Different people have different opinions. Gitzos are more expensive than Manfrottos but both give the same feel and function IMO. So i went with Manfrotto cos it's value for money.
The Manfrotto 680B is adequate for 2~3kg loads, although it is rated to 10kg. Mine started to 'compress' once loaded with a 300mm 2.8 w/1.4 extender and a 1-series cam. Needless to say I'll be looking for a new monopod with twist locks (maybe a Benro) soon.
To summarize my experience, if you want to get a tripod for life, buy Gitzo!
680 is fine with 600/4 or 400/2.8 & 1 series.... all you need to do is make sure u adjust the tension properly with the supplied tools once in a while.
Twist Lock is good but is a bit slow to deploy.
Generally, twist locks are more secure than flip locks. Twist locks 'wrap' around the joints (imagine each section being grasped and secured by your hand); flip locks secure the joints at only two points (imagine each section being pinched and secured by two fingers).
Flip locks deploy faster than twist locks - the increased speed is due to both design (flip locks are 'binary' - loose or tight, whereas twist locks need to be completely loosened before deploying) and the fact that flip locks are more 'loose' (see above) - it is entirely possible to flip open all the locks and 'flick' the monopod open.
However, the speed advantage is not all that great. I have the Manfrotto 680B monopod and the Gitzo 3530 tripod. The Gitzo twist locks unlock with only a very slight flick of the wrist (no need for open jam jar type of movement). Another slight flick of the wrist and they lock really, really tight.
The Manfrotto 680B is adequate for 2~3kg loads, although it is rated to 10kg. Mine started to 'compress' once loaded with a 300mm 2.8 w/1.4 extender and a 1-series cam. Needless to say I'll be looking for a new monopod with twist locks (maybe a Benro) soon.
I found your information totally misleading.
Both twist and flip locks are equally secured, asuuming they are being worked/stressed under normal condition and they are being maintained.
One advantage of the twist is that they do not "snatch" onto things. There are lots of belts, straps and alike around a photographer. However, no matter what, a flip lock is easier to open becuase you have leverage while a twist lock is by friction.
If your 10KG rated Manfrotto can only handle 2-3KG, then it's a problem with the tripod. Have you made adjustment to the lock mechanism to make them tighter? they do then to get looser over time. I have a 15 years old Manfrotto, the locks need to be adjusted once every other year!
Has anyone out there has any usage experience for both Gitzo and Manfrotto monopod?
What i would like to know is which lock system do you prefer and why.
The Gitzo's twist and lock OR Manfrotto's click lock?
I personally prefer the click lock, though click locks seem to wear out a bit fast. I had broken locks or bolts for some of the manfrottos I had before.
Just a sidenote, Gitzo and Manfrotto actually belongs to the same company, but they maintain separate production lines.
Different people have different opinions. Gitzos are more expensive than Manfrottos but both give the same feel and function IMO. So i went with Manfrotto cos it's value for money.
One actually bought the other. I don't know which way round. Gitzo was French and Manfrotto was Italian.
the knock offs are definately cheap, and they are cheaply made too ... if you are using yoru PnS with it, why not, but if you are thinking of putting a few KG and a few thousand of dollars on it, be my guess.The Chinese and Taiwanese clones are even cheaper. ;p