The Epon 502 Forged Iron Info & Pic Thread!

[+TourSpecGolfer]

For those of you who haven't read the post Epon has changed their online sales policy for TSG allowing us to offer the product to our members in North America only once again. If you have a North American address and have any interest in the new Epon product please feel free to PM myself or Gocchin.

Here is the skinny on the new 502 Irons:

Production Method: Super Precision Forged

Body: J.I.S S20C

Face: Super Spring Steel

Hardness Rating: approx HRB80

Finish: Nickel Chrome

Made in Japan

The target customer for the Epon 502 Forged Iron is the player who wants a combo of playability with forgiveness and extra distance.

The high COR iron with variable face thickness also features a hollow body that is filled with a special alpha gel material to enhance feel by muting vibration, it makes the head feel softer as well.

The distance is noticeably longer than other forged irons on the market, think AF701 with less offset, thinner topline, much better feel and the same ultra long distance.

If you would like to see comparrison pics between the new Epon models vs the older ones let us know in this thread, I will do my best to keep it updated.

[Randy]

I would like to see comparison pics of the AF 502 and the older model. These look really good and have my interest. Forgiveness wise, what would the AF 502s compare to? All the JDM irons I have or have tried have been more players CBs, so although they are not not JDM, would the 502s be as forgiving as the Titleist AP1 or Mizuno Mx-300 (irons I have tested)? Although I really don't want to admit it, I really do need irons with more forgiveness.

Aloha

Randy

Edited November 23, 2009 by Randy

[appilags]

It would be great to see some photos of the cavity design in the longer irons?

Cheers.

[+TourSpecGolfer]

Here you go guys, from my perspective the 502 is a hair longer heel to toe with a thinner topline than the 501 model.

Overall it looks better, feels better, its long like the 701 but more consistent in distance control and much more forgiving. I know that may sound too good to be true but it is an improvement in just about every category there is. I think epon really thought out the design and performance extremely well for their new 2010 products.

[bcass]

Can you show pictures of the 701s side by side with the 502s?

Thanks,

Brad

http://www.tourspecgolf.com/gallery/main.p...7-2/162_001.jpg[/img]

Here you go guys, from my perspective the 502 is a hair longer heel to toe with a thinner topline than the 501 model.

Overall it looks better, feels better, its long like the 701 but more consistent in distance control and much more forgiving. I know that may sound too good to be true but it is an improvement in just about every category there is. I think epon really thought out the design and performance extremely well for their new 2010 products.

Edited December 10, 2009 by bcass

[appilags]

I guess it's hard for me to be completely objective, as I own the 501s and love them, but I can't say that I prefer the aesthetics of the 502.

The one feature that appears to be a big plus with the 502 is that leading edge grind, which looks to be very similar to the AF-Tour. I demo'd those before purchasing my 501s and it was a truly a standout feature for me when it came to their performance.

Anyone comments from 502 users regarding the sole grind?

[jacksonlui]

really nice clubs but really expensive too.

what are some good shaft combos with these 502's?

[Spoon]

really nice clubs but really expensive too.

what are some good shaft combos with these 502's?

i am using the ns950s Weight flow shafts. they are awesome . have a couple of other shafts lined up for use but these are money on the 502s.

[corky3]

i am using the ns950s Weight flow shafts. they are awesome . have a couple of other shafts lined up for use but these are money on the 502s.

are these different fro the regular 950's ? I guess the are just weight selected for each iron?

[Spoon]

are these different fro the regular 950's ? I guess the are just weight selected for each iron?

950wf or weight flow are ascending weight models, lighter on longs and progressively heavier on the shorts.

[bcass]

Hey Spoon:

How would you rate the forgiveness of the 502s? What irons would compare, AP2, MP52?

I sold my KZG Evolutions, had distance control problems. I am currently playing 701s with nspro 1050 stiff. They are point and shoot, long and forgiving. They are clicky, I put sensicore inserts in which helped, I was having pain in my right elbow.

Thanks,

Brad

[Spoon]

Hey Spoon:

How would you rate the forgiveness of the 502s? What irons would compare, AP2, MP52?

I sold my KZG Evolutions, had distance control problems. I am currently playing 701s with nspro 1050 stiff. They are point and shoot, long and forgiving. They are clicky, I put sensicore inserts in which helped, I was having pain in my right elbow.

Thanks,

Brad

brad,

i am a 2 year af701 user. these clubs are sick and soo long. also more forgiving than anything i have had in my arsenal of jdm sticks. after trying the af502s i decided to get one because they were not that difficult to hot and forgiveness for me is a tad less than the 701. when i say a tad less i mean marginal. plus you have the advantage of working the ball a bit.

they are soft too and gone is the clickly sound of the 501. the alpha gel is revolutionary. it is soo soft and dampens unwanted vibrations on mis**ts.. i say demo them you wont be dissapointed

[idrive]

Well...

They showed up...

I just played 5 days in a row with them.

