What would you recommend?

523PROi MANFROTTO LANC CONTROL ?

I have the 521 and been using for several years on FX1 and smaller Sony's. Also have several Sony tripods with variable LANC control ( bought a tripod and just took the arm off and put it on my Manfrotto 501 head. Also have a Libec controller that works for Sony and Panasonic. Sony now also make a similar controller to the 521 ( I think its PB1).

Ron Evans

I use the 523Pros on my 503HDV heads, and move the stock pan bar to the left so I can have a two-handled rig. I like this setup a lot. If you decide to do this, you'll need to buy extra mounting hardware to mount the second bar -- the 523Pro doesn't come with it as it differs by head.

On my smaller tripods (which happened to come with two pan bars) I use the 521Pros.

We use 523s on our tripods and a 521 on our Fig Rig. Never a problem except in the rain once - Never work outside with any risk of rain without the supplied rain cover.

I use this one VariZoom Lens Controls, monitors, Camera Stabilizers & Supports, Batteries, Monitor Kits Phone:512-219-7722 (http://www.varizoom.com/products/controls/vzrock.html)

Can't go wrong with VariZoom.

The Varizoom doesn't auto re-centre upon release (at least my colleague's didn't) and that is a huge issue for me.

I love my Be-bob Zoe.