CarpForum.co.uk brand mark, a blue stylized fish with a white eye and a smooth modern look, set in the site header against a clean background CarpForum.co.uk wordmark in a bold flowing script style, reading CarpForum.co.uk, displayed in the site header
Menu
Utils
Go Premium Who's Online Members Weather Photo Gallery Articles
Account
Login Register
Solar P1 Croc Pod XL (36 posts / 3,455 views)
stuart666 stuart666
Posts: 4,779
Post #16 15 Jun 2026 19:45
0
In reply to Post #15
Im not quite sure what they could change other than maybe a fluted centre bar so the inner section on the centre bar dosent turn inside the outer section. Its a much better size than my rp1. Will see if they change it and buy another one if they do.

Johnson ross got 4 in yesterday and sold them all in 1 hour.

The carry bag is still crap so bought another BAS carry bag for it that I bought for my rp1.
finbob finbob
Posts: 3,466
Post #17 16 Jun 2026 10:12
0
In reply to Post #1
I like RP as you can use single sticks. Croc has those uprights so more limited. Lets its down IMO.
roosterbooster roosterbooster
Posts: 539
Post #18 16 Jun 2026 10:59
0
had my rp2 since it first launched , its a great bit of kit ! best pod iv owned , the ease of setup is amazing fits my 12,6 rods with techs perfectly, the bag is crap tho as mentioned above , but purchased the BAS bag and its now perfect, i would take the RP over the croc quicker and easier to set up and more adjustments if needed
djstrauss281 djstrauss281
Posts: 923
Post #19 16 Jun 2026 20:46
0
I really like my Croc Pod. I havent used my RP1 at all since buying it. Its actually easier for me to level out then the RP1 and the locking nuts works better. Its also alot more stable. RP1 still more versatile though.

Cant go wrong with either in my opinion.
hugogreen
Posts: 56
Post #20 16 Jun 2026 21:00
0
I have just bought a Croc Pod XL having used an RP-2 for the past year. I have the feeling that the Croc Pod will ultimately prove to be much more versatile. The RP-2 is no doubt a well designed (and made) product but its major downfall in my experience is that in order for it to be truly stable it needs all 6 sticks to be firmly planted in the ground or for it to be screwed down. Anywhere the ground is not flat can prove a problem because of that. It’s ok if not firmly planted, definitely usable, but I wouldn’t trust a tight-ish clutch on it…

The Croc Pod on the other hand feels planted on any surface because of its design and weight.

Nothing is perfect of course. The option to use the RP-2 as singles has come in really handy before, whereas the Croc Pod obviously doesn’t support that.

I also find the Croc Pod to be easier to set up. The RP-2 can be finicky in so far as getting the arms nicely aligned and planted in the ground, and if they’re misaligned it looks awful.

I’ll soon be selling my RP-2 I expect!
stuart666 stuart666
Posts: 4,779
Post #21 17 Jun 2026 07:00
0
In reply to Post #20
You always have all 6 sticks on the ground on an rp. The rp2 is even more stable as its wider. For something to be versatile it means it can be used in different scenarios. The croc pod can only be used as a pod the rp1&2 can also be used as single sticks. I used to love solar but since the chinese bought them they have gone really down hill. My solar worldwide and solar universal pods both started to rust after 6 months so not sure what grade of stainless they are using. I habe just about everything jag make in 316 and ive never had one spec of rust on anything. As far as engineering goes there is no one to even lace jags shoes up IMO.

I agree the rod tips are sometimes unaligned but thats sorted just by adjusting the centre bar so both ends are in inline and takes seconds
hugogreen
Posts: 56
Post #22 17 Jun 2026 11:12
0
In reply to Post #21
I've used an RP-2 for the past year and I almost always fish 2 nights per week, even in winter, so I'm very, very familiar with the particulars of using it...

