pro kennex q5

[canadad]

Originally Posted by ollinger

I have one (315 gm.) that a friend just purchased, strung with Silverstring, letting me play with it tomorrow morning. I'll post some feedback.

Nice, I look forward to your comments.

[ollinger]

^^ exceptionally comfortable racquet, has a cushioned feel that's as soft as anything I've hit with lately. No dampener needed with this one, didn't even try it that way. Super solid, nice plow, I was more confident at net with this thing than any racquet I've volleyed with recently, extremely stable, allowed me to take volleys from all sorts of odd angles (playing doubles) and redirect them accurately. From the ground, extremely stable, lots of power (less than a PDR, more than most frames in this class), plenty of spin -- I was regularly surprised to see balls dropping in when I expected them to sail. Typical for PK, the finish is exceptional on the racquet. I'm not switching to it as the 315 is a bit heavier than I feel I can handle for long matches.

[canadad]

Originally Posted by ollinger

^^ exceptionally comfortable racquet, has a cushioned feel that's as soft as anything I've hit with lately. No dampener needed with this one, didn't even try it that way. Super solid, nice plow, I was more confident at net with this thing than any racquet I've volleyed with recently, extremely stable, allowed me to take volleys from all sorts of odd angles (playing doubles) and redirect them accurately. From the ground, extremely stable, lots of power (less than a PDR, more than most frames in this class), plenty of spin -- I was regularly surprised to see balls dropping in when I expected them to sail. Typical for PK, the finish is exceptional on the racquet. I'm not switching to it as the 315 is a bit heavier than I feel I can handle for long matches.

Awesome, it sounds great. I am very eager to try this out.

[JGads]

Originally Posted by ollinger

^^ exceptionally comfortable racquet, has a cushioned feel that's as soft as anything I've hit with lately. No dampener needed with this one, didn't even try it that way. Super solid, nice plow, I was more confident at net with this thing than any racquet I've volleyed with recently, extremely stable, allowed me to take volleys from all sorts of odd angles (playing doubles) and redirect them accurately. From the ground, extremely stable, lots of power (less than a PDR, more than most frames in this class), plenty of spin -- I was regularly surprised to see balls dropping in when I expected them to sail. Typical for PK, the finish is exceptional on the racquet. I'm not switching to it as the 315 is a bit heavier than I feel I can handle for long matches.

Interesting note above about the softness, considering the high stiffness rating on this bat. Just curious: cushier, softer than ... which frames exactly? Have you hit with any PK frames (or others) that this might be comparable to, feel wise?

I like how PK keeps coming out with 16/20 patterns, which to me seems like the ideal compromise between open/closed.

[ollinger]

^^ softness not unlike the Ki5 and Ki10 PSE, both of which I've used for short times, both more flexible, but this racquet felt just as cushy as those.

[tolesy]

Originally Posted by ollinger

^^ exceptionally comfortable racquet, has a cushioned feel that's as soft as anything I've hit with lately. No dampener needed with this one, didn't even try it that way. Super solid, nice plow, I was more confident at net with this thing than any racquet I've volleyed with recently, extremely stable, allowed me to take volleys from all sorts of odd angles (playing doubles) and redirect them accurately. From the ground, extremely stable, lots of power (less than a PDR, more than most frames in this class), plenty of spin -- I was regularly surprised to see balls dropping in when I expected them to sail. Typical for PK, the finish is exceptional on the racquet. I'm not switching to it as the 315 is a bit heavier than I feel I can handle for long matches.

Wonder how the 295 would feel with a leather grip a some lead at 3 and 9?

[smirker]

Bumping this for any more feedback on the new Q5's. Anyone tried the 295 yet?

[Chotobaka]

Originally Posted by smirker

Bumping this for any more feedback on the new Q5's. Anyone tried the 295 yet?

I just returned my last batch of demo sticks -- Q5 295 and Ki5 315 among them. I am recovering from a hand/wrist injury, so I have become hyper-sensitive to the comfort of various racquets. I really liked the Q5. Every bit as comfortable as my Pacific X-Force, and it did everything right for me. I could switch back and forth between these two with little to no adjustment. It also felt just as comfortable as the Volkl Organix 10 295, which for me is the among the plushest feeling lightweights I have hit with. The Ki 315 was a bit of a let down. It felt a little pingy compared the Q5 (and my own 5G/7G's), despite the Ki5's lower stiffness rating. Q5 295 is must-demo for anyone looking for a racquet in this weight range.

[smirker]

Originally Posted by Chotobaka

I just returned my last batch of demo sticks -- Q5 295 and Ki5 315 among them. I am recovering from a hand/wrist injury, so I have become hyper-sensitive to the comfort of various racquets. I really liked the Q5. Every bit as comfortable as my Pacific X-Force, and it did everything right for me. I could switch back and forth between these two with little to no adjustment. It also felt just as comfortable as the Volkl Organix 10 295, which for me is the among the plushest feeling lightweights I have hit with. The Ki 315 was a bit of a let down. It felt a little pingy compared the Q5 (and my own 5G/7G's), despite the Ki5's lower stiffness rating. Q5 295 is must-demo for anyone looking for a racquet in this weight range.

That's great feedback. There is a third option in Europe. We have a 295g version of the Ki5.

As yet the Q5 does not seem to be available here but I will be keen to try it when it finally appears. A plush feeling lightweight sounds right up my street. I tend to buy lighter weight frames around 11oz but always seem to end up leading them, looking for a solid feel. An 11oz, 100" solid feeling stock frame would be perfect.

The closest I have to that is a Prince Ozone Tour but the feel is very muted. My N-Tour 2 is plush but 95". Always a compromise to be found, the Q5 295 or Ki295 might be just what I am looking for.

