Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: STEVE-UK on April 23, 2008, 06:45:43 pm

Title: opinions on 60ft xtel pole
Post by: STEVE-UK on April 23, 2008, 06:45:43 pm
Im in the market for a 60 foot pole and am interested in the x-tel 59 foot pole, has anyone used one  or owned one,are they strong, what other pole can they be compared to, any opinions ?
Title: Re: opinions on 60ft xtel pole
Post by: jaykie on April 23, 2008, 06:49:27 pm
Im new to WFP and i think the 30 foot hybrid is quite heavy and god knows what you guys must of had to lift in the past, so if 30 foot isnt too light god knows what 60 foot is like, peeps will probs tell you to get the sl2 from gardiners but cant quote as not tried either.

Chris
Title: Re: opinions on 60ft xtel pole
Post by: Feen on April 23, 2008, 07:19:00 pm
Can't comment directly, but I would say this. I bought a x-tel hybrid about 6 months ago (24 ft). It is fine to work with, but I'm not impressed with the quality of build. The tapes on the first two sections are so worn that they don't do their job. The clamps continually need tightened. And the neck needs re-attached to the pole from time to time. I should add I clean 3 days a week, not full time. It's got a fair bit of life left in it (and so it should), but I won't buy another one.
Title: Re: opinions on 60ft xtel pole
Post by: LWC on April 23, 2008, 07:51:11 pm
60ft  :o

no chance, i picked up a 40 summit foot one and almost gave myself a hernia!

i know i keep saying it, but SL2 all the way mate, no quibles. its possibly...no it is the best thing ive ever bought wfp wise  ;)
Title: Re: opinions on 60ft xtel pole
Post by: STEVE-UK on April 23, 2008, 08:37:23 pm
im used to using the ionics 60 foot @ 11kg without brush, so the 7kg of the x-tel will feel like a tooth pick, i have been considering the sl2 but prefer the flexibilty of a telescopic pole and the hose running through the pole
Title: Re: opinions on 60ft xtel pole
Post by: LWC on April 23, 2008, 09:06:18 pm
the hose running down the outside concerned me too mate, but i hardly notice it, i just wrap it round it and keep it tight to the pole

please mate, you would not beleive how light it is!

there really is nothing to it, it so easy to put up, and bring down. i did a job with a 24 ft glass fibre which to me weighed a tone, it was a block of flats 3 stories, and i was shattered after doing them. now the other day, not only was it lighter, or the fact that it wasnt killing me to use it, it was the speed that i got the job done in. i was using one hand to do them! 30 ft up!! ive had it 50ft with one hand, there really is nothing to it mate...you will NOT regret it
Title: Re: opinions on 60ft xtel pole
Post by: NWH on April 23, 2008, 09:09:21 pm
With the SL2 you do a better job on the glass because your able to scrub the glass more at height as it weighs nothing.
Title: Re: opinions on 60ft xtel pole
Post by: LWC on April 23, 2008, 09:15:13 pm
not being funny either but why would you like the flex, are you worried you couldnt reach over things with the flex you use? with a pole this length that isnt a problem
Title: Re: opinions on 60ft xtel pole
Post by: NWH on April 23, 2008, 09:17:14 pm
im used to using the ionics 60 foot @ 11kg without brush, so the 7kg of the x-tel will feel like a tooth pick, i have been considering the sl2 but prefer the flexibilty of a telescopic pole and the hose running through the pole
Steve at the height your talking about you`ll get flex,the flex you will get will be more user freindly.
Title: Re: opinions on 60ft xtel pole
Post by: LWC on April 23, 2008, 09:20:45 pm
im used to using the ionics 60 foot @ 11kg without brush, so the 7kg of the x-tel will feel like a tooth pick, i have been considering the sl2 but prefer the flexibilty of a telescopic pole and the hose running through the pole
Steve at the height your talking about you`ll get flex,the flex you will get will be more user freindly.

yes i agree, and most of all controlable flex
Title: Re: opinions on 60ft xtel pole
Post by: Moderator David@stives on April 23, 2008, 09:23:28 pm
Steve

Buy it , you wont regret it, I bought one and I am impressed with it.

Dave
Title: Re: opinions on 60ft xtel pole
Post by: Alex Gardiner on April 23, 2008, 09:24:27 pm
im used to using the ionics 60 foot @ 11kg without brush, so the 7kg of the x-tel will feel like a tooth pick, i have been considering the sl2 but prefer the flexibilty of a telescopic pole and the hose running through the pole

If you really feel that you need the pole-in-one ability of a telescopic pole then the 60ft Xtel is in my opinion the current best pole for the job as the section clamps are about reachable from the ground, it is reasonably light, it is fairly compact when closed (compared to the competition) and it is the longest pole in it's class being an actual 59' 9" fully extended.

Title: Re: opinions on 60ft xtel pole
Post by: LWC on April 23, 2008, 09:31:46 pm
but alex honestly, whats it like picking up the xtel with the sl2
Title: Re: opinions on 60ft xtel pole
Post by: Alex Gardiner on April 23, 2008, 09:42:48 pm
but alex honestly, whats it like picking up the xtel with the sl2

It's like picking up a scaffolding pole  :D

However telescopic poles do suit some people's work and style better, hence the alternative.
Title: Re: opinions on 60ft xtel pole
Post by: STEVE-UK on April 23, 2008, 09:59:47 pm
i am tempted with sl2 because of the weight  hhmmmm

i think the unger pole is the best design but to expensive, heard bad reports about it and its not that light

when i said flexible i didnt mean the flex of the pole, but to use in general i.e  i have a few large buildings where theres awkward access ,sometimes you just need to extend it a few inches, what do you do with a section when you need to lower the pole and your quite away from where the bag is , leave it on the floor,put in in your pocket or leave your pole resting in the breeze to put it back in the bag ?


i am tempted as cheap & light weight !!
Title: Re: opinions on 60ft xtel pole
Post by: LWC on April 23, 2008, 10:03:03 pm
when i have done jobs at height, its so easy to hold the pole in one hand and remove one. i either put it behind me out of the way where its not gonna get damaged or go and lean it up againt the building again here it isnt going to get damaged, a corner preferbly
Title: Re: opinions on 60ft xtel pole
Post by: Moderator David@stives on April 24, 2008, 09:52:05 am
Buy both, I am
Title: Re: opinions on 60ft xtel pole
Post by: jaykie on April 24, 2008, 10:53:28 am
steve, if you buy either one of these poles can you let me know as your not far from me and wouldnt mind seeing what there like.

