Soft poly with good spin?

[Xonemains]

Originally Posted by Vcore89

If liking polys but dreading the dead feel of it after several hours, why not just switch to Tecnifibre Bi-Phase at higher tensions (chose 17; better feel than the 16 or 18 )?

It usually snaps anyways before it dies out; way better than a dead string!

On occasions though when it breaks at the 10-minute marker and I only brought 3 racquets then it sucks because I have to borrow racquets from the opponent.

LOL, for the people who dont break x-ones in about 3 hours, and try to use it full bed, its the biggest rocket launcher!!!! after about the 4 hour mark! you have to cut it out.

its in exactly the same boat as Polystar energy, awesome for the first 3 hours, then SUX badly. but you get about 7/8 hours in the Polystars.

trust me, im an expert x-one user, hence my name.

be smart and use x-ones in the mains and cheap syn gut in the crosses!! you cant go wrong there, it would only last 2/3 hours though for big hitters

[Vcore89]

Originally Posted by Xonemains

LOL, for the people who dont break x-ones in about 3 hours, and try to use it full bed, its the biggest rocket launcher!!!! after about the 4 hour mark! you have to cut it out.

its in exactly the same boat as Polystar energy, awesome for the first 3 hours, then SUX badly. but you get about 7/8 hours in the Polystars.

trust me, im an expert x-one user, hence my name.

be smart and use x-ones in the mains and cheap syn gut in the crosses!! you cant go wrong there, it would only last 2/3 hours though for big hitters

I trust you, loved it so much that but dread the fact I have to carry so many racquets because the strings snaps way too early for me. Never had a dead string feel from X-1s; it's broken before it's dead.

[Xonemains]

Originally Posted by Vcore89

I trust you, loved it so much that but dread the fact I have to carry so many racquets because the strings snaps way too early for me. Never had a dead string feel from X-1s; it's broken before it's dead.

I hear you brother, the only reason im using the polystar energy is because i cant afford to use the X-ones any longer, just dosent last long. i get a solid 8 hours with my current set up b4 i cut it out.

[BreakPoint]

Originally Posted by JT_2eighty

BP, I agree with you that any poly is still stiffer than most multis... until I tried PS Energy. I string with a dropweight and PS Energy stretches like "some" multis do on there... not on par with "soft multis", but it stretches like No Other poly...

I loved the string, but hated the fact that it would go from glorious in the first couple hours to horrendous after about hour 4-5. It really does drop tension and becomes a launcher, also like no other poly (most others become stiff, and brick-like over time).

Originally Posted by TonyB

This is exactly right. Unfortunately, I absolutely LOVE the power, feel, and control of the PS Energy, despite the short lifespan, so I find myself having to restring quite often. I totally agree that it goes from "I've found Heaven!" to "This stuff sucks!" almost instantly when you hit the 6-hour mark (sometimes less).

And yes, at the 6-hour mark, the spin potential drops like a rock and the power level goes off the charts, which is 180-degrees opposite of just about every other poly I've ever used. But up until then, the performance is absolutely unreal.

However, most other polys just plain "suck" after 8 hours or so anyway. They lose their pop, the spin potential goes downhill, and they start to hurt your arm. So, for the sake of losing a couple hours' worth of playtime, I prefer to restring a little sooner with PS Energy and cradle my arm in sheer bliss for the next 6 hours on the court.

Are you guys absolutely sure PS Energy is really made of polyester?

I would consider giving it a try but I swore to myself I would never risk using another poly ever again.

[PaulC]

Originally Posted by BreakPoint

Are you guys absolutely sure PS Energy is really made of polyester?

I would consider giving it a try but I swore to myself I would never risk using another poly ever again.

It is a co-poly. I am currently hybriding it with Forten Sweet 17 on the cross at lower to mid 40 lbs depends on frames. (all 90-93s)

I mainly use it for it's minimal string movement and great spin as a MAIN.

However I never had any luck with polys in full sets including it.
-- except for the "multi-polys" like Prince Poly EXP 17: it's even "softer", but spin is not as good as the true polys (not "knife" into the ball as hard I guess)

[Vcore89]

Originally Posted by BreakPoint

Are you guys absolutely sure PS Energy is really made of polyester?

I would consider giving it a try but I swore to myself I would never risk using another poly ever again.

Probably you already know but it belongs to the poly family, quite like the whole lotta polys these days claiming to be soft-ER. Like switching brands when in fact only about 4 (1 in France, 1 in Japan and 2 in Germany) are producing the various strings marketed across the tennis sphere.

[smirker]

Originally Posted by Vcore89

Probably you already know but it belongs to the poly family, quite like the whole lotta polys these days claiming to be soft-ER. Like switching brands when in fact only about 4 (1 in France, 1 in Japan and 2 in Germany) are producing the various strings marketed across the tennis sphere.

