gocchin Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 Well the new Epon products are now rolling in and I've had a chance to try the EHR and RF551 and will be trying the AF103 soon (its here but I have to shaft it). Thought I would have a thread with my impressions, first, second and after the facts. If there are previous models the new model is replacing I will eventually post side by side comparison pics as well. The RF551 as we know is a tweaked AF501. I personally prefer the 501 to the 502. It is a tad clicky due to the undercut cavity but for me (and this is just personal) the 502 is too deadened by the alpha gel pocket cavity. Side by side, the RF551 actually appears smaller and looking closely this appears to really be the case and not just an illusion created bu the beautiful smoked finish. Good news is the carbon weave ferrules are standard but as of now are back only for the RF551. The 551 seems sharper and straighter than the 502 shape wise and its been a long time since I saw the 551(501) and what surprised me was the top line is in fact thinner than the 502 and the RF551 has noticeably less offset as confirmed by the specs. (502 3.6mm in the 7 iron vs RF551 2.9mm in the 7 iron.) 0.5mm of offset in the same 7 iron is quite noticeable and in this case its 0.7mm. The smoked finish looks very good face on at address vs the shiny chrome toe of the 502. I think some people may look at the RF551 as more appealing. Comparo pics to follow. Still in heads only as I need to shaft them up. Yes they look VERY similar. But on closer inspection there are at least noticeable visual cues. There are less grooves on the sole of the 103 vs the 102. The "e" is bigger in front of the Epon logo - I am reaching here (^_^), no but honestly, the AF103 looks like a cleaner design for some reason. The face has complete scorelines all the way across and the shape of the face seems more attractive. From the top you see probably the biggest visual difference and that is that the Af103 is more pear shaped and more compact looking. Epon touts that the biggest difference will be in feel and performance characteristics so we shall see when I compare them. Here are more pics of the RF-551. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gocchin Posted October 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 Still have not had a chance to shaft up the AF103 but I stuck a shaft in the hosel just to make it easier to snap pics. The more I look at it the more I like it, its a very clean look and while there are less grooves and waves in the sole design the waves that are there are deeper and more renounced. Definitely more pear shaped at address and love the face. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gocchin Posted October 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 EHR photos.... yes the thing is pretty much gold. Gold head, gold socket. It has a very thin hi cor face which is why its rated for 90mph or less. Light weight and easy to swing and the FEX Light is a great match. When I had the EHR I did not have the Ryoma Special Tuning so I could not hit them side by side but the EHR is longer than my conforming Ryomas. Its a very premium driver as reflected by the cost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gocchin Posted October 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 Reserved Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoon Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 Yup yup I have gamed the 551 for 2 weeks and love it. So much cleaner And more dramatic than the 502 .. In essense the perfect combo set! I have my 103 as well and just waiting for her shaft! Your pics of the 103 are priceless Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supo Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 hmmmmmmmmmmmm i guess they made it feel like the zero. if they did fellas ur in for a real treat. the zero is easily the nicest best feeling driver to hit of all time....nothing even close. these photos look good T u can really see abit more of the new design, the 103 is def in the same mould as the personal irons with the design lines on the base. lovely looking head ..., Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoon Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 the 102 is very 101 esque in the sole pics. note those pringle ridges used to be gold in color. the ridges on the 103 are clean, angular and as stew mentioned very personal-like if the zero is the F1 of their driver line up the 103 is more like japan GT or german DTM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swisstrader Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 Great writeup. Spoon: what do you mean by "more dramatic" than the 502? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coops1967 Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 Whaaat, no top views of the 102 v 103? Even from this view, the 103 looks like it could be really good looking... hope so. Hope to test my yonex 380 against my Adams 9015 first, in both shafts, then let the winner fight against possibly my first Epon driver. The iron does look good too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gocchin Posted October 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 Whaaat, no top views of the 102 v 103? Even from this view, the 103 looks like it could be really good looking... hope so. Hope to test my yonex 380 against my Adams 9015 first, in both shafts, then let the winner fight against possibly my first Epon driver. The iron does look good too. As I said above I will be taking a lot more pics and testing them side by side. That was just initial impressions taking them out of the box. (^_^) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoon Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 Great writeup. Spoon: what do you mean by "more dramatic" than the 502? I liked the 502 but found it sort of dead The 551s are clicky and lively.you can Feel the shot. That alpha gel has it's benefits Like vibration dampening etc etc but sacrifices some feel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gocchin Posted October 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 I liked the 502 but found it sort of dead The 551s are clicky and lively.you can Feel the shot. That alpha gel has it's benefits Like vibration dampening etc etc but sacrifices some feel. This is what I've always been saying about the 502... glad you agree! the purpose of the alpha gel is for vibration reduction but yes it kills the feel (at least for us). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian-500 Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 Based on looks alone: 502 v 551, I prefer the 551. Newer iron wins :) 102 v 103, I prefer the 102. Older driver wins :) Anyone know if there'll be a 351 iron to challenge the 302, and/or a 153 driver to challenge the 152, or is this where the EHR chimes in? Oooo so many questions. Lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RIduffer Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 the purpose of the alpha gel is for vibration reduction but yes it kills the feel (at least for us). Best thing for vibration reduction is better ball striking… Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
potuna Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 I also had the 502s, from spoon. Mushy, dead and short. Sold them very quickly, I'd like to try the 551s but my 2 sets of Onoffs are just too good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaleUK Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 Hmmm all this new Epon Gear! For the Record I didn't like the 502's , the 501's felt OK Apart from the 6 iron down!! I don't know if it was the under cut cavity or the wrong shaft ... I'd like to try the Modus3's in a set tho' D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xerobound Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 The RF551 is exciting stuff. I like straight up blades, but with less offset and thinner top line, it looks like something i wouldn't mind playing. I especially like the finish on the head as it makes it look more compact. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idrive Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 (edited) Wonder what's next...... . Edited October 2, 2012 by idrive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RIduffer Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 Wonder what's next...... I'm guessing wedges... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gocchin Posted October 3, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 3, 2012 Actually the putter supposed to be next. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swisstrader Posted October 3, 2012 Report Share Posted October 3, 2012 Awww...all this hate for my beloved 502's! Seriously took about 3-4 strokes off my game this season with my 502's. For me, they are super simple and point and shoot irons. These days if I miss a green I'm actually surprised. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoon Posted October 3, 2012 Report Share Posted October 3, 2012 Actually the putter supposed to be next. for those who do not like the zen, this will be up your alley:) great year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swing981 Posted October 3, 2012 Report Share Posted October 3, 2012 wow...another putter..awesome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoreBeerBetterGolf Posted October 4, 2012 Report Share Posted October 4, 2012 My honest opinion is that if Epon hadn't told anyone there was alpha gel in the 502s...they'd be much more highly regarded. I actually was somewhat biased against them prior to hitting them just because of the gel, but I thought the feel was just fine. My beef with them was the offset...I am not a great golfer but for some reason I cannot handle much offset in irons at all. It really messes with my head for some reason. I was planning on getting a 502/302 combo set but found I consistently hit the 302 better in the longer irons and went that route. That is one reason why I really agree with the Miura mantra to "go with what looks right." The 502s are great irons...but it is gonna be tough to sell the purists... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bdgnss Posted October 4, 2012 Report Share Posted October 4, 2012 Actually the putter supposed to be next. I-33? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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