With Browning’s Xitan range of poles growing in popularity, I couldn’t wait to have a look at the latest addition to the range – the Z7.5 – to see if it could live up to the standard set by its predecessors.
Upon receiving the pole, the first thing that I noticed was just how good the package was. The pole is available in two options: the standard pack and the professional pack. The standard pack sees the pole measuring 14.5 metres as standard and comes with five Power Match kits plus one in the pole, a mini extension, a cupping kit and a Xitan holdall complete with tubes, making it a great package. However, if it’s something longer you’re after then the professional pack could be the one for you, measuring 16 metres as standard and including an even better spares package. The pro pack comes with seven Power Match kits plus one in the pole, a cupping kit, a short fourth section and two mini extensions. It is also supplied with the holdall and tubes as with the standard pack. Both options offer fantastic value for money.
The Z7.5 has a host of features that really help its performance. The microfine sanded diamond surface finish works very well and shipping becomes effortless, even in the wet. The butt sections have a different finish and use a special paint that reduces friction and works just as well as the diamond finish on the lower sections. The butt sections are also strengthened to stop any damage from your elbows when striking. The mini extensions fit right from the 11.5m section right up the 16m section. This, again, is handy to protect the expensive sections of the pole and also retains the full length of the pole when the No1 section is removed.
As with all the Xitan range, there are several different types of top kit available, but the Power Match kits that come with the Z7.5 are exceptional. They completely remove the need for dedicated power kits and offer brilliant elastic performance due to their rigidity. If you leave the No1 section in the pole they are rated up to a standard No8, but if you remove the No1 they are then rated to a No16 solid or 12/20 hollow elastic. The top kits are very light yet strong so using them doesn’t affect the pole’s rigidity at all.
The pole itself is extremely stiff – even at 16 metres it’s a joy to use – and what really surprised me was its strength; on our test day I used quite a strong No14 elastic through one of the Power Match kits and really heaved the pressure onto some carp… and the pole never flinched. The pole isn’t just about power, though, and has a lovely action for targeting smaller species on canals.
All in all I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the Z7.5 – it performs well for an excellent price.
| Browning Xitan Power Z7.5 Pole Standard pack includes: • 14.5m pole plus Power Match kit in pole • 2 x mini extensions • 5 x Power Match kits • Cupping kit • Xitan pole holdall and tubes 14.5m standard pack RRP: £1,299 Professional pack includes: • 16m pole plus Power Match kit in pole • 2 x mini extensions • 7 x Power Match kits • 1 x short 4th section • Cupping kit • Xitan pole holdall and tubes 16m professional pack RRP: £1,599 |
