bill allemann wrote:

For the same weight and expense, you can get both an extension and a step
ladder, both of which will
out-perform the compromise ladder.

No, you can't. Spend some time on the Little Giant site and familiarize
yourself with all the configurations you can set the "compromise" ladder
to that you can't do with a step and/or extension. The only "compromise"
is cost and weight.

As an example, I use a Little Giant ladder when installing a new light
fixture in a stairwell. The ceiling of the stairwell sloped at the same
angle as the stairs and there was no landing. The Little Giant with it's
two telescoping sides was able to handle the several feet of height
difference between the two steps it was resting on quite easily. With
the sloping ceiling it would not have been possible to use an extension
ladder and with the steps it would not have been possible to use a
conventional step ladder.

Pete C.