pro kennex q5

[NoMansLandPlayer]

I have the Q5 315 and I like it a lot... other very similar racquets to it are the Extreme Pro 2.0 and Pure Drive Roddick 2012. The Q5 is a touch softer than either than these and slightly less powerful, but could play all three interchangably. I like the backhand slice best with the Q5 and seem to serve more consistently albiet slightly less powerfully. Overall, very nice stick that has no real weakness. Also like the Kinetic tecnology for arm protection and prefer the PK grip shape. Take 5% out of the PDR and you have the Q5

[danix]

Well, I did get to use the Q5, for a while anyway.
I went out to play a league match and took the Q5 straight out of the bag. Definitely not as soft feeling as the Ki5 (I have that strung with Mantis Comfort Synthetic) but I figured maybe it's the strings or the tension I'm feeling.

Off the ground, impressions continued - this is a slightly stiffer Ki5. I hear plenty of the Kinetic material, so I highly doubt it's actually localized in those 4 pockets. I think they decided to standardize on the design and/or make it look "new".
Groundstrokes, I felt like I was getting more power than the Ki5, perhaps due to the stiffness. Serves were a little more directional and had a bit more pop than the Ki5 - overall I felt like I had a better idea of where the ball was going with the Q5.

Here's the weird thing - hit a forehand and heard a crack, I thought the whole frame had cracked. I popped a main string at the very top of the frame, just right of center. Wonder if it was a stringing flaw because I am not a string breaker and I have never ever broken a string in that spot.

Throughout the time with the Q5 I kept thinking "wow, I kind of miss the Ki5 which I never thought would happen". But then post string break, returning to the Ki5, I realized that I had to swing a little harder, had less precision and feel with the Ki5.

I'm on the fence. I already have a pair of QTour I jumped into too quickly. I think I'm going to sell those, and get a Q5, and give it an extended demo.

One last note - just above the grip, the Q5 has a little bridge thing that reminds me of the Destiny frames, though the frame itself is not as rounded. The Destiny were the forefathers of the Pure Drives as you may know.

I do not think the Q5 hits anything like a Pure Drive or PDR - those have way more power due to the woofer system.

[kenyee]

danix: how does the sweetspot and plushness of the Q5 compare w/ the QTour? And have you ever hit w/ the BA98 or PK5G?

[ciocc]

I have demo'ed both BA98 and Q5 before. My impression:
1. Comfort: BA98 > Q5
2. Power: Q5 > BA98 (Bigger SP on Q5)
3. Control: BA98 ~ Q5
4. Maneuverability: Q5 > BA98
5. Stability: BA98 ~ Q5
6: Feel: BA98 = Muted; Q5 = Hollow

My 2 cents

[eugenius]

Seems to be very little feedback on the review pages of TW re the Q5.I am currently playing with 2yrs of tennis elbow,and is considering switching to the Q5 or KI5.How many people have directly compared them,esp elbow comfort.
Also ,if anyone knows,how these 2 compare with the new Donnay Pro One
Thanks

[Ramon]

Originally Posted by ciocc

I have demo'ed both BA98 and Q5 before. My impression:
1. Comfort: BA98 > Q5
2. Power: Q5 > BA98 (Bigger SP on Q5)
3. Control: BA98 ~ Q5
4. Maneuverability: Q5 > BA98
5. Stability: BA98 ~ Q5
6: Feel: BA98 = Muted; Q5 = Hollow

My 2 cents

Just as I thought. The Q5 is a step closer to a Pure Drive. That's neither good nor bad. When summer comes around, I'll probably playtest the Q5 and the QTour. It will be interesting to compare them to my Ki 5x.

[eugenius]

Any updates from anyone?

[Dgdavid]

Also interested in anyone who has a view on the Ki 5 vs Q5.
I have just "discovered" the Ki 5 as part of a search for something a little less arm distressing than the Blades. Ki 5 demo has been great in doubles but not trying it in singles until tomorrow. Would be interesting to see what the Q5 has to offer over it.

[kenyee]

Originally Posted by Ramon

The Q5 is a step closer to a Pure Drive. That's neither good nor bad.

Bad if you think PK frames are always good for your arm/elbow.
Good if you want more pop/stiffness in your racquet.

[danix]

TW shipped me another Q5 demo - I was going to buy one, but they are out of stock in my size.

Basically, it's a lot like a Ki5 - I went into a tournament match with the Q5 right out of the box, and had no issues adapting.
It's a slightly more head light, crisper feeling Ki5.

My elbow felt OK after playing but I noted shoulder soreness again, which I had felt with the Q Tour and do not usually feel with the Ki5. On the other hand, this was the first 3 set singles match I've played in a long time, so that is likely a factor.

