smaller square arca-swiss plate? I run a Peak designs arca-swiss place on my camera for the ease of backpack strap carry, and like to be able to quickly put it on my tripod. Will it accept the peak designs arca-swiss plate?

[@huntinfool_official]

I'm sure it will, I would guess you could find a way to put a Peax receiver on top of the head too if you really wanted to. So far, it's nothing but good reviews on the Small Rig aside from the plate clamp which requires some caution when using.

[@joshtrauger3088]

Which one would you choose if you were shooting off of it and not using it for glassing?

[@Hmskrd]

The loading weight of both the VA-5 and small rig is only 3KG. Wouldn't that be a problem for a larger scope?

[@huntinfool_official]

We used full size spotters on both heads and didn't have any issues.

[@chuckpugsley759]

I have never been a sit and glass hunter but I am trying to learn. because of this video and others, I bought the SIRUI ST-124 tripod and the Smallrig 3259 tripod head to fit up with Outdoorsman ring adapter 42mm with adapter plate for my 12 years old binoculars, Geovid 10x42 HD that are still awesome. I must be missing some parts, or i bought a complete mismatch and need to start over. The only way to mount my Geovids is the Outdoorsman Ring Adaptor so that has to be part of the equation. Help Please.. :)

[@huntinfool_official]

To my understanding the ring mount is the only option for the Geovid's. Check out Aziak Equipment for more options if the Outdoorsmans is giving you trouble.

[@chuckpugsley759]

@@huntinfool_official Thanks for the option, Outdoorsman guys contacted me and i am good to go. Iv been huntin fool subscriber for many years, love the product, keep up the good work.

[@MusikPiratCH]

You could use the Peak Design Dual plate that allows both Arca Swiss and Manfrotto R2! But thats up to you! and I'd use my Leica-Adapter for my binoculars there I will always have my Arca Swiss plate locked on this adapter (as I do with my cameras)! This way you cannot forget your plate. 😇

[@dyfrgi]

I tried out the SmallRig 3259 with my Kowa 88mm scope the other day and was really disappointed. Three problems: 1) The clamp is very low, so it's not compatible with many other Arca-compatible dovetail plates, like the Kirk LP-41 I threw on to get a bit more front/back movement for balancing. It seemed like it'd connected, but then the scope popped off while I was adjusting a leg. Let me tell you, I was extremely careful for the rest of that outing. For plates that don't come to a narrow angle at the side, like that one and the ones from Peak Design, it's just not going to work as it's not tall enough. Second problem is that even when completely loose, it's still pretty stiff. Lots of rebound when stopping movement. The result is that if I've got it on something, it'll shift a bit, which is annoying at 60x. Not the end of the world but not smooth either. Last problem is that it droops. No holding power at all to stay in position when releasing, except the resistance from the knob, which makes the rebound even worse when turned up. I'm probably returning it.

[@dvedder3]

Thanks for this info. I probably would've bought one to try. I am running the kowa 99 and after diving into some more research on smaller heads I came across the Ulanzi U-190. Camera reviews said it was a bit stiff which had me intrigued for my big spotter. Also reviewed well compared to the smallrig. So far, I think it's perfect. Handles the big spotter really well, and very smooth. Arca plate attachment is really good and all the plates I've tried fit great. Significantly lighter/smaller than the va-5. I've spent a lot more on heads than this one, and this is by far my favorite so far!

[@dyfrgi]

@@dvedder3 interesting! At that price it's an easy pickup, maybe I'll try it out. Saving a bit of weight would be nice for longer trips, and a second pan/tilt would be nice as a backup or for scope+camera.

[@gunterbrisi3350]

Good video over all especially for showing a wide array of manufactures. But one might say these are all kinda entry level tripod heads? Might want to see how these stack up against Swarovski CTH Compact Tripod Head, our the Outdoorsman Fluid Head, even some of the Vortex offerings.

[@huntinfool_official]

We were unimpressed by the Outdoorsman fluid head (especially for the price) we haven't used the Swarovski, and I'm not able to find the Vortex fluid head you might be referencing?

[@svx94]

very practical and useful compassion for scope user! Wish you had the Ulanzi U-190 in the mix. Thanks for the great work!

[@tlpoutdoorsman]

On that small rig..... was it the 3259B ??? Thank u

[@justinmichaelfilms]

as a videographer, & hunter, the ULANZI U-190 is better than the small rig. ;) And cheaper.

[@Chris-wc5ge]

Depends if you ever shoot off a tripod. You will never find a professional shooter shooting off a pan head. You need cant to make sure you gun is level. I agree if you are just spotting then pan head is ideal. If you are ever shooting off a tripod there is no comparison between a ball head and panhead, especially with young youth hunters. I wonder if the ideal set up is like rrs BH-40 or gunwerks hunter tripod head where you get both the ball head and ability to pan? I don’t care who you are… shooting off a tripod in tall grass or sage brush, where prone isn’t an option, is a total game changer !

[@jamesmcnaughton3636]

Hey guys, Great review, Thanks for mentioning the CH10 head. I just purchased one to put on to of my Sirui ST-125 legs. Knocks the overall weight down to 1399g which is the same as a T-024SK + VA5 which was the other setup I was considering. Overall really happy with the setup I have, St-125 legs are super solid and it all packs down good for backpack hunting, more than stable enough for my Razor 65mm spotter. Only letdown on the Smallrig is the plastic knobs feels like they might fail in the future, would be good to find Alu replacements. Keen to check out the Ulanzi U190 that @William Piper mentioned below

[@TH1NOR]

How are these to shoot off?

[@huntinfool_official]

They would work in a pinch, but there's better, heavier options out there.