Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I researched a couple of telescoping ladder products and found the Xtend & Climb 780p to be a perfect choice. The measurements were conflicting on the Amazon website so I will give a definitive measurement. If you were to build a storage container it would fit inside of 4.75x19.75x32". The 4.75x19.75" measurement is at the base...at the top it tapers to 18 1/8x 3 1/8". It comes with a velcro strap that keeps the ladder compacted while transporting it. Built into the strap is a padded base that creates a natural holding position while transporting. The measurement from where your hand cusps the handle to the top of the ladder(which would be under your armpit) is 15". So someone with a shorter arm could easily carry this ladder. It's build sturdy and it weighs 29.6lbs. Extended it feels stable and well built. Time will tell on how it holds up. The other aspect of the past reviews seems a little murky on how the telescoping feature works so I will try to paint the perfect picture...One note: The older version of this design must have been a finger pincher, However this design is brilliant. It has a fail-safe design that when retracting the ladder it only retracts the selected segment 5"(each rung spacing is 12" extended) Selecting the next lower segment retracts the previous segment the final 7" and retracts the selected segment 5". This design keeps the compacting segments(the pincher) 7" away from your hands! In order to retract a segment you have to have both hands on each side of the ladder, with your thumbs horizontal contacting a safety latch. A simultaneous pushing action with your thumbs allows the segments to retract. The tolerance of the retracting tube design creates air pressure that deflects the weight of the retraction...a great design! Another note the other reviews don't cover is that the first rung is a fixed 6" above the ground. This enables you to put your foot under the rung while positioning the ladder on the ground (while the ladder is not fully extended... you will figure this out sooner or later). And another note is that it's very difficult to retract the ladder in a horizontal position (and I would not recommend it since you really don't want to get the segments dirty or filled with abrasive grit since this will diminish the retraction design). With this in mind it would be a good idea to keep it covered when not in use.