[[GQC] Tim]

Even though I love the weight of the SL2, it's just really proving unpractical for my type of work, it takes too long to setup compared to a telescopic, and need space as well to assemble it.

Has anyone on here gone from let's say a 40ft SL2 to a Supermax? What are their experiences? Much heavier? Easier to setup in tight spaces? I've never used a telescopic bigger then my 25ft SL-X really, never had the need for it, bought the SL2 because I wanted the lightest pole....

Wouldn't mind swapping mine really. It's been used perhaps 5 times, still like new.

[Spruce]

Hi Tim,

I have never used  an SL modular pole so I can't offer you a direct comparison. I have the SLX40 and I find that the pole is not an everyday use pole. For me its heavy with all the sections and my small hands find the base diamt just a tad too big to hold comfortably for any length of time. On lower level windows the pole hose is too long and gets tangled up a lot on everything. I have tried splitting it to an SLX25 but there is even more excess hose to deal with and the on/off tap is further away. Don't get me wrong, I love the SLX and recommend it.

I use a modular converted fishing pole for everyday use as its very light, but I find that even with just 5 sections, assembling and disassembling it for various heights can be very tedious and slow. It replaced an everyday use Unger Teleplus and was the best thing ever. I worked with a fellow WFPer this week off the same van who has a fibre glass telescopic pole of the same length as my fishing pole, and this was an eye opener for me. His setup time was far quicker. I usually have to make 2 trips from the van as I can't carry all the poles and pull the hose at the same time ( I usually end up dropping the poles). By the time I started on my first window after assembling everything, he had already done 2. After I have finished, I then have to go back and pick up the disguarded sections.

In view of this I have pre ordered a CLX22 which I will use as my everyday pole and will use the SLX40 on the higher windows it was originally bought for.

I can't see the SL as an everyday residential pole - I see it in a commercial application with long runs of same height windows, so I would have very little use for a SL on my round.

Spruce

 

[AuRavelling79]

I used a fishing pole but only to 30ft and it was very light and I carried it in a golf bag with extending legs - but it was awkward in tight spaces. I replaced with an SLX35 in March 2009 of which I used the top four sections at 20ft. But I also shortened the pole hose but inserted a small john guest fitting from gardiners so that I could lengthen it when using at 30/35ft.

Above 20ft, the weight of a telescopic (even carbon slx) begins to show over a modular.

Now I use the SLX35 as my reserve pole - generally in it's 20ft form with the next sections and hose to add readily available.

I recently bought an SLX22 and use it as an SLX18 for 90% of my domestic work - the shorter closed length by 6" over the SLX35 is easier in confined spaces. The other 10% of my domestic work (3 floor stuff is reached by either my 20ft SLX as is or with one or two extensions added).

[Dave Willis]

I've got both and prefer the Smax by far. The reason being that I am so used to telescopics again that I don't adapt well to carrying all those tubes about, bending down faffing around, leaving sections behind etc.
The Smax can be reduced to whatever size you want anyway. I have the 44 and work all day with two sections left in the van (I have arms like legs). At full stretch the Smax is pretty whippy compared to the S2 and a fair bit heavier. It all depends on the kind of work you have - if you have mostly commercial high stuff then you can't beat the S2. If you have lots of residential with a smattering of commercial then go for the Smax. Pretty much as Spruce has already said.  If you can afford it then have both 

Just re-read your post and you seem to have the perfect set up anyway 

[windowswashed]

I use both SL modular and S-max telescopic. Prefer to use the telescopic when the wind has picked up because the modular is light and gets taken with the wind too easily.

However I have a job that takes 5 and a half hours with the telescopic pole, but is reduced down to 3 and a half hours with the modular pole. If I use the telescopic pole for this length of time I feel and notice the extra weight and physical effort required to do the same job as the modular pole.

To overcome some of the awkwardness of the modular pole being just a little bit too short or too high on some jobs where access to reach awkward windows in confined spaces is restricted I fitted a decent swivel head to the top of the brush head which has overcome this problem.

In general I prefer to use the modular on big jobs when it's not too windy and telescopic all other times.

[[GQC] Tim]

Thanks for all your answers, Spruce, Gold, Dave and windowswashed.

I've got one big commercial job I use it for with some dormer windows, then need to take it down again, put it back together at the back, really awkwardly courtyard to setup. I think my SL2 will go on ebay. I've been thinking about this for some time now. There are a few domestic properties where the SMax would really shine I think.

[Dave Willis]

I have a similar property only it's got a lake behind it so I can't vary the length of the S2 by moving away from the building. Some windows can be a right pain because they are in-between section sizes. I use the Smax for these. 

[RO-Sheen]

where can I buy the smax from?

[RO-Sheen]

found it, its in Gardiners. looks good. My SL2 is getting very tired and chipped now and with replacement sections around the £100 mark each and might be best to go for the supermax and keep the sl2 for the occasional job!

The 18' CL-X looks good too for everyday use!

[s.w.c]

i use a slx-22 for daily use, most of the time i take a section off and use it as a slx-18 its so light, for higher work i use a slx-35 it copes with most situation in domestic work,

[Bretney]

GQC Tim, I have sent you mail