[formb]

Decided to take the plunge and go for new 'everyday' poles. We have been using Brodex HA25s. I have no problem with these, they have served us well over the last few years.

We have long poles for the occasional high stuff so I am looking for advice on what poles are best suited to everyday residential work.

Points to consider:

• Value for money is important, I will need quite a few poles
• Durability is key, the poles are likely to get a fair amount of abuse
• Weight is not really important, not one of our lads has ever had any complaints about the HA25s

 

I realise most of the replies will be for Gardiners poles so, what's the difference between a CLX and a CLX-II? Has anyone tested one to destruction? How long are they likely to last in the hands of an 'exuberant' employee? Are the SLX poles worth the extra money? Do they require alot of maintenance?

I would also appreciate reviews/feedback on other poles. I will be buying 2 different poles for a months trial before fully committing so your experiences of any types of pole is much appreciated.

[dd]

Worth considering the Facelift Phoenix poles. I think they cost a bit more but IMO the clamps are better - more user friendly thus quicker.

[Alex Gardiner]

Decided to take the plunge and go for new 'everyday' poles. We have been using Brodex HA25s. I have no problem with these, they have served us well over the last few years.

We have long poles for the occasional high stuff so I am looking for advice on what poles are best suited to everyday residential work.

Points to consider:

• Value for money is important, I will need quite a few poles
• Durability is key, the poles are likely to get a fair amount of abuse
• Weight is not really important, not one of our lads has ever had any complaints about the HA25s

 

I realise most of the replies will be for Gardiners poles so, what's the difference between a CLX and a CLX-II? Has anyone tested one to destruction? How long are they likely to last in the hands of an 'exuberant' employee? Are the SLX poles worth the extra money? Do they require alot of maintenance?

I would also appreciate reviews/feedback on other poles. I will be buying 2 different poles for a months trial before fully committing so your experiences of any types of pole is much appreciated.

Looking at your post I think the choice is an easy one for you:

Value - Brodex aluminium poles are very cheap.
Durability - Aluminium has a much harder surface than carbon - especially with employee abuse. Brodex aluminium again.
Weight - You say that it is not important being light - Brodex aluminium again fits this bill as it is relatively heavy.

With your criteria aluminium would be the pole material of choice - Brodex fits the bill.

[Michael Peterson]

yeah as above, for staff who already use the metal they are bomb proof, so get these, with the left over money you can buy yourself an nice extreme/ slx then you will see what its all about ;-)

[robbo333]

Lighter poles mean you can work quicker and more effectively. I'd work out the cost of good pole and how much extra work in a month your guys could do with a more effective tool. If they abuse their equipment then they need a bit of training (there is no reason whatsoever to abuse a pole). Personally, I'd buy some half decent carbon poles, put the guys on a bonus (now you've given them better tools to do the job) and watch them pay for themselves in no time. Everyone wins! I use and SLX 22 and  looking forward to having the dosh for an extreme 25.

[dazmond]

buy a few SLX 25 s.they are robust but very light compared with brodex poles and your workers will feel the benefit.

if your still on the tools yourself then id recommend a 25 EXTREME for yourself as their the most rigid, lightest poles on the planet.

a new SLX II will outlast a CLX pole easily.

[SherwoodCleaningSe]

If you want your employees to maximise their earnings then I'd say adjust your criteria.  The SLX is probably the best starting point, light, rigid and easy to use, great clamps. The CLX is more of a budget pole.  Both poles are very durable unless your staff are very clumsy.  If they are likely to break a tool that other window cleaners will make last for years then I'd consider changing your staff.

Simon.

[ben M]

Decided to take the plunge and go for new 'everyday' poles. We have been using Brodex HA25s. I have no problem with these, they have served us well over the last few years.

We have long poles for the occasional high stuff so I am looking for advice on what poles are best suited to everyday residential work.

Points to consider:

• Value for money is important, I will need quite a few poles
• Durability is key, the poles are likely to get a fair amount of abuse
• Weight is not really important, not one of our lads has ever had any complaints about the HA25s

 

I realise most of the replies will be for Gardiners poles so, what's the difference between a CLX and a CLX-II? Has anyone tested one to destruction? How long are they likely to last in the hands of an 'exuberant' employee? Are the SLX poles worth the extra money? Do they require alot of maintenance?

I would also appreciate reviews/feedback on other poles. I will be buying 2 different poles for a months trial before fully committing so your experiences of any types of pole is much appreciated.

Looking at your post I think the choice is an easy one for you:

Value - Brodex aluminium poles are very cheap.
Durability - Aluminium has a much harder surface than carbon - especially with employee abuse. Brodex aluminium again.
Weight - You say that it is not important being light - Brodex aluminium again fits this bill as it is relatively heavy.

With your criteria aluminium would be the pole material of choice - Brodex fits the bill.

alex, what about clx? don't recommend brodex please,I am sure they deserve better 

[PoleKing]

I think Alex has said it all.
The man (as well as most if us) knows his poles are the best, but he has suggested another brand.
Go Brodex and know that they'll last forever and a day.

