Is a monopod useful for steadying a camera?

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #13566954
Lucky for you, race cars only move in two dimensions...

It's a bonus, when they do occasionally flip into the 3rd I invariably miss it.

Roy I do not use one on my 100-400

When I shoot sporting events, I use a cheap $15 walmart monopod on my gripped 7d with a 70-200 f/4 (non-IS) - after 2 to 4 hours of shooting, it's a blessing to not be holding the weight any more.

I also put speedlites on the end, with lumiquest softboxes or similar, and I can get OCF when I'm buy myself (and be more mobile)

Roy Mathers wrote in post #13548846
Monopods undoubtedly are very popular with people with long lenses, but I wonder if they are used primarily for taking the weight of the lens? I know a good tripod is the ultimate, but how useful do you think a monopod is for steadying a camera?

You can get several stops longer exposure with a monopod - or by holding your gear pressed to a tree or other fixed object.

rsash wrote in post #13564210
I found a monopod converted all (and exagerated all) movements into left/right swings which were larger than normal so made shake worse.
Ash

Sounds like you keep the monopod straight down. There are at least two alternative ways to use it where you get much more stability.

One alternative is to have it in the instep of one foot.

Another alternative is to have it between your legs, behind you, and pressing it towards one knee. So you get a tripod out of the monopod and your two feet.

This thread is too long for me to bother reading all posts to check exactly how many times this link has been posted
http://www.outdooreyes​.com/photo5.php3

I preper option 3.