The tip broke on my favorite spinning rod a 7'2 MHxf crucial drop shot rod a couple weeks ago, so I sent it back to shimano for a warranty replacement.  I got the new rod yesterday and I'm not impressed with it at all.  It feels cheap with the new eva grips.  It doesnt balance as well with my stradic like the old one did.  I haven't fished it yet but for my impression is not good.  Anyone else feel this way?  

The Bass Pro near me had both the new and "old" 6'10" cork drop shot Crucial rods and I def preferred the cork feel. I was bummed when Shimano changed out to the EVA grips, but that said I've never fished the new stuff... So it is interesting your take.

In fact both of my Compres need tip tops replaced, and I'm gonna pay a local guy to do them for me since I can't get them warranty-replaced with identical models. For one, Shimano doesn't make these lengths anymore...

I snapped my old one and got the new one and I actually like the new one more in terms of feel and looks, and the new ones don't seem to have that snapping issue.

Shimano sent me a replacement for a 6'6"MH Crucial casting rod that broke near the end of last year.  I know yours is a dropshot rod and mine isn't, but mine was an older cork model like yours.  They sent me the 6'8" newer model with the foam grips, but I haven't used it yet.  It has Alconite guides and supposedly the same blank as the old Cumara.  The reel seat is pretty cool.  I bought a new Chronarch to put on it. 

 

I haven't fished with it yet, so I can't give you any better feedback. 

 

I haven't got to fish with it yet so I can't say its not a better rod.  My first impression was not a good one though.  I don't know what I will do if I break the other 4 I have.  It just seems to me that Shimano has started making things cheaper.  I have thousands of dollars worth of shimano rods and reels, but the quality has seemed to gone down hill recently.  Only the high end stuff is made in Japan now, the curado G's are made in malayasia and the Crucial said made in China.  I guess I'm just disappointed, maybe the fishability of the rod will change my mind.  Enough with the bashing though, I will give the customer service two thumbs up.  It's hard to beat their warranty.

Oh by the way I have fished with my drop shot crucial a lot and thought it was better than the old ones IMO but its just an OK rod now that I have my dobyns rods.

Oh by the way I have fished with my drop shot crucial a lot and thought it was better than the old ones IMO but its just an OK rod now that I have my dobyns rods.

 

Those dobyns are awesome rods.  I have 2 champion series and I love them.  I don't have any spinning rods but was thinking I might sell this rod and buy one.

They are, I have one spinning and a punch/flip rod, both champions, I plan on getting a champ extreme and a zayta when it comes out

I'm going to look into a champion or extreme spinning rod.

I'm going to look into a champion or extreme spinning rod.

The champion extreme is the "bees knees"! I would imagine a rod like the 702 would likely be a good selection for a drop shot rod.

Love my champ 702 for drop shot, should've gotten the champ extreme though, planning on getting a 703 zayta or what they have similar to it and a champ extreme 743