3 Legged Thing AirHed VU Blue – High-performance ball head

AirHed VU Blue – The ball head with a window to the ball bearing

Sure, the AirHed VU Blue from 3 Legged Thing is ‘just’ a particularly high-performance ball head, with an extremely robust and easy-to-use quick-release system. But the British tripod designers at 3LT aren’t known for settling for good performance. Who else would turn a ball head into a design icon? So the tinkerers from Stagsden simply set a window in a sleek magnesium alloy, revealing the central ball bearings in the AirHed VU’s locking mechanism. A design gimmick, but one that looks absolutely stunning! And a feature you won’t find on any other ball head in the world.

Performance and application

The practical specifications are, of course, just as technically advanced. Tested with a load of 40 kg in every ball position, there is nothing this ball head cannot handle. The quick-release base allows for easy levelling regardless of the camera tripod’s orientation. The locking knobs, featuring a particularly high-quality, slightly textured finish, are therefore extremely grippy and comfortable to use. This ensures quick and secure fastening of the quick-release plate without much effort. Furthermore, the 360° panorama quick-release system can also be used separately, for example on a monopod. The elegant anodised finish in metallic blue and copper tones makes the ball head a visual highlight, whilst also enhancing its durability. The ball, made from a high-quality aluminium-magnesium alloy, ensures a silky-smooth movement and unrivalled stability. A spirit level and the Arca-compatible quick-release plate make the 3LT AirHed VU not only a design eye-catcher but also an uncompromisingly flexible ball head with high practical value.

Quick-release base for precisely levelled shots

The 3LT AirHed VU Blue quick-release base enables precise and comfortable alignment for horizontal camera pans and panoramic shots, even in situations where the tripod itself cannot be aligned accordingly. The locking knobs for clamping the quick-release plate and for securing the ball head are colour-coded for easy operation and positioned at an angle to one another. This colour-coded feature is particularly useful during twilight or night-time photography. The QR Octa quick-release plate has two locking screws on the underside which prevent the plate from slipping out of the mount when the clamping mechanism is opened.

Technical details

Ball diameter: 30 mm
Load capacity: 40 kg
Compatibility: Arca
Dimensions: 10 cm x 9.5 mm (height x width)
Weight: 363 g
Material: Magnesium alloy
Colour: Metallic blue, copper

Contents

1 3LT AirHed VU Blue ball head
1 Arca-compatible QR Octa quick-release plate