Diary of a Racketaholic

Ross K

Legend
PED,

Forgot to ask, how's the Verdasco '09 mohican haircut?!:) Any impact? I've been sporting the skinhead' look of late btw. I may look meaner, and I wish I could say my shots are harder, but it's still the same old moonballs I'm hitting!:grin:

R
 

cheers

Rookie
Ross it is seriously insane how hot this stick has gotten. I wish myself and this thread could take the credit, but maybe it's just THAT good! ;)

Heh, no joke, i just got an EXO3 tour 16x18. I just strung it up with black magic mains and tour bite crosses. Now I'm debating whether or not to use it ASAP in a practice match today or hit with it extensively first. It's hard to resist, it swings so well and I'm dying to see what the BM/TB setup feels like in here. TF320 might warm the bench today...
 

cheers

Rookie
Exo3 tour

Just got done hitting for 4 hours with the exo3 Tour 16x18. With Black Magic 17 mains and Tour Bite 17 crosses both at 51#, rubber band dampener, and overgrip, it was 328.6g or about 11.6 oz. No lead.

I played about 4 sets of 4.5 Doubles, 1 hour of singles rallying, and a few singles tiebreakers. I got a lot of time with this racquet today. First of all, my arm feels great, the comfort and unique feel really stand out.

When I got this racquet, I was concerned about stability due to less weight, lack of pop, and weird feel. The feel was actually pretty awesome, like a muted POG OS for me. Very different from the TF320. It did have a little less Pop than my tfight, but I adjusted to it later. About the stability, I think it is great for the weight. It seems that the port hole grommets, soft flex, and giant sweetspot lead to excellent feel of stability when blocking back serves or hard shots. The port hole grommets let the strings move around more and cradle the ball and it seems to add to the stable feel.

About that pop. This stick was a noodle when you pushed it hard, but on very hard shots, you can block it back pretty hard. So it lacks a bit of pop on shots where you have to generate your own pace, but will keep up with lasers on the hard hit shots. Sweetspot feels huge. My serve returns were solid all day today. I did have trouble getting some pop on my first serve. With the tfight, I would bomb in first serves, but the exo is a bit tougher to get that flat bomb going. Very much like a POG OS in this regard. But my second serve had a ton of action on it, so I didnt worry about my first serve as much.

Whats cool is if you relax the arm and let the racquet do it's thing, it plays the best.

I need to hit with this a bit more and work on my first serves, but if I can get a flat bomber going with this stick, I may consider switching. I don't want to do lead yet until I'm sure it's the only way to get what I need out of it. I heard slot of people don't like the feel, but to each his own, I think the feel is actually pretty great.

TF320's may be on the bench for a while... I may go full tour bite next since this racquet can go stiffer strings without losing too much comfort.
 

klementine

Hall of Fame
Guys.... we're forgetting about Yonex... more racquetholistic ranting should be spent on Yonex.

Are we ignoring them altogether????

I hope not.... they have such a good PR campaign.

anna_kournikova_louis_vuitton.jpg


-:smile:
 
Last edited:

klementine

Hall of Fame
^ Yes indeedum dabally doo!!!!

It's almost painful to look at... as if life hasn't been lived until you've 'played with a Yonex' ;)
 

Ross K

Legend
klem,

If anyone can make me forget about my beloved Simona, Anna could be the one all right - haha!


cheers,

So interesting as your concerns seem to mirror mine exactly. Bottom line for me is I need all the help I can get with flat 1sts and 2hbh. I noticed that with the 03 Tour for example, a slight but notible drop off in pop compared to my APD. Also, more lately I've preferred a stiffer feel. Anyhow, I still haven't ruled out looking at the Exo Tour by any means. Do post your continuing progress and thoughts. Thx

R
 

Boricua

Hall of Fame
Played with VCore 100 in a very hot day.. My serve was inconsistent today but it wasnt the rackets fault. My slice backhand and forehand were pretty effective. I was hitting with alot of pace in the forehand side with good control and placement. Backhand slice did not float and had good penetration as well.

Played a guy who usually I have trouble beating but with the VCore I won 6-1,. 6-2. Well have if serve had been better who knows as he broke me two times. Im eager to use Pacific Polygut with the VCore and see changes in feel and playability.
 

Meaghan

Hall of Fame
Played with Head mg600 again yesterday after two weeks in the sun in majorca. I took off 4g from top of the hoop leaving 6g from 11-1..... New spec with a little manipulation, 364g, 31cm balance, swing weight reduced to around 345 ish.

