Jess123 Posted March 4, 2007 Report Share Posted March 4, 2007 (edited) How does the 2007 X-Drive and the current Epon 460 compare to the Bridgestone J33R 460 with regards to feel, trajectory, distance, etc? I'm considering buying an X-Drive 460 or Epon 460. From what I've read, I'm assuming that the Epon would be a little more forgiving than the X-Drive, but I'm not sure why? How about the feel of the Epon and X-Drive? Is the feel anything like the J33R or TM R510 TP? I would like to know the launch/trajectory similarities between these three 460 models, that is to say, if I'm comfortable with the launch/trajectory of a Bstone 460 10.5*, should I order a 10.5* in the Epon 460 or X-Drive 460? My driver speed averages about 102, peaking at 105, and I'm a relatively smooth swinger. I'm looking to experiment and have some fun with the newer models. Edited March 4, 2007 by Jess123 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taipanli Posted March 4, 2007 Report Share Posted March 4, 2007 hi there,i think the xdrive i would recommend in a 10.5 and the epon in 9.5 the xdrive didnt match up to the epon in my opinion. the epon 460 is pretty much the driver of choice. feel is unsurpassed by any other. playability and forgivness top notch. there are longer drivers out there but nothing feels better than the epon 460. the x drives not very forgiving but still a solid choice for driver. sound and feel reminds me of a turbo at impact. or a big x-st. not a similar feeling in the bunch in my opinion. but the epon hands down and all around. Are you referring to the 2007 X Drive as not being very forgiving? I beg to differ. It's one of the most forgiving drivers I have ever played (the 460). Haven't had the pleasure of playing an Epon but I have no desire to try any other driver at this time. I'm also one of the biggest HOs here so that's saying a lot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duffer19 Posted March 4, 2007 Report Share Posted March 4, 2007 While I have not play a X-Drive of any model, it seems to be geared towards the better players. I just purchased an Epon from a member but have not hit a single ball yet due to travel. All the hype of Epon just reminds me of all the craze of S-Yard when it came out 10 or 15 years as the premium of premum of JDM. As a mid handicapper, I would probably play the Epon with a greater chance of success than X-Drive. In another word, there is no absolute and it is comes down skill land comfort evel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+TourSpecGolfer Posted March 5, 2007 Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 I have a couple of each and enjoy the epon due to feel and how forgiving it is, the X-Drive 460 is their most forgiving X-Series to date and the feel is superb, just like the X-ST but bigger. Either one will work provided you can get the proper specs and shaft for your swing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taipanli Posted March 5, 2007 Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 I have a couple of each and enjoy the epon due to feel and how forgiving it is, the X-Drive 460 is their most forgiving X-Series to date and the feel is superb, just like the X-ST but bigger.Either one will work provided you can get the proper specs and shaft for your swing. Actually, I may have to try a Epon driver at some point. Can't let all this hype pass me by! Is the EPON 460 similar at set up to the X460? Which one is longer in your opinion? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idrive Posted March 5, 2007 Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 It's all about getting the right shaft. Pick the right shaft for your Epon and you can take the right side or left side out of play... Promote fade, draw... The point is research and pick the right shaft for your swing, for the Epon and Enjoy. IMO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCsub Posted March 6, 2007 Report Share Posted March 6, 2007 Actually, I may have to try a Epon driver at some point. Can't let all this hype pass me by! Is the EPON 460 similar at set up to the X460? Which one is longer in your opinion? Last year I bought a 460 Epon as I could not resist all the hype. I got mine on the stock Drev shaft which honestly felt nice and very playable. Head to head w/ my XD435, distance was a wash. But for what I like at impact, the X-Drive remains the best driver I have ever hit. I know the masses prefer the Epon, but the Tourstage feels more solid to me. Makes a nicer sound too. The Epon felt muted. Not mushy, but I remember crushing a few that just did not feel right and I couldn't believe how nice they traveled. So I did not care for the feedback. Last month I added a X-Drive 460 w/ the same loft and shaft as my 435, and look forward to finally transitioning to a 460cc club (still snow on the course, so I am hoping to start swinging in April). Lastly, a word about "forgiveness". This buzz word comes up in practically every club discussion, and I guess deservedly so. I like to know I am hitting the ball correctly, and that the club is not always saving me. My best rounds ever are not always the ones where I scored the lowest, but when I hit the ball the best. Sure, those two like to go hand in hand, but I have had rounds 6-8 shots off my low of 81 where I could not have been happier. So I personally feel too much forgiveness is no good. The clubs made today - especially the ones most of us are playing - seem to be vastly superior as a whole to what was out 10 years ago. I feel it is splitting hairs to declare one better than the other, and as IDrive said, the shaft is of utmost importance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gus Posted March 6, 2007 Report Share Posted March 6, 2007 (edited) Too many options in my opinion; I like the X-Drive 430P (I realize it's not available), the Epon (custom ordered 1* open, sweet) and the Mizuno MP Craft 425 (the sleeper of the group). All three of these drivers have made me say; GOTTA HAVE ONE! at one point or another. End result; no driver ordered yet...sucks! Edited March 6, 2007 by BigBen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goshinboku Posted March 7, 2007 Report Share Posted March 7, 2007 bigben, the 430P is readily available it is part of the line-up, the 460P was the limited edition 1000 piece model Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gus Posted March 7, 2007 Report Share Posted March 7, 2007 Very good to know; does the stock 460 have a square face? Is it a hook machine for the better player with 110mph smooth swing? I kinda fight the left side so I'm worried about the standard model but it would be nice to grab one because the cost is more reasonable. I will need to reshaft; I have three nice driver shafts sitting in my office waiting for a home! