basalt monopods and side stress - experiences?

Ok so I've got my eye on the Series 3 Basalt 6-section Monopod from Gitzo
http://www.gitzo.co.uk …_Basalt_6-section_Monopod

For a general monopod that has a light weight; small minimum size and a high load carrying capacity. However in addition to its use for a monopod I was wondering how suitable it is as a general walking aid; trying to combine two uses into a single product.

I'm aware that they make some dedicated walking sticks with camera mounts on them; but they are all aimed at being a long length even when at their minimum size and a smaller monopod for lowdown shooting was something that I'm keen to go after.

So I was wondering if any here have had experiences with this monopod (or other basalt make ones) and can verify how it comes up with side stresses common with walking aids (as opposed to just the vertical stress of holding a heavy load).

*small attention seeking bump/page 2 rescue*

trek tech make a dedicated walking/monopod

http://www.trek-tech.com/products/trek​pods.html

lannes wrote in post #13561983
trek tech make a dedicated walking/monopod

http://www.trek-tech.com/products/trek​pods.html

"Click play to view the TrekPod II Demo Video
(Double click to view larger version)

Video Removed "

When one goes to see a video of the TrekPod II, this is rather worrisome for a business and instantly makes me not want to buy anything from them for fear of dropped CS.

Csae wrote in post #13562370
"Click play to view the TrekPod II Demo Video
(Double click to view larger version)

Video Removed "

When one goes to see a video of the TrekPod II, this is rather worrisome for a business and instantly makes me not want to buy anything from them for fear of dropped CS.

The other videos work

here is the missing video

http://www.youtube.com …e=endscreen&v=y​h6X7UqcYns