Tough decision at the end, was more or less going to get the Velbon sherpa-635 but changed me mind at the last minute & went for the Manfrotto 055 XPROB instead as i thought it had a bit more to offer - the weight difference, been humping my old Manfrotto 5kg about on hikes ect
so this one is gonna be a whole lot lighter, but thanx Dab & Dave etc for your help.