Andy I did both. The
Indian version is definitely a good bang for the buck. But don't forget it is the older Wimberley I version copy not the new
Wimberley II that has some little more advantage. As for quality, no it is not even close but the good news is that if you use one of those monster lenses (My first experience was on 600mm F4.5 and then on 800mm F5.6) you really see a significant and I mean a significantly significant improvement. Well Before this gimbal design, I could not control the weight of lens and had one occasion close to letting the whole glass fall that would be a disaster, but gamble design make handling of these lenses really just a piece of cake. Center of gravity is right, motion is perfect, fine movement is just right and it is solid. Solid is the key word though. Why? for eg you are picturing moon with TC added so moon is like a flying dove in the sky and at that magnification you have a 15 second of so window of opportunity to take a various crop of moon. Now you zoom in, leave your pressure off the camera/lens, and it moves downward... You must learn the compensation factor, i.e. to fix it higher, so that when in neutral position, it is rightly pointing to target. But by the time you are ready to shoot, bird is out of field and problem list goes on & on, so I really got disappointed on the pre gimbal days to use the heavy glasses at all. But what a pleasure to use them on rightly desingned gimbal head.
The black color on Indian version will fad soon to bronze, not a big deal especially if you are a Nikon fan. The quick release at times turn into hassle. You see a bit decrease in steadiness over time. None happens with real Wimberley. Well you pay for what you pay for and if you have a 7 or 8 thousand dollar (Pound) lens, you must have these heads to keep them as they deserve on a very solid tripod.
Side kick is good only for lighter stuff.
If you don't try the best to break you back and herniate all those discs out with the big glasses, you really don't need to spend and arm and leg for these heads.
On the other hand, all of the good and steady heads or tripods are coming at price but realizing that you can only buy one good tripod for your life time use, you may want to consider to invest really right instead of trying to save on multiple useless tools that at the end will cost you probably more.
One head that I recommend to everyone for every day use with usual camera/lens is the RRS (Really Right Stuff) quick release clamp.
LINK
That is with arca swiss design plate and ball head combo.
This could be your best photoaccessory you ever bought and once use this one, you will never ever use another system. Really recommended to all.
If you need a bit larger, just plate to be used on your already owned solid ball head, then this is my recommendation:
LINK
Well don't forget that still after all these, you need the right Arca Swiss plate for the camera or lens (A $ 50-200) extra charge, apart from the surly needed tripod.
Well no one said photography is a cheap affair. Good for a light camera user of most point and shoot users when they can be very happy with a $20-50
Gorilla tripod that has it all
To complete the talk; For anyone in need of simply the best Ball Head, the two equally good recommendations are:
Kirk BH-1 Though if you look for lighter, more hiking friendly, you may want to look at BH-3. and then the second choice:
Markins such as M20 or M10.
The Indian equivalent of Gimbal head, is Benro, I believe from far east.
Last as for tripod, well I leave that to you and your own choice as long as we are agree to chose between Bogen Manfrotto or GITZO.
I hope everyone is as bad as me in math as if you put these numbers so far together, you might have already given up on photography.
Andy, sorry to bring it up here, but not totally unrelated. On question you asked me before about long mirror lenses, this is one reference site you must have a look, if not gone throught it before:
LINK