travlerajm
03-20-2012, 12:28 PM
I recently discovered the Wilson BLX Pro Tour. I was initially attracted to the ultra-dense string pattern and general structural specs as a customization platform.
But what really surprised me about the BLX Pro Tour is that the level of control in stock form far exceeded that of any other racquet I have tested. I did need to add 3g around the top of the handle to tune the forehand, but it was still essentially a stock experience, with unparalleled directional accuracy, depth control, and spin control (I was using an extremely spin-friendly string setup of 18g kev/17g SPPP at 43/42 lbs.).
I expected the directional accuracy, but what surprised me was the depth control.
I then messed around with the TWU power maps and discovered a hidden spec that is unique to the BLX Pro Tour: Along the centerline, the BLX Tour has the least steep power potential gradient between 20% and 40% curves.
For the BLX Pro Tour, the distance between these curves is 4.45". Most other racquets have a much steeper slope, around 3.5" between the 20% and 40% lines. In fact, I have yet to find a frame on the site that has a shallower slope than the BLX Pro Tour.
By having a less-steep slope to the power potential gradient, depth control is less sensitive to the longitunal location of the ball impact on the stringbed. Thus depth control is enhanced.
One reason I think the BLX Tour has such a shallow power potential slope is the that the stringbed, while ultra-dense in the center, is just as open near the top of the frame as most open-pattern frames. Overlaying it atop an Aeropro Drive, the top 6 cross strings match up exactly. But cross strings 7-12 are much denser.
But what really surprised me about the BLX Pro Tour is that the level of control in stock form far exceeded that of any other racquet I have tested. I did need to add 3g around the top of the handle to tune the forehand, but it was still essentially a stock experience, with unparalleled directional accuracy, depth control, and spin control (I was using an extremely spin-friendly string setup of 18g kev/17g SPPP at 43/42 lbs.).
I expected the directional accuracy, but what surprised me was the depth control.
I then messed around with the TWU power maps and discovered a hidden spec that is unique to the BLX Pro Tour: Along the centerline, the BLX Tour has the least steep power potential gradient between 20% and 40% curves.
For the BLX Pro Tour, the distance between these curves is 4.45". Most other racquets have a much steeper slope, around 3.5" between the 20% and 40% lines. In fact, I have yet to find a frame on the site that has a shallower slope than the BLX Pro Tour.
By having a less-steep slope to the power potential gradient, depth control is less sensitive to the longitunal location of the ball impact on the stringbed. Thus depth control is enhanced.
One reason I think the BLX Tour has such a shallow power potential slope is the that the stringbed, while ultra-dense in the center, is just as open near the top of the frame as most open-pattern frames. Overlaying it atop an Aeropro Drive, the top 6 cross strings match up exactly. But cross strings 7-12 are much denser.