Ape Case Monopod TD140, Black

The Norazza TD140 is marvelously compact. Collapsed, it is only 16" long. The upper section is only 3/4" in diameter. It weighs less than 7 ounces. The sections extend and collapse easily. The thumb locks work very nicely--locking and unlocking easily, but holding securely. Unlike most many monopods, the TD140 has channels which prevents the sections from rotating. The fact that it collapses to 16" is a great feature when you need to get close to ground level for nature photos.CASEIt comes with a black nylon case with a strap, such that you can carry the monopod in the case on your back-shoulder very easily and securely. The case is a "sweet nothing"---i.e. it is very thin and light, but strong. I installed a small black 40mm carabineer on the Norazza with a black cable tie, and usually hang it from a belt loop.AIRPORT SECURITYI've taken about a dozen flights with the Norazza in my carry-on luggage without any problem. Larger monopods or hiking sticks are more likely to be noticed, and possibly confiscated.AS A TRAVEL MONOPODThe TD140 is my dream of an ideal travel monopod. It is about as light and compact as as it could possibly be. Note however that this was achieved by the monopod being fairly short, 52". Many users will have to bend over a little. A small ball head will add 2" or so, putting your viewfinder at about eye-level for individuals about 5'8. The ball head will allow you to orient the camera vertically.  Professional Mini Ball Head Camera Mount  The Norazza is tall enough for scenery, flower photos, etc, but unfortunately, isn't tall enough for birding or many other situations. I have not found a taller monopod which is comparably compact for travel.BARGAIN XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX BARGAIN xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Amazon is selling a ball head with a 1" and two 2" extensions (total extension about 9") for $7---this is normally $36.  VideoSecu 1/4" x 20 Threads Swivel Security Camera Mount 2-6 Inch Adjustable Universal Pan Tilt CCTV Camera Mounting Bracket with Ceiling Clip 1BO . This should be the perfect accessory for a Norazza Monopod---the ballhead you need anyway, at a great price, plus a very compact set of extensions. Even though I have a homemade extension (see below), I ordered one of these.The TD140 could probably support a fairly heavy SLR and a heavy telephoto, but such use would probably reduce its useful life---even so, at the price, you could buy a new one for every trip. Although an ex-pro photographer, for travel I use a tiny Nikon S8200, which zooms to 400mm (35mm camera equivalent). Even though the camera has excellent image stabilization it is hard to frame a long-telephoto photo hand-holding, and it is impossible to tell if the camera is actually focusing on your subject. The TD140 provides the necessary stability to make the most use of the incredible telephoto abilities of this camera. Even with the image stabilization, the monopod allows much sharper pictures at long telephoto. At Yellowstone last summer my wife and I were using our S8200s on the Norrazas essentially telescopes (viewing birds, fox, otter, etc.)---we could see detail in the viewscreen we could not see with our naked eyes.A TRAVEL WALKING STICKI actually found The Norazza TD140 while looking for a travel walking stick which could be used as a monopod---and found nothing else nearly so light and compact. It is tall enough and sturdy enough to be used as a travel walking stick--i.e., to help with balance, not for serious support. It isn't a perfect walking stick: There is no hand grip, so your hand could slip. If you tripped and put all your weight on the monopod, I presume that it could bend or collapse (i.e., telescope down). You can install a bicycle grip if you want, for example  2PCS Foam Road Bike Bicycle Handle Bar Grips Black and Blue  Caveat--the monopod doesn't fit in the case with the foam grip installed.Using my Stanport walking stick, I discovered the value of a strap---it really makes a difference. I happened to have a 1" wide black nylon-fabric strap from an old fanny-pack. I cut a 12" length of the strap and burnt holes 1/2" from each end with a soldering iron (because that also cauterizes the nylon). You could also punch a hole, and protect the hole and ends from fraying with glue such as Household Goop.  Amazing Goop All-Purpose Household Goop, 3.7-Ounce Tube #130012  The holes fit over the camera threads, and the strap is held in place by my ball-head.OTHER OPTIONSThe only other real choice I found was a Stansport walking stick (to see my review, click on "See All My Reviews" at the top of this page).  Stansport Outdoorsman Trekking Pole . It is reasonably light and compact, and probably studier that the TD140---it can't collapse (telescope down). It is about the same height and the Norazza, and does have camera threads, so it can be used as a monopod. It has a metal tip---for gripping rock, on ice, etc. over which a rubber foot can be fitted. I purchased both the Stansport and the Norazza. Unquestionably, the Norazza is my favorite monopod, but for serious hiking when traveling, I use the Stansport. If you do not need the most compact monopod/walking stick possible, I suggest the taller  Vivitar VIV-VT-67 67-Inch Monopod  or  Dolica WT-1003 67-Inch Lightweight Monopod , or the Amazon Basis version  AmazonBasics 67-Inch Monopod AN EXTENSIONI made a home-made 6" extension which works great. All you need is a length of metal tubing about 6" long by 1/2" in diameter, two 1/4" hex nuts about 1" long, and about six or seven 1/4" hex-bolts, and J-B Weld Epoxy  J-B Weld 8265S Original Steel Reinforced Epoxy Twin Pack - 2 oz . Place 3 nuts on a bolt and glue in place with 1/4" of thread exposed you can add a shiny washer for a nicer base). Screw 2 or 3 nuts onto another bolt temporarily, and glue the nuts in place in the other end of the tube with the head of the bolt exposed (and again, a shiny washer makes for a prettier base). Remove the temporary bolt when the glue sets up.UPDDATE: I recently purchased a Lumix GX7 which has both a rotating screen and a rotating electronic viewfinder. With either rotated upward, I can comfortably take photos at high angles without having to bend over, without the extension. Caveat, it is more difficult to track objects with a long telephoto at an angle.

