Does it feel like a helios 
No, although I really like the build (perhaps more so than the equivilant Helios
) this W3 is a very different tool - bloody good one too
please tell me it does 
Sorry, I can't tell you it does
Heavier (obviously) than the Helios and perhaps a bit slower in the hand. I
really like it
any rod you would compare it to
Not really, although I certainly think the rods I tried were more than a match for considerably more expensive toys in the same class from other makes I've tried of late. On the grass, with a conventional WF#7 on the 10ft #7wt, the backing knot was rattling out most of the time yesterday, effortless
Roll on Haddo day, I'll get a 'hurl' on the water
Honestly, you'd need to try one yourself
I'm confident the Western 3 rods are in a whole different class to the W2 rods (and they were good), a good stepping stone before you get to the Helios.
Hamish