Polystar being one of those who actually manufacture strings.

Has anyone tried PS Strike? Ordered a set out of curiosity as it get pretty good write ups. Also got PS Energy black and Classic coming. Think PS will provide just what I am after for my Xi which definitely does not suit the gut/poly hybrid I have in there currently.

[smirker]

Originally Posted by JT_2eighty

BP, I agree with you that any poly is still stiffer than most multis... until I tried PS Energy. I string with a dropweight and PS Energy stretches like "some" multis do on there... not on par with "soft multis", but it stretches like No Other poly...

I loved the string, but hated the fact that it would go from glorious in the first couple hours to horrendous after about hour 4-5. It really does drop tension and becomes a launcher, also like no other poly (most others become stiff, and brick-like over time).

I finally settled on Pacific Gut 16L main/ WC Mosquito Bite cross setup. MBite plays soft and compliments gut well, as it neither gets harsh like some polys (lux) nor trampoline-ish like Energy over time. I hit flat with a 12.5 oz 18x20 flexy frame from 1995. I'm in the camp that would play full gut if I could afford, so Gut/MBite is the closest I've found "feel-wise", and the setup has up to 3x durability as full gut, with a bit better control and no noticeable loss of comfort.

For a 'feel' oriented poly, MBite has an edge on PS Energy, in my experience. PS Energy also didn't pair well with gut like MBite did, for me.

Full PS Energy though is great for those willing to restring every 4-5 hours, who don't want to use gut... it's cost effective for self-stringers and plays great when fresh (PS Turbo has same feel & longevity as Energy, with more spin for those wanting that).

JT, have you tried PS Strike which is a bit stiffer than Energy but holds tension better (so I am led to believe)? Also I have thought about hybriding these strings, in particular Turbo/Energy but also thinking of Strike/Energy.

[Vcore89]

Originally Posted by smirker

Polystar being one of those who actually manufacture strings.

Has anyone tried PS Strike? Ordered a set out of curiosity as it get pretty good write ups. Also got PS Energy black and Classic coming. Think PS will provide just what I am after for my Xi which definitely does not suit the gut/poly hybrid I have in there currently.

Frankly, haven't tried any PolyStar strings. I would not be talking things I haven't tried.

[Xonemains]

Originally Posted by BreakPoint

Are you guys absolutely sure PS Energy is really made of polyester?

I would consider giving it a try but I swore to myself I would never risk using another poly ever again.

OMG. You haven't tried it yet. PE is strung very low like 44 lbs cross with syn gut is probably more comfy than a stiff multi at 56/57. That's just what I think. I'm probably never gonna hear the end of this now from the non ploy users, lol

You should try poly for the last time, this is quite soft, my clamps leaves marks all over the string cause its that soft. My mate broke this string on his machine, and he's stung hundreds of polys, tells me it's the softest he's strung.

[JT_2eighty]

Originally Posted by smirker

JT, have you tried PS Strike which is a bit stiffer than Energy but holds tension better (so I am led to believe)? Also I have thought about hybriding these strings, in particular Turbo/Energy but also thinking of Strike/Energy.

Yes, I've used Strike, Turbo and Energy; all in full beds at 50 lbs (as well as some other tensions and hybrids with Turbo and Energy).

Strike on its own is a not as soft as the other two, but still on the softer spectrum of copolys. It is a nice string with better tension maintenance than the other two, better control but not a 'big spin' string. It has a unique surface, but probably not enough to cause any difference to ball contact; I didn't notice any wild spin-ability or 'ball bite'. It had a greasy-like coating on it, so I tried it with Gut mains as well. That was a nice combo. Easier spin production, and great flat control with gut mains. Strike in a full bed to me felt like a soft version of BBO. Good all-round poly, but without one single defining characteristic: average feel, spin & power; good to very good control.

I do have a Turbo/Strike hybrid on my short list to try out soon. Strike/Energy would also be an interesting one too.

[smirker]

Originally Posted by JT_2eighty

Yes, I've used Strike, Turbo and Energy; all in full beds at 50 lbs (as well as some other tensions and hybrids with Turbo and Energy).

Strike on its own is a not as soft as the other two, but still on the softer spectrum of copolys. It is a nice string with better tension maintenance than the other two, better control but not a 'big spin' string. It has a unique surface, but probably not enough to cause any difference to ball contact; I didn't notice any wild spin-ability or 'ball bite'. It had a greasy-like coating on it, so I tried it with Gut mains as well. That was a nice combo. Easier spin production, and great flat control with gut mains. Strike in a full bed to me felt like a soft version of BBO. Good all-round poly, but without one single defining characteristic: average feel, spin & power; good to very good control.

I do have a Turbo/Strike hybrid on my short list to try out soon. Strike/Energy would also be an interesting one too.

