I have used this "carbonized" pole,
It is a sectional pole that has screw-together sections, with the water pipe enclosed inside each section, running up through the centre. Each joint is water-tight. Its made from carbon fibre, with kevlar strands for added durability.
My verdict is this; it is a little narrower and very slightly lighter than the unger sectional pole (which I also have used). As for stiffness, it is about the same as most poles available.
When extended at 45ft, it is stiffer than the universal carbon fibre pole, alomost the same as the 45 ft facelift, but not as stiff as the original ergolite or the new e2.
It is sold in the UK under the name "DiamondBak" by Pure2o.
(
http://www.pure2o.co.uk/shop/index.php?cPath=32_58)
Would I recommend it? Well...
I have a real problem with sectional poles, in that I have tried most of them and even with the most open mind about them, I just cant see any advantage over a telescopic pole at all.
I used the Diamondbak sectional pole, the unger sectional pole and a 45ft carbon telescopic pole to do the same job as a test, and using the sectional poles was a complete pain.
One thing I hated about both the Unger pole and the Diamondbak is trying to hold the pole upright against the building with one hand while adding or removing sections with the other. Remember these sections screw on, and doing so while it is extended is no easy task.
I have tried to imagine a situation where a sectional pole would work out well, and the only thing I could come up with was if you had a commercial building where there was a long run of windows all at one height. Enough of a run to take at least a couple of hours. But even then, I reckon I would still be quicker with a telescopic pole, and not by just a bit. For domestic work, my opinion is just forget sectional poles. The time taken in setting them up and adjusting them is just too much. I honestly believe that you'd be quicker with ladders than with a sectional pole.
Another problem with these is lagging the sections around. Thats a real a pain, and if you've used Ungers golf bag thing you'll know exactly what I'm talking about.
Its almost too heavy to lift on its own, and can you imagine wheeling that around a customer's house? Its just not practical. Compare that to lifting a telescopic pole of the rack and toddling off with it over your shoulder and there's just no competition.
Now, if sectional poles were loads cheaper than telescopic poles, then I would perhaps understand the attraction. If there were no telescopic poles at all, and this was the only tool that would be fine.
But quite honestly, they are more expensive and much more difficult and time consuming to use.
The unger carbon tec pole kit, which when assembled will make a pole of 50 ft costs £1,575. Assemble 9 of the sections to make a 45 ft pole, and it weighs a whopping 7.2 kg. Original ergo is only 5.3kg. Those extra kilograms are largely because of the metal joints between the sections.
The tap connector section on its own weighs about a kilo.
And these arent just weights I have found in the fluff they send, I actually weighed them myself.
To make a 45 foot DiamondBak pole would cost around £1020 plus any fittings you'd need. You can buy a 44ft facelift (which is in my opinion, a very good pole) for only £794. Or an original ergolite 45ft for £821
So, my final verdict is... I just don't see the point of sectional poles. The Carbonized (or DiamondBak) pole is probably just about as good as other similar poles ie the Unger, but I could never with my hand on my heart recommend this or any other sectional pole to anyone
The ones I've tried are way more expensive, heavier, and much more awkward to use and most annoyingly, slower than telescopics. What's the point?? I just don't get it.
I know that a great deal of that is down to personal preference, but I'm afraid I just don't see the point.
-Philip