How do you rate the Manfrotto 503HDV head for GH1, 5D2 or 7D?

just read reviews online, it's a good video head (probably the cheapest true fluid head), it doesn't have to be specific to these cameras, works great on even heavier camcorders so there should be no issues with it on these cameras.
 
I know Peter Majtan once put a Red One on a bogen 503. Should handle a vDSLR with ease. I noticed you are using a 701 and the 503 is a is a nice step up, smoother moves and better pan lock. Not quite as portable thought, 701 rocks because its so small.
 
I have the 701HDV. Although it's not the smoothest head I've used, and gets knocked for not being a true fluid head, it does an adequate job with the GH1. If you're concerned at all about size and weight and don't do a lot of complicated moves, it should do the job.
 
Hmm... I find that GH1 is too light even for my Libec TH-650 and have to weigh it down for smooth pans. On a 503 I'd probably add a 2 kg dumb bell.
 
503 is overkill for a camera that weighs two pounds or less (with lens). Consider the 501.

I've heard that neither the 501 nor the 503 are true fluid heads, but that might not be the case with the HDV versions. The 701HDV is billed as having "fluid cartridges," whatever that means.

The 516 is a true fluid head, but it's REALLY overkill.
 
^^ i've had a 516 for a couple years, and i love it. no complaints... really solid and super smooth. bought it for the hvx, using it now with the gh1- which works, but it's hilarious... i need a mattebox to make it look at least somewhat proportional...
 
I like the fluid feeling on the 701HDV and the size is just right. All pans and tilts are as smooth as it can be with such a camera. So the fluid inside does what it's supposed to do.
 
I've found the 503HDV fine weight-wise for what you're looking for, but frankly I find its performance atop Manfrotto sticks to be kinda "meh." (I use an XH A1 on it.) The start/stop of panning is "elastic" and has a high degree of bounce-back, which can scuttle certain shots. The counterbalancing system does work, though, so up/down camera positions are quite stable. Had I to do over again, I'd have checked out the lower-end Sachtlers first, methinks.
 
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