Life-Link

Althought the product description and STP customer reps say otherwise, these poles DO convert to a probe. They are nice and light, easy to adjust for length and stay locked. There is a plastic insert betw the 2 parts that does not have enough glue and regularly comes out of its spot betw the larger and smaller section. I am going to add some glue and hope that it stays.

I actually own an older model and would agree with the review that lifelink once made a good product. mine have been phenomenally durable but are needing to be replaced after 10 years of hard use. The one gripe I have is how challenging they can be to adjust compared to a flick-lock. my old ones have a rough grit on them that helps grasp the bottom part of the shaft and keep them from turning while you crank on the top part. If you dont get them tight they just slip. Then once you crank them down they seem to freeze in place.I'm mostly posting to disagree with the made in Bozeman comment. I just looked at a pair in Bozeman today[...]. And note: NO GRIT to aid in getting them adjusted, if you want to keep your gloves on and hands warm you'll have to add your own grit.

Product arrived defective. [...]

Made in BZN, MT

Cliffs Notes: The Carbon Pro used to be an awesome, durable pole, but now it's cheaply made -- mine broke before I even skied with them. All the Details: I bought a pair of Carbon Pro poles back in the mid-1990s and took them on hundreds of backcountry tours and dozens of in-area days before losing them a year or so ago. STP had a great deal on some closeouts (not seconds), I loved the first set, so I bought another. Compared to my original pair, the fit and finish on the new ones is poor: inconsistent coating at the base of shaft, they are not the same length when fully collapsed, the textured grip area is not as grippy, and one of the adjustment mechanisms was stiff. In fact, I sent them back for a replacement due to the stiffness, but the second set had the same problem, so I resolved to fix it myself. I used to spray silicone in the metal shafts of my old poles to keep the adjusters working well -- this was a fine solution to their occasional sticking. When I sprayed the new poles, however, the silicone dissolved the glue holding the black/gray end caps in place: the poles came apart in my hands. So Life-Link is using a different kind of glue than on my old poles. (A similar failure happened to a friend on a trip recently: one of his poles came apart when he extended it because the end cap popped out, only he'd never lubricated his with silicone. Note that the adjuster pieces are clear plastic -- NOT easy to find when they fall on the snow!!) Aluminum oxidizes, and in the 12+ years with my original pair, I found that the adjusters *will* eventually stick because of this. So now I have to find a glue that is non-permanent (in case the internal adjuster mechanisms, which are plastic, break) *and* is resistant to silicone in order to use the poles as they were designed. If these poles don't last, it will be a no-brainer to opt for a set from Black Diamond next time. Meanwhile, it's a shame that Life-Link's quality has slid so dramatically.

Light enough that I won't be tempted to leave it at home. Bright enough that I won't misplace it. Sturdy enough to level a tent site or dig a snow cave if it becomes necessary.

Lighter than most non-adjustable poles, easy to adjust in the cold while keeping gloves/mittens on, length markings on carbon shaft in both cm and inches, soft rubbery grip, large powder basket, visible red color. Easy to convert to avalanche probe, but practice if you plan to use instead of a true probe pole. DON'T use to knock snow off boot or ski! Carbon poles can break in cold weather if struck against a sharp item (like a metal ski edge). Otherwise, they're nearly unbreakable with normal use. I have a ten year old pair I still use and just bought 3 pair of these for the rest of the family.

I've been using a pair for 2 seasons now & they refuse to stay locked unless they are extended all the way out. What's the point? Sometimes the tips come loose, but won't disengage from the lock barrel inside & cannot be removed to function as an avy probe. This behavior is unpredictable & cannot be renedied when it happens. Also: If you're skiing freshies or are in & out of the freeze all day those grit collars will turn to ice. Don't hold any hope for making adjustments then... & don't hope to save your buddy with the avy probe function- they won't come apart in time! Ultraight? 17.1oz on my scale.

I carry it lashed to a military pack and use it to demonstrate how to build survival shelters in the snow. Easy to use, even for novices and sturdy enough that they won't bust it up. Great ergonomics and easy to manipulate even with cold hands or in heavy mittens. So far there's nothing I don't like about it. Awesome product...especially for the price.

Some days we get really hard snow pack here in the midwest but I didn't expect the tip to break off the first day I used them. Sierra trading post did exchange them for me and I have yet to use the exchanged ones as our season came to an abrupt end. Hopefully the same thing will not happen.