Diary of a Racketaholic

[Ross K]

Originally Posted by Power Player

I finally got some matchplay in with the EXO..here is some nice info I learned:

First thing, the lux ALU Power was dead..just a little crispiness left in it though..it was at 52#s and crossed with OGSM. For anyone who liked the EXO a lot but was not sure about the flexy plush feel, the string hole grommets give it a much more crisp feel..more than I personally prefer...but I would strongly suggest trying a demo with them if at all possible. I also believe they plus the poly probably add around 5-6 grams to the head and that may account for the free extra power with no lead tape. The balance is slightly affected, but not by much. The stick is 11.9 with OG and Damp, but swings the same as the APDgt.

My question is if the port hole vs string hole grommets is just a feel thing or if there is more spin or control with one or the other? I am going to try and answer this myself since I am tracking down one more EXO and I will use the port holes with that one, but in the meantime any EXO user please chime in.

Anyway, the power level was awesome and the control was there. My game is predicated on heavy top baselining and then taking an opportunity to put a big shot in the corners so I can crash net, so I need power and spin and control. I am on hour 6 with this stick and it all clicked in for me. You can hit the big ball with this racquet, you can also hit the APD moonball loaded with top when you need a bail out..you can slice incredibly well and you can drop shot with nice touch. I know because I did all these things and I played one of the few 5.0s at my club tonight.

The secret to this stick is to hybrid with a crisper copoly and syngut. It cracks and gives you a ton of ball feel with this setup. The spin level is extremely high as well. This EXO just takes a little time to dial in, but all the shots are there.

The big surprise is 2 handed backhand. I really thought I was going to be an extended guy because the 7G really upped the ante on the 2 hander, but this is the best racquet for 2 handers I have ever used. I can not really explain why, but I am pounding corners with it and high balls are much easier to rip back down...I think it is the open pattern.

Anyway, I have some slight inflammation left from serving with the APDgt 2 weeks ago so I let the guy serve at me...we have done this for years..just play sets like this if one person wants to rest their arm..when I had the prestige mid, he was just racking up 6-1s, 6-2s..tonight..different story..this racquet is godlike on returns..I was hitting clean return winners DTL on him..attacking his 2nd serve and won some games 4 straight..we drew even at 4-4 and called it a night..but this racquet really showed me something. It gives me the chance to break a lot of people's serves. The best shot was a down the T flat he hit at me on the deuce side..I cracked a driving slice return to the deuce corner that stayed ankle high and landed deep..surprised him so much he dumped it. What I am getting to is that this racquet is rather stable for me at least.

Anyway, I guess this would be a fulltime honeymoon, but I am getting incredible results against very very good players with it, so I think this thing is for real. I will probably wrap up my way too in depth review next week once I really start serving more.

For you guys on the fence with strings..what I learned today was real simple..flexy racquet - crisp string..crisp or stiff racquet - softer poly strings.

Pyro, The TB may be a little stiff in that apdgt, so just be careful there, and maybe consider Big Hitter Silver as a cheaper and slightly softer option...and Ross..if it was me, I would try big hitter blue, black magic, b5e or a similar string in the prestige pro. I would STRONGLY suggest a syn gut cross like OGSM..it gives you ball cracking feel and more power as well.

The EXO is suited for TB, Lux (im not going there), Cyberflash (wish I could still use), Big Hitter Silver..and those are just a few that come to mind. OGSM plays perfectly in it as a cross.

PP,

Nice post up. Very interesting. Too interesting. Here I am cooling a bit to the idea of the Exo Tour and now I'm reading about what a phenomenal 2hbh frame it is, how the string holes crisp the feel etc etc etc!

Q. Just how solid and stable does the frame seem to you? How does it compare to a Pres Pro? Or... hmmm... an APD?

TIA

R

[Meaghan]

Pb 10 mid....thoughts??

It seems right in the button from the reviews, small headed, smooth, some say soft, open pattern, nice weight for some modification, like a pt600 rather than the classic in feel with an open pattern. Head shape like yonex looks like it plays bigger than it is.....

