To make great panoramic pictures you need a panoramic head. To make really great pictures you need a spherical panoramic head. Max Lyons and this product from Kaidan. $740 is too much for me.
I'm looking a constructing my own Pano head similar to what Erik ruffle has done. I'm looking in to doing this with extruded aluminum "erector set" stock from 8020. I'm planning on mounting this on my Acratech ball head. Like Erik, I plan on using the ball head upside down. I've also purchased a Arca-swiss style quick release clamp from Kirk Photo to mount the camera.
I'll post pictures if anything comes of this little project.