Monopods

I debated for ages on a monopod and which head to get ( tilt or ball ) I ended up going with a Gitzo and RRS tilt head.

Yeah it cost an arm and a leg but I love using the combo , it just feels right plus I only have to buy once , this combo will be able to handle the lenses I plan to get in the future.

lucasmcd wrote in post #14779473
I debated for ages on a monopod and which head to get ( tilt or ball ) I ended up going with a Gitzo and RRS tilt head.

Yeah it cost an arm and a leg but I love using the combo , it just feels right plus I only have to buy once , this combo will be able to handle the lenses I plan to get in the future.

SPK64 wrote in post #13465242
Gitzo with an MH-01 is a great combination. Along with the tilting capability folding the monopod forward makes for a great handle for carrying or compact package to stow.

I went this route also after fighting a Manfrotto for a couple years. Gitzo and RRS is a great combo.

Because of the difficulty the OP may have with traditional monopod twist lock or lever lock systems for opening and closing, I would suggest the Manfrotto friction one with the trigger release. Unfortunately, as time goes on, using the other styles may prove to be more difficult/painful for the OP to use. My recommendation has nothing to do with cost or quality/reputation, but solely based on which one in the long run will provide her better use overall.

Barbara, I also struggle with fibro. I've taken up photography since I was diagnosed & find that, while I can't do a lot of things, photography is one that I can. For whatever reason I can carry my camera & bag for hours with little or no pain. That is really surprising because most days standing up is a challenge. I use a Vanguard CF monopod and really like it. If my camera's not on it I use it as a walking stick. I've given it more abuse than I think it was built for & is still serving me well. I'm not going to suggest that you should drop what you're looking at & get the Vanguard but I do want to point out that the inexpensive can, at times, do just as good as the more costly one. Since I am not able to work full time I have to watch what I spend on my camera gear. So I look for the most value I can get for my $$ and, at least for my tripod & monopod needs, Vanguard is my choice.
I hope you can find a monopod that fits your needs and that your fibro will let you get on with your life with as little pain as possible.

A monopod tilt-head is indeed a very worthwhile addition. I also have the RRS MH-01 but sometimes wonder if the Kirk MPA-2 monopod head's design is better. Its 6 oz lighter and appears more compact and is rated to 80lbs.

http://www.kirkphoto.c​om/Kirk_MPA-2_Monopod_Head.html

M635_Guy wrote in post #14779299
Does less expensive mean lower quality? I'm unclear why sharing experiences with products specifically of the type he's asking about is discouraged...

Less expensive does sometimes mean lower quality, and no sharing experiences is never discouraged, except the OP was not asking about anything less expensive, nor other people experiences at all in the original post. OP was asking about the differences between two Gitzo monopods and their prices.

ben_r_ wrote in post #14788398
Less expensive does sometimes mean lower quality, and no sharing experiences is never discouraged, except the OP was not asking about anything less expensive, nor other people experiences at all in the original post. OP was asking about the differences between two Gitzo monopods and their prices.

Hmmm...

Honestly, I think that kind of topic-policing isn't conducive to a strong community. There are clearly brands that are more concerned with a low price than high quality, but based on my discussions with folks at Sirui (I met several at CES this year) and the P-326 I just dragged all over the world, I wouldn't rate Sirui as one of them. I didn't take it from the OP that the decision was limited to just those two products. Heck - the topic description and the entire first paragraph are about monopods in general - why is it not OK to offer some alternatives that might cost less money and offer quality that fits his needs?

For that matter, the post about flip-locks vs. hub-locks is also likely to be very useful to the OP, but clearly falls outside of the differences between two Gitzo monopods and their prices.

I'm not trying to be rude or argumentative, but I don't think it is necessary to limit discussion in this way. My $0.02.