IONIC HYDRA WATER FED POLE REVIEW | WHY YOU SHOULDN'T BUY THIS!

In this video we look at the Ionic Hydra waterfed pole, the good the bad and the ugly.
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🔔 We get our tools from Window Cleaning Warehouse based here in the UK - www.windowcleaningwarehouse.c...
🛠 TOOLS WE USE
TRADITIONAL TOOLS
Moerman Excelerator - windowcleaningwarehouse.co.uk...
Moerman Liquidator Channels - windowcleaningwarehouse.co.uk...
Moerman Fliq - windowcleaningwarehouse.co.uk...
Moerman Side Kit - windowcleaningwarehouse.co.uk...
Moerman B.O.A.B. - windowcleaningwarehouse.co.uk...
Unger Ninja Razor - windowcleaningwarehouse.co.uk...
Makita Belt - Makita P-71825 Quick Release Belt, Multi-Colour www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004Z55O0...
Phantom Trad Pole - windowcleaningwarehouse.co.uk...
WATER FED POLE TOOLS
Phantom 30ft Carbon Pole & Phantom brush - windowcleaningwarehouse.co.uk...
Bronze Wool Adaptor - windowcleaningwarehouse.co.uk...
Pole Hose - windowcleaningwarehouse.co.uk...
Uni Valve - windowcleaningwarehouse.co.uk...
Compact 225L Van System - windowcleaningwarehouse.co.uk...
100M Hose reel - windowcleaningwarehouse.co.uk...
Unger Hydro - windowcleaningwarehouse.co.uk...
Slick connect - windowcleaningwarehouse.co.uk...
Phantom Precision Angle Adaptor - windowcleaningwarehouse.co.uk...
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Thank you very much for watching and hope to see you soon!
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[@ray830527]

Thanks for honest review! I've only used ionic products in past, found them amazing products, bit pricey but lasting long time if looked after. But never tried gardiner poles before, would like to try out one for a change

[@JasonDunlop247]

Really like your honesty here Peter. Good honest to heart reviews on products these days are a rare thing! Gives me a lot of confidence in future reviews and demos from your good self . 👍☘

[@TradMan]

Thanks buddy!!

[@philparkes741]

Hi I watched the video about the Ionic pole and brush and was thinking of buying one but you helped me make up my mind. Have you used any XLine poles if so could you please let me know what you think about them

[@TradMan]

Hi Phil. I'm glad the video was useful for you. I've not used much of x-line's latest stuff but if you check out squeaky clean dave on KZbin he has more wfp related reviews and is a good friend of mine. You can trust his reviews.

[@jollyranch1026]

Best video on KZbin

[@TradMan]

Did you have a bad experience with ionic poles bud?

[@jollyranch1026]

@@TradMan Yes

[@benjshields]

Nice video mate!, I thought about one of these for a next pole but think you have changed my mind 😂 think I'll stick with Gardiner , or maybe the phantom...

[@TradMan]

Yeah either the Gardiner or phantom is a good choice. Although the phantom have better clamps 😁👍🏻

[@gazogle]

Wow, great review, not what I was expecting but thats a good thing👍🏼

[@petebarrett2838]

Brilliant review Peter ..fantastic honesty. Wish everyone was as honest.. the moerman gaget looked good though..I wonder if there thinking about them for the oval 8.?. Many thanks Pete 😊

[@TradMan]

Really glad you liked the video, really appreciate you watching it. 😁👍🏻

[@ova8poles]

Cone tip coming soon Pete 🤗

[@JasonDunlop247]

Thank you for the demo Peter. I'll stick with my Gardiners Extreme though. Only downside is Gardiners warranty means sweet fanny Adams!

[@TradMan]

😂😂

[@McRaesWindowCleaning]

You are such a reasonable reviewer, Peter. Nice and balanced with fair commendation balanced with fair criticism. I'm glad that I didn't spend money on this one. Duncan

[@TradMan]

Thanks bro! I try to be as fair as possible, even if a review is going to be fairly negative, I'll try to find something positive about the product, there is normally something positive and negative about most things but unfortunately for this pole the negatives outweigh the positives. Hope your keeping well my man! 🤜🏻🤛🏻😉

[@stevematthews4214]

I have been using the Hyrda for the last week and I'm very impressed to be honest....so much so I've ordered another two 21ft versions.

