I also prefer ball heads over pan or pistol-grip heads for extended glassing sessions- I like to have my hands on the actual scope to move it around where I'm looking. I've been pretty happy with Manfrotto ball heads.
Unlike Brad, I don't think I'd like that hammock at all. I like to position the tripod legs around my legs when I'm in a sitting position, so I prefer to hang a bag from the center column that I can fill with rocks for added stability.
