Benro S2 Pan head alternative

[Pro953]

I have enjoyed running a Benro S2 for the last few years. That said the thing feels like a brick at 14.5 oz.

I know the Outdoorsmans micro is the best option but I do have a hard time dropping 329 dollars - 7.5 oz.

Anything in the middle ground?

I am not sure if it’s a good idea but has anyone tried to grind / drill away excess material on a pan head. It seems like the S2 has a lot of excess material that could be disposed of with careful trimming.

Just kicking around ideas to trim a few ounces from my kit without dropping too much more in the way of gear/comfort.


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[BigDog00]

I ordered the S2 a few years ago and quickly returned it for the very reasons you described (too heavy, bulky, etc). I ordered the Outdoorsman standard head and have been very satisfied with it. I found a discount code (I believe from the Jay Scott podcast) and got a little relief on price. I don't think you can get much better than the Outdoorsman.

 

[Brian Fahs]

Buy the outdoorsmans.

 

[Pro953]

Not helping


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[Brian Fahs]

Not helping


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I ordered the S2 a few years ago and quickly returned it for the very reasons you described (too heavy, bulky, etc). I ordered the Outdoorsman standard head and have been very satisfied with it. I found a discount code (I believe from the Jay Scott podcast) and got a little relief on price. I don't think you can get much better than the Outdoorsman.

This

 

[Brian Fahs]

Not helping


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You can try several more heads and keep wondering about the outdoorsmans.
Or you can save all that wasted time and money and just spend the coin on the outdoorsmans.

 

[sneaky]

Not helping


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Light
Sturdy
Cheap

You can pick two

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[steelheadmike]

Hmm, the Benro is a great head for $75. Is 7 (SEVEN!!!) ounces worth $250 dollars??? There might be more cost-efficient ways of cutting 7oz. What tripod are you using?

 

[Napperm4]

Have you trimmed the mile long handle in the S2?

Quick hacksaw job could probably save you an ounce there

 

[cornfedkiller]

Have you trimmed the mile long handle in the S2?

Have you done that?

I wanted to, but the fact that its a hollow tube made me nervous about attempting to put a bend back in it.

 

[full choke]

Have you done that?

I wanted to, but the fact that its a hollow tube made me nervous about attempting to put a bend back in it.

Cut the end opposite the bend.

 

[Brian Fahs]

Have you done that?

I wanted to, but the fact that its a hollow tube made me nervous about attempting to put a bend back in it.

I cut the handle on my gitzo fluid head. Really came out nice.

 

[cornfedkiller]

Cut the end opposite the bend.

How do you remove the grip?

 

[Brian Fahs]

Just pulled it off.
Took some effort while trying to be careful not to destroy it.
Sliding it back on was actually more difficult but definitely a nice mod. Would do again in a heartbeat

 

[huntcoop]

How much did you cut off?

 

[Napperm4]

Have you done that?

I wanted to, but the fact that its a hollow tube made me nervous about attempting to put a bend back in it.

Yep. Lopped a few of them down. I have done both ends but I have a small tubing bender that helps.

The grip end is much easier. Takes a little effort but they come off. My trick for getting them back on is to put a little squirt of dish soap inside the rubber and on the metal

 

[eltaco]

I did this a few years ago so don’t remember how much it saved. I had access to a 3D printer so I made a plastic bushing to fit a cutoff arrow shaft. still nowhere near as light as the outdoorsman, but I also couldn’t justify that cost increase. I’ve been pretty pleased with the Benro.

 

[Brian Fahs]

How much did you cut off?

4 inches

 

[Brian Fahs]

How much did you cut off?

It really a personal preference.
I just tried grabing the handle at different locations to determine where I wanted the grip to end up. It was more of a grip placement that worked for me instead of a weight savings.
Most of these handles on the fluid pan heads are designed for camera or video applications. As a hunter I prefer a shorter more compact handle. Especially when used on a window mount.

 

[Napperm4]

Another way to lighten it up if you’re cutting down is to replace the grip with some plastidip or a small piece of pipe insulation foam