strong low budget ball head - $20 range?

I know there is always someone looking for everything for $20 so here goes.

Just picked up an Opteka M900 Monopod which I am sure is a mortal sin to many who have CF monopods but it was under $25 and is rated at 30 pounds or so (and is pretty solid - and heavy).

I dont care about ball head weight but would like it strong and cheap (if there is such a beast). I dont see myself using more than 10 pounds of weight on it (have a tripod for such times). Though I see a higher weight rating translating to being a little stronger (generally).

I would like to know if anyone has had any decent experience with a ball head in the $20 (or so) range.

Wow, um thats pretty low budget. I mean most quick release plates cost more than that. What about not using a head at all? Any reason why you couldnt just mount the camera to the monopod directly?

Or maybe this? LINK

Is this ball head going to be coupled with your monopod? I never use a head on my monopod, I used this, http://www.amazon.com …TF8&qid=1319485​881&sr=8-2 in the past, but I never saw a big use for it, so I took it off and now just use the monopod attached directly to the lens collar. Im assuming you will be using your 35-350 with the monopod? Try it out with out a head first. I really dont recommend using a ball head, they just slow you down, and serve no real purpose. When using a monopod you can swivel off of the actual pod itself, and after some practice it will become much much quicker then adjusting a ball head.

The more the look around the more I am thinking the no ball head approach might be a good place to start. I appreciate your comments.

I will get out and use what I have and see how I go. Thanks again!!

I used a monopod head (manfrotto 234rc2). It was alright but you can definitely do without.

I use this on my monopod and it works very well. It also takes the Manfrotto QR plate.

http://www.calumetphot​o.com …_7052_qr_tilt_h​ead/ck7052

Try looking for the triopo rs3, its double your budget, but probably the best budget head you can get.

I use a Manfrotto 486RC2 ball head on my monopod. It provides the ability for me to use the camera at any angle to the monopod that I desire, even with lenses that don't have tripod mount rings on them. I use my monopod in MANY ways other than standing up straight behind a vertical monopod.

Some more good options - I will see how I go with just the monopod and will certainly keep your suggestions handy if more flexibility is needed.

thanks again!!

It really depends on how and what you're shooting, but if you're shooting sports at field level, for example, you won't need a head. For most all other cases, a tilt head is beneficial.

If you can stretch your budget to $40, I really like the Joby Ballhead X. It's kind of an unusual choice, but it's very strong, very light, and works with any Arca Swiss compatible plate.

I thought about going headless on my monopod, but 1 hour of that made me realize I really wanted something with quick release, and NEEDED something that would give me a good tilt function.