I run that flat head, with a plate I made screwed onto it, so I can mount my wind flag on a cheap, extendable car antennae (just drilled and tapped a hole for it) and some holes for the bungee cord to hook into on either side of the plate. Remember, if you're gonna use it as rear support as well, you need the space under the head to be clear, so generally, that hand release knob won't work. But I just place my binoculars on the bag with the bungee cord so I don't need to the head itself to swivel. I am still able to pick up the tripod and move it with the binoculars on it since the bungee holds them on the bag...Now, you're not gonna swing the thing around, but it works very well...The bag also adds weight. Hope this helps!