Yes it's very noticeable.
Not so much at 18ft but 25 over a conny definitely.
I'm using a 25slx and 22slx daily at the moment finding it hard to fork out another 600 quid on an extreme that will snap within months that's the only downside.
It's going to depend on your work I reckon if you can get away with 18 ft slx 80 % of the time and have an extreme 25 for the other 20% then you've probably got the best of both worlds in terms of weight and longevity as obviously the extreme will.last longer. I couldn't be bothered swapping poles about when I tried this though so I just ended up using the 25 extreme for everything.
They don’t snap within a few months and if they do it’s user error mine are used 7 hours a day 5 days a week and last at least 2-3 years before replacement sections are needed and staff use them as well .
Ive had 2. First one snapped top section after 7 months, after a year or so 2nd section went and within 18 months it was ready for the bin.
Bought another 1 st section snapped within 6 weeks! second section around the year mark and again inside 2 years was binned
i then bought an xline hi mod that was more durable pole but still managed to snap top section on it
Hi mod poles arent up to proper use, maybe if you handle them like a girl, wiping them down every day and pampering them they might last a bit longer. Never managed to snap an slx section yet and ive had loads of them.
As I said user error we have 10 extream poles in various sizes and get at least 2-3 year’s minimum from poles that are used every day think you must be very heavy handed . You speak as if the pole broke its self it’s down ti the person using it not the pole , if you are shutting windows with it at acute angles then yes you will break them but fir normal cleaning they last very well
You are the first person ive heard to say that an extreme will last 2 or 3 years, most people seem to snap them very fast.
Even Alex admits as such on his website :
"Important please note - even when looked after well these poles will wear out faster than standard carbon poles and will need regular section replacement due to their thin wall design - if subject to heavy domestic use this could be as soon as 10-12 months"
He wouldnt put that on if there was not an issue with wear, which is fine btw its very thin pole designed to be as light as possible but we all know the trade off is durability.
You and your staff must be extremely delicate