Big difference from the 1st day to the 5th day. They're a little different from what I'd been playing. Slightly bigger, wider sole which I don't really care for. The grind itself on the irons is an excellent grind. At this point they're as versatile as I've played. Divots were smooth and shallow. They are not diggers.

I've got bad news 501 owners. Yes I owned a set. Played about 20 rounds with them.

The 502's aren't just a little bit better but ALOT better. They feel better and are more forgiving.

The difference in feel is like going from the 501's to the Blades. That's the bad news for the 501 users. The good news is if you are looking for this type of iron, or were thinking about replacing the 501's, these are amazing soft and forgiving.

Edited December 19, 2009 by idrive

[+TourSpecGolfer]

[Randy]

I didn't see it in the ProShop, but is there any chance of getting a 50 degree matching AW? It may be a mental thing, but I want all my irons to match down to as close to 50 degrees as I can get.

Mahalo

Randy

[gocchin]

I didn't see it in the ProShop, but is there any chance of getting a 50 degree matching AW? It may be a mental thing, but I want all my irons to match down to as close to 50 degrees as I can get.

Mahalo

Randy

Hi Randy,

There is now AW or SW for the AF-502 unfortunately.

[Spoon]

The 502's aren't just a little bit better but ALOT better. They feel better and are more forgiving.

The difference in feel is like going from the 501's to the Blades. That's the bad news for the 501 users. The good news is if you are looking for this type of iron, or were thinking about replacing the 501's, these are amazing soft and forgiving.

mr J summed it up.

im surprised though you went for this instead of the 302. i wouldnt be surprised though if you had a 302 as well:)

[Goodsie]

Mr. "C",

I, too, am puzzled by the lack of reviews or comments about the AF302 Iron. On the landscape of all Golf Gear, the 301 is considered to be one of the very best Iron designs for feel and performance so it follows that the 302 should be an improvement and "raves" should be flooding in. Hmmmm!!

[+TourSpecGolfer]

I'll get a review up with more pics soon, its an excellent iron for sure but people are ordering the 502's over the 302's for some reason.

[Spoon]

Mr. "C",

I, too, am puzzled by the lack of reviews or comments about the AF302 Iron. On the landscape of all Golf Gear, the 301 is considered to be one of the very best Iron designs for feel and performance so it follows that the 302 should be an improvement and "raves" should be flooding in. Hmmmm!!

weve built a couple of sets of 302, not as much though as the 502. however i have a friend that has tested the and reviewed the 302. i will ask him to chime in

[Randy]

Hi Randy,

There is now AW or SW for the AF-502 unfortunately.

Since there is no AW, how much negative impact would there be on the club if PW was bent to 47 or 48 and other irons bent the same amount? I know bounce would go up, but would it be to much?

Thanks

Randy

[idrive]

Remember this is just my personal opinion/observation

These irons have a 45* loft PW

They also have a generous/excellent sole grind with plenty of bounce and a wider sole compared to a players CB or Blade.

Bending these 2-3* strong would add 2-3* of bounce respectively.

That's just too much bounce for these irons. I would strongly recommend NOT doing it. The only exception would be if you always play on very soft, thick (a little bit longer grass) fairways or if extreme digging, deep divots is a problem.

Also, a good chance of having the chrome crinkle or flake off. Epon won't do it for you unless they strip the finish, bend it and then refinish it.

Get a Sky Dream Jump DP2010 51* and bend it to 50* (That's what I did) Best thing that's ever happened to me.

[Randy]

Remember this is just my personal opinion/observation

These irons have a 45* loft PW

They also have a generous/excellent sole grind with plenty of bounce and a wider sole compared to a players CB or Blade.

Bending these 2-3* strong would add 2-3* of bounce respectively.

That's just too much bounce for these irons. I would strongly recommend NOT doing it. The only exception would be if you always play on very soft, thick (a little bit longer grass) fairways or if extreme digging, deep divots is a problem.

Also, a good chance of having the chrome crinkle or flake off. Epon won't do it for you unless they strip the finish, bend it and then refinish it.

Get a Sky Dream Jump DP2010 51* and bend it to 50* (That's what I did) Best thing that's ever happened to me.

Appreciate the feedback. Think I will order the Sky Dream Jump DP2010 51* and see how that works out and make a decision on the 502s.

Thanks

Randy

[khgolf]

Mine arrived last night on the UPS truck. Before this I had only seen pictures so I opened the box and they are beautiful. Everything looks clean and I like the way they look at setup with very little offset. My only concern is the soles and bounce. To me they look like Game improvement soles but no where else on the club do I get that feeling. Tennessee is home for me so I'm worried about the bounce on our hard ground come summertime. Let me know your thougths on this?

Now in saying all that this is my first set of JDM so are the sole profiles different to more suit weather conditions there? I know I'm probably jumping the gun and once I finally get to hit them I want even notice.

[jacksonlui]

too bad the pw is so strong, they're going the wrong way

they should leave the pw as 48 and add in a gw at 52 to complete a 5-gw set and jack the price up 200

that will make for a compelling set