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Rating: 
Summary: Many benefits
Review: 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...
Rating:
Summary: Many benefits
Review: 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...
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Addition to a Travel Kit
Review: 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.
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