[formb]

Thanks for the replies.

Mr Gardiner - Message sent.

I would rather avoid using the adjustable plastic cranks, I have always found them to be a bit of a weak point on any pole, besides, I like the QuicK-LoQ system. Simple straightforward design.

Of the few Gardiner brushes I have tried my favourite is the sl flocked standard splay. Sill brushes a bit to narrow and I have not tried an extreme because I find it hard to trust a brush with so few bristles.

Interestingly my first impression of the Unger head was that it didn't have enough bristles. Also that the plastic twist in jets are crap and hose set up leaves a-lot to be desired. The lads have said they can work faster with it and that they are less likely to knock frames with the base, at the end of the day these points are more important than how it looks and feels.

[richard jagger]

I to have had a few resi necks brake on me, the plastic tears from the centre to the section were the brush fastens on so that the brush falls off with the extension still in the brush.This I have solved by fitting a 1" od s/s washer .The bolt and plastic cup,now fit into this washer. This small adjustment in the setup give more support to the neck in  a too and fro movement. It will also stop any tear out of the bolt in the necks was not to tight its more to do with side to side motion during brushing the top of widow frames.

[8weekly]

Did I miss the post where you said which pole your Alexei & Ivan prefered?

[formb]

Did I miss the post where you said which pole your Alexei & Ivan prefered?

You did not.

Both poles have advantages. The SLX is clearly the better pole, I realise that the Phoenix pro 22 pole is not designed to compete with the SLX, it is Facelift's composite pole. I would really have liked to have tested the Facelift full carbon Phoenix X 22 pole but as it is shipped without a brush head the extra cost pushed it passed my already stretched budget.

Once you've set the SLX up correctly and got used to the side on clamps it is clearly a carefully designed, well built piece of kit. The Phoenix, being more similar to poles we have and have used in the past, was an immediate hit.

After 5 weeks of use both poles show practically no signs of ware although the Pheonix clamps appear to be adjusted all the way in, especially on the top 2 sections.

That's my two cents, as far as the lads are concerned, they are undecided. Both agree that the SLX seems sturdier and is likely to last longer, that's not really concerning them too much though. The brush head is an important point for them, they feel they can go quicker with the larger splay and quicker means more money. Strangely enough the preferred brush head that we got with the Pheonix was actually sent to us by mistake, I had ordered the more expensive sill brush.

We will do another week or so, trying alternative brush heads, then the final decision will be made via Chinese democracy. I know which I would choose but I will rarely use it so the final decision will (mostly) be theirs.

[8weekly]

Did I miss the post where you said which pole your Alexei & Ivan prefered?

You did not.

Both poles have advantages. The SLX is clearly the better pole, I realise that the Phoenix pro 22 pole is not designed to compete with the SLX, it is Facelift's composite pole. I would really have liked to have tested the Facelift full carbon pole but as it is shipped without a brush head the extra cost pushed it passed my already stretched budget.

Once you've set the SLX up correctly and got used to the side on clamps it is clearly a carefully designed, well built piece of kit. The Phoenix, being more similar to poles we have and have used in the past, was an immediate hit.

After 5 weeks of use both poles show practically no signs of ware although the Pheonix clamps appear to be adjusted all the way in, especially on the top 2 sections.

That's my two cents, as far as the lads are concerned, they are undecided. Both agree that the SLX seems sturdier and is likely to last longer, that's not really concerning them too much though. The brush head is an important point for them, they feel they can go quicker with the larger splay and quicker means more money. Strangely enough the preferred brush head that we got with the Pheonix was actually sent to us by mistake, I had ordered the more expensive sill brush.

We will do another week or so, trying alternative brush heads, then the final decision will be made via Chinese democracy. I know which I would choose but I will rarely use it so the final decision will (mostly) be theirs.

Interesting. The new clamps onthe Gardiner's poles make a huge difference.

[home6442]

Im not a fan of the new Gardiners clamps the levers can be fiddly and annoying at times and whats this quick loq brush socket all about. I can remove my brush quicker using a threaded socket.
It also has very little adjustment if you need to angle the brush slightly for windows above conservatories.
Talk about fixing something that wasn't broken.

