[jagedup]

One last thing to add to my list on the PS side of things… I notice that a lot of people seemed to be put off by the safety of the SSA.  I have to admit that the fact the pole didn't lock in at all made me nervous (as listed in SSA cons), but we tried a variety of spins, tricks, and doubles moves on spinning without the locking pin to test it out and never had a problem!

[jagedup]

@StudioVeena Yes we performed a number of different doubles sequences and tricks on the SSA on spinning and it looked and felt just fine!  Besides the wobbliness which is something that happens with both XSL and SSA. 

[jagedup]

@Webmaster – Good point..it is nice that it is even a possibility.  I AMEND MY STATEMENT…

adding weights is a PRO for XSL!

Btw, thanks for the video I appreciated the fact that opinion statements were kept out of it.  I think these type of videos are necessary for all pole companies to help them improve their products.

[jagedup]

As someone that does a lot of shows where we dance in addition to poling and have to move equipment around most of the time with no help, I have to say that both the XSL and SSA have the pro's and con's

XSL Pro's:

-Has carrying cases

-Poles and base pieces  lock in place

-Can lift XSL on and off stage if needed…I have done this with 3 girls to 1 stage for many shows

 

XSL Con's:

-Carrying cases rip after a while, but X-Pole will usually replace them for you

-For extra security especially on spinning mode with multiple people on one pole you need to buy the flat dumbell weights to put underneath.  You can put up to 6 under each leg.  We sometimes perform with 3 XSL's so thats 18 weights we've had to lug around (get's expensive and really annoying to carry).  You can do spinning mode without these weights, but for a heavier person or for doubles+ tricks it's a good precaution to take

-If you use them regularly pieces will start to come loose and some of our stages would catch when on spinning mode

-They are really noisy, especially when they do the catching thing on spinning mode

-They are wobbly, but more so at the top of the pole 

-The legs.  They are a huge help with stability, but we can never use them because we are constantly transitioning from dancing on and off the XSL.  The Veena video shows the demonstration with the legs out.  This can be helped however with adding the weights underneath

 

SSA Pro's

-Quick to put together and with NO tools

-Base flush with the floor which is a treat for those of use who dance on the floor as equally as in the air 🙂

-Lighter triangle pieces..SO nice when I'm used to lugging the heavy XSL pieces

-I feel like the spin is nicer on the SSA but that could vary from stage to stage

-Easy to transition between spinning and static

-Easier to move around pieces at a performance venue as long as you have a dolly (we put all our leg pieces in a suitcase to roll around, the triangles and bases on the dolly, and just carried the poles)

-Don't have to connect them with joints…they are hard to get apart sometimes, but EASY if you know the trick:  after you have taken it out of the base have one person hold one side of the pole still and one person at the other end has to shake it vigorously up and down while pulling at the same time…after a couple of wiggles it comes right out!  (done with 2 girls…no boys needed!)

 

SSA Con's

-Have to pay extra for the carrying cart and extensions

-Pole doesn't lock in BUT I don't see when anyone would be lifting up on a pole…normally when you are doing a pole move your weight would be pressing down on it.  Always a possibility though

-Can loose the locking pin easily

-Can't lift it anywhere once it's built i.e. on and off stage.  We have scooted it across the floor, but would be difficult to lift it with the triangle pieces not locked in.  

-Wobbly.  I feel that the XSL and SSA are equally wobbly.

 

The freestanding stages are probably most used for performances…most studios will have poles that are ceiling to floor.  Freestanding stages are a good solution for shows where you don't have the money to rent huge competition trusses, and if you are performing at an event where you need to set up and take down quickly.  Besides safety I am most concerned with conveinience and logistical probelms as far as setting up for shows.

I'm pretty much torn between the two.