If you do anything more than point and shoot with your camera or camcorder, you should be considering a monopod. As its name implies, a monopod is a one-legged tripod — basically, it’s a high-tech stick for your camera.

Why would you use a monopod instead of a tripod, which we’re all familiar with? One word — portability. It’s easier to carry around a lightweight monopod if you’re weighed down with a lot of other equipment, or you’re traveling a long way on foot. Monopods are a lot easier to carry. In addition, they’re much quicker to set up than tripods, possibly allowing you to get a shot you may not have gotten if you were setting up and leveling tripod legs.

A name that every photographer and videographer knows when it comes to camera support is Manfrotto/Bogen. The company makes a huge line of tripods and monopods, and it has earned its reputation for quality. I’ve owned several Manfrotto/Bogen tripods myself, and always admired the workmanship that went into the products.

This gadget is the 676B Digi Monopod. It weighs less than a pound, and folds up to fewer than 19 inches. That is lightweight portability.  Its four sections can telescope out to more than 60 inches, or five feet. That should be enough for most shooting needs.

Consider tucking this in your car. Almost all pictures can be improved with some kind of support, and this monopod provides that for a reasonable price. Happy shooting!