Bogen - 680 Compact Monopod #3249 Chrome

Rating:
Summary: Super sturdy!
Review: Bought this monopod last week. Excellent construction. Weight is perfect, balance is perfect. Was able to take super clear 3 second exposures. Extends tell enough where I can look straight into the viewfinder on my Canon 300D (I'm 5'9"). It's light enough to carry in hand for a 4 hour hike, and heavy enough to beat the tar out of anyone trying to steal my gear!

Rating:
Summary: Durable, light and tall
Review: I tried out this monopod in a store and was impressed with it immediately for several reasons. It's light! It's short when compressed and TALL when pulled out. I'm 6' 1" and it puts my camera at my eye level when fully extended. When you hold it and prod at it in person, you can tell that this is a quality product.

Downside? It does not come with a head.(I'm not sure if the other monopods do)

Being a fairly new photographer by hobby, I had a vague idea what that meant when the salesman told me. The head is an attachment(some tripods if not all have this) that directly connects your camera with the monopod/tripod. It's usually a ball mechanism that is gripped and allows you to angle the camera whichever way you want. You don't need it, but it affords a bit more flexibility with your shots.

You can't really go wrong with something that does what it's suppose to do right and is durable and practical. 5 stars.