Well, I got the 2531 tripod on ebay for $560 with a 25% cashback plus a 10% coupon plus a $40 rebate so that makes it $324 when the dust settles. Now I have to figure out what head I want for it. Suggestions are welcomed and appreciated.
I've got 3 cashbacks coming. The first 2 add up to $248 so that's a BH3 for basically nothing and leaves me the $140 cashback from the tripod for something later on. Maybe I'll look into an L bracket for it.