[Ramon]

Originally Posted by Chotobaka

I just returned my last batch of demo sticks -- Q5 295 and Ki5 315 among them. I am recovering from a hand/wrist injury, so I have become hyper-sensitive to the comfort of various racquets. I really liked the Q5. Every bit as comfortable as my Pacific X-Force, and it did everything right for me. I could switch back and forth between these two with little to no adjustment. It also felt just as comfortable as the Volkl Organix 10 295, which for me is the among the plushest feeling lightweights I have hit with. The Ki 315 was a bit of a let down. It felt a little pingy compared the Q5 (and my own 5G/7G's), despite the Ki5's lower stiffness rating. Q5 295 is must-demo for anyone looking for a racquet in this weight range.

For some reason, it seems that nobody ever thinks the Ki 5 is that comfortable, but after they use it for a few days they notice their elbow feels better. Maybe that's just how the Ionic Kinetic system works in that racquet?

[skeeter]

Just demo'd the Ki 5 along with the Q5 (315). Similar to what another poster said, the Ki 5 felt a little pingy against the Q5. I was a little skeptical about the Q5 due to the stiffness rating, but it felt amazingly plush for such a rating; I half wonder if the rating is a bit overstated. And, as someone else also stated, I kept hitting strokes that I really thought would be long and they seemed to drop in; wasn't intentionally hitting hard topspin or anything. And definitely not a muted feel; nice "thwack" sound to all my hits. Real stable up at the net as well. Only thing that didn't impress me right off the bat was serves; didn't seem to stand out in any real way, but could be user-error as when I really focused on pronating, I seemed to hit with more power. But, all in all, really impressed with the Q5. May take it on an extended demo!

[canadad]

Okay I have now hit with the Q5 315. I have been using the Ki5 lately and it was interesting hitting both together. I have never found the Ki5 to be pingy, having said that, I found the Q5 to be a little more crisp and solid. I have been able to aggressively hit the ball in with the Ki5 and it continued with the Q5. The flex is noticeably different, the Ki5 is indeed more flexy and the Q5 is definitely stiffer. I think the plow is more with the Q5 and I felt I could drive my 1hbh quite well with it. I could really hit my approaches well with the Q5 and drive bh slices with good pace. Volleying was good, I don't feel that these 5 series racquets have awesome feel, but I can volley pretty well with both. I did not get a chance to serve. I only hit for 45 minutes(it gets dark early now).
I pretty much agree with Skeeter's assessment, a good thwacking stick.

[ollinger]

Have switched to the 295, added weight consists of 2.5 grams each at 3:00 and 9:00, plus two overgrips. Very happy with the racquet in this form, found the 315 a bit too much for me, too sluggish. Supreme comfort with the 295, plenty of pop and spin. I found the Ki5 underpowered when I hit with it several years ago.

[JGads]

Hate to be a dissenter, but I hit with the Q5 315 a little bit this week and didn't like it. Wasn't terrible, but performance seemed just about average and most importantly (to me), it felt a bit too 'modern' in that it was stiffer, crisper, a bit more hollow feeling than I'd anticipated given people's descriptions as it being 'plush.' Would not describe this frame as being very plush. It's not bad, but my 7G feels much nicer and more full by comparison.

[sstchur]

I've got a Q5 arriving today and will get it strung up and ready for a test drive in a next few days.

I went with the lighter version, figuring it could always be leaded up.

[danix]

Just got a demo. I bought a pair of Q Tours which bother my arm (go figure) so I reverted to the Ki5. At this point, the Ki5 is the only thing I can play with, even the Becker London which is not a stiff frame bothers me.

[ciocc]

Originally Posted by skeeter

Only thing that didn't impress me right off the bat was serves;

I had the same impression too when I hit with a Q5 this morning. The demo was strung with Prince Premier Attack @59lb, according to TW, and the racket was brand new

Comparing to my Black Ace 93, strung with poly/sg, the Q5 lacks pop in serves. It could be because of the thin beams and head size of the 93 that make it easier to come around. Q5 has that solid and crisp feel, but not harsh. Sweet spot is much bigger than BA93 (obviously). Ground strokes are more powerful so I have to adjust my swing path to keep the ball in with more topspin.

[danix]

Initial impression: close to a Ki5 in many ways. More Kinetic "stuff" than the Q Tour. Hitting against the wall it felt crisper than a Ki5, didnt bother my arm. Will try it in a match tomorrow.

On a side note, I have grown more comfortable with the Ki5 and can finally hit with pace. Feel is still lacking, but I've realized it volleys really well and is a great doubles stick.

[jayserinos99]

Originally Posted by JGads

Hate to be a dissenter, but I hit with the Q5 315 a little bit this week and didn't like it. Wasn't terrible, but performance seemed just about average and most importantly (to me), it felt a bit too 'modern' in that it was stiffer, crisper, a bit more hollow feeling than I'd anticipated given people's descriptions as it being 'plush.' Would not describe this frame as being very plush. It's not bad, but my 7G feels much nicer and more full by comparison.

I'm feeling the same way. I have the Q5 315 demo this week and although it played decently, I wouldn't call it plush. I'd love to try this frame modded with some lead at 3/9 and strung with my go-to string at the moment (TB17) at my regular tension (48-52).

[canadad]

Originally Posted by danix

Initial impression: close to a Ki5 in many ways. More Kinetic "stuff" than the Q Tour. Hitting against the wall it felt crisper than a Ki5, didnt bother my arm. Will try it in a match tomorrow.

I agree with this completely.

On a side note, is anyone else bothered that the title in this thread is all in lower case? I thought about starting a new one, my I did tell myself to get over it.