Mitsubishi Chemical Tensei AV Blue Shaft
The Mitsubishi Chemical Tensei AV Blue shaft has a mid-launch profile that offers smooth feel with Tour-caliber performance. The Aluminum Vapor (AV) Coated Fiber in the butt section of the shaft, along with lower torque than the original Tensei CK series, provides more stability for straighter drives no matter how hard you swing. Have no fear though, you don’t need to swing hard to hit bombs with the Tensei AV Blue thanks to the tight, thin “AV Weave” of the fibers which improve the energy transfer between your club and the ball. But enough technical jargon, let’s get into the review.
The Looks
The Mitsubishi Tensei AV Blue follows the same design scheme as the rest of the Tensei lineup. They all feature the carbon fiber top section of the shaft with a colored shaft band around the mid section to denote the shaft model. The rest of the shaft has a straight-forward gloss black finish with the white Tensei graphics in the middle of the shaft. Simple, but with enough design detail to stand out. It’s not going to necessarily snap any heads out there, but you’ll definitely be able to tell it’s a Tensei at first glance.
How Does it Feel?
I immediately noticed that the Mitsubishi Chemical Tensei AV Blue definitely seemed to have more “whip” to it. To be very clear, the AV Blue is NOT a soft noodle by any means. The best way to describe it is I can really feel the shaft load at the top of my swing and release during my downswing. It really felt like the club head was accelerating and “exploding” through the ball. The Tensei Blue AV has a softer middle section, thus that feeling of more “whip” in the shaft. Along with this added “whip,” the club head still felt stable and square through the hitting zone. This is achieved through a stiffer butt and tip section.
On that stability note, if you opt for the much lighter 55 gram version of the shaft (the lightest option in the Tensei Blue AV), it will also feature the Straight Flight Weighting (SFW) system, which helps the club head turn over easier at impact, minimizing a slice or promoting a draw.
Similar to the Tensei White, the feel was one of my favorite parts about the AV Blue. While the feel was very different than the CK Pro White, it still feels extremely smooth. There was absolutely no “boardy” feeling to this shaft, nor did I ever feel out of control. It was the Goldilocks of the bunch – just right. I’m really starting to think MCA Golf is onto something with the feel in the Tensei series.
On-Course Performance
| Club Speed | Ball Speed | Launch Angle | Spin | Carry (Yds) | Total (Yds) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 113.0 | 169.5 | 15.1º | 2824 | 275.4 | 293 |
As a reminder, the Mitsubishi Tensei Blue is designed to be a mid-launching shaft that has a mid-to-low spin rate. My testing results proved that it was pretty close to just that. As a high-ball hitter off the tee, I found it launched the ball at an above average launch angle for me. In regards to spin, I found my spin rate to be in a very acceptable range. The ball wasn’t ballooning on me, and was actually surprisingly lower than expected, especially with my launch angle.
Distance-wise, again, the numbers were right where I’d expect them to be based on the launch and spin. My carry numbers were great, but due to the spin and launch angle, my rollout was lower than usual. This isn’t a bad thing by any means, as it made my tee shots more controlled and predictable. Accuracy over length, so to speak.
Final Thoughts – Mitsubishi Tensei AV Blue
The Mitsubishi Tensei Blue shaft is going to give you smooth feel that really loads and explodes through the ball with a little extra launch. If you can benefit from a mid-launch angle while keeping your spin under control, it’s definitely worth checking out the Tensei AV Blue. Being a low/low driver shaft guy, I wasn’t a perfect fit for the Tensei Blue AV in my driver. Fortunately, I found the shaft to be an excellent fit in my 3 wood with its added launch and spin. The Tensei AV Blue has really helped me get my 3 wood in the air more and has given me better carry. Since my testing, I’ve kept the Tensei Blue AV in my bag and have no plans to change anytime soon.
Howdy thanks for review on Tensi 65 AV blue shaft for the cobra speed driver. Question I’m a 8 handicapper and 69 years old. I still get after it even though a old fart ! I really don’t know swing speed but think about 95 ? Anyway looking at buying cobra driver and was thinking of 2019 model but maybe go 2020 model. Your suggest and know it’s hard to say without seeing me swing a club. What shaft would you think in 2019 model or 2020 model ? It doesn’t have to be Tensi shaft as I know they have other options. Any help is much appreciated. Hitting old Taylor Made R-7 stiff 10.5 degree now. Thanks and stay safe ?
HI Mike –
Thanks for reaching out and thanks for reading. This review is for the Tensei AV Blue shaft, not for any of the Cobra drivers. I haven’t hit any of the 2020 Cobra Drivers, but we do have a review of the new Cobra Speedzone HERE. I will say, there are some great new driver options out there, as well as some amazing new shafts, so I’d find a place where you can hit a variety of combinations to see what works best, as I’m sure there will be one that can beat out your Taylormade R7.
Thanks and hit ’em straight!
