"O" ring dampeners lovers

Matchball

Semi-Pro
I 've noticed how this type of dampeners is very popular among many of us.
I love them too and I am "stuck" with them, after having tried many other dampeners.

I like how they :

1. Dampen both vibrations and noise
2. Don't "impose" on the character of the strings
3. They are "neutral looking"

Major cons :

1. Maybe not suitable for not dense patterns, or at least not so stable

Feel free to add your remarks and share your experience about this sort of dampeners. Suggestions, reviews, comparisons are welcomed !!

Personal experience :

I mainly use the Unique Sampras ones and I have a nice stock of them. Many argue that there is a difference between red and black. Really don't know... I dare to say that black ones might be a little softer (?)
Generally speaking, I think these are the benchmark for most of us.

The ones from Babolat are a bit stiffer, not bad at all, tend to pop out a bit more easily though. Custom damp dampeners also give you the option to have a dampener with more mass if you add a silicone part that is included in the package, but then again it won't be an "O" ring dampener any longer. I put them on my Babolat PST Ltd., they look great.

I 've found and recently playtested "O" ring dampeners from Pacific. They come in white, black and light orange. Noticeably bigger, a little heavier, more stable for 16x19 and 16x18 string patterns. Unfortunately they have a quite large rim gap to host the string, which does not provide ideal noise dampening. Larger gauge strings exclusively (?)

Lastly, I have tried "O" ring dampeners from Topspin. Very similar to Unique dampeners. Same size, they come in white, black and red (rare to find) and they are a bit softer. A plus point is that they have approximately 25 % more mass than the Unique Pete Sampras ones, which will theoretically give them more dampening power. IMO they feel very similar overall, I think that some can end up prefering them over the ones offered by Unique (which remain the benchmark). Have in mind that it 's difficult to find them in the U.S.A.
 
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Matchball

Semi-Pro
There is a shop in Germany, official Topspin shop (?) and another one in Greece. Google them and you will find them.
 

jswinf

Professional
I've never tried an "O-ring", always been pretty happy with gamma worms. Sounds like you must have tried both, what am I missing out on?
 

Matchball

Semi-Pro
Tried the worms.

They are heavier and provide more dampening, maybe too much for my taste.
Sometimes the plastic hooks can break and/or the silicone pipe might show some leakage. Prior using them, I remove that plastic "hook like" part and I add some instant glue to make it safer (be careful and also clean rim first !!). If you stretch too much and make a worm firm on your stringbed, it can compensate for a slight string tension loss. :shock:

I have used it in the past for such purposes.

My main dislike is that it basically "imposes" too much on the stringbed, but in some cases it provides an acceptable solution.

E.g. not dense patterns, lower string tensions, increased vibrations. I used one succesfully with a Prince Ozone Tour 16x18. The frame had more vibrations than average and then again the 16x18 string pattern . . .
 

jswinf

Professional
Thanks for the feedback. I might risk a couple of bucks and try an "O". Maybe it will make me great...:p
 

get it in

Rookie
I have used the Unique O ring dampeners (the Sampras one) in the past but they didn't work for me. This isn't to say they are bad, they just didn't work for me. I use 16x19 frames and the o rings would just fall out all the time. I do tend to hit lower on the stringbed so that probably played a factor. The problem I had besides falling out is that the shape is an 'O' which usually leads to the dampener rolling around to some location I cannot see. Aside from that, they're great. No difference between red or black that I can tell. The light weight is also good for those who are picky about grams.
I now use a big triangle shaped dampener which falls out less often and doesn't roll around much. Sure it's heavier, but I don't mind the extra 1 gram. This is what works for me. I have also tried the rubber band method and it also works well, especially if you are an Agassi/Roddick fan.
 

Matchball

Semi-Pro
I see. You know what, half of my frames are 16x19 and I have the same problem. I was really happy when I found the larger Pacific "O" rings but they just cannot compare to the others...

I know I like the "O" ring dampeners a lot, but I am still searching for a substitute to use on my 16x19 frames...

The weight thing; yes there are people who are very picky with weight. Nevertheless the place of the dampener affects the weight as an absolute number, doing little on SW. Again, we are talking about 4 grams of difference max. depending on the dampener. I would never argue it makes a difference.
It's not like having put them on 12 o' clock for example...

The reason we are talking about weight, at least the way I perceive it, is mainly to argument about how a lighter dampener would theoretically (I have confirmed this) provide more moderate dampening and safeguard the feeling of the stringbed. In my case, this is what I am picky about 8)
 

Hal

Rookie
Save yourself some money and just go to the Electrical aisle of a Hardware store and get a "Wire" grommet.
 

