Easton EQ50 Stick

[goaliemanshark 6]

Wow... interesting...! Make sure to give us a very detailed review!

Do the weights like rattle around at all when you shake the stick? Marraca and hockey stick built in!

How hard is the end plug to take in and out? What about for us people that prefer the hollow feel of a stick with no endplug? Am i going to have a blade heavy stick?

The graphics look much better close up im glad. I want one :(

[JR Boucicaut 3797]

I'll have my stick pretty soon.

[Scotty 8]

Purely from a visuals standpoint, I think that thing looks like Hell. I understand that Easton is often designing sticks and their graphics up to two years prior, but that thing resembles the ST too closely in terms of color and looks like they gave a 15-year old freshman a blank stick with a box of crayons that had 3 colors in it. I'm not asking for flash and dash, Warrior-esque graphics, or anything mindblowing, but Easton's always been decent with their stuff. But a black stick with pure white text and some orange swirls?

[hyprlte 0]

Wow... interesting...! Make sure to give us a very detailed review!

Do the weights like rattle around at all when you shake the stick? Marraca and hockey stick built in!

How hard is the end plug to take in and out? What about for us people that prefer the hollow feel of a stick with no endplug? Am i going to have a blade heavy stick?

The graphics look much better close up im glad. I want one :(

Weights have not rattled around at all. Taking out the end plug is just like any other stick.. you need to use a bit of muscle, but then it comes right out. When i held the stick without the end plug it felt a tad off balance, but nothing extreme. I have yet to try it though.

[Jarick 5]

I'm not knocking the stick because it sounds really great, but does anyone find it odd that we've gone from a short shaft with a heavy wooden blade and wood plug on the other end, to a light one piece that removed all the weight from the blade joint and was long enough to not need a plug, and now a stick that has weights in the heel and plug?

[JR Boucicaut 3797]

Um, options?

[raganblink 82]

Purely from a visuals standpoint, I think that thing looks like Hell. I understand that Easton is often designing sticks and their graphics up to two years prior, but that thing resembles the ST too closely in terms of color and looks like they gave a 15-year old freshman a blank stick with a box of crayons that had 3 colors in it. I'm not asking for flash and dash, Warrior-esque graphics, or anything mindblowing, but Easton's always been decent with their stuff. But a black stick with pure white text and some orange swirls?

it looks 100 times better in person. And non-grip looks amazing. The rest of the line (40,30,20) look extremely well done, too. Very happy with this product.

[hyprlte 0]

I think the photos don't do it justice either. I compared the two last night and I can see how there is a resemblance of the ST there, but there is a big difference up close IMO

[#96 0]

Um, options?

Still gimmicky IMHO. I'm really interested to see what kind of attention this stick draws from the Pros. I mean, you're talking about guys (Pros) that are notoriously superstitious and unwilling to commit to ideas and concepts that really shake the foundations. How many other things have we've seen come and go, and totally lacked the Pro commitment? I have a hard time believing those guys are gonna buy into a stick that they have to add little weights too, keep a butt end, etc.

Then again, they can paint the crap out of an S19 and make the buying public think it's an EQ50. Genius!

[Scotty 8]

More than likely they'll be painting Easton STs and older SEs to resemble the EQ50.

[JR Boucicaut 3797]

Still gimmicky IMHO. I'm really interested to see what kind of attention this stick draws from the Pros. I mean, you're talking about guys (Pros) that are notoriously superstitious and unwilling to commit to ideas and concepts that really shake the foundations. How many other things have we've seen come and go, and totally lacked the Pro commitment? I have a hard time believing those guys are gonna buy into a stick that they have to add little weights too, keep a butt end, etc.

Then again, they can paint the crap out of an S19 and make the buying public think it's an EQ50. Genius!

The envelope-pushing is at retail, not at pro. Thought this would have been already established by now.

But if you have to need a pro to validate whatever product you choose to use, I can't help you there - we'd still be using 8 yr old skates, gloves and sticks. But you can't blame any manufacturer (and they all have done it) when it comes to trying out new concepts.

