Telescoping poles can be made from aluminum tubes of various diameters. They slip into each others. Each section is then raised and locked in place. The flag’s highest section is the one that must be lifted first. Telescoping poles use no ropes that could become tangled or worn. They also don’t bang against the flag in windy conditions. They can reach reference heights up to six feet and thirty-five foot. The tapered effect of telescoping poles means that they can still maintain strength to height ratios. They aren’t as durable and strong as one-piece poles.
If you are looking for a pole with telescoping capabilities consider the following: tubing length; locking systems; spring assistance.
Telescoping flagpoles with greater strength have larger diameters in relation to their height. Compare flagpoles of equal height and find the section with largest tubing. Wall thickness, also called the thickness of a flagpole, can affect strength but not as strongly as pole diameter.
Each manufacturer will have a different locking system because each manufacturer has a patent. Look for systems that are self-indexing/self-locking. This means that every section is automatically guided to the locked position by raising it. The locking mechanism should not be based on extension or friction. Choose a system that is as simple as possible to avoid bad locks.
Look for a manufacturer with a spring assist system. Smaller flagpoles can be assembled with a spring-assist system. A spring assist system is necessary for flagpoles over twenty feet in height. The pole weights can vary between twelve to twenty five to twenty-five and twenty-five-five to twenty-five lbs.