I'm about ready to get a Benro A-358M8. Current price about $160. From what I read, its a good product. The heads on my list are Markin M10 and Kirk BH-3. Are these products compatable? Do the mounting plates of the heads align and attach to the moounting plate of the tripod. I assume, but don't know, that each device has the same size flange, that they align and mate up well, according to some industry standard.

I will be carrying the gear around, but not hiking more than 2 or 3 miles into the woods, usually much less. Is a 5# tripod too heavy for that? I'm chosing aluminum because the carbon fiber version is just too much $ and only saves about 1#. I read that the head is the more important part of the system so I am looking for a good one. All things equal, I'd rather go with a non proprietary plate system.

I welcome input on these choices. Thank you very much in advance, Hanic