After hitting with the pro stock pim pim I was enamoured with how that stick played and if it wasnt too head heavy for its weight then I'd of bought the three that were on offer. These were basically rdx500 mids that were specced in the factory for pim pim. Problem is getting hold of a couple they seem rather difficult to find so any help here would be great....

I'm playing very well atm with the mg600 and with my added weight it feels very like my pt600 I once used but the feel its not dissimilar to the yonex pro stock, but I am thinking the open pattern might get me out of problems given the head size and better opponents coming up.....??

[PED]

Originally Posted by el sergento

Honestly, I wouldn't go that low, especially with tourbite. TB is powerful and can get hard to control, so in the YTPP, I'd stay north of 53/2. Rule of thumb is best to go a bit too high than to go too low. If it's too high, it'll eventually loosen and become playable, if you string to low, you're boned.

Not to be argumentative the reason I thought he would be fine at 45 is that he's finding the ytpp low powered and wants some punch. He's coming from the apd and the stroke production is quite different in my experience.

Plus don't forget that you're using the softer cross and that def helps on the power side.

For my own setup, I always loved full Typhoon at 59/57, it was a beast.

BTW you're spot on with those mods! They transform the ytpp.

[Power Player]

Originally Posted by Ross K

PP,

Nice post up. Very interesting. Too interesting. Here I am cooling a bit to the idea of the Exo Tour and now I'm reading about what a phenomenal 2hbh frame it is, how the string holes crisp the feel etc etc etc!

Q. Just how solid and stable does the frame seem to you? How does it compare to a Pres Pro? Or... hmmm... an APD?

TIA

R

Ross, IMO the frame is very stable. Much more than the APD. It must be the flex, but on serve returns I am making such solid contact for having a stick under 12 ozs. It has been a long time since I used the prestige pro, but I think the EXO is better from my experiences. A few reasons..the prestige has a small sweet spot, and mishits plus the lower power of the frame makes it easier to cough up a short ball. It also has more power and spin, which is super important for me. Not sure on the stability, but so far the EXO has excelled in this department for me, even though others have not had the same experience. I also believe the frame is much more solid than an APD, but the Babs are built with that hollow feel as it is. To be honest, my current opinion is that this is a better racquet when you factor in the immense comfort as well.

Example of where the EXO also shines for me is short balls that are below the net..they are tougher for me to pick up and send back with most sticks besides spin ones like APD, Tfight..etc, but I never missed one last night with the EXO. Hit clean winners off each..so that extra spin and whippiness REALLY helps me out in that situation.

I would love to see if you can get a demo of it because I know you always want to get your backhand better as well...just so you know, I would say mine is similar to Devil's from watching his vids..straight takeback, closed stance (except when pulled wide) arms close to body and I add lots of top. a huge reason I did so well last night was my backhand was a weapon instead of just a rally ball. I was able to put the ball in either corner with heavy pace, and he was not prepared for that...this is a guy that used to tell me I was "all forehand" when he was teasing, and he was right. I would be interested in seeing if you have the same experience. Don't get me wrong. I have really worked on my footwork and my backhand over the past year, but it never has clicked in so quickly with a racquet..the runner up to this would be the 7G.

As for TB in the prestige pro..I would go with PED and string lower, but I swear the hybrid is the way to go. Full poly robs racquets of a lot of power and feel, and if you want to see the full potential of the stick you really really should throw a synth gut in the crosses. My setup is 52/56 in the EXO.

I have a reel of Dunlop Explosiv poly (anyone ever use this? lol). It is a stiffer poly similar to Lux but not as harsh...I will be stringing this up tonight with Prince Original synth gut in the EXO to see how a brand new crispy setup feels in it..the Lux/OGSM is dead.

[el sergento]

Originally Posted by Ross K

el,

If you weren't using sillicone and opted for lead, HOW MUCH lead would you have in the butt counteracting the 3g @ 12. Pretty curious here. BTW, like the pics.

Hi Ross,

Lead is perfect for the mod. I only use silicone once I'm 100% confident in the specs.

With the PPro, keep in mind that I swapped out the leather for a synthetic grip, so, as a result you have to compensate for the weight difference in the handle on top of the extra weight in the hoop.

