Preston Innovations Ignition Pole Roller

How well is it built?

The Ignition is a simple, sensible build. A wide flat centre roller sits between an angled upright roller at each end, and the whole top section is carried on four foldable telescopic legs.

Each leg locks with a clip and folds up at a sturdy joint below the roller, so there isn't much to go wrong.

It's a straightforward frame, and if you want extras like a built-in spirit level or silent bearings, the Preston Innovations Inception Flat Roller is the step up for a bit more money.

The Ignition puts its budget into the legs and the rollers instead, which is where a pole roller earns its keep.

To be fair, nothing about it is fancy, but nothing is a corner cut in the wrong place either. For a roller at this price, I think an 8.0 for build is about right, and it should stand up well to regular trips to the bank.

Performance & Handling

So, what about shipping back? The wide flat centre roller is the key part, because it gives the pole a broad, even surface to run over, and that should keep things smooth and quiet as the sections come back towards you.

The two angled upright rollers hold the pole in position and cut down on sideways movement, which matters on a breezy day when a long pole wants to drift off line.

It's a single roller, though, with one channel for the pole. If you like to double ship, the Leeda Concept GT Double Roller has two independent rollers and a centre upright for about the same money.

For me, the Ignition covers the everyday job of feeding a pole back over the roller really well, and for anglers fishing a straightforward pole line that's all they'll need. An 8.0 feels fair for a roller that does the main job properly without anything clever.

Stability & Footing

Stability is the Ignition's strongest rating after value. The 54cm width gives it a broad base, and the four legs splay outwards from the frame, so it should resist tipping when a pole lands on it a little heavily or a gust catches the pole.

The telescopic legs adjust individually for uneven or sloping ground, which is a big help on commercial banks that aren't level or on a river peg with a slope behind the box.

Each leg ends in a spiked foot that pushes into soft ground, and that should stop it creeping about as you ship back.

If you want help levelling it, the Preston Innovations Inception Flat Roller has a built-in spirit level, and the Maver MV-R X2 Flat Bed Roller adds a weigh-down hook for rough weather.

Even so, I think the 8.5 is deserved, as four adjustable, splayed legs on a wide base are pretty much what stability comes down to.

Is it good value for money?

Is it worth the money? I think it's one of the easiest budget buys in pole accessories.

It costs well under half as much as the Preston Innovations Absolute Pole Roller, and while the Absolute adds double-extending legs, a spirit level and a removable centre upright, the Ignition covers the essential job of supporting a pole on uneven ground for far less.

The Nytro SLS Pole Roller is cheaper again, but the Ignition's wider frame and wide flat roller should make it the steadier and more forgiving of the two.

Overall, I'd recommend the Ignition to pleasure anglers, club match anglers and anyone fishing commercials who wants a stable, no-fuss roller without paying for extras they'll rarely use.

If you double ship a lot, the Leeda Concept GT Double Roller is worth a look, but for everyone else on a budget, the Ignition is an easy choice.