You could take Yuri's advice:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOFkCZ6TtGQ&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]

I will try it out when I can afford it. I have a simple Manfrotto now, but never use it.

I only use tripods, and only Manfrotto. But again, the weight doesn't matter for me, no matter where I go. Monopods didn't gave me great results at longer focal lengths. Also, if you need to shoot macro, a monopod will be useless. While this one will be great, you can go almost to the ground level with it.

The 190XB tripod was in my list or maybe the 190XWNB with the spiked feet. Now that store I mentioned doesn't offer any of the 190 series.  

That modepod in Yuri's video, 685B, isn't available either, but they have the 680B, which is about the same weight (770gx800g) but shorter when retracted (51x74cm). Both have very good reviews at B&H. They also have the 679B, which is a bit lighter (700g), but it is 62cm long when retracted, with only three sections.

Benro has a lighter one, MP-68M8, 500g, 48cm retracted, but I couldn't get any reviews about it.  Their heads get good reviews at B&H and come with a bubble level, but if I understand it right they only fit 1/4in-thread tripods and monopods, and Manfrotto tripods use 3/8in thread.

I use my 680b all the time - especially when using my 70-200 lens
I'm just using the manfroto 3229 swivel head
which is working fine for me with this configuration since the lens will rotate to vertical.

Xalanax is right about Macro with a monopod - I'm not getting very good results there either.

Also most of the ball heads that I have looked into have a tripod to head attachment of 3/8" with an adapter for 1/4" - you might want to double check that.

I find these interesting too:

http://www.trek-tech.com/products/trekpods.html

I use one of these.  It is a useable walking stick but I replaced the magnetic ball head camera mount with a Manfroto pistol grip ball head with quick release (322RC2).  The magnet was not strong enough for my D300.  It is a little clumsy to use but the Manfroto grip can be adjusted for left handed shooters.  That sold me.

c h e e r s
fred

So now we have pro-monopod 3 x 2 anti-monipods?

I use a monopod a lot, but not for stock. I like to shoot landscapes just for pleasure. I use a5d mkII, and with the lens on it is heavy.(I am an average sized woman, with not particularly strong arms). The monopod takes the weight and gives the right amount of steadiness.
I have tried lightweight tripods as Hawkeye suggested, but the lightest ones just wobble too much.They have less stability than the carbon monopod, and take longer to put up. The shot I remember missing was a circling eagle over the Welsh mountains. It was flying in a valley level with me (I was on a hill). It shot away just as I got the tripod ready. I should have shot hand-held, but knew I would not get a good shot. After that I stuck with monopods.
In my search for the perfect solution, I have collected eight tripods and three monopods!

Just a suggestion: buy _any_ cheap and light monopod, like http://www.amazon.com/Opteka-MP100-Photo-Video-Monopod/dp/B0002RBQO0/
It is cheap enough to throw it away later if either you do not like shooting with monopod or want to upgrade to something good.

(edited to remove link to canon monopod with very baaaad unchangeable ballhead)

I could not understand Yuri when it came to the swivl mount that he was using, does anyone know what the name of this product is?

I think he was talking about this:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/423693-REG/Custom_Brackets_DIGITALPROSV.html

there are some places where a tripod just isn't realistic.  I've used a trek pod for several years

http://www.pix-now.com/Travel/Peru shows our Andes trek where i used the monopod most of the time.  we were limited in the total baggage weight we could bring for the 2 week trek, and since we would be camping at 14K' and going over 16K' passes many days, i didn't want to have it in my daypack.  in addition, on a trip like this, you don't have the luxury of being able to deploy a tripod every time - it's hard work, and you need to keep moving to cover the distances needed. in addition, exertion at altitude doesn't make your handheld shots any steadier!

so, for me, the monopod lets me reach places i otherwise would not see and still take acceptable images  - my images from this trip are accepted & sell at all the major agencies, including alamy.

another way i've used the monopod is on long car trips - where we need to cover 500 - 600 miles per day.  these aren't photo days, but a monopod let's me stop quickly, get some pix and keep moving

steve

You could take Yuri's advice:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOFkCZ6TtGQ&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]

I will try it out when I can afford it. I have a simple Manfrotto now, but never use it.

Just for a reference, here is Yuri's new setup: The Yuri Arcurs SteadyPod

Custom Brackets, along with Yuri, have designed an exciting new studio and on location camera setup. This system allows the camera to rotate from horizontal to vertical and to tilt forwards and backwards when attached to a monopod or tripod.  For the Tilt Head, we have introduced an industry first, separate lock and drag knobs for the most precise control possible. It also includes the very popular Manfrotto 685B NeoTec Monopod.

You can find more information about the SteadyPod and what it includes at: newbielink:http://www.steady-pod.com [nonactive]

I'm afraid a monopod can be very dangerous for your camera if you forget it's not a tripod