I recommend ditching the leather because the synthetic is lighter, and so when you add the weight in the butt to compensate for the missing weight, you'll end up with a more headlight balance, despite being at the exact same weight as with the leather, making for a more maneuverable frame.

In all, I added some 7-8 grams, 5 or so to compensate for the synthetic and 3 to counter balance and get to my preferred balance of at least 6 pts hl.

[ryushen21]

Originally Posted by Power Player

It's weird, I have heard from others that the Prince is "dead" but to me it is plush and feels quite amazing on the arm if you have a fast swing. I think a lot of flex is rather polarizing to people in terms of if they like it or not. Same case with the Donnays..I think I just really love those old school feeling racquets.

I didn't think the EXO was dead feeling at all. Despite that wonderfully low flex it still felt very responsive to me. The Rebel was a dead feeling frame to me where I had to wait and see if it was a bad hit where the EXO I knew right off the bat. If they would make the EXO in a 95 I would be looking seriously because that low flex would be great on my recovering shoulder.

[Power Player]

If you have a 2 hander, I am not sure why you like the smaller heads so much. Well, I DO understand in a way, but honestly arm health is everything. I can tell you since going up to a 100 (even though I resisted this for a while), the results speak for themselves on my backhand. HUGE improvement especially hitting with 4.5s and 5.0s.

This stick is so good for your arm that you should revisit it again if you are dealing with an injury. Being sidelined sucks. I would put this racquet above the PKs in terms of arm safety, and that is saying a lot.

Hopefully that Platinum will help you out as well...but make sure and replace that poly with soft strings at bare minimum. Full poly is going to make everything worse.

[ryushen21]

I am ditching the full poly setup and going to a gut/poly hybrid. I think that will make a huge difference for my shoulder.

I would be interested to try out the EXO again with the gut/tornado setup with the string hole inserts as opposed to the ports.

I also have a feeling that I will be going back to the synthetic grips for more comfort even though I really prefer the leather ones.

[Power Player]

I have no idea what I prefer yet..going to take a little experimentation there (ports vs string holes), but the ports seem to provide more comfort.

Also had to make concessions with leather grips as well...oh well..I am happy to be able to be on the courts again and hitting at a decent level.

gut/tornado will be godly..you could even try synth gut..the crispiness is rather awesome in such a flexy stick.

[808]

Went out for a quick hit with my coach tonight, armed with the new Tecnifibre T-Flash 300. The racquet was strung with a full bed of TF X-Code 17 at 23kg. With overgrip and dampener it weighs 324.5g, so pretty much right on spec (318g strung).

The T-Flash is a very whippy frame, very maneuverable with decent, but not overwhelmingly Pure Drive-like power. Sweetspot feels smaller than on the Prince EXO Tour (but then again what racquet doesn't), but when hit correctly this thing rips. Racquet head speed is everything. It's also surprisingly comfortable for such a stiff – as per its 72 RA rating – racquet. I don't know wether that's due the silicone filled handle, which is, I think, a new feature for this iteration of the 300, or my supreme technique (lol), but I didn't feel any harsh vibrations at all. Just plain good feedback from the frame. Solid.

The strings, though, need to go. I didn't feel the magic of X-Code, like, at all, man. Pretty boardy. I think I'll cut it out and go for some good old gut. Plus maybe a leather grip and a touch of lead at 12 for a bit of extra beef. Might just work.

[Ross K]

PP,

As I said, I was cooling on the Exo, but your posts are keeping me interested. Good to hear your views on stability, contrasting with the APD, PresPro, etc... So poly mains, synth crosses, hmm, I will try that some time as I've intended to explore the hybrid option, even if I suspect it might not be entirely for me... Re my 2hbh (btw, although not the heaviest, I aim for reliability and try to mix it up spin and flat, very much a work in progress though ) - I've come to realise that 98-100" is what suits me best (although The Reb 95 was great for me what with the big SW and nice bit of heft.)


el,

Cheers for customization lowdown. TBH, I've done some light hitting with the stock YTPP twice this week (strung with Hyperion @ 52lbs), and I have found it pretty low powered, and reminds me why I always felt/still feel mods and lower tensions are required here for my game (this is after I've had a break from the PresPros). Looking forward to hitting with my TGKPP again, but TBH, if it again doesn't seem to be quite happening, I'm probably going to focus on my APDs, at least until I get an Exo Tour to test!


