If I felt like spending a large amount of money on a ball head I'd most likely get one from the Really Right Stuff company. With the limited number of higher paying jobs here in Arkansas there's just know way I'd drop this kind of cash on a ball head. Now if I made over a hundred grand a year I'd probably get one along with the 900 dollar Gitzo tripod. I bought the Giottos MTL 9371B for 187.00 and it's a work of art so there's absolutely no reason why I would/should EVER pay 600 to 1000 dollars for a tripod unless I just want to impress people with my deep pockets. Have not met or picked up any really cute girls carrying around my tripod just yet but that might change if I got the $900 Gitzo[]