BEST XENO MODEL?? 2012,2013, 2014

[respectthegame]

Can anyone with the experience tell which Xeno model is the best? The 2012 blue/black, baby/navy blue 2013, or the new 2014 Purple model? Any feedback would be great!

[afastpitchfanatic]

2013 is better (slightly more pop) and more durable than the 2012. Don't know about the 2014, yet. DD went through 4 of the 2012's, but has not had to have the 2013 replaced.

[fastpitch fool]

My daughter is a senior in college. She has each of the 2012, 2013, & 2014 Xenos, and a LXT.

Here is my feedback of each of these bats. We do tee work and front toss. Nothing scientific, obviously. Just a old guy getting the ball hit back at him and the screen from 20'.

2012 Xeno - Everyone is aware of the issues with this durability of this bat. But, it definitely outperforms the 2013 and 2014 Xeno. If you have an issue buying a new bat more then once a year, don't try and find this bat. If you don't mind a bat lasting a year or possibly even less, but is very hot while it stays together, this is your kind of bat.

The 2013 Xeno is more durable then the 2012. But I do hear of people having issues with this bat breaking too. My daughter didn't like the 2013 enough for it to end up in her bat bag on game days.

The 2014 Xeno has a different feel then either the 2012 or 2013 Xenos. It doesn't perform out of the wrapper as well as the 2012 Xeno, but is more in line with the 2013 Xeno. I would advise you to have your daughter swing a 2014 Xeno before you buy one. It does not feel like the 2012 or 2013 Xeno's. If she's expecting the exact same feel at the other Xeno's, she may be disappointed.

My daughter also received her LXT from Louisville Slugger, and it performs very well. I asked several of my daughter's teammates to use it as I front tossed softballs to them, and their feedback was very similar. They each agreed they really liked the feel and performance of the LXT. I could definitely see the difference. My daughter's feedback to me was it has the pop of the 2012 Xeno sweet spot, up and down the entire barrel. Very-very forgiving.

Now, the one thing that would worry me if I had the cash for one single bat, and wasn't in the position to have a solid back up bat option is the fact that the LXT is a three-piece bat. LS just came off of the OneX problems. I don't know if I could put all my eggs in a new three-piece bat design, which retails for $359.

My daughter said she will carry the LXT and the 2012 Xeno. As you can probably tell, she does not play for a college softball program with a bat contract. LOL! It's my last year of buying bats, so I am not complaining!

[Sunshine799]

My DDs 2013 has done her well. I notice that the sweet spot is a lot smaller than every other bat she has used.....But it is a LIVE sweet spot. Unlike other bats, where you may be able to muscle a ball off the hands or the end of the bat.....forget it. Not the Xeno. I would recommend this bat for more of a power hitter type, or at least a hitter that squares the ball up consistently. Not for the "Punch & Judy" types.

However, I'm wondering how long a Xeno should be used. My DD has used the 2013 since last December. That is A LOT of at bats and cage work. I think it still has pop. It certainly has more pop now that it's broken in. But with it's built in "dead zones" around the sweet spot. I am hoping to avoid the sweet spot going cold. Might as well send her up there with a garden hose.

Hope that helps. Any input on my question is appreciated.