http://locusgear.com/products/trekking-pole/cp2

They look nice, are pretty light, compactable, and don't cost a small fortune. Shipping might be a bugger though. Hopefully I'll know soon enough as I emailed for a shipping quote.

I have the older version. They're light and well made, but the connection between the two sections is too wobbly for use as a shelter pole. I'm not sure if version 2.0 has fixed that problem or not. You should ask Jotaro about that.

Shipping from Japan is not very expensive. It should be quite reasonable. (considering that for UL gear... most of which is made in the States... most people outside the US have to pay quite high shipping prices, I think it's rather reasonable)

Edited by butuki on 02/04/2012 18:35:27 MST.

Thanks, Miguel. Question though. You refer to the "connection between the two sections" as too wobbly. Does that mean your older version is a two piece pole?

Oops, I meant three sections! the wobbly part is on the upper, bigger connection point.

Jotaro replied to my shipping inquiry. $20, insured with tracking number. Not bad at all!

I asked if the poles were strong enough for a shelter but have yet to hear back.

Edited by rustyb on 02/04/2012 20:21:49 MST.

Is my math right—$157 plus shipping?

Is my math right—$157 plus shipping?

Yep. You have to take into account how badly the dollar is doing right now. It used to be $120 just two years ago!

"Yep. You have to take into account how badly the dollar is doing right now. It used to be $120 just two years ago!"

A weak dollar is probably more good than bad at this point...unless you're buying foreign made gear!

Ryan

Jotaro replied to my question re their strength for using them in shelters. He said they are tested with Locus Gear shelters and they are fine.

I put up a couple of pics on my blog if anyone is interested:

http://hiking26.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/collapsed-unmodified-pole-below-aresome.html

Cheers,

Jeremy.

Thanks, Jeremy. Keep us posted!

I now have a good bit of wear and tear on these poles (140 hard km's).

Positives:

- Have not broken yet - I put them through tough conditions
- Do not slip nearly as often as Ti Goat poles (at least the 2011 model of them). Only slipped 2-3 times on a very tough 9 day hike
- They seem strong, are comfy and are light

Negatives:

- One tip has already fallen off, the other is loose and will soon fall out\
- Need to be very tight not to slip
- Very hard to loosen. Sometimes took me 5 mins and I could imagine some people could not loosen them at all. I probably couldn't loosen them if they are icy or slippery


Summary - I would like these poles much much more if they had flick locks or something similar. Besides this and the issues with the tips, they are really nice poles. I still much prefer these to very light weight poles - but would consider something else that is light but with flick locks. Does something like this exist??

Jeremy, not everything you are looking for ,but light and flick lock

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyE6hWJ5dBI

http://www.ems.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4061429

Edited by annapurna on 04/14/2012 09:25:38 MDT.

Hi Anna,

Thanks a bunch for the update. Those poles looks excellent. If only they made them in a three piece model!

Looks like Locus just came out with new versions, including a flip lock. Real competition for Gossamer Gear LTs?

http://locusgear.com/products/trekking-pole/cp2

"Looks like Locus just came out with new versions, including a flip lock. Real competition for Gossamer Gear LTs?"

I was unable to decipher the order page on their website. How does one go about ordering a set of these very attractive poles? HELP!!

Jotaro Yoshida speaks very good English. Just email him. He'll be more than glad to help.

I use these poles. Though they are heavier than the GG poles, they are also considerably stronger.I use them over the GG's mainly because they can collapse to a much shorter length and thereby are safer and more convenient on the crowded trains.

The specs on the new flick lock CP2's look perfect. 10.8oz for a set which gets you flick locks and increased stiffness of the LT4's. I'd love to try some.

And $145.50 in US dollars, is that correct?

I figure closer to US$175-180 assuming postal EMS shipping and FOREX commissions.

Edited by rmjapan on 12/06/2012 17:30:59 MST.