Just got this monopod and took it to Bryce Canyon and Zion for some moderate hikes. It seems a little flimsy but held up well, was light weight, and steadied my camera for some decent pohtos. All that I wanted for the price.
04/05/2017
This is a nice inexpensive monopod for a Amateur photographer- but it needs a good ball head if you ask me. Since this doesn't have a quick release plate- It becomes awkward to carry the camara with a stick stuck to the bottom. The quality is okay - but, I would advice you order a ball head along with this to make it more practical to use.
23/02/2017
Use this all the time now as a walking stick that can quickly take my large camera lens for quick stabilization. Came with a nice case which I strap on the outside of my camera "suitcase" for traveling.The foam hand grip, however, is a bit too big and takes getting used to. It also slips down but a spot of glue fixed that. Would be 5-star if this grip were better.
16/11/2016
This monopod is a godsend. My upper body strength is lacking, and when I have my telephoto lens on my camera, I get a lot of camera blur unless my arms are being supported. With this, I don't have the blur. It's also easier for me to use than a tripod at times because I only have to deal with one clip. It is not good for low light situations as obviously, it's a monopod and it's hard to keep it still, but it will work in other siutations where you need to hold the camera up for a while.
31/10/2016
Fair quality and does the job. The grip is good and the latches for the extension work well, but it would be nicer if it could shrink up further than it does, or if the case was slightly larger. No room to add a ball mount if you wanted to make this far more useful. The pointed base works well and it is a good weight. I wouldn't use this with a particularly large lens. Works well with a vintage 200mm Mamiya lens on a Nikon D3200 body, but I wouldn't want anything heavier than that.
11/10/2016
This is exactly as advertised. Inexpensive. Light weight and reasonably priced. I wouldn't want to put a heavy 300 - 600 lens on it, and I would have paid more for some sort of quick release, but it'll do the trick.
13/08/2016
I love this little monopod. It was incredibly affordable and I can't imagine what benefits I'd get from one that costs twice as much. The height is great and it feels nice and sturdy. Pair it with a decent ball head mount and you're good to go. I use this with my 5d mkii and a ball head mount and it works great. I also have a little clamp attached to the monopod with a hot shoe for my shotgun mic.
10/05/2016
I don't want to have to lug around a full tripod, but sometimes it would be nice to have something to stabilize the camera without relying on my surroundings. This monopod is a good value for occasional use.It is 21.25 inches long when fully contracted. It fits snugly on the side of my Slingshot 102AW bag, with just the padded portion going past the top of the bag. Easy to take out and set up. As others have mentioned the rubber base does not provide much protection over the metal tip, so be careful on delicate surfaces.The sections lock easily and securely. No issues with them slipping while in use. It's functional as a walking stick for balance but of course that use is not recommended. I only partially extend the smallest section and it gets the camera right at eye level. Great for long exposures (I can get 1 or 2 seconds combined with the camera's image stabilization), video, or just sighting with a telephoto.
06/05/2016
Solid construction. Superior functionality. Unfortunate labeling. Why unfortunate labeling? Because it doesn't say 'Manfrotto', or 'Gucci' or some other slavish reference to fashion. Many of my American brethren are in love with labels, and sometimes this preoccupation with labels inordinately influences the selection of various items. Well, if you need a 'label', go on and spend your $$$ on silly stuff like a label, or feel the need for 'Carbon-fibre graphite' construction on something so functional as a monopod. Hey, it's your money. And many times I hear things like: "More money than sense..." Well, this is one instance where I whole-heartedly underwrite good sense and puzzle over the purchase of an item at more than ten times the price of this well-executed concept of design. So, if you wanna spend $180 on a monopod, then get in your Infinity and drive to your nearest Wolf photography retailer and throw that green down on the counter and impress folk you don't know with money you don't really have for something you don't really need and walk away feeling so much the better for being 'All Hat And No Cattle'...Oh, I almost forgot...It's also a great walking-stick...
25/03/2016
Very good monopod. Comes with a soft case and strap for easy carrying. The foot has a metal spike, but has a rubber foot that screws down over the spike for when it is not necessary. I had hoped that the screw on the top was removable, but it does not seem easily possible. Comfortable handle, and easy telescoping latches. Personally, I only need it to go to 60", so 67" is more than enough.
20/12/2015