Thanks all for the insights. I guess my brain started going into overdrive after shooting fireworks on July 4th. I had the camera on a low tripod sitting on a dock by the lake, and got a great reflection off the water. However, I'm left to wonder if every shot is a little tilted. If I had a leveling base and a monopod head, poof it's level.

Neuro, good points about the monopod head. I have two MH-02 Pro (screw clamp version) heads, so I've got the pivot covered. My 1Dxes never leave home without the whole L-bracket.

Can't say I've made up my mind yet. Part of me feels bad that I'm even shopping for a new tripod, as I'm basically handing our existing Manfrotto 055CXPro/4 legs and Markins Q3 to my wife as a hand-me-down after she got it for me one Christmas (though she now wants an 11-24/4 and will be handing "down" her 14/2.8II to me...).