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Message: <blockquote data-quote="rdcny" data-source="post: 3174007" data-attributes="member: 73664">what is your budget? the GH17...is ok - but a bit lightweight for an 85mm scope. I would recommend this one:<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003VTXZBS/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_2?pf_rd_p=1944687682&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B003VTXZBI&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1RQQ0WDZZJSHTGN4A80D" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003VTXZBS/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_2?pf_rd_p=1944687682&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B003VTXZBI&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1RQQ0WDZZJSHTGN4A80D</a>and read the single review towards the bottom. He makes some very fine points.I own and use the GH27...version (see review linked to above) - and like it a lot. It is fine for panning and tilting a large scope - and for mounting a small camera for digiscoping. If you have the money, I would recommend going for the GH2. In Asia, the pan/tilt heads made by Manfretto (video heads) are very popular - but larger and heavier.I own two copies of the GH2 - one has "frozen" - bound onto a Swarovski AT80 scope and will not let go of the foot of the scope (well, the jaws will not open so that I can remove the base plate attached to the foot of the spotting scope...so my scope is for the moment permanently attached to this Gitzo pan/tilt head). My only option is to send the scope and the Gitzo GH2 pan/tilt head to Arizona (where Gitzo has its repair facilities) - and have them remove the scope from the pan/tilt head) - and they send me back my scope and a new GH2.Overall the GH2 that is working properly works fine...no problems. In pans (and tilts) smoothly - no problems. It supports the weight of my Zeiss 85mm scope with no problem. I like it - and I have used ball heads (photography) made by everyone from Really Right Stuff to Arca-Swiss to Kirk...so I have experience and know heads should work for long lenses and spotting scopes. The GH2 is a good one...despite the problems I am having with one of my copies - it will do what you want it to do. I would recommend going for the larger one (GH2 not GH1) - but also going to a place like Cape May - some place where you can see what many different scope owners are using - so you will have a better idea of the options available to you - before you spend the money.Robert DeCandido PhDNYC<a href="http://www.BirdingBob.com" target="_blank">www.BirdingBob.com</a></blockquote>

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