Shot release. Do you feel it's the stick or the shooter?

[kovalchuk71 212]

I agree.. and disagree. I definitely think getting the right flex profile, especially when you're still mastering your shot, is key. So I agree there but to some degree, I think the quality of a stick will outweighs not having the best-fitted flex profile.

I prefer a low kick or smooth mid kick (nexus, tacks), but I would still play better with a MX3 (high kick and least ideal personally) than a mid to low price point 4052 or X700 stick. Just my .02.

See, I don't agree with that. My shot is noticeably harder with my Vapor X800 compared to my MX3. Both are the same flex too. I have trouble loading the MX3, but with the X800, it's effortless.

[IW Team - Chase 184]

See, I don't agree with that. My shot is noticeably harder with my Vapor X800 compared to my MX3. Both are the same flex too. I have trouble loading the MX3, but with the X800, it's effortless.

And I don't blame ya, I think it can be quite subjective. Honestly not tooting my own horn here and I mean this generally, some people may be more entrenched to shooting with a specific kick point whereas others are a little more apt to bounce around. For me, using the carbon/fiberglass shaft with my ideal "KP", let alone a full fiberglass shaft with my ideal "KP", just wasn't responsive enough for me to the point where I could manipulate the high kicking MX3 to do what I wanted it to do, better than the X700.

Here's some more food for thought. A "short motion low KP" shooter should be able to adapt to the "mid motion mid KP" a lot easier than if they tried the "full motion high KP". How was your experience with Nexus?

And also, your shot should release quicker, not harder with the QRT on the X800 compared to your MX3.

[60PlusWinger 82]

Personally I think the single most important factor is the flex of the stick. If you have a stick that is too stiff for example, you won't be loading anything you will just be slapping the puck around.

1. Correct flex if you're a beginner. If you are not a beginner and have strong technique, are accurate and can take any kind of shot that is when you can start messing with your preference to fine tune in terms of flex but only at that time.

2. Curve is the second most important variable. Certain play styles warrant certain curves and if you can't handle the puck you are only half as value as you could be as a shooter.

3. Flex profile. Here we go. I can shoot efficiently with any flex profile if it the correct flex but this is when the fine tuning part comes in. I think your shots have to be technically sound before you can start being picky in terms of flex profile because only once you are shooting the puck correctly will you notice a difference between them.

Overall I feel that if you put any top of the line stick in my hand I can shoot well with it, or very good if the FLEX part is on my side. Flex is everything because it can be the right flex profile all day long but if it's too stiff you won't be flexing any profile.

[kovalchuk71 212]

And I don't blame ya, I think it can be quite subjective. Honestly not tooting my own horn here and I mean this generally, some people may be more entrenched to shooting with a specific kick point whereas others are a little more apt to bounce around. For me, using the carbon/fiberglass shaft with my ideal "KP", let alone a full fiberglass shaft with my ideal "KP", just wasn't responsive enough for me to the point where I could manipulate the high kicking MX3 to do what I wanted it to do, better than the X700.

Here's some more food for thought. A "short motion low KP" shooter should be able to adapt to the "mid motion mid KP" a lot easier than if they tried the "full motion high KP". How was your experience with Nexus?

And also, your shot should release quicker, not harder with the QRT on the X800 compared to your MX3.

Of course. I was just getting at the point that it's all subjective. Do I prefer the feel of the MX3 over the Vapor? You bet. I just happen to shoot better with it because it works for my shooting style. That's about the only thing I like about the stick, actually.

And Bauer would have you think it would only be quicker (not harder), but IMO that's a bunch of mumbo jumbo. Both aspects are better for me (speed and release) with the Vapor.

[All Flash 49]

Speed is power....

[IW Team - Chase 184]

And Bauer would have you think it would only be quicker (not harder), but IMO that's a bunch of mumbo jumbo. Both aspects are better for me (speed and release) with the Vapor.

The 1X loads and releases quicker than any previous Bauer stick while the MX3 shoots harder (more MPH on the gun for All Flash) than any previous Bauer stick. While there is a lot of "mumbo jumbo" on the market, you can't just disregard facts because they're trying to sell you on R&D that's finally coming to fruition after many years. I'm still curious if you've played with the Nexus and if you did, if you felt it tailored to your game better than Supreme even though you're more of a low-kick shooter.

[kovalchuk71 212]

The 1X loads and releases quicker than any previous Bauer stick while the MX3 shoots harder (more MPH on the gun for All Flash) than any previous Bauer stick. While there is a lot of "mumbo jumbo" on the market, you can't just disregard facts because they're trying to sell you on R&D that's finally coming to fruition after many years. I'm still curious if you've played with the Nexus and if you did, if you felt it tailored to your game better than Supreme even though you're more of a low-kick shooter.

Finally coming to fruition? Eh. I side with others that say stick tech really hasn't changed much over the last 5+ years. Materials and manufacturing processes have just become more efficient, allowing the lower end sticks to be much lighter and perform much better than in years past.

I mean the Nexus (G3) is nothing new. That was essentially the Old SyNergy's flex profile.

[60PlusWinger 82]

To put this to bed. G3 is a custom flex profile. You don't know what you're getting. A G3 pro flex profile can be 3 different specs throughout the stick it is not really "Nexus" or "Nexus 1000". Ovechkin is an example. His stick is "G3" and he has a fused one piece with two different types of weave between the shaft and blade. Nexus is simply a mid kick stick with textreme carbon throughout. G3 isn't Nexus it's Frankenstein

[IW Team - Chase 184]

Finally coming to fruition? Eh. I side with others that say stick tech really hasn't changed much over the last 5+ years. Materials and manufacturing processes have just become more efficient, allowing the lower end sticks to be much lighter and perform much better than in years past.

