We've been offered one frame at very low price. Which would be best choice?

[AndrewD]

A work contact of my brother's is closing up his sporting goods store and selling off his inventory. Most all is going to a couple of other stores but he offered me my choice of any frame for the basic price of $100, regardless of which one I choose. Thought it might be too good to pass up but cant try before we buy so not sure which to grab. Whatever we get Id be wanting to play with it, not re-sell.
The choices were, for $125 (Australian)

Fischer Pro #1
Dunlop 300G
Head i-Radical mp or os
Prince TT Warrior mp or os
Prince TT Scream mp or os
Head i-Tour mp

[Nadal_Rulz]

i say tt warrior or 300g

[Roforot]

The best bet depends on your game and current rac.
Fischer Pro #1 is the most expensive rac. of the group, but
it may not be the best deal if it sits in your closet.

I think everything else is available for less than $100 US dollars though
so they probably aren't that good of a deal. TW just put 300g at $99 in fact.

[AndrewD]

Roforot,
Ive just started using a POG OS but finding it a touch too much racquet (too large a head) for me. As Im in Australia TW's $99 frame becomes about $174 when you convert it to Australian dollars and add on shipping. So, $125 Australian, is a great price.

[BLiND]

If he's your brother, he's a right tight-ar$e

[Roforot]

Roforot,
Ive just started using a POG OS but finding it a touch too much racquet (too large a head) for me. As Im in Australia TW's $99 frame becomes about $174 when you convert it to Australian dollars and add on shipping. So, $125 Australian, is a great price.

I did not consider the s&h!

Well, of those frames, the Fisher pro #1 is the closest to the POG OS.
I know Fischer's made different versions of Pro #1, but I think their specs have been fairly similar, and it is probably the most flexible one. I hope someone who's had more xp w/ this frame can chime in.

I have played w/ POG mid; demoed POG OS. I've also demo'd the TT Warrior (rafter) and it's a good racquet, but felt too light and hollow. Others have told me that it's a perfect base for adding lead tape and customizing, but I did not have the opportunity to do so.
I know TW used to have them for something like $79 and I suspect you can
obtain a used one or through **** for less. Again, that bloody s&h will cost you.

I just looked through user feed back on TW on the current Fischer pro #1 and they all look good... I guess that's the way I would go given your unique circumstances.

And to be economic minded, I don't think I've seen a good price Fischer racquets; If it isn't for you, you could probably sell it back w/out too much of a loss whereas the other racquets, it would be tough to get $100 U.S. dollars.

The last bit, maybe you really like the POG, but should try the mid frame and just buy it even though it's not a "special" deal.

[Steve Huff]

I'd say the Fischer. You can get all the others for less than $100

[AndrewD]

Im not so much interested in which is the best deal. I'll be using the racquet so it wouldnt matter if it was the cheapest or the most expensive just which is the best all around frame.

I've had a look at other posts that mention the various racquets but this is a situation of placing one against the other (and only these in comparison to one another) and saying which would be best for a 3.5-4.0 who plays far more doubles than singles, single handed backhand, very good volleys (although lost them a bit with the oversize) hits with a variety of spins and enjoys stringing at lower tensions.

So, taking all that into account, which of the frames would have the most potential for me? I lean towards the Fischer or the Dunlop but appreciate suggestions. Wont be able to demo them so will have to take a punt.



Blind,

No it is a work contact of my brother who is making the offer.

[Cobra Tennis]

Pro 1...and im not just saying that because thats I'm devoted too... ;)

[thejackal]

A tail-weighted 300g is what I would choose if I were you.

[AndrewD]

Cobra Tennis and The Jackal,

why would you suggest those two ?

[dewey4262]

I found the Pro 1 to be a nice racuqet. Stable, good power, and I really enjoyed volleys. The Radical is also a good choice as it is a nice all aroudn racquet.

[counterpuncher]

Hi Andrew, I seemed to remember a post where you mentioned that you had demoed the 300G and liked it, so I thought you would go with this ?

From personal experience, I would go the 300g because it has a larger sweetspot (especially coming from your POG OS), is more customisable due to it's light weight and swingweight and would be more manueverable which is critical in doubles which you mostly play.

[AndrewD]

I have tried the 300G so it is a known quantity. Nice frame although perhaps not the best when facing up to big hitters (I agree that some extra weight would make a lot of difference). Still, the Fischer has had a lot of very good write ups and, unless Im very much mistaken, it is a more flexible stick than the 300G and I do prefer a bit more flex. Also, it might have less need of customisation, not really sure but someone might know.

Just thought before I went ahead and grabbed one or the other Id see what th response was of people on the board.

[thejackal]

I suggested the 300g for its customization qualities. Also, its pretty spin-freindly. An all-around solid racket.

[counterpuncher]

Something else for you to consider if you go with the 300G and find you regret it, is that Sportsmart in Melbourne has been selling the Pro-1 for A$169 and are now down to something like A$149. Going by the way that they're seemingly not selling it wouldn't surprise me if they took another price drop some time soon.

[phat]

Pro. 1 for sure. A great stick. & in case you are thinking about a customized a 300g. Remember to add weight to the throat as well as the 3 & 9 o'clock and handle, a friend with 300g just adding weight to the 3 & 9 o'clock and handle makes it swing a bit funny (he cannot feel where exactly the rqt head is)!?! After he added weigth to the throat and it feels right then.

[NoBadMojo]

Andrew since you are an oversized guy (racquethead size), ;) i would go with the Radical oversize...lots of people seem to really like this frame..and it spins the ball way better than the MP version and is pretty flexy..the Pro1 is more demanding but very soft within the sweetspot. think you tried the Warror before and ouruled that one? the only one i would completey just outrule is the i-Tour. you seem to know what specs you like best..why dont you just look up the specs on these frames and see which is the best match for you? for some reason i've never liked the 300g at all....didnt like the feel and it just didnt have enough of mass in it to cause any damage on any of the shots.

[equinox]

Ive just started using a POG OS but finding it a touch too much racquet (too large a head) for me.You've used the pog for a whole three weeks? Give yourself more time to adapt to a new racquet.

[AndrewD]

I haven't given up on the POG although I do think it is proving to be quite limiting for the volley. Will give it a good try to see if I can make it work but will admit to having some doubts as to whether I can get it to play the way I want. Just feel it takes the fine edge off my volleys and, if I can't volley as effectively, that really does cut into the best part of my game.

Basically though, its a very good offer and even if I stick with the POG I felt it wasnt one I was likely to be getting again. On the chance I dont go with the POG then I'll have something I can use. If I do stay with it then I can sell it on or, most likely, give it to someone in the family.

Ed, the Fischer and the Volkl Gen II are very close in specs. Do they play similarly?

[carTW]

If you like the oversize, then the iRadical OS will be a good choice because it has more controllable power than the POG OS. The grip shape will be rather different than your current Prince's, so if you plan on switching back and forth it might be ennoying.
Since you play a lot of doubles and like to be at the net, I would go for the Dunlop 300g though. It is actually similar to the iRadical OS in my opinion (similar weight, balance, big sweetspots, the Dunlop is a little stiffer) but it does not feel as "cumbersome" because of the head size. Both racquets are a little light in the handle but the Dunlop will handle oncoming power better in my opinion. The key with the Dunlop is to have a nice soft multi-filament string. I tried one with a poly and didn't like it at all, then I tried one with an NXT tour and it was a really nice racquet