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I just got one as well.
My only reservation ( but I'm getting used to it), is that when you loosen the plate to slide it back & forth for balancing , you are opening the same lock that holds the plate into the head.
Thus if you loosened it to adjust balance & took your hand off it ( as you could with a Sachtler or Vinten) - it could fall. For an owner its easy to learn, but it could be dangerous in a rental.
This bothers me, but its so good otherwise that I'll probably keep it.
Great head for the money.

What benefit if any is a 2-stage tripod vs. 1 stage tripod?...Went to EVS and saw both versions with same heads.

One packs up smaller

Right after I hit post I was thinking...."well dummy...height,weight, size" lol

I was planning on buying the Cartoni Focus head soon for my HVX200. Thanks for the review, which makes me more confident in my decision.

I need to buy legs too, and I'm still debating which ones. I'm leaning toward the Cartoni L502 legs (European model number is T622/2), but I'm also considering the lower priced Cartoni A304 legs. I'd like to stick to Cartoni legs to save money with a package deal and because I heard there are some issues fitting this head onto Bogen's 100mm bowls (which can be worked around). Are the T622/2 legs overkill for this weight class?

Thanks,
Jeremy

I Currently have a Bogen 510 Head. Anyone with expierience with both care to comment on if the Focus would be an improvment on my current system?

Hi Jarred:

For the HVX-200, if you felt comfortable spending the extra $500.00, do you think the Sachtler DV-6 SB head would be a better choice? Everyone raves about the Focus and I am sure it is very good, but I am brainwashed by years of using Sachtlers with my old, huge and heavy Betacam.

I am between the Focus (which can be had for well under $1,400.00) or spending the extra $500.00 for the Sachtler DV-6 SB.

Any comments from anyone out there who has used both? I know I will be happy with the Sachtler but I could buy some other good toys for that extra $500.00 if the Cartoni is that good. I like the 100mm bowl on the Focus better than the 75mm on the DV-6 but other than that, I know the Sachtler has the feel that I like and am used to.

Best,

Dan

Bogen 510 -- I have used this head alot, its a good head but very heavy, and the drag has if i remember correctly only 2 settings.

About the Sachtler DV-6 -- This is the head i was going to buy.. I have shot with Sachtler probally 90% of the time on big gigs, and liked the durability and movement. They both feel pretty similar even with different fluid systems.. these heads in term of movement and features are very similar..., but the DV6 is only a 75mm bowl so leveling is a little easier on the Cartoni... and as you said 50% more money than the cartoni.

It was just very expensive,

They are making a longer plate.. so you should be able to drop the head in flush with the edge instead of moving it back.. so you dont need to rebalance every time.