TripleB
Hall of Fame
Recently got in a group of four demos looking for a solid feeling 11.2 ounce (or so) racquet that gives me the ability to hit heavy spin as well as the confidence (not necessarily big power, although that would be a plus) to hit the flat ball. The racquets I chose to demo were: Head Graphene Speed MP, Wilson Burn 100 Countervail, Dunlop Srixon Revo CV 3.0, and Prince Phantom Pro 100.
The two racquets that I didn’t want to be the stand outs (after seeing the specs of the demos) were the Wilson Burn and the Prince Phantom Pro….and of course those are the two that I’m playing really well with. Compared to the listed specs the Burn came in 6 grams over weight and 2 points less headlight than it was supposed to be. The Prince came in 5 grams under weight but balance was almost spot on. So after seeing that the specs were off on these two racquets I was hoping to like the other two much better...just worried about trying to order racquets to match the specs of the demo...seems like doing so might be easier if the demos were spot on (or close) with the average specs of the racquet.
In fact the Burn as demoed (with overgrip and rubberband) is 11.7 ounces and only 4 points headlight while the Phantom Pro 100 (with overgrip and rubberband) 11.45 ounces and 7 points headlight. The Burn should be 11.45 ounces and 5.5 pts headlight and the Phantom Pro should be 11.65 ounces and 7.5 points headlight (if they were the same as listed specs, plus og and rb).
I find it kind of strange that I’m loving both a 25mm 69 flex and a 18mm 54 flex racquet---seems like if I liked one the other one would be so different that I would’t like it. But I like both of them for different reasons.
I love the Burn because of the heavy spin, easy power, much better than average control, better touch than I would have thought with the 69 flex, and the fact that it feels very similar to the Prince CTS Approach 90---crisp feel, point and shoot ability (with some pop), and a lot of confidence on my second serves (absolutely wide open string pattern).
I love the Phantom Pro 100 because of the flexy feel (I’d say almost Rossignol F200 flexy), pin point accuracy (I mean within a foot of the line almost every time), tremendous touch, the ability to hit unbelievable slice (lowest and hardest slice I’ve hit, probably ever), and I can swing out without much fear of hitting long…did I mention the uncanny control?
I guess the only concerns I have with the Burn is that my left wrist hurt (I’m right handed, two handed backhand) a bit after hitting for about an hour or so. I thought it was the stiffness of the racquet at first, but I really think it’s the “backhand inserts” (don’t remember their real name) under the grip. I really didn’t pay attention to them when ordering the demo (doesn’t say anything about them in the description) or when I started playing. But after wondering what might be causing the left wrist pain in this right handed player I finally noticed the raised section about 2/3 the way up the grip…now that I look back at the pictures on the website it’s obvious that there is something under the grip. Does anyone know if those can be removed?
The other concern is that after I’ve seen the level of control with the Phantom Pro 100, even though the Control with this Wilson is much better than any other racquet I’ve tried in a long time, I know there is a racquet with more control out there. But even though the control and touch isn’t as good as the Phantom Pro 100, the extra power of the Burn may make up for it.
The obvious concern I have with the Phantom Pro 100 is the lack of power. It’s awesome to be able to swing out, know the ball is going to stay in, and have the confidence to go for the lines. I’m just not sure my 51 year young out of shape body wants to have to swing out on almost every shot…but then again this racquets lends itself to a lot more “crafty” shots than the Burn.
Anyway, just thought I’d share a few of my thought after hitting with them tonight and ask about the “backhand inserts.” I’ll update my thoughts as I get some more playing in with the racquets. Which may not be a lot more considering they are calling for somewhere between 4 inches and 20 inches (love meteorologist) in my area starting Saturday (12/8/18) night.
Thanks for reading!
TripleB
The two racquets that I didn’t want to be the stand outs (after seeing the specs of the demos) were the Wilson Burn and the Prince Phantom Pro….and of course those are the two that I’m playing really well with. Compared to the listed specs the Burn came in 6 grams over weight and 2 points less headlight than it was supposed to be. The Prince came in 5 grams under weight but balance was almost spot on. So after seeing that the specs were off on these two racquets I was hoping to like the other two much better...just worried about trying to order racquets to match the specs of the demo...seems like doing so might be easier if the demos were spot on (or close) with the average specs of the racquet.
In fact the Burn as demoed (with overgrip and rubberband) is 11.7 ounces and only 4 points headlight while the Phantom Pro 100 (with overgrip and rubberband) 11.45 ounces and 7 points headlight. The Burn should be 11.45 ounces and 5.5 pts headlight and the Phantom Pro should be 11.65 ounces and 7.5 points headlight (if they were the same as listed specs, plus og and rb).
I find it kind of strange that I’m loving both a 25mm 69 flex and a 18mm 54 flex racquet---seems like if I liked one the other one would be so different that I would’t like it. But I like both of them for different reasons.
I love the Burn because of the heavy spin, easy power, much better than average control, better touch than I would have thought with the 69 flex, and the fact that it feels very similar to the Prince CTS Approach 90---crisp feel, point and shoot ability (with some pop), and a lot of confidence on my second serves (absolutely wide open string pattern).
I love the Phantom Pro 100 because of the flexy feel (I’d say almost Rossignol F200 flexy), pin point accuracy (I mean within a foot of the line almost every time), tremendous touch, the ability to hit unbelievable slice (lowest and hardest slice I’ve hit, probably ever), and I can swing out without much fear of hitting long…did I mention the uncanny control?
I guess the only concerns I have with the Burn is that my left wrist hurt (I’m right handed, two handed backhand) a bit after hitting for about an hour or so. I thought it was the stiffness of the racquet at first, but I really think it’s the “backhand inserts” (don’t remember their real name) under the grip. I really didn’t pay attention to them when ordering the demo (doesn’t say anything about them in the description) or when I started playing. But after wondering what might be causing the left wrist pain in this right handed player I finally noticed the raised section about 2/3 the way up the grip…now that I look back at the pictures on the website it’s obvious that there is something under the grip. Does anyone know if those can be removed?
The other concern is that after I’ve seen the level of control with the Phantom Pro 100, even though the Control with this Wilson is much better than any other racquet I’ve tried in a long time, I know there is a racquet with more control out there. But even though the control and touch isn’t as good as the Phantom Pro 100, the extra power of the Burn may make up for it.
The obvious concern I have with the Phantom Pro 100 is the lack of power. It’s awesome to be able to swing out, know the ball is going to stay in, and have the confidence to go for the lines. I’m just not sure my 51 year young out of shape body wants to have to swing out on almost every shot…but then again this racquets lends itself to a lot more “crafty” shots than the Burn.
Anyway, just thought I’d share a few of my thought after hitting with them tonight and ask about the “backhand inserts.” I’ll update my thoughts as I get some more playing in with the racquets. Which may not be a lot more considering they are calling for somewhere between 4 inches and 20 inches (love meteorologist) in my area starting Saturday (12/8/18) night.
Thanks for reading!
TripleB