[@TradMan]

Compared to others in the market this pole is lacking. Clamps spin (give it time you'll see) no ability to fit univalves, because ionic don't like there inventor (gives you an idea into there mind set) the carbon on the lower section is made of poorer quality materials, the clamps are still glued on (like the poles were over a decade ago) instead of a simple alan key operated screw and when ionic are given constructive feedback on how to improve they spit the dummy out. There poles are behind whats now available by a mile and just to top it off they are one of the most expensive! I use to repair ionic gear years ago for a window cleaning company and not much has changed since then (10 years ago!) So many better poles out there, Phontom, Gardiner, Ova, Unger nlite etc. Fortunately I've had the opportunity to try many brands and based on the flaws with ionic poles, they land near the bottom of the pile for me. Other KZbin'rs have agreed in conversation but due to they don't like to rock the boat with these companies they often don't say how these products really are and can give them better reviews than they deserve. Ask yourself, the ones that have given the pole a good review, do they use them in there latest videos? Food for thought my friend 😊

[@stevematthews4214]

@@TradMan I’ve used them all mate. Bought two Ova8’s which were great for 6 months...both laying in my unit now not getting use for even chemical application...they’re awful poles and as you put they’re the most up to date modern on the market...CRAP! I’ve been in the game 28 yrs now and 17 yrs WFP. Always found Gardiners to be great great poles but the lack of communication & warranty is abysmal mate...I’ve got a pole here that needs a warranty claim on it but not a word from Alex 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@stevematthews4214]

@@TradMan having picked up my new van and Thermopure V4 Fusion S machine on Monday Reuben gave us an in depth tour of the factory....been dealing with them since 2007 so have built up a good relationship and the money they pump into R&D is crazy crazy amount....Ppl always knocking Ionics but for them we’d all still be climbing ladders.....BUGGER THAT! I’ll give it 6 months before I pass in depth judgement on the Hydra but I truly believe they can’t be worse than the Ova8....never touched a Phantom as a lad close to has had nothing but bother from day one.

[@TradMan]

Fair enough mate, when I assess equipment I'm doing it without bias, I compare the materials, clamps, design features and flaws then put out the findings on video. If your a fan of ionic and have a relationship with them then to be honest you are going to have a more positive outlook from the get go. Hope the pole works out for you, all the best! 😀

[@stevematthews4214]

@@TradMan I’m more biased towards my money being well spent to be honest mate and not adverse to trying new equipment....after all ever used nothing but Gardiners for 10yrs now. Just feel Alex never really tries to improve or develop his poles.....the standard of the SL-X range has diminished a lot over the last 10 yrs....

[@dansmithson]

Great honest review mate👍

[@TradMan]

Hey buddy how are ya!?? Yeah gotta say it how it is eh 😜

[@dansmithson]

@@TradMan Hahaha yeah gotta tell it how it is😆 All good here thanks. Hope you and the family are well!

[@TradMan]

@@dansmithson good man 🤜🏻🤛🏻 Yeah we're doing great, just about to put the tent up and camp in the garden with the kids lol

[@dansmithson]

@@TradMan Ah sounds awesome mate! Trying my best to keep the kids occupied during this lockdown or all hell will break loose🤣

[@TradMan]

@@dansmithson yeah totally get you! 😂🤜🏻🤛🏻

[@awedwardscleaningsolutions]

Sections spin far to easy and it's heavy. I like the built-in hoseless system and quick change heads. But for everyday use 100% Gardiner Xtreme.

[@happytryfriend]

how much was the price at that time? , because now its the cheapest one on the market

[@TradMan]

It was quite expensive. If they are cheaper now then they will be struggling to sell them.

[@squeakycleandave1]

Great video Pete. Thanks for the shout out👍

[@TradMan]

Cheers Dave! Looking forward to your next video buddy 😊

[@davemonk1662]

Great video I bought there other versions last your the blue one only had for week sold on eBay for £150 just to get rid didn’t like. ...... Gardiner,x-line or cleaning warehouse ... perfect👍

[@TradMan]

Yeah can't say I've seen many people giving positive comments about the Ionic poles. Gardiner is a good strong pole. The phantom is also very good and great clamps. The ova poles are also nice poles. These ionic poles unfortunately are not up to the same standard

[@davemonk1662]

TRAD - MAN THE WINDOW CLEANER Unger hi-mods are perfect for high level commercial residential I use extreme 25 all day every day ... x-lines nanon looks good .👍

[@TradMan]

@@davemonk1662 😁🤜🏻🤛🏻

[@awedwardscleaningsolutions]

@@TradMan I have a Vertigo from Ionic, great trad pole, nice and rigid and has the moerman cone adapter, great for cleaning facias with the constant flow and different attachments for the pole, but as a window cleaning pole it's not for me. Until there's a better pole than the Gardiner Xtreme why use anything else!

