I have owned both of them and have fished very hard with both setups. I couldn't wait to get the Talon off of my boat and I know of other 'SALTWATER' fishermen who feel the same way.
My first 8' power pole gave me ZERO problems in the the three years I owned it fishing over 200 days a year. While awaiting for the new 10' Power Pole Blade to arrive for my new-used boat, I decided to try the Talon knowing it was coming off as soon as the Blade arrived, what a mistake.
With the Power Pole one can send it down as far as they wish which is important in our bay system. The Talon senses on it's own how far down it will penetrate and it's almost never enough. My Talon would hit an oyster shell or something it deemed hard then decide that was enough when it wasn't. Then it would slip, dragging across the shells making a huge racket which we know is a big no no in a shallow bay. The two out of the ten times the Talon did actually stick, it was a matter of time before it would slip and even in the rough water mode it simply would not penetrate further by hitting it's electric buttons. I've spoken to many Talon 'SALTWATER FISHING' Talon owners who have reported that same problem.
Talons' claim is it's an electric motor, easier to install, no hydraulics needed. The Talon may be good in shallow ponds or some places freshwater fishing but when on irregular, hard, soft, or shell bottom with current and waves a factor, they're worthless. With the Power Pole hydraulics I tell it how far I want it to go down and it goes down well into the bottom if needed, the power of the hydraulic motor is very important. In other words, I didn't like the Talon thinking for me, you (the Talon) don't tell me where you need to be, I'll tell you where I want you to stop. The Talon slipped sending me towards the fish in a near panic trying to stop the boat more times than anyone onboard had patience.
Additionally, I read the comment F00Mustang made, it may sound like it wouldn't make a difference but he was dead on correct, it makes a lot of difference. I didn't think about it until using the Talon that once deployed it was still in the way. When casting or slinging Trout in the boat from the stern, the Talon got it in the way all the time. The Power Pole deployed is out of the way when casting and much easier to swim a fish past it or over it before boating the fish. Also something to consider is the new 10' Power Pole Blade depending upon where fishing. With the additional depth I am able anchor in places I couldn't reach with the 8 foot Power Pole. That's another one of those things that may not sound like a lot until actually using it. The way it looks on your boat, well that would only be one's opinion. Hope this helps!
