Are these SL-X poles as strong as the SL-2?
Is there a guarantee on the pole not splitting, chipping or cracking under normal use and if so, how long please?
Will it be easy to order & replace worn pole SL-X sections and for how long will you stock spares bearing in mind if I wanted to order a spare section for the SL-1 by internet shopping, I can't, so I either have to telephone or send an email requesting if you still stock these sections now that they aren't being sold as complete poles anymore.
Hi Wayne,
The SL-X is much stronger than the SL-2. The carbon fibre is of such a quality that it can be considered as a 'unified structure' and in fact the design of the clamps makes use of this awesome strength and integrity.
Guarantee - we have yet to decide a guarantee on this product. Most extended warranties on poles are usually just marketing gimmicks as they do not cover wear and tear. Even the 30 month warranty on an aluminium brand pole provided by one firm does not cover wear and tear only 'manufacturing defects', if you check their small print. After a year's use, it is very difficult (if not impossible) to prove that something is a manufacturing defect. The problem is that 'normal use' is not able to be defined. If you look at the abuse that some clients give their equipment you can see why manufacturers are not keen to be tied down to a wear and tear warranty. Some clients can destroy equipment in just a month. I have had poles returned as faulty for us to repair that are only weeks old and the level of damage and wear is much more commensurate with a year or two of wear. How do you encompass this type of user in a wear and tear warranty? On the other hand we have clients that can get 3 years of constant use out of a Universal pole.
I personally would be more than happy offering a 36 month warranty on them for manufacturing defects, this would be an 'industry best', but as I mentioned this would practically just protect you from a freak manufacturing flaw that usually would be apparent within weeks. If it did show up after 2 years, it would be almost impossible for the client to prove that they had not damaged the pole in some way. As soon as a client puts a deep scratch in any section they have effectively changed the structure of the pole thereby rendering the warranty legally not applicable.
We feel that customer service should be more flexible than a rigidly applied legal warranty though. For instance the X-Tel range is currently offered with no warranty at all and yet as a firm we are happy to put right any problems, if we can see that it has not been caused by abuse.
So in reply to your question, I do not know yet. Our own 10 month old prototype pole is available for inspection at our premises if anyone wants to see the lack of wear on it. This pole has had 10 months of constant use so is a good representation of what they can cope with.
It will be very easy to replace sections in the future and because we have these made for us we anticipate having them available for a long time. Any upgrades that may develop would be backwardly compatible as the design is fairly simple.
All spares for the SL1 are still available and will be for the foreseeable future, but as you say only via phone or visit. If you are currently using an SL-1 then it really would be worth trying upgrading to an SL-2 as it really is worlds apart in its levels of strength and design. We have always offered good discounts for those upgrading to the new pole.