2012 Luxilon Playtest

[pvaudio]

To those of you around for the prior playtest: this is exactly the same stuff. I got mine last week I think (was out of town) and it's the same stuff.

[Up&comer]

Originally Posted by pvaudio

To those of you around for the prior playtest: this is exactly the same stuff. I got mine last week I think (was out of town) and it's the same stuff.

But you get a free T shirt!

[StanW]

Received the strings in the mail today! Great timing considering I just broke my strings on my spare racquet. Will get it strung sometime this week.

[kwantam]

I received my set of strings today, along with a LXN t-shirt. Thanks, TW!

I'm just about ready to restring my racquet. I'll do identical setups of MSV Focus Hex 1.18 and the playtest string so I can see how they compare over their lifetime. I should have time to string Wednesday or so.

[OnyxZ28]

Thanks TW for including me in this playtest! I received the string and shirt yesterday and strung the racket today.

My normal setup is Solinco Tour Bite 18 at 48 lbs in an APDGT+.

First impressions from stringing the test string in a full best at 48: holy coil memory, Batman! This string was definitely more unruly than TB18. It reminded me of metal wire in that I could bend the string at an angle and it would stay at that angle.

My racket with the full bed of TB18 weighed 321g. After stringing the same racket with the 4G, the racket weighed 324g.

I'm getting out to hit with a couple buddies tomorrow, I will post playing impressions after that.

[Cup8489]

Originally Posted by CLL

I opened up the string packet and inside it read

"Play test 4G and post your feedback on Facebook to receive a free Luxilon 4g T-shirt".

Someone over at Luxilon HQ is getting fired

I'm gonna do it, if I can get another shirt I'll be very happy!

Will be stringing it up in a full bed in my Extreme tomorrow, probably 52 lbs.

[TW Staff]

Originally Posted by Cup8489

I'm gonna do it, if I can get another shirt I'll be very happy!

Will be stringing it up in a full bed in my Extreme tomorrow, probably 52 lbs.

We decided to ship the shirt with the string as opposed to shipping it separately. There will only be one shirt. We are asking folks with Facebook accounts to post their reviews both in this thread and on Luxilon's Facebook page.

Thanks for participating!
TW Staff

[Cup8489]

Originally Posted by TW Staff

We decided to ship the shirt with the string as opposed to shipping it separately. There will only be one shirt. We are asking folks with Facebook accounts to post their reviews both in this thread and on Luxilon's Facebook page.

Thanks for participating!
TW Staff

Will do! I figured that's what happened anyway haha.

[psmo290]

Got the string today. Thanks TW for considering me for the playtest. I didn't really expect it till it came in the mail. I strung it right away in my spare BLXPS 6.1 Tour 90.

Played a quick 1 set match today. The AZ heat is still getting to me, but the feel of the freshly strung racquet is always going to be nice.

Full set or hybrid: Full Set
Tension used for playtest: 54
Regular string set up: Full Set BH7 17G @ 54 lb or Full Set of Kirshbaum Super Spiky @ 52 lb
Racquet brand and model used for test: BLXPS 6.1 Tour 90


Power of test string:
At 54 lb, the string still felt a bit under-powered. I don't mind it since I can take bigger cuts at the ball.
9/10


Feel:
A bit stiff at the net, but not bad. Hit a few really good drop shots that landed exactly where I wanted it. +1 in the control category.
7/10

Spin:
The tourna BH7 remains my favorite in the spin category. The spin was good, but not great. The backspin and sidespin are still a joy to hit with this string. Topspin is average.
8/10


Comfort:
No arm/elbow problems after the match. Didn't experience any discomfort during play.
9.5/10


Durability:
Too soon to tell, but after 3 hours it still haven't snapped on me.
9/10


Tension maintenance (how long before it became too loose or unplayable)
After the 2 hour mark, I felt the string become a bit more springy. It was still very playable though. I say 6 hours max for big hitters. Which is pretty good for a poly.
7.5/10

Control (predictable trajectory? performance on different strokes and swing speeds?)
Control is good when I have enough time to prep for the ball. Full swing is important for this string to do it's magic. Average for a poly string. Serves on this string was accurate, but I couldn't generate my usual pace. I'm not complaining though since I hit my spots consistently.
8/10


Compare to the string you use most often
BH7 17G:
I like the BH7 better for spin. Control for both strings are about the same. Just by looking at the gauge of the string, the 4G looks to be a more durable string. Stringing the 4G was a pain in the rear end for me. Maybe I'm still a beginner in the stringing world, but I hate stringing Luxilons. It's fine up to the last 3 or 4 crosses.


Tension recommendations (after hitting it, would you recommend a different tension? Why?)
About 54lb is perfect for my style. +2 if you want to hit it harder. -2 is you want more power.

