SLIK Pro Pod 381 CF Carbon Fiber Monopod

I won't repeat what others have said about excellent quality, ease of use and light weight and size. I concur. It is indeed very stable and when attached to a quality ballhead it has helped improve my photos. I have found that the twist collars release and tighten easily in less than one quarter turn making small height changes easy on uneven terrain. I also like the swiveling wrist strap and foam grip for one-handed worry free and comfortable transport. The rubber foot is sturdy and appears durable though only time will tell. It appears to be non replaceable and no provision is made for adding a spike, but none was expected.

Excellent... very light and strong... good 'bang for the buck'.... a perfect mate for my heavy Canon 100-400 lens. Easy to use. Easier to carry. Buy this item!

I bought this to stabalize my 300 lens and it sure didI would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a lightweight, portable monopod

Those people who think that the only alternative to hand-held photography is a tripod really should check out a monopod - and the Pro Pod 381 is one of the very best alternatives. Since I received mine, I can already tell it is going to make a whopping big difference in the quality of my photography, especially with long lenes such as my 80-200/f2.8.

The carbon fiber is light weight yet very rigid. I have used three other lightweight aluminum monopods, and none of them come close the the rigidity of this one. Since I usually set up my 'pod by extending the lower sections first (opposite of the recommended method, but it works better for me), I really like the fact that this 'pod seems just a rigid with the bottom extension fully extended as it does when I extend it 'correctly' from the top down. The 'pod sets up easily - it usally only takes about a quarter turn to unlock or lock the twist locks. Once locked, it easily handles the 2Kg+ load of my largest lens + camera combination.

Also, it is much more comfortable to handle in both cold weather and very hot weather.

Negatives: It is expensive as monopod's go. On the other hand, as carbon fiber monopods go, it is a bargin. I also could wish it was slightly more compact when fully collapsed. The manufacturer's web site claims 50cm, but the spec sheet that comes with it says 52cm - which is what I measure. This difference is significant enough to make it awkward to pack comfortably into my carry-on bag. Again however, the Pro Pod 381 is still better than anything else in its class.

Note: using any monopod effectively still requires a modicum of technique and skill (it is NOT a tripod, so practice!). Therefore, the choice of a 'head' can have a big impact on your monopod'ing technique and its' effectiveness. I like the fact that this monopod does not come with a head, so you can feel free to experiment. I usually use mine with a Slik Compact Ball Head. I like the flexability that a ball head gives me, but it does add another element that can weaken the overall rigidity of the system. Other people prefer something like the Bogen/Manfrotto 3232 Swivel Tilt Monopod Head, or they just attach the monopod directly to the camera or lens tripod collar. Find what works for you, and it will make a significant difference in the quality of your photography.

Pro's:
Very light; yet I am impressed with its stability and strength. Compacts to 20 or so inches, very portable. Collar locks take a bit of getting used to, as they grab and release with less rotation than I was used to (like with a normal metal tripod e.g.)
Oh, carbon is also much less "cold" to the touch...a bonus in the Minnesota (cold) climate.

Con:
I am asking too much, but it would be nice to have a basic ball mount head INCLUDED with the $130 monopod. Don't leave the store withou buying a head...