[formb]

Brodex fits the bill.

What are you on commission or something?

We have been using Brodex for a few years now. Prices for carbon fibre / composite poles have fallen dramatically in that time. I think it would be daft not to have a look at what poles are on the market now. When we decided to go with Brodex poles I don't even think the hybrid/composite poles had been invented, I hadn't heard of them anyway.

Your honesty is appreciated. However. We will be trying a couple of alternative poles for a month or so. With there being so many different poles on the market I would value the opinion of you, and others, on which poles are worth looking at and which are best avoided.

[formb]

Worth considering the Facelift Phoenix poles. I think they cost a bit more but IMO the clamps are better - more user friendly thus quicker.

Which ones do you have? I have a big facelift carbon fibre pole, not sure what kind it is. I don't think they sell them any more, I bought it around 5-6 years ago, it cost me a small fortune. We rarely use it, just for high work. It is a quality pole though.

[formb]

If you want your employees to maximise their earnings then I'd say adjust your criteria.  The SLX is probably the best starting point, light, rigid and easy to use, great clamps. The CLX is more of a budget pole.  Both poles are very durable unless your staff are very clumsy.  If they are likely to break a tool that other window cleaners will make last for years then I'd consider changing your staff.

Simon.

I wouldn't say my employees are particularly clumsy or abusive towards the kit. It is a fact of life that employees will never take as much care of your equipment as you do.

While the Brodex poles are hard wearing I find the clamps unreliable and the collapsed length isn't the best, 2 things that have developed in the market since I last looked into buying poles.

[ascjim]

lighter poles = faster workers = ££££

[Paul Coleman]

Although durability is important, I would factor my body into the durability equation.
Lighter pole probably equals longer lasting body.  Mind you, if it's employees, I suppose it becomes somebody else's problem.

[Perfect Windows]

Your honesty is appreciated. However. We will be trying a couple of alternative poles for a month or so. With there being so many different poles on the market I would value the opinion of you, and others, on which poles are worth looking at and which are best avoided.

As ever, I'd suggest a mathematical approach.

Buy an SLX. Move it at random around your guys (I mean "random" not just rotate amongst them) and have a look at any effect it has on their daily earnings.

My perception is that lack of weight/extra stiffness = one more clean in a day but I have nothing formally to back that up.  You have the joy of being able to do the experiment.  I suspect that they might pay for themselves but I can't be certain.

Then, if the trial doesn't work, flog it on ebay -  see current price at: http://tinyurl.com/n3w56nc . Cheap experiment even if it results in buying Brodex again.

Vin

[formb]

As ever, I'd suggest a mathematical approach.

Buy an SLX. Move it at random around your guys (I mean "random" not just rotate amongst them) and have a look at any effect it has on their daily earnings.

My perception is that lack of weight/extra stiffness = one more clean in a day but I have nothing formally to back that up.  You have the joy of being able to do the experiment.  I suspect that they might pay for themselves but I can't be certain.

Then, if the trial doesn't work, flog it on ebay -  see current price at: http://tinyurl.com/n3w56nc . Cheap experiment even if it results in buying Brodex again.

Vin

That is pretty much the idea. On the point of productivity we have a few large jobs where this can be tested quite accurately, although when considering weight I think that prolonged usage may be more pertinent than one off results.

Do you have an SLX II?? If so what size / brush / neck would you recommend for an everyday pole? I am leaning towards trying an SLX-22  and a Phoenix X 18. They appear to be around the same length and similarly priced although it is difficult to compare as both have options on brushes etc and I see the facelift comes without any brush head whatsoever, which is handy.

[formb]

Then, if the trial doesn't work, flog it on ebay -  see current price at: http://tinyurl.com/n3w56nc .

Is that you?

[Alex Gardiner]

That is pretty much the idea. On the point of productivity we have a few large jobs where this can be tested quite accurately, although when considering weight I think that prolonged usage may be more pertinent than one off results.

Do you have an SLX II?? If so what size / brush / neck would you recommend for an everyday pole? I am leaning towards trying an SLX-22  and a Phoenix X 18. They appear to be around the same length and similarly priced although it is difficult to compare as both have options on brushes etc and I see the facelift comes without any brush head whatsoever, which is handy.

For reference the SLX-22 is about 4ft longer (extended) than the Phoenix18 as the names would suggest. If you want something the same length as the SLX-22 you would need to look at the Phoenix22.

[dazmond]

id say go for the 25 ft SLX then you can be sure you ll reach most 3 storey work and windows over large extensions/flat roofs as well as all the other lower windows.the closed length is shorter than a brodex 25 and a lot lighter with superior clamps.

[formb]

For reference the SLX-22 is about 4ft longer (extended) than the Phoenix18 as the names would suggest. If you want something the same length as the SLX-22 you would need to look at the Phoenix22.

Seems obvious. What had me confused was facelift have the 18 listed as "reach 22ft" and Gardiners have the 22 listed as "extended length 6.5m" (or 21.32ft). I guess extended length and "reach" are not the same thing.

This does seem to make the SLX-22 a good bit cheaper, like for like.