It made a difference, the extra pop on serve came back and I played as well as I have done for the past few months winning two doubles matches 2 & 6 and 1 & 4. Served great and the rest of my game followed suit. So the mg600 its still in the reckoning.

I had a hit with an rdx 500 mp after the game and stock and bad strings it felt great, just pinging it all over the shop with pace and control. Afterwards I put that and the pro stock yonex mid together and there is very little difference in the head size, so I've bought two!

I also have two volkl dnx muds on their way to compete in the battle, and a donnay platinum.....

Let the fun times begin :)
 

Ross K

Legend
Played with Head mg600 again yesterday after two weeks in the sun in majorca. I took off 4g from top of the hoop leaving 6g from 11-1..... New spec with a little manipulation, 364g, 31cm balance, swing weight reduced to around 345 ish.

It made a difference, the extra pop on serve came back and I played as well as I have done for the past few months winning two doubles matches 2 & 6 and 1 & 4. Served great and the rest of my game followed suit. So the mg600 its still in the reckoning.

I had a hit with an rdx 500 mp after the game and stock and bad strings it felt great, just pinging it all over the shop with pace and control. Afterwards I put that and the pro stock yonex mid together and there is very little difference in the head size, so I've bought two!

I also have two volkl dnx muds on their way to compete in the battle, and a donnay platinum.....

Let the fun times begin :)

Rich, excellent stuff-haha!

Glad to see you're still in full Safinator mode with the superb MG Pres mid. You know how much I rated both the frame and the player. Be curious to see what you make of the DNX mid. I thought it was fantastic. Interesting about the RDX 500 too. I always fancied hitting with that, as it goes.

Anyhow, I salute your 100% original all out racketaholic behaviour!:) You, Sir, are a role model, an abject lesson to us all!

R
 

JGads

G.O.A.T.
Guys.... we're forgetting about Yonex... more racquetholistic ranting should be spent on Yonex.

Are we ignoring them altogether????

I hope not.... they have such a good PR campaign.

anna_kournikova_louis_vuitton.jpg


-:smile:

That's just stupid.

And is it sad that, while my first thought is, 'Holy ...", my second thought is, "Hmm. What stick is that, exactly?"

On the Yonex front, I'm a big fan. Quality frames. I just think they took a step down with the VCore line, which is just too rigid for my taste.
 

klementine

Hall of Fame
cheers,

So interesting as your concerns seem to mirror mine exactly. Bottom line for me is I need all the help I can get with flat 1sts and 2hbh. I noticed that with the 03 Tour for example, a slight but notible drop off in pop compared to my APD. Also, more lately I've preferred a stiffer feel. Anyhow, I still haven't ruled out looking at the Exo Tour by any means. Do post your continuing progress and thoughts. Thx

R


To me (and maybe this is because I'm swinging the 18x20) the Tour100 feels very much the same flex as a Radical. The exo feels a ton more stable than any prior models..ie..03..Ozone... The inserts are made out of a stiffer material than the Rebel95's.. some kind of composite carbon fiber material.

Just tried tour bite 18g in one of mine (first time solinco user.. so no comparison to any other strings by them).... wow.. is ... all... I... have... to...say!

Very firm for an 18g string, plenty of power available. Responsive and produced nice cuts on the ball. I strung it at 50lbs. and it still feels like it's in the high 40's. Beautiful kicks. I've found my new favorite 18g poly. Has a nice sound as well.... not the shotgun blast that Lux strings give... but a very resounding 'thump'.

Will play some more tomorrow. Also picking up my other exoT tomorrow... that particular one is done-up with Champion's Choice. I'm very interested to see how gut/alu play in this frame.

-Toodles
 

JGads

G.O.A.T.
Welcome to Tour Bite. Does it crisp up the feel of the EXO nicely, as I suspect it would?

I played tonight with all three of my frames (it was windy and we were just hitting around) and my BC20 was the lone frame in my bag with Tour Bite in it - pretty fresh - and it was just stupendous. Amazing what TB does to the ball, especially in a more open pattern where some serious funk is on the ball. Just wish the magic lasted longer before needing to be swapped out, but I accept the trade off.
 

JGads

G.O.A.T.
Hmm. My guess is that it's probably about the same, but Hours 8-10 are painful ones where the ball just isn't controlled, letting you to realize the strings are gone the hard way.

I need to start logging my string hours, because I often forget how much time I've put on each string set/stick.
 

