The 48ft Xtreme- all the sections apart from the base section have to be clamped either fully open or fully closed. The base section is fully adjustable on it's entire length which allows for minor adjustment. You can then add extension sections & the first extension section is also fully adjustable. So, the full pole with one extension can be used as normal with the hose internal. After this, the other extension sections are all the same diameter & fit on like a modular section but are held on with a clamp so only now would you have to have the pole hose external as you do with a modular pole.
The pole features positive stops but I've taken mine off which allows me to break the pole down (remove sections) so if I do a big job at 30/35ft say, I can remove a couple of sections if I want to (buy appropriate butt cap). I lose any minor adjustment now though without the base section but that's not been a problem yet, the pole is so light & rigid at 30ft it's literally like cleaning with a pencil!
If you are used to a normal carbon telescopic pole at this height then there is no comparison, the Xtreme is much lighter & more rigid. I used a SL2 before this & they are quite similar, the SL2 is a tiny bit lighter & slightly more rigid BUT is much more hassle to use/set & take down. The Xtreme is much more robust than the SL2 though. The Xtreme is much easier to use & transport than the SL2 too as it's just one unit & has a nice short closed length, where the SL2 is individual sections in one or two holdalls.
If you don't extend the last (thinnest) section & leave it clamped inside No-2 section, the pole then becomes SUPER rigid. I've found this can be quite handy if you don't need the full length open.
As for the HM S-max- I can't comment as I have no experience of it.
Unless you're used to using a SL2 you'll be blown away with an Xtreme. If you've used an SL2 then you are looking at similar performance in use but with added benefits as described above.
Hope that helps.
