Thats my impression also...in the same vein I do believe the SL-X is a vital piece of equipment for me...My pole does create me some 'angst' at least a couple of times a week the top section will collapse completely which does cause me to use Alex's name in a manner that I'm sure his family would take offence to

But it does allow me to make money so with 'my' pole I now just consider that it has a charectar all it's own and just like a teenager...it just tries it on every now and then until I 'pull it's head off' then it calms down and toes the line.
Great pole and I await the day it grows up and leaves home !
Dave.