[formb]

Interesting. The new clamps onthe Gardiner's poles make a huge difference.

Having never used the old Gardiners clamps I will have to take your word on that one. The clamps are very good though, you can see that there has been thought gone into extending the life of the pole.

John - I have seen posts on here from other people who find the clamps fiddly too. After reading the instructions supplied with the pole, I adjusted the clamps as instructed and within an hour the initial fumble factor from pushing the clamp across as opposed up and down as we were used to was gone. After 5 weeks everyday use we have had to make no further adjustments to the clamps.

Your point about adjusting the head for awkward angles is fair although it is not something I have ever done. I think that a wider splay on the brush head would reduce the need to adjust the angle of the head? I always find that with the screw sockets, the point where the head gets tight never seems to be square, really annoys me that.

[home6442]

Interesting. The new clamps onthe Gardiner's poles make a huge difference.

Having never used the old Gardiners clamps I will have to take your word on that one. The clamps are very good though, you can see that there has been thought gone into extending the life of the pole.

John - I have seen posts on here from other people who find the clamps fiddly too. After reading the instructions supplied with the pole, I adjusted the clamps as instructed and within an hour the initial fumble factor from pushing the clamp across as opposed up and down as we were used to was gone. After 5 weeks everyday use we have had to make no further adjustments to the clamps.

Your point about adjusting the head for awkward angles is fair although it is not something I have ever done. I think that a wider splay on the brush head would reduce the need to adjust the angle of the head? I always find that with the screw sockets, the point where the head gets tight never seems to be square, really annoys me that.

Soupy, I used to over tighten the threads on the screw sockets but since starting to use Gardiners lighter brushes
I find that I don't feel the need to tighten them as much.[ Just a few turns until they grip]
This means if  Im cleaning at an awkward angle I can adjust the brush by lightly pressing it on the lintel above the window
This then adjusts the brush level with the window frame and makes for easier and more accurate rinsing.

[home6442]

Soupy,
Thanks for the info on the pole adjustment didn't get any instructions with mine so will
check it out. 

[dd]

Im not a fan of the new Gardiners clamps the levers can be fiddly and annoying at times and whats this quick loq brush socket all about. I can remove my brush quicker using a threaded socket.
It also has very little adjustment if you need to angle the brush slightly for windows above conservatories.
Talk about fixing something that wasn't broken.

I find the quick loc socket brilliant. I don't use it to change the brush but it means that the brush is securely fitted, because using the screw sockets I always found the brush tightened in the wrong place, so to have it square meant it was a bit loose.

[Arnold Palmer]

OK, decision made; we went for SLX-IIs

 

[Lee GLS]

What happened to you soupy?

[Arnold Palmer]

I got wound up by the forum - as you do - a few weeks back, and deleted my account.

Having realised the error of my ways I've spent the last 2 weeks trying to register an account.

  

[PAUL ERITH]

OK, decision made; we went for SLX-IIs

 

What brushes did you get unger or gardiners

Paul

[AuRavelling79]

I got wound up by the forum - as you do - a few weeks back, and deleted my account.

Having realised the error of my ways I've spent the last 2 weeks trying to register an account.

  

Glad you're back ... nice to have a sensible solid poster back on the team; now where's Paul Coleman gone?

BTW SLX22 is my choice too ... mine has been upgraded to the latest clamps and is still going strong after 4 years - it's my second oldest SLX still in use.

[Arnold Palmer]

OK, decision made; we went for SLX-IIs

 

What brushes did you get unger or gardiners

Paul

I got a selection of all (I think) of Gardiner's brush heads. The lads all have a different preference. I also got spare quick loq sockets and we're experimenting with various different brushes.

Incidentally the decision, in the end, came down to price. I decided that the hybrid Pheonix was no match for the SLX so I bought and tested a full carbon one. Great pole but unfortunately the additional cost pushed Facelift out the game.

I also tried an Ionics carbon pole, worst (and most expensive) of the bunch, lasted 1/2 an hour before there were bits bust off it.