Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Equipment => Bats => Topic started by: wayward_hayward on October 29, 2014, 11:47:56 AM
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So my latest October bat purchase was posted on the bargain spots thread yesterday and I took the plunge. It's a Mongoose Core3 Premium that was for sale through Amazon, not your normal place for cricket equipment. I will let the pictures do the talking first.
(http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad158/ncfcrgr8/Mobile%20Uploads/20141029_101747.jpg)
(http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad158/ncfcrgr8/Mobile%20Uploads/20141029_101758.jpg)
(http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad158/ncfcrgr8/Mobile%20Uploads/20141029_101805.jpg)
(http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad158/ncfcrgr8/Mobile%20Uploads/20141029_101829.jpg)
(http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad158/ncfcrgr8/Mobile%20Uploads/20141029_101906.jpg)
(http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad158/ncfcrgr8/Mobile%20Uploads/20141029_101942.jpg)
(http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad158/ncfcrgr8/Mobile%20Uploads/20141029_102012.jpg)
(http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad158/ncfcrgr8/Mobile%20Uploads/20141029_102114.jpg)
(http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad158/ncfcrgr8/Mobile%20Uploads/20141029_102138.jpg)
Initial thoughts
As you can probably tell from the photos, it's a beast of a thing. Considering how long Mongoose seem to have been around, I haven't seen many in shops so I didn't really know what to expect. I love the look of the pink and chrome stickers, they look and feel quality and really set it apart from all other brands. The finishing is ok, smooth face but the edge and toe could have seen a bit more attention.
Bat Profile
Well it is certainly something different! As you can tell from the comparison with my Salix, the bat is around an inch shorter in the blade. Furthermore, the profile keeps on growing the further down the bat you go until you reach the toe. THE TOE!!! Bloody Jesus it is huge, I can't quite get my head around it next to a normal sized bat. If only I could find the bloody tape measure! The bat weighs 2'8.5lbs and due to the weight of the toe, it's no super light pick up but certainly manageable.
Looks and Performance
Listed as a Grade two willow, the goose has 9 straight and even grains and would certainly be grade one if it wasn't for green/yellow marks on the inside edge. Pretty happy with it so no complaints about the grading. Moving onto the performance, it's not knocked in so needs some time this winter preparing it for the summer ahead. Response off the mallet feels good, not outstanding, and unsurprisingly pings nicely from anywhere above the toe to the bottom of the stickers. Impressive. The lack of splice in the cleft seems to improve response high up on the bat. When gripping the bat, the longer handle does feel a bit odd but probably something to get used to.
Overall, I'm excited to use it. It has that X-factor that makes you want to pick up off the shelf and have a hit with it. I'm looking forward to knocking it in and giving it a go at the Vitas event in December.
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Great bat..now I regret that I missed it :(
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Nice looking stick that bud, especially for the price.
Strange question, but would you have been happy paying full price for it??
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Nice looking stick that bud, especially for the price.
Strange question, but would you have been happy paying full price for it??
RRP for the bat is £260, which for a grade two bat is a pretty eye watering. Pro direct have it at moment for £156 which isn't bad. Most I would pay would probably be £120.
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RRP for the bat is £260, which for a grade two bat is a pretty eye watering. Pro direct have it at moment for £156 which isn't bad. Most I would pay would probably be £120.
How much did you pay if you don't mind me asking?
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£66 ;). Isn't it?
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Christ! The last time I saw a toe that big, it was on a hobbit!!
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£66
That's outrageous haha - clearly someone missed the 1 when adding it to Amazon - win!
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Arguably a bigger bargain than the Legend.
Epic Win!
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Arguably a bigger bargain than the Legend.
Epic Win!
Toe-tally agree it's a bigger bargain than the Legend, being the tight git I am £66 is always a better bet than £200! (This isn't just bats, also true for car tyres, clothes & women!) ;)
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Spent £175 on the legend but I get the idea Cam ;)
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Spent £175 on the legend but get the idea Cam ;)
I tried, that's the best I can do... :(
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RRP for the bat is £260, which for a grade two bat is a pretty eye watering. Pro direct have it at moment for £156 which isn't bad. Most I would pay would probably be £120.
I will say these are great bats performance wise.
We had one of these, A grade 3, at work - was brilliant... Until I smashed the handle off it being an idiot and showing the kids how to power-hit...
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It cost me just over £70 with next day postage, which is not bad :D I am still shocked by the size of the toe, its ridiculous.
Any idea who these are made by? I searched for other topics and some said SS, some said Hunts County.
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That's outrageous haha - clearly someone missed the 1 when adding it to Amazon - win!
The medium weight is currently at £207!
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Any idea who these are made by? I searched for other topics and some said SS, some said Hunts County.
From what I've been told they were originally made by Hunts when Mongoose first started however after the first takeover all of the production was shifted to SS - Whether this has changed or not lately I'm unsure but as far as I'm aware they're still made with SS.
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Fair enough, I am not too fussed where it was made but it is always nice to know a bit more information about the product.
Anybody used one for a decent amount of time and able to offer feedback about the shape and/or handle?
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i have one that i bought off the forum part way through the season. used it in most of the games i played later in the season.
really liked it scored a few runs probably 150-200 during midweek games. hit a couple off the toe that certainly went better then other bats i used. it will be my wet weather bat next year as im going back to my gn nemesis.
what weight did this turn out to be? mines 2.10 and feels lovely in the hand
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i have one that i bought off the forum part way through the season. used it in most of the games i played later in the season.
really liked it scored a few runs probably 150-200 during midweek games. hit a couple off the toe that certainly went better then other bats i used. it will be my wet weather bat next year as im going back to my gn nemesis.
what weight did this turn out to be? mines 2.10 and feels lovely in the hand
This one is 2'8.5 and feels okay. I can feel the weight in the toe for sure. I will probably stick another grip on as its a touch skinny.
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i have two grips on all my bats so this probably helps
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This is SS made
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That's huge, if the ball doesn't get hit to the next country with that you know something's wrong. The pink stickers are nice too
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what a toe. haven't seen such big toes in bats apart from the L&W legacy