TrekPod Lightweight Monopod/Tripod/Walking Stick

by Trek

Product Details

• Item Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds
• ASIN: B000RSMDBE
• Item model number: 100
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 17, 2003

Product Description

TrekPod is the unique combination of a lightweight, height-adjustable walking/hiking staff with a fully integrated tripod for cameras, spotting scopes, binoculars and almost any other tripod mountable device up to 9 pounds (4 kg) such as photo lights, microphones, laser range finders, etc. TrekPod is also a height-adjustable, fully functional monopod, which converts between all three functions in just seconds . The TrekPod incorporates an innovative, quick-release, ball head system called MagMount. MagMount is an industry first magnetic quick-release camera and optical device mounting system. It provides for the instant attachment of almost any camera, spotting scope or other device that uses the industry-standard 1/4" -20 mounting stud. The MagMount is a standard feature of the TrekPod, but it is also available as a separate accessory. Top uses for TrekPod for hiking and photography: As a walking stick - Offering sturdy support on any terrain, the TrekPod will give you the confidence you need to trail walk, off road trek, and ford streams. As a support device - With our cork or hardwood palmrest in place you can use the TrekPod as a rest to lean on. As a monopod - With our industry first MagMount you have a magnetic quick mount and release system. When you unscrew the MagMount from the TrekPod you have an industry standard 1/4"- 20 threaded stud available for device attachment. As a tripod - In seconds, you can move from monopod to tripod mode. You have the ability to mount any optical device on our system. Long lens tripod stabilizer - When using a camera with a long lens on a tripod you can use the TrekPod to support the lens. Digiscoping camera support - For superior stabilization of a camera in digiscoping mode, the TrekPod will help insure the best picture possible Binocular support in mono- or tripod mode - Improve your observation over hand holding an optical device by mounting the device on the TrekPod.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sharp Images to Go, November 28, 2007

By 

Eric D. Bier (San Diego, Ca) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: TrekPod Lightweight Monopod/Tripod/Walking Stick (Electronics)

I have been using my TrekPod since January, 2007.

I never hesitate to take it with me on hikes, and I put it to good use as a walking staff.

Although this is not a professional tripod, I am able to obtain extremely sharp images with my Nikon d200 and 18-200 VR lens. This is a rather heavy piece of equipment making aiming and stability with the small TrekPod ball-head a challenge. I have learned approximately where I have to aim to get the aim point exactly centered after the substantial sag that occurs when I let go of the camera.

To obtain very sharp images I attach the optional VersaMount low on the pole. I watch through the viewfinder until any shake stops, approximately 5 seconds, then I initiate my remote timer with a 4 or 5 second delay with my camera in the Mirror-Up mode and VR off on the lens.

Images are usually fine when I manually release the shutter with the camera on the TrekPod; however, I get at least equal results off the TrekPod hand-holding the camera with the VR activated. Usually, I set the timer in the camera for 5 seconds with the camera on top of the TrekPod, and I get acceptably sharp images.

Although it is challenging, I am able to use my TrekPod to create panoramas with the help of Photoshop CS3.

I would not normally use the TrekPod without having the camera strap around my neck, because the TrekPod is not sufficiently stable to trust expensive equipment to. Think of it as a glorified monopod.

If I went out and spent more than a thousand dollars for a professional tripod and head I would have a much more stable and easy to use camera support. But I would probably leave it home like most people do. I do not leave the TrekPod at home.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars perfect for the traveling photographer!, September 16, 2007

By 

G. Griffin (San Diego Ca) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: TrekPod Lightweight Monopod/Tripod/Walking Stick (Electronics)

I just received this in time for a cruise and land tour to Alaska. It was perfect, I used it as a mono pod on the ship and as a tri pod on hikes in the rainforest and as a walking stick around town and on the trails. It does everything as stated. The mag mount was very nice I use a Nikon D50 and a 70 to 300 lens. The tripod held the camera fine but I was not comfortable with the telephoto lens probalbly to much weight forward in the event of wind, but it was fine with a standard lens. The only possible problem was the length, I used an ABS tube to store it on the plane, most monopods will retract to a smaller size. However the length and makeup also added strength not available in the monopods that retract to small sizes. I really enjoyed this product found myself using it alot as a walking stick. I also got alot of comments and interest where ever I went. Great product. It fit my needs and lifestyle.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A very handy tool, July 3, 2008

By 

Richard D. Silvius Jr. - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: TrekPod Lightweight Monopod/Tripod/Walking Stick (Electronics)

I went on a trip to Sedona with my girlfriend. She forgot her hiking poles and I forgot my tripod! I saw this in a camera shop and it seemed like the perfect solution!

At the time I was using it for my Panasonic FZ7 (a medium size super-zoom)and it worked very well. With the camera attached the center of gravity is very high, so when using the tripod function you will have to wait a bit for it to stop swaying. Just set your self timer for 2 seconds and you should be fine when using a smaller camera such as the FZ7. I also found the ball-head to be more than adequate for a smaller FZ7 sized camera.

We did a good bit of hiking and it was a very capable walking stick--very helpful when crossing streams and needing extra balance as you step from stone to stone.

I've owned this for about a year now, and I have upgraded my camera to a Canon 40D. Impressively, the trekpod does a remarkable job with the camera body and 28-135 kit lens. The only caveat while using the 40D so far has been that the magmount seems to rotate on the magnet plate while using portrait orientation. This can be pretty aggravating.

I suppose in closing I would say this is really fantastic for users of smaller cameras (you may even be able to get away with an entry-level dslr like a D40 or rebel, if you use a small, light lense).
If you own a DSLR this can still be very handy as a monopod, but rather limited when used in the tripod setting.