your opinion-please

I'm looking at getting a used butler 18" wand. I do ALOT of empty houses and I'm looking at increasing my productivity. Im using an Everest and I'm starting an upgrade to 2.5" vac hose coming off the TM(reducing the last 50ft. to 2").  Typical hose run is 100-150 ft.  Not concerened about Max water removal and dry times. Even tho now I'm getting 2-6 hr dry times.
Can I/will I be able to get decent suction with an 18" wand?? Would be running at Max setting.
I currently use a 14" westpak.

Matt

With that Everest, you shouldn't have any problem with suction at 150 ft. An 18 inch wand might be a little tough to get into the closets and close to the edges though.

I am doing a lot of apartments myself these days and getting efficient is very important. You already have the machine for it, might want to consider a rotary extractor or even (this does not happen often) the Mytee Bentley wand.

I am hesitant to recommend the Bentley as it has some flaws, but in this case it has some real benefits. You get a 14 inch path and the ability to just steer it around and into those closets without changing tools. I work many complexes that put carpet in the bathrooms and getting around the toilet used to require changing tools which wasted time.

A bigger wand can sure be a time saver, but if you still need to use an agitation device, then I would skip it and go for a rotary extractor and use that 14 inch to get into the closets.

Before anyone says it, you don't always have to edge after a rotary. The Hoss has a flexible shroud on it that allows you to push it right up against the baseboards...I rarely need to go back and edge later. It might be its best feature.

Just food for thought.....

You shouldn't have a problem at all. I don't have a problem with my 15 inch Zipper wand and it has 2 15 inch glides. So technically that's 30 inches of opening.

I was going the 2.5 hose route also. Called Joe and we talked about my reasoning and what I wanted. In the end, he save me money with the MVP.  Wasn't even thinking that route.  Joe's got the info to back his suggestions. Which ever way you go he will do though. As far as the wand, I've been with the 14" fir the last three years, I wouldn't go smaller or larger for the reasons Rob mentioned.

I can't see the madness in the zipper in time efficentcy for apartment cleaning, or my back. To each his own. For me, it's the redneck zipper.  
  

Matt, if you're looking to increase your productivity, a helper would be a much better solution if you have not had one already, if you still insist on a better wand, I would go with pmf titanium 15" rather than the 18" due to what Rob was saying, maneuverability ( is that the right spelling ? ) not only closets, but also behind the door, L shaped storage closets that's only 5' high, it would be a pain to maneuver in those areas.
I don't think you would have issues with suction, even with single wand settings, I wouldn't use high settings too much to preserve the motor's life.
Fyi I get 2 - 8 hours dry times with 1.5" pmf titanium wand with the same machine, 6 flow, stock shear kit since Joe doesn't make shear kit for that wand. I don't think my customer mind the extra hour or two dry times and my back and shoulder thanks me at the end of the day :-) Oh the only thing is the 1.5" pmf titanium is only 12" though, won't meet your productivity needs :-)