power level 800
Semi-Pro
Does this support thread also for the Ki5 PSE?
Does this support thread also for the Ki5 PSE?
Just picked one of these up..... WOW !! Some stick....
Unbelievable plough, great for S&V and groundies are huge if you can get your feet moving and prepare early
Mine comes in at 386g stock with OG & Dampner, I'm up early this morning to hit the gym !!!!
seems like no one plays with the Ki5x here.
I getting attached to this stick. I love the plow of this. Serves are awesome too.
I play with the Ki 5x. I got it partly because of the serves, and it really delivers. The downside is the maneuverability, which is what makes the Ki 5 the one that should appeal to more players, in my opinion. I've gotten accustomed to the extra length and swingweight.
Overall, I think the Ki 5x is a great stick. The length gives you bigger serves, a little more power, and a little more stability at the expense of mobility versus the Ki 5. It's a pretty even trade, and which one is better depends on your style.
...I may have to try the PPA 16 that everyone here is raving about. So far though, the best string i've tried with the Ki5 is Technifibre NRG2 17, but it doesn't last long enough.
I decided to take the plunge and got my Ki5 strung with Luxilon Fluoro - the poly string that's supposedly easier on the arm. We'll see... I will pick the racquet up on Monday and will report back with a review. If it sucks, I may have to try the PPA 16 that everyone here is raving about. So far though, the best string i've tried with the Ki5 is Technifibre NRG2 17, but it doesn't last long enough.
PPA 16 is turning out to be more durable that the average multi. It is not as comfy as XCel but it is good enough throughout the life of the string. What I like about the string is that it is slightly lower powered than typical multis and plays fine at lower tensions. In fact, it reminds me a little of my beloved Multifeel that I used years ago. I am thinking about stocking up on this stuff.
Before you settle on PPA, you should try Signum Pro Micronite or Discho Microfibre.
So I hit for 2 hours last night with my Ki5 strung with Luxilon Fluoro 17 strung at 50lbs. I think this racquet/string combo is my new holy grail! The power and control were amazing. My partner said he had never seen me play so well before.
Am I kidding myself? Maybe. I realize these strings are only supposed to last 3 hours, but I will know for sure after a week. I experienced zero arm pain today, and that's usually when I know if I screwed up my elbow or not.
Anyhow, very happy to report that a poly string seems to be working well with a Ki5.
I want to but they are more difficult to get here. The only place I can find them is in Germany and they have really high shipping costs for some reason. I can get the PPA 16 in black for €5 a pack at the moment and shipping is a mere €6. I already bought 10 packs and have 6 left, I was thinking about getting another 20 or even 30 packs. This is actually cheaper than the reel. Worst case scenario I use it as a cross string later on with something else like DM.
Is DM available in black?
Hi GrandSlam.
I have made exactly the same switch but without such positive results so far. I cut out the syn gut that the Ki5 came with and installed a gut/poly hybrid which felt too stiff so I cut out the poly cross and put in syn gut which was better until the gut got wet and turned to mush. Now thinking a lowwe tension full poly is the way forward for the Ki5. Poly Star Energy is next at 50lbs.
Did you modify the Ki5 in any way? It feels a bit dead in the upper hoop compared to the PD. Have added 6g to the hoop and 4g at the top of the handle. Will see how it plays tomorrow once I have strung it.
Any feedback would be appreciated as I am close to moving on again and really want to get on with the Ki5 due to my recurrent TE problems.
I experimented with a lot combinations of lead on my Ki 5x including 3 and 9 o'clock, 12 o'clock, 3, 9, and 12 o'clock, and lead in the butt cap to counterbalance. I liked the way it played stock, and I really didn't have much of a reason to add weight other than seeing if it made an improvement. I did see some improvements in stringbed response, particularly with lead at 12 o'clock, but eventually I came to the conclusion that the stock racquet was fine and adding weight slowed down a frame that was already sluggish compared to my APDGT. All I add now is racquet head tape on the bumper guard, an overgrip, and an O-shaped dampener. If you use 1.5" Gamma racquet head tape, the weight is actually quite substantial (about 4-5 grams I think).