Summary: List 1 or 2 primary likes and dislikes.
Likes:
Control
Serve Placement
Slices (especially on drop shot return of serve)
Groundstrokes

Dislike:
Feel (most poly lack this. Just hybrid it if you want more)
Stringing the string


Thank you again for including me in this playtest, TW.

[Rjtennis]

Thanks for the package TW! I was happy just to get a chance to playtest the string, but the cool tshirt is a nice bonus! I will get a chance to string it up in a full bed this weekend!

[anhuynh16]

I wonder if I was accepted.I will have to check the mail when I get home..

[aced_Tezuka]

Is TT still accepting? I would love to this string. Luxilon is my absolute choice in a hybrid.

[cltennis21]

Just got mine today... Love the shirt. After reading the reviews, everyone has strung it tight so I think I'm going to try a loose tension of aroun 40 and see how is plays in my babolat pure storm gt.

[radigan]

I agree with lowering the tension but will not go that low. I normally string at 56 so I will go down to perhaps 49 and see how it plays.

[pvaudio]

Just to be sure, I strung this up and indeed, it plays exactly the same. Therefore, I defer my review to my prior one:

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showp...&postcount=156

[SteveI]

Originally Posted by pvaudio

Just to be sure, I strung this up and indeed, it plays exactly the same. Therefore, I defer my review to my prior one:

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showp...&postcount=156

Hey PV,

Wow... you really hated this string. I am doing a repair on my stringer..(waiting for a cluch spring) and will be stringing this later in the week. Since I really respect your reviews...I am not excited about this offering but will indeed go thur the process... since I am a bit OCD about going by the rules.

Thanks for your insights..

Steve

[pvaudio]

Originally Posted by SteveI

Hey PV,

Wow... you really hated this string. I am doing a repair on my stringer..(waiting for a cluch spring) and will be stringing this later in the week. Since I really respect your reviews...I am not excited about this offering but will indeed go thur the process... since I am a bit OCD about going by the rules.

Thanks for your insights..

Steve

rdis10093 on here is a guy I string for in real life. One day last year, I was leaving the courts and he handed me his racquets. He'd gotten some free sets of the 4G then that he was just desperate to get rid of because it was so bad so he asked if I wanted to take them. Only time I've ever refused free string because I know I would never recommend anyone use it. What makes it all the more interesting is that he is a Lux diehard. I should clarify, however. The string is not in itself poor. It just doesn't do anything better than any other string in any area. Feels like first gen poly.

[SteveI]

Originally Posted by pvaudio

rdis10093 on here is a guy I string for in real life. One day last year, I was leaving the courts and he handed me his racquets. He'd gotten some free sets of the 4G then that he was just desperate to get rid of because it was so bad so he asked if I wanted to take them. Only time I've ever refused free string because I know I would never recommend anyone use it. What makes it all the more interesting is that he is a Lux diehard. I should clarify, however. The string is not in itself poor. It just doesn't do anything better than any other string in any area. Feels like first gen poly.

Thanks again....turning down free string.. that says it all. If it plays like a 1st gen... might as well string up some Polylon Ice

[ewberner]

pvaudio,

were you just skeptical going into this test with it appearing to be the same? or is it really as bad as the first time?

[TFight320]

I've finally got the chance to string it up last night and had a casual hit for an hour today.

Full set or hybrid: Hybrid with Gosen OGSM crosses

Tension used for playtest: 55/56

Regular string set up: Tour Bite 17/ OGSM 17 (55/56)

Racquet brand and model used for test: Tecnifibre TFight 320 V02

Power of test string:
It definitely feels lower than TB at the same tension but still allowed me to take a cut at the ball. I would say average or below average for a poly.

Feel:
It felt more muted to me than my old setup. I did not get the usual pop off of my groundstrokes nor was it very crisp.

Spin:
Spin was adequate. Not nearly as much as TB but I didn't have too much trouble keeping the ball in the court.

Tension maintenance:
I can't really say since I've only used it for all of one hour.

Control:
This is probably the best part about this string. I felt like I could control the ball easily due to the low power and decent spin and could place it almost anywhere on the court.

Compare to the string you use most often:
Compared to TB, the 4G is lacking in spin, power and pop. However, it really excels when it comes to control and is a bit more comfortable than TB, but not by much. Still, I don't think I'll be making the switch after this comes out.

Tension recommendations:
Due to the lack of power and spin, I would go down a few pounds to make up for it.

Overall:

Likes:
I liked the control that I had with 4G. It was also quite comfortable for a poly and would suggest it to anyone who wants a softer, control-oriented poly.

Dislikes:
Stringing was a bit of a hassle as it was easy to kink. It lacked a bit of power but that is typical for any poly. There was also a lack of spin and "bite" on the ball.

Thanks for letting me be a part of this playtest, TW!