Mongoose M-262 Action Head

[JKSeidel]

Hi,
Art Morris (Birds as Art) raves about the Mongoose M-262 action head for intermediate telephoto lenses on his site. They appear to be fairly new and I've never seen one in action. I must hang my head in shame and admit that I'm not a fan of ball heads, even though I own and use a RRS BH-55. I'm almost ready to switch to one of the modified pan-tilt variants that are out there. Does anyone here have any experience with the Mongoose? I am really dying to try one, but don't want to lay out $350 without at least a few recommendations from users not from the Art Morris site. The thing looks perfect for my needs when I want a tripod along. Any input would be appreciated. Here's the URL for those not familiar with this product:

http://www.birdsasart.com/mongoose.htm

Thanks,
Jeff

[ohenry]

Jeff

I have one and it works great. Very fluid, balances well, and sets up quickly. I use it with my 70-200mm lens, as well as my 400mm lens. I don't think it's rated for lenses larger than that, althought 3DDesigns does make larger heads, as well. I find that it is much smoother and easy to operate than a ballhead with similar lens attached.

The setup requires that the lens have a tripod foot (and I think, but don't really remember at the moment, that a arca-swiss plate is required). I really don't have any complaints about the unit other than needing to swap out heads when I want to shoot with shorter lenses without tripod feet or carry a 2nd tripod). That gives a slight edge toward the Wimberly Sidekick, but I wouldn't give up the Mongoose for this reason.

Feel free to ask any specific questions you might have and I'll do my best to answer them.

[JKSeidel]

Originally Posted by ohenry

The setup requires that the lens have a tripod foot (and I think, but don't really remember at the moment, that a arca-swiss plate is required). I really don't have any complaints about the unit other than needing to swap out heads when I want to shoot with shorter lenses without tripod feet or carry a 2nd tripod). That gives a slight edge toward the Wimberly Sidekick, but I wouldn't give up the Mongoose for this reason.

Feel free to ask any specific questions you might have and I'll do my best to answer them.

Thanks for the response! I was wondering how it compares in operation to the Sidekick? I don't think I'd mind swapping out heads all that much. As you state, I'd probably just find it an inconvenience as opposed to a serious shortcoming. Art Morris and those who posted evaluations seem to favor the Mongoose over the Sidekick (although, Art Morris lists both as being in his 'must have' camera bag). I am definitely interested in getting one or the other. I've just never seen the Mongoose in person.

[ohenry]

I can't compare it to the Sidekick as I have never used one. I know many swear by it, but they probably never tested it side-by-side with the Mongoose

Changing the head is not that big of a deal really. Probably not much more of an effort than putting the Sidekick on and off. Normally, I don't change it in the field since, if I have it on, I'm shooting with one of the telephoto lenses and not using the short lenses on the tripod. But, as I said, swapping it out is just a matter of unthreading it and putting on the ballhead.

[JKSeidel]

Right. Thanks again. I'm leaning towards the Mongoose at the moment. Both the Mongoose and the Sidekick meet my needs but the design of the Mongoose seems a bit better for my current gear set-up.