[@FlashTechEngineering]

Good vid bro, Gardiner for me .. I have ionic Stainless steel Quattro , hotbox and crashed tested 400 litres delivery unit all very high quality best on the market .. their poles .. not for me. I like quality and is going to perform and last.. Gardiner and Tucker brushes.. stay safe bro 👍😀

[@geraintwilliams7921]

great review and mostly accurate. however within 30 min of receiving id fixed the clamp issue by putting tape on the clamp bolts so they dont open thus used for two months havent adjusted clamps once so an easy fix as for the quick connection glued into the first section its an awful design but took me ten min to pop it out with pliers/o ring pliers easily without damage and univalve fits through perfectly just like any other pole. if ionics removed the rectus connection from new and just used a locking nut on the clamp bolt itd be absolutely spot on its light nice too use but bit bendy like you say

[@TradMan]

Thank you for your feedback really appreciated 😊 Only thing I would say is for one of the most expensive poles of its type/class a consumer shouldn't have to use tape, pliers or anything to make any adjustments. For the price it should work perfectly for quite some time. I used to repair ionic stuff years ago at a previous window cleaning company I worked for. Same issues back then with clamp glue failing, pole sections spinning etc. So as soon as I saw the pole at the show I knew it was going to be business as usual unfortunately. For the same money as this pole, you can have a much better pole from Gardiner, Facelift Phantom, Ova 8 etc. Can you imagine buying an expensive car say, and then having to pop the bonnet and make some mods or repairs? No way you'd be fuming and probably return it. Thank you for your input and thoughts though, really good of you to share your experience

[@geraintwilliams7921]

@@TradMan agreed you shouldnt have to adjust a new pole which makes me think theyve not been properly tested in the field Ive actually trialled all the others and gardiner seem to wear quick ova 8 are good but after couple of months the sections do slightly twist or move under pressure which really annoyed me Phantom i like allthough them rubber inserts actually dont stop the pole from wearing so up to now ionics has been good but we'll see how it does 6mnth down the line ! I like the lighteness and feel of sections and the minimalisticness of the clamps she it doesnt have the rigidness of an ova 8 Appreciate the reply! Keep up the good work!

[@TradMan]

@@geraintwilliams7921 yeah good to try a few things. Unger a bringing there new pole out soon so that will be interesting to see what people think. Thanks for your input, really appreciated 🙏🏻

[@michaelaston8974]

What did you think of the ionic vehicle mounted systems?

[@TradMan]

I used to have to fix them regularly but that was almost a decade ago. Can't say how the latest systems are. Perhaps a good thing to check are facebook groups and forums you'll get people's experiences there 👍🏻

[@michaelaston8974]

@@TradMan thanks Peter already have done. The general consensus seems to be that they are overpriced and over manufactured but that the systems themselves are extremely good, the best in fact. I wondered if that was your experience? If this is not the right forum to discuss it I could pm you of you prefer. If not no problem. I was planning on getting one fitted after the lockdown but your review just made me raise an eyebrow hence the question

[@TradMan]

Yeah totally cool. In all honesty I've not had the opportunity to test the latest ionic systems. My old boss had them years ago but I think he's changed over to something else now for all his vans. With the Ionic system I used years ago the wires always burnt and fuses popped all the time but maybe latest system is better

[@jimmyevans2965]

Nice to see someone not saying something is grate just because they got it for nothing,very good vid mate hope u r well

[@TradMan]

Thanks bud, yeah I'm great thanks, currently putting a tent up in the garden so we can do some lockdown family camping lolz. How's you??

[@jimmyevans2965]

@@TradMan good idea

[@mr.tidygarden]

Wow great video. I reached 100 subs this week on my channel. Thanks for sharing pal😊

[@TradMan]

Nice one!! 🤜🏻🤛🏻 The main thing is you enjoy making the videos, try not to focus on subs and views or you'll start to worry more about that and possibly get stressed. Just my thoughts though buddy. Keep going making great content

[@ashleydavies6566]

Probably the most depressing pole I’ve seen 🤣🤣

[@TradMan]

🤣