[Frank pole]

I know the xtel is heavier & more expensive - does any one run an emporium?

[cybersye]

Hi Frank, yes I have an emporium 40 ft.
Its very light but pretty fragile. I have had to repair 4 sections of mine and reinforce them with fiberglass because they cracked. The damage has occured when I've had to use the pole almost horizontally or when I've removed sections and leant them against a wall and theyve blown over. i just wanted to make that clear as used carefully and for the right jobs this damage may not have occured (the latter should not happen if you work with somebody, although I don't).
  I have several 4 th storey jobs in center of  town and although the pole is very light I have come to the conclusion that any modular for my type of work has the plus side of being lightweight but the downside of being slower to set up and fiddley adding/removing sections and safely putting them somewhere. Even with the addition of using ptfe spray I find the sections get stuck after prolonged use and another way I may have damaged them trying to prise them apart and if you work on your own this is an absolute pain in the ar$e .  I think emporium have strengthened their poles since I bought mine back in January, so maybe they get damaged less now.
  I'm sure plenty on here will suggest the sl2 and it sounds to be way stronger, had i known at the time and could go back I'd have gone for the sl2 however now I'm thinking when it is time to replace it I will go for a hybrid telescopic pole as it best suits my work. You'll have to decide what best suits your work but I hope my experience has been of help.
Simon

[STEVE-UK]

i have a 60 x-tel , it weighs 6.5 kgs , the same as ionics 35ft c/f pole and only has 6 foot sections so fits in the back of my transporter

The reason i went for the x-tel is that you can put it up the same as a 30 foot pole, i didnt fancy leaving section on the floor when not in use,i didnt like the idea of not being able to lower/higher it a few inches,

although if i get some big offices ( walls of glass ) where access is no problem  i will be buying the sl2

[Dave Turley]

I have a 42' emporium. it's great, but you do have to be careful with it. I would never trust anyone else with it.

I can't comment on slx 60' or sl2 as haven't seen either

[trevor perry]

a good tip for using modular poles is to have sections stored in a  golf trolley then it is easy to choose a section extend the pole and move trolley along with you as you go for when sections need removing.
  alex if you decide to make a purpose built one then i hope i get one for free for the idea

[[GQC] Tim]

a good tip for using modular poles is to have sections stored in a  golf trolley then it is easy to choose a section extend the pole and move trolley along with you as you go for when sections need removing.
  alex if you decide to make a purpose built one then i hope i get one for free for the idea

Very good idea! I like that idea, Just like Unger's, but then better cuz it's by Gardiners!

[NWH]

I`ve had 1 and it was a waste of money,not even strong enough for fishing let along WC.

[Nathanael Jones]

The emporium pole hasn't got a great reputation for strength,.. in fact a lot of ppl have said it's not fit for the use its sold for. I have heard it has been recently improved and strengthened,.. but the reviews haven't got any better. Maybe I'm being a bit harsh,.. but personally I'd never buy one.

The SL2 however has received many & consistent rave reviews,.... I wouldn't even thing twice if I was buying one, just call Alex!

[NWH]

If you call putting a thin wrap of clear plastic round them than it`s been strenghthend,i would be interested in the results with a test against the SL2.I gave my pole to Alex and he said when he gets round to it he will do this.

[Alex Gardiner]

If you call putting a thin wrap of clear plastic round them than it`s been strenghthend,i would be interested in the results with a test against the SL2.I gave my pole to Alex and he said when he gets round to it he will do this.

We have back to back tested the SL2 against the Emporium (one with some strengthened sections).  We found that the Emporium pole was a few grammes lighter per extended foot but had 20% less rigidity at 40ft.  The SL2 actual length for each package size is about 1.5 ft longer than the Emporium.  The Emporium has about half the side wall strength resistance.  We have the Emporium at our premises if anyone wants to come and try the two poles next to each other.

I know the xtel is heavier & more expensive - does any one run an emporium?

The X-Tel 60ft pole is in my opinion the best on the market if you're wanting a telescopic pole. It is a lot heavier than a modular pole but has the convenience of telescopic sections.  As long as you're 6ft+, you should also be able to reach the clamps whilst in use which gives it the major advantage over all its competitors.