Paying for a 'tatula' but not even getting the components that set tatula apart. At the sub 150 price point all the blanks are very similar in terms of sensitivity, which is why it's important to get one with guides guides, handles etc...you don't get that with the xt.

Yeah, the Tatula definitely has the better components.

I don't think it's the same blank. HVF is not the same as SVF. Plus the guides aren't as good and you don't get that awesome reel seat and handle. Just get a regular Tatula. There are good deals out there. I have 3 going on 5 and haven't paid full price for any of them. As for the Lexas, I have a spinning and casting and they're both great rods, but they aren't Tatulas and I'm sure the XT models are better.

That doesn't even make sense.

No, it's not the same blank.

literally just watched a video of the guy at iCast saying same blank.

literally just watched a video of the guy at iCast saying same blank.

Marketing. Fooled many of us.

Yea, you can't really go by what they say at ICAST...I remember when the second generation Shimano Crucial came out (EVA) the rep said they were the same blank as the 1st generation Cumara.  Turns out that was not the case at all and combined with lesser components you have a pretty unpopular series which was recently revamped to look and feel like the original line. 

 

Even if the blank is the same, components can make a huge difference in terms of balance, comfort and ease of use. I would gladly pay an extra $40 for these slight improvements.  Several slight improvements when combined together can have a major effect.  As I mentioned before, these rods seem very similar to the Lexa line of rods which didn't sell so hot.  I think they merely did some slight changes and added the Tatula name so as to capitalize on a very popular line of rods and reels.  That way they still have a line of $100 rods which aren't named after a discontinued reel series in the Lexa...

I've heard a few good things about the lexa rod

Marketing. Fooled many of us.

Brent Ehrler says "same blank as the Tatula rod, different guides, and a different handle"

Looks like the construction process of the 2 is the same (BAIS 45, blah blah) but the materials (graphite, scrim, resins) are different (SVF vs HVF).

I had heard the Tatula and Zillion have the same blank and it was the components that separated them.

My biggest worry is about losing some sensitivity since it will be a plastics pitch and jig rod.

I had heard the Tatula and Zillion have the same blank and it was the components that separated them.

i heard the same thing so i upgraded my tatula flipping stick for the zillion flipping stick...same specs and within 0.2 ounces of each other but they feel completely different :-(

They don't have same blanks. As I said all the daiwa rods have similar blanks but each step up has some other added feature or construction process. From tds rod to tatxt to tat to zillion to steez.

It's very possible that these blanks are turned on the same mandrels as the Tatula blanks, only difference is the type of material used.

I guess time will tell

Still on the fence