Ball head advice suitable for wimberley sidekick and fairly heavy kit

[footman]

I'm looking to mount a Canon 40D and Canon 100-400 on a Sidekick on a Manfrotto monopod.

This is to be used for general wildlife/bird photography and on a safari later this year.
I understand that the ball head has to be turned on its side to attach the Sidekick so does the ball head have to be of a specially "heavy" standard?

I'm really trying to compare the Sidekick with a manfrotto 393.

Thanks for looking.

 

[Ceejay]

The main thing is the ballhead "Must" be an Arca-Swiss type or the Sidekick won't fit. I believe that limits you to Kirk, RH, or an Arca-Swiss.
Not sure of prices but I think they are about £300 each.
Have a look on W/E site maybe.
C

 

[footman]

I suspected as such, it makes the cost astronomical.

 

[HoppyUK]

There are much cheaper Arca compatible ball heads, and also Wimberley copies, such as Benro. High quality - recommended ebay supplier here http://stores.ebay.com/DCs-Photogra...18QQ_sidZ896782438QQ_trksidZp4634Q2ec0Q2em322

Not sure a gimbal is the way to go on a monopod, though I've not tried it. Cumbersome, and doesn't play to the gimbal's strengths. I think I'd prefer a good ball head.

 

[footman]

Thanks for the link, I think you could be right about the gimbal being cumbersome on a monopod.

The Manfrotto 393 I used the other day was huge and a bit unwieldy! I should try that out on a tripod, it's probably more suited to that.

I'll do some more research on a ball head for the monopod. Ideally I'd like to find a retail shop with a good stock of ball heads so I could handle them.