The Gitzo Two-Way Fluid Tripod Head features completely redesigned pan and tilt fluid cartridges - Bird Watching Fluid Cartridges. These cartridges allow for smooth and controlled movements at low speeds and almost frictionless movements at high speeds, making quick repositioning of the camera a breeze.
The single-lock mechanism quickly fixes the 360° pan and ± 110° tilt movements using a single knob, making adjustments easier and more effective. Ergonomically suitable for both right/left-handed use, the tripod head offers maximum stability to avoid even the smallest play, and a high-precision mechanism ensures accuracy. A quick-release plate makes for fast removal as well as facilitating the mounting of scopes, cameras and other such equipment.
Made of magnesium, the lightweight tripod head has high structural rigidity, and can support a load up to 8.82 lbs (4 kg). When used with Gitzo carbon fiber tripods (the Leveling series), the tripod head yields additional speed and versatility while shooting. The removable and reversible pan bar proves useful while using long photographic lenses. A compact design makes the tripod head easily portable and ideal for travel.
The Two-Way Fluid Tripod Head's light weight along with its innovative Bird Watching Fluid Cartridges, add up to the ideal tripod head for bird watching and wildlife photography/videography.
| Construction | Magnesium |
| Plate | Quick release, 1/4" screw |
| Pan | 360° |
| Tilt | 110° |
| Load Capacity | 8.8 lbs (4 kg) |
| Height | 3.6" (92mm) |
| Weight | 1 lb (0.5 kg) |
Displaying reviews 1-4
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Gitzo GH1720QR Two-Way Fluid Tripod Head:
Birdwatching
Comments about Gitzo GH1720QR Two-Way Fluid Tripod Head:
I tested this with an 80mm Swarovski scope (total weight with eyepiece is 3.6 lbs). Although I feel the head might be better sized for a 60mm class scope, it's overall weight seemed on par with other heads that do well with 80's.
I found the fluid cartridges in the scope provide a lot of resistance to initial movements even when fully unlocked. While there is some intention to this in the design, the problem comes about because the head also flexes. The result is I try to make a small movement of the scope to center an object and the stiction of the cartridges resists my movement but the head gives to flex. My object is centered but when I release the handle it bounces back because I hadn't actually move the mount on the bearing, I only bent it into position and it sprang back when I released. Therefore I found myself over shooting objects in the field hoping to have them bounce back into the center.
It wasn't the QR that was flexing either because I was using the handle that attaches to the mount. I also tried using the scope as a handle. I could clearly see the mount was flexing on it's axis and bouncing back.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Gitzo GH1720QR Two-Way Fluid Tripod Head:
This head is light, quick and easy to adjust its tightness with a single large know. It works well with a spotting scope or long lens, pans smoothly and easily and locks completely when needed to. I found it useful to add a longer quick release plate for use with my spotting scope so that it can be balanced when digiscoping (and extra weight is added to the eyepiece end). The need for this depends on how well balanced the mounting point is on your scope, lens or camera. I've had a lot of tripod heads and I think this is the best overall birding head I've had yet.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Gitzo GH1720QR Two-Way Fluid Tripod Head:
Very lightweight and easy to use. I use it with a 65mm Swarovski scope for birding and digiscoping. Easy to lock in place.
Displaying reviews 1-4