Tommy
Mike – I just ordered the Tensai blue CK (not AV) from PXG with their prototype driver. It played true to the above description. More carry, accuracy, slightly less roll.. total a few yards better than next best driver/shaft combo (hzrdus smoke/maveric subzero). Cherry on top, great feel and the “whip effect” added about 2-3 mph to clubhead speed without control issues. Am an 8 handicap with 95-100mph swing speed too. If you do this shaft, pair with lower loft club (9 vs 10.5) as the kick point will get you the extra degree or two launch
Nice Review! You answered every question and concern I had. I was actually researching this shaft to help me decide on what shaft to put in my driver. I currently use a Rogue Silver 60s 110 Stiff, and I like the shaft, but I don’t love it. I want a shaft with a more pronounced load & kick. I only swing 95-98 mph but I’ve a very quick tempo so loose tipped noodlesque shafts are a timing disaster for my swing. I like a low spin, lower/mid launch and trajectory, to max my roll out, because that flight is the most playable on my home course. I may not have found a Driver shaft in this shaft, but I believe it may be perfect for my Strong 3 Wood. Best Wishes,.
This tensei shaft is a fairway finder. I play a Callaway Epic 9 degree with tensei blue 65. I’m 55 yrs old with a 3 handicap. I gave up my Accra shaft for the tensei about 6 months ago. I love the launch and the ball just seems to fly straighter. I have gained a little carry distance (about 255 yds) but lost some roll out. But the ball never seems to leave the fairway. Nice review.
I have a swing speed of 93-95 with driver and at 55, I’m not getting any younger or faster… do I try the blue AV 65 in stiff or go with regular? I get a little quick with tempo… maybe tip the regular a 1/4 inch? Thoughts? Please and thanks.
Todd –
My recommendation? Try both. See what fits your swing and game better. Without knowing your swing I can’t make a proper recommendation besides to find somewhere that you can try both flexes in your driver head.
Thanks!
Tommy
I have a dilem, i just receive my Callaway Max LS and the stock shaft was The Smoke IM10 50G mid launch. my Actual shaft is a Tensei AV blue 65G. Im not sure what is the best for me and if the quality of those are similar in price and quality. Can you help me with that ?
I think you need more specifics in terms of how you actually hit each of the shafts. With this amount of information, there’s no chance we could advise you any direction. They two completely different shafts.
I’m not 100% sure I would say 95-100 club speed, i make a lot of spin with all the club, I want the shaft that will give me the least spin but also I questioned the value of each of having by contribution to the other, I also questioned the quality of each
Again, I can’t really answer that for you. It really depends on you swing the club and your body physically responds to the equipment. What you might spin a lot, I might not – regardless of what the shafts say they’re supposed to do on paper. In terms of quality, it’s again relative to how they perform for you. They’re both good shafts, but if you can’t hit one of them, the quality doesn’t matter.
Both are designed to be different shafts and I think these reviews explain their profiles fairly well. The only real way to get the specifics you’re looking for is to actually test them and compare them.
Also, speed isn’t a factor here. You need to consider angle of attack, swing path, launch angle, spin specifics, etc. And really, you need to know those numbers specifically with each of the two shafts. Otherwise, we’re just taking blind chances based on what it says on paper.
Hi nice review on the CK Blue. I have this in a tsi3 but am seeing my standard draw become a fade. I’m wondering if there is a stability difference between the heavier 65 VS the 55 in this shaft. If the difference is noticeable relative to ball flight impacts due to the weight difference.
All depends on your swing. Shaft weight wouldn’t change my fade to a draw but may for you. All I can do is encourage you to try both or get fit. Thanks for stopping by!
Hi, I have a T Blue 65G reg in my cobra, I’m 68 and was wondering if a lighter shift would suit me better? Just your thought would be great. Am going to get a fit but thought I would ask
Thanks
Hard to say without knowing the differences in your speeds and control with that shaft weight. In theory, lighter shaft weights will help you swing faster and launch the ball higher, but it could also be difficult for you to control and time. Would need to know more about your shot data/performance in either setup to really advise one way or the other.
I’m 67 , swing at 95 mph and have a Speedzone Yellow Cobra head and have a 65g Tensei Blue AV 10.5 neutral – tee it up high and it’s good for 210-230 if I’m lucky. Longer softer Freddy type swing goes further higher.
Hi Tommy so i have just swapped my M3 HL wood for a Sim 2 titanium 3 wood. My old 3 wood had a Blue CK series 65 the new one has a Blue Av series 65 FW. Both are stiif my SS is about 101mph.
Which shaft is better please in your opinion – which will give me the higher ball flight ?
Gary –
The AV is the newer version of the CK. They should have similar flight but the AV should spin a bit less. In order to see what will perform best, I’d recommend testing side by side since they both have Taylormade Tips.
Best,
Tommy
Hi Tommy, I have the av blue 75 in my 3 and 5 wood, absolutely love them. I have the accra tour z st in my driver and am looking for a av blue 65 for it. I am 67 and a 9 handicap. 95 swing speed. Thanks for the review.
Hi, I’m getting older and need to slow the tempo down.
I think my swing speed is about 87 ish.
Would the Tensai blu 55 reg with TSR2 suit?
I have an elements stiff shaft with a cobra f6 that’s been good for me until recently.
I’m off 14
Thanks
Peter –
Unfortunately that information alone can’t tell me if a shaft will fit your swing or not. Our advice would be to go try them combo out, or even better, get fit to see what works best for your game.
Thanks for stopping in,
Tommy
Bought a cobra speedzone Tensei 65 stiff love the looks feel but can’t stop the big cut. Old M2 was a fairway finder with similar shaft specs but this shaft feels open at impact , I’m no expert but doesn’t seem to be for me 100/105 swing speed