Anyone got a Trekpod?

If so what do you think of it - both as a hiking pole and a monopod.

We are going back to La Palma at the end of February and are intending to do some walking while there. Normally I would take my hiking poles and my tripod but luggage restrictions prevent me taking both. I'd rather take the poles than the tripod given the terrain so I was wondering if the Trekpod would offer a good compromise.

Any other suggestions?

Not a Trekpod but a Trailwise Photo Shoot T85P. A three section "twist to lock" stick. Very useful with a 234RC head fitted.

link

Regards

There was a review of one in this month's "outdoor" photography which was positive.

K.

I have a Gitzo 1560 MonoTrek which doubles as a hiking pole which I bought back in about 2002.

As a pole it is not the most ergonomic - but for gentle walking it is fine.

The hardened tip is fine and cameras mount easily with a cover for the small ball head. It may be problematic with very heavy camera/lens combinations where the CoG is away from the head but otherwise no complaints.

The other option would be to look at Leki - they do the Sierra Antishock which has a camera mount

Thanks for the answers.
This weekend, or next week if the weekend is too busy, I hope to go to a shop which has the Trekpod and the Gitzo in stock and try them out. The Trekpod is still the favourite I think.

I might try the Sigma 18-250 while I'm there

Ouch that was my credit card complaining .

My Gitzo is going on holiday tomorrow ... 10,000 km due south!

Lucky Gitzo

I know this is an old topic, but did you buy one Gwyn?

No Colin, I didn't in the end. I took my poles and left the tripod behind. I'm still tempted by one, but I'm not sure how much I'd actually use it.

Gwyn,
I've seen an adapter for walking poles which I would describe as follows :-

About 75mm length of metal/plastic tubing which is a sliding snug fit on the pole handle grip.
The top of the tube is sealed and has a 1/4 whit threaded stub and onto this is attached a small ball head.

The adapter is carried in rucksack or pocket and slipped onto the pole when required.

I've no idea where you can get one, but I'm sure that it was a commercial product.


I've also seen skipoles with a removeable top onto which a ball head screws, or is this the Trekpod?

regards
Bernard

ps you might even be able to get a local engineering firm to "knock" an adapter up for you quite cheaply

I have the Trailwise Photo Shoot, which is a walking pole with a removable top that reveals a tripod screw. A tripod head could be fitted I suppose, but it works tolerably well as it is.

I find a ball head best for monopods. Without I find you end up holding the pole to such an angle that it becomes pointless.

I tend to lock the head about 75% tight, so I can still move it if I try but it won't slip by itself and find I get sharp shots (at 50mm) down to about ½ second.

A small ultrapod strapped to a walking pole works

off centre ball heads are even better, those keep the hight of the viewfinder roughly the same when you turn the camera.

I have a friend who has a trekpod go and it was pretty useful the last time we had a nature shoot. It was pretty flexible and would oblige to changes you do on the fly. The only issue we had was its stability when used on its maximum height because of the higher center of gravity. It would have been better if they placed a hook down low so you could put some weight to hold it still.