[DarkStar50 679]

Most consumers do need to see pro exposure of a product to validate the product for them. When a consumer sees the product in game conditions, it gives the consumer security in purchasing the product. Right now there is no better example of this concept than the MLX skate! Here is a product that is already offered on a direct purchase to the consumer who has never had the opportunity to even hold the skate! And the reason guys are willing to lay out $800 sight unseen is simply because the skate has been worn in the NHL. This exposure has validated the product for the consumer. Then on the other side is how not getting a product into the NHL stalls the sell-through of a product. Here the perfect example is the Cascade helmet. With little to no NHL exposure, Cascade had to take a hyper-aggressive marketing route with consumers to validate their product. It would not have been completely necessary to do if Cascade had gotten any strong initial representation of their helmet in the NHL. As an equipment buyer for a shop, NHL exposure is the first hurdle that a vendor must cross to validate their product for consumers. More than half the battle is won right there to determine the product's overall success in retail.

[Gefiltefish 9]

I hope they make this stick extra-long so the weight system still applies for those of us that like longer-than-standard sticks. They are making the new 115-flex ST with a 64-65 inch length... I would hope the EQ50 comes in a length like that to begin with. For the shorter players or those who like a shorter stick, it should not matter much as long as the flex line is at the same place as it is with standard 60-61 inch length sticks from Easton... Just some extra material to cut off. On the otherhand, it allows us taller players/people that like long sticks to take advantage of that weighted balance system.

I am a big Easton stick supporter, especially the ST and Synergy lines (and I just bought an S19 as well), so I would love to try this stick - but I like 63" lengths and think this would be too blade heavy without the counter balance.

[JR Boucicaut 3797]

Most consumers do need to see pro exposure of a product to validate the product for them. When a consumer sees the product in game conditions, it gives the consumer security in purchasing the product. Right now there is no better example of this concept than the MLX skate! Here is a product that is already offered on a direct purchase to the consumer who has never had the opportunity to even hold the skate! And the reason guys are willing to lay out $800 sight unseen is simply because the skate has been worn in the NHL. This exposure has validated the product for the consumer. Then on the other side is how not getting a product into the NHL stalls the sell-through of a product. Here the perfect example is the Cascade helmet. With little to no NHL exposure, Cascade had to take a hyper-aggressive marketing route with consumers to validate their product. It would not have been completely necessary to do if Cascade had gotten any strong initial representation of their helmet in the NHL. As an equipment buyer for a shop, NHL exposure is the first hurdle that a vendor must cross to validate their product for consumers. More than half the battle is won right there to determine the product's overall success in retail.

Right, I understand that. And you will see it at pro, but MOST consumers won't know that it is a repainted stick, nor will most consumers be privy to that information anyway.

I answered #96's question on a purely tech standpoint.

[DarkStar50 679]

No problem, just wanted to clarify what can ultimately sell product at retail.

[TBLfan 25]

I think Easton will be in trouble if they keep investing more time in a retail product instead of advancing material technology for pros. Bauer has come a long way and they're still pushing hard, if Easton and Warrior continue to spin wheels with performance they might be paying for it in 2-3 years. Less pro exposure can and will hurt retail sales.

[Scotty 8]

I think Easton will be in trouble if they keep investing more time in a retail product instead of advancing material technology for pros. Bauer has come a long way and they're still pushing hard, if Easton and Warrior continue to spin wheels with performance they might be paying for it in 2-3 years. Less pro exposure can and will hurt retail sales.

What has Bauer done in terms of material technology for sticks?

[#96 0]

I think Easton will be in trouble if they keep investing more time in a retail product instead of advancing material technology for pros. Bauer has come a long way and they're still pushing hard, if Easton and Warrior continue to spin wheels with performance they might be paying for it in 2-3 years. Less pro exposure can and will hurt retail sales.

TBL - I agree. Bauer does appear to have garnered a lot more visibility (at the Pro Level) and therefore, I'm sure has helped visibility in the retail sector. Going by DarkStar's point, the two kinda go hand-in-hand. Pro gets the attention for the retail market. And let's face it, manufacturers need retail sales to keep afloat. Has any company with a strictly Pro level presence done well enough for itself without hitting retail? I don't really know, but I would guess not, save for a few niche items.

