new crucial vs last year's crucial

[masterbass]

Can anyone give me a comparison? Last month I picked up a spinning model from dsg for like $60.

[ScoobyDoo]

they have the feel of the older crucials..weight and balance wise....(older being the last year of the cork grips)

only handled a few spinners but they felt perty good

[fishballer06]

I now own 2 of the new Crucial's. I love these rods. I have a 6'10" MH-F split grip casting, and as of yesterday, I now have a 7' M-M cranking full handle casting rod. Love the weight, sensitivity, and balance. The reel seat is also very nice and comfortable. They're one heck of a rod for the price point. The only reason I never bought any of the older models is because of the foam grips, and now that they're cork, I'm sold on them. I'd highly recommend them. I personally will probably be picking up one of the 7'3" models eventually as well.

[bassninja]

Does anyone else feel that the blank diameter on the 7'3" Crucials are overly thick?

[karirick]

I now own 2 of the new Crucial's. I love these rods. I have a 6'10" MH-F split grip casting, and as of yesterday, I now have a 7' M-M cranking full handle casting rod. Love the weight, sensitivity, and balance. The reel seat is also very nice and comfortable. They're one heck of a rod for the price point. The only reason I never bought any of the older models is because of the foam grips, and now that they're cork, I'm sold on them. I'd highly recommend them. I personally will probably be picking up one of the 7'3" models eventually as well.

Scale weight please if you can? Thanks.

Rick

[fishballer06]

No scales, sorry.

[mrpao]

Are the blanks very thick like the old models?
I have yet to see the new models.

[shimanogloomis man]

I can't believe no one else commented on these blanks . I want to hear more feedback before I pick one up

[biggs]

Does anyone else feel that the blank diameter on the 7'3" Crucials are overly thick?

The first rod I picked up happened to be a 7'3 M and that was the first thing I noticed.

[the hooligan]

I handled the new crucials at the bassmaster event couple weeks back in philly. Wish i would of remembered the models, i was too busy looking at the exprides & poison adrena's....

Seem like nice rods for the money, and definitely better then the last gen. Reel seat is huge improvement alone. Just wish i could get a weight on these, im interested in the 6'8 medium model.

[RMCatchNrelease]

Please get some comparison pictures if possible.

Blank diameter has been one of my biggest complaints with Shimano rods. Specifically, the lighter actions and dropshot rods being as large as my flipping rods.

[Bootytrain]

Are the blanks very thick like the old models?
I have yet to see the new models.

I played with a 6'8 mh at BPS, was surprised at how thick the blank was.

[mrpao]

The thick blank was one of the main reasons I stayed away from the crucials.
On this new model I really like the looks of the handle but if the blank is still thick, that will definitely be a turn off.

[bassninja]

Blank diameter has been one of my biggest complaints with Shimano rods. Specifically, the lighter actions and dropshot rods being as large as my flipping rods.

I compared the 7'3" Medium Xfast to the 7'3" Heavy Crucial side by side. The diameter around the blank of the Medium model was actually wider than that of the Heavy.

[jamesdta]

Just curious, but what's wrong with thick blank? If the blank is still light does diameter matter ?