I mean the Nexus (G3) is nothing new. That was essentially the Old SyNergy's flex profile.

The 1X has a new taper (first new Vapor taper in 5 years). It loads 20% faster, and recoils 28% faster than the APX2. What more do you want? lol.

The thoroughness of Bauer's R&D process is really quite impressive, I think people take that for granted, not just for Bauer but everyone else in the market too. These guys just can't make everyone happy but I tip my cap to 'em though! Not to mention the new tooling for this year's Vapor line cost Bauer a good amount of money, let alone how much $ was poured into the R&D.

And I guess you don't wanna tell me how the Nexus felt, if you've even used it.

[kovalchuk71 212]

The 1X has a new taper (first new Vapor taper in 5 years). It loads 20% faster, and recoils 28% faster than the APX2. What more do you want? lol.

The thoroughness of Bauer's R&D process is really quite impressive, I think people take that for granted, not just for Bauer but everyone else in the market too. These guys just can't make everyone happy but I tip my cap to 'em though! Not to mention the new tooling for this year's Vapor line cost Bauer a good amount of money, let alone how much $ was poured into the R&D.

And I guess you don't wanna tell me how the Nexus felt, if you've even used it.

Please don't credit the QR taper to Bauer's R&D department. That one was 100% Warrior, which has been around for 5 years or so now (since the original Widow). Bauer simply took the Dagger Taper concept and ran with it. I'm not trying to pick a fight here, so I don't why you're responses are getting more and more hostile towards me. Bauers R&D is impressive, but I still stand by my statement.

I haven't used a Nexus long enough to give you any solid thoughts about it. Is that an adequate answer for you?

[IW Team - Chase 184]

Me either, gotta love friendly banter though! To me, the bottom line is that Bauer delivered a new product that significantly outperforms the previous generation, which has been one of the most popular stick lines for the last 5 years or so. Albeit, it wasn't a game-changing advancement in their stick tech.

Ah oh well, was hoping to test out my previous theory ha.

[kovalchuk71 212]

Me either, gotta love friendly banter though! To me, the bottom line is that Bauer delivered a new product that significantly outperforms the previous generation, which has been one of the most popular stick lines for the last 5 years or so. Albeit, it wasn't a game-changing advancement in their stick tech.

Ah oh well, was hoping to test out my previous theory ha.

Fair enough :). I'm going to grab a few 8000s when we close them out at the shop. I'll give you an informed opinion then lol.

I will say that the best releasing stick I've used in the last 5 years or so is the STX Stallion, so I have a feeling I'll like the Nexus.

[Chadd 916]

I will say that the best releasing stick I've used in the last 5 years or so is the STX Stallion...

I am absolutely in love with that stick as well. Excellent release and extremely consistent.

[kovalchuk71 212]

I am absolutely in love with that stick as well. Excellent release and extremely consistent.

I 100% agree with this statement. The kick and consistency during shooting are both top notch.

[Chadd 916]

I 100% agree with this statement. The kick and consistency during shooting are both top notch.

The new sticks are out next week, the 600 is really nice and the 400 is actually one hell of a stick for the price point.

[kovalchuk71 212]

The new sticks are out next week, the 600 is really nice and the 400 is actually one hell of a stick for the price point.

That's reassuring. Most companies usually find a way to ruin an already great stick with the next release.

[GoalForFun 176]

I think it's mostly shooter, but the stick definitely factors in.

Case in point: I bought some APX2 sticks because my rack needed an upgrade (the newest thing I was using was a RBK 7V* that had broken at the blade so I made it into a tapered 2-piece.) My shot was slow and not super accurate with it. But with the APX2 my shot rockets off the blade and is so much more accurate than it was with the RBK.

The APX2 is a 95 flex, then 7V* is an 85 that feels super whippy so probably closer to 75-80.

[decoy 164]

Please don't credit the QR taper to Bauer's R&D department. That one was 100% Warrior, which has been around for 5 years or so now (since the original Widow). Bauer simply took the Dagger Taper concept and ran with it. I'm not trying to pick a fight here, so I don't why you're responses are getting more and more hostile towards me. Bauers R&D is impressive, but I still stand by my statement.

Easton's Elliptical Profile?

[kovalchuk71 212]

Easton's Elliptical Profile?

Different concept. The elliptical taper was aimed at reducing torque

[60PlusWinger 82]

Totally different concept. The elliptical taper was aimed at reducing torque

I would like you to splain this torque reducing witch craft

[decoy 164]

Different concept. The elliptical taper was aimed at reducing torque

I wouldn't say that they are totally different, but I think we can agree that both (and 1X) are all thin taper, low-kick, quick release sticks.

[kovalchuk71 212]

I wouldn't say that they are totally different, but I think we can agree that both (and 1X) are all thin taper, low-kick, quick release sticks.

For the most part, yes. Oddly enough, the Stealth series is almost a low mid kick (at least the s17/19/RS were). The KP was above the elliptical area because it was too stiff to flex.

[GoalForFun 176]

I would like you to splain this torque reducing witch craft

The idea is the torque can't twist the portion of the shaft that's rounded because there's no flat sides for the majority of the torsional force to act on. But that really only works if the shaft is circular.

Oh well.

[60PlusWinger 82]

I mean honestly I like my Easton HTX more than I like my MX3. I used both tonight in my games and I migrated towards my HTX.