Solid piece of aluminum works great. 1/2 aluminum tube is $4/foot, usually lasts a couple of seasons before its bent enought to need replacing.
Much lighter, cheaper, and the telescoping action works like a charm.
Wow, you can get an 8' stick of 3/4" .065 wall aluminum tubing for a little over $10 at McMaster Carr (plus shipping). I think this is the route I'm going...I can have eight of them for the price of a simple carbon one.