Cheers

Chris
Title: Re: opinions on 60ft xtel pole
Post by: STEVE-UK on April 24, 2008, 11:50:46 am
Chris i will give you a shout when i get one , think its going to be the x-tel carbon fibre , but im going to arrange with a dealer to try both before purchase
Title: Re: opinions on 60ft xtel pole
Post by: jaykie on April 24, 2008, 11:51:37 am
Cheers mate

Chris
Title: Re: opinions on 60ft xtel pole
Post by: LWC on April 24, 2008, 11:57:41 am
Buy both, I am

whats the point?
Title: Re: opinions on 60ft xtel pole
Post by: Moderator David@stives on April 24, 2008, 07:11:53 pm
LWC

The point is, there are loads of situations where you need to drop or raise a pole a foot in height.

Adding a 4ft section or removing one isnt a foot is it.

 Some jobs need constant adjustment and having sections all over the place isnt convenient.

Sl2 have there uses but they are not for every job.

If thats the case why buy a SLX if you have a sl2
Title: Re: opinions on 60ft xtel pole
Post by: windowwashers on April 24, 2008, 07:20:17 pm
im used to using the ionics 60 foot @ 11kg without brush, so the 7kg of the x-tel will feel like a tooth pick, i have been considering the sl2 but prefer the flexibilty of a telescopic pole and the hose running through the pole

If you really feel that you need the pole-in-one ability of a telescopic pole then the 60ft Xtel is in my opinion the current best pole for the job as the section clamps are about reachable from the ground, it is reasonably light, it is fairly compact when closed (compared to the competition) and it is the longest pole in it's class being an actual 59' 9" fully extended.


Alex are you looking into making a SL tele pole to match 60ft, I dont like the idea either of the hose being on the outside, is the sl x hose inside?
Why oh why did you not have a stall at windex (you would have made a killing) I held the SL2 while I was there, light was not the word name says it all
Title: Re: opinions on 60ft xtel pole
Post by: Wayne Thomas on April 24, 2008, 10:58:57 pm
LWC

The point is, there are loads of situations where you need to drop or raise a pole a foot in height.

Adding a 4ft section or removing one isnt a foot is it.

 Some jobs need constant adjustment and having sections all over the place isnt convenient.

Sl2 have there uses but they are not for every job.

If thats the case why buy a SLX if you have a sl2

I totally agree with Dave 100%. That's the reasons why i dislike modular poles even though they are very light. I would also like to add that using a heavier telescopic pole has it's advantages on gusty days when working in windy locations like the coast with strong sea breazes blowing inland as opposed to flying the super duper superlite kites or rather poles if you want to call them that. There is a market place for both. I use both but prefer the telescopic poles from a workpoint not a healthpoint.  Now if someone came up with a telescopic end section to go on a SL2 then it would be an excellent pole, but until then it hibernates except for perfect work and perfect days.
Title: Re: opinions on 60ft xtel pole
Post by: LWC on April 24, 2008, 11:11:49 pm
thats what i thought the slx was gonna be, a 30 what ever it is foot pole that can be made modular...THAT would be the pole
Title: Re: opinions on 60ft xtel pole
Post by: LWC on April 24, 2008, 11:14:53 pm
fair point dave.

to me, if i have a 60 ft modular, i wouldnt bother getting a 60ft telescopic as well as...i dont have THAT much money lol
Title: Re: opinions on 60ft xtel pole
Post by: edltd on April 25, 2008, 12:03:41 pm
Im in the market for a 60 foot pole and am interested in the x-tel 59 foot pole, has anyone used one  or owned one,are they strong, what other pole can they be compared to, any opinions ?
I sell poles and would like to sp tell 01691 655583
Title: Re: opinions on 60ft xtel pole
Post by: STEVE-UK on April 25, 2008, 09:02:27 pm
Has anyone tried one of these 60 foot sky poles ,60ft,10 sections and 5.58kg,made from carbon & alloy ?

what are they like to use ,do they last?
Title: Re: opinions on 60ft xtel pole
Post by: STEVE-UK on May 09, 2008, 08:10:17 am
jaykie,

if you wanna pop over and have at go on the  x-tel 60 pole let me know when your over this way Brighton / seaford and ill meet up with you
Title: Re: opinions on 60ft xtel pole
Post by: jaykie on May 09, 2008, 02:24:27 pm
Cheers steve ill let you know, was in Brighton yesterday shopping and had a full english in the pantry cafe in peacehaven, looking at those brodex and ionics on the sale page but ive never lifted a carbon so may be a bit heavy

Chris
Title: Re: opinions on 60ft xtel pole
Post by: STEVE-UK on May 09, 2008, 02:43:57 pm
i used to use the ionics all the time on the thistle hotel ,brighton,but after an hour or so it dont half make your back ache and its 12 - 13 foot closed, i think the brodex and onmipole are 8kg and 9 ft closed