[Davew]

Just got it this morning, luckily I was in (it's hissing down).
It arrived in an idestructable carboard tube so no issues with damage. It comes in it's own black holdall with Gardners logo and everything needed to get going apart from a control valve (luckily I have one). Has the usual bentley brush which is fine by me, a threaded tip that sleeves over the top tube so the normal angle adapter can be screwed on or a gooseneck if you want one. Laid next to my Superlight 1 which is a Maver Resolution adapted fishing pole it looks very similar. However on closer inspection the tube lengths are a little longer and the carbon weave is entirely different it has been manufactured in a spiral and looks a little like handlebar tape the way it is overlapped. The weight seems marginally heavier but this could be due to the longer pole sections, it certainly feels stronger although I wouldn't want to sit on one as in Alexs' video. The first thing I have done is wrap a little insulating tape to stop the joints ramming in too tight - a problem I've had in the past with cheaper poles. You do get a can of ptfe spray to protect the joints although in practice I forget to use it.
So so far very pleased especially with the super strong top section.
Downside: well I was hoping to be able to interchange sections from the Superlight 1 but in practice they don't quite fit and also the top section won't fit the old model which is a shame. So it looks like I'll be putting some spare Maver sections on ebay soon!

[Alex Gardiner]

Hi Davew

Please, please, please could you spray the top six inches of male joint on each section (as instructed in the manual) before you use it again.  Doing this will

1. Prevent the sections jamming
2. Stop carbon on carbon wear and will greatly prolong the life of your pole

[Davew]

Don't worry Alex, I read the manual and sprayed the joints and haven't used it yet  only laid it through the house into the conservatory alongside my old one.

[L.Doubtfire - The Blade Runner]

Dave,you say the tubes look a little stronger on the SuperLite 2 than the SuperLite 1.
If youv`e seen Alex`s video of the new SuperLite they look virtually unbreakable,
If not unbreakable.! Unless I`m looking at the wrong video.What do you have to say
About it Alex.Thanks for replies.

Lewis  Doubtfire

[Alex Gardiner]

Hi Lewis,

The video is accurate. The section used is a section 5, which is not even the toughest section.

In our tests the new Super-Lite2 is a lot stronger than the old one.

[Davew]

What do you want me to say? The tubes don't look much different although they are, they do feel stronger, they don't look as though you could tread on them or sit on them like in the video but obviously you can as I don't doubt Alex's honesty. I don't fancy trying. If all the claims prove true then Alex has produced the perfect modular pole. Having said that nothing in this world is perfect.
pros: light, strong, rigid competetively priced when compared to carbon telescopic.
cons: slightly long sections perhaps, could have jamming issues like all modulars do, and questionable durability - chuck it about too roughly and the tips are likely to chip I think, but they can be protected with a little tape.
To sum up: an excellent bit of kit particularly if your used to modular, although probably not ideal as an everyday domestic pole - watch out for the shorter telescopic version.
p.s. I can't see how you could get any lighter than this.

[NWH]

The higher you go the more the sections are likely to stick,on the tYpe 1 pole i`ve only had this problem once.The secret is to slot them together gently and not ram them together,as i`d expect you know Dave.

[Davew]

I had it with a cheap pole and I crushed it with my hands trying to grip it to pull it apart. It can be avoided though.

[NWH]

You need one person to hold while you twist,gently but firmly if you know what i mean.

[4Seasons]

Hi, what exactly should you spray on the pole and where?
Regards, Liam

[NWH]

I found that a dusting of talc does the same thing,make sure it`s on the inside of the sections it`ll stay drier longer.Providing it`s cleaned off on a fairly regular basis and re applied it works,a can of that spray lasts about 2 seconds,LOL.

[Jeff Brimble]

Fishermen use candle wax just a bit on your hands is enough.

The modular poles were designed for horizontal use. We use them vertically and the constant flexing as you scrub in the vertical position with the help of gravity friction pushes the two sections fractionally together and over a period of say an hours use can fuse the two surfaces together. Unlocking them is a reverse process with 3 people one in the middle to do a circular waggle movement. As has been said a few simple wraps of pvc tape act as a stop and prevent them locking. As they wear the tape can then be moved a fraction to allow for this.

[stevekennedy]

Strikes me that these poles are strictly for the owner operator type businesses. Give one of these to a worker and he'll turn it into two poles for you in very short measure 

I must admit I would love to get my hands on one to try it out. Anyone in Scotland using one Alex?

[Captain Scarlet]

But these arent fishing poles ( hence the vidoes of Alex bashing it against the tree, sitting on it and standing on it!!!! ), they are designed for window cleaning not fishing, they are just inspired by fishing poles. I think carbon fibre can be deceiving, its thin but its very strong, a little like kevlar. If you showed kevlar to ww2 soldiers they would never believe you that it could stop a bullet. Although it looks thin it is very strong....how many manufacturers smash their poles against trees to show you how tough they are....brodex,ionics....no, and to prevent sticking you should use the spray provided, NO pole is maintenance free, grit gets into the clamps etc etc. So every design has a downfall but at that weight and that stifness I'm sure the good will outweigh the bad. I will get mine on Thursday or Friday and I'll tell you all what I think, Luke

[Alex Gardiner]

Hi Luke

I see that you understand why we say use the spray.  Generally the joints won't jam anyway.  They have been designed slightly differently to the previous Super-Lite so that inherently they won't jam but the PTFE spray offers an extra level of protection from this.  Primarily, the PTFE is to stop carbon on carbon friction wear, thereby extending the life of the pole.

As you say, no pole is maintenance free.  In fact, most telescopic poles should be fully cleaned inside the pole, outside the pole and the clamps every week (not that I do that I'm ashamed to say) but if you did you would extend the life of your pole dramatically.  The Super-Lite is just the same except it's a lot easier to maintain than a telescopic pole.

I was using a Super-Lite2 yesterday for six hours on a large commercial contract (140 apartments). I used it all the way from 5th storey down to ground floor.  Not once did a section stick or jam but came apart easily.  I also used three different goosenecks on the Super-Lite2 during the course of the day.  Because of the design of the new Super-Lite and the design of our G-Fit goosenecks, I was able to change between a plastic adjustable, a standard G-Fit and an ultra reach G-Fit which took less than a minute to switch between.  This really is a pole for all jobs.

[Captain Scarlet]

what size superlite did you use for that alex?

[Alex Gardiner]

I used the 45 ft.

[Captain Scarlet]

which of the new goosenecks is coming with mine? Luke

[Alex Gardiner]

The two that you ordered:

The standard plastic adjustable one and the standard G-Fit aluminium one.

The third one I mentioned is an ultra deep reach version which is only needed for very recessed windows (2ft+)

[Captain Scarlet]

thanks Alex, are you going to put anymore product videos or pictures of the new superlite on your site? Luke