I bought this monopod for taking pictures of birds. It's lightweight and cheap. Works like it should.

I purchased this monopod for two reasons: weight and price. I got it for around $13 here on Amazon and it came with an APE carrying case. The monopod is incredibly light weight to the point where I don't notice it when I'm carrying it around on backpacking trips. I was concerned about the quality of construction given the price but I have to say this thing has blown me away. I have been dunking it into rivers, lakes, salt water, raging rapids, worn it alongside me through many bushwhacks, exposed it to long days of rain, and the thing just keeps trucking along. It's banged against trees and I've fallen on it over rocks. There is only a slight wobble to the various sections after all this abuse but it is gone once the latches are in place. The plastic latches themselves have not been any less difficult to use after all this time. You have to use some force to get them loose, but once they are tightened the extensions (which are metal) are not going anywhere. Even the paint job has more or less managed to stay on except in places where it has really been nailed. The screw at the top seems pretty sturdy and I've only had it rust a few times, and in each case a wipe with a cloth made it look like new. Whether the rust was from the monopod's mounted screw or my camera's adapter I can't say. The rubberized bottom end is very hard and sturdy. The carrying case is pretty light and seems okay, though I never use it.I have only used this monopod with the light GoPro HD Hero camera so I don't know how it will handle with a heavier camera on the end. My main use for this monopod is to help me get smooth pans underwater or hold it far enough away that I am able to appear in my shots. It is put in situations where it it likely to take a few hits. It says it is rated for up to 3 lbs and given how much I have beat this thing I am apt to believe it. If you want something that will steady your hand, the trick is in how you hold the monopod. Being so light, it can be very susceptible to wind. Of course, after climbing the side of a mountain, my hands are going to be shaky no matter what I use.The last thing I will point out is that this is the first monopod I have used so I have nothing to compare it to in my rating. The 5 stars are due to how well this unit has functioned after all this time (just over 2 months) in relation to when I first tried it. I would have no problem buying a second or third when this one does eventually break. It's a stunning abuse-taker for how light it is. If you need a monopod that is going to be used as a counterweight to your camera, you may be better served by a heavier piece of equipment. Or tie a rock to the bottom of this--that works, too.