Which is a good Benro tripod head for a birding spotting scope?

Known for being one of the top brands for tripods and tripod heads, Benro makes a wide range of products.

Many tripod heads can be used very effectively in combination with tripod legs from a different manufacturer, provided that the attachments are compatible. In some instances, though, overall functionality is smoother when combining products of the same brand.

Whether it’s logical or not, things just seem to fit together and flow better! So, many people who already have Benro tripod legs choose to stick with Benro when looking to change or upgrade to a new tripod head.

As Benro offers so many suitable tripod heads to choose from, we have compiled a shortlist of options that suit the requirements of birders looking for a durable, stable support for a spotting scope.

Here’s an overview of Benro’s best tripod heads, before we go into more detail with the reviews.

Quick comparison: Best Benro tripod head for birding spotting scopes

Benro S2 Video Head

Offers the full range of motion with 360-degree panning using fixed drag control

Best Benro tripod head – with drag control

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Benro S6 PRO Flat Base Fluid Video Head

One of the best options with machined metal components, giving the Benro S6 PRO a solid and stable feel

Best Benro tripod head with counterbalance

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Benro HD1A 3-way Pan Head tripod head

Benro’s 3-way pan head is not the most exciting looking tripod head you can get, but it delivers on performance – and of course, birders focus their views more on birds than kit, right?

Best Benro tripod head – pan head

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Benro GX35 low profile ball head

A stylish as well as solidly reliable ball head from a very reputable manufacturer. This Benro tripod head boasts quality and usability.

Best Benro tripod head – ball head

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Reviews: Best Benro tripod head for birding spotting scopes

In this review section, we list all the most important specifications of each product along with a summary of its main features. For each model there is a quick summary of its pros and cons, before a fuller review of how it performs.

As price is always a key consideration, we have included the facility to check the current price so that you can also compare from that point of view.

Best Benro tripod head – with fixed drag

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Benro S2 Video Head Overview

This is the older version of Benro’s S series, which we have included because it’s still a great deal at a lower price point than the updated version, the S2PRO. If you’re willing to part with a bit more cash, then the S2PRO is a decent upgrade for not too much more.

Sticking with the cheaper first version, though, the S2 offers the 5.5 pound maximum load. By itself, the magnesium alloy S2 tripod head weighs just 12.8 pounds. That is marginally less than the SmallRig option we have also reviewed.

Safe and easy attachment features

There is a sliding quick release plate (plus separate safety lock) to help in balancing the spotting scope. The plate has a ¼ inch screw and a retractable pin to stop rotation.

One thing the S2 is missing that might be important depending on what you want to attach is the Arca Swiss compatible plates. The slide-in plate on offer here is similar to the ones on lightweight Manfrotto heads. If you’d like the option to connect to an Arca Swiss plate, you’ll need Benro’s S2P version.

There’s an integrated bubble level at the base of the head to check the horizontal alignment.

Pan and tilt range of motion

Panning will take your view around the whole 360 degree, while the vertical tilt goes from +85° to -85°. This is a pretty good range of motion especially for birders who might be tracking overhead flight.

There is fluid drag control to assist with smoothness. But the drag is fixed for both the pan and the tilt, so you can’t adjust it to your own preference.

There are independent locks for the pan (at the base) and tilt (in the middle) so you can lock off one axis and move along the other axis only.

The single panning handle attaches on the right side of the tripod head only, with the majority of the rest of the controls on the left side.

The handle can be removable or attached to be pointed at a variety of angles. It’s advisable to take care when changing this as the handle itself feels rather flimsy and could do with more stiffness.

Lacking a counterbalance

As always, bear in mind the maximum load weight is best taken only very roughly as a guide.

With this S2, which doesn’t have a counterbalance, you can err on the side of putting a much lighter load on there. This will reduce any potential pressure from heavier scopes.

The S2 offers a sound performance at this price point – a bit more than the SmallRig but still very affordable for what it offers. However, if you are able to stretch a bit further, the S2PRO is a worthwhile investment for the newer and improved model. Check out the details here >>>

BENRO S2 PRO FLUID VIDEO HEAD

Newer, improved version of the still-worthwhile Benro S2, if you can increase the budget!

Alternative great value S series head

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Best Benro tripod head for birding spotting scopes – with counterbalance

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Benro S6 Pro Overview

Benro’s S6 Pro sits very favorably in its price range. Upgraded from its previous popular model S6, the S6 Pro is machined from magnesium (on the main body) and aluminum.

All of the dials and controls are now upgraded to metal instead of plastic on the S6. As well as being easy and simple to use, the fact that they are metal also gives a more solid feel.

This means you can adjust in a hurry with confidence, without the sense that you need to be careful in case the controls loosen or break. All the locks, too, keep your optics reliably attached.

