Benbo Trekker Monopod vs Hama Star 61 Tripod: Which to Pick

Two Different Answers to Camera Shake

The Benbo Trekker Monopod and Hama Star 61 Tripod solve the same problem—keeping your camera steady—but in opposite ways. The Trekker is a two-section monopod with a tilting mount that rotates through 180 degrees, letting you switch between landscape and portrait orientation without adding a ball-and-socket head. The Star 61 is a conventional three-legged tripod with braced legs, a three-way head and a quick-release plate, designed for both photo and video.

That difference in design drives every practical choice: how much weight you carry, how much space the support takes in a bag, how stable it is in wind, and whether you can walk away from the camera. The catalog gives enough detail to compare them honestly, and it also leaves some gaps worth knowing before you buy.

What the Catalog Confirms

• Hama Star 61 Tripod: Maximum height is raised to 60 inches but so is the weight (1.2 kgs.). The Star 61 reaches 60 inches at full extension, which suits eye-level shooting for many photographers, but that height comes with a weight penalty you will notice on a long walk.

  

  Hama Star 61 Tripod

• Hama Star 61 Tripod: Fully extended length: 153cm; closed length: 60cm; holds up to 3.0kg; weight 1220g. These figures let you check whether the tripod fits your bag and whether your camera and lens combination stays within the 3.0kg load limit.

• Benbo Trekker Monopod: This two-section monopod utilises the 180 degree tilting camera mount from the Trekker tripod. The tilting mount is the Trekker's defining feature: it replaces a separate ball-and-socket head for portrait and landscape changes, which saves setup time and carried weight.

  

  Benbo Trekker Monopod

Monopod vs Tripod: The Tradeoffs That Matter

Neither support is universally better. The right choice depends on whether you need to stand the camera up on its own or simply steady it while you shoot.

• Stability and hands-free use: The Hama Star 61 has three braced legs, so it can stand unaided for long exposures, self-timer shots or video. The Benbo Trekker is a monopod: it steadies the camera but cannot stand on its own, so it suits situations where you keep a hand on the camera.
• Height and working position: The Star 61 extends to 153cm fully and folds to 60cm closed, with a crank for continuously variable centre-column height adjustment. The supplied Trekker record does not list a maximum or closed length, so check those figures before relying on it for eye-level work.
• Weight and load: The Star 61 weighs 1220g and holds up to 3.0kg. The Trekker record does not state a weight or load capacity, so compare it against your camera and lens only after confirming those specifications.
• Head and orientation changes: The Star 61 uses a three-way head with a quick-release plate, which gives separate control over pan, tilt and levelling. The Trekker's 180-degree tilting mount changes between landscape and portrait without an extra ball-and-socket head, which is quicker for handheld work but does not offer the same three-axis control.
• Travel and hiking: A monopod is generally easier to carry and quicker to deploy on a hike, while a tripod is bulkier but lets you step away. The Star 61's 60cm closed length and 1220g weight are the numbers to weigh against your bag and route; the Trekker's packed size is not confirmed in the supplied information.

Where the Hama Star 61 Earns Its Place

The Star 61 is the more complete support for deliberate, stationary work. Its braced legs add stability, the three-way head with quick-release plate gives precise framing control, and the crank allows continuous height adjustment of the centre column without loosening and re-tightening legs. Rubber feet help on smooth indoor floors, and the included bag makes transport easier.

The catalog describes it as suitable for photo and video, and the 3.0kg load limit covers many compact, SLR and camcorder setups—but check your own camera and lens weight against that figure rather than assuming. The 2-year warranty is noted as important for educational customers, which makes the Star 61 a sensible choice for a school or club kit that sees heavy shared use.

Star 61 Details Worth Checking Before You Buy

• Hama Star 61 Tripod: 3-way tripod head with quick release plate; with rubber feet; includes bag. The quick-release plate speeds up mounting and removal, while the bag and rubber feet make the tripod easier to carry and safer on indoor surfaces.
• Hama Star 61 Tripod: With crank for continuously variable height adjustment of centre column; aluminium legs, dia. 20mm. The crank lets you fine-tune height without moving the legs, and the 20mm aluminium legs indicate the class of support you are getting at this price.
• Hama Star 61 Tripod: Quick release Plate Art No. 4154. If you already own a compatible plate or want a spare, this reference helps you match accessories; the supplied record does not confirm compatibility with other heads.

Where the Benbo Trekker Monopod Makes Sense

The Trekker is built for movement. Its two-section design and 180-degree tilting mount let you switch between landscape and portrait orientation without fitting a separate ball-and-socket head, which keeps your kit lighter and your setup faster. That makes it a natural fit for hiking, travel and events where you need to steady a long lens or slow shutter speed but cannot or will not carry a tripod.

The tradeoff is inherent to the monopod format: it does not stand on its own, so it will not replace a tripod for long exposures where you need to step away, group shots with a self-timer, or locked-off video. The supplied record also does not list a maximum height, closed length, weight or load capacity, so confirm those specifications before buying if any of them is critical to your work.

How to Choose Between Them

Use these questions to settle the decision quickly.

• Do you need the camera to stand without you?: Choose the Hama Star 61. Its three braced legs support the camera unaided, which a monopod cannot do.
• Will you mostly shoot handheld while walking or hiking?: Choose the Benbo Trekker Monopod. It is quicker to deploy and easier to carry, and the tilting mount handles portrait and landscape changes without an extra head.
• Is weight or packed length your main constraint?: The Star 61 weighs 1220g and closes to 60cm; the Trekker's weight and closed length are not confirmed in the supplied information, so check those figures first.
• Do you need precise three-axis framing?: The Star 61's three-way head with quick-release plate gives separate pan, tilt and levelling control; the Trekker's tilting mount is simpler but less adjustable.
• Is this for a school, club or shared kit?: The Star 61's 2-year warranty and included bag make it the more practical shared-use option, provided your cameras stay within its 3.0kg limit.

A Note on Missing Specifications

The Benbo Trekker record in this catalog focuses on its tilting mount and does not include height, weight or load figures. That is not a reason to avoid it, but it does mean you should confirm those numbers before buying if you plan to use it with a heavy lens or need a specific working height. The Hama Star 61 record is more complete, with height, weight, load and closed length all stated, which makes it easier to match to a bag and a camera system without guesswork.