Benro S6 Video Tripod Head Counter Balance Noise

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I just purchased a Benro A2573F tripod and S6 head from B&H. It's a very solid tripod and head and I can't wait to start using it. However, in testing it out this afternoon I'm hearing an odd "plasticy" crackle when I set the counter balance on the head to 1,2, or 3 with the noise getting more noticeable on 2 and 3 when doing any tilting with the head. It sounds a little like squeezing a thin plastic 12 oz water bottle ever so slowly. It's something that an on camera mic would likely pick up. Should I hear anything when tilting and using the counter balance? The noise is coming from the center cylinder between the counter balance side knob and the tension knob on the other side of the head (beneath the mounting plate). Is this just because the tripod is new, is there something wrong with it, or do I need to adjust it. I'm not seeing anything in the user manual or online regarding this being an issue or needing adjustment.

I own a Benro A48FBS4 monopod with an S4 head and it's very quiet (understanding the two heads are different).

Thanks in advance for any advice.


 
I have the Benro S6. I don't have that noise. HOWEVER, I had a WF717 head and everything was fine, I treated it well etc., but after a couple of years, it started making exactly that noise when panning: crackling and popping. I took it apart, and my diagnosis was that it's the lubricant they use in the head that's causing that noise. I didn't want to screw around with it replacing the lubricant and what not (it's a nasty lubricant, like glue, once you get it on something, it's hard to get it out), and simply bought the Fancier 270A head and sticks as a second light duty tripod/head. Imagine my dismay, when I received the head and upon testing it, I immediately noticed exactly the same problem, right out of the box - when tilting, it crackles and pops, (and in addition, didn't move smoothly through the whole arc when tilting, but at a certain point, just plunged). In other words, total FAIL.

I cheered myself up by the thought that at least my Benro S6 doesn't have that problem. Now I hear it too can have that issue! What's nasty, is that you may have no problem in using it for a couple of years and then suddenly one day it develops that issue like my WF717 did.

In any case, I don't think that's normal. I'd return it and get a replacement. My Benro S6 is whisper quiet. Meanwhile the WF717 and the 270A both crackle and pop loudly enough so any mic would pick it up from a few feet away - unacceptable. Anyhow, that's my 2 cents, YMMV.
 
Thanks OldCorpse. Good to find out others have experienced the same issue. I'm going to return to B&H then and get a replacement.
 
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