Opteka MP100 67" Pro Photo / Video Monopod

I wanted a monopod for basic use. This gives me more. The value and quality of this product compares with others I have seen costing sometimes twice as much. It adjusts well and is very easy to use. In its bag its small and light enough not to be a problem. The bag is a bonus as most I looked at do not have one. I use it for both video and still camera shots and its great. I am not a pro but this gives me better shots without the blurs and movement of zoom video and long distant still photo's.

This collapsible monopod is easy to transport and use sitting or standing. Although not as steady as when using a tripod, night and indoor pictures witgout flash are now much clearer with the added stability this gives.

I use this for high-quality real estate photography. It stays on my camera. When I'm doing panoramas, I just plant the rubber foot on one spot and turn it around for however many pictures I need. Keeping it vertical is fairly simple. Easy to pan.

Pros:
1) it's CHEAP. Not necessarilly poorly made, but inexpensive.

2) the little rubber foot works great indoors, the spike works great outdoors. I didn't expect this feature on a dirt cheap monopod.

3) the foam rubber grip is large and well padded.

4) adjustment levers are positive (though a bit flimsey)

Cons:
1) the thing stinks somewhat. Not sure what products they have but it has a peculiar odor to it that doesn't go away quickly.

2) annoying and useless lanyard ring. I took the handstrap off and used a rasp to file down the little plastic thingy that the ring went through. It kept on chaffing my hand while I carried the camera

3) the large plastic plate that goes against the camera turns for the last little bit as you tighten it. I'm worried it'll mark up the bottom of my camera.

The bag is useless. After about 2 months the clamps are wearing out, and one broke. Not it will not hold the camera without sinking. The lanyard is also useless, it broke also. Now all I have is a useless monopod that will not hold my camera, with a useless bag.

It feels like a sturdy monopod/walking stick. I can't wait to run it through it's paces on my month long trip to Switzerland. It should come in handy hiking in the Alps.

The included bag is useless for me. It's poorly made and the monopod doesn't fit with a Giottos MH-1302 Pro Series II Socket & Ball Head with MH-110C Camera Mount - Max Load: 7 Lbs. attached. I would prefer they ditch the bag and lower the price a few dollars.

Edit: oh and the wrist strap is useless too. Way too small and cheap.