[windiewasher]

I think the chinese are doing a great job developing lighter stronger poles all the time.
thank god for the chinese else we would all be using harris poles.

[gary999]

oih! nothing wrong with  harris poles

[rosskesava]

Wanna bet? did you ever use an early Ionic pole??

Read my last post very carefully & understand each word- otherwise it's pointless responding.

Yes I did use an early hiddeous dead heavy Ionics pole. I couldn't reach the top two clamps with the pole upright.

Someone I worked with sometimes also bought one of their first carbon fibre poles and I think, but I could be wrong, he paid about £2 000 for it. Regardless of the actual price, it was to me, an incredible sum of money.

That was 2002, or 2003? I can't remember exactly but I'm certain Gardiners wasn't around then.

Anyway, the thing that the Chinese are incredibly good at is taking a product, copying it to an extent and then bringing out their own version that's cheaper because their costs are so much lower due to very low wages, etc.

[windiewasher]

oih! nothing wrong with  harris poles

I know mate but the chinese carbon fibre poles are much better

[PoleKing]

Wanna bet? did you ever use an early Ionic pole??

Read my last post very carefully & understand each word- otherwise it's pointless responding.

Yes I did use an early hiddeous dead heavy Ionics pole. I couldn't reach the top two clamps with the pole upright.

Someone I worked with sometimes also bought one of their first carbon fibre poles and I think, but I could be wrong, he paid about £2 000 for it. Regardless of the actual price, it was to me, an incredible sum of money.

That was 2002, or 2003? I can't remember exactly but I'm certain Gardiners wasn't around then.

Anyway, the thing that the Chinese are incredibly good at is taking a product, copying it to an extent and then bringing out their own version that's cheaper because their costs are so much lower due to very low wages, etc.

The 72ft Ionic Ergolite was quite heavy, 8ft closed length, really wide bottom section and was £3k bud. Think that was 2005/6...?
80ft Etreme is now lighter than 45' Ionic Swift.
Did like my Swift though.
Think its the best pole I've ever had...

[wightsurf]

When I first joined this site, the hot topic was DIY trolley systems. How to get a Unger pole to 4th floor lol. Bought my green fibreglass pole from Alex with a viking brush. SALMON Brushes where also a topic. There has been lots of ideas that have been picked up on over the years and probably more in the future .  China will bring the cost down sooner or latter, but it will be the buyers choice, some will stick with what they know others will follow there wallet.