[Paul Golding]

Hi

Looking at the new x-tel range on your site.

You list the 30ft glassfibre as weighing 2.6kg whereas the 30ft carbon/glass as weighing 2.99kg.

I was under the impression that carbon was lighter ? if so, why is the pole with carbon heavier ??

[brightnclean]

Probably it is.

I like the new extel range but wouldnt use the fibreglass at any more than 18ft. I tried a longer one at the Fed show yesterday and although it is light it is incredibly whippy.

I like the clamps and the ease of extending or retracting and the short section lengths. I tried and ordered a 30ft composite one from Andrew McCann at Pure Freedom at the show. Again nice short sections and very easy to extend or retract.

[Paul Golding]

how much was it ?

 can I ask what made you go for the freedom pole over the gardiner pole ? . . was it as light ? also did you try the new brodex range ? just wondered how they all compare.

[brightnclean]

Its the same pole as the Gardiner one. Made by the same manufacturer.

Yes it was light. Just under 3 kilos. I went for it because of the short sections and how easy it is to extend and retract. I wont be using it very much at more than about 24 ft or so but its nice to be able to reach the higher stuff without having to buy another pole. I paid £399.00 inc VAT for it with a 11 inch Vikan twin 2mm jetted brush included.

Brodex? No didnt try them.    Didnt want to.

[Paul Golding]

ok, thanks 

[Alex Gardiner]

Hi Paul,

It does look puzzling doesn't it!

The reason is that the initial figures were put on our website as supplied by the manufacturers. When we received and measured the poles the weights and lengths needed adjustment.

We have not received our shipment of Hybrids and Carbon fibre poles as yet. The two sizes of Hybrid will actually be about 34ft and 38ft and we anticipate that the weights will be 2.8kg and 3.3kg.

The real advantage of the hybrids will be their increased stiffness over the Glass fibre versions. As has been mentioned the glass fibre X-Tel range is quite 'whippy' but they are very light. On our reckoning they are nearly half the weight of a Universal pole. We went out to work with several of them on Thursday and generally found them very good to work with. The clamp design is one of the best we have used, very positive and easy to use and the reduced section diameter makes them good to hold. They are a bit whippy but many users will find that acceptable due to the weight advantages. I personally found that they were best suited to a plastic gooseneck and a Super-Lite (or similar type) brush as this took full advantage of the poles weight.

[Paul Golding]

thanks alex

[brightnclean]

Hi Alex.

I have to agree with what you say about these poles. Especially the new clamping mechanism. I,ve had a few different poles and never come across anything to match it. Its very positive yet very easy to use. Merely a flick of the thumb or finger is all thats needed to release or shut them. I had a go with a 17ft fibreglass one and I swear I could use it one handed on a window with no problems. Its so light. As I,ve said I wouldnt want to use one any longer because they are whippy. I can see them being great for 1st floor domestic work. Andrew did mention that the actual height of the one I bought was around the 34ft mark but said its best not to fully extend each section.

I have some very high work probably coming my way very soon. 50ft plus so will be in contact about the supalites. To be honest I am not keen on modular poles. I borrowed a mates unger one for a week or two a little while ago and wasnt that impressed but for this job it would be well worth the setting up time to get the lighness.

[Alex Gardiner]

Hi BrightnClean,

Yes the clamps are good. I would agree with Andrew that for standard use it would be best not to fully extend each section, but it does allow for it if you really need to use the full height on the odd occasion.

The modular Super-Lite is a lot less fiddly to assemble than a Carbon-Tec, once you get used to using it, it can take no longer to assemble than a standard pole. They really are the lightest, stiffest pole on the market. They do need treating with care though as they are not as robust as a Carbon-tec which is why they weigh less than a third of a Carbon-Tec.

[brightnclean]

OK Alex. Thanks for the info. It looks almost certain that I have the work   I mentioned the job to Andrew and he said that I would be best to get in touch with you about the Supalites. I know there are some new Carbon Extel ones coming out but he said what you are saying abouth the lightness, rigity and price of your poles. It's good to deal with suppliers who aren't knocking each other for a change.   

