Introduction

The first tripod head I owned which wasn't sold as a permanent part of the tripod was a Bogen 3028 Super 3D head.  This is the same head as the Manfrotto 115 head.

Specifications

The Bogen 3028/Manfrotto 115 is specified to weigh 600 grams / 21 ounces and to be 100mm / 3.9" tall (with the platform level).  Lateral tilt is 30 degrees to the right and 180 degrees to the left.  Forward/backward tilt is 30 degrees to the rear, 180 degrees to the front.

Overview

The Bogen 3028/Manfrotto 115 is a straightfoward example of classic three axis head design.  There are three completely independent controls: pan collar lock, forward/rear lock, and left/right lock.

The pan collar lock is a small, flanged knob. 

The other two controls are spring loaded levers; each lever can be pulled back along the rotation axis and adjusted to a different angle WITHOUT adjusting the lock.  This allows you to position the handles as you please, to prevent snagging when carrying the tripod, and to place the handles in convenient positions when adjusting the tripod.

The top plate is covered with textured rubber, to prevent marring the camera bottom and to help prevent camera twisting.

Field Experience and Conclusions

All of the controls are reasonably place, and can be operated easily with stiff fingers or when wearing gloves.  The locks lock fairly securely, and you don't need to use unreasonable force to lock them securely.

The design of the top plate makes fitting the head with an Arca-Swiss style  quick release plate(or other style, for that matter).  The camera mounting screw arrangement is workable, but slow and frustrating to use, and difficult to get the camera mounted securely so that it won't rotate.

The head is reasonably light, and amazingly cheap.  Alas, the relatively lightweight design allows for considerable flex, and I wouldn't consider this head for any camera/lens combo that weighed more than a lightweight SLR with a small, lightweight lens.