[A Glass Act]

Hi there.  Does anyone have any experience with the SL-2 or any other modular carbon poles. 
My only very limited experience is with an aluminum (Coress).  However I am interested in an SL-2 but no one in my area has ever heard of Gardiner, as water fed is very new here in Canada.

Thank you
Réal
A Glass Act

[Alex Gardiner]

Hi Real,

Here is a few links I found on a trawl for you.

http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=52632.0;all

http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=52058.0

http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=52002.0;all

 

[LWC]

one word, LIGHT!

oh and superb, and the best purchase!

simple get one

[NWH]

Mega light and mega strong,and for the money it`ll earn you mega cheap.

[Mr H]

Been using 1 for about 6months now and the only small down side I have found is it takes just a little bit longer to get to started when compared to a telescopic. Aprox 1 - 2 mins longer so definatly not much......
But once you start working you can just keep on going as it is just so light and strong.
Well worth importing and getting the edge on any competition in your area m8.

Regards
Mr H

[Captain Scarlet]

There brilliant mate. Im glad to see another foreign user on here, great!! I have a 45ft ( 50ft reach ) sl2 and it is the best thing I have bought, just get one, Luke

[Spursboy1972]

I agree that they take a little longer to assemble and you need to take a little more care with them, however, once they are assembled they are so light and strong that I believe you will easily make up them added time taken to assemble and more!

I can't recommend them strongly enough.

[Captain Scarlet]

Réal
 
At the moment the UK is leading the way with Pure Water Fed Poles. Holland are also doing well and the USA has quite a good range now.

Things are only just starting really, I can see things changing quite alot over the next few years in this industry. The only place that true "light" poles are produced for Window Cleaning is here in the UK, by Gardiners and Emporium. The SL2 from Gardiners is the superior pole in my opinion as it is a true replacement for a telescopic ( being just as robust and hard wearing ). There are also other modular poles on the market, but these are far far heavier:

The Unger Carbontec
IPC Eagle Modular Pole
Carbonized modular

Having held all the above poles I would always choose the SL2 for various reasons.

If you want to buy an SL2 then it may work out cheaper to buy from a distributor in the USA:

http://reachhigherground.com/shop/index.php?cPath=21_45&osCsid=247ed2018cf066806e9e7aa4a0738899

Luke

[NWH]

Réal
 
At the moment the UK is leading the way with Pure Water Fed Poles. Holland are also doing well and the USA has quite a good range now.

Things are only just starting really, I can see things changing quite alot over the next few years in this industry. The only place that true "light" poles are produced for Window Cleaning is here in the UK, by Gardiners and Emporium. The SL2 from Gardiners is the superior pole in my opinion as it is a true replacement for a telescopic ( being just as robust and hard wearing ). There are also other modular poles on the market, but these are far far heavier:

The Unger Carbontec
IPC Eagle Modular Pole
Carbonized modular

Having held all the above poles I would always choose the SL2 for various reasons.

If you want to buy an SL2 then it may work out cheaper to buy from a distributor in the USA:

http://reachhigherground.com/shop/index.php?cPath=21_45&osCsid=247ed2018cf066806e9e7aa4a0738899

Luke

Luke i wouldn`t say the Emporium is produced in the UK,more like Japan and delivered to the UK.

[Captain Scarlet]

No, it is made in the UK

Our window cleaning pole is manufactured in the UK and we are extremely proud to have created a British product to such a high standard at such a competitive price.

http://www.emporiumpoles.co.uk/?aboutus

Infact Ive made a mistake, I dont believe the SL2 is made in the UK. I think it might be made in France or Italy??? But both companies are here in the UK, thats what I meant! Luke

[NWH]

I know someone that couldn`t source anyone who made that pole in the UK Luke,i know the SL2 might be made in italy as you say but it was made exclusivley for Gardiners.

[Captain Scarlet]

Yes the SL2 is actually made for Window Cleaning but Ive heard claims that the Emporium is identical to a certain fishing pole, they are rumours though so I want proof. Luke

[NWH]

I know for a fact that it`s not identical to the Maver resolution because i`ve had both and the Emporium pole is longer and not as strong,you have to be very very careful with the emporium pole when lowering it i had 2 sections snap on me and i`m very careful with all my poles.

[williamx]

When I went the Windex the other week, I went around every stall where they had poles, I lifted every single one up in the air.

The majority were quite light, some were also too heavy for working long period at great height.

On all of them I needed to wrap my hand around them to lift them up, but the Emporium pole was so light that it almost took off, you can pick a 40' Emporium pole up with just 2 fingers, it might be possible with 1 finger if you could kept its balance.

The Emporium pole is only every so lighter than the Gardiners one.

[Captain Scarlet]

Lighter but no where near as strong, Luke

[Glyn H]

Lighter but no where near as strong, Luke

And you would know this How?
Have you used one?

[Glyn H]

[water fed is very new here in Canada/quote]

Its not that new Omnico was selling poles there in 1997.

At the moment the UK is leading the way with Pure Water Fed Poles

And has done for many years, their are probably more manufacturers in the UK than the rest of the World put together. We export systems to all the continents as does Ionics.

[Captain Scarlet]

Dont wish to get into a conflict Glyn as I respect your products and might want to buy something of yours in the future! ( like your new modular pole that is in the process of being built!!! ) Yes, I have held it when Jeff Brimble brought it to my house and we got my SL2 out too, and I also held it again in Windex. The sections are far more "squashable". NWH owns both and he believes ( infact knows from practical use) that the SL2 is stronger as he has had the Emporium break in two places.

If I remember correctly NWH initially preffered the Emporium due to its slight extra stifness and being slightly lighter than the SL2, but I believe he now only uses the SL2 after the breaking.

When Jeff brought the Emporium round I was very impressed. But it just didnt feel as strong as the SL2. As I said before Glyn, I would consider buying one for another user but want the SL2 as my main modular.

Its still a good product though, being cheaper lighter and stiffer than the SL2. But give me the option which I would use and it would be the SL2. Just my opinion though, Luke

[[GQC] Tim]

I know for a fact that it`s not identical to the Maver resolution because i`ve had both and the Emporium pole is longer and not as strong,you have to be very very careful with the emporium pole when lowering it i had 2 sections snap on me and i`m very careful with all my poles.

Apparantly NWH has held one. (And broke one lol)

http://www.gardinerpolesystems.co.uk/acatalog/Video_Section.html

I'd say you won't be doing that with an emporium. 

[Captain Scarlet]

Yes going back to them videos. I know this isnt a replication of the type of usage a modular window cleaning pole gets but it proves a point. I doubt very much the Emporium would be capable of this type of thing, Luke