koolehaodaProfessional 65-inch Camera Aluminium Monopod with Folding Three Feet Support Stand K-288+A1

I really like this monopod and I would highly recommend it. This thing is super sturdy, lightweight enough to attach to the side of my small backpack on day hikes. I really enjoy the three footed base, as it makes it sturdy and easier to maneuver when shooting photos. Love how easy it is to make height adjustments. Get one for yourself and you will be impressed, especially for the low price.

It's no secret that I love fluid heads, even for still photography. This is my first on a monopod and I thought I might be asking for too much. I'm happy to report that was not the case. I've been using this thing for the last two weeks every single day!Pros:Feet are sturdy and easy to deploy.Fluid head works really well and although ABS, looks to be very robust.Controls are exactly where they should be and work perfectly.Pivoting or locking base gives a lot of flexibility for positioning.Strap and foam cushion are "just right" for easy carrying.Very small, light, and priced great for all you get.Cons:I wish the control handle was either adjustable or a bit shorter.Feet require a bit of finger strain to close.Attachment is not Arca Swiss, but an adapter is a minor inconvenience.This monopod/head combination is a real value and I imagine it will become required kit for my wilderness shoots.

This monopod is sturdy, smooth, lightweight and reasonably easy to use. It works pretty well, but it is a little too easy for the tripod screw to become undone when taking it off the camera. The carabiner on the included holster could be a little bigger as well. These may be mildly annoying for some, but if you pay attention when removing it, it's not a problem. I use it with a 150-600mm lens, which even with stabilization, is very unforgiving. With the monopod my images are sharper and my videos much better, one with legs at this price point is a good buy.

I needed something to support my GoPro + LCD Touch Bacpac + Housing + a Rhode Videomic Pro + a contraption I built to mount them all which includes a mini ball head (which ads quite a bit of weight by itself). It needed to be free standing, extend in to the 60" range, and still be packable in an international sized carryon. I bought this merely as a test, to see if a monopod with chicken-feet would do the trick, or if I would need to go with a tripod. Either way, I was sure I was going to have to drop at least a couple hundred dollars to get a solution that fit my needs. No need. This did the trick, and it did it very well!I opened up the box, mounted the rig, pulled open the feet, extended it to it's full height, set it on the carpeted floor next to me. Wha-la... It stayed upright! I jumped up and down next to it, just to see how stable it was. Low and behold... it stayed upright! Now, granted, at 60+ inches it sways a touch when you first set it up. It is not going to hold up to gail force winds, or somebody bumping it hard. And it is not going to support a DLSR with 3 1/2 pounds of glass hanging 8 inches off the front of it. But that is just plain physics folks...If you want something that will support a GPro, or a compact camera so you can capture some time-lapse photos or stationary video on the fly, I would highly recommend this little tripod. For it's intended purpose, there is no reason to spend more.

If this was any other high-end brand it'd be rated between 2/5 and 4/5. However, when taking in account that this is a small company and that the price is ridiculously low this is a 5/5. When I look at what my local camera shop can give me for the equivalent price I either get just the monopod without accessories, or really low-quality products. Considering what this monopod can do, and don't take in account super build-quality with magnesium and carbon fiber, you look at a manfrotto for about 150 EUR or higher. This one was 50 EUR including shipping. WOW!Pros:+ Sturdy build - way over my expectations (especially after some somewhat negative feedback found on the internetz). Nothing feels like it would fall a part+ Feels good in the hand+ Lightweight+ Includes A TON of accessories (carrying bag, monopod-knob; for when you don't want/need the video foot, Philips screw driver, wrist-strap, some kind of carrying-solution [which I haven't figured out how to use])+ Smart setup for switching between the 1/4"-20 & 3/8"-16 mounting-screw+Really compact when collapsedCons:- Lacks that premium feel - but hey; what did you expect at $43?- The feet could have been a bit heavier (yes I know this is supposed to be lightweight, but I would still want more stability)- Difficult to tighten up the video-feet to the monopod, as there is nothing to hold on to while tighten it up, and the ball-head works against you when doing this.Other:+ The packing of this item by Chen Fa/Koolehaoda was incredible. I thought I would never find my monopod under all the protective foam.Please note: at the time of writing this review I have not tested this in the field. I might run into other issues then, but as a first impression it blew me away. And all skepticism I had when ordered this, thinking that I had wasted my money, is gone. Those criticizing this and giving this a 1/5 - 3/5 really have high demands, and should not buy cheap in the first place, or they simply forgot how ultra-cheap this is compared to more high-end brands out there whilst packing a lot for the buck.

The several times I put my phone on it, it will not stay upright on slightly uneven ground. This happens even when it is only extended halfway up. I loosened the locking screw and ensured the pole was vertical, and it still wouldn't stay upright. So I had to weigh the feet with rocks, and making the monopod not fall over was still difficult. I can use it with my light cube, but the slightest wind makes it blow over. It needs bigger feet.