Report on Ultralite pole from
http://www.emporiumpole.co.uk (site not yet live) Tel. 01698 285 524 Hamilton Scotland. 23 Oct 2007
I have not received any payment or goods in kind etc for this opinion.
A specifically UK made and designed waterfed window cleaning pole.
Conical tapered push fit based on the fishing pole concept. Quoted length 39ft 5” complete with brush, hose and goose neck. Delivered in a large diameter tube hard card package. The poles 1-6 and each extension where also within their own protective,capped, blue perspex storage tubes.
Length and weight of bare pole without gooseneck/brush.
Section 1 culminative length 1.67 culmanative Weight
2 3.29
3 4.90
4 6.55
5 8.19
6 9.84 To Last taper680g 24oz
Extension 7 11.5m 37.75ft each extn is 268g 9.5oz
Total length 11.5m 37.75f Total weight 1258g 44.5oz (2lb-12oz )
The tip and butt joints for aprox 4” of all sections have been extra wound and the 1-3 section have been superwrapped with the whole pole having an increased carbon content from the original sent in June. Each section is numbered at the tip and base for convenience.
The base of each section has an individual collar/guide which reinforces the strength in use of each joint and also prevents chipping when placed on hard surfaces. The collars also act as a guide for inserting the next section and helps prevent cross alignment when assembling which can often cause splitting.
The collars also make dovetailing for stacking and removing the sections simple as they cannot slide inside each other.
The last tapered section and all extensions have a super smooth high gloss coating finish that easily slips through the hands. The logo, website, and telephone details along with a standard normal electricity warning for use in four languages is under the coating.
Comparison.
The Map F16 Fishing pole is the lightest/stiffest on the market @ 11.5mfor diy wfp window cleaning needs, and is used as a comparison- no other suitable being available.
1.The simplest way is to assemble both poles horizontally and place on identical supports, when a spirit level is placed across the mid section of the poles the weakest will be lowest to the ground and the spirit level will show the deflection, in the picture it can be seen that the bubble is level.
The Ultra is as stiff.
In this picture a 1lb weight has been added to the tip of each pole @ 9m with an Unger alu section pole (lowest in pic) as a further comparison. The bend in both the carbon poles was undistiguishable
The Ultra is as stiff.
Weight. The sections at 11.5m were weighed as above (F16 nearest approx length)
The F16 being 1508g (53oz) and the Ultralite 1258gm 44.5oz
The Ultra was 250gm (8.8oz) lighter than the F16
The current Bentley brush, pole roller, angle joint and plastic goose neck weigh 15oz. Jets are 2mm brass through the brush near the ends. The G neck push fits on the strengthened No1 section. I understand they intend to fit various other makes according to your preference. The non damaging foam roller is paticulary handy when erecting over 35ft. It simply rolls up the wall vertically and does make assembly simple and less risky by taking the weight off the pole.
Conclusion.
It is difficult after only a few days use to make recommendations.
It uses what is called 9 section pole technology, basically sections are slightly longer so you only need 9 sections instead of 10 to get to the same height. It seems a different pole to the previous one I saw in June. The whole pole has been extra wound and the joints top and bottom are reinforced. In vertical use the joints did not lock up but I would still suggest using a tape stop whatever make of modular pole you use as this will also limit carbon wear from friction. The lower sections and extensions are probably over engineered.
It’s certainly the lightest pole I have ever seen, strong and stiff and more than adequate for waterfed pole cleaning use. Its been crafted by someone who certainly knows about pole construction.
The top section is too long for close restricted use but various goose necks will be available.
It is difficult after only a few days use to make recommendations. Would I buy it ? Well its not going back, so they will have to sell it to me and it will now be on long term testing.
Jeff Brimble 27th/10/2007