JGads

G.O.A.T.
Eh. Nothing really, just always hated the guy for how bratty he acts on court - berating umps whenever things aren't going his way, smashing sticks, dismissing ball kids, etc. The latest "I think you should retire" comment to a reporter just another thing. Oh, and Brooklyn Decker.

Will change sig again shortly. Soon as I think of something...
 

mad dog1

G.O.A.T.
Welcome to Tour Bite. Does it crisp up the feel of the EXO nicely, as I suspect it would?

I played tonight with all three of my frames (it was windy and we were just hitting around) and my BC20 was the lone frame in my bag with Tour Bite in it - pretty fresh - and it was just stupendous. Amazing what TB does to the ball, especially in a more open pattern where some serious funk is on the ball. Just wish the magic lasted longer before needing to be swapped out, but I accept the trade off.

that, my friend, is why you should buy a stringer and string for yourself. :)
 

JGads

G.O.A.T.
I know, I know. Will probably go for a Klippermate here in the next month or two, or something else that's reasonably priced and a good starter.
 

mad dog1

G.O.A.T.
i got meself a reel of TB 16L so now i've got TB to last a long time since i'm only using it in the mains. :)

too bad you don't live closer to me otherwise i'd offer to string for you for cheap.
 

JGads

G.O.A.T.
I'll move. Ha.

You'll have to let me know the best hybrid setup you find, as I think a Tour Bite hybrid is where I'm headed as well. Wasn't into hybrid setups before - always felt kind of weird to me and my mind didn't know exactly how the stringbed was responding - but the Revenge/NXT hybrid on my 7G right now is still doing well for me, much better than any other hybrid I've tried -- thanks for the tension tip, by the way.
 

Meaghan

Hall of Fame
DNX Mid ...............You'd better have power to burn if youre swinging the original wet noodle :)

Yes nick I'm a big fan of wet noodles due to my power burning ability!

I seem to be able to generate more power with noodles as I can give it a good wallop and with tour bite stiffening up the string bed its heaven. Stiff frames don't seem to move thro the air as well for me.
 

rlau

Hall of Fame
I would hardly call the DNX 10 Mid a noodle. It felt rather stiff to me, and not HL enough for my taste.
 

Meaghan

Hall of Fame
I would hardly call the DNX 10 Mid a noodle. It felt rather stiff to me, and not HL enough for my taste.

I agree graphite fibreglass composite rackets I've used before with flex ratings in the mid 50's have never felt too soft and noodley. I've always enjoyed the feel and flex and as I've said before I seem to generate more pace as I don't have to restrict my swing.

On the relative stiffness of the dnx mid, I've heard it feels slightly softer than the pb10 but more head heavy....specs seem to suggest this??
 

rlau

Hall of Fame
I agree graphite fibreglass composite rackets I've used before with flex ratings in the mid 50's have never felt too soft and noodley. I've always enjoyed the feel and flex and as I've said before I seem to generate more pace as I don't have to restrict my swing.
The DNX 10 and Power Bridge 10 series contain DNX, which is a nanotube carbon. So they are not traditional graphite frames. IMO, the DNX material gives the frames a stiffer feel.

On the relative stiffness of the dnx mid, I've heard it feels slightly softer than the pb10 but more head heavy....specs seem to suggest this??

While the specs seem to suggest that, the PB10 Mid felt softer to me than the DNX10 Mid. Could be the string pattern 16x19 vs 18x20 and/or the string job.
 

PED

Legend
Going on the maiden voyage with the Tec 320 later today.

Picking it up from my stringer last night, he mentioned that it was a PIA to string because of the location of the tie off holes. Anyone have any input on that.

First impressions from dry swinging: this thing comes around FAST. Much quicker than my leaded apds :)
 

Ross K

Legend
PED,

Bon voyage!


riau,

Totally agree with all you've said re DNX 10 mid.


klem,

Tour Bite is pretty incredible stuff eh?


Meags,

Welcome home!


R
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
Going on the maiden voyage with the Tec 320 later today.

Picking it up from my stringer last night, he mentioned that it was a PIA to string because of the location of the tie off holes. Anyone have any input on that.

First impressions from dry swinging: this thing comes around FAST. Much quicker than my leaded apds :)

It should weigh around 12 ozs with grip and dampener. I think what you are noticing is that the SW is lower...around 323 or so. For being a little lower in SW the stick hits pretty big. It reminds me a lot of the EXO in terms of power and spin, but it may have a hair more beef because of the thicker beam.

