Anyone have any first hand experience with these? looking to purchase the 6'6" m-XF casting model for finess jigs. How do the new Zillions compare to hte old Zillion, old Steez and Tatula rods?

I bet they're awesome. I wish I could allow myself to spend that on a rod. I'd be all over it. I think it's the same blank as the tatula, but has lighter k series guides, a lighter zaion reel seat, lighter foam split grips. I think it lacks that nice contoured butt grip to balance better. They also look nicer overall. The only thing about them is that they can't be found for less than msrp. If you get one, I'd love to hear your thoughts on it

no experience with steez rods but i have the new zillion flipping stick and frog rod and had the 6'6" H/F. i've also had four of the tatula rods and two of the first-generation zillion rods. it has been reported that the blanks between the new zillion and tatulas are the same but the rods feel very different to me with the zillion feeling slightly stouter/slightly faster and the tatula feeling lighter. unlike the first-gen zillions, the power and action ratings of the zillion2 and tatula seem pretty accurate with the exception of the tatula flipping stick which felt more like a long, all-purpose MH/F to me. overall, i think these new daiwas are excellent.

do you know how the frog rod compares to the flip? I agree on your assessment of the flipping rod. It's great for a lot of things because it has more of a mod fast tip, unlike most flip sticks, which tend to be way to stiff for my taste. The power is definitely there, though, IMO. It's a very lightweight rod for its length/power, so I think that's part of it too.