I have the aluminum after using a buddy's for a while... i will say it exceeded my expectations. IT IS HEAVY, but i made a sling for it and makes it manageable as long as you don't carry much into the field.
I have found that, like anything, if you care for it it will last... I try to keep mine clean, and greased up so the legs slide out quietly and smoothly and the swivel is smooth... the clamps on the leg I've heard are prone to breaking off and my buddy did not take care of his and a couple years in one of his broke and the head is squeaky and DEFINITELY not smooth. I feel like the tilt tension is not ideal if your gun is balanced in the saddle.
Word of advice... to get an AR rifle balanced well in the saddle, pick up a 10 round clip b/c a 30 round with bump into the pod and restrict your horizontal movement.
Also the levers that adjust the leg angle of the pod get bumped often and setup up gets tricky in the dark... so I taped them off in the highest position. I only hunt standing so this works for me.
really interested in the ultralight head and possible mounting on a lighter pod... Please update us on your current project!!