You don't always have all 6 sticks planted though. If it's uneven and hard to the extent the sticks cannot penetrate the ground far, for example. Yes, you can adjust the height of each leg to account for that to some extent but the black version, which I have, is very light and so is not nearly as stable as you'd ideally want unless those legs are really firmly in the ground. If you end up doing that then it becomes much more of a faff, e.g., adjusting individual leg heights. I wouldn't fish with a tight clutch in that scenario.

No product is perfect as I say. With my Croc Pod I need to carry a couple of bank sticks just in case... with the RP-2 I don't...

hugogreen
Posts: 56
Post #23 17 Jun 2026 11:12
0
In reply to Post #21
I've used an RP-2 for the past year and I almost always fish 2 nights per week, even in winter, so I'm very, very familiar with the particulars of using it...

You don't always have all 6 sticks planted though. If it's uneven and hard to the extent the sticks cannot penetrate the ground far, for example. Yes, you can adjust the height of each leg to account for that to some extent but the black version, which I have, is very light and so is not nearly as stable as you'd ideally want unless those legs are really firmly in the ground. If you end up doing that then it becomes much more of a faff, e.g., adjusting individual leg heights. I wouldn't fish with a tight clutch in that scenario.

No product is perfect as I say. With my Croc Pod I need to carry a couple of bank sticks just in case... with the RP-2 I don't...

hugogreen
Posts: 56
Post #24 17 Jun 2026 11:12
0
In reply to Post #21
I've used an RP-2 for the past year and I almost always fish 2 nights per week, even in winter, so I'm very, very familiar with the particulars of using it...

You don't always have all 6 sticks planted though. If it's uneven and hard to the extent the sticks cannot penetrate the ground far, for example. Yes, you can adjust the height of each leg to account for that to some extent but the black version, which I have, is very light and so is not nearly as stable as you'd ideally want unless those legs are really firmly in the ground. If you end up doing that then it becomes much more of a faff, e.g., adjusting individual leg heights. I wouldn't fish with a tight clutch in that scenario.

No product is perfect as I say. With my Croc Pod I need to carry a couple of bank sticks just in case... with the RP-2 I don't...

stuart666 stuart666
Posts: 4,779
Post #25 17 Jun 2026 12:11
0
In reply to Post #24
As long as everyone is happy its dosent make a difference. Its all opinions at the end of the day and go with what ever you like really. You certainly fish more than me as I never go these days I just buy stuff that collects dust in the garage. This is actually my 5th RP pod as i sell them then buy them again 6 months down the line.

The black rp pods are far to light to be a pod so agree with you there.
Rebullio Rebullio
Posts: 152
Post #26 17 Jun 2026 17:28
0
In reply to Post #18
I have an rp2 with techs and still find it too small in width (reel handles touching) a mate has a rp1 and there's hardly any difference, a real shame imo as a brilliant pod but a couple of inch's width would have made it perfect imo
stuart666 stuart666
Posts: 4,779
Post #27 18 Jun 2026 06:52
1
Rp2 is only 2 inches wider than the rp1. They might bring an rp3 out to add to the collection 👍🏻
Euroboybobbin Euroboybobbin
Posts: 4,644
Post #28 18 Jun 2026 08:26
0
In reply to Post #25
I had an RP1 and found that the rod splay was ridiculous and the reel space not acceptable.

Why they can’t make the arms adjustable when you are spending £450 plus on a pod I don’t know.

hugogreen
Posts: 56
Post #29 18 Jun 2026 10:57
0
In reply to Post #26
That's curious. I didn't find that with my Power Aero XTCs (which I guess are just as wide?) nor my Tournament Basias. I found I had plenty of room and the 12" / 14" splay was about right.
stuart666 stuart666
Posts: 4,779
Post #30 18 Jun 2026 18:25
0
In reply to Post #28
Always fount the splay fine but rp1 far to
narrow. Rp2 perfect.
Are you sure?

This action cannot be undone.

Yes, continue

Loading…