Custom Bats Cricket Forum

Companies => Off-the-shelf companies => Gray Nicolls => Topic started by: blocka on January 05, 2014, 09:08:11 AM

Title: Custombats forum made me do it!
Post by: blocka on January 05, 2014, 09:08:11 AM
I was relatively happy with my E41, kinda wanted the middle just a tad lower but it seemed to be a good meaty bat, not too heavy and a great ping.  Although since being here I realised I can't be a real batsman without a collection.  So it has started.  Picked up an X181 1000LE in a 40% off sale ($499AUD reduced to $299)
The middle is a little lower than the E41.
The good -  it's slightly lighter 2.8 v 2.10 and the middle is longer thanks to the offset edge.
The bad - The lightness comes from more concaving which makes the middle narrower however the edges still seem to ping well with the mallet.

The orginal plan was to use the X181 as my shorter game bat but I think I might do the opposite as the longer middle will benefit all round strokes while the extra weight in the E41 will help with big shots.  Thinking I might go and pick up a cheap Dynadrive as a net bat ;)

(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a300/sv5000r/0AA7CD64-E329-447C-A09C-CE7F0D599F40_zpszdrccctg.jpg)
(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a300/sv5000r/D55FCAD7-155B-472C-94F4-73C108541326_zps7mvjmz4y.jpg) (http://s13.photobucket.com/user/sv5000r/media/D55FCAD7-155B-472C-94F4-73C108541326_zps7mvjmz4y.jpg.html)
(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a300/sv5000r/1CC8A71E-B957-4A22-A835-D00DDA1F871A_zps1cmxve7j.jpg) (http://s13.photobucket.com/user/sv5000r/media/1CC8A71E-B957-4A22-A835-D00DDA1F871A_zps1cmxve7j.jpg.html)
(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a300/sv5000r/3D90461B-1D43-49E9-8852-25E24D16303D_zpswf4rkaua.jpg) (http://s13.photobucket.com/user/sv5000r/media/3D90461B-1D43-49E9-8852-25E24D16303D_zpswf4rkaua.jpg.html)
(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a300/sv5000r/CF66671E-BB4A-47A1-9147-E51BB2DA6BFD_zpsinrxcvl1.jpg) (http://s13.photobucket.com/user/sv5000r/media/CF66671E-BB4A-47A1-9147-E51BB2DA6BFD_zpsinrxcvl1.jpg.html)
(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a300/sv5000r/1AEEB717-03D3-4286-923A-9738192FE239_zpsoisbqoox.jpg) (http://s13.photobucket.com/user/sv5000r/media/1AEEB717-03D3-4286-923A-9738192FE239_zpsoisbqoox.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Custombats forum made me do it!
Post by: blocka on January 05, 2014, 09:10:38 AM
Oh just an interesing note, the E41 1000LE is handcrafted in Australia whereas the X181 is designed in Australia and made in India.
Title: Re: Custombats forum made me do it!
Post by: Buzz on January 05, 2014, 09:11:19 AM
that's it, you blame the forum... outrageous. I can't believe this place would turn a one bat man into someone who isn't happy with three bats. shocking.

nice willow by the way.

;)
Title: Re: Custombats forum made me do it!
Post by: mussaduq on January 05, 2014, 04:52:02 PM
1000 le is one of the top grade from gray nicolls right ? And it's made in India, should be made in England ! Anyways the bat looks great
Title: Re: Custombats forum made me do it!
Post by: Chad on January 05, 2014, 04:57:05 PM
1000 le is one of the top grade from gray nicolls right ? And it's made in India, should be made in England ! Anyways the bat looks great

Just cause it is made in India, doesn't mean it isn't a top bat! ;)
Title: Re: Custombats forum made me do it!
Post by: Gingerbusiness on January 05, 2014, 05:08:42 PM
I am sure this will be a superb bat, just like many Gray Nics we have seen.

I have to admit, I am not impressed with the aesthetics of the willow creeping into Gray Nics top ranges.

My mate just spent £320 on a GN Powerbow Generation X and it looks no better than many other bats you can pay £150/£200 for.

Are they going the same way as M&H - grading mainly on performance, rather than looks?

PS. I personally would always grade on performance but to justify the £300/£400 bracket (Just like Paul @ ItsJustCricket said in his video) you want something with that WOW factor.
Title: Re: Custombats forum made me do it!
Post by: mussaduq on January 05, 2014, 05:41:20 PM
Just cause it is made in India, doesn't mean it isn't a top bat! ;)

Your definitely correct but at that price they should be made in England !
Title: Re: Custombats forum made me do it!
Post by: smokem on January 05, 2014, 05:50:21 PM
1000 le is one of the top grade from gray nicolls right ? And it's made in India, should be made in England ! Anyways the bat looks great
Well that particular one appears to have "handcrafted in Australia" branded into the edge so maybe not...?
Title: Re: Custombats forum made me do it!
Post by: Wedge2408 on January 05, 2014, 06:39:44 PM

Your definitely correct but at that price they should be made in England !

Gray nic Uk and Gray Nics Aus are somewhat separate, so the majority of the top of range GN bats sold in Australia are made in Australia, in Melbourne.
Title: Re: Custombats forum made me do it!
Post by: blocka on January 05, 2014, 06:42:44 PM
1000 le is one of the top grade from gray nicolls right ? And it's made in India, should be made in England ! Anyways the bat looks great
Yep I was surprised when I got it home and there was a tiny sticker on the toe that said made in India, my only thought is the X181 comes in one higher grade called the Xr1200 and I would assume that would at least be made in Aus
Title: Re: Custombats forum made me do it!
Post by: blocka on January 05, 2014, 06:49:16 PM
I am sure this will be a superb bat, just like many Gray Nics we have seen.

I have to admit, I am not impressed with the aesthetics of the willow creeping into Gray Nics top ranges.

My mate just spent £320 on a GN Powerbow Generation X and it looks no better than many other bats you can pay £150/£200 for.

Are they going the same way as M&H - grading mainly on performance, rather than looks?

PS. I personally would always grade on performance but to justify the £300/£400 bracket (Just like Paul @ ItsJustCricket said in his video) you want something with that WOW factor.

I totally agree, always been a Gray-Nics fan but have not been impressed with the looks of their "top" grade bats and if it wasn't for the fact I know how well my E41 performs I wouldn't have even bothered looking at another one and certainly not full RRP. The sad thing is this was the best looking one out of the 3 1000LE's in the store, one even had a knot below the stickers on the face which really worried me.

I'm hoping to get some bats from makers on the forum to prep for next summer and use the GN bats for the winter comp. thinking a Hammer 156 and a H4L NV that would really make for a nice collection.