Thanks for the reply DB and your interest Marconi. Sorry, yes I was wrong in terms of angles of radials it is more relative to inconsistencies in non perfect radial lengths causing imbalances and whether their set up is perfectly symmetrical or not. (Which I imagine could potentially relate to radial angles (droop etc) as getting radials to be exactly 45 degrees or 90 degrees or whatever choice has been made is to all intents and purposes impossible, especially so with your own home DIY solid core copper wire ones.)
Causing unknown effects in my mind is worse than dealing with known ones on a radial less antenna. I have to say the IMAX2000 on a mere 15 feet of pole seems to be free of common mode issues that cause interference and shack RF issues so I am happy to use this in practice and run with it. (no coaxial choke or ferrite chokes being used) I will also see if any problems are encountered as mast lengths change which they tend to depending on how high I mount my antenna on the day. In essence i use between 3 and 5 poles of five feet length each slot together sectional. I will note any SWR changes and any negative effects.
I feel the construction of the MAX2000 seems good quality, it is nicely made as far as the eye can tell. Substantial hardware and construction. It feels like it screws up nicely and I appreciate the light top whip section. It does tend to flop about a lot. No wonder people rate them as an antenna with decent wind resistance.
To me it really looks like a boat/maritime antenna.
I also appreciate that grounding can reduce or increase common mode on coax/poles interdependent with the mast length so I will have to use it and see on every different height mast. But I am inclined to give the IMAX 2000 a fair shot this summer.
My initial dislike was not getting a SWR below 1.7/1.8 : 1 when my Gain Master is always 1.2:1 almost irrelevant of any changes. - 1.4:1 for me is satisfactory and is what the MAX2000 reads at 15 feet. (remember I operate at 200M ASL approx so I get the HAAT advantage despite my relative low height about the earth surface)
Once I saw this, all thoughts of trying to make my own radials for an IMAX2000 went out the window when I realized for static mobile getting them set up accurately (copper wires) will be completely impossible and as such largely detrimental.
Sometimes simple is best but I guess you have to get a little complex to know that.
PS To add I have cleaned up the threads on my IMAX2000 using Isopropyl alcohol and I can only say the dirt that came out of the screw thread holes was very surprising, lots of grime which is clearly come from the factory... that cannot be helping electrical contact so I am glad I cleaned it properly !
