All monopods are handy, but the 2000 Tall Monopod with Grip-Action Head from Oberwerk is in a league of its own. Its maximum height is 78 inches, much taller than most monopods, allowing the use of large binoculars for stargazing. Oberwerk reports a 6-foot-tall person can stand up straight and comfortably look through the eyepieces of astronomy binoculars pointed straight up at the night sky. Imagine sweeping the Milky Way with only a pair of binoculars and a collapsible staff.

The monopod comes with a grip-action ball head—squeeze the grip to tilt up or down, release it to lock the optic in place. The included quick release plate has a 1/4"-20 mounting stud. Of course, you can use the Tall Monopod for regular binoculars, a spotting scope, or a camera, up to 8.8 pounds.