Everyone,

Read post earlier saying the Head 98" head-size is actually in reality a 94" head-size... no wonder I'm finding that YTPP lacking a bit re forgiveness/oomph, whatever! I already knew about this strange measuring discrepancy, however, I didn't know Head MPs were a mere 94"... isn't that like a 'glorified' mid?... isn't the PB10 mid 93" or 94" or so?


R

[Power Player]

Quick notes:

Played the 4.0 pusher tonight..it was not really that close. I dropped 1 game out of 10. I strung up the stick with Dunlop Explosiv and POSG crosses..nice little setup for an old school poly I have laying round in a reel.

I don't really talk much about sticks at my club unless someone asked, but he was fascinated. He said I was hitting harder, the spin was kicking above his chest and shots that I would usually miss long were dropping in. As usual, returns were just great. I think he mentioned the racquet like 5 times..lol.

Final thing, and this was key for me against pusher types..I can hit extreme angles that kick the player off the court and leave me a wide open backhand winner. He mentioned that he had not really dealt with those shots from me before and really had no answer. The angled shots are really not too tough to rip at a high % if you have the right court position, so it adds a very nice weapon to my arsenal. He is fast and could get to my really hard shots that cleared the baseline, but the angles just pull him so far off the court.

Also, still am finding that I can vary my shots more..low driving strokes and also deep kickers that clear the net by 6 feet are both possible. It has to be due to the spin level. The power level with the extra 5-6 grams (due to poly and string grommets) is giving it plenty of boom, but I can still swing out with a lot of control.

Honeymoon continues..I am real happy with this badboy.

[pyrokid]

Well, I'm starting to realize the downside of the APD. I can hit harder, but regular rally strokes are more consistent and harder with the PST. And we all know who's got the control...

[Ross K]

Diary dudes,

Really looking forward to taking out the TGKPP and APD tomorrow. If I have time I might also take the chance to look at one or two others that have come my way of late, though these aren't probably "serious contenders" and are more frames I'll probably pass on and have come via our UK racketaholics group. BTW the frames are the Speedflex 315 and the BC30... do I also want to look again at the 03 Tour with more lead @ 12???... Anyhow, update over.

Oh yes... just to say that, inspired by the likes of PP and the excellent mini-reviews (keep 'em coming re the Ex Tour!), and recalling such legendary posters/reviewers as, say, JLeLoach, PT630, Kal-El, and not forgetting the TT's esteemed play testers and reviewers like Spencer, Chris, Granville, etc, etc, well, I think in weeks to come I'm going to be posting up some of my own proper, in-depth, deeply analytical, painstakingly detailed and thorough reviews of my own.

R

[Power Player]

Originally Posted by pyrokid

Well, I'm starting to realize the downside of the APD. I can hit harder, but regular rally strokes are more consistent and harder with the PST. And we all know who's got the control...

Thank you Mr. RossK..happy to contribute to the internet's most epic thread.

Pyro, I hear you on the pstgt. It sets up the big ball rather well. I am noticing that with the EXO as well. From what I was told I am hitting harder shots with more spin than the APD...I think that is simply because I can take a little bigger cut at the ball with confidence it's going to drop..with the spin I can get, everything does.

Prince had touched me here..brought me back to old school when as young man I wielded a Graphite 110 for most of my junior career, until graduating to the Pro 90. So this could be a full circle return. BTW, back then I knew nothing about racquets and Prince/Wilson was king. I would use POSG at 60#s and never though anything more about it.

[Boricua]

Yesterday I played with a Yonex RDIS 100 MP strung full bed with Black5Edge, 50 string tension. No vibrations, excellent power. Feels much more solid and stable than the APD Gt. I cant whip or go over the top as when using the APD but the drive in this RDIS is damn serious. Thinner beam gives more precsion and control also. Great racket, specially with this string in a full bed. Looks good also the red racket wirth the black strings and black overgriop. In the future I could buy another one with a 4 and 1/4 grip size instead of the 4 3/8 of the 2 rackets I know have.

