I used to believe my long arms were a curse because they made buying shirts a hassle, but when digital cameras came along, I discovered elongated limbs weren't so bad after all. They were perfect for taking appendage-length portraits with friends and family. Not everyone is blessed with ape arms, however, which is why the monopod by Xshot can be a handy accessory for a shutterbug to have.



The Xshot ($24.95) is a telescoping monopod that lets you extend your camera 37 inches from your body. When not in use, it retracts into a compact nine inches. It's lighweight, too, at 3.9 ounces.

If you get your Xshot before the end of the month, you can enter the BenSpark contest for the best shots using the gadget. First prize is $100; second, $50. You can also get a promo code at the site for a $5 savings on a unit.