Wimberley Sidekick vs. Mongoose M-3.5 Action Hea

[Nathan Lovas]

I was ready to purchase a Wimberley Sidekick for my 200-400 VR, but yesterday heard about the Mongoose M-3.5 Action Head. Does anyone have any experience with them? I know there were some previous posts here, but thought I would see exactly what people think the better option is and why...thanks....Nate.

[Rod Wiley]

Nate I have the side kick and use it with a Kirk BH-1 ball head. For the 200-400 it's perfect. My main reason for it is that I can take it off and use the ball head anytime I want for landscapes. Rod

[Sid Garige]

Nate,

Both costs you probably the same amount of money.

Like Rod explained with Sidekick and ball head you can cover landscapes too.

If you are in weight considerations, Mongoose is the solution.
Also, quick release to take the lens for flight shots is some thing really useful. Coming to panning capabilities I have never seen anything better than mongoose.

Here is a short review of gimbal heads I did few months back.

http://luminepixels.wordpress.com/2007/07/10/jobu-jr-is-it-the-solution/

[Rene A]

Hi Nate,

Your post was what I was looking for
because I ordered Mongose 2.3 for my setup with a Gitzo 3530.

Thanks

[Robert O'Toole]

Hi Nathan,

As a former sidekick owner and current 200-400 + M3.5 owner go for the mongoose 100%!!! The combo is perfect and works like a dream.

FYI, you can easily use the mongoose for landscapes with the C-90 bracket, which I own also. Here is a pic and link.

C-90 link (http://www.4gdphoto.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=5&products_id=9)

You can buy the head and c-90 from Birds as art (http://www.birdsasart.com)

Robert

Note: you would also need a unidirectional QR body plate if you plan to do wide angle landscape work.

[Alfred Forns]

Another vote for the Mongoose

If you go the ballhead sidekick rout The weight difference is substantial plus it has more moving parts btw Robert uses the 3.5 with his 600 !!!!

[Robert Amoruso]

Same here, I use the 3.5 with my 600mm but if weight is not a concern I prefer the Wimberly over the Mongoose.

[Gerald Kelberg]

Hi Guys,
Thanks. The information posted is really useful and helping me to make my buying choices.
Am I right in understanding that for anything but a collared lens I will need to have a camera plate (CB-73 Bi-Directional Body Plate $52) and a C-90 (Quick 90 degree bracket $220) for horizontals?
I didn't see either of these plates on the BAA site and I noticed on the 4th Gen site that the c-90 was out of stock.

Gerald

[Peter M. Noyes]

Nathan, Artie has a very nice article addressing this issue in his BIRDS AS ART BULLETIN # 254. I highly recommend reading it - it is a very informative article.