It is not a problem to use the standard set-up and an adjustable tiller. It is a matter of feel. The flex connectors used on a lot of the boats allow the cross bar to rotate when you are trying to lock or unlock the tiller. If you have an old setup that is not smooth, or you get sand in it, the twist is quite severe and "feels" bad. There is no positive stop and it feels week, but unless you have some serious helm issues there is enough to set the adjustment.

You can swap to an all pin setup which will take out the slop. Depending on the tiller set up on the boat this may require a new cross bar as the length may be an issue with how the 2 styles mount.

A lot of the Euro A class guys run this way and it works fine if you want.
I agree with Kris. I was not wanting to get rid of my old cork ball on the Arriba for a long time, but now use the light long pole and once I got used to it, I much prefer it over the adjustable.