[Michael Peterson]

bought 3 poles 2 slx 18's and a pheonix carbon - x

the slx's are as to be expected, rigid, light and a really great pole , plus it comes with a brush

however I am really surprised at how good the phoenix is, it feels lighter than the slx and quite a bit thinner, the clamps so far are miles better and the pole hose is the best I have used, the only thing is the slx feels more robust like it will last longer

[sparkleglass]

time will tell 

[Mike #1]

time will tell 

And that is the key thing my Slx has took some abuse in almost 2yrs and their is loads of adjustment left in clamps and I have no doubt it will still be going strong in another 2yrs .

[the king]

my pheonix lasted 1 year

[Mike #1]

I bet that won't be rising out the ashes with a clamp upgrade 

[ChumBucket]

How long has the SLX been out? I reckon it must be Seven years now? Well, I have used a SLX 25 for my all day, every day pole since it was originally released- I'm on my second one now which is still going strong. So, that's two poles (with the current one still going) in Seven years- used & abused on a daily basis!! I don't think I can complain at that!!

[david mark]

Ive had my 18 phoenix pole 20 months full carbon after around 8 months all clamps were not holding poles sections. There not much tolerance to the clamp ie around 1.5 mm gap from new. So got hack saw and cut around 1mm of each clamp and works like new again.

[Ben wood]

Got to say gardiner poles are my choice. I bought a clx 27 4 years ago. At points I bought a ionics poles but killed it in a few months so got the cox back out and it's still going. I don't think you can beat gardiner poles still.