Matchball

Semi-Pro
Pictures of Topspin dampeners

I am curious about how the Topspin O rings look like. Do you have any pictures?

Here you are !!

1042.jpg

1043.jpg


1042.jpg

TUVRTS400.jpg


It is a quality product and I hope TW make it available !!
 
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Matchball

Semi-Pro
These are from Internet. If you want to see them on one of my frames, you will need to wait for some time (a week), as I am in France right now...
 

get it in

Rookie
Save yourself some money and just go to the Electrical aisle of a Hardware store and get a "Wire" grommet.

A rubber wire grommet? What a great idea. I never thought about it until now. Thanks for the tip! These things run about 20 cents each. Plus you can paint them whatever color you want.
 

Matchball

Semi-Pro
A rubber wire grommet? What a great idea. I never thought about it until now. Thanks for the tip! These things run about 20 cents each. Plus you can paint them whatever color you want.

Save yourself some money and just go to the Electrical aisle of a Hardware store and get a "Wire" grommet.

If it is not difficult post a pic !! I am not sure I understand what you mean :neutral:.
Does sound like good idea.
 

finchy

Professional
A long time ago (5-6 years ago for me), I messed around with O dampeners. I remember Luxilon's purple O's were a big hit around the board and I was lucky enough to receive some after emailing them requesting some. Their office in Belgium sent me a package containing a set of Big Ace 16L and about 3 of their O dampeners.

Anyways, they were good while I enjoyed having a muted stringbed, but as I developed as a player, I enjoyed feeling more feedback from my racquet and I stopped using them.
 

tennisdude083

Semi-Pro
A long time ago (5-6 years ago for me), I messed around with O dampeners. I remember Luxilon's purple O's were a big hit around the board and I was lucky enough to receive some after emailing them requesting some. Their office in Belgium sent me a package containing a set of Big Ace 16L and about 3 of their O dampeners.

Anyways, they were good while I enjoyed having a muted stringbed, but as I developed as a player, I enjoyed feeling more feedback from my racquet and I stopped using them.

If you still have them and want to get rid of them, send me an email :)
 

Matchball

Semi-Pro
I am partial to the wilson W. Old ones that are all black.

Yes, very good dampeners. Used a black W wilson dampener on my K Blade in the past (and on an N5 too !!).

Similar feeling to an "O" ring dampener, maybe slightly more dampening power, but moderate, reasonable overall feeling.

These luxilon dampeners are a dinosaur... You guys should post a picture for all of us to see :).

O.K. they are very Unique like, but I heard from others that theyused to be purple (?)
 

Matchball

Semi-Pro
Interesting how Luxilon provided two types.
The one (the not hollow one) should provide a bit more dampening.

I know they have stopped producing them.
Can't imagine how they would be different from Unique or Topspin "O" rings.
Unless they are a lot stiffer or softer (less possible) or have very different mass.

I think Topspin "O" rings are as soft as an "O" ring dampener can get. Softer than the ones from Unique. Any softer would make them pop out very easily.

They are also a tad heavier as I said before.
 

Matchball

Semi-Pro
TUVR.jpg


Here's another offering from Topspin. It is noticeably thicker.
I have some home, but haven't tried them yet...
 

Matchball

Semi-Pro
1. Maybe not suitable for not dense patterns, or at least not so stable

Feel free to add your remarks and share your experience about this sort of dampeners. Suggestions, reviews, comparisons are welcomed !!

Personal experience :

I mainly use the Unique Sampras .....................................
Generally speaking, I think these are the benchmark for most of us.

The ones from Babolat are a bit stiffer, not bad at all, tend to pop out a bit more easily though. Custom damp dampeners also give you the option to have a dampener with more mass if you add a silicone part that is included in the package, but then again it won't be an "O" ring dampener any longer. I put them on my Babolat PST Ltd., they look great.
..................................................................................

Hopefully others can confirm this.
 

Pioneer

Professional
I thought all dampeners did was mute the sound on impact, I think there was an article somewhere on the net by a physics professor. Tennis Racquet Physics or something like that
 

Matchball

Semi-Pro
Noise, string vibration, whatever...

There are some differences though.

I mean try a gamma worm and then compare what you get to an "O" ring or a 4.5 grams heavier (not hollow) dampener.

