[Richard ham]

Yeah, im so anal about my equipment as im the one who uses it. And it just dosnt last. The quality has dropped, its what all suppliers do to make more money. Ive bought 4poles in 2 and a half years from gardiners and probably 12 brushes, bumpers not good either, im looking to get a new pole for January.  

4 poles , 2 operators.

[Mike #1]

Had my SLX for 21 months now and still going strong and i dont look after it all that much should last another year or so but will buy new SLX later next year .

[jonboywalton75]

My Slx 22 is  nearly 4years old
I could still get over £100 for  it on ebay
it's a cracker 

[Alex Gardiner]

Yeah, im so anal about my equipment as im the one who uses it. And it just dosnt last. The quality has dropped, its what all suppliers do to make more money. Ive bought 4poles in 2 and a half years from gardiners and probably 12 brushes, bumpers not good either, im looking to get a new pole for January.  

4 poles , 2 operators.

Just to clarify (whilst it may not be your opinion, which of course you are entitled to) the actual quality of our products has not been reduced in any way. In fact we are continually working to improve the quality of all components and the poles sold now are of even better quality than previously sold. There has been no attempt by us to make more money by reducing costs - our poles and brushes now cost us more than ever to make due to our attention to the quality of materials - this is without any increase in retail price to the client.

It is interesting that other competing pole suppliers are now copying the same carbon finishes that we have used for several years on our SLX, because their cheaper glossy finishes simply do not last as long as our matte surface finish. The glossy finish is much cheaper to manufacture, which is why most new pole suppliers start off with it as the factories find it much easier to manufacture.

[Arnold Palmer]

We used to use Brodex poles because of 'ruggedness'. We used them for about 4 or 5 years, every 12 months they needed a full refurbish. Since switching to Gardiners (a little over a year ago), I've replaced the odd lever here and there and pretty much all of them are still in good nick.

I did try Pheonix poles also and found them to be excellent. Personally I believe the side ways clamp is the key to long life of poles. It just makes sense. I know Facelift are adamant that their clamp design is better and for ease of use I'd have to agree, however, there is very little in it and once you're used to using the side on clamp it makes no difference. There is more movement in the side on clamps so it stands to reason that the pole will last longer.

I have 1 50ish ft old style Facelift pole that I've had for years, 1 Brodex 36ft pole, also 3+ years old and a super max 50 that I've had 2 months. They are only used a few times a week but if a 'big pole' is needed the super max 50 is now always first choice.

[Richard ham]

Perhaps a fixed length guarantee could back up your claims Alex. How long should a pole last?

[Alex Gardiner]

Perhaps a fixed length guarantee could back up your claims Alex. How long should a pole last?

These are not claims they are just the facts.

All of our poles are covered under our manufacturing fault 12 month warranty as standard. 'Wear and Tear' is a different issue though.

How long a pole should last is a very interesting subject and one that is entirely dependent on how well a client looks after, maintains and uses their equipment. The same item of equipment can last just 12 months with one client and with another client, doing ostensibly the same work and volume of work, can last 4-5 years.

I get to see older poles in our workshops and each one tells its own story of the way it has been used. Some clients assert that they look after the pole well and yet when inspected it becomes apparent that the pole had not been maintained much at all, with evidence of much dirt abrasion and non-maintained overlap tape etc. Other clients say that they rarely do any maintenance and yet when examined it is obvious that they keep the pole clean and looked after even though they do not think they are doing anything special (the basics like - cleaning the pole hose as standard, flush out when sounding gritty, etc.) - hence they get many years of use from it. Of course environmental issues can affect the life of a pole as well - one client may work in areas with much dirt on the ground, whereas others work in areas that have well maintained lawns and pavements - this can affect the amount of dirt drawn up into the pole.

If the pole maintenance guide provided with each of our poles is carefully followed then it will maximize the life of a pole. These guidelines will help when using any brand of pole as they all operate on a similar sliding tube mechanism and so are prone to the effects of abrasion from trapped dirt and grit. Not all poles are equal though and our range of poles with our Smart clamps will outlast any other similar weight pole due to the patented technology used and quality of materials - of course if both poles are subjected to exactly the same working method and maintenance regime.

[Richard ham]

So no guarantee then, a bit like the old car warranty " wear amd tear" claims. But as i said its my opinion as to the value for money to me, hence why I am  going to try a newer pole supplier.

[Dave Willis]

Nobody else guarantees theirs for wear and tear do they?

[Alex Gardiner]

So no guarantee then, a bit like the old car warranty " wear amd tear" claims. But as i said its my opinion as to the value for money to me, hence why I am  going to try a newer pole supplier.

