It's a stick . . . you could just grab an old ski pole or a dowel from the hardware store or even a branch off the ground under the old oak tree, but this right here is custom made for your Moasure and you won't need any duct tape. It even comes with a pad that fits under your Moasure so you won't have to tape an old wash rag to the other side to keep from accidentally battering your expensive electronic measuring tape against rocks or roots or cement or whatever. Even better, this baby telescopes out and back in a jiffy. Just release the three clips and you can tote this beauty around in your briefcase or backpack. Pretty worth the money if you're running short on redneck ingenuity or just worried about the impression you'll make on your clients. I'd buy one. Well, actually, I guess I did.