Review on 📸 Koolehaoda K-266 Blue: Compact 6-Section Monopod for Travel Photography, Load Capacity 10kg/22lbs, 15-inch Foldable Aluminum Alloy Unipod Stick by Stephen Russian

I ordered one of these monopods to replace a carbon fiber monopod that I had been using for years until it recently broke. Found this at Revain and the price was attractive. After receiving it and trying it out at a family member's sporting event, I noticed that the lock washer that clamps the camera (or whatever you have) to the mounting screw on the stand is a bit loose. Used the monopod again over the next week and the disc fell out a couple of times. When the game was over, I noticed that the camera was dangling a bit from the mount. Then as I started to grab the monopoly, the mounting screw at the top of the rack fell out. I packed all loose parts into my camera bag as the crowd passed; When I got home, I took a close look at how this thing is made in my workshop. I bought this monopod specifically for use with a more expensive Canon 35mm digital lens mounted to a Canon 70-200 lens with a lens mount ring. This rig weighs about 15 pounds without extras (flash, lens extender) so a secure mount is needed to protect thousands of dollars worth of camera gear from a possible fall to the ground. PROBLEM: The monopod mounting screw that goes through the clamp washer is actually the tip of a double diameter machined bolt; There is no screw head on the top of the monopod to hold the threads of the bolts securely in place. The product actually has a very decent overall design, but the threads in the head of the monopod are notably not tight to the threads of the counter-bolt. The top of the bolt has about 5 threads of 1/4" x 20 threads per inch (tpi) to mate with the standard threads used on the bottom of most cameras (or large binoculars, etc.). The pin features a slightly larger 3/8" x 16 tpi thread that screws into the head of the monopod. This creates too much play between the threads of the bolt and the threads in the head, causing the clamping mechanism to loosen SOLUTION: I covered the bottom 8 threads of the larger end of the threaded stud with medium strength thread sealant and screwed this part back into the top of the monopod to a depth where the clamp washer screws on the small diameter threaded end - just as it was originally war position is critical so check the position of the threaded tab before disassembly and after assembly Thread issue has been resolved The threadlocker I use is distributed by Loctite but is also made and sold by other manufacturers - the 'intermediate' variety is usually BLUE and easy to work with. Available in small tubes at most auto parts shops stick. The monopod is worth every fraction of the price I paid for it. Just in case the manufacturer included this step and increased the price to get the improved value it was supposed to have, I bought a second one, coated the bolt with threadlock and reassembled it. Now I have a spare monopod if I ever need it. I still think what I paid for both was a good deal as they are cheaper and stiffer (at any combination of monopod lengths) than what I paid for a carbon fiber monopod two decades ago, and it is still on offer a slightly higher price! The performance ratings I give this product reflect the product sold; After the fix I made it will now be 5 stars across the board.