I notice Batson now offers the 822.5 blank in RX8+, RX8, ISB and SB; ranging in price from $156 down to $38. Looking at the specs I am struck that the XSB seems to be the lightest of the bunch and is listed "fast" rather than "extra-fast" and has a smaller butt diameter. Is the XSB that different from the other three grades with the same numeric designation?

Go to Batson's web site and email them the same questions, they made all the blanks and will gladly answer your question, in a reasonable amount of time. I have asked them questions before and on a time or two they answered on the same day.

I have not built on the 822.5, but the XSBs I've built are all very fast. I realize Batson calls them fast, but they measure out closer to extra fast for me. I think the XSBs are great blanks and one of my favorites.

If I remember right the line ratings are a bit different over that series of rods also.

I build on all four and although the RX8 (XSB) is the lightest and thinnest it is definitely the least fast. Nothing wrong with them at all, may favorite of the RX8 line-up, but to me different than the other 822.5's.

Riley Rods-Hard Core Grips to Go!-----Carbon Fiber - Composite Grip Store-----Capt Mike's Blog-----No Excuses Fishing Charters

The RX8 XSB822.5 is a newly designed blank and a miss print in the catalog, Extra-Fast it is. We used a bit different tooling and a blend of high modules graphite to make the finest blank for the dollar that I know of. The main difference between the RX8 and RX8+ is that the RX8+ features a carbon fiber scrim made in USA. I just completed an impressive rod Recipe for that model for your review. Best Regards, Karry Batson Enterprises Inc



XSB822.5

Rainshadow RX8 Bass Spin





Component
Part Number
Part Description

Rod Blank Model #
XSB822.5-TC
6' 10" 1pc 6-14lb 1/8 - 5/8oz - Titanium Chrome

Butt Cap:
HESGFB1.5S-350
1.5" High End Splitgrip Super Grade ID .350"

Trim:
AWC389
Aluminum Winding Check Trim for HESGFB1.5S-350

Split Grip:
HEFG3.5S-250
3.5" High End Foregrip Super Grade ID .250"

Trim:
AWC389
Aluminum Winding Check Trim for HEFG3.5S-250

Reel Seat Body:
BPSTG16
Textured Gray Graphite Reel Seat Body
-Place back of reel seat 9" inches up from butt-

Reel Seat Hood:
GTT16C-SN-TC
Hood w/cushion Single Nut - TiCH Coated Chrome

Shim:
SHIM/16/SPIN
Proof Board .590" OD 3.70" Length

Reel Seat Trim Ring:
TRS16-TC x 2
Trim Ring for each side of Spin Seat size 16 TiCH

Fore Grip:
HEFG2.0S-250
2" High End Foregrip Super Grade ID .250"

Winding Check:
AWC350
Lt TitCar Plated Winding Check .350" I.D.

Hookeeper:
TCHKS
Hook Keeper TiCH Small

Tip Top:
XTCPPCT06R04.5
ALPS SS316-RRD-P Top 06 TiCH Ring 4.5 Tube - TICH w/o Chrome

Guides (see below for size and quantity)
XTCYTCG
ALPS SS316 Y Guide TiCH w/o Chrome Single Foot with TiCH Zirconium Thin Ring


XPTCFCG


Guide order from the tip top
Guide
Guide Placement - In inches from the tip top

1st
XPTCFCG06
4"

2nd
XPTCFCG06
8.25"

3rd
XPTCFCG06
12.75"

4th
XPTCFCG07
17.5"

5th
XTCYTCG07
22.75"

6th
XTCYTCG10
28.625"

7th
XTCYTCG16
36"

8TH
XTCYTCG25
45"






Karry Batson

Batson Enterprises Inc

Ph: (877) 875-2381

Fax: (360) 683-3579

karry@batsonenterprises.com

www.batsonenterprises.com

Would that spacing for guides work on the RX7 version of the 822.5? It's about to be my first spinning rod build.

Here is the guide spacing for the ISB822.5

ISB822.5
Rainshadow Spin Bass

Component Part Number Part Description
Rod Blank Model # ISB822.5-M 6'10" 1pc Med Spin Bass - Matte Clear
Butt cap: SBC20B Black Butt Cap 19.8mm ID
Reel Seat: GSTG16C-TC Textured Gray Graphite Spin Reel Seat w/Cushion-Real Light TICH
Reel Seat Shim: SHIM/16/SPIN Proof Board .590" OD 3.70" Length
Fore Grip: FG25A-350 2 1/2" Cork Fore Grip .350" ID "A" Grade Cork
Rear Grip: RG7A-345 7" Cork Rear Grip 'A' Grade Cork
Winding Check: LTCWC475 Lt TitCar Pltd Winding Check .475" ID
Hookeeper: TCHKS Small TiCH Hook Keeper
Tip Top LTCPCT06R05.0 Light TiCH Plated 'P' Top 06 Ring TiCH 5.0 Tube
Guides (see below for size and quantity) LTCVSCG Light TiCH Plated Single Foot V Frame TiCH Ring

Guide order from the tip top Guide Guide Placement - In inches from the tip top
1st LTCVSCG06 4.5"
2nd LTCVSCG07 9.5"
3rd LTCVSCG07 15"
4th LTCVSCG08 21"
5th LTCVSCG10 28"
6th LTCVSCG16 36"
7th LTCVSCG25 45"

Adam Hansen
Sales Consultant
Batson Enterprises, Inc.
Adam@batsonenterprises.com
Phone: 877-875-2381
Fax: 360-683-3579

I added an extra guide to the original ISB822.5 spacing and tweaked it a bit so the Y guides would transition into the PF guides without any major line angles for the XSB822.5 but both spacings work well.

I remember working our booth at one of the shows and Bob Mckamey explains to me that on spinning rods he will use several guides in transition to achieve the perfect line angle throughout the entire blank and at one point he had three our four different frame styles out on the table. Its really fun playing around with different guides and spacing especially when you have so many at your disposal. Keep in mind everything we list is our suggestion not the rule and will work just fine but I would suggest static deflection test as you move forward with your future builds. Everyone has there own opinion and thats why we build our own rods.

Karry Batson
Batson Enterprises Inc.
Ph: (877) 875-2381
Fax: (360) 683-3579
karry@batsonenterprises.com
www.batsonenterprises.com

I have been using the RX8+ 822.5 going on two years. In my opinion one of the finest blanks I've ever used.
I have one of the new XSB 822.5 in my shop a present to do a special build. Comparing the two, they are almost identical in action and power. I really like the new blank. Feels good, is crisp, light, has a thin profile, absolutely beautiful finish. But will have to fish it to give an opinion between the two as far as performance goes.

Thanks. I noticed one spacing uses 3 size 6 guides, and the other uses only 1.
Does the difference relate the difference in the blanks, or is there some other reason for the change in guide sizes?