Pros/cons of buying lighter racquet and leading up? (Prince Beast O3 100 280g vs 300g)

Isca

Rookie
I am considering trying a ported Prince Beast 100 and in my country, the 280g version is currently on deep sale compared to the 300g. Is there any downside you can foresee to buying the 280g and leading it up, as opposed to the stock 300g? It seems crazy to have to pay a lot more for 20g pre-installed weight, all else being equal!
 

Return_Ace

Hall of Fame
From what I've heard, a leaded up racket won't necessarily play the same as a racket that comes at the higher weight "stock".

With that said, I've also actually got a Head G360 Radical MP Lite on the way that I'm hoping to CAP and silicone to see how it compares against my G360 Pro :oops:
 

Isca

Rookie
From what I've heard, a leaded up racket won't necessarily play the same as a racket that comes at the higher weight "stock".

This makes sense, but I'm wondering whether a racquet like this which has identical specs other than the weight might play almost the same when leaded. The 300g specs say 320mm balance, the 280g specs 330mm. So to me that seems for the 300g they don't make major design changes, they just add extra weight in the handle, which should be pretty easy to accomplish DIY!
 

blablavla

G.O.A.T.
This makes sense, but I'm wondering whether a racquet like this which has identical specs other than the weight might play almost the same when leaded. The 300g specs say 320mm balance, the 280g specs 330mm. So to me that seems for the 300g they don't make major design changes, they just add extra weight in the handle, which should be pretty easy to accomplish DIY!

what about RA?
what if the 20g isn't balast weight added to the handle, but rather lay-up + some weight in the handle?
 

Isca

Rookie
what about RA?
what if the 20g isn't balast weight added to the handle, but rather lay-up + some weight in the handle?

All good questions, hence why I was asking to see if someone more knowledgeable could assist me :) Prince doesn't seem to give RA numbers on their site, though it seems they are listed as 67 and 69 in other places. Of course, these O3 racquets are said to feel a lot more muted than that would suggest due to their ports.
 

tennis347

Hall of Fame
Adding alot of lead tape to a racquet will deaden the response which in turn will alter the playability. IMO you are better off buying a racquet that is near your spec weight and then you can always add a little weight if needed.
 

Isca

Rookie
off topic - just in case you bought the O3 and your local stringer "hates" to string these O ports...?

I guess I could ask him first! ;) Do some pro stringers have issues with Prince ports? I hadn't heard that, so it's interesting to know.
 

esm

Legend
I guess I could ask him first! ;) Do some pro stringers have issues with Prince ports? I hadn't heard that, so it's interesting to know.
i remember this video i saw a few weeks ago.... that should give you some idea... 8-B
 

Alex78

Hall of Fame
Without being able to confirm, I'd suppose with racquets featuring the same drill pattern but different static weight only, it is very likely you can lead up the lighter version to the same specs as the heavier one, thus essentially treating it like a "pro stock" (famous words!) version. Will it "feel" the same? Probably not. Better? Worse? -> Just slightly different, and whatever you prefer only you can say.
I think Fischer did definitely do this back when they were still in business. They had multiple weight options of the same stick and they only ever added weight in the handle. Note that for the same stick, the lighter version will invariably be less head-light so that weight is basically only added to the handle!
Also, from an economic point of view, this practice makes much more sense than having racquets with different weights also differing with regard to layup (given that the drill pattern is the same, of course). Exceptions to this may exist - for instance, I think (!) Head's YTIG Prestige Pro and MP didn't just differ in drill/string pattern and weight. But again, my best bet would be that most companies offering the same stick in different weights just add cheap stuff to the handle for achieving heavier versions.
Also, different RA readings probably are just a consequence of having more weight in the handle, too. BUT: I've never used an RDC myself nor given too much emphasis on a figure such as the RA, anyway. There are some users here who know a great deal about that stuff, though.
And: All of this would be valid for retail sticks only, of course.
 

Dragy

Legend
Taking into account both are measured with same 314-315 SW, I’d bet it’s 20g of handle weight. Seems located closer to throat, as balance change is not that big for 20g dif in mass.
Now just get an idea how you get it there - silicon or whatever.
 
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Remioli

Rookie
From what I've heard, a leaded up racket won't necessarily play the same as a racket that comes at the higher weight "stock".

With that said, I've also actually got a Head G360 Radical MP Lite on the way that I'm hoping to CAP and silicone to see how it compares against my G360 Pro :oops:
You should let us know your thoughts. I've been thinking of doing the same with a Prince Tour that's at like 10.8 ounces.
 
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