Was waiting on your review for this Wade! I purchased the same paddle direct from Gpower on 5-18-22, and it was delivered on 6-27-22. Had all kinds of issues sitting in Polish customs, but Joanna at Gpower was so helpful in getting the paddle moving every time it stalled. For those that want to know, I ordered the Twister X Creek; Large blade; crank shaft with Q connect; 198 - 202 cm. I usually use a 200 cm paddle, so chose to go 2 over and 2 under. Paddle price shipped was $532.85 USD The only thing I see you said in your review that may not be accurate, is Gpower's told me their Q connect only allows for 5 cm adjustment. I'm not saying it won't pull out further, but they were pretty clear that I shouldn't extend the paddle out past 5 cm from flush. You weren't lying about how slippery the paddle is, but using tape fixed that problem. I didn't get the pretty bag with mine either.
Very true i never said go past 5cm mine is 200cm flush and it goes as high as 210cm I measured it I’m either completely flush which is 200cm or 5cm out I would not recommend going fully at the 10cm of adjustment for nothing more then maybe flatwater thanks for the feedback Jared And the bag is extra I just highly recommend getting it
Thanks for covering this paddle Wade! Just as a user experience comment, you mention that "you want to take care of this paddle" as if it's a bit fragile. I have the g'power Spider Club (2-piece, weighs in at 874 on my kitchen scale) and have used it for the last two years. I felt the same way as you when it was new and babied it for for the first 6 mo, then after some shallow river use I realized it was taking the hits and beatings better than my Werner Player. Now when I am shallow creaking, I take the g'power because it's so well made and robust despite being insanely light weight. Mine also has the stainless steel edge (I think this is standard on all their kayak paddles) and yes, you do 'know it' when you hit a rock, but it definitely take a licking and keeps on clicking. Mine is also a two piece and I have the metal (aluminum I believe) Qnect clamp. Mine is quite easy to take apart wet, dry, hot, cold. It doesn't matter. Also, it's never shortened up on me when hitting a rock. I suspect the difficulty you have has more to do with the exact OD (outside dimension) of the shaft and a bit of a rub down with some fine grit emory cloth would easily fix that. That said, they probably should have taken care of that at the factory. It's an amazing paddle but I really want the freestyle Harpoon, so I'm glad to see your review of this, thanks!
Thanks for the feedback buddy and I actually love the fact that it’s difficult to take apart no way would I take sandpaper to it I just did not know if all the others were like that and yes I agree it feels light and fragile but I feel I would take it anywhere
I had one of these and initially it did well, felt great to paddle with it, felt light in my hands, but after some time using it daily, the length and feather adjustments started slipping when I'd go into a stronger brace (I had it set to about 200 R45, then I'd do a big brace and found that it slipped back to 194 and R0. I sold it and bought a Lettmann and have not looked back. The Lettmann never loses length and feather, even though it's a bit heavier. I am thinking of getting one of these that doesn't have the adjustment since it is a very nice paddle.
@@lucabohn8484 any idea when the change to the QNect II happened? Would Matthew’s from a year ago be the new one? I’m also curious how one would know if it’s the old or new one. Sounds like they’ve used aluminum in the past so I don’t think the new version is necessarily the aluminum one. I’m pretty sure the one I borrowed was only a few months old and I know it slipped on the owner. He recommended I buy it at the length I want most so it’s fully closed most of the time. Might do that or maybe buy a one-piece (or a Lettmann). Thx.
A GPower distributor told me they have actually had three Qnect versions. First was aluminum w screw, second aluminum w lever, and latest (3rd) is composite w lever. Not sure which is which as far as names/numbers. He said if it does slip I should check the tightness of the screw, which I’m assuming adjusts the lever tension, or sand the inner shaft w sandpaper so it’s not slick. 🤷🏼♂️
These look lovely. Prices are pretty eye-watering, sadly. I'd be after a Harpoon as and when my venerable AT2 Flexi eventually dies (20 years and still going strong, amazingly) but £549 is massive money.
