Calumet 8103 vs Manfrotto 694CX?

I was about to plonk down for a Manfrotto 694CX when I chanced upon the Calumet 8103 on ebay. I've never heard of Calumet, but both these monopods seem comparable 8 layer carbon fibre, heavy load, compact monopods. However the Calumet 8103 looks like it slightly beats the spec, and is almost half the price! Am I missing something crucial? I don't know much about monopods and need to buy something this week. Any help?

I don't know where you are located, but Calumet in the UK is an AV outfit carrying stock aimed at the professional and dedicated amateur. I have no knowledge of this monopod, but their catalogue picture shows it to be similar to Giotto legs. It may be re-branded.

Hi, I'm in London, but never seen one of their catalogues. thanks for the tip about giottos, I just went to their site and had a look. The calument one doesn't look like anything else, so I think they probably manufacture it themselves. I simply don't know how good they'd be though compared to the big brands out there and there's little info on google. The spec looks good. However, to throw a spanner in the works, their site also listed a Giottos GTMML 3260B, and this cheap aluminium monopod is only £29 but has almost the same spec as the expensive carbon monopods I was looking at:

Folded Height - 51cm
Max Height - 157cm
Weight - 0.5kg
Weight Capacity - 12kg
Leg Sections - 4

The height of the giottos may be a little short since I'm 174cm, however the more expensive Calumet (£85) and Manfrotto (£114) are only 5cm more and about the same in other respects. Now I'm getting confused by these crazy prices!

The Calumet Tripods look a lot like nice copies (not re-branded) of Manfrotto. Difference was the Finger Grip on the QD Holders. Calumet was smooth, and Manfrotto had ridges molded in. Quality looks real good in person. Calumet is a major chain here in the States too.

Thanks for that. Do you have experience of both then? Which one do you have, and would you recommend it? I've made an offer on the Calumet 8103-4 on ebay, so I'll wait to see if they accept. If not, the Giottos GTMML 3260B they also sell looks like an absolute steal at only £29! What you can't determine from numbers though, is how firm they feel when fully extended.

I still can't figure out how three monopods of similar spec can come in at such a wide range of prices, £29 to £120. I know the Giottos one is alu and not carbon, but that just perplexes all the more since it's a similar weight to the others at 510g

For me the extra cost for CF over aluminum is worth it on the first cold morning you use it.

I don't believe that Calumet really makes anything and that all their merchandise line is just rebranded or "made for them" from different manufactures.

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Agreed, I can't believe they make it themselves as they would need to invest in R&D for such a small production run, however I don't know who makes this. It could be anyone. Velbon, or some lesser make. In any case, I've ordered it now, so I'll find out in due course.

Not much chance of a cold morning where I'm taking it though - the Sahara!