Telescopic pruner
For year I was using a Fiskars telescopic pruners, first was probably UP86 (1000598), then UPX86 (1023624), I tried UPX96 (1023634) and for reasons bellow I switched to Gardena Star Cut Pro L now.
In my experience the Fiskars lasts for something like two years. From that time on it starts to fail. Most common issue is the shear would not self open anymore. I tried on both UP86 and UPX86 to repair them with spare parts from Fiskars, but usually it does not last any longer. Everything just wears out and replacing single part does not fix this, thus replacing whole pruner is usually fastest and cheapest solution.
The main problem on UP86 was that the screw holding the telescopic lever was self-loosening, same for the lever on the shear head. The attachment of the head to the telescope was weak, so it happened many times when pulling the cut branch, the head popped of the telescope, dangling on the rope. Twisting of rope was common to all models. The UPX86 has solved the problem with screws, just the head adjustment was not very easy to use in gloves, the head was now screwed to the telescope avoiding the problem with the head popping off. With UPX86 Fiskars for some reason changed the way the saw was attached to the telescope, that was not very practical for me, as I can not move the saw on the telescope - it has to be attached to the head only. Therefore I used for all the years the old saw from UP86.
Fiskars UPX96
This year I managed to break knife in shears on UPX86 and in a hurry I've bought a new telescope, finding Fiskars made some new version UPX96. The head remained the same, there were significant changes in pulling handles - there are two of them, one for fast cut of small branches, one geared/slower for branches of larger diameter. The ideas was not that bad, but the handle for larger branched had a switch you need to press every time you pull - sometimes hard to find. Also you need to return this handle up to the point it snaps in, which works on a new one, but as rope stretches, it starts to not return all the way up (needing a rope re-adjustment). What I noticed however most was, that sometimes the shear did not cut thru the whole branch. I claimed it under warranty, Fiskars promptly replaced it with a new one, but.... having the same issue. I checked all of UPX96 sold in local store, and all of them have the same problem - the shear does not close fully, leaving a small gap in the shear cut when fully pulled. There was no way to fix this. I verified problem is not present on UPX86 sold in the same store. I decided to return UPX96 under warranty, but was left without a telescope.
I have to admit that otherwise Fiskars telescopes always delivered what it was designed for and even on longest range i was able to cut the largest diameters in fruit trees.
Gardena Star Cut Pro L
So after years I decided to try Gardena version. The reach of the Pro L is the same as of UPX86/96 (I tried them side by side). The advantages of the Pro L is they are threefold, making them shorter when folded, which is especially noticeable when climbing in larger trees and you have to manipulate with long telescope. Also it saves a space in truck. The Gardena has extensible hook at the end of the telescope, that can be used to pull the branch or hang the telescope, which I do often - with Fiskars I always have to close the head and hang them on it. Gardena has a gears in the head, making the cutting of larger diameter bit easier but a bit slower (like in UPX96 large diameter). The telescope itself has a larger diameter. The advantage may be that the pulling rope is hidden all the way inside the scope, but the time will show. This will probably not wrap and branches will not get under it, but makes it probably hard to fix. When extending the pole it does have a back stop, thus you can not pull the pole out of telescope (this makes me worry on Fiskars as there is just a "STOP" sign where you should not protrude more). I've bought a set with the saw as otherwise I would be left without a telescopic saw. The saw has some "smart" features, like a hook at the end preenting it from sliding out of cut, possibility to remove the saw and use it as hand saw (it has a handle), but the attaching mechanism is overly complicated and I have doubts it withstands the load.
What are the disadvantages I can see now - 1. the weight - Fiskars UPX86 only has 1900g, while Gardena 2270g (I weight it myself) - this is significant - I miss-read the spec before buying, otherwise I may reconsider this. 2. the head is larger and can not be closed fully to line up with telescope (not a big deal). The size of the head may cause a problems in tither spots (not happend yet). 3. For some reason the Gardena has no lanyard loop hole (UPX86 has two of them), not a big problem as I do not hang the telescope on the lanyard often.
So the time will show how long Gardena lasts - I do not expect it to be much longer than Fiskars based on other reviews.