As for stringing..yes it is a slight PITA, but nothing crazy.
 

PED

Legend
Mine is slightly (2g) above spec and is 344g strung with full TB and an OG.

It's def the lower SW that makes it quicker, I can tell it's going to be a timing adjustment on the FH as I've only demoed one non Babolat in the last year....lol
 

rlau

Hall of Fame
So you don't think the dnx material is just blag?

No, I think it's the DNX material that stiffens up some parts of the frame.

Also 18x20, I thought both were 16 x 19 ?

No, the PB10 Mid has an open pattern, while the DNX10 Mid had a closed pattern, giving it obviously also a stiffer feel when stringing it up at the same tension as the PB10 Mid.
 

PED

Legend
Tec 320, all I can say is thanks to PP and Fed. It's everything I had hoped. A more "adult" version of the apd. Better control and the ball just explodes off the bed.

Surprisingly good on slices and droppers, even with that open pattern. I think I could stick my head through the space ;)

I went with 54/52 and probably should have done 52/50; I forgot to account for the 95 hoop instead of the Bab's 100.

Hopping on the bandwagon :)
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
This is why sometimes I think to sell racquets you just need to change the PJs. The 320 is awesome and many people missed out because they were thrown off by the graphics of the last one. This new one looks sick as hell and is one of the best PJs you can get. Everything else is pretty much the same. If you want a full poly spin tweener, it has to be the best choice out there.
 

PED

Legend
It will literally do anything you want to the ball, heavy top, slice or just drive a hard flat winner.

My IO FH hasn't been this solid since using the YTPP last year.

It's solid as hell.

It also came around so quick that I was able to pull my hand through the shot instead of having to use so much wrist for stick speed.
 

Ross K

Legend
Meags,

Er, well, my DNX10 mid had a 16x19 pattern at any rate - it was one major reason I liked it so much!:wink:


PED,

Sounds really promising about your first session with the 'Tec 320... what are the chances Fed/yourself might now 'do a Power Player' and turn everyone on to it a la the Exo Tour bandwagon express that has recently steamed its way through the TT boards?!:)

QSN though... How do you feel about the head-size difference with the APD? For me, looking back, I'm pretty sure that was a main cause of me not quite gelling with the 320.


All,

Of my own TFing around, a few hits of late with the TF Speedflex 315 and my latest thoughts centre around the odd way it kind of offers up such a weak shot unless you catch it right - this being on my bh side. It's weird because I didn't expect this 'Prestige-like' response or whatever. I imagined it would be more tweenerish, more Bab-like in being incredibly forgiving and with that easy power just there at the flick of a wrist. It seems to me that the sweet spot isn't massive (not that my APD Original is either.) And more than that, the way of swinging is nothing like as easy as, say, an 03 Tour or APD. A I said last week, it's like you've got to catch it on the front foot and with good room, or it's kind of top of you. I'm wondering if it might be a bit like the YT Rad Pro, which I could never quite get the hang of in this respect. I say that because I'm considering doing the same as I felt compelled to do with the Rad Pro - namely, adding lead to the butt. Anyhow, it's my 2hbh seems to be suffering in this regard. On many occasions I'm just left scratching my head over the latest limp, 2hbh shot which has just fizzled out mid-court.

All of which sounds 'thumbs down'-ish. However, I love the solidness (I reiterate this frame is pretty rare in that it combines tweener with more 'player's' frame); my fh is kaboomingly lethal; you can definitely flatten out as well as spin; I like the sillicone handle; it has pretty good feel and touch; it looks like a mean mother with the dark dangerous black pj (no witchy-poos cosmetic here, this one is a demon-eyed Zeus - LOL); and best of all of course - it adds noticable MPH to my serve.:cool:


R
 

Fed Kennedy

Legend
This is why sometimes I think to sell racquets you just need to change the PJs. The 320 is awesome and many people missed out because they were thrown off by the graphics of the last one. This new one looks sick as hell and is one of the best PJs you can get. Everything else is pretty much the same. If you want a full poly spin tweener, it has to be the best choice out there.

It is amazing what a new PJ and an upside down Wilson Gulbis dampener can do for your game.

Tipsarevic-captures-Malaysian-Open-OREH4DF-x-large.jpg
 

Fed Kennedy

Legend
Tec 320, all I can say is thanks to PP and Fed. It's everything I had hoped. A more "adult" version of the apd. Better control and the ball just explodes off the bed.

