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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Alexis Powell" data-source="post: 3174315" data-attributes="member: 5327">I have the GH1720FQR, which I purchased to replace a Manfrotto 700RC2 as part of my light-weight but "real" rig for use with scopes up to my Nikon 82 ED in size/weight (for ultra-light weight I use a RRS BH-25 ballhead on Velbon Ultra-Luxi legs with my Nikon 50ED). For that scope, it is a very comfortable head to use under most conditions, but if you regularly bird in strong wind, digiscope, or are looking for something solid without concern for weight, you'll want to go with something heavier.The Gitzo is a much better head than the 700RC2--it has no wobble when the tension is set low (a big problem with every 700RC2 I have tried), it pans and tilts more smoothly (can be set lighter than the 700RC2), it accepts plates of any length, and as a bonus it is lighter in weight. I use the Gitzo short QR plate GS5370C with my 82ED since that scope balances perfectly and the small plate doesn't get in the way of my hand. I also have a Nikon 78ED, which weighs about the same as the 82ED but the foot is positioned differently making the scope very nose-heavy. For that one, the Gitzo medium plate is long enough to allow the scope to be properly balanced, but it is not as clean a set-up as the short plate with the 82ED.I haven't had any issues with stiction, and I have used it from temps in the -20 degrees F to over 100 degrees F range. My only complaints are (1) that the head is so short that my thumb/fingers are a little cramped (with risk of skinning my knuckles) when cranking up the tension, (2) that the increase in tension is not as smoothly progressive as I would prefer (a problem common to almost every light head I've ever tried), and (3) that Gitzo does not supply anti-rotation plates (Some day I'll consider how to retrofit it for Arca-Swiss type plates, of which there are many custom anti-rotation options. Gitzo sells an adapter, but I suspect from the looks of it that it is awkward to use). --AP</blockquote>

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