I think when they are back in stock I will order a Q5, rotate it with my Ki5, and then decide.

[sstchur]

I have a Q5 295 and a Q5 315, as well as a 2 Ki 5 315s.

I've only strung the Q5 295 and one Ki5 315. I've only hit with the Q5 so far.

I only gave it maybe 30 min or so (my usual racquet is the Gamma T-7 which I love and have 6 of and don't expect to stop using any time soon).

But I have to say that the Q5 was an impressive offering. I actually really liked the light weight, as it allowed me to generate tremendous racquet head speed. I really noticed added kick on my kick serve.

I also felt like I had surprisingly good plow through for a light racquet.

I let my regular Monday hitting partner demo it today when we played (he normally uses an older K-factor six.one team I think). He seemed to like the Q5. He's been toying with demos for a while, but all the usual suspects (Head, Wilson, etc..), so I've been trying to get him to demo a PK and he finally did. I thought he served really well with it, and I thought his groundstrokes penetrated the court pretty well. He said he didn't have any trouble transitioning to it (for our hitting session) from his usual racquet. He thinks I'm just being nice letting him demo it, but really I wanna get him hooked so he'll buy it

Anyway, I like the Q5. I think it's a good racquet. One of my favorite PK offerings so far (and that include all the PK racquets I have, including 5G, 7G, 15G, Redondo, and Black Ace).

[Dgdavid]

Thanks for that write up sstchur. Would you pick q5 over ki5 then?

[smirker]

Originally Posted by Dgdavid

Thanks for that write up sstchur. Would you pick q5 over ki5 then?

But will we ever get the Q5's over here David? Not even available on TW Europe. I would love to demo the two Q5 and two Ki5 offerings side by side to make an informed decision rather than by guess work.

[Dgdavid]

Originally Posted by smirker

But will we ever get the Q5's over here David? Not even available on TW Europe. I would love to demo the two Q5 and two Ki5 offerings side by side to make an informed decision rather than by guess work.

Q5 is 205 Euro from http://www.madaboutennis.com shipped to UK (£166) but you can get 2 x Ki5 for not much more (254 euro, £20 from TWE. Not convinced it is worth the difference.

[smirker]

Originally Posted by Dgdavid

Q5 is 205 Euro from http://www.madaboutennis.com shipped to UK (£166) but you can get 2 x Ki5 for not much more (254 euro, £20 from TWE. Not convinced it is worth the difference.

No, me neither. Not convinced the extra stiffness is what my arm needs right now either. Hoping the PK rep for the UK will come through and find me some rackets in the UK. Crazy that we can't get them more easily, epic fail by PK in my opinion or are we just too stuck in our ways to try different companies outside of the major players in the UK?

[danix]

Originally Posted by kenyee

danix: how does the sweetspot and plushness of the Q5 compare w/ the QTour? And have you ever hit w/ the BA98 or PK5G?

Apples and oranges. Q Tour is tiny sweet spot but hits like a sledgehammer.
Q5 feels more like a PK5G but stiffer.
Haven't tried a BA98.

[kenyee]

Originally Posted by sstchur

Anyway, I like the Q5. I think it's a good racquet. One of my favorite PK offerings so far (and that include all the PK racquets I have, including 5G, 7G, 15G, Redondo, and Black Ace).

Wow...a true ProKennex fan :-O

Can you compare it w/ the PK5G and Redondo (MP or Mid)?

[danix]

I am still on the fence about the Q5, but I think I'm going to go for one. Has anyone else tried it recently?

[coolblue123]

picked up a ki5x from another tt member.
played with it for a quick 20 minutes last week. a lot of plow and great spin. kinda reminds me of a volkl x8 315.

I had to put a little lead on the butt to increase headlight properties. once adjusted, u can just let the racquet do most of the work. have early prep on this stick and u will be rewarded greatly. 2hbh is nice! hit through the ball, and ur ensure a heavy paced ball. returning fast pace ball is good as well.

need to serve with it but I know its going to be awesome with its extended length and swing weight.

as soon as I hit more, I will write more.

[ciocc]

Originally Posted by NoMansLandPlayer

I have the Q5 315 and I like it a lot... other very similar racquets to it are the Extreme Pro 2.0 and Pure Drive Roddick 2012. The Q5 is a touch softer than either than these and slightly less powerful, but could play all three interchangably. I like the backhand slice best with the Q5 and seem to serve more consistently albiet slightly less powerfully. Overall, very nice stick that has no real weakness. Also like the Kinetic tecnology for arm protection and prefer the PK grip shape. Take 5% out of the PDR and you have the Q5

Hi NoMansLandPlayer, you seemed to like the Q5; why did you sell it? What didn't you like about the Q5?