Looking for comparative opinions on the performance and feel of these two rods (Avid vs Avid X)  from those who have fished both.  Thanks!

 

 

Comparatively they are going to fish very similar. They are the same blanks. 2 big differences between the rods is all there is. The avid will have a solid full cork handle and have regular Fuji alconite guides ( may not be alconite) where the avid x with be a split grip with cork and have micro guides. I personally love my avid x

It's entirely preference. I have the Avid X ML69XF and I really like it.  The grip and micro guides are the only real difference.  I have bunch of micro guide rods and have mixed feelings about them because I tend to use braid as a main line with mono/fluro/copolymer leaders and the knots may negate the advantages of the micro guides.  Generally speaking, both are killer rods for finesse plastics and small poppers (away from cover).  

 

if you're planning on using it for any of the techniques I mentioned, you can't really make a bad decision between the two.  

I got to fish with the Avid and Avid X side by side with the exact same models in each and I could not believe the difference between the two. In fact I called St. Croix customer service to find out if the blanks were the same and they told me they are the same. To me the Avid X feels more responsive, the action feels a touch crisper and I always thought the Avid was a nice rod but it wasn't better than my Elite Tech Smallmouth but the X, well that just doesn't feel or fish like the Avid. My buddy has a 7'ML-F Avid and he got the same model in the Avid X, I asked him why he had the same rod since the blanks are the same and he told me to try them out. When I fished the Avid for an hour and then the Avid X, I knew why he had them, it was like to completely different rod, to me the Avid X is a better rod and it is hard to believe a split grip with micro guides made it so different but it obviously did.

I prefer my avid x over the og avid, has a better feel, fit , and finish to me overall.

haven't fished the X, but did pick it up in the store.  I had an avid and traded it with a guy here on the boards.

after i had that X in hand, i almost gave them another chance.  it felt SOOOOOOOOOOO much more balanced in hand than the regular.

I have the Avid X MLXF 6'9" - AWESOME.

This works GREAT for drop shot. I have been using 8 lb invisz with a 3/16 DS weight and it's super sensitive. I can feel the bottom contour and tell whether I'm in grass, rocks, etc very easily. The water temps have been in the mid to high 40's so most of the largemouth are still pretty lethargic but I've felt little bites before I've even seen the line move. This to me makes the rod worth it. I'm willing to bet its the best $200 rod on the market. Plus I believe they still have a 15 year warranty on the rods.

As far as the Avid vs. Avid x goes, it really just is personal preference. I prefer the split grip and it reduces weight, which is nice for drop-shotting.

Thank you for the helpful replies. I was able to handle a similiar Avid X spinning rod, and I liked the feel of the reel seat better on the X (the threads are covered) ... so the rod monkey has spoken!