Induro BHL3 Low Profile Ball Head with Arca-Swiss Style Quick Release System, 88lbs Load Capacity

2014-06-03T21:00:00

BHL3 loaded with well-designed features I thoroughly tested the BHL3 recently on an astrophotography excursion and I'm pleased to report this ball head lives up to its reputation. Four aspects I really like about the BHL3: Oversized controls - Induro has simplified the number of knobs to avoid confusion. The large locking knob is unmistakeable as the main control knob. It has an integrated friction control (other ball heads commonly have a separate control knob for friction). The small thumbscrew on the main knob easily controls the amount of friction on the ball head and does not require special tools to operate. Simply press your thumb against the control and turn for greater or lesser amount of friction. Safety-lock quick release - I like the additional safety feature of the lock quick release. Easy to operate, once you understand the logic. Turn to unlock mount, then pull and give a slight turn to release the dove tail. Gives additional peace of mind when you've got a heavy 300mm or larger lens attached. Low-center-of-gravity ball - The low center of gravity offers a compact design, which is what first attracted me to the Induro model. The BHL3 is ideal for photographers who may have other tripod head accessories attached, like a quick leveling head. While the ball-head is compact, its plenty sturdy, capable of 88 lbs. load! Smooth dampened panning base - I use my BHL with a gimbal head attachment (Wimberley Sidekick), so an unimpeded panning motion is essential. The Induro BHL3 glides nicely. It has a dampened motion, yet glides smoothly and consistently through 360 degrees of motion. The BHL3 is definitely a serious contender in the pantheon of top brand name ball heads. Surprisingly, its about $100 less than its competitors.

Christopher W.

2013-06-12T21:00:00

Solid ball head. I've compared it with the RSS BH55-Pro ball head and it is a very strong, equal rival if not the better due to its lower cost. Well thought out locking and drag function combination (only two protruding knobs as opposed to the usual three). The oversized locking knob and the double security afforded by the Induro PU-70 supplied plate and the clamp's pull-to-remove-plate feature is most definitely a plus. It is not excessively heavy at one and a half pounds (weight is not always bad in photography) and its all black, non-reflective finish may help when shooting wild animal subjects in the field. It also looks good when shooting at formal events. I combined the BHL-3 with an Acratech leveling base and set it on my favorite Gitzo tripod and now I have the best tripod & mount combination for my photography. I can't speak on durability since I've only had it for a short period of time, but if indications from handling and feel mean anything, it should last for a long, long time. By the way, Induro offers a lengthy warranty on this ball head. It's hard not to like this ball head. It just feels right.

JUAN G.

2013-01-28T19:00:00

I needed a very solid ballhead to support some fairly telephoto lenses and this unit does exactly that--solid support without slipping or drooping. I like the fact that there are only two knobs to control the unit. A very solid, well-made piece of gear.

Hal N.