[dazmond]

section 3 now(split) today a 1/3 down from the top of the section.......after snapping section 2 last month..... .....this pole is 11 months old......personally i think these poles are too brittle for use as an everyday pole......so ive replaced the section with an SLX section so i now have

sections 1,2,3 SLX and sections 4 and 5 XTREME on my 25 ft every day pole.........

im lucky as ive got quite a few old slxs and xtreme poles lying around at home and i could probably cobble together another few xtreme/SLX hybrid 25 footers to last me a few years yet.....

[jonboywalton75]

Slx for me is the right balance of weight and robustness

[zesty]

I don’t know how you do it daz.

I’ve two xtremes over 4 years and never snapped one.

Are you eating too much spinach?

[Bungle]

Sounds like Triggers broom

[Slacky]

Extreme poles get brittle if they're not taken abroad, preferably to a different continent, at least twice a year.

As a holiday.

You have to keep them in the manner which they have become accustomed.

Its no good buying an extreme pole and leaving it at home whilst you jet off round the globe.

Alex doesn't mention this on his website, but over time you learn these things. I go away 5 times a year, usually to some place with 48 hour room service every day, 15 course meals (thats just breakfast) thrown in, a different continent each time, a dirty ol' scrubber to satisfy my testosterone fuelled bedroom 'needs' and a 19 * luxury gaff with a fully equipped gym located on the walls of each compass point of the resort.

That way I get to earn the same as what my brother was earning in 13 years time 

[P @ F]

You forgot the air con 

[deeege]

I blame all the working out Daz. Now you’ve got rid of your man boobs you don’t appear to be able to control your own strength.

[robbo333]

Perhaps you need a more...'tender touch'.

Or... just replace them; tools of the trade and all that.

[dazmond]

I don’t know how you do it daz.

I’ve two xtremes over 4 years and never snapped one.

Are you eating too much spinach?

do you use them every day though?for everything?including f/s/g jobs,etc?
do you often clean awkward angle windows with your pole fully extended?......i do...lots of times a month....

ive had a few models of xtreme poles over the years and kept thinking the newer versions might be more robust but i dont think they are.....the only sections ive ever snapped are all xtreme sections.......6 of them now!

i think ill be sticking to the SLX range from now on....shame really as i like the rigidity and lightness of the xtreme.....i think a glass pole would be tougher!

[wayne m]

Why not give the phantom hi-mod a go and see how you get on before going back to the slx as an every day pole

[dazmond]

Why not give the phantom hi-mod a go and see how you get on before going back to the slx as an every day pole

the reason is that my gardiner carbon goosenecks and spare gardiner pole sections,etc dont fit the phantom poles,also ive not heard any good stories in regards to the phantom hi mod pole either.....

[Stoots]

Ive only had mine a few months but don think id buy another, i cant imagine it will be much good after a year... but time will tell

ill simply use my slx 18 for most stuff then buy a 25 and a 35 for odd jobs

i love my extreme also but the wear rate is shocking given its only a few of months old

slx tend to last about 2 years with the clamps usually the first thing to break before the sections

[zesty]

I don’t know how you do it daz.

I’ve two xtremes over 4 years and never snapped one.

Are you eating too much spinach?

do you use them every day though?for everything?including f/s/g jobs,etc?
do you often clean awkward angle windows with your pole fully extended?......i do...lots of times a month....

ive had a few models of xtreme poles over the years and kept thinking the newer versions might be more robust but i dont think they are.....the only sections ive ever snapped are all xtreme sections.......6 of them now!

i think ill be sticking to the SLX range from now on....shame really as i like the rigidity and lightness of the xtreme.....i think a glass pole would be tougher!

Yes mate, used for everything!

Even softwashing.

[SB Cleaning]

section 3 now(split) today a 1/3 down from the top of the section.......after snapping section 2 last month..... .....this pole is 11 months old......personally i think these poles are too brittle for use as an everyday pole......so ive replaced the section with an SLX section so i now have

sections 1,2,3 SLX and sections 4 and 5 XTREME on my 25 ft every day pole.........

im lucky as ive got quite a few old slxs and xtreme poles lying around at home and i could probably cobble together another few xtreme/SLX hybrid 25 footers to last me a few years yet.....

I have been saying they are brittle for years

Give me a SLX any day!!

[Jonny 87]

My extreme 22 is two years old now.

Still great. It slips a little when fully collapsed. But I can live with that. I just clamp it about an inch lower.

Gets used for everything.

Something i started doing, was regularly cleaning the pole hose. Every time I collapse the pole and move to a different section of a property I coil the pole hose up while I’ve got a cloth in my hand and clean it.

I never drag the pole hose on the floor and then extend the pole.

Not sure if that’s the reason why this has lasted so long, but it has to help.

I won’t use anything else than an extreme
Now.

Once this one goes, I’m getting an extreme
18 (for the mrs mostly) and an extreme 25.

Perfect combos.