Counterbalance features an adjustable scale

There are five preset levels (in addition to 0!) at which you can set the counterbalance. So within the bounds of the suggested weight range, your spotting scope will stay put at the desired angle, and not flop forward when you let go of it.

This counterweight feature also allows you to swap from spotting scope to binoculars. Then maintain balance once the counterweight is set accordingly.

Benro upgraded the pan drag

The panning range reaches around the full 360 degrees. One of Benro’s big improvements on the older S6 is to the pan drag. You have the flexibility to attach the panning handle to either side. It’s telescopic and lockable.

The bubble level – which can be illuminated at the touch of a button – is a really nice little extra. No more squinting at the instrument in the dim dawn light!

Best Benro tripod head for birding spotting scopes – pan head

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Benro HD1A 3-way Pan Head tripod head Overview

Quick and easy to set up and control, the Benro HD1A is the lightest in the HD series. It’s possible to move up to the larger sizes if you require a larger payload.

Attachment is simple and easy with the Arca-Swiss compatible QR plate. This also fits other heads in the Benro range and with products from other manufacturers.

Side tilt goes from -15 to 90 degrees, while front to rear tilt ranges from -30 to 90 degrees. The rotation is the full 360 degrees.

Scales show angles clearly

There are blue measurement scales on each of the axes of movement – panning, vertical and horizontal. This allows you to see how much tilt you are using, for example, and to move quickly back to an original position if necessary.

Controls are comfortable to grip and it’s easy to feel fully in control of the front and horizontal tilt as well as the panning.

Short pan handle

The panning handle is quite short in comparison to some other models. That, as many other preferences, comes down to individual choice. Or often how much time you are prepared to spend getting used to a new thing!

Benro is not the only brand offering top quality pan heads. Check out this round-up of other options > Five of the best fluid pan tripod heads for birding spotting scopes

Best Benro tripod head for birding spotting scopes – ball head

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Benro GX35 Three Series Low Profile Aluminum Ballhead Overview

This GX series ball head tripod head offers a high level of comfort in its use. The twist controls feel like they are durable. They stay firmly in place, as well as being pleasant to turn.

You can pan horizontally, and there are clear markings to indicate progress across the range. It is also possible to achieve any angle of perspective once the ball head is unlocked and manipulated.

There’s a nice friction control to enable you to stay in control of the speed of movement.

Adaptable attachment

The safety lock keeps the spotting scope secure once it is attached. The scope will not slide off the plate if left unattended – and who wants their precious optics taking a tumble? The plate is Arca compatible.

The ball head features a bubble level, which is handy for aligning during set-up. It’s not so easily visible once the optics are attached though. That could be an issue for digiscopers, in case of the need to alter position and move the tripod.

Stylish and solid

Its aluminum construction allows this Benro ball head to be light and hard wearing. There is so much to appreciate with this ball head, which gives a great impression of being stylish as well as solidly reliable.

A stylish as well as solidly reliable ball head from a very reputable manufacturer. This Benro tripod head boasts quality and usability.

How to choose between the Benro tripod heads for birding spotting scopes

What should you prioritize when it comes to the key features of a tripod head?

To summarize, the main considerations for most birders include:

• Stability
• Size
• Price

For a more in-depth discussion of what the terminology means and how to identify which features are most important to you, feel free to read here: How to choose a tripod head for a spotting scope

Which model seems like it would best suit your needs? What size of scope does it need to hold? Will you be swapping over from spotting scope to camera very often?

Often choices can be narrowed down by what seems like small features.

Will you need a bubble level, or do you already have one on your tripod legs? Do you prefer a handle with a rubberized grip or one that is milled metal?

Buying the Best Benro tripod head for birding spotting scopes: next steps

Finding a tripod head to give a stable base for your spotting scope hinges on what is most important to you. With reference to our ‘how to choose a tripod head’ article, you have an overview of what to look for when making your purchase.

We’ve highlighted some of Benro’s most eligible tripod heads available. Along with the specifications of our favorites, we offered reviews summing up their pros and cons. We also highlighted the main features of each tripod head.

If you are considering an upgrade to your exisiting tripod head, and searching specifically for a Benro head, then you have some solid options to choose from. It’s a sensible strategy, if you already have Benro tripod legs, to stick with a brand that has already proved its worth.

We covered several products from Benro’s S Series. And we examine more from the range in more detail in this comparison of Benro’s S2 vs S4 vs S6 vs S8.

If you are thinking about buying your first Benro product, we hope that by compiling and comparing this shortlist, we’ve offered a helpful overall perspective of tripod heads that are especially suitable for bird-watching spotting scopes.

Feel free to click through to continue reading about the tripod heads offered by some other brands. While Benro benefits many birders, there is a wealth of top manufacturers to choose from.

In this round-up you can read about an alternative brand’s offering of tripod heads > Manfrotto's best tripod heads to hold birding spotting scopes

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