[Richard Stevenson]

Had a bit of spare time today so I did a bit of a stiffness test on some of my poles . These included, clx, slx, ionics swift, and the extreme. All poles were extended to just under 30f. From the bottom the clx, then the mighty slx, followed by the swift, and ofcourse the winner the extreme. Just thought you may find this interesting as ionics get a pretty bad press on here. Just out of interest the ionics and the slx weighed about the same.

What are the prices for the swift and the SLX of the same length?

[P @ F]

I’m going to do a stiffness test on my pole tonight 

[P @ F]

Typical you should do this now , I have an SLX 35 coming tomorrow !

[mufcglen]

 how did you carry out your tests, did you just extend them or put loads on them etc?

[P @ F]

I think JC Racenstein did this in the US of A , but it was filmed by Lee Burbidge  so who knows 

[P @ F]

I won’t mention that he’s now best buds with Perry Tait though 

[Spruce]

I won’t mention that he’s now best buds with Perry Tait though 

Who? 

I don't think that friendship has helped either of them. BTW, I haven't heard from Lee for a while either. Has he emigrated?

[Plankton]

After two days use of the new slx25 I got for some 'no show' I've been thinking it's hell of a whippy! But it's just dawned on me that due to the fact it's lighter than the 35 I'm literally throwing it around!

I must have shoulders like Dazmonds now, like two double decker buses 

[Pete Thompson]

as ionics get a pretty bad press on here

The only reason that ionics get 'a pretty bad press on here' is because (as is true with most forums) most people on here are clueless.  And usually, those that post the most are the most clueless.  Also, on here, people tend to repeat what they've heard (rather than actually experienced) so it becomes a self-perpetuating circle of cluelessness.

I have an gardiner SLX and a Ionic Glyder PLUS. The SLX is bendy, heavy but quite hard wearing.  The Glyder is light, stiff, but a tad more delicate.  Glyders tend to last me about 2 years then need replacing.  I only used the SLX for about 2 months, but the impression I got was that it would last longer.

I don't use the SLX anymore, I use the Glyder.

However, the gardiner clamps are really, really good.  Better (in my opinion) than ionics.

[dazmond]

as ionics get a pretty bad press on here

The only reason that ionics get 'a pretty bad press on here' is because (as is true with most forums) most people on here are clueless.  And usually, those that post the most are the most clueless.  Also, on here, people tend to repeat what they've heard (rather than actually experienced) so it becomes a self-perpetuating circle of cluelessness.

I have an gardiner SLX and a Ionic Glyder PLUS. The SLX is bendy, heavy but quite hard wearing.  The Glyder is light, stiff, but a tad more delicate.  Glyders tend to last me about 2 years then need replacing.  I only used the SLX for about 2 months, but the impression I got was that it would last longer.

I don't use the SLX anymore, I use the Glyder.

However, the gardiner clamps are really, really good.  Better (in my opinion) than ionics.

ionics are very expensive...thats why most of us wont shop with them....their catalogues are too slick,shiny and glossy too.....

[nathankaye]

I went to an Ionics road show thing in Sheffield, thinking it was like the big expo show in stoneleigh. This was about a year in on wfp from trad.

I did like alot of their poles, but when I looked at prices offered by various other companies, Ionics were over and above the majority. I concluded that they may be good poles but over priced in my mind.
However it was the sales man that finally put me off ionics!  I worked in sales for some years and I sold the company name and its products based on its strengths. Not by slagging of the competitors!  However this was the approach of the sales chap and it put me right off.  If ionics was worth the extra costs, he should have sold on the strengths and advantages of the poles which explains the extra cost and makes it worth while.

My first poles i purchased was a phoenix hybrid and a facelift carbon.  I still have the hybrid but rarely use as its extremely whippy, unless you only extend each section half way, which defeats the purpose. Lol you need a 40ft pole to use as a 20 ft pole 
The clamps on the carbon were horrid and often needed to be taped to stop the pole from spinning.

I now use a slx30 which is a great everyday  pole but as others have said, it can be quite flexi when fully extended. However the more rigid poles seem to break easier from what others have said on herr and so i will endure the slx

[Martin Lane]

my lads have been trying out the Hydra plus 35 pole for the last 2  weeks we have not had to pay for it
thinner than the SLX 30
Stiffer slightly
weight about the same even with ionics brush on the end
you dont get black carbon on your hands as the poles are coated, some thing l wish Gardiners would do
Cost more than Gardiners, will be interesting to see how long it lasts compared to the SLX 30
As we have the plus version it is a good pole, they do a stranded 35 which is a lower grad carbon which l suppose would be a bit more whippy   
l asked my lads would they prefer using it compared to the SLX their reply was yes, asked if they had to pay for the poles would they still use it and they said they would stick with Gardiner SLX  based on price only
I think this is their best pole they have had so far, some of their other poles over the years have been crap, but they still sell thousands of them

[mufcglen]

you dont get black carbon on your hands as the poles are coated, some thing l wish Gardiners would do

Wait till that coat wears down pal, you don’t get Carbon hand from 2 weeks use.
I sorted gardiner’s Carbon hand issue by changing the clamps to phantom, barely any carbon coming off the pole now.

[Plankton]

I posted some photos years ago on here showing the bend in different poles (only Gardiner's!) but unfortunately there was no extreme in the pics.

It would be better to show folks the difference between the poles of today with the same weight of brushes.

I've looked at these iconic poles but I don't see the weight of them in the description, I'd guess they don't want to be compared in that department and as for brushes, your very limited.

[Richard Stevenson]

I did take some photos but they wouldn't upload. Also  the swift had a Gardiner goose neck and brush as there commercial heads ways a ton. I believe there new stock is much better. I will do the same next week with some pics .

[dazmond]

also dont ionics poles measure the length of their poles by "actual reach" rather than the  length?how confusing!

[dazmond]

I did take some photos but they wouldn't upload. Also  the swift had a Gardiner goose neck and brush as there commercial heads ways a ton. I believe there new stock is much better. I will do the same next week with some pics .

take the photos on your phone......then screenshot them.....youll be able to upload them then...problem solved....

[NWH]

Some of the tests they do are worthless information if you ask me,certain poles out there are fantastic at 22-25ft,jump to there 35ft version it’s a different animal it becomes like trying to hold on to a scolded cat at beyond 30ft.

[NWH]

If you see another WCleaner with a certain pole ask if you can hold it up at the height you think you’ll need it for,it will save you no end of hassle trying to send it back if you buy 1.
I know if I’ll like a pole within seconds of holding it.

[NWH]

Leave about 6-7” before the tape on the bottom of each section,it’ll almost double the stiffness of a whippy pole.