Organix 8 315 Club

[TennisMaverick]

Thanks TM. I had thought about the X10 325. I will have to start reviewing relevant threads. I did try it very briefly this summer, and in comparing it to the Melbourne, found it to lack the plow through that the Melbourne and 6.1 provide. But maybe with the right string setup...

Do you think that the X10 325 offers the same degree of precision as the 6.1 18x20?

I don't find the 6.1 to play precise; it isn't as stable as one would expect as Wilson's top player's stick, stock. One of my players uses it and I hit with it extensively. It requires a very fast swing speed, and the ball comes-off the string bed very quickly, and that is the 18x20. The X10 is more stable, so I found it more precise, even though its string bed is very quick as well. If you drop tension on the X10, the dwell time increases dramatically and work well with your arm issues.

 

[BigT]

Sorry if it's already mentioned in the thread.

How does the X8 315 compare with the PB8 315?

 

[ollinger]

X-8 to me felt stiffer, harsher, more head heavy. Had an easier time keeping the ball in the court with the PB.

 

[JackB1]

Heard that the Organix 8 315 was same specs as the PDR, maybe a little lighter, so I gave it a try again. I briefly demoed the X8 315 when it first came out and it felt heavy at that time, but now that I'm used to the PDR, the X8-315 feels just right The PDR feels ever so slightly heavy at times, but the X8 seems to hit my weight and swingweight happy zone. So yesterday I played a match with the PDR and did OK, but never really had that "comfortable" feeling when you aren't thinking about the racquet. Tonite I used the X8 315 and played great with it! I won my 2nd ever match at the 4.0 level and never served better. I blasted through the 1st set 6-1 and hung on to win the 2nd set 7-5, after trailing 3-5. With the X8, I DID have that "comfortable" feeling and all my shots were clicking. Winners came easier than usual and I had no complaints about the racquet at all. I know, I know...honeymoon but I am hoping I have stumbled onto something here. I was planning on sticking with either the PD or PDR, but so far, this works better for me than either of those. The X8 was strung with B5E mains and Explosiv crosses and that combo played nice, even though I normally am not a poly mains guy. Lots of power but controllable with all the spin this thing generates. So we'll see!

I would love to hear from anyone else using the X8-315 and what strings/tension have you found to work well with this racquet. Mine currently has B5E/Explosiv and it seems to work well.

 

[A_Instead]

Me too. Bought another one to give it another go. Having the NYC got me thinking about the X8 315 again. We'll see..
Definetly swings easier than the PDR.

 

[El Diablo]

Get some therapy already, JB1! Every other day you un-click with one racquet and click with another. The 315 is a dog -- too much pop and too little stability to have decent control. I guarantee you'll hate the thing within two weeks.

 

[JackB1]

Get some therapy already, JB1! Every other day you un-click with one racquet and click with another. The 315 is a dog -- too much pop and too little stability to have decent control. I guarantee you'll hate the thing within two weeks.

Tell me something I don't know dude

About the X315, the pop is what I like, but I am coming from the PDR. If you are used to control sticks like a Prestige or a Rebel, than I can see you not liking the X8. Stability wise, I disagree. This racquet is solid as any other high 11 oz. racquets. No issues with twisting or off center hits...it handles incoming pace pretty well. Only possible issues I can see people having are the somewhat high swingweight, high power or stiffness. Personally, I like the power, swingweight and had no issues with the stiffness as of yet and that was with poly mains.

I strongly suggest anyone who likes the PDR to give it a shot.

 

[coolblue123]

315 is a good racquet for plow. What i like better than groundies on this racquet is hitting flat serves. Even second serves turned into bombers. I've added lead on the handle to balance out some of the top heaviness I felt. I had to add some extra topspin to keep the ball in. Also, the sweetspot is extended above the center too. A plus for folks, like me, that likes to hit on that spot.
I like the dark red color but I wish that they could of turned it into a matte color instead of a shiny enamel.

 

[chaddles]

I'm nearly sold on this stick, I've been using it for 3-4 weeks now and I've really adapted well to it. Loving the power now I'm getting compared to the X10 325, especially now im hitting with the extra spin. What I was most surprised with is the accuracy I am getting, which I wasn't expecting.

