Product Review: Targus 67-inch Camera/Camcorder Monopod

Photography textbooks and websites continually recommend using a tripod to take high quality photographs. A stable platform reduces blurriness in photographs and provides solid, safe, support for expensive camera equipment. Unfortunately, it's not much fun to hike, bike, watch your kids, or walk your dog while carrying a camera and a tripod. A collapsible monopod offers a partial solution for amateur photographers. While a monopod can't stand on it's own, a monopod can support your camera, be steadied by hand, and still be collapsed for easy carrying and storage. The Targus Monopod is much more stable than hand-holding your camera. Plus, a monopod is safer for your expensive camera or video equipment than just placing it on a fence rail or some other improvised platform.

The Targus Monopod is a solidly built camera support available in the photography section of Walmart for only $15. The Targus Monopod can be up to 5 and 1/2 feet (67-inches) tall when full extended, but collapses down into only 21 inches. It has quick release locks like you'd find on a camera or telescope tripod. It has a standard-sized secure camera mount that screws into the bottom of your camera. The monopod gains a solid footing for your camera with a rubber foot and ground spike. A comfortable hand-grip and wristband ensures that you can maintain a steady grip on the monopod and your camera equipment. The Targus Monopod supports up to 5 pounds so it can handle your favorite film camera even if it is built like a tank.

For test purposes, I was able to mount a variety of cameras on my Targus Monopod. It worked well with a Kodak Z950 digital camera, a Vivitar Vivicam 7022, and even an old Kodak Retinette 1A film camera. Of course, the Targus Monopod has applications beyond photography. For example, I found the Targus Monopod to be useful in steadying a spotting scope during a wildlife and birdwatching expedition in northwest Florida. I was also easily able to mount a binocular adapter to my Targus Monopod and use the monopod to stabilize full-sized 10x50 binoculars for wildlife viewing and astronomy. I found the Targus Monopod easy to carry and deploy. The Targus Monopod is solidly constructed so I didn't have any problems with the leg locks slipping or similar issues. I liked the heft and solid feeling of the Targus Monopod and it almost seemed solid enough for use as a hiking stick.

For only $15, I found the Targus Monopod to be a great deal and an excellent digital photography accessory.