[Lee GLS]

I have to say, I tested both and, I was impressed by the phoenix full carbon pole. I chose the SLX because a) it worked out cheaper and 2) the clamps on the SLX WILL make the pole last longer. Side on / traverse clamps will increase the life of a pole, it is obvious when you think about it.

Stuart, actually the opposite of this is true, sideways/transverse clamps will wear a lot quicker as the clamp ears tend be fixed with little room to open. This causes the clamp to grind against the section when being used as has been noted (black hands with in a short of time of use)

Of course if dirt it left on the pole to build up and grind away this will reduce the life of the pole drastically.

The smart clamps open further as they levers are sprung loaded. So therefore they will wear the pole slower

[AuRavelling79]

I think Alex has shot himself in the foot! 

I've put the new gardiner clamps on my 3 and 5 year old SLX's and whereas I was considering replacing them this year now I can see myself carrying on with them for another couple of years each!

[advanced]

i dont ag ree i  might  go  back  to gardeners poles  for there  new clamp systems

[[GQC] Tim]

I think Alex has shot himself in the foot! 

I've put the new gardiner clamps on my 3 and 5 year old SLX's and whereas I was considering replacing them this year now I can see myself carrying on with them for another couple of years each!

Same here, on my MK1 SL-X! It's in storage as my backup pole, it seems a waste not to use it, but I'm spoiled with my Xtreme. They are very good clamps indeed.

[Spruce]

I think Alex has shot himself in the foot!  

I've put the new gardiner clamps on my 3 and 5 year old SLX's and whereas I was considering replacing them this year now I can see myself carrying on with them for another couple of years each!

It’s all about credibility. Marketing is not only to sell your products today, but also to condition future purchasers.

Overseas in South Africa, Makita Power Tools got their product into the hands of high school boys for use in their wood working classes 25 years ago. It was their belief at brand awareness would stick with the youngsters when they grew up and they would remain brand loyal. In fact it was deemed such a good idea that Bosch copied their example.

Over in the UK Vauxhall do some incredible deals on Corsa’s for driving schools. It was estimated that a large majority of learner drivers who were women bought a Corsa after passing their test as it was the car they learnt to drive in and were comfortable with. The figures for men were lower though.

I remember Facelift slagging off the new smart clamps of Gardiners about a year ago as theirs were so much better. However, we now hear about Facelift’s supplying new clamps to stop the sections spinning; they are careful to not call them upgraded clamps I see.

Will you buy your next pole from Gardiners? I would say that it’s about a 99% possibility that you will. Extending the life of your 2 poles by some discounted upgraded clamps has sold you on their poles in a couple of years’ time. It’s already a done deal. What they have also done is to take the temptation of a potential new buy from another company out of the picture.

Smart clamps = smart marketing.

[[GQC] Tim]

Absolutely brilliant post.

[advanced]

Plus one that

[hasti]

I think Alex has shot himself in the foot! 

I've put the new gardiner clamps on my 3 and 5 year old SLX's and whereas I was considering replacing them this year now I can see myself carrying on with them for another couple of years each!

It’s all about credibility. Marketing is not only to sell your products today, but also to condition future purchasers.

Overseas in South Africa, Makita Power Tools got their product into the hands of high school boys for use in their wood working classes 25 years ago. It was their belief at brand awareness would stick with the youngsters when they grew up and they would remain brand loyal. In fact it was deemed such a good idea that Bosch copied their example.

Over in the UK Vauxhall do some incredible deals on Corsa’s for driving schools. It was estimated that a large majority of learner drivers who were women bought a Corsa after passing their test as it was the car they learnt to drive in and were comfortable with. The figures for men were lower though.

I remember Facelift slagging off the new smart clamps of Gardiners about a year ago as theirs were so much better. However, we now hear about Facelift’s supplying new clamps to stop the sections spinning; they are careful to not call them upgraded clamps I see.

Will you buy your next pole from Gardiners? I would say that it’s about a 99% possibility that you will. Extending the life of your 2 poles by some discounted upgraded clamps has sold you on their poles in a couple of years’ time. It’s already a done deal. What they have also done is to take the temptation pf a potential new buy from another company out of the picture.

Smart clamps = smart marketing.

Well said Spruce, Well said.

[SB Cleaning]

I don't like the new gardiner clamps I find I'm adjusting them more than the old ones

[dd]

I don't like the new gardiner clamps I find I'm adjusting them more than the old ones

Contact Alex and he should send you out an alternative set of nuts and bolts for the clamps (ones with a better gripping thread).

I found they needed adjusting a lot but they are much better with the new bolts. They still tend to flop when open though; but if I tighten them enough to stop this happening, as Alex suggests, I find they work loose quite quickly.

IMO smart clamps a good idea but far from perfect

[Alex Gardiner]

I don't like the new Gardiner clamps I find I'm adjusting them more than the old ones

Hi SB

Is this on an upgraded pole or a new pole?

There will be a solution to this - drop me an email on alex@agardiner.co.cuk and I can arrange for a set of our new levers sets to be sent out which will prevent them needing constant adjustment.

[Alex Gardiner]

I don't like the new gardiner clamps I find I'm adjusting them more than the old ones

Contact Alex and he should send you out an alternative set of nuts and bolts for the clamps (ones with a better gripping thread).

