Gitzo Systematic Locking Level on older model?

I'm looking into purchasing a Systematic GT3540LS model. One of the great features of the new series Systematic is the Ratchet locking lever so you don't have to carry a tool around.

I have been looking into this myself as I hate the Star/Torx drive locks of my earlier versions. Note that the new lock is on the opposite side so it will not be quite as convenient/instinctive to use.
After playing with a couple of the new Gitzo models (2,3 and 4 series systematics) I was a little underwhelmed. The only advantage that I found in the newer models (over my 3530LS) was the locking lever. Against that both the weight and price are significantly increased!
My, sort of, solution war to change the Gitzo locking bolts for bolts with Alen (socket) heads, a much better system. You still have to carry a tool (Alen wrench) but I still prefer the older models.
I did consider purchasing a new spider (top bit) but the Gitzo rep didn't want me to strip down a new tripod to see if my legs would fit - strange man!

Unless you frequently remove the mounting plate in the field, I would just keep the stand Gitzo locking bolt, or change that for a socket head bolt as johnf3f suggests.

I replaced the entire spider on my series 3 with the Markins TH-300 hub (www.markinsamerica.com​/MA5/TH.php?req=TH300), and it is much easier to pack and carry.

seres wrote in post #17437946
Unless you frequently remove the mounting plate in the field, I would just keep the stand Gitzo locking bolt, or change that for a socket head bolt as johnf3f suggests.

I replaced the entire spider on my series 3 with the Markins TH-300 hub (www.markinsamerica.com​/MA5/TH.php?req=TH300), and it is much easier to pack and carry.

I remove my mounting plate frequently which is why I went to socket head bolts on both my Systematics.
I like the look of the Markins TH-300 ( I have the Markins TB-30 for my Gitzo 3 series Mountaineer) but I don't like the fact that it makes it more difficult to dismount the head. This would not matter with a ball head (or similar) but I normally use a Wimberley 2 so I need to dismount it for transport.
If the OP is not using Gimbal type heads then the Markins TH-300 is an excellent solution, why didn't I think of it!?

May be a bunch more money, but have you thought about the RRS TA-3-LC leveling base with clamp, and the TH-DVTL-55 or TH-DVTL-40 dovetail bases for your assorted heads? Then it becomes a case of just flipping a lever open, dropping in the head du jour and closing the clamp again. Might not be quite as bad, up front, as it looks since you'd be needing mounting pads for each of your heads with your proposed solution anyhow.

johnf3f wrote in post #17437960
I remove my mounting plate frequently which is why I went to socket head bolts on both my Systematics.
I like the look of the Markins TH-300 ( I have the Markins TB-30 for my Gitzo 3 series Mountaineer) but I don't like the fact that it makes it more difficult to dismount the head. This would not matter with a ball head (or similar) but I normally use a Wimberley 2 so I need to dismount it for transport.
If the OP is not using Gimbal type heads then the Markins TH-300 is an excellent solution, why didn't I think of it!?

The TH-300 looks nice. Is there a major difference between the TH-300 and the TH-30? Look to be very similar but one is just shorter than the other. Should that matter with stability?

The TH-30 is just a lower profile version of the TH-300, so it could be useful for people who find the higher version an inch or so off for their height. I would think that stability would be a wash, but I'm just guessing on that.