Monopod or Steadicam

I'm think about getting in to doing video. I have a 7D and think about adding a rode mic to it. What would be the best option for stabilizing my camera? These are around the same price. My plan is to do short story for highschool seniors and events. Your opinion is appreciated.
Manfrotto 560B Fluid Video Monopod with 234RC Head (Black)

http://www.amazon.com …=UTF8&smid=A17M​C6HOH9AVE6

DSLR FLYCAM NANO camera stabilizer with free quick release

http://www.amazon.com …BAR&coliid=I1RN​CC2BRBW0RR

Monopod, unless you got a medal arm to hold the flycam stabalizer, plug you gotta learn to balance it and how to pull focus when flying it.

I agree with Orguss.

I actually owned the Flycam Nanon, but found it pretty cumbersome. It takes a long time to balance and it really can only be used for specific preplanned shots. Balancing the flycam can be a pain and only works well with a wider angle lens.

The flycam just sat and collected dust on my shelf and I eventually sold it on CL.

Thanks for y'all reply. I was thinking that the flycam would be cumbersome to use. I will invest in the mono. Have either one of you use the Rode Video Mic?

extrememc wrote in post #14837514
Thanks for y'all reply. I was thinking that the flycam would be cumbersome to use. I will invest in the mono. Have either one of you use the Rode Video Mic?

Yes a Monopod is more versatile than the flycam you linked. How do you plan on using the Rode mic? Most people find a shotgun mic on top of the camera doesnt get the best audio in most situations. I think a Shotgun mic sounds its best positioned on a boom pole above the head.

First time out shooting video will be a birthday party. I plan on getting birthday message from the guest along with some footage of the party and tell the story with those clips. With everything there is a budget and I want to buy what will serve the best and be multipurpose. I do know at some point I may invest in a Zoom H1 or Zoom H4N and add a T3i.

If you care about audio I dont know if the rode Videomic pro will do the leg work your looking for. If you just want to get the point across of what the people are saying then the Rode will work better than the internal mic (which is useless in all situations except for getting a sync track)

Sound is very difficult thing to pick up unless you have lots of practice. Position of the mic is very important. If you going to keep it on the hotshoe dont expect miracles. Also get a deadcat windscreen if you get it.

extrememc wrote in post #14837694
First time out shooting video will be a birthday party. I plan on getting birthday message from the guest along with some footage of the party and tell the story with those clips. With everything there is a budget and I want to buy what will serve the best and be multipurpose. I do know at some point I may invest in a Zoom H1 or Zoom H4N and add a T3i.

zoom h1 or a rode videomic isnt an investment honestly its the bare minimum

Brian_R wrote in post #14837974
zoom h1 or a rode videomic isnt an investment honestly its the bare minimum

What's do you think is a bare minimum?

extrememc wrote in post #14838294
What's do you think is a bare minimum?

He just said the H1 and/or The Rode Videomic is a bare min. On board audio is simply put pathetic.

I cant see how a monopod shots are going to be more entertaining than gliding personally

Because if the choice is a Glidecam or Monopod it means the OP doesn't have a monopod. A monopod is much more flexible than a glidecam.

I have even clamped a weight to the bottom of a monopod and, for short flights, it works relatively well. The majority of the stability comes from an increase in inertia and the length of the assembly. It's not a glidecam but gets a lot closer to being one than a glidecam does to being a monopod.

I look at a monopod as a standard tool, bought with the camera. I wouldnt buy a flycam as it seems like a cheaper version of the proper thing but then I like to go off examples. Did the people know how to operate it correctly etc

Silly Rabbit wrote in post #14839068
I look at a monopod as a standard tool, bought with the camera. I wouldnt buy a flycam as it seems like a cheaper version of the proper thing but then I like to go off examples. Did the people know how to operate it correctly etc

I currently have a monopod, but I rarely use it. What is the Proper Thing?

I think the 'proper thing' would be something like the Glidecam HD2000 and HD4000 or the more expensive Steadicam Pilot. I currently have the Blackbird Stabilizer and I hardly ever pull that thing out of the bag (even though it works pretty well). My go-to would have to be the Manfrotto 561BHDV monopod, which is pretty much the industry standard for run and gun shooting situations.