[M & C Window Cleaning]

Looking at it another way my Xtreme 22 went through about £90,000 worth of residential work before section #3 split.  I actually don’t consider that bad going and wouldn’t hesitate to get another.
Even with a 30cm split I could still use it fully extended. Just had to be more careful when shutting windows. I replaced the split section about a month ago before it went completely. I recon section #2 will go next as like section #3 it is wearing both inside and out unlike section #1 which is only wearing on the outside.
 In use, I notice the weight difference between the SLX and Xtreme quite a bit and way prefer the Xtreme over the SLX to work with.

[Simon Trapani]

I think the clue's in the title with the extreme.  It's for extreme use or if you're carrying an injury or similar. If you're gonna use it as an everyday pole it's not gonna last too long. SLX for me. Maybe CLX for staff.

[dazmond]

My extreme 22 is two years old now.

Still great. It slips a little when fully collapsed. But I can live with that. I just clamp it about an inch lower.

Gets used for everything.

Something i started doing, was regularly cleaning the pole hose. Every time I collapse the pole and move to a different section of a property I coil the pole hose up while I’ve got a cloth in my hand and clean it.

I never drag the pole hose on the floor and then extend the pole.

Not sure if that’s the reason why this has lasted so long, but it has to help.

I won’t use anything else than an extreme
Now.

Once this one goes, I’m getting an extreme
18 (for the mrs mostly) and an extreme 25.

Perfect combos.

i always clean the pole hose and flush the pole out with water  at regular intervals(and use PTFE spray!)

[G Griffin]

Two words: Brodex.
Well it felt like two.

[dazmond]

im toying with the idea that in future when i need a new 25ft everyday pole to order 3  top SLX sections and 2 Xtreme sections(base and no 4).that comes in at just under £520 with VAT.this would then probably last me at least 2 years before needing replacing and would solve the wear/strength issues on the top 3 sections......

[p1w1]

It's the top sections that give the most benefit on the pole lightness and rigidity , what you plan is pointless.

[Dave Willis]

What I suggest you do Dazmond is hold your pole upside down as the base sections never wear out. Should get 10 years at least out of your pole.

[dazmond]

It's the top sections that give the most benefit on the pole lightness and rigidity , what you plan is pointless.

the pole is still a fair bit lighter with xtreme sections 4 and 5 instead of slx sections added on.in fact the base section and section 4 are the heaviest sections on a 25 ft SLX pole.....

[robert mitchell]

It's the top sections that give the most benefit on the pole lightness and rigidity , what you plan is pointless.

the pole is still a fair bit lighter with xtreme sections 4 and 5 instead of slx sections added on.in fact the base section and section 4 are the heaviest sections on a 25 ft SLX pole.....

Not when the poles extended they are not , your forgetting about leverage Dazmond, especially over connys.

[Jonny 87]

That’s a pointless exercise Daz. May aswell use an slx.

The weight of a brush is more noticeable because it’s at the end of your pole. Hold it in your hand and it’s light as a feather.  It’s the same with pole sections. It’s the top ones that matter the most when it comes to weight.

[mufcglen]

Hi lads you may remember my post around the start of year with my 11 month old xtreme pole and section 3 snapping, luckily Alex G swapped out for me because the courier messed me about so much not collecting it to return for inspection but Alex thought it was user error which personally I didn’t totally agree with  as I really do look after my poles and not a heavy user finishing work most days early afternoon mon-fri.
Anyway he was great doing that for me and I can’t knock him but recently my no1 had been spinning at the very top below the clamp which is common apparantly and my no4 section has split half way down the pole, bearing in mind its about 14 months old now I decided to try and replace the no4 section with an slx as I thought its lower down I won’t feel the weight diff as much and I don’t really!
Then here’s the best bit, I spent £75 on a set of phantom clamps from wcw and after a bit of chopping and changing the pole feels bloody awesome again.
I am going to order a new xtreme anyway in a month or so but thought for £150 for the clamps and pole I’d give it a try.
Can’t recommend the phantom clamps enough, they feel too loose when opening and shutting them but they clamp brilliantly and 3 days use i havent got any carbon wear on my hands yet!
As regards the xtreme pole though and wear we all know the slx is probably the best all rounder and you can bounce it off walls but for me even at double the price and the fact that you generally get 12-18 months use out of them its money well spent for me, I found I’m earning more as my not as crackered and my shoulder injury from football many years ago has gone again and ever since using the xtreme I get peaceful nights sleeps!
The extra money I made this last year has way more than paid for itself😉

[M & C Window Cleaning]

Something else that contributes to wear on a pole is the manner in which it is extended. I’ve seen a number of window cleaners extending poles horizontally then lifting them up to clean upper windows. I’ve always tended to extend mine near vertically. This reduces wear dramatically as there is noticeably less friction between the sliding surfaces. Especially is this important when grit gets into the pole.

[mufcglen]

[dazmond]

I couldn't be bothered putting facelift clamps on an xtreme pole.........I'll manage with my xtreme/slx hybrid poles for now and when the time comes for a new main pole ill probably just buy another SLX25..........

