Hi VTexan,
I'm glad I could be of some help!
I'll be honest, tripods are one of those items that you can almost never overspend on. They are the difference between a smooth shot and one that's just frustrating and choppy. Also, they will outlast your camcorder and editing system since there are few things that can go out of date on a tripod! As such, I've always felt that when it comes to tripods, it's worth paying more for rather than less! I know it can be tough to swallow that initial investment but I feel that it will more than pay off in the end when all of your shots come out smooth and usable.
Just a thought. I wish you the best in finding a great tripod!
Dan