JR - I totally hear ya. I wasn't really saying that I needed to see a Pro using something before I would use it. With that said, a true Pro would want to use the best tools at his disposal...hockey player, electrician, etc., etc. So if a Pro isn't using something to make their game better, why would I??? But again, anything can look like something else when it comes to a paintjob. I think you were alluding to something else, which was, that technology doesn't progress unless envelopes are pushed. So if takes a retail market to test something, tweak and ultimately make a product better or a breakthrough, then so be it. Your point, a strong one, is completely understood.

[TBLfan 25]

What has Bauer done in terms of material technology for sticks?

Grab a XXXlite or XXXX stick then try a X:60. Look at how many people like the one95 stick compared to the one90. They've come a long way in a relatively short time and it's very apparent.

Since the SL and CNT it's been downhill from Easton, in my opinion. Since the SL all they've been doing is trying to make it more durable. The ST hasn't changed. The Stealth series hit the crapper. I haven't used the S19 but the S17 was horrible and the S19's blade, in store, feels too soft to me. I don't think anyone would claim that Bauer's sticks are in a decline and they are doing it without odd tapers or adding speed holes.

[gxc999 7]

Having not used it, I'm not sure what to think. However, my favorite sticks are pro stocks with the hollowed out, shaved extensions at a "heavy"445-450 grams. I tend to think there are more important areas where improvements could be made, but that's just me...

[MattKingDelToro 2]

Are there different graphics for the clear and the grip?

Also, looks like Easton's working on a product page... http://eastonhockey.com/eq50-2.html

[raganblink 82]

Yes. just read part of this thread and you'd have ur answer. its blacker and imo looks a lot better

[chippa13 1844]

I think Easton will be in trouble if they keep investing more time in a retail product instead of advancing material technology for pros. Bauer has come a long way and they're still pushing hard, if Easton and Warrior continue to spin wheels with performance they might be paying for it in 2-3 years. Less pro exposure can and will hurt retail sales.

I think Warrior has already proven that you don't have to advance your technology so long as your marketing makes your gear and company look edgy. They've got plenty of pros using their sticks and outside of this site, most folks don't know that they just keep repainting old technology.

Easton will be just fine. First they had guys who held onto their old aluminums (Shanahan), then guys who clung for dear life to the CNT (Green)..........maybe next you'll have Hall buying up all of the leftover S19's or whatever it is that he'll use. Easton may not advance too much on the pro aspect but they've got such a strong retail pressence that kids are growing up with whatever Easton's latest offering is.

[Chadd 916]

I think Warrior has already proven that you don't have to advance your technology so long as your marketing makes your gear and company look edgy. They've got plenty of pros using their sticks and outside of this site, most folks don't know that they just keep repainting old technology.

Easton will be just fine. First they had guys who held onto their old aluminums (Shanahan), then guys who clung for dear life to the CNT (Green)..........maybe next you'll have Hall buying up all of the leftover S19's or whatever it is that he'll use. Easton may not advance too much on the pro aspect but they've got such a strong retail pressence that kids are growing up with whatever Easton's latest offering is.

To be fair, Warrior does a lot of tweaking for their pros. The fitting software is really interesting.

[TBLfan 25]

I think Warrior has already proven that you don't have to advance your technology so long as your marketing makes your gear and company look edgy. They've got plenty of pros using their sticks and outside of this site, most folks don't know that they just keep repainting old technology.

Easton will be just fine. First they had guys who held onto their old aluminums (Shanahan), then guys who clung for dear life to the CNT (Green)..........maybe next you'll have Hall buying up all of the leftover S19's or whatever it is that he'll use. Easton may not advance too much on the pro aspect but they've got such a strong retail pressence that kids are growing up with whatever Easton's latest offering is.

Like Chadd said, Warrior does a lot of work selling pros on their sticks, including insanely quick turnaround. As strong as Warrior came on, they've already lost some of that marketshare. As time goes by and if the gap widens you don't think many players would go with the newer technology that performs better? You don't see many aluminums or wood sticks anymore do you?

How many years in a row had Easton run ads about having the most goals coming off their sticks in the playoffs and Stanley Cup finals? This year Bauer ran the ad via Twitter. Like we've seen with Warrior's marketshare, pro usage translates into retail sales.

Shanahan and Green wanted to keep using the same stick but what does that tell the customer about the new product? Nearly everyone watching the playoffs that year heard Mike Green basically bash the new Easton stick line, that doesn't seem like much of a selling point for the S17/S19.