Yes there is a guarantee as I stated above - there is a 12 month manufacturing fault warranty. Like most things in life 'wear and tear' is not warrantied 

[Arnold Palmer]

Nobody else guarantees theirs for wear and tear do they?

Does anybody guarantee anything for wear and tear?

[Dave Willis]

I've not used any carbon poles except Gardiners. I've moaned about wear before on here but there's not much can be done about it apart from keeping everything clean. Normally the top section goes first. No need to change the whole pole, just the sections as they wear out. The new smart clamps help extend the pole life and the metal collars on the extremes work well - my extreme pole is wearing faster from the inside than the clamping area on the outside but that's my fault for removing the tape! (hate the stuff).
SLX poles can even be cut down and/or turned around to extend their life even more. There was a video of a knackered Pheonix pole about on YouTube some time ago - they seem to suffer just the same (maybe worse if they don't have sprung loaded clamps).

Can't see me changing from Gardiners to be honest because of the work they put in to get a decent product - swivels, quick lock (haven't tried that), scrapers, goosencks, masive brush range (usually), good service, especially when you think things are faulty - they bend over backwards to get things right.

[ChumBucket]

So no guarantee then, a bit like the old car warranty " wear amd tear" claims. But as i said its my opinion as to the value for money to me, hence why I am  going to try a newer pole supplier.

Name any pole supplier or manufacturer who give a wear & tear guarantee?

All poles wear, with the hose dragging on the ground collecting dirt then being pulled up inside the tube sections, then the friction of the tubes rubbing together........... it happens & it happens to them all.

As has been said, the best way to prolong the life of any pole is to clean the pole hose with a rag as often as possible- especially when the ground is wet. I now carry a small rag (sill cloth) hanging out my pocket on jobs where the ground is wet & gritty/dirty.

Maybe you need to understand the logic a bit more?

[Jakey boy]

Gardiner poles are fantastic poles, I use two, but the problem with this forum is 90% of people seem to have a very pro attitude to gardiner poles, and when someone questions then or prefers another make pole, everyone goes overboard to defend gardiners. I have both phoenix and gardiner poles, and I've always said the same, the gardiner is best for longevity, but the phoenix imo is much faster and easier to use,

Both great poles, each to there own, but gardiner poles are not the be all and end all...

What I'm trying to say is people should be more open to other pole makes, not just gardiner this and gardiner that...

[Caleb Morley]

I'm now thinking - get an SLX 25 and 1 extension for it.

What do you think lads?

Just haven't got a lot of dough at the moment.

[ChumBucket]

I'm now thinking - get an SLX 25 and 1 extension for it.

What do you think lads?

Just haven't got a lot of dough at the moment.

We darn't say now incase Jakey boy or the Hamster get offended!!

Sounds like a good solution. I wouldn't think you could far wrong with the what is generally regarded as the worlds best wfp manufacturer topped off with undoubtedly the industries best customer service. A good prospect I would say. However, you are free to choose any other supplier or manufacturer you wish.

[Jakey boy]

I'm now thinking - get an SLX 25 and 1 extension for it.

What do you think lads?

Just haven't got a lot of dough at the moment.

We darn't say now incase Jakey boy or the Hamster get offended!!

Sounds like a good solution. I wouldn't think you could far wrong with the what is generally regarded as the worlds best wfp manufacturer topped off with undoubtedly the industries best customer service. A good prospect I would say. However, you are free to choose any other supplier or manufacturer you wish.

No offence taken, I'm a gardiner customer, love the poles, just prefer phoenix for day to day... 

[oldman]

How long have you been using your Pheonix as an every day pole Jakey?

9 months,

A good friend recommended them after using phoenix poles for last 3 years

The 'Phoenix' pole from Facelift has not been out for 3 years.

[Jakey boy]

How long have you been using your Pheonix as an every day pole Jakey?

9 months,

A good friend recommended them after using phoenix poles for last 3 years

The 'Phoenix' pole from Facelift has not been out for 3 years.

Facelift poles then, same thing, they've been out for donkeys, my mate Joe has had a phoenix for atleast 2 years

[pikeman]

Got 2 slx 22 about 4 years old still work fine had to glue the odd clamp. Got a 25 extreme about 18 months old fantastic pole but needs to be looked after which must say I don't. Had to replace 2 sections on 2 different occasions closing open windows. So now any open windows very wary. But as I say I do abuse my poles just cant be arsed with stripping pole down etc when ive finished sooner go fishing and buy a new section lol. Have not tried phoenix poles so cant comment but I would definatley buy another extreme makes the working day that much easier.