For long-lens photography on a tripod, gimbal mounts are definitely my preferred choice. They provide solid support for heavy lenses and make both pan and tilt movements smooth and effortless. My usual pick for this is the Wimberley WH-200 Gimbal Head, which is arguably the gold standard of gimbal mounts. It is, however, on the heavier and bulkier side making it difficult to bring along especially when traveling by air or packing my gear into the backcountry. Fortunately, there is a nice alternative solution that not only cuts weight and bulk but also adds versatility – The ProMediaGear GT2 Tomahawk V2 Gimbal Head Attachment.
The ProMediaGear GT2 Tomahawk V2 Gimbal Head Attachment is primarily designed to seamlessly attach to any Arca-type ball head, transforming it into a fully functional side-mount gimbal head. Its versatility also extends further by allowing it to be used independently as a monopod head. Both uses offer flexible support for minimalist travel. I will discuss each of them as well as how they compare to some other setups that I have used over the years.
ProMediaGear GT Tomahawk V2 as a Gimbal
Figure 1 below shows the GT2 Tomahawk configured as a gimbal head. The ball head in use is the BH-40 from Really Right Stuff. Once the lens is properly balanced and secured in the Arca mount, the setup delivers impressively smooth and stable operation.
Panning performance, of course, depends on the ball head. In this case, the BH-40 is well suited, offering notably smooth rotation and easy tension adjustment via its pan control knob. Tilt is managed by the top-mounted adjustment knob on the GT2 Tomahawk, which is equally smooth in operation and allows precise control over tension.
If this were my only gimbal solution and I didn’t mind the extra weight, I’d likely choose to go with the larger RRS BH-55 or equivalent for even smoother and more stable performance. That said, the BH-40 ball head still feels more than adequate, even for heavy lenses like the Nikon 600mm f/4 TC.
ProMediaGear GT Tomahawk V2 vs. Wimberley Arca Sidekick
The ProMediaGear GT Tomahawk is not unique in the world of ball head to gimbal head adapters. The Wimberley Sidekick is an adapter I have used for some time. The two are functionally equivalent and seem equally solid and smooth to me. They are shown side-by-side in figure 2 below.
The Sidekick is somewhat taller and generally bulkier although the weight difference is nominal. The sidekick comes in at 1.3 lb. vs 0.95 lbs. for the GT2 Tomahawk.
There are, however, a couple of operational differences worth noting.
The first is the overall mount height, which directly affects the maximum upward tilt of the lens. The upward tilt limit is reached when the lens or camera body makes contact with the ball head. Figures 3 and 4 below illustrate the maximum upward tilt angle for both mounts when used with a Nikon 600mm f/4 TC lens. The shorter GT2 Tomahawk mount clearly limits at a maximum tilt angle significantly lower than that of the Wimberley Sidekick.
Whether this is an issue depends on the intended use. For situations like shooting high in trees or other elevated subjects, the Sidekick is definitely the better choice.
A second difference concerns the security of the mount. Figures 5 and 6 below show both attachments mounted to the ball head clamp. The GT2 Tomahawk, on the left, relies solely on the tension of the ball head plate to hold it in place. Safety screws can be added to the Tomahawk, which would prevent it from falling to the ground in the event the clamp loosens. The Sidekick, while also relying on the ball head plate’s tension, features a lip edge that positively prevents downward movement by stopping against the ball head plate. Both mounts are secure, but the Sidekick’s design offers a more inherent level of safety.
As a side note, ball heads like the Arca Swiss Z1 lack safety stop cutouts to engage the safety screws on the GT2 Tomahawk. If the clamp were to loosen, there would be nothing to prevent the adapter, camera, and lens from falling. In this case, I would definitely prefer the Sidekick design, with its built-in hard stop against the ball head clamp.
In general, both attachments perform exceptionally well. However, if I were to choose one for exclusive use as a gimbal, I would go with the Wimberley Sidekick. I prefer its taller height, providing a greater tilt range, and the added safety of the mount to the ball head. That said, for anything beyond gimbal use, the GT2 Tomahawk has additional versatility. Unlike the Sidekick, the Tomahawk can also double as a monopod head – discussed below.
ProMediaGear GT Tomahawk as a Monopod Head
Figure 7 below shows the GT2 Tomahawk mounted on a monopod. For convenience I have mounted an RRS B2-40-LR II Lever release clamp to the monopod. This makes breaking down the assembly for packing very easy and convenient. Safety screws installed on the Tomahawk prevent the head from sliding out should the clamp loosen.
The great thing about this gimbal-style monopod head is how easy it is to use in the field. Unlike traditional monopod tilt mounts that require constant tensioning adjustments to maintain the tilt, a gimbal head is fully balanced once set up. This means there’s no need to keep both hands on the monopod and camera just to maintain stability. With the gimbal, I can hold the monopod with one hand, leaving my other hand free to operate the camera independently.
ProMediaGear GT2 Tomahawk V2 vs. Wimberley MH-100 MonoGimbal
Another gimbal style monopod head is the Wimberley MH-100 MonoGimbal. It works basically the same as the Tomahawk and I have used one for many years. However, there are a couple of key features about the Tomahawk that I like much better than the Wimberley.
The most significant difference is the offset between the center of the lens and the monopod center. Figures 8 and 9 below show each head mounted to a monopod with a Nikon 600mm f/4 TC lens. The Wimberley, on the right, places the lens center a notable 6″ from the center of the monopod. In contrast, the Tomahawk shifts the lens by only 3.5″. While this may not seem like a huge difference, it becomes quite noticeable with a heavy lens like the 600mm f/4. The Wimberley requires more monopod lean to maintain balance, whereas the Tomahawk’s smaller offset keeps the setup closer to vertical and much more stable.
A second advantage of the Tomahawk is its overall height. With this mount, it increases the effective height of the monopod by approximately 4″ over the Wimberley design. While this difference is relative, it does provide the option for extra height when shooting upwards or with the monopod on a downslope.
General Thoughts and Conclusions
It’s probably goes without saying that the overall quality and performance of the ProMediaGear GT2 Tomahawk V2 is excellent. From the materials to the machining and the smooth action of the tilt control, every aspect of this gimbal attachment is top-notch. My main complaint would be the cost. At $400, as of this writing, it is quite expensive for what is essentially a relatively simple design. By comparison, the Wimberley Sidekick costs nearly half at $250, while the Wimberley MH-100 MonoGimbal is priced at $180. However, since both Wimberley heads would technically be needed to serve the same functions as the Tomahawk (gimbal and monopod head), the combined cost is higher at $430. Plus, the two Wimberley heads would add more weight and complexity in the field with the additional components.
Since I have generally settled on using a monopod more frequently in the field, I have decided to replace my Wimberley WH-200 with the Tomahawk V2. When I am also traveling with a ball head, it is great to know that I can quickly attach the Tomahawk and instantly have a gimbal mount. The downsides, such as the more limited maximum upward tilt angle and the slightly less secure mounting are minor ones that I don’t really consider overly significant in practice.
In conclusion I have to say that I am very pleased with the versatility and quality of the ProMediaGear GT2 Tomahawk V2 – highly recommended.