SpeediGimbal Review
Summary Verdict
The original SpeediGimbal is a lightweight, compact support system that makes working with long lenses on a monopod quicker and simpler. Its clever two-part design dispenses with the need for a head or quick-release plate, allowing you to rest your camera or lens on your monopod in seconds.
While you must always maintain contact with your kit, the SpeediGimbal offers smooth panning and tilting that helps with composition and subject tracking. It’s especially appealing for wildlife, sports and bird photographers who prefer to shoot handheld with long telephoto lenses.
Score: 5/5
For
Quick and easy to use
Lightweight and compact
Smooth motion for tracking subjects
Against
No physical lock between the camera and the monopod
A riser section may be needed for some monopods
The cup must be removed for tripod mounting
The SpeediGimbal is basically a ball that mounts on the top of a monopod and a cup that attaches to a camera or lens. The cup fits over the ball to take the weight of the camera while allowing freedom of movement.
What is the SpeediGimbal?
The SpeediGimbal is a simple yet smart two-part accessory designed to support your camera or lens on a monopod. It consists of a ball that screws into the top of a monopod and a cup that attaches to the tripod collar or camera base. Together, they form a pivot point that allows fluid movement, letting you pan and tilt your camera smoothly while keeping the weight off your arms. It’s a quick and easy alternative to a tripod head.
SpeediGimbal Price and Availability
Available directly from SpeediGimbal’s website, the Original SpeediGimbal comes in two sizes. The Small version is priced at £49 / $64 and is intended for compact cameras, lenses and binoculars. The Large version, at £79 / $103, is best suited to larger telephoto lens and camera combinations. An optional riser bar is available for £8 / $10.50.
There’s an optional ‘Riser Bar’ (the black cylinder seen here below the ball) that can be used to mount the ball section higher on monopods with a broad platform to enable the full range of movement.
Key Features
Made from durable black Nylon 66, the SpeediGimbal is lightweight and tough enough to endure regular outdoor use. The ball is 33mm long and 42mm in diameter, while the cup measures 44mm in length and 50mm in diameter. Both components feature standard 3/8-inch threads and are supplied with 1/4 to 3/8-inch adapters. Once fitted, the system provides instant support without the need for clamps or locking mechanisms, relying instead on gravity and a snug fit between the cup and ball.
Read: Monopod vs Tripod: When and Why Photographers Should Use a Monopod
The cup of the SpeediGimbal fits over the ball and can be swivelled and tilted around.
Build and Handling
Weighing around 125g and measuring under three inches in size, the SpeediGimbal is easy to carry in a camera bag or pocket. Its black nylon construction feels solid yet not bulky, and installation is straightforward: the ball screws onto the monopod, while the cup connects to the camera or lens. If your monopod has a wide platform, the optional riser bar gives the cup enough clearance to move freely. The lack of a locking mechanism means you must keep a firm grip on your camera, but this design also makes it fast to use and completely tool-free.
The SpeediGimbal is quick to set-up and use. It and the monopod take the weight of a heavy camera and lens off your arms while giving freedom to pan and tilt the lens.
Performance
In use, the SpeediGimbal provides a smooth pivot point that enables you to track subjects horizontally and tilt vertically with ease. This is particularly useful when photographing moving wildlife or sports, where speed and mobility matter. The simplicity of the system means there’s no time wasted with adjustments or tightening knobs. Just drop the cup onto the ball and you’re ready to shoot. The freedom of movement is similar to a gimbal head but with much less weight, cost and complexity. It’s not intended to hold your camera hands-free, but it gives excellent support for long lenses during use.
Read Our Peak Design Pro Tripod Review
Verdict
The SpeediGimbal is a clever little tool that simplifies monopod use for photographers who regularly shoot with large lenses. It offers the freedom of a gimbal without the high cost, weight or set-up time, and although you must always keep hold of your camera, the benefits in speed and ease of use are clear. For wildlife and sports photography, especially when walking long distances with heavy gear, the SpeediGimbal could be a very welcome addition to your kit.
The SpeediGimbal is now an essential part of my kit for wildlife photography.
