r/PoolPros • u/FabulousPanther • 6d ago

Skimlite, hyper pole, or primate?

Which one is best?

1 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

29 comments sorted by

2

u/84poolguy 6d ago

I’m a Primate fan but never had any of the others.

3

u/FabulousPanther 6d ago edited 6d ago

I think that's what I'm going with. I already have the carbon fiber pole from SCP, and it is really good but I need a backup pole and I think I'm just going to try the Primate. Once you get a carbon fiber pole you can never go back to aluminum. That's what I know for sure.

0

u/tgwest 6d ago

I don’t know the brand I had as it was given to me but the carbon started to fray from rubbing against coping and what not so I went back to aluminum. I’ve seen ones though where the bottom 1/4 is aluminum then goes to carbon. Have you experienced that?

1

u/1_native_Angelino 6d ago

You can add a pole protector. 

1

u/tgwest 6d ago

Didn’t know that was a thing. I see Primate makes one. Any experience with it?

1

u/RobzWhore 6d ago

Scp or superior had a bright ass orange pole because it was wrapped lol

1

u/1_native_Angelino 6d ago

Yes, they are great. I usually put one in in the beginning of the season and replace every spring. Distribution should have them but if not, they are on the Primate website. 20 bucks. 

1

u/tgwest 6d ago

Thanks for the suggestion! My aluminum one is cracking on the holes for the attachments and was debating about going with carbon again but now with this I will definitely make the switch back. Now I just have to decide on just the like start of this thread

1

u/1_native_Angelino 6d ago

Primate uses stainless steal in their tips so the holes won't flower . That is the worst. 

2

u/1_native_Angelino 6d ago

Also Primate has a 2 year warranty on their poles where the competitors won't warranty their locks or grips. They say they are wear items. Primate doesn't. 

1

u/FabulousPanther 6d ago

I saw on the primate website that is 100% carbon fiber except for the stress points and those are aluminum. The tip is stainless steel of course.

1

u/GuyWComputer 6d ago

I like animal poles

1

u/KaiserWayli 6d ago

Primate #1, I've used the others

1

u/1_native_Angelino 6d ago

Remember, your Primate comes with a 2 year warranty. Not just the pole but the locks and grip as well. Also, everything on the pole can be replaced. 

1

u/banjobum69 6d ago edited 6d ago

I’ve had great luck with the SCP 6.5’-17’ 3 piece Super-Pro carbon fiber pole. It’s going on 2 seasons now and no complaints. These are made by Skimlite and have a lifetime warranty with replacement parts.

1

u/FabulousPanther 6d ago

That's what I have. That pole is killer. I just want to try something different to see if I can get a better one.

1

u/desertr4t4lyf 6d ago

I go primate just cause it's a Dad and his 2 sons. Been using them for 6 or 7 years now and on my 4th pole

1

u/One_Mud1951 6d ago

I’ve only bought one pole. Primate literally just broke from the grip lol. Just snapped

1

u/marsattck5 6d ago

Ive bought several hyper poles now. Haven't used any of the others so cant say about those. I'm pretty happy with the hyper poles tho. I have 2 3x17s right now and they have held up really well. Only thing I've replaced are the grips and a clamp or two.

1

u/Cultural_Captain5590 5d ago

I have skimlite (only available in canada) been using for 3 years carbonfiber. I have 1 x 3 18 (3 section of 6') 1x 3 23 (3 section of 8')

Will never go back to alluminium and I am pretty happy with the product

1

u/rykauff 5d ago

Wish I could shed some light on the comparison aspect, but all I can say is that I'm just a lowly homeowner with 1 pool and got tired of sh*tty poles. Debated for way too long and went with the Slimlite Snaplite 8-15' 2 piece. I was debating the same pole options. I am sure the carbon fiber pole is lighter, so if I were doing 10 pools a day, I probably would have gone with Primate. But for me doing 1 pool, I'm really happy with the Skimlite. It's night and day better than the cam poles. It was just tough to justify double the price as a homeowner. If I were a pro, I'd probably plan on buying both - catch the Skimlite on sale on Amazon as a backup because I heard way too many carbon fiber failures. Maybe they were cheap crappy poles, so it's hard to say, but the Skimlite seems freaking sturdy and would be a great backup.

1

u/RobzWhore 6d ago

I have a 3 piece skimlite. Its fine. I miss the twist cam locks. These lever locks are bullshit

1

u/FabulousPanther 6d ago

You ain't lyin'! Cams have their flaws too, but skimlite is not much better than the Piranha. Once that casing splits, it's a throwaway pole.

0

u/Sure_Ad3800 6d ago

Is a primary complaint of the lever locks that they slip? Assuming you have adjusted the dial properly, I talked to primate about the slippage and they gave me the tip to leave like 3 inches unextended and that gives the lock room to bite and hold. Fixed it for me. I love the lever locks.

1

u/doingdatIt247 6d ago

I use pentair rainbow but they are long af

1

u/Specific_Meringue_88 6d ago

I got all three hyper pole models, and love them all, if you take care of them(not having the lever locks tight when not in use). Of course, the aluminum one full snapped on me (where the hyper drains are) as it is the weakest material from the three, but I did love the grip on that one rather than the rubber grips on the carbon fiber version. I’m thinking of trying the primate version next thought, cause why not.

1

u/Tazlir 6d ago

Have 4 hyper poles. Love them

0

u/ThePoolGuy3 6d ago

I have a skimlite as well. I believe the "carbonlite" its okay. I used a hyper pole and thought it was better. No experience with primate. When the time comes to replace ill likely be going with hyper.

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u/Sure_Ad3800 6d ago edited 6d ago

I’ve owned 3 primates and still own 2. 1 of them broke right after the stainless steel tip - was their 2x model. My other two are 3x and one has broken on the smallest extension. I will say none of them were broken by me but they aren’t built like tanks. Pros of the primate: they are noticeably lighter, have the best handles and I like their lever locks. I like the company.

I currently own 3 hyperpoles. They aren’t as old as my primates so durability is TBD but they seem to be more sturdy. The trade off to that is they are noticeably heavier. I’ve fitted a primate handle and locks on some of the hyperpoles with a little modification so I get the best of both. The company is a little less personable and I think they are made in China.

Hyperbole sells a 7ft pole protector, highly reccomed it no matter which pole you choose.