You should feel some difference.
 

tennisdude083

Semi-Pro
Does anyone know of any place besides mid west that sells the orange pacific ones? Or any US sellers that sell the topspin ones?
 

Bri-guy

Semi-Pro
I love my O's! I will not use anything else. However, I am partial to a certain type: Wilson's Champ Vibration Dampeners. I have tried Pete's O's as well as a Babolat variation, but nothing compares.

Wilson doesn't make them anymore however.
Luckily, I bought 5 packages of 4 from stores around town.

Back in my early days they would fly off and I would lose them after an off-center shot. That is why I bought so many. Now, I never lose them. At least I know my tennis game has improved in some aspect! :) I'll post pictures as soon as I can charge my camera batteries.

Cheers!
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
I found this thread through a forum search. Worth a bump as there is some great info in here for O ring fans. I am one. I can't get on with other dampeners, as silly as that seems.

When I go with a more open 16x19 pattern, I have been dealing with my sampras dampeners falling out way too much.

The only other dampener that I feel is comparable right now and stays in is the babolat custom feel dampener. -

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Babolat_Custom_Damp_II_Red_Blue/descpageBAB-BCD2RB.html

It locks into the bottom cross and stays in the racquet, is soft and feels the same as the sampras O. I do not use the middle insert.

As I still prefer a classic O, I figured Id bump to see what people are using. If anyone has Lux O damps I would be happy to trade for a few, as I am interested in if they stay in an open pattern better.
 

Matchball

Semi-Pro
I found this thread through a forum search. Worth a bump as there is some great info in here for O ring fans. I am one. I can't get on with other dampeners, as silly as that seems.

When I go with a more open 16x19 pattern, I have been dealing with my sampras dampeners falling out way too much.

The only other dampener that I feel is comparable right now and stays in is the babolat custom feel dampener. -

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Babolat_Custom_Damp_II_Red_Blue/descpageBAB-BCD2RB.html

It locks into the bottom cross and stays in the racquet, is soft and feels the same as the sampras O. I do not use the middle insert.

As I still prefer a classic O, I figured Id bump to see what people are using. If anyone has Lux O damps I would be happy to trade for a few, as I am interested in if they stay in an open pattern better.

Does your classic O dampener stay on the 16x20 Vcore or does it fall out easily? I almost never had problems with that one, but on the 16x19 sometimes they would indeed fall out.
 

Chotobaka

Hall of Fame
Long time Sampras O-ring user here. As much as I have liked them and used them exclusively, I have found a couple of others that work great. The square Pacific dampener and the solid round Volkl. Both handle vibrations equally well and stay put. I have tried other o-ring designs but did not like them as much as Unique/Tourna.
 

808

Professional
The new Prince o-ring dampeners are very nice. Super soft and quite light. But they do tend to fly off in really open patterns (been using them on the 16x16 Tour ESP), though.

The Pacific o-ring dampeners are a bit larger in comparison and tend to stay put better but are unfortunately rather firm (and yes, I tried all three colours). I don't like them as much.

The best IMHO are the Babolat custom damps. I prefer the new square design but the old round ones are just as good. I always use the insert too.

I happen to have a couple of the old Luxilon dampeners but they're quite firm and brittle by now. More of a vanity item unless I find a way to make them soft again.
 

Matchball

Semi-Pro
For the more open patterns, a size between the Unique/Tourna and the Pacific O'ring dampeners would be ideal.
 

robbo1970

Hall of Fame
The new Prince o-ring dampeners are very nice. Super soft and quite light. But they do tend to fly off in really open patterns (been using them on the 16x16 Tour ESP), though.

The Pacific o-ring dampeners are a bit larger in comparison and tend to stay put better but are unfortunately rather firm (and yes, I tried all three colours). I don't like them as much.

The best IMHO are the Babolat custom damps. I prefer the new square design but the old round ones are just as good. I always use the insert too.

I happen to have a couple of the old Luxilon dampeners but they're quite firm and brittle by now. More of a vanity item unless I find a way to make them soft again.

I'm sure I read somewhere about the O dampeners flying off. One tip was to tie a bit of cotton thread around each side of the dampener to hold it on the strings. I've never tried it myself though, but in theory it should work.
 

struggle

Legend
i use the samp damp in my sticks, tight 18x20.

they don't pop out often. I actually push them up into place every few points as they tend to move down with my setup. I just do it real quick as part of the string seance thing.

i prefer the soft red ones, for whatever reason.

you DO have to pick through them to find the ones you like.

as for wider patterns, maybe try some bigger grommets from the hardware store?
 
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