Re-Evaluating the Sunpak Monopod

So in a previous post I bemoaned the little Sunpak monopod that I had bought from Best Buy. The biggest problem with the monopod is the fact that the smallest leg extension at the very bottom is not secured in place with a twist lock, but rather simple spring-loaded clips that give easily if even a little bit of weight is placed on them.

However, I've been shopping around for higher-quality monopods, and what I've found is that there really isn't anything nearly as light or as small as the Sunpak. It's extremely convenient to carry around, unlike even the smallest carbon-fiber monopod I've seen, so I'm much more likely to carry it around. And the cost simply can't be beat. $30 for the Sunpak, with ball-head, is drastically cheaper than even a simple aluminum three-section Bogen with the entry-level ball-head.

So I've resigned myself to keeping with the Sunpak for now. I will probably stop trying to use the third leg that collapses on itself to avoid the biggest problem with the Sunpak. With the other legs fully extended the monopod is the same height as when I am bending down on one knee, so that's still pretty useful for a lot of the pictures that I take. It will go with me on my trip to Greece and hopefully be very useful for me.