Right, a couple of days in and I have to say that i'm not noticing the whippiness of my new SLx as much as before. As I originally posted, this pole is longer and, as the sections are thinner I guess it's inevitable that it's going to be a bit whippier I guess. I still don't notice it's lighter weight, but have benefited more from it's slightly longer extended length. I'm def. worried about the positive stop paint wearing away though.
When I got home yesterday a new angle adapter had arrived and, today, following a fone call yesterday, the correct hose end.
I've watched with interest all the debate about Gardiners and other suppliers on here. I've had my problems with Gardiners - I bought an SLX last year and had clamps and an endcone come unstuck a couple of days after delivery and endured the barrel nut saga. But you've got to ask, why then did I buy another SLx this year. The answer is that I recognise that it's a good product and, secondly, their customer service is great. In this country we are always moaning about bad customer service (to me i've read enough about Brodex to be put off for life) so it's great to experience good customer service.
I'm also soooo happy to see Gardiners Admin and Kirsty Gardiner back on here. Thanks God they are playing a part in this forum again, they've been missed by me at least, giving - as they do - a bit of an insight what it's like to develop new products that appear simple (I mean, just how difficult can it be to create a pole that'll extend to 30', collapse to 4', with clamps that never need adjusting and that can be operated by 1 hand, that is as rigid extended as when you take it out of the van, that weighs little more than a bag of sugar. And that you can step on without crushing it) but aren't.
Try and order an SLX for delivery next week. There's a reason you won't get one and that's because it's a great pole at a fair price. I buy bits and pieces from Gardiners and others from Cleaning Spot and Pure Freedom, all three are great to deal with in my opinion.