Fujikura MCI80 vs Roddio i8 vs Crazy LYI Neo S

[FrankThong]

Some initial thoughts on the MCI in comparison with the i8 and Neos, which have been played on either my 302 or 502. This is my personal experience, of course, and since I'm far from a decent reviewer, do take what I say with a pinch, or a fistful, of salt.

The MCI80 flex is R, Roddio i8 is SR and LYI Neo is S. They are all quite similar in weight, with the Neo being the lightest at 70+g, while the other 2 are over 80g.

Of the 3, I feel the Neos launch highest, with a low kick-point and a very lively tip. I think it imparts the highest spin too, which is not necessarily a bad thing with irons. With my swing, these go really high, too high for my liking -- a 5-iron flying around 160m would stick its landing. I experienced a half-club lost of distance while these were on the 302s and I feel the harder I whack it, the higher, not farther, the ball goes. I've had some really positive feedback about these shafts; a couple of my regular buds love them, especially that 'Crazy kick', but perhaps these are not that suitable for me?

The i8 launch lower and, for my swing, gives the most penetrating trajectory on my 502. By far my favorite graphite iron shaft, and I've gamed quite a few from 4-5 star Honmas in the past to Matrix Oziks and Radixes. Of the shafts recommended on the Epons that I've not tried, namely the Quadra and Graphite Designs, I cannot imagine they could out-perform the i8 in my books. You can go into overdrive at it or finesse it, the i8 feels like it can take anything you throw at it. Best iron shaft I've gamed. Did I say that again? ;)

The MCI launch the lowest of the lot. It feels the stiffest of the lot, even though it's R. Though I've only played 1 round, I can safely say that it holds its line very well. Could be my imagination, but I found some shots actually went straighter that I'd expect. Hit a few out of the rough, shot away like a bullet under some trees, straight as an arrow, where I thought it might veer left. The pro working at my fitter's, who originally thought my i8 were magic, has now shifted his lust towards the MCI. I'll probably need a few more rounds to understand his love affair but of the lot, the MCI was by far the most 'controlled' shaft -- my choice for tight courses, small greens.

[Ian-500]

I have the Roddio i-10, so I'm glad your favourite is the i-8. I haven't gamed mine yet (weather is pants), but I've had 1 range session with the PW and 7i.

I've gamed Quadra 100i in 'S' flex so I can give a quick comparison. The Roddio in 'SX' flex feels heavier and stiffer. Quadra was longer, easily. PW in Roddio hiting about 130yds. I think the Quadra was about 140 - 145yds. It seemed to hang in the air forever. I had Yamaha Tour in the Quadra and Srixon Pro 100 in the Roddio. The Yamaha PW was 46* and the Srixon is 48*, so this definitely had something to do with the extra distance, but the Quadra seemed to kick more with a softer feel. Whether the Quadra is softer feeling has to do with the s20 steel of the Yamaha or not I don't know. With the 7i I think the Roddio is lower, something I definitely wanted to see. I think they're lower than Modus 3 too. No noticable difference in height in the PW. The Quadra went left more so than the Roddio, possibly due to the weaker flex. My fitter said the Quadra CPM'd out at 'R' flex!!

I would love to try the Quadra in the 'Pro' flex, as I think they would be a better comparison flex-wise, but overall I would recommend you try the Quadra shafts, for the feel if nothing else :)

In an ideal world I'd have the ballflight and control of the Roddio with the feel and kick of the Quadra. They both look great :)