Just thinking would it be a real gem of a pole if you could buy a SL-X and then fit SL sections to the bottom? instead of having two poles?
Gardiners have always been great at looking forward...how's about it Alex? then when as section/part wears out you just order that part so in 10 years or so it'll still be the same pole but completely made of new parts 
i suggested this to Gardiners a few months back, i could of swore i heard something was breing brought out similar to whats been suggested as well, i think it would be a brilliant bit of kit as well