Surprisingly good on slices and droppers, even with that open pattern. I think I could stick my head through the space ;)

I went with 54/52 and probably should have done 52/50; I forgot to account for the 95 hoop instead of the Bab's 100.

Hopping on the bandwagon :)

Congratulations on kicking Cortex

sheen-775736.jpg
 

JGads

G.O.A.T.
It is amazing what a new PJ and an upside down Wilson Gulbis dampener can do for your game.

Tipsarevic-captures-Malaysian-Open-OREH4DF-x-large.jpg

That paintjob is extremely goaty. Somewhere in the middle- to late- of a Top 10 that includes the YT Prestige, KPS88, Donnay Dual Cores and, perhaps the goatiest of newcomers, that London Tour.

Fed, PED: congrats on being sexy beasts out there.
 

Chace

Hall of Fame
Fed, PED or anybody.....I just picked up a Tec 320, what string set ups do you find work well with this stick?
 

PED

Legend
M

PED,

QSN though... How do you feel about the head-size difference with the APD? For me, looking back, I'm pretty sure that was a main cause of me not quite gelling with the 320.

R

TBH, I didn't notice any small sweet spot issues. I guess since I spent so long with the mgpp and ytpp which is basically a 95 so I had no issue with it. I guess I did notice better control from the smaller head though.

Ross, you made a comment a few months back about 100" sticks swinging sluggishly; that really stayed in my mind and I found it to be true. It helped to pave the way back to a smaller hoop size.

Is your 320 the samurai version or is it the older style frame. It appears that the samurai and newer sticks are much more powerful and that might account for it.

Chace, I just got mine but I'm a full poly guy and Tour bite 16L at 54/52 was nice. I'll drop the tension next time and see how that goes.
 

Ross K

Legend
TBH, I didn't notice any small sweet spot issues. I guess since I spent so long with the mgpp and ytpp which is basically a 95 so I had no issue with it. I guess I did notice better control from the smaller head though.

Ross, you made a comment a few months back about 100" sticks swinging sluggishly; that really stayed in my mind and I found it to be true. It helped to pave the way back to a smaller hoop size.

Is your 320 the samurai version or is it the older style frame. It appears that the samurai and newer sticks are much more powerful and that might account for it.

Chace, I just got mine but I'm a full poly guy and Tour bite 16L at 54/52 was nice. I'll drop the tension next time and see how that goes.

Mine was the Samurai. Yes, I liked it a lot and for many of the reasons you do... so lightish and easy to use... fizzing serve... easy to manipulate ball... lots of spin, etc.

Just for me personally I found I noticed a tinny feel I couldn't quite erase from my thoughts. I also could never quite get that consistent depth I like - and I tried leading and different string jobs/tensions. Plus - and I fully concede this is slightly complicated in my mind as there are flex as well as referred to head-size issues and other considerations too (not least my lack of technique - hahhahha :))- yes, I kind of came to the conclusion I think I need a 100" head-size as it's obviously not a power issue per ce...

I don't know, the best way I can describe is I find frames like the TF320 and N95 hit a very, very ZIPPY ball. Whereas with an APD, a TF SF 315, or my PC+ I hit more of a BOOMING ball. And perhaps the 03 Tour and Prestige Pro are somewhere in the middle? Anyhow, all is obviously very subjective and hard to quantify.


R


BTW... Having bought and trialed this frame twice in the last 3 years or something, don't think any amount of persuasive glowing reviews and insights into perfect set ups etc is going to make me check it out for a third time... no way!... no siree!... it's not going to happen!... ("HOLDS HIS HANDS OVER HIS EARS. CLOSES EYES."):grin:
 

UWBTennis

Rookie
I don't know, the best way I can describe is I find frames like the TF320 and N95 hit a very, very ZIPPY ball. Whereas with an APD, a TF SF 315, or my PC+ I hit more of a BOOMING ball. And perhaps the 03 Tour and Prestige Pro are somewhere in the middle? Anyhow, all is obviously very subjective and hard to quantify.


R

Hearing you guys talk about the N95 makes me rather curious about it. How does it compare to the BLX version? What makes it so different that your talking about that version instead of the most recent one? I notice when I demoed the BLX six.one 95 16 X 18 that it was a little heavier than I wanted but the string pattern seemed also a little close. Is it because the N95 had a much more open string pattern and a lower swingweight that you guys liked it so much?

Also, if you guys know any way that I can get my hand on a demo opportunity with it in western Washington would be appreciated, I really want to try it out but it's easy to imagine how getting your hand on a demo of such a old racquet would be rare.
 
Top