I really didn't have a problem making the transition from my APDGT. I think most people who like the Ki 5 are the type of players who take fast swings and generate much of their own power. When I took the same kind of swings with my APDGT, the ball would fly. Maybe your problem is a matter of style, which could mean getting used to the racquet or picking another frame with more power.
Personally, I thought the best place to add lead was at 12 o'clock with no counterweights because the racquet is plenty head light (I would consider the Ki 5 very head light also). However, just adding racquet head tape and an overgrip was enough for me.
My demo from TW weighs 11.45oz / 325g so allowing 0.5oz /15g for strings, looks like mine is 310g as well. Interestingly, TW (US) specs the strung weight at 11.8oz / 334.52g! So I would consider paying for TW's matching service if there's really that much variation.I don't know how significant the extra 5 or so grams is, but the racquets seem to play very well and handle heavy balls just fine. But I am interested to know if anyone ever got the 315 with an actual weight of 315g?
My demo from TW weighs 11.45oz / 325g so allowing 0.5oz /15g for strings, looks like mine is 310g as well. Interestingly, TW (US) specs the strung weight at 11.8oz / 334.52g!
... but now I don't care since my elbow has healed while still being able to play aggressive tennis.
Smirker... I didn't make any mods to my Ki5, so I'm playing with it in stock form. At first I experimented with adding lead to 3 and 9, and then just 12 o'clock, but it didn't work for me. I found the racquet to have less control when it was leaded, but that was just my experience. I realize everyone will have different experiences based on their playing style, arm strength, level, etc.
I tried many soft strings and even full natural gut with the Ki5, and though really comfy, for it still lacked the "pop" that I desired . The poly string @ 50lbs was the secret ingredient for me. If you desire a more stable feel, I would give it a try.
there is almost no information on Q5 315-really nobody plays this stick?
After I demo'd a Ki 315 last November, I also tried the Q5 315, Ki5x, and Qtour. The first two were strung w/ Babolat Addiction and the Qtour had PPA.there is almost no information on Q5 315-really nobody plays this stick?
I've been playing around with strings on the Ki5 315.
First I put in Prince Premier Attack 16g in black in a full bed at around 24kgs. This is a nice string and plays well but is a little stiff. I wouldn't call it arm friendly but I also wouldn't call it unfriendly. If there is one thing that really characterizes this string it is DURABILITY. I normally break multis in about 6 hours of play but get at least 10 out of PPA.
I got a reel of Mantis Comfort Synthetic 16g in black and started playing around with it at around 24kgs. As a full bed this is a great string for comfort, and the power and spin are what I always get with other strings. Really impressive comfort, but durability is typical for a multi, even maybe a tad less. 5-6 hours and pop. I think it may last longer but when stringing it in a full bed the crosses start to notch the mains and vice versa and there are many tiny notches all over by the end of the stringing. When pulling the crosses it sounds like a violin playing. Maybe this is because of the black coating?
So, since I normally break crosses, I put the PPA in the crosses at 23kg and the MCS in the mains at 24kg. It works just great and I am still getting 10 hours a stringjob and the comfort is improved. Spin is impressive and there is more than enough power. Interestingly, the PPA doesn't notch the MCS when stringing either.
Anyway, this is a great hybrid for the Ki5 315. The extremes in comfort and durability between these two strings balances out and provides a stringbed that is both
very comfortable and durable. And the cost of these strings is not so bad either and playability wise is just as good as a full bed of XCel Premium but at half the cost.
3. Q5- Very, very solid, but lacking some of the feel I get from the Ki5. However there is more easy power.
I still really like mine. So it figures that just as I'm getting used to it and comfortable with it, I'm being tempted to try out the Q5 315 and the Volkl Organix 10 325.
I get a lot of questions about the Pro Kennex line too from drill classmates and opponents. Most people seem to think they went under 20 years ago or have never heard of them.
Hey Ken, when you switched to the Ki5 from the pslgt did you not find the Ki 5 to be a little too powerful?
Does anyone know if KI5x is better on the arm compared to KI5,I current have three 7G and l am planning to try out KI5x.