MAP Dual Pole Roller Mk11

How well is it built?

There's a lot of sensible engineering in the Mk11.

Each horizontal roller turns on two stainless steel bearings, the legs are oversized extrusions with camlock telescopic fixings, and every leg detaches with a release button, so you can swap the standard telescopic legs for the mini leg set that comes in the box.

Oversized legs are there for stiffness, so they're less likely to flex under the weight of a long pole.

It packs down with folding legs and goes into a padded carry bag, and there's a spirit level on the central upright to help with setting up. Carabiner fixing points on the frame are a thoughtful touch, as they give you somewhere solid to clip weights.

For me, it's a well-made roller that sits just below the Preston Innovations Absolute Pole Roller, mainly because its legs don't have the same double-extending reach or handwheel locks. Still, an 8.5 for build is a strong score, and I think it's deserved.

Performance & Handling

How flexible is it on the bank? The central upright can sit in different mounting points along the frame, so you can double-ship in several ways, and if you'd rather have one wide-open roller you just take it off.

That's handy if you switch between shipping back in one piece and breaking down into two parts.

The super-soft foam on the horizontal rollers is the other big plus. It's built to soak up the bounce that runs up a long pole as you ship it back and forth, and the stainless bearings should keep the rollers turning smoothly and quietly for a long time.

It doesn't have the side-by-side roller layout of the Daiwa Rockin Roller, which is built to keep a pole on both rollers at any incline, but it costs a good deal less. Overall, it's built to make shipping back smooth and gentle on your pole, and I think the 8.5 is fair.

Stability & Footing

Four telescopic legs give it a stable base, and because they detach, you can fit the shorter or longer legs your venue needs, and swapping them takes seconds with the release buttons.

The mini leg set suits low pegs and platforms, while a long leg set is sold separately for higher banks.

What about wind? The frame has anchoring points for weights or guy ropes, so on an exposed bank you can tie it down rather than hoping it stays put. That's a practical answer to a real problem, especially with a long pole resting on it.

Where it gives ground to the Preston Innovations Absolute Pole Roller is height. The Mk11 tops out at 92cm, while the Absolute reaches 115cm, so on a really steep bank the Preston has more in reserve.

On most commercial pegs, though, it's a very steady roller, and 8.5 reflects that.

Is it good value for money?

The Mk11 costs a little less than the Preston Innovations Absolute Pole Roller, but not by much, and the Absolute reaches higher and has more adjustment in its legs. That's the main reason value stops at 7.5.

If double shipping is all you're after, the Leeda Concept GT Double Roller covers the basics for well under half the money, albeit with a simpler build.

Where the MAP earns its price is in the details.

You get two leg sets, the soft foam rollers, stainless bearings, anchoring points and a padded bag, and it comes in Medium and Large sizes, at 78cm and 109cm wide, so you can match it to the length of pole you use and the room you've got behind your box.

Overall, I'd recommend the Dual Pole Roller Mk11 to commercial and match anglers who double-ship a lot, fish mostly level or gently sloping pegs, and want a smooth, quiet roller that'll last.