[Ross K]

Originally Posted by Boricua

Yesterday I played with a Yonex RDIS 100 MP strung full bed with Black5Edge, 50 string tension. No vibrations, excellent power. Feels much more solid and stable than the APD Gt. I cant whip or go over the top as when using the APD but the drive in this RDIS is damn serious. Thinner beam gives more precsion and control also. Great racket, specially with this string in a full bed. Looks good also the red racket wirth the black strings and black overgriop. In the future I could buy another one with a 4 and 1/4 grip size instead of the 4 3/8 of the 2 rackets I know have.

Boricua,

So what is Yonex's PD/APD type frame, or something along those lines? Aside from the legend that's the RD7 I don't know much about the brand - certainly not now.

R

[Boricua]

Originally Posted by Ross K

Boricua,

So what is Yonex's PD/APD type frame, or something along those lines? Aside from the legend that's the RD7 I don't know much about the brand - certainly not now.

R

Im comparing the Yonex RDIS 100 MP with a Babolat Aeroprodrive GT (APD GT) that I also have.

[klementine79]

PowerPlayer,
..... nice someone isn't bored enough to write a decent review of this frame... I'm too far eccentric and have lost my patience for writing frame reviews... (i think I compared the exo3Tours once to Sophia Loren, covered in barbeque sauce holding two double-barrel shotguns). Pretty accurate review you wrote up... which means the differences between the 18x20 and 16x18 are subtle.

Got some tid-bits for 'ya.... completely agreeing about the return of serve aspects of this frame... also enjoying the defensive and offensive capabilities of this frame. Very well balanced.

Q:
Do you find this stick to hold-up better against heavy spin players?... better than some stiffer counter-parts?

..I played a 35y.o. yesterday (rando at the public courts).. we were both practicing serve.. and I asked him if he wanted to hit around... he obliged me. The hitting session turned into a match.

Find-out he plays in 5.0 leagues....he was swinging what seemed to be a stock-YouTek RadMid+... and he was all about the EXTREME topspin game... I mean this guys' serves were kicking-up above my head... tall guy.. and I found myself standing 5feet behind the base-line... even on return....in a brawl. His reverse fore-hands were extreme.. the same kick as on serve... his strokes were troubling me big time.

It was a war of attrition... and he was getting the edge on me. I decided to take a chance and come-up at net more often. Usually, holding a stiffer frame, the balls would be uncontrollable and some twisting would be going on.... it seems as if the exo3T's low flex absorbs heavy topspin balls better than any of the previous frames I have played with. I had better touch and directional control. Volleys felt great against those kind of spinners.

Could this be the reason Djoko's super flexy stick handles Rafa's spin better than Fed's frames????... hmmm.

I held my own against the guy... still lost... 6-4..7-5... just had a hard time anticipating those shots of his... but his back-hand was way off.... it seemed as if his serve, return and fore-hand and slices were 5.0 and his back-hand was <3.0... I just attacked that the whole match. But rarely do I play against someone who plays with that much spin.

We exchanged phone numbers... I'm devising my game-plan for the next session... at least I'll know what to expect.

[PED]

Originally Posted by pyrokid

Well, I'm starting to realize the downside of the APD. I can hit harder, but regular rally strokes are more consistent and harder with the PST. And we all know who's got the control...

From your description, I think it boils down to mass.

Add some strategically placed weight on the apd and it will likely perform more in the manner of what you want.

I recall fondly the nasty ball the pst produces as it's basic rally stroke.

While the apd is never going to have the control of the pst, an apd in the mid 330's produces a heavy ball, stroke in and stroke out and it also has the easy putaway power that the pst doesn't have.

On another note, it's interesting that really only pro that plays with a Bab with a low static weight is Rafa. He seems to be the only one who can play with it like that (other than Moya and his was actually HH)

It seems most of the other apd/pd users are more in the mid to upper 340's in static, Tsonga is 350g strung and I think Odesnik's apd plus was the same. It's a much more arm friendly stick at those weights.