Monopod advice pls

[Okeydokey]

My next investment, a monopod or any pod to be honest that will steady my view.   I like to sit down when viewing and a tripod may well not be that comfortable to position so I am looking towards a monopod.  Curiously the price for a stick with a bino connection can vary from little to hundreds.  Any thing to watch out for?  Or product recommendations.  The bins are only 8x56 but with age I grow steadily weaker, it would be great if there was a quick release type mechanism.

Many thanks

[Damo636]

I upgraded from a cheap and cheerful job a while back to one of these....

http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-giottos-mml3290b-aluminium-monopod/p1025884?cm_mmc=googlebase-extension-_-tripods-and-monopods-_-monopods-_-giottos-mml3290b-aluminium-monopod_1025884&utm_source=googlebase-extension&gclid=cldk1lft8bocfusjwwodmkya_q

While the cheap one did the job, the Giottos is in a different league in every department.

[Okeydokey]

That looks the business, do I need a different head for it, i.e. ball joint or something similar?

[Realt]

I got these following advice on another thread and they are excellent.

I have a pretty heavy pair of 15x70 s and they cope well.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/bhp/joystick-tripod-head

http://www.7dayshop.com/7dayshop-monopod-high-quality-aluminium-4-section-h170cm-photo-and-camcorder-use-with-shoulder-case.

Found original thread

http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/168138-good-tripod-for-bins/?hl=%20monopod#entry1722054

[BinocularSky]

Damo's recommendation of the Giottos monopod is a good one. Another worth considering is the Manfrotto 379 -- I prefer the latter because it has fewer sections, which means that the bottom section is thicker. OTOH, the Giottos is more compact. The Manfrotto has adjustable tension clamps on the legs; they do eventually get slacker with age and use, so the ability to tighten them up is essential. I assume, but don't know that the Giottos has the same. Damo? I started off with the cheap 7-day shop monopod but, within less than a year, the unadjustable leg clamps ad slackened sufficiently that it became a nuisance to use (Old adage: buy cheap, buy twice).

Best head is a trigger-grip ball-head (can sometimes get it cheaper on Ebay from a Polish outfit called Mike's Photo).

Some other mounting ideas on my mounting page.

[Okeydokey]

Great advice thanks everyone, will let you know how I get on!

[Damo636]

The Manfrotto has adjustable tension clamps on the legs; they do eventually get slacker with age and use, so the ability to tighten them up is essential. I assume, but don't know that the Giottos has the same. Damo?

Yep, the Giottos clamps are also adjustable Steve.

[Chris Hopson]

I upgraded from a cheap and cheerful job a while back to one of these....

http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-giottos-mml3290b-aluminium-monopod/p1025884?cm_mmc=googlebase-extension-_-tripods-and-monopods-_-monopods-_-giottos-mml3290b-aluminium-monopod_1025884&utm_source=googlebase-extension&gclid=cldk1lft8bocfusjwwodmkya_q

While the cheap one did the job, the Giottos is in a different league in every department.

Got the same one, very pleased.