I'm using Alu Power @ 52/50 mainly and it's been a super comfortable stick that plays so solid, which is its biggest advantage over the PDR.

 

[coolblue123]

oh i got the chance to demo the V1 mid+ (for the heck of it) yesterday. Don't know why, but somehow I like the V1 alittle more. Even though the 315 has alot more plow. THe V1 was easier to swing with.
I don't know, is there such a thing as a ball that hits heavy and flat vs a ball that has a heavy topspin? Both balls have alot of pace. That's the difference I between both sticks.

 

[JackB1]

315 is a good racquet for plow. What i like better than groundies on this racquet is hitting flat serves. Even second serves turned into bombers. I've added lead on the handle to balance out some of the top heaviness I felt. I had to add some extra topspin to keep the ball in. Also, the sweetspot is extended above the center too. A plus for folks, like me, that likes to hit on that spot.
I like the dark red color but I wish that they could of turned it into a matte color instead of a shiny enamel.

Agree with most of what you say here.

Have you been using the x8 or the London? Also, what strings work best in the X8? Is it pretty much full poly or a poly/nylon hybrid racquet?

 

[JackB1]

I'm nearly sold on this stick, I've been using it for 3-4 weeks now and I've really adapted well to it. Loving the power now I'm getting compared to the X10 325, especially now im hitting with the extra spin. What I was most surprised with is the accuracy I am getting, which I wasn't expecting.

I'm using Alu Power @ 52/50 mainly and it's been a super comfortable stick that plays so solid, which is its biggest advantage over the PDR.

I agree. I could probably do full poly in the X8, but in the PDR, I was forced to use full Xcel to soften things up.

 

[JackB1]

oh i got the chance to demo the V1 mid+ (for the heck of it) yesterday. Don't know why, but somehow I like the V1 alittle more. Even though the 315 has alot more plow. THe V1 was easier to swing with.
I don't know, is there such a thing as a ball that hits heavy and flat vs a ball that has a heavy topspin? Both balls have alot of pace. That's the difference I between both sticks.

its all about how you prefer to swing. Fast and whippy? The V1 or NYC would work. The X8 seems to work well with my long and smooth swing. A lot of the power to drive the ball comes from the racquet's mass, so it doesn't always require a fast, hard swing. But when I get a short ball that I need to whip and get over the top of, I can do that too.

BTW, I won my first league 4.0 singles match last night playing with the X8!
It was mostly due to how well I served with it. Only got broken once in 2 sets.

 

[goherd27]

its all about how you prefer to swing. Fast and whippy? The V1 or NYC would work. The X8 seems to work well with my long and smooth swing. A lot of the power to drive the ball comes from the racquet's mass, so it doesn't always require a fast, hard swing. But when I get a short ball that I need to whip and get over the top of, I can do that too.

BTW, I won my first league 4.0 singles match last night playing with the X8!
It was mostly due to how well I served with it. Only got broken once in 2 sets.

I disagree a little about the V1. I think the classic responds well to long smooth strokes but seems more suited to flat strokes. The XV1 is the one that is more suited to more modern strokes. I don't believe either require whippy strokes but are adaptable to that style if you have it. Just my humble opinion.

 

[coolblue123]

its all about how you prefer to swing. Fast and whippy? The V1 or NYC would work. The X8 seems to work well with my long and smooth swing. A lot of the power to drive the ball comes from the racquet's mass, so it doesn't always require a fast, hard swing. But when I get a short ball that I need to whip and get over the top of, I can do that too.

BTW, I won my first league 4.0 singles match last night playing with the X8!
It was mostly due to how well I served with it. Only got broken once in 2 sets.

congrads on your 4.0 win.

I've been the "demi-JB1," for the last 6 months. I've brought at least 5 different racquets and all of them didn't completely fit my game till the NYC came.

London is still the wife but recently felt comfy enough to start to goto the NYC. But like concubines, they come and go.

 

[A_Instead]

Got me another X8 315.
Does remind me of the NYC with more plow and shear brute.
Still think, NYC is the child of the parent London and X8 315.

