Pretty simple, what do you want your boat hook to do…stay at the length, hook doesn't fall off and grip large enough to get a good grip. This hook meets all those requirements extremely well. I have 3 hooks on my boat but each had issues, the hook wouldn't stay at the length I wanted and most would either expand to far and the hook portion goes for a swim or contracts with the slightest pressure. Very happy that this hook stays at the length I set and a grip large enough to pull without fear of losing my grip. My wife knew I needed a boat hook and bought one from a Chinese outlet site that arrived 6 weeks after she ordered it, flimsy, thin-walled and useless. Although listed as 10' long, the maximum length was really 8'6”. Funny thing was the Chinese one was only $8.00 cheaper and clearly inferior.