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Discussion: Comparison

Posted Discussion
June 2, 2012
Clos57
1 posts
Comparison
I have been using the Miken Ultra II for a few years. However, many of my teammates are talking about using the Reebok Melee. What are your thoughts guys? Thanks
June 2, 2012
taits
Men's 65
4548 posts
While I like the U-2's for distance, durability is a issue. Combats are durable, but close for me in distance aspect.
Have not used a Reebok.
Broke a U2 at ring finger upper hand on handle in Reno, about 50 on it. Completely broke Combat end cap as well. Very broke in bat.
I noticed a lot of these three bats being used in Reno.
June 2, 2012
Don22
12 posts
My recent Combat was not durable at all and Combat corporate folks don't care if it breaks. They just want you to buy another one. Very disappointed in Combat.
June 2, 2012
J R
251 posts
i had my Reebok 2years.I use gray Combat in winter
June 2, 2012
HJ
Men's 70
481 posts
Clos57, Senior Softball bats are not warrantied, period. Check these forums as to how to break in a bat correctly. Don't use your "good" bat for BP. Reeboks should not be used below 65 degrees.
Reeboks and Combats have the best reputation for durability but there are many horror stories of early breakage. If one breaks prematurely, be nice to the Seller and they many try to help you.
If clearly defective, sometimes you get another, but don't count on it. Most do not agree with Don22, who also has a Combat Senior still going strong after 3 years, per him
June 3, 2012
Don22
12 posts
Don22 does NOT have a Combat bat going strong after 3 years. Where did you get that from HJ?? You are also misspeaking when you say "most do not agree" with me and my issues with Combat. I was very nice to both Combat and Anaconda and got nothing but shot down and the runaround. My expectation of Combat replacing or refunding me for the defective bat was fair and reasonable and many believe I am correct. Unfortunately, Combat has us all by the short ones and also has our money, but won't get any more of mine.
June 4, 2012
mad dog
Men's 65
4191 posts
D22,well if you will read anything on senior bats you would know they are not warrantied,and nver have been except for the og ultra2 when it was first made.i have never had a prol with combat and by reading this message board it seems your the only one that has....my advice is then, to go use the other mfg'ers bats and see how long they last for you,then you can start another thread complaining about their bats....
June 4, 2012
surf88
Men's 65
1000 posts
Clos: I only deal in Reebok products at this time. I have all Reebok models and I use all models in tournament play.If I can be of help, let me know.
ed@ewandrews.com
June 4, 2012
zonk
55 posts
Bob: you are correct about the OGU2 being warrantied. However, the Legacy ang Geezer also had a guarantee. I believe that the Demarini The One for a short time had one too. I use the U2 and the yellow MM Gear (EL). Both work well.
June 4, 2012
mad dog
Men's 65
4191 posts
yes zonk i know that for the demarini's,but they don't seem to have the production as the mikens,combats,reeboks or even the worth launch and its models........just tired of someone crying about a product they know has no warranty from the git-go.............

i have moved on to the blk and the white centanerian's,also have a og gray combat,personally my favorite......
June 4, 2012
zonk
55 posts
I see that Bob about the no warranty. i was just pointing out for historical; and, FYI references. Oddly, Demarini has a "new" senior The One bat just released. As you say, Miken, Combat, Worth, (I'll add Reebok), have the large market share on senior bats. Obviously, you like Combats. It is good that you found a brand that works for you. I hope other seniors take the sound advice of trying teammates' bats; then, choose wisely for their purchase.
June 4, 2012
mad dog
Men's 65
4191 posts
zonk,i let my team mates take a swing or 2 if they are looking for a new bat......but like you say it is a preference of the individual on what bat he uses.......

i just got tired of the bats(miken,reebok,worth) breaking,i want something to last me(combat does that for me),i don't need a bat to hit 400' when i can hit 300/325' for the hr.....the more distance we want,the less durability and then complain about the bat breaking,oh well.....
June 4, 2012
crusher
Men's 75
524 posts
Bob, my Cenenarian now has 27 swings with half of those on the handle or misshits. However, the bat is already alive.
I have the balanced, and, it swings so easy.
Playing at Keist Thursday & Friday, looking fwd to see if it is alive as seemed in Mustang Tournament.
James
June 4, 2012
crusher
Men's 75
524 posts
should have been "Combat Centenarian"
June 4, 2012
mad dog
Men's 65
4191 posts
well crusher u b old and what not,we'll let that slip go.......LOL...see ya friday,or will look for ya.
June 4, 2012
crusher
Men's 75
524 posts
Bob, I am with Rangers of North Texas #51
June 4, 2012
Don22
12 posts
mad dog....if you think I'm the only one complaining about a bat you aren't paying attention. I also know for a fact the end cap has been infamous for separating on Combat bats for many players I know, and it has been mentioned on these boards. I originally brought up this issue with Combat to inform other players, the same way others bring up their issues. Apparently you get defensive about it.
June 5, 2012
mad dog
Men's 65
4191 posts
don22,you are right about the end cap,but that is a very easy fix,ya can't fix broke barrels.....i have been paying attention and i see very few people complaining about breaking their combats(the barrels)...
June 5, 2012
Don22
12 posts
Read more different topics here. When bats break, people don't like it. It's evident on many posts. I've seen plenty of incidents of disappointed players not getting their money's worth and it's not right. Can't ignore it when it happens. Making excuses and proclaiming it's the nature of the beast doesn't cut it either. Players deserve to be treated better when a high price product fails in a short period of time.
June 5, 2012
Gary19
Men's 50
2609 posts
Truthfully Don, this is the price old guys have to pay for wanting the oldest, slowest group playing the game to be able to use the hottest bats and stroke their egos.

