Hello mate,yes i have it and it`s better than the first one but as you stated we all take a section off on jobs and it is tempting to throw it on the ground i used to do but no more,the sections are thickly wrapped with carbon but the bottom of the sections still chip easily if accidently dropped etc,i dropped a extension section the other day and it did chip slightly but nothing major cos it`s a section that has an end cover for it.It comes with an ajustable green bung but in my opinion there needs to be protecter covers for each section as there is with the Emporium new pole,the main problem with this pole because it`s slightly longer than the first version won`t go in my storage tubes that i already have and storing it in a bag is not practical,i feel it NEEDS some sort of proper storage tubes because when using it for domestic it`s in and out every 20-30mins,you know what i think of facelift and this pole will be the only other one you`ll need Tony.For anything over the 24ft facelift this is the closest thing to heaven.