thanks for all your replies, very helpfull, some of them !
the pole has half paid for itself already after this morning, had a full morning with it ended up taking two sections off the bottom - pleanty enough for what i had !
Wasn't as bad as I expected, once it's up it's ok!
my hybrid felt well bendy , but much lighter after using the carbon !!
slx max next, once i get enough high work to justify buying one !!
yipee !!