Thank you all for replies & comments

The Takara is even better value than I first thought as the head is just mounted onto a standard screw so can be used on top of antique tripod & mini tripod as well. It uses a universal joint with turn knob lock on horizontal and turning-lock lever on vertical, which also works as a nice hook on bag strap. I doubt it is that much use as a walking stick, but who knows?

Hopefully about to do some more serious testing in Lakes and Scotland, so if I appear to have disappeared that's where to