Gimbal or RRS clamp for monopod use?

I just got my new 500 f4 and have also got all the accessories except........a monopod head. I already have a monopod (a Benro one) and I screwed the lens directly onto it but the inability to tilt much left me realising I need some kind of head...............

So after perusing the internet I've narrowed it down to either a small gimbal (this lensmaster one seems pretty good) or the RRS ones.

I have a gimbal head on my tripod and I like it although carrying the camera/lens over my shoulder with a monopod/gimbal set up looks a little scary.

Does anyone a gimbal with their monopod for a big lens? I'm a birder, the set up would be almost exclusively for birds.

Do the RRS heads have any benefits over a gimbal? Are they just glorified QR clamps? They do have tilt controls too (I think). What are the differences between all the RRS heads?

I'd use the monopod to give my arms a rest, man that lens was harder to use handheld than I expected, especially after a few hours. Handheld shooting is OK but only in bursts and just holding the lens over my shoulder with the strap was tiring by the end of the day.

I have used both a full sized gimbal and an RRS monopod head. Both are excellent. Kirk Enterprises also has a new design monopod head similar to the RRS, which will do the job well. There are many gimbal choices out there, not least of which is the new, infinitely adjustable one from RRS which unclamps the components to pack flat for trips.

I have a 500 and I use a gimbal on a tripod and my RRS monopod head on my monopod.

Thanks for the replies.

So, what do you think would be the better choice for a monopod and why?

While a gimbal works, it is awkward and adds quite a bit of weight. Both the RRS and Kirk monopod heads are compact and extremely stable. RRS says theirs will hold up to 75 pounds. I imagine that the Kirk version will do the same. Any monopod or tripod becomes problematical when birds in flight head over you. In that situation you can lift and control a monopod better than a tripod.

I think I'd do most BIF work handheld to be honest.

The RRS ones look easiest to carry the lens around with, still can't wrap my head around the fact the head will be more expensive than my monopod!

I have a full size gimbal already on my tripod, I thought maybe a smaller one would do the job on a monopod.

advaitin wrote in post #16409710
While a gimbal works, it is awkward and adds quite a bit of weight.

This, for me, is why a decent monopod head is the only real choice.

HokkaidoStu wrote in post #16410075
I think I'd do most BIF work handheld to be honest.

The RRS ones look easiest to carry the lens around with, still can't wrap my head around the fact the head will be more expensive than my monopod!

I have a full size gimbal already on my tripod, I thought maybe a smaller one would do the job on a monopod.

Manfrotto makes an inexpensive monopod head to which you can mount a QR clamp. It won't hold as much weight. If you look at Gitzo monopods, they have a carbon fiber model that matches the RRS head in price or exceeds it.

Thanks for the opinions, I'll probably get either a RRS or Kirk one.

I prefer a gimballed head. My main use of a monopod is for motorsport and find that I rarely use the 'pod vertically, often its base is actually between my legs or out in front. So a gimbal is essential for me.

advaitin wrote in post #16410328
Manfrotto makes an inexpensive monopod head to which you can mount a QR clamp. It won't hold as much weight.

The Manfrotto monopod head would be useless with a 500mm lens. It can't even hold a 300 f2.8 without drooping. Even my 100-400 was pushing it.

I have an old Bogen/Manfrotto 3232 (I think) monopod head and I wish it had some kind of tension. It's awkward to use. I actually gave up using a monopod and just rely on IS and shutter speed now. If I were standing on the sidelines at a game, I'd still use one, but not for birding.