Liveliness and durability just do NOT go together in this case. They just can't.
June 5, 2012
hemi racer
Men's 65
237 posts
I agree Gary. Drag raced for many years in the super stock hemi classes and the faster you wanted to go the more parts failed. As they say, you can't have your cake and eat it to.
June 5, 2012
neck10
714 posts
have you guys seen the price of gas it doesnt last near as long but I still see you buying it ,things are higher these days all buisnesses must make a profit or they won't be around!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 5, 2012
swing for the fences
Men's 50
1224 posts
red ulta two lasted 25 swings in BP and 3 games for me...

Blue combat lasted two round of BP about 75 swings and never made it to a game and never opened up..

Yellow MM lasted me 200 bp swings and almost 10 tourneys last year! Hit it in the snow two.... Loved that bat!

Have two Reeboks for this year and so far have 100 BP swings on both and have been hitting them in two tourneys each and they are hot and holding up! I bought them on line for $130 bucks each.. I swing 29s and 30 ounce... They seem to last longer but this just might be luck too!

End cap has fallen out of my Teammates bat this weekend in Reno.. it really got in his head and screwed him up. Also, we have the new One Demarini on our team and guys seem to like them.. I didn't see any reason to buy one yet but it seems promising!

I don't cut the ball and when going good I square up so I am hard on bats... the minute the bat opens up I never hit them again in BP.

So for this year I spent $260 on two bats... I can live with that for the season... I hit a USSSA black senergy for BP and it cost $60.. when it opens up it's within 10 to 15 feet of the senior bats and it's $60...
June 7, 2012
neck10
714 posts
I have been using the ultra 2's with asa stamps on them & I let other guys on the team use them last 3 or 4 yrs playing 6 tourney's a year havent broke one yet some sound like they have sand in them so could be on last leg,they cost a little more but last a lot longer.
June 7, 2012
Mulewhipper
Men's 55
128 posts
OP...I have been using Combat for the last 3 years now...and I have always had an end cap issue, that's about 5 bats. Glued them all back in and only one has stayed in after that.
Solid bat, but I'm sick of the end cap problems.

I don't have anything to compare for you yet, but I just ordered a couple Reebok's from Alan and I will let you know how that works out.

SFTF...seriously...nothing got in my head or screwed me up...ugh.

June 7, 2012
Olden Slow
Men's 75
209 posts
I use a Miken Freak ( warrantied), I don't hit it far enough to worry about it. I would only have WTP anyway, but I would use a wet newspaper if that's what the rules said :-o)
June 7, 2012
swing for the fences
Men's 50
1224 posts
LMAO Ronnie, all that whinning about your end cap and changing out bats didn't get to you.. My mind set would of been changed with not having something I felt comfortable with.. that is why I have two bats to back me up.. I don't want to start grabbing different bats in the middle of the Tourney or a game! And don't think I wouldn't be concerned about the feel and performance of something I didn't swing before.. If it didn't bother you, I'm sorry for my choice of words... It would of bothered me, if I didn't have a proven back up that I liked!
June 26, 2012
boogpow44
53 posts
is there a very big difference between balanced and endloaded distance wise. are we talking 10 feet 40 feet what is the difference. our fences are 305 here in delaware.
should i have bought a 26 or 27 oz endload as opposed to a 29 balanced miken ultra 2.
June 26, 2012
swing for the fences
Men's 50
1224 posts
Boogpow, some say there is! I feel comfort in a balanced bat.. I hit them plenty far and have swung end loads and Haven't seen a noticable difference. IMO I always say swing a bat that feels good to you no matter what the weight... I swing 30s 29s and 28s. Those weights feel right for me. go with what is right for you! cheers.
June 26, 2012
HJ
Men's 70
481 posts
Boogpow44- the general rule based on physics is that you should swing the heaviest bat you can (for any given model) w/o losing bat speed. Some use a special radar gun to test this. That said,
swing gives you good advice as to feel. There are
technical reasons based mostly on the balance point and sometimes on aerodynamics which will make a 30 oz. bat feel lighter than a 27. Of course no bat does anything if you don't hit the ball with it. Try to borrow bats and see what works. I understand there are HR hitters who use balanced 26 oz. bats, but the generalization is that single hitters or placement hitters use a balanced bat and HR hitters use end loaded. See what works for you.
July 1, 2012
Ernies 53
Men's 50
22 posts
I am one of those that have had plug issues on the 2010 centenarian, Tried all different types of glues and silicones with no luck, Then I got this stuff from 3-M called 5200, so far so good, 25 swings on it and no movement of the cap and the bat is as hot as ever! Lowes has this stuff for 18 bucks a tube. Just clean both pieces and apply a liberal amount, set it in something that will keep the plug pressed in tight and walk away from it for seven days, (cure time).
July 2, 2012
mad dog
Men's 65
4191 posts
ernie,that is what i used(3m,5200) and no prols....stuff works great.....

all my combats have lasted me well over the 750 swing mark......
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