Customers Reviews
2009-10-29
A GREAT Starter Monopod
I confess that I was a tad wary of a $20 monopod, but I've been pleasantly pleased with this item.
It's nice and simple visually: matte black, with a nice looking black foam handle.
It extends very well (I'm 6'4" and in it's full extension it's above my eye level). There are three knobs to unlock/lock. The fit and finish is not at all "high end" - it feels a little cheap - but it does not feel as if it's going to break any minute. I'm sure that if one is rough with this item, it may bend or become damaged. But if you're mellow/normal and treat it with care, it feels as if it will be fine.
The foot spike is handy - there's a threaded ring which enables one to retract the pointed spike for interior use. Nice and simple - it does the job.
Attaching a camera (I'm using digital SLRs) is quick and easy, and the relatively heavy cameras with long lenses (Nikon D50 & Nikon D80) feel well locked and secure.
This monopod is very light weight, which is a plus for portability, although a heavier monopod will reduce shake and vibration more effectively, and add durability as well.
For $20, this monopod is a no-brainer; you can't go wrong - you get more than what you pay for. Yes, the craftsmanhip is just "descent" and nothing special, but it's certainly not junk either.
It comes with a very handy black zippered bag - which I did not expect and is a very helpful. Thumbs up.
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2009-10-16
Excellent quality for the price.
After wrecking my back lugging around a heavy tripod on a hiking trip in the Yosemite Valley I finally decided it wasn't worth it and I purchased this monopod hoping it would help hold my camera steady but not weigh me down as much as the tripod did.
Considering how low the price is I wasn't expecting much, so when it finally came in the mail I was surprised at how high quality it was. I hadn't heard of Davis & Sanford before, but apparently they are owned by Tiffen, which is a great company that has been offering high-quality low-price camera accessories for several decades.
This monopod is very lightweight compared to the tripod it's replacing, and is sturdy enough to hold my Pentax K10D even with its battery grip and a heavy zoom lens. It came with a nice carrying case and is easy to extend and retract. It's also sturdy enough that when I take it on hiking trips I use it without my camera as a walking stick, and then attach my camera when I decide to take a picture.
I know there are better monopods out there, but most of them cost three times what this one does or more, and as a hobbyist I'm just not willing to spend that kind of money on a more "professional" monopod just because it's an ounce or two lighter. For something in this price range this is an EXCELLENT monopod and should be more than good enough to keep any hobbyist happy. I highly recommend it.
PROS:
Lightweight
Comes with carrying case
Retractable pointed foot for extra stability on soft surfaces
Strong enough for a heavy DSLR with lens
Surprisingly good quality for the price
CONS:
None
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2009-10-14
good value
There is a 1 star review which I think may be for a wrong product. This one is durable, not wobbly at all. The screw for the camera/corder is quite sturdy. The retractable metal tip is great. The clasp for each section is also very tight (they won't retract back in when you push it or have a heavy camera on it).
The included case also fits snuggly. I got it here at Amazon in the Today's Deals for a good price.
I know for sure in the stores something compatible, aluminum, would cost about $30.
With Amazon Prime, and no sales tax, it's a great bargain.
I only wish it had somekind of base-mount for camera so I can adjust the angles for camcorders. I have a small Sanyo Xacti camcorder. It fits so nicely on this monopod. Even in a crowd, I can raise this high and shoot over people's heads.
It doesn't have extra features, but for what it's made to do, it is great.
Thumbs up buy!
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2009-10-12
Good Value, Sturdy and Lightweight
The Vista Trailblazer Monopod is made by Tiffen. This monopod, when fully extended, is 68" long. When retracted, it is 21". Three quick-release leg locks keep the four pod sections in place and the entire monopod is very steady; there is never any play or wobbling in any section or the whole unit. It is vevy light and compact, so carrying it is much easier than taking along a tripod. Although not a well-known brand, this monopod offers excellent functionality and is a great value!
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2009-08-10
Does the trick
Lightweight and easy to use. Foot has a point for outside but the point can be retracted to save the inside floors.
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