Depends on definition of "better".Crusader wrote:So that is £55 + £11.40 p&p ontop,where as the Sharman's clones are £62.09 delivered,not a lot in it i know,but i would love to know if the Diamond version is any better or not hence why i asked.
Out of the packet/box, performance wise, often not much to be seen in it like for like.
Afterall they are all based on tried and tested designs, with internal metal radiating parts cut to pre-calculated lengths, to suit particular design.
Materials used, and construction does vary quite a lot though.
I have had all sorts over the years, from all sorts of brands, some good, some poor in construction.
Diamond have been the most consistant from a mechanical, and internal electrical construction point of view.
On a few clones I have had, whilst the fibre glass and outside metal fittings have held up, failures of internal connections have arrisen, and when stripped you often see why, poor connections between co-linear sections, in one Moonraker example they were simple crimped joints, not a sniff of solder to be seen, corrosion set in at joints and that was that.
On stripping it, cleaning all joints and making good with soldered connections, off it went again for a few more years till replaced, such a pity they couldn't be bothered to do that in the first place.
In others cheapy thinly plated steel rods, as oposed to brass or copper.
In one example these internal elements were actualy rusting!
Some cheapies have actualy leaked, filling with water, through poor joints between fibre glass and the metal base hub, others have had the fibre glass deteriorate and crack, again causing leaks.
Not saying Diamond will last for ever, but of the ones I have had, and still have, they are built up there with the best of them, rather than the cut corners budget end.
Sometimes you do get what you pay for I guess.
Of course these days its buyer beware when it comes to Diamond, just make sure you don't cop for any of the numerous fakes kicking around, emblazened with Diamond logos, and Diamond printed packaging, that are anything but real ones!