I'm not too sure that the lever release would be a good idea on a monopod. You could easily catch the lever on something while moving around & lose your rig.
I have the lever release on my RRS BH-55/Gitzo Tripod and am a so paranoid about the lever that I wrap a velcro strap around it to keep it from catching on something. I would think that a very mobile monopod would be much more apt to be inadvertently released.
I believe the lever/knob is the only difference. I have the knob model on my gitzo monopod and the lever on my tripod. Both work nicely, but I prefer the knob on the monopod. The head is really substantial - I support my 500 f/4L lens without problems.
I prefer the lever operation. Using a knob in cold temperatures with gloves on will be little difficult.
4th generation Mongoose use similar lever mechanism and I see big lenses like 800mm and 300-800mm working with out an issue. Just my opinion.
I bought the lever option 5 weeks ago and have hiked dozens of miles with my 500mm attached to it with a monopod and the whole thing slung over my shoulder. The lever folds under the plate so it's pretty secure. Also, it takes a fair amount of pressure to open the lever and then it has a "catch" where it opens partially and stops and the lens would be very loose but will not disconnect until the lever is opened completely. I do keep a strap around my neck just in case but so far no problems.
Lever/knob is the only difference. I went with the knob and have no regrets. I'm simply more comfortable with a knob that I can lock down as opposed to a lever that could be unintentionally, however unlikely, be pulled. BTW, it is a great head!
The lever vs. knob is the only difference. I went with the lever and have no regrets. In all the years I've shot with lever clamps not once has anything caught on it. In fact up until reading this thread the though hadn't even occurred to me.
You'll be fine with either. The head is fantastic BTW.
I got the head with the quick release lever and have had no problems with it. I will pay a bit more attention to this issue since you brought it up. I currently use it on a Velbon Monopod with a Sigma 300mm f2.8 and it works great. I looked around for a cheaper option and could not find one. I already had a BH-55 and the plates so I took the plunge.
I went with the Knob version. Reason being I wanted to work the monopod in the jungle. I thought that the knob prevented the chance of some vine getting caught while moving in the forest and accidentally springing open the lever. Yes rare chance but, when one is tired and pouring sweat, you could tug a snagged vine, while carrying gear thru a leach infested rainforest.
I prefer the lever but, for this use case I picked the knob.
RRS Monopod Head
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