[mufcglen]

I couldn't be bothered putting facelift clamps on an xtreme pole.........I'll manage with my xtreme/slx hybrid poles for now and when the time comes for a new main pole ill probably just buy another SLX25..........

Doesn’t take much longer than changing the pole sections like your doing now pal and they clamp on the worn poles better!
To be honest my Mrs said I should have just bought a new xtreme as I’ve had 14 months out of it but I wanted to see what the fuss is about with these new type clamps with the rubber collar in and I can definitely say they’re definitely the future, I’d be shocked if gardiner hadn’t looked into the idea plus I think I prefer the idea of a bolted clamp rather than a glued one now not that it was an issue ever did myself but I’ve read of some heavy handed lads loosening the glued clamps off!
Gonna use this for a few months now as it feels like a new pole again but I’ll be ordering an xtreme soon enough👍

[dazmond]

I couldn't be bothered putting facelift clamps on an xtreme pole.........I'll manage with my xtreme/slx hybrid poles for now and when the time comes for a new main pole ill probably just buy another SLX25..........

Doesn’t take much longer than changing the pole sections like your doing now pal and they clamp on the worn poles better!
To be honest my Mrs said I should have just bought a new xtreme as I’ve had 14 months out of it but I wanted to see what the fuss is about with these new type clamps with the rubber collar in and I can definitely say they’re definitely the future, I’d be shocked if gardiner hadn’t looked into the idea plus I think I prefer the idea of a bolted clamp rather than a glued one now not that it was an issue ever did myself but I’ve read of some heavy handed lads loosening the glued clamps off!
Gonna use this for a few months now as it feels like a new pole again but I’ll be ordering an xtreme soon enough👍

Fair enough but I'm not having an issue with clamping.....its xtreme pole sections snapping and splintering mate.....

[mufcglen]

I couldn't be bothered putting facelift clamps on an xtreme pole.........I'll manage with my xtreme/slx hybrid poles for now and when the time comes for a new main pole ill probably just buy another SLX25..........

Doesn’t take much longer than changing the pole sections like your doing now pal and they clamp on the worn poles better!
To be honest my Mrs said I should have just bought a new xtreme as I’ve had 14 months out of it but I wanted to see what the fuss is about with these new type clamps with the rubber collar in and I can definitely say they’re definitely the future, I’d be shocked if gardiner hadn’t looked into the idea plus I think I prefer the idea of a bolted clamp rather than a glued one now not that it was an issue ever did myself but I’ve read of some heavy handed lads loosening the glued clamps off!
Gonna use this for a few months now as it feels like a new pole again but I’ll be ordering an xtreme soon enough👍

Fair enough but I'm not having an issue with clamping.....its xtreme pole sections snapping and splintering mate.....

That’s where these phantom clamps are supposed to help though and judging by the feel of the inside of the clamps they feel a lot smoother and softer than the gardiner plastic clamps, when I cut off the gardiner clamp I couldn’t believe how rough it felt internally, only time will tell if the phantom inserts will make a difference with pole wear as I’ve only fitted them last week but I’ve heard plenty of other good comments on them now they been out a year.

[wayne m]

Hi lads you may remember my post around the start of year with my 11 month old xtreme pole and section 3 snapping, luckily Alex G swapped out for me because the courier messed me about so much not collecting it to return for inspection but Alex thought it was user error which personally I didn’t totally agree with  as I really do look after my poles and not a heavy user finishing work most days early afternoon mon-fri.
Anyway he was great doing that for me and I can’t knock him but recently my no1 had been spinning at the very top below the clamp which is common apparantly and my no4 section has split half way down the pole, bearing in mind its about 14 months old now I decided to try and replace the no4 section with an slx as I thought its lower down I won’t feel the weight diff as much and I don’t really!
Then here’s the best bit, I spent £75 on a set of phantom clamps from wcw and after a bit of chopping and changing the pole feels bloody awesome again.
I am going to order a new xtreme anyway in a month or so but thought for £150 for the clamps and pole I’d give it a try.
Can’t recommend the phantom clamps enough, they feel too loose when opening and shutting them but they clamp brilliantly and 3 days use i havent got any carbon wear on my hands yet!
As regards the xtreme pole though and wear we all know the slx is probably the best all rounder and you can bounce it off walls but for me even at double the price and the fact that you generally get 12-18 months use out of them its money well spent for me, I found I’m earning more as my not as crackered and my shoulder injury from football many years ago has gone again and ever since using the xtreme I get peaceful nights sleeps!
The extra money I made this last year has way more than paid for itself😉

Why not just buy the phantom hi-mod and try that when you go to buy a new pole

[mufcglen]

I may do pal but I’ve only ever gardiner Poles with the smart clamps so wanted to see how the phantom clamps felt and like I say I’m impressed up to now.
Phantom 22 high mod is nearly £100 more than the xtreme version though looking at website prices