I found they needed adjusting a lot but they are much better with the new bolts. They still tend to flop when open though; but if I tighten them enough to stop this happening, as Alex suggests, I find they work loose quite quickly.

IMO smart clamps a good idea but far from perfect

Glad the new bolts are working better for you. If you drop me an email on alex@agardiner.co.uk I should be able to sort you out a set of new lever sets which will not work loose at all with use.

[advanced]

Hi Alex  if  i buy a new pole  will it have the clamps  and levers you just suggested.

[Alex Gardiner]

Hi Alex  if  i buy a new pole  will it have the clamps  and levers you just suggested.

They may, but this will depend on which size or type you buy - most of our current stock do not have these new bolts as the majority of users do not experience any issues with them and the current set-up works well. However for the few that do have issues we have these new versions, which in time will gradually become standard and indeed are on some of the sizes already (CLX18, CLX4, Xtreme25). Anyone that does experience such an adjustment issue simply needs to contact us and we can sort this for you.

Drop me an email (alex@agardiner.co.uk) if you would like more details on this.

[wightsurf]

I have some spinning issues with the new clamps (that I got as a upgrade)
will these new bolts stop this then ? if so I will send you my details.

[SB Cleaning]

I don't like the new Gardiner clamps I find I'm adjusting them more than the old ones

Hi SB

Is this on an upgraded pole or a new pole?

There will be a solution to this - drop me an email on alex@agardiner.co.cuk and I can arrange for a set of our new levers sets to be sent out which will prevent them needing constant adjustment.

Hi Alex
It was on an upgraded extreme I bought the clamps the day you released them...I will drop you an email.

Thanks

[rosskesava]

It’s all about credibility. Marketing is not only to sell your products today, but also to condition future purchasers.

Overseas in South Africa, Makita Power Tools got their product into the hands of high school boys for use in their wood working classes 25 years ago. It was their belief at brand awareness would stick with the youngsters when they grew up and they would remain brand loyal. In fact it was deemed such a good idea that Bosch copied their example.

Over in the UK Vauxhall do some incredible deals on Corsa’s for driving schools. It was estimated that a large majority of learner drivers who were women bought a Corsa after passing their test as it was the car they learnt to drive in and were comfortable with. The figures for men were lower though.

I remember Facelift slagging off the new smart clamps of Gardiners about a year ago as theirs were so much better. However, we now hear about Facelift’s supplying new clamps to stop the sections spinning; they are careful to not call them upgraded clamps I see.

Will you buy your next pole from Gardiners? I would say that it’s about a 99% possibility that you will. Extending the life of your 2 poles by some discounted upgraded clamps has sold you on their poles in a couple of years’ time. It’s already a done deal. What they have also done is to take the temptation of a potential new buy from another company out of the picture.

Smart clamps = smart marketing.

Spot on.

Also, Alex Gardiner takes the time to come on these forums and apart from providing easy customer service, it keeps the name Gardiners in our minds.

As well as that, he's a perfect diplomat.

Can't go wrong really with that approach.

[Alex Gardiner]

I have some spinning issues with the new clamps (that I got as a upgrade)
will these new bolts stop this then ? if so I will send you my details.

If you are referring to the lever spinning then setting the levers up correctly will usually sort this out - tighten the bolt until the clamp just holds the section below and then tighten by another full turn (360°) and then another half turn (180°). This will then hold the levers in the right place.

If for some reason the bolts need re-tightening during use then it may be that you need these new bolts/levers. If so drop me an email.

[Stephen Fox]

It’s all about credibility. Marketing is not only to sell your products today, but also to condition future purchasers.

Overseas in South Africa, Makita Power Tools got their product into the hands of high school boys for use in their wood working classes 25 years ago. It was their belief at brand awareness would stick with the youngsters when they grew up and they would remain brand loyal. In fact it was deemed such a good idea that Bosch copied their example.

Over in the UK Vauxhall do some incredible deals on Corsa’s for driving schools. It was estimated that a large majority of learner drivers who were women bought a Corsa after passing their test as it was the car they learnt to drive in and were comfortable with. The figures for men were lower though.

I remember Facelift slagging off the new smart clamps of Gardiners about a year ago as theirs were so much better. However, we now hear about Facelift’s supplying new clamps to stop the sections spinning; they are careful to not call them upgraded clamps I see.

Will you buy your next pole from Gardiners? I would say that it’s about a 99% possibility that you will. Extending the life of your 2 poles by some discounted upgraded clamps has sold you on their poles in a couple of years’ time. It’s already a done deal. What they have also done is to take the temptation of a potential new buy from another company out of the picture.

Smart clamps = smart marketing.

Spruce, interesting post but clear up some facts... I don't think anyone at Facelift has ever 'slagged' off Gardiners clamps or anyone else's for that matter. Nor has anyone said that 'they are so much better than xxx'. In fact I don't even think 'smart' clamps were out a year ago? It is all down to preference on what people prefer to use, it's an individual matter on which is 'better'.

People will always try out different poles/tools when they need replacing regardless of any marketing involved.

[Jonny 87]

You implied mark Munro only preferred gardiners poles because Alex gave him a brush to test out. 

That's kind of slagging someone off.