At the very first use me the following things are negative pushed:
1. The safety lever of unlocking is extremely shaky. In addition, the safety lever, a small spring is installed, which was attached on one side only. This spring is just as shaky as the entire release mechanism. I assume that this spring falls out eventually.
2. The head is not really fixed. Solving the screw only slightly, the camera tilts away immediately! This can have fatal consequences if the stand is not strong enough! I have weighed the following camera and lens combinations on kitchen scales and then mounted on the head, always the same result: the screw loosened in short, everything tilts away:
Canon EOS 600D with battery grip
+ Canon EF-S 17-85: 1459g
+ Tokina 12-24 / f4: 1480g
+ Canon EF L 200 / f2.8: 1767g
Canon EOS 40D with battery grip
+ Canon EF-S 17-85: 1780g
+ Tokina 12-24 / f4: 1801g
+ Canon EF L 200 / f2.8: 2088g
3. Once the camera is installed, the water level is almost obscured. Align So tripod / head first!
4. point the camera out, tightens the screw and then the camera can be rid of these tilts about 1 or 2mm "off", hence the alignment is not satisfactory. In architectural photography can the impact of falling lines! I tried to put on as tight as it is the screw - same result.
Since I'm already older Semsters, I'm going to even define a lighter travel tripod and mount the head there. For my "Always top", the Canon EF 35 / f2 of the head is sufficient.
*** Addendum 9.3.2012 **
Regarding item 2 and 4: now I have found that the reason for the tilting or poor holding the head resulting from unclean processing and cleaning of the hole for the locking screw. I bore the now freed by compressor of metal shavings. Now the head holds and are no longer to.
