<p>Old thread, apologies for reviving but I was just doing some research on this monopod as I've just done a writeup on it myself. The way the OP describes it is exactly the way I carry it too, over the shoulder, on a ballhead (RRS BH_55). Perfectly safe because the pistol grip of the monopod is moulded over the monopod rather than a separate unit on top. Excellent setup, very fast to operate.</p>