Anthony, I’ve had all versions of the Hi-Teks. I don’t know how you like to fish or if you do different styles. I used to but no longer spider rig, and troll both jigs and crankbaits. The angled sides on the Elites worked well for spider rigging. When I troll my rods are just about 90* to the gunnel. For this the extremes work better with their vertical sides. I can attest to their security when an extra big fish decides to have one of the cranks for lunch. Three catfish in one day that would have totaled over 25lbs caused me no issues for losing a rod, one was on a 12’ BGJP and was doubled over. Never lost a rod from my Hi-Teks and they’ve been in my boat for over ten years now, and no quality issues either. I now have all I can stand with enough extremes to put out 12 rods. Money well spent for me.