[Alex Gardiner]

Andrew and ourselves have always got on very well. We find that there are a lot of very pleasant guys out there in this trade.

[TDW]

Alex

Do you get splinters in your hands with the new X tel range fibre glass like you get with the extender range?

TDW

Also Im thinking about getting the 26foot X tel to replace a 24foot universal. What do you think?

[Alex Gardiner]

The composition of the X-Tel range is similar to the Universals so splinters should not be a problem.

The 26ft Xtel is 2'6" longer than the 24ft Universal but weighs 1kg less so will be a lot easier on your arms. It comes in 5x 5'6" sections as opposEd to the Universal's 4x 6'sections but the base section diameter on the fifth section is still less than the fourth section on the Universal. It will be slightly more flexible though in use.

[simon w]

Hi Alex.

If your still on-line i've got a couple of questions i'd like to ask with regards to the new glass fibre x-tel poles.

For the past year we have been using your 18FT Universal glass fibre poles with the aluminium goose necks and standard Vikan brush heads, for our residential work. And have found them to be a good pole for standard houses etc. We also find them to be good value for money, with just the occasional change of pole hose and pole clamps.

We have been looking at the new X-Tel range on your web-site. we are considering changing from the 18FT Universal to the 22FT X-Tel.

Do you think this would be a better pole to use for our residential work? and are the new X-Tel poles as hard wareing as the Universal?

Simon.

[trevor perry]

hi alex when will the 25ft x tell pole be available to buy and would i be able to fit one of your goosnecks to the pole also alex in your opinion which would be the better pole the 25ft x tell pole or the 25ft predator pole

[Alex Gardiner]

Hi Guys,

Chris Cottrell,

The X-Tel's have an 18ft size (which we are awaiting our shipment of to arrive!!), this is in 4 sections as opposed to the Universal's 3 sections. It weighs about 700g less (nearly half the weight) and it's base diameter is smaller so it is very easy to use. This will probably end up being my favourite domestic pole size.

Simon W,

The 22ft X-Tel is a good pole (I have been using it today). In general use I only extend each section about 90%, this increases rigidity but you then have the option to use the extra where needed. The 22ft pole is nearly 1/2 a kilo lighter than the 18ft Universal and has a smaller base section size and is more compact when not extended (due to 4x sections not 3). My overall impression is that it seems a lot lighter to work with.

Durability is something that only time will tell, but initial impressions are pretty good. The pole surface seems as tough as the Universal and the clamps are a lot easier to adjust, they also seem to have a good degree of adjustment life in them.

Trevor Perry,

We are hoping that the 26ft X-Tel will be available in about 2-3 weeks (maybe sooner), the G-Fit aluminium goosenecks simply screw onto the end of the pole.

Which is better Predator or X-Tel? A good question, the 26ft X-Tel is 25' 9" long in 5 sections and weighs 2.15kg the 25ft Predator is 22' 7" long in 4 sections and weighs 2.6kg.  I would rather work with the X-Tel due to its shorter section lengths and lighter weight, but that is just my opinion.

[simon w]

Simon W,

The 22ft X-Tel is a good pole (I have been using it today). In general use I only extend each section about 90%, this increases rigidity but you then have the option to use the extra where needed. The 22ft pole is nearly 1/2 a kilo lighter than the 18ft Universal and has a smaller base section size and is more compact when not extended (due to 4x sections not 3). My overall impression is that it seems a lot lighter to work with.

Durability is something that only time will tell, but initial impressions are pretty good. The pole surface seems as tough as the Universal and the clamps are a lot easier to adjust, they also seem to have a good degree of adjustment life in them.

Thank-you. I think we'll be giving the X-Tel's a try.

[Chris Cottrell]

Alex thanks may get paula one to try

Ps any chance Kirsty may let us have a demo when they arrive ?

Chris