1. I haven’t tried flick extensively so I can’t answer.
2. The GG Lightrek ‘1’ had foam grips. The Lightrek II, III, IV have cork grips. I have the I, II, and III. Of all, I prefer the foam because it is just softer. I miss it on my Lightrek 3’s.
3. The Lightrek I and II’s had thin fiberglass poles. I have never broke one but my buddy has. Anyway, I bring this up because the ‘I’ and ‘II’ had an inherent built-in shock absorbing affect within a 2.1oz pole. When planted correctly, the pole would vibrate/ring (whatever you want to call it). This had a nice softening/dampening effect on my hands, wrists, and arms. Now that the III is beefier (2.4oz), the shock-absorbing affect mostly disappeared. So I feel the ‘shock’ a little more. I do miss the shock-absorbing effect. I thought it was more comfortable. But I get by fine without it; it’s psychologically more comforting knowing I have a beefier pole.

Now if the shock absorber added weight, I think it wouldn’t be worth it.

-Barry