Monopod/hiking pole

[bass_junkie83]

Hi people, first post one here.

I am looking as getting a monopod, nothing too pricey as it's not going to be used excessively. I see they have rated loadings, i have a week ling trip to Wales coming up soon to i was thinking of getting a monopod that would double as a hiking pole.

The question is how strong does a monopod have to be to use as a hiking pole, what sort of load rating should i be looking at?
The few i have been looking at so far have been rated at 3-3.5 kg.

Cheers.

 

[it's alive]

I'd suggest not using a monopod as a hiking pole.

For starters it will not be rated for the weight of a person and, should you slip, it may therefore break.

Plus hiking poles have shock-absorbing springs in them generally and function quite differently to a monopod.

Considering that you can get a servicable pole for £15 perhaps you could get both.

Oh, and welcome to the forum, I'm relatively new too and it's rather good.

 

[arclight]

You can get proper walking poles with camera fittings so they double as a monopod.

Thread and links here:-

http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/forum/forummessages/mps/dt//UTN/8829/last/1/V/1/SP/

 

[trapper501]

They do exist, I saw them when looking for a monopod.

One here for example http://www.completeoutdoors.co.uk/Leki-Sierra-Foto-System-2009-Walking-Pole-(Single)

This one seems to have the advantage of gaining extra height for the monopod application. I don't know if you can lock off the shock absorbing bit.

 

[captures.in.time]

I have one called a leki sherpa.... its a great walking pole... and the wooden top screws off so it can be used as a monopod! It is fine! No issues!

Mark

 

[ditchdigger]

i have a manfotto monopod which i used as a walking stick as well

it was more than stong enough.

but know beause of my injuries ive gone back to my leki dedicated walking pole

i have found i can just rest the camera on top combined with the strap to steady it.so i use it more as its quicker than connecteing each time for a grab shot.

 

[bass_junkie83]

Cheers guys.
I did look at the hiking poles but decided against them for a couple of reasons. Firstly they do not fold down as small as an actual monopod so will be more bulky than it needs to be for phogtography uses.
Secondly im not a big walker, as a walking pole it would get VERY occasional use. I just thought it would be a good idea if i could so then i have it should i want it.

I think i may be better to just go for a more conventional monopod, if when i get it i feel it could be suitable as a hiking pole then bonus, if not then i still have something that is perfectly suitable for its main purpose.

Thanks for your comments.

 

[Naboo32]

I have a Giottos MML3290B monopod, which was around 35 quid and is a seriously sturdy piece of kit. Provided that you have checked that the tension on the catches is high enough (using the supplied allen key), I think that you'll find it plenty strong enough to use as an occasional hiking pole.

I've even tried extending the thinnest section and bending it over my knee, but there's just no flex in it (it's alloy, BTW). The other great (potential) use for it is as a weapon - if anyone ever tries to take my camera bag off me, I have the option to use it fully extended like a kendo stick, or (more likely) just whack them over the knuckles with it retracted and render them unable to use their theiving mitts at all . More useful than a Swiss Army knife!

Go and try one out if you can, if 30-40GBP isn't out of your budget, that is .