Tripod/head for panoramic use ($150-200max)?

[kunid]

When I bought my 300D with 18-55 kit lens and additional 75-300 I also picked up a Velbon CX-Mini.

Over the years I hardly used it, until I went to the Himalayas last year when I used it with my 75-300 to take the following panoramic:

http://www.damani.co.uk/images/Himalaya_Panoramic_1_Thumb.jpg

So overall I can't complain for £15 it's done its job.

While the above image came out nicely, I had a fair few which didn't. I'm off to NYC for a two week trip next week (staying literally next to BH Photo!) and I'm planning on taking quite a few panoramics, so I thought this'd be a good time to upgrade my tripod setup. I've also just upgraded to a 40D and 70-200 F4, and I don't trust the CX-Mini to do the job!


I've had a look through the forums and it seems like the Manfrotto 055XPROB tripod and 488RC2 ballhead with panning lock is a very popular combination.

While it does look great (and a part of me is saying just do it!), I'm worried I'll be spending too much on something I'd rarely use. B&H Photo are selling the combo for $275.


Can anyone recommend a tripod/ballhead setup which will suit my panoramic needs without costing so much? Say for example for $150?

[Sasquatch41]

I used to use a slik u212 setup but graduated to manfrotto 3021 with 3030 head, then to the 055 xpro with 488 rc2. The slik would be ok in your price range.