@@WadeHarrison they look fantastic, certainly. They're a full £100 more than the equivalent Ophion, though. It is what it is. If money was no object they'd be on my radar, for sure. Sadly, boating equipment in general is way, way pricier in relative terms than it was 15 years ago. My life is also more expensive than it used to be as I have a family, which doesn't help. My GAS usually remains unsatisfied! 😄
@@DrRepper definitely understand that buddy and right now the best affordable paddles I have found are the Select paddles those are seriously like 240$ for a new one and the bent shafts are not that much more and very well made…
Put eyes (and hands) on one of these for the first time today. Get home and see this came out 17 minutes earlier! 🤯 Super nice guy from Canada joined us and had one. He let me borrow it, and I was so impressed I looked into buying one on drive home. (I didn’t have much luck so I’ll DM you for distributor info.) I obviously liked it, but the guy did mention that his has shortened up on a him a bunch of times mid-rapid if he hits a rock. To help w this he suggested I buy it at at the length I want to keep it at so it’s not extended at all, but at that point I may go w a one piece instead to keep it simple and light. He suggested I at least consider the Lettmann instead, and I’d be very interested to hear more ab your thoughts on the two. Seems like you tend to paddle it all the way in (not extended), but curious if you’ve had any experience w cuff slipping. 🙏
@@kevinhill.8 butted against, I've also changed the ph screw with an Allen screw so I can thighten it more with a small Allen key that I keep in the lifejacket, overall I'd say aluminum connection works better, the screw inside has a large pitch so it actually thight way more with just 1/2 turn.
@@Ale_conca thanks! I think swapping to a bolt w an allen head is a great idea. Do Galasport and Lettmann both use the aluminum connection you think is superior? I’m not sure I understand what you are saying at the end ab the screw inside having a large pitch. Are you saying as you push the lever it tightens quite a lot, and are you referring to the aluminum connections or the qnect?
@@kevinhill.8 yes lettmann and gala have aluminum connection which can be thighten a lot more using the lever (due to different screw). Anyway I'm now happy with Allen screw and tape on my gpower, the gpower blade i think is superior in feeling and wear resistance (mine is 2 season of hard use and is still in great condition)
Hey wade, do you find it weird to change the feather on crank shaft paddles? I would have thought it would be awkward to have the two handles at different angles?
The crank yes but like other guy said the blades and weight are very different and these are little better priced but don’t know if they are as durable
![Showing my Friend Down Daisy Creek [CO]](/img/n.gif)
Was waiting on your review for this Wade! I purchased the same paddle direct from Gpower on 5-18-22, and it was delivered on 6-27-22. Had all kinds of issues sitting in Polish customs, but Joanna at Gpower was so helpful in getting the paddle moving every time it stalled.
For those that want to know, I ordered the Twister X Creek; Large blade; crank shaft with Q connect; 198 - 202 cm. I usually use a 200 cm paddle, so chose to go 2 over and 2 under. Paddle price shipped was $532.85 USD
The only thing I see you said in your review that may not be accurate, is Gpower's told me their Q connect only allows for 5 cm adjustment. I'm not saying it won't pull out further, but they were pretty clear that I shouldn't extend the paddle out past 5 cm from flush.
You weren't lying about how slippery the paddle is, but using tape fixed that problem. I didn't get the pretty bag with mine either.
Very true i never said go past 5cm mine is 200cm flush and it goes as high as 210cm I measured it I’m either completely flush which is 200cm or 5cm out I would not recommend going fully at the 10cm of adjustment for nothing more then maybe flatwater thanks for the feedback Jared
And the bag is extra I just highly recommend getting it
I believe the GP website says up to 5 cm out for constant use and up to 10 cm for testing.
now they have undated to 10cm, just for people who wanna know
Thanks for covering this paddle Wade! Just as a user experience comment, you mention that "you want to take care of this paddle" as if it's a bit fragile. I have the g'power Spider Club (2-piece, weighs in at 874 on my kitchen scale) and have used it for the last two years. I felt the same way as you when it was new and babied it for for the first 6 mo, then after some shallow river use I realized it was taking the hits and beatings better than my Werner Player. Now when I am shallow creaking, I take the g'power because it's so well made and robust despite being insanely light weight. Mine also has the stainless steel edge (I think this is standard on all their kayak paddles) and yes, you do 'know it' when you hit a rock, but it definitely take a licking and keeps on clicking. Mine is also a two piece and I have the metal (aluminum I believe) Qnect clamp. Mine is quite easy to take apart wet, dry, hot, cold. It doesn't matter. Also, it's never shortened up on me when hitting a rock. I suspect the difficulty you have has more to do with the exact OD (outside dimension) of the shaft and a bit of a rub down with some fine grit emory cloth would easily fix that. That said, they probably should have taken care of that at the factory. It's an amazing paddle but I really want the freestyle Harpoon, so I'm glad to see your review of this, thanks!
Thanks for the feedback buddy and I actually love the fact that it’s difficult to take apart no way would I take sandpaper to it I just did not know if all the others were like that and yes I agree it feels light and fragile but I feel I would take it anywhere
I had one of these and initially it did well, felt great to paddle with it, felt light in my hands, but after some time using it daily, the length and feather adjustments started slipping when I'd go into a stronger brace (I had it set to about 200 R45, then I'd do a big brace and found that it slipped back to 194 and R0. I sold it and bought a Lettmann and have not looked back. The Lettmann never loses length and feather, even though it's a bit heavier. I am thinking of getting one of these that doesn't have the adjustment since it is a very nice paddle.
