Review on SunwayFoto XB-44 Tripod Ball Head | Arca-Swiss Compatible, Low Center of Gravity | XB44 Sunway by Jeremy Edwards

The Sunwayfoto XB-44 is equipped with a closed CNC machined housing with an internal ball control mechanism. This is a unique concept fusion of the classic Arca Swiss(tm) design and the patent pending flat caliper design. Using the XB-44 gives the feel of a solid construction with very fine and high quality CNC machining and finishing. The new design is visually appealing as almost all edges are smoothed giving the ball head a distinctive look. It is more compact than it appears in the photos. The body and quick release clip are hard anodized in black with a matte finish. The front of the ball head features a white laser engraving of the company logo, brand name and model name. The double-cutout design can prove advantageous. One notch for portrait, one for tilt, on a strong outer shell, but with a very light overall weight for the ball head category. Note. The confirmed weight of the copy XB-44 ballhead I received is 465g on my electronic scale, which is only slightly better than the manufacturer's data sheet of 483g. the whole structure. There's a small issue with the clamp angles getting in the way of the pan bottom on steep tilts, but then again it has a precisely offset bubble level that can be moved. Smaller than other Sunwayfoto models, the base of the pan is still clearly visible thanks to the white engraved markings. To achieve the smallest possible profile, the designers of the XB-44 ball head relocated part of the friction/locking mechanism. in the extension on the back of the case. The offset positioning of the Friction/Lock and Pan-Lock knobs and the behavior of the mechanism suggests that an entirely new mechanism has been developed (patent pending), internal calipers for both ball and pan control used. Grips Follow Sunwayfoto's standard for ring grips without rubber to improve long-term reliability. All three grips share the same design and are made from aluminum alloy with CNC machined grooves and diamond patterns around the perimeter. The quick release knob is smaller while the friction/lock and pan lock knobs are oversized, all black hard anodized, as is the body. As on the previous models, there is no ring with a scale on the friction control knob. There are no visible head opening screws on the underside of the ball head except for a 3/8"-16 threaded center hole for attaching a tripod which is actually occupied by a 1/4"-20 to 3/8"-16 sleeve for conversion of thread for tripods with 1/4"-20 spigot. Also visible are two small Torx head screws holding the small cover of the ball control mechanism. The XB-44 bullet meets Sunwayfoto's standard that its ball heads are elliptical in shape but closer to the bullet than other manufacturers' bullets. Currently, on most ellipsoid ball heads on the market, the Y-axis ball diameter is approximately 0.07mm larger than the X-axis diameter to compensate for the additional torque created when the ball is tilted sideways due to increased friction and so avoiding the risk of destruction or resistance. For Sunwayfoto ball heads, the Y-axis ball diameter is 0.03mm larger than the X-axis, which ensures smoother operation while maintaining the previous advantage. Even with slightly increased friction, you can immediately feel the elliptical shape of the ball due to the increasing resistance when you try to tip it in any direction. The ball is very finely crafted in the same black matte finish with a very short shaft that has a quick release buckle attached. I have discussed the benefits of a short ball stud in other reviews but this is an opportunity to reiterate as this ball stud is very short. The ball's short shaft provides increased stability because the center of gravity remains close to the ball's pivot point when tilting the camera/lens combination, resulting in less torque. The optimum range of inclination also depends on the size of the sphere, as larger spheres with a greater angle of inclination will have their center of gravity within the sphere's circumference. Last but not least, Sunwayfoto offers a 5-year limited warranty extension. , During registration. Besides the warranty card type credit card, I was impressed to find a rare "customer information card" in the package, even on non-Chinese products, to be used along with the warranty card in case of a warranty claim. Pros: Innovative and original design. Exceptional quality in finish, finish, fit and assembly. Compact size and light weight. Excellent stability and vibration dampening. reached the golden point. Good value for money. 5-year limited warranty extension after registration. Cons: Small issue in quick release design that needs re-evaluation. little room for fine adjustment. The friction/locking control mechanism does not unscrew smoothly from full lock. Verdict: Remember that this is a newly released product with an innovative approach. h Due to the flat design, some malfunctions or minor design errors are expected, which need to be improved. On the other hand, a few minor flaws cannot overshadow the build quality, high stability and smooth operation under various loads.