Hi Nat
I have the CLX 26 and it is a little more whippy than my son's SLX25 we bought last Oct, especially when fully extended.
The CLX definitely has a harder protective coating than the SLX that came from Alex's previous supplier.
Although the CLX is fine and I would recommend it, I think that my replacement pole will be another SLX, purely from a rigidity perspective.
But for someone on a tight budget the CLX is loads better than a FG pole, for not that much more money.
Spruce