How long ago was this? Gpower recently changed their clamp for 2 piece paddles
@@lucabohn8484 a little over a year ago.
@@lucabohn8484 any idea when the change to the QNect II happened? Would Matthew’s from a year ago be the new one?
I’m also curious how one would know if it’s the old or new one. Sounds like they’ve used aluminum in the past so I don’t think the new version is necessarily the aluminum one.
I’m pretty sure the one I borrowed was only a few months old and I know it slipped on the owner. He recommended I buy it at the length I want most so it’s fully closed most of the time. Might do that or maybe buy a one-piece (or a Lettmann). Thx.
I have not experienced any of that with the Gpower and Agree the lettman feel bomber
A GPower distributor told me they have actually had three Qnect versions. First was aluminum w screw, second aluminum w lever, and latest (3rd) is composite w lever. Not sure which is which as far as names/numbers. He said if it does slip I should check the tightness of the screw, which I’m assuming adjusts the lever tension, or sand the inner shaft w sandpaper so it’s not slick. 🤷🏼♂️
We have added engraving into the stub to make length and zero degree mark easier to see. Your paddle Wade is from the previous generation.
Awesome thanks for the info!
:48-:50 is the money shot….so sick
Was a great boof yes
One year later, how is the g-force treating you? :)
Oh it’s still holding up great i don’t use it all the time or on low volume rivers but I love it
These look lovely. Prices are pretty eye-watering, sadly. I'd be after a Harpoon as and when my venerable AT2 Flexi eventually dies (20 years and still going strong, amazingly) but £549 is massive money.
The older AT superduty paddles were almost 500$ when those were out 10 years ago for how well these are made fairly well price
@@WadeHarrison they look fantastic, certainly. They're a full £100 more than the equivalent Ophion, though. It is what it is. If money was no object they'd be on my radar, for sure. Sadly, boating equipment in general is way, way pricier in relative terms than it was 15 years ago. My life is also more expensive than it used to be as I have a family, which doesn't help. My GAS usually remains unsatisfied! 😄
@@DrRepper definitely understand that buddy and right now the best affordable paddles I have found are the Select paddles those are seriously like 240$ for a new one and the bent shafts are not that much more and very well made…
Put eyes (and hands) on one of these for the first time today. Get home and see this came out 17 minutes earlier! 🤯
Super nice guy from Canada joined us and had one. He let me borrow it, and I was so impressed I looked into buying one on drive home. (I didn’t have much luck so I’ll DM you for distributor info.)
I obviously liked it, but the guy did mention that his has shortened up on a him a bunch of times mid-rapid if he hits a rock. To help w this he suggested I buy it at at the length I want to keep it at so it’s not extended at all, but at that point I may go w a one piece instead to keep it simple and light.
He suggested I at least consider the Lettmann instead, and I’d be very interested to hear more ab your thoughts on the two. Seems like you tend to paddle it all the way in (not extended), but curious if you’ve had any experience w cuff slipping. 🙏
same issue, solved with some Electric tape. just before the qnect
@@Ale_conca interesting. So is the qnect pinching onto the electrical tape, or is the tape just butted up against it?
@@kevinhill.8 butted against, I've also changed the ph screw with an Allen screw so I can thighten it more with a small Allen key that I keep in the lifejacket, overall I'd say aluminum connection works better, the screw inside has a large pitch so it actually thight way more with just 1/2 turn.
@@Ale_conca thanks! I think swapping to a bolt w an allen head is a great idea. Do Galasport and Lettmann both use the aluminum connection you think is superior? I’m not sure I understand what you are saying at the end ab the screw inside having a large pitch. Are you saying as you push the lever it tightens quite a lot, and are you referring to the aluminum connections or the qnect?
@@kevinhill.8 yes lettmann and gala have aluminum connection which can be thighten a lot more using the lever (due to different screw). Anyway I'm now happy with Allen screw and tape on my gpower, the gpower blade i think is superior in feeling and wear resistance (mine is 2 season of hard use and is still in great condition)
Hey wade, do you find it weird to change the feather on crank shaft paddles? I would have thought it would be awkward to have the two handles at different angles?
You would think that but surprisingly no I adjusted very easy
It’s hollow on the inside. I also have some grip tape for you to try out next time I see ya.
Yeah I was told the inside was a carbon frame structure.
This paddle just looks like a copy of lettman paddles ergonomic extreme
Very similar crank, but different blade. Shorter and tapers from narrower to wider
@@jamesshort6856 yeah but sadly just as expensive
I'd imagine it's a hell of a lot lighter than the Lettman, but yeah, price is insane
@@DrRepper yeah
The crank yes but like other guy said the blades and weight are very different and these are little better priced but don’t know if they are as durable