Thanks for the info. I will get to trying Turbo/Energy and strike/Energy when they come. Got some Energy in 1.20 to use as a cross and 1.25 to use full. Also some Classic as they were selling it off cheap. Any experience of that?

[Darkhors]

I think the new Prince Beast XP should be on the list. To me it's a super comfortable (see SOFT) co-poly and it seems to hold tension very well. A couple of my high school players I've strung for are using it and they have about 20 hours on it and are still loving it. I asked them how it was playing and if they thought we needed to restring again and they said no, the love it the way it is right now.

Just for reference these are #1 and #2 singles guys that are competitive at the state level and play USTA.

I'm thinking of using it as a full bed in my YTek PP, but not sure at what tension. I'm thinking maybe 46lbs?

DH

[BreakPoint]

Originally Posted by Xonemains

OMG. You haven't tried it yet. PE is strung very low like 44 lbs cross with syn gut is probably more comfy than a stiff multi at 56/57. That's just what I think. I'm probably never gonna hear the end of this now from the non ploy users, lol

You should try poly for the last time, this is quite soft, my clamps leaves marks all over the string cause its that soft. My mate broke this string on his machine, and he's stung hundreds of polys, tells me it's the softest he's strung.

But if PS Energy really is THAT soft, why not just use a multi? From my experience, the stiffer the string, the easier it is to generate spin.

[pvaudio]

BP, I own reels of Energy and Turbo. I also have a reel of Genesis Black Magic, and sets in various gauges of Dunlop Black Widow. Black Widow 18 is the softest poly on the market as far as stiffness goes depending on who you ask (Pro Hurricane 18 and Head FXP Tour are softer in some, Topspin Cyberflash are softer in other lists, but BW is always in that top 3). By feel, Black Magic feels softer with Energy and Turbo coming in just slightly softer feeling. Energy will not transform your opinion of poly. For my customers seeking the utmost in poly comfort, I send them to Black Magic or Energy. Many still have TE issues. When I go and use Black Widow, the TE disappears. In short, Xonemains' clamps are simply set too tight because while it feels incredibly soft and is incredibly soft, it's not soft enough to declare that it's like playing with a multi. Not even close.

[unit-0]

Originally Posted by Xonemains

OMG. You haven't tried it yet. PE is strung very low like 44 lbs cross with syn gut is probably more comfy than a stiff multi at 56/57. That's just what I think. I'm probably never gonna hear the end of this now from the non ploy users, lol

You should try poly for the last time, this is quite soft, my clamps leaves marks all over the string cause its that soft. My mate broke this string on his machine, and he's stung hundreds of polys, tells me it's the softest he's strung.

What is your cross tension?

[rodrigoamaral]

Poly Star energy and turbo are both terrific strings with excellent feel and comfort.. They sure are not as soft as multi's but without a doubt the best feeling poly out there

[Xonemains]

Originally Posted by BreakPoint

But if PS Energy really is THAT soft, why not just use a multi? From my experience, the stiffer the string, the easier it is to generate spin.

I break multis in about 3 hours, I'm sick of stringing my racquets.

PE does not break and the price, man, the reel is a bargain! Cross with syn gut, it's even cheaper, lol, goodluck with your trial

[BreakPoint]

Originally Posted by pvaudio

BP, I own reels of Energy and Turbo. I also have a reel of Genesis Black Magic, and sets in various gauges of Dunlop Black Widow. Black Widow 18 is the softest poly on the market as far as stiffness goes depending on who you ask (Pro Hurricane 18 and Head FXP Tour are softer in some, Topspin Cyberflash are softer in other lists, but BW is always in that top 3). By feel, Black Magic feels softer with Energy and Turbo coming in just slightly softer feeling. Energy will not transform your opinion of poly. For my customers seeking the utmost in poly comfort, I send them to Black Magic or Energy. Many still have TE issues. When I go and use Black Widow, the TE disappears. In short, Xonemains' clamps are simply set too tight because while it feels incredibly soft and is incredibly soft, it's not soft enough to declare that it's like playing with a multi. Not even close.

Thanks for the info, pvaudio.

This is the kind of frank answer I was looking for.

[BreakPoint]

Originally Posted by Xonemains

I break multis in about 3 hours, I'm sick of stringing my racquets.

PE does not break and the price, man, the reel is a bargain! Cross with syn gut, it's even cheaper, lol, goodluck with your trial

Well, I don't break multis that fast and I string my own racquets so durability is not that important to me. The most important priority for me is comfort and injury prevention. And since I hit mostly flat, the ability of the string to generate gobs of spin is not all that important to me either. So based on pvaudio's comment, I think I'll pass on the trial of PS Energy.

BTW, what's the difference between breaking a multi in 3 hours versus having to cut out PS Energy after only a few hours since it quickly loses all playability as others here have pointed out?