So then, been looking at buying a new pole for a while now, although it probably won't be until next Spring. Been looking at poles at around the 1000-1200 mark. From what I read they are only slightly inferior to the 2000+ poles and I can't justify saving that extra time for only a slight improvement in performance.
I saw on the website of one of my local shops, Nathans of Derby, that they had the Daiwa Connoisseur G20 in stock. I contacted them and they told me it could be displayed at full length in the shop. So I went this afternoon, and to my delight they also had the whole range of Map TKS poles on display [8D]
So I asked if I could compare the TKS 625 and the G20, which they professionally and happily did. They set up a seat box (Maver MX 3500 at that) and a pole roller half way to rest the poles on. They set them both up for me at 14.5m's and put them side by on the pole roller. It enabled me to compare them as closely as I needed to.
I must say I found very very very little differance between the two poles. They were both equally as stiff, with only a slight bit of droop at 14.5m's. I have got to admit they were heavier than I expected, but I had never held a pole at 14.5m's so I guess I had nothing to compare it against. If anything, the 625 was very slightly lighter than the G20, but very minimal. The finish on the G20 was slightly better, but I would be happy with the 625.
I suppose what will swing it for me is price and spares, on which Map win on both counts. So at the moment I will be looking to buy a Map TKS 625, although I wouldn't mind a feel of a Tri-Cast Senator XS.
A big thanks to Nathans of Derby too, their service was excellent and I would not mind paying a little more to buy from them knowing their after sales service is probably going to be the same. [:T]
I saw on the website of one of my local shops, Nathans of Derby, that they had the Daiwa Connoisseur G20 in stock. I contacted them and they told me it could be displayed at full length in the shop. So I went this afternoon, and to my delight they also had the whole range of Map TKS poles on display [8D]
So I asked if I could compare the TKS 625 and the G20, which they professionally and happily did. They set up a seat box (Maver MX 3500 at that) and a pole roller half way to rest the poles on. They set them both up for me at 14.5m's and put them side by on the pole roller. It enabled me to compare them as closely as I needed to.
I must say I found very very very little differance between the two poles. They were both equally as stiff, with only a slight bit of droop at 14.5m's. I have got to admit they were heavier than I expected, but I had never held a pole at 14.5m's so I guess I had nothing to compare it against. If anything, the 625 was very slightly lighter than the G20, but very minimal. The finish on the G20 was slightly better, but I would be happy with the 625.
I suppose what will swing it for me is price and spares, on which Map win on both counts. So at the moment I will be looking to buy a Map TKS 625, although I wouldn't mind a feel of a Tri-Cast Senator XS.
A big thanks to Nathans of Derby too, their service was excellent and I would not mind paying a little more to buy from them knowing their after sales service is probably going to be the same. [:T]
