Had my Gardiners Extreme 25 delivered today, so I used it this afternoon on a few houses.
My initial thoughts are:
1. It is noticeably lighter than my SLX 22
2. It is stiffer (and more controllable than my 22)
3. It has a longer closed length (which is annoying, actually very annoying).
I am one of those naughty cleaners who uses an Aqua-dapter on the end of the pole (sorry Alex) and the all the pole does is highlight how heavy the Aqua-dapter is. Ironic but there you go. (I have tennis elbow so I need all the help I can get).
It's a damn good pole there is no doubt.
Clamps I have no issue with, also the clamping points: top, middle or bottom...all good.
Oddly enough, I loved my 22 SLX and at the moment it just highlights how good the 22 SLX is for the money.
So in an ideal world I would have a 22 Extreme with the same closed length and a viable alternative to the Aqua-dapter (and yes I have tried every combination...of everything).
Give me a few more days to get used to it and I am sure it will become my soul mate.