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gocchin Posted March 8, 2007 Report Share Posted March 8, 2007 Feedback on the standard 460 has been that it's pretty much square and a slight draw. The shaft will have a big impact on the ball flight. If you're worried about fighting a hook the 430P is not a limited edition and is a standard model, weighted to fade. It also appears in many tests to be the longest of all the X-Drives... The Axiv V-spec shafts are good at taking the left side out of play... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gus Posted March 8, 2007 Report Share Posted March 8, 2007 (edited) Also good to know; it appears that the 430P would be my best bet if I choose Tourstage but I'm still considering the MP Craft and the Epon custom order...decisions!!! What is the face angle of the MP Craft? I think someone mentioned custom orders with this model as well. Has anyone actually looked down at this head? Is it traditional in shape? Are the grooves real or just blasted for looks and what is the turnaround time for lets say 1* open...thanks. I'm fine tuning my decision; it's coming soon... Edited March 8, 2007 by BigBen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acrazygolfer Posted March 9, 2007 Report Share Posted March 9, 2007 The Epon came today. 460cc, 10.5*, .5* open, Axiv V-7068 Mid/High (which is a SR flex), D2 at 44.5". I love Axiv and have been using Axiv (6568H) in a J33r 460 10.5* and in a Srixon W-505 9.5* for the last year or so. Comparing the Axiv 6568H again the Axiv V-7068, the 7068 fits even better to my swing profile (high ball flight, a bit jerky from the top & a hooker) than the 6568 when it comes to feels and control. Given the 7068 is a SR flex versus the S flex in the 6568, there is more "kick" in the 7068 than the 6568. Dispersion is tight with both shafts and both are anti-left. I wanted "S" flex Axiv V but Chris suggested the SR flex and HE WAS RIGHT ON! Many thanks. As for the Epon, WOW! I was afraid the 10.5* would be too high but it's not. Ball flight with the Epon is not any higher than the J33r. The Epon sounds louder than the J33r (muted sound for the J33r which I like). As for feel, the Epon is just softer than the J33r but not "noodle" like soft (I do like Top Ramen since I survived grad school on them). As for foregiveness, the Epon gets a plus over the J33r due to the Epon being a deeper face driver. Minimal lost in distance & dispersion with the Epon than the J33r with less-than-good swing. In other words, the J33r is a bit more demanding. As for distance, since I was hitting cheap and exhausted range balls, I'll get back to you guys within the next few days on this issue (so far both drivers were side-by-side with these cheap range balls). Overall, the Epon is ahead of the J33r, in my opinion, due to: (1) the Axiv V and (2) forgiveness. I told myself no new (used) irons this season but then a set of GD Milled MBs is calling out my name. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blader-X Posted March 9, 2007 Report Share Posted March 9, 2007 I told myself no new (used) irons this season but then a set of GD Milled MBs is calling out my name. Don't you hate when these clubs starting talking to you like that!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acrazygolfer Posted March 9, 2007 Report Share Posted March 9, 2007 Don't you hate when these clubs starting talking to you like that!! My first thought was ... sh*t! I'm going loco and hearing voices. Then I realized that I swung the Milled MB this past weekend and the clubs indeed are calling my name. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blader-X Posted March 9, 2007 Report Share Posted March 9, 2007 My first thought was ... sh*t! I'm going loco and hearing voices. Then I realized that I swung the Milled MB this past weekend and the clubs indeed are calling my name. There's only one thing left to do when that happens . . . open up the wallet and drop some coin!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acrazygolfer Posted March 9, 2007 Report Share Posted March 9, 2007 There's only one thing left to do when that happens . . . open up the wallet and drop some coin!! Amen to that Blader X! Personal delivery by the current owner after I'm stepping off of the 18 greens tomorrow afternoon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheHawkmc Posted March 10, 2007 Report Share Posted March 10, 2007 (edited) I just received my X-Drive 460 9.5 (stock XD-60 S shaft). I couldn't resist when no one was watching an eBay auction last week. It was at an obscenely low price (still in the plastic)!! I wish it wasn't so late on the East Coast or I'd be tempted to lauch a few between the neighbor's houses..... This is one great looking driver. The head looks slightly smaller than my beloved G2, but defintely deeper! More to come this weekend when I get to the range. I can't wait to see the ball flight, sound, feel and control. Does anyone know where the X-Drive's are made? Edited March 10, 2007 by TheHawkmc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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