RODE Boompole Pro (9.8')

This is one of those products that has to call itself pro because it's trying to be something it's not. The locks are just awful. I don't get a reaffirming click, instead I have to engage the lock then grip it HARD and twist with force to make it lock firmly. The standard screw type locks on other booms are fine, Rode should go back to those. There is also an unacceptable amount of handling noise, I think it's the fibre creaking inside the locks, and when a tube is not fully extended you can hear the interior portion of the tube making contact with its parent tube. The ends should have a rubber bumper or something to reduce or eliminate this noise. Lastly, I wiped the pole with a damp cloth to clear some dust after a quick walk around outside and discovered that when wet, it is much harder to collapse the pole as water will create increased friction in the locks. I had to put the base on the ground and lean my bodyweight into it in order to collapse the pole. Getting a spot of rain while filming is not uncommon and this rules it out of using for paid work. On the plus side it is very light and it's nice to get a case (a basic hard-ish case).