A New Benchmark
Avid is on a mission to transform your bankside living experience—from your bivvy and guest chair to these new bedchairs which come under their ‘Benchmark’ umbrella and are pitched as the ‘Ultra Series System’
The top-of-the-line Benchmarks bedchairs from Avid are the go-to pick for the serious carp angler. The main reason: total luxury. They were the first to feature memory foam mattresses and lay flatter than a witch’s tit. The result of this combo was a sensational night’s sleep. Now, though, after many years of tweaking, developing and testing, comes the new Benchmark Ultra series. Avid claims—currently—“they can’t do any better than this!”, and looking and laying on one, we can see why: it’s better than your bed at home! Here’s a rundown of how they’ve evolved…
1. Mattress
Actually, the mattresses haven’t changed! These are still made from that gooey, luxurious memory foam which you just sink into, offering tons of support and comfort.
2. Lumber design
The new innovative ‘TLS’ lumber design heavily reduces elasticity, and this means no more sagging. The new firm base sheet enhances the feel and softness of the memory foam mattress, guaranteeing a restful night’s sleep.
3. Flatter
Avid’s beds have always been flat, but now they are flat-flat—both in situ and whilst in transport. They now come with engineered-machined dual pivoting CNC hinges. These hinges are not only incredibly strong and reliable but also provide the flattest mattress and frame possible.
4. New leg design
The LevelTech leg design was always good on the previous beds, but for the ‘Ultra’ series, Avid has incorporated larger springs and improved the track design. The result is the strongest and easiest-to-operate leg system on the market.
5. Customise your sleep system
Both models of the Benchmark Ultra feature a 5-season, dual-layer duvet arrangement that is fully reversible. This allows you to customise your sleep system according to your preference and the prevailing conditions. The duvet is topped with Avid’s EX waterproof fabric—a luxurious, heavy-duty peach skin material that offers unprecedented waterproofing & comfort.
Benchmark Standard System £459.99
Weight: 16.8kgs
Benchmark Ultra X System £499.99
Weight: 20.5kgs
1. Benchmark Leveltech Recliner Chair
‘Comfort’ and ‘luxury’ were clearly the two key objectives of these chairs! It features a luxurious fleece-lined memory foam mattress, a multi-point reclining system, padded armrests and oversized mud feet. £209.99
2. Benchmark Leveltech Hi-Back Recliner Chair
The Hi-Back came with the same brief but has been designed to incorporate a built-in raised headrest that supports the neck when sitting for extended periods. It may take the crown as the most expensive guest chair on the market, but it also has the honour of being the most luxurious. £239.99
Elevate Carp Rods
If you can find a nicer-looking rod, within the price bracket than the Elevate 2023 models, then email us a link! This new model features the thinnest, lightest, and most powerful blank Avid Carp has ever produced. It boasts an ultra-fast recovery, adding distance and accuracy to your cast, and despite their impressive distance casting capabilities, the Elevate rods have been designed with playing fish at the forefront of their design.
The rod’s aesthetics are functional and stylish, featuring classy understated graphics, gunsmoke metal finishings, American Tackle Ti-Forged Air Guides and ultra-powerful slim XK Carbon blanks. There are four models in the range—12ft 3.25lb, 12ft 3.5lb, 12ft 3.75lb and 13ft 3.75lb—with prices ranging from £179.99 to £199.99.
XR Pro Spod/Marker Reel
When it comes to producing a top-end spod/marker reel, the key isn’t cosmetics, it’s power. Power is king. The more power it’s got, the less work you have to do. Avid’s new XR model ticks all the right boxes: a super-fast retrieve, bulletproof gearing and robust construction. The specially engineered spool perfectly holds 300m of the brand’s own dedicated Spod/Marker braid, making the spooling up process much easier, and reducing the worry of overfilling/underfilling.
Inside the carcass, you’ll find four stainless steel ball bearings, a Worm Shaft Oscillation system with slow oscillation gearing and a one-way clutch anti-reverse system to avoid unnecessary frap-ups and crack-offs. Dual-line clips and a soft-touch handle knob are two more nice additions to this top-end workhorse of a reel. £109.99
