Benro Mach3 9X CF Series 2 Monopod Review

The Benro mach3 9X CF Series 2 Monopod has a carbon fibre construction and 4 leg sections. It's one of 7 tripods in the mach3 range. It's part of Benro's most advanced range of photo monopods and features high-performance twist locks. Here, we find out how it performs. 

Benro Mach3 9X CF Series 2 Monopod Features

Benro's mach3 9X CF Series 2 monopod comes in a drawstring fabric bag and has a compacted length of 53.5cm. The twist leg locks allow you to easily pull the sections to the desired length, up to a maximum height of 154.5cm. 

The monopod features a foam padded grip for when you're walking along with it and a round foot mounted on a ball pivot to ensure the monopod is firmly placed even on rugged terrain. There is also a wrist strap.

There is a maximum load capability of an impressive 12kg and the monopod is made from Benro's signature 9X carbon fibre, constructed of 9 layers of carbon fibre to maximise strength to weight ratio. The leg system is also dust resistant. 

Key Features

• Carbon fibre construction 
• 4 leg sections
• Rubber foot on ball pivot
• Wrist strap
• Padded foam hand grip

Benro Mach3 9X CF Series 2 Monopod Performance

The Benro Mach3 9X monopod can easily fit into a backpack or even a large handbag and is relatively lightweight at just 470g. 

The twist grips for the legs are nice and chunky, allowing you to alter them even when wearing gloves. The max height of the monopod is good, with someone of 6ft easily able to see through the viewfinder of the Canon EOS 600D used for testing.  

There is a protective rubber tip on top of the screw mount for the camera, to avoid you catching it when a camera isn't attached and the wrist strap is great for when you are walking along using the monopod as a walking stick of simply as an extra layer of security to prevent dropping of the monopod when it's in use. 

The foam hand grip makes the monopod really comfy to walk around with whether there is a camera attached or not. 

Value For Money

The Benro Mach3 MMA28C is available for £89 from WEX Photographic. Compared to other monopods of a similar build, this is a very good price. 

For example, the Manfrotto 694CX is a carbon fibre monopod that has clip locks rather than the easy to use twist locks on the Benro, and costs £129. 

Taking into consideration the build quality of this monopod, the price is very reasonable and it has a very premium feel. 

Benro Mach3 9X CF Series 2 Monopod Verdict

Overall, the Benro Mach3 9X CF monopod is well built and offers a reliable support for your camera when you don't want the bulk of a tripod. 

It looks stylish, has a good hand grip and can easily support the weight of a DSLR. Whether you want to use the monopod as a walking stick, or pack it away after use, either will be possible with ease, and the drawstring bag is a nice touch to protect it. 

Benro Mach3 9X CF Series 2 Monopod Pros

Sturdy
5-year warranty
Comfy foam grip

Benro Mach3 9X CF Series 2 Monopod Cons

Still quite long at 53cm when fully compacted
No screw on top for when using pod as walking stick

FEATURES
HANDLING
PERFORMANCE
VALUE FOR MONEY
VERDICT

 

 

The Benro Mach3 9X CF Series Monopod is stylish and lightweight, perfect for when you don't want to carry a full tripod.

Benro Mach3 9x CF Series 2 Monopod Specifications

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