Wilson 2012 Blx Tour - Overlooked Gem?

[JackB1]

I would love to hear from anyone who has tried or uses this racquet.
Chris from TW said he preferred it to the Steam or Juice. Why is there virtually no talk of this racquet? Plus it's now $99. Seems like nice specs.
A little light and even balanced, but some weight in the handle would bring this up to around 11.25 oz and 325 sw. Nice thin beam and 95" headsize. Only negative is the 27.25" length, but that extra 1/4" shouldn't amout to much difference.

Specs:

Head Size:
95 sq. in. / 612.9 sq. cm.

Length: 27.25in / 69.22cm

Strung Weight: 10.7oz / 303.34g

Balance: 1 pts HL

Swingweight: 321

Stiffness: 62

Beam Width: 22.5mm / 22.5mm / 22.5mm /

Composition: Basalt

Power Level: Medium

Stroke Style: Medium-Full

Swing Speed: Medium-Fast

Racquet Colors:
Orange / White / Black

Grip Type: Wilson Performance Hybrid

String Pattern:
16 Mains / 20 Crosses

 

[MikeHitsHard93]

I haven't played with the newer version, but I have tried the older blue and red version. It was very tinny feeling and had tons of power, especially for a 95.

 

[srvnvly]

it's a decent racquet with good power, but it got pushed around against heavy hitters. I did NOT try any lead tape at the time, and I wish I would have. I also would have tried stringing at a higher tension (I went full multi at the lowest tension).

 

[Jpin76]

I play with the 2012 blx tour and I love it. I agree it is an overlooked stick and doesn't get much chatter on this forum...

 

[Fed Kennedy]

If you hit flat its a kick ass racquet.

 

[El Diablo]

There are few things worse than an elongated small-head racquet that's not very maneuverable. I found (and TW concurs) this one akward to handle, pretty tough to make last moment swing corrections with those specs. Very insubstantial feel.

 

[JackB1]

If you hit flat its a kick ass racquet.

Why? Because it's 16x20?

 

[JackB1]

it's a decent racquet with good power, but it got pushed around against heavy hitters. I did NOT try any lead tape at the time, and I wish I would have. I also would have tried stringing at a higher tension (I went full multi at the lowest tension).

Yes, I would definitely add weight to the handle to stabilize it and add some heft while adding more headlite balance.

Hey, how are you liking that Graphene Speed MP? I am so tempted to give that one a trial run.

 

[Power Player]

Why? Because it's 16x20?

Its a tight pattern in a 95 head size. So you just have to be able to do the extra work to get the net clearance and spin.

If you add weight, you just have to be careful how you do it since the SW is already semi high.

I'd stick with the Blade personally.

 

[JackB1]

Its a tight pattern in a 95 head size. So you just have to be able to do the extra work to get the net clearance and spin.

If you add weight, you just have to be careful how you do it since the SW is already semi high.

I'd stick with the Blade personally.

I think you're right. Sometimes the mind just wanders....... Also the $99 price tag was calling me.

I do love the Blade...I just thought I would have gotten used to the swingweight by now, but its only been 2 weeks. Some nights I notice the weight and some nights I don't. Probably depends on my energy level at that given time. I just had a long 3 setter the other day and was still serving at top pace in the end, so that is a good sign. I just felt worn out.

 

[Power Player]

You have to spend time with it. Weeks and weeks. Things start to make sense after a while. I know that I weighted my PSTeam too much and didnt realize it. The SW was almost 345. I went and played with it and was loving it, but after 3 sessions I realized that the balance was just too head heavy and I was a bit slow. But I still was able to play really well and was getting into it.

The take away is that I was adjusting to this weight because I was not even thinking about it. But an even balance, 337 grams and 345 SW is not kind to the wrist...lots of torque involved, I was starting to feel it and I had to drop 10 Sw pts.

So in your case, 5 SW points - you will adjust most likely. It is worth it to have a higher SW.

 

[Fed Kennedy]

Why? Because it's 16x20?

16x20 in a narrow head with goatish pws and large grommets and slightly xl. Got lots of mass up top. Lots of girls use this racquet to pound flat balls. But, like diablo said the headshape pattern and balance make it less than ideal for topspin

 

[srvnvly]

I think you're right. Sometimes the mind just wanders....... Also the $99 price tag was calling me.

I do love the Blade...I just thought I would have gotten used to the swingweight by now, but its only been 2 weeks. Some nights I notice the weight and some nights I don't. Probably depends on my energy level at that given time. I just had a long 3 setter the other day and was still serving at top pace in the end, so that is a good sign. I just felt worn out.

I'm loving the Graphene Speed MP, but Power Player's suggestion of at least 3 grams each at 9 and 3, definitely helped. Volleys are SOLID; I'm still working on getting my serve down, but all else is good.

 

[JackB1]

I'm loving the Graphene Speed MP, but Power Player's suggestion of at least 3 grams each at 9 and 3, definitely helped. Volleys are SOLID; I'm still working on getting my serve down, but all else is good.

Does it have decent plowthru now with the added weight at 3/9?

 

[Seth]

Isn't this simply an update to the Hammer 5.2, Hyper Hammer 5.2, H Tour, nTour, K Tour, and orange/blue BLX Tour?

I used to play with the HH5.2. Great frame. Aren't these foam filled?

 

[JackB1]

Isn't this simply an update to the Hammer 5.2, Hyper Hammer 5.2, H Tour, nTour, K Tour, and orange/blue BLX Tour?

I used to play with the HH5.2. Great frame. Aren't these foam filled?

I don't think its related to the Hammer at all.

 

[Torres]

Isn't this simply an update to the Hammer 5.2, Hyper Hammer 5.2, H Tour, nTour, K Tour, and orange/blue BLX Tour?

Yes, the current orange/white Tour is a development of that line of racquets.

 

[srvnvly]

Does it have decent plowthru now with the added weight at 3/9?

Definitely added plow through; power is increased as well. I'm still puzzled as to why the big discrepancy in weight between the MP and the Pro.

 

[UCSF2012]

It's pure power and very stable. Eats strings like no other, however.

 

[snoopy]

I've been using the original Ntour for the past year. Overall it's a decent frame that can do a lot well.

I string with 1.18 mm poly and I don't find the string pattern too tight. The head is a little narrow but I had more trouble with the narrowness of the traditional Dunlop 300 head shape. I can get plenty of topspin on my forehand with my strong semiwestern grip. As others mentioned, flat hitting is easy.

The Ntour has good but not overwhelming power. Newer versions of the tour are supposedly even more powerful.

While I get good results with the Ntour, I'm looking to move on. Grommets are impossible to find for the original version. More importantly, I sometimes really struggle with topspin second serves. It's the only time the headsize feels small/narrow. Plus, I just don't enjoy the feeling I get using the Ntour. It's a bit boardy even at a 62 RDC rating.

 

[SFrazeur]

They have always been solid sticks going all the way back to the first iteration the 5.2 Hyper Hammer. Due to the narrow 95" head size it is better suited for flatter hitters. Those with loopier topspin strokes will prefer a more forgiving round to teardrop shape 100" head.

-SF

 

[JoeR]

I'm not so sure about the BLX Tour, but I really connected well with the BLX Pro Tour.

Enough that I ended up tracking down a handful of used racquets on the bay... I think I ended up paying $40/each for them after all was said and done!