 

[JackB1]

I disagree a little about the V1. I think the classic responds well to long smooth strokes but seems more suited to flat strokes. The XV1 is the one that is more suited to more modern strokes. I don't believe either require whippy strokes but are adaptable to that style if you have it. Just my humble opinion.

I definitely agree about the classic. I had a hard time NOT hitting flat with that racquet.

 

[JackB1]

congrads on your 4.0 win.

I've been the "demi-JB1," for the last 6 months. I've brought at least 5 different racquets and all of them didn't completely fit my game till the NYC came.

London is still the wife but recently felt comfy enough to start to goto the NYC. But like concubines, they come and go.

So when did you dump the X8s?

 

[coolblue123]

Got me another X8 315.
Does remind me of the NYC with more plow and shear brute.
Still think, NYC is the child of the parent London and X8 315.

yeah. i kinda got the same feeling too. Looks like a happy marriage to me. I look forward in more future children from them two.

 

[JackB1]

Got me another X8 315.
Does remind me of the NYC with more plow and shear brute.
Still think, NYC is the child of the parent London and X8 315.

That's what I like about the X8! The plow and power. Don't need any offspring!

 

[JackB1]

anyone else found string combos that work well in the X8?

 

[Fusker]

So I just joined the club. Background is found here: http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=465483

My evolution to where I'm at today is pretty short and sweet:
Prince CTS Approach (1990-1994)
Wilson Pro Staff 6.1 (1994-2004) (Includes a long void from '96 - '03 of not playing much)
Wilson k6.1 16x18 (2005-2012)
Head Youtek Prestige MP (2012-2012)
ProKennex ki5 315 (2012-Present)

Got my racquets yesterday, strung up with Tour Bite (16L) mains @ 53 lb and N.Vy crosses at 55 lb. Went to the club last night and spent an hour and a half with the ball machine and plenty of serves. Whereas I had a real hard time with the demo because of the strings, having these strung with the same setup I'm playing on my ProKennex ki5 315 gave me a much better frame of reference.

First off, the power increase is noticeable. I definitely air mailed some balls into the backstop until I started to get a feel for it. While it's a head light racquet, the comments about it being "tip heavy" in this thread are spot on. I haven't played with a racquet I would describe that way and once I got accustomed to it, the feel became pretty natural. I started to get dialed in on easy balls. On balls I had to reach for, I quickly learned that a quick flick of the wrists on a stretched forehand had the same effect of the ki5 taking a full cut.

It's a very solid racquet at the baseline. A few mishits didn't twist the racquet much or result in much shock. I'll have to work on a little more controlled (shorter backswing) but aggressive cuts on short balls. Those shots are rewarded with heavy spinning balls that drive easily through the court. Too big a cut and I can see spraying them around.

Serving - wow. I think I found the 6.1 magic I had lost.

Volleys - it works well for me. I'm more of a punched volley with the occasional drop volley mixed in. I'm not a guy that makes a living off of soft hands, but I do well digging balls off my feet and half volleys. It seems like it serves me well there.

In short - if I can make some small adjustments to my baseline game to harness the power, I think I found my arm-friendly racquet that sets up points well for me off the serve, and allows me to played with some controlled aggression.

 

[jonahnaturals]

So I just joined the club. Background is found here: http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=465483

My evolution to where I'm at today is pretty short and sweet:
Prince CTS Approach (1990-1994)
Wilson Pro Staff 6.1 (1994-2004) (Includes a long void from '96 - '03 of not playing much)
Wilson k6.1 16x18 (2005-2012)
Head Youtek Prestige MP (2012-2012)
ProKennex ki5 315 (2012-Present)

Got my racquets yesterday, strung up with Tour Bite (16L) mains @ 53 lb and N.Vy crosses at 55 lb. Went to the club last night and spent an hour and a half with the ball machine and plenty of serves. Whereas I had a real hard time with the demo because of the strings, having these strung with the same setup I'm playing on my ProKennex ki5 315 gave me a much better frame of reference.

First off, the power increase is noticeable. I definitely air mailed some balls into the backstop until I started to get a feel for it. While it's a head light racquet, the comments about it being "tip heavy" in this thread are spot on. I haven't played with a racquet I would describe that way and once I got accustomed to it, the feel became pretty natural. I started to get dialed in on easy balls. On balls I had to reach for, I quickly learned that a quick flick of the wrists on a stretched forehand had the same effect of the ki5 taking a full cut.

It's a very solid racquet at the baseline. A few mishits didn't twist the racquet much or result in much shock. I'll have to work on a little more controlled (shorter backswing) but aggressive cuts on short balls. Those shots are rewarded with heavy spinning balls that drive easily through the court. Too big a cut and I can see spraying them around.

Serving - wow. I think I found the 6.1 magic I had lost.

Volleys - it works well for me. I'm more of a punched volley with the occasional drop volley mixed in. I'm not a guy that makes a living off of soft hands, but I do well digging balls off my feet and half volleys. It seems like it serves me well there.

In short - if I can make some small adjustments to my baseline game to harness the power, I think I found my arm-friendly racquet that sets up points well for me off the serve, and allows me to played with some controlled aggression.

How are things going with the Organix 8 315? It's still my main stick, always pulling me back after I've gone off trying something new...

 

[Fusker]

How are things going with the Organix 8 315? It's still my main stick, always pulling me back after I've gone off trying something new...

Sorry man - just saw this.

Overall, I still like the stick a lot. It took a bit to adjust my game, but I don't feel like I'm sailing as many balls as early on. The tradeoff with it has been that when I'm pulled out wide on my forehand, I've learned to just flick the wrist to hit a passing shot, so not as much effort is required.

The open string pattern has helped generate a bit more spin than I think I was getting previously. So that's helping me keep a few more balls in play.

Where I've actually been really pleasantly surprised with the racquet is at net. I feel like I am hitting better volleys than I did with my last racquet. I think it's the tip-heavy feel of the racquet (even though it's still head light) that I'm meshing with. My previous experiences have all been very head light racquets, and while they felt maneuverable, I wouldn't say I felt rock solid with them. When I go to punch a volley away with this racquet, it gets put away.

 

[DustinW]

Just picked up a x8 315 (non g version). This is my first Volkl and I'm wondering now why it took me so long. Really comfortable and great feel... and of course tons of spin and power.

It felt good from the first hit and took me only about a set to settle in. Serves and groundstrokes were fantastic. I played singles so I didn't make it to the net too often... but when I did, it was solid with good pop and response. Slices seemed to stay up a bit more than I would like, but that will come with time.

You definitely can't let off the gas with this frame. Seriously... the harder you swing (with topspin of course) the better. I pounded a few deep but I think I should adjust fine. Mine is strung with Topspin Cyberflash 17 at 54#, and next time I will probably up the tension or try a lower powered poly.

My current stick is the Dunlop Bio 500 Tour with a leather grip and lead at 3/9. And I've spent quite a bit of time with the PDR+ in the past. The x8 315 is definitely similar to the PDR where the 500T is more APD-like. For sure... the x8 is more comfortable than the 500T, PDR, or APD. None of those were too harsh for me, but the x8 just has a fantastic feel to it.

I was expecting less spin compared to the 500T but I was pleasantly surprised to find the opposite. They are both 16x18, but the spacing on the 500T is REALLY wide. I was getting more topspin on my forehand and a ton more kick on my serve with the x8. Also, I felt like I was hitting a heavier ball with the x8 compared to the 500T.

The x8 315 has an addicting feel on my forehand. When I really pound a forehand, it has the perfect amount of dwell time and then just explodes off of the string... just sublime feeling.

 

[DustinW]

Also got in 3 sets of doubles with the x8 315. Really great on service returns and fantastic at the net. Crisp, good feel, and tons of pop on volleys. On serving, I'm not finding as much control on my 1st serve but I can kick the 2nd serve up like crazy.

Mine came in at 11.8 oz and -5 balance. I added an overgrip and about 5 grams at 3/9.

I swapped the Cyberflash for Spiky Shark 16 at 57#. I'm playing doubles again tonight so we will see how it goes.