I love the most random frame - Pro Kennex Kinetic Pro 7g

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by scotus

Try the lower-tension setup and see if you like it.

Who knows, maybe you can control 7G's power better than I and won't need the help of high tension.

There are many setups that can tame the power. I currently use Discho Microfibre 16 (full multi) at 54# in the summer heat.

[lucky44]

Hopefully

[netman]

Originally Posted by mikeler

There are many setups that can tame the power. I currently use Discho Microfibre 16 (full multi) at 54# in the summer heat.

Been using Genesis Heptonic 18 mains with Gosen SM 17 crosses. Mains at 58, crosses at 55. This is a low powered setup that is easy on the arm, yet still provides good control for a hard, flat hitter like me.

-k-

[surfvland]

I played with the 5g's years ago, solid frame. Can anyone comment on the 7g with a 1hbh.

[Tennissee]

I play with 5g, 7g, and Redondo with a 1hbh. With Redondo, I tend to drive the ball while I'd hit loopier shots with 5g and 7g. The added .5" doesn't really change much for me other than the service, which seems to give me a bit more pace and accuracy.

[DaveInBradenton]

Mikeler, I notice that somewhere along the line you've switched from the 7G to a Prince Exo3 Tour.

How about a comparison of the two?

Thanks,
Dave

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by DaveInBradenton

Mikeler, I notice that somewhere along the line you've switched from the 7G to a Prince Exo3 Tour.

How about a comparison of the two?

Thanks,
Dave

Two very different rackets but for whatever reason, I volley way better with these two rackets than anything else I've used. My serve is more accurate with the Exo but probably a little faster with the 7G. I've struggled with my forehand using the Exo and was really cracking it well the last few months with the 7G. My backhand can handle any racket or string. Touch shots I think the Exo beats the 7G. Spin production the Exo also wins but flattening out shots the 7G is better.

[DaveInBradenton]

Mikeler, how do you compare the comfort level with similar strings?

Thank you!
Dave

[DaveInBradenton]

I received my Pro Kennex demos today from TW:

Pro Kinetic 5G
Pro Kinetic 7G
Redondo 98 MP+

The 5G was brand new; the plastic was on the grip. It's strung with Pro Kennex Elite 16, I think. Hard to read. I could find no Pro Kennex strings for sale at TW.

The 7G has been around the block of few times: black Wilson grip and Wilson Sensation Control 16.

The Redondo 98 has done the demo circuit too. The dark mustard brown leather grip doesn't have a lot of wear, but feels smooth with NO tack at all. Not appealing. The string reads Gosen Micro 17 Japan. If I matched it correctly at TW, it retails for $3.50. Perhaps that's it only virtue?

I took the 5G & 7G to the courts today for a brief session. I did a hopper of 'drop & hit' balls, alternating rackets to get a feel for them: one hand forehands & backhands and 2 hand forehands and backhands, serves. Then I hit 65 balls against my ball machine, rotating rackets periodically.

Let me say this: the purpose my my racket demo session was to see if I could improve on my present set up listed below. I still have some shoulder issues that I'm hoping one of the PKs can help. I also like the extended length concept because I think it will suit my topspin 2HFH. So frankly I'm predisposed to choose the 7G over the others.

The 5G felt stiffer to me on groundstrokes. It could be the new strings; they felt tight to me with a higher tone ping. The 5G did not have the power of the 7G. I had to raise my sights to hit deep shots. The 7G had more comfort and more effortless power on groundstrokes. No surprise, it has more leverage and perhaps softer, looser springs. Obviously, the strings in demo rackets are a variable.

Both rackets did OK on serves, but the 7G seemed more like swinging my OS Head. I felt right at home serving with the 7G.

The one thing the 5G really shined at today were slice backhands. It gave excellent control on aggressive slices.

After this brief test, I favor the 7G.

Next time out, I will compare the 7G to the Redondo 98.

Best wishes,
Dave

[mikeler]

Over the years, I e-mail user KCraig quite a bit. He has used both PKs above and I trust his judgment on many things. He thought the 7G was far superior to the 5G

[JGads]

Originally Posted by DaveInBradenton

I received my Pro Kennex demos today from TW:

Pro Kinetic 5G
Pro Kinetic 7G
Redondo 98 MP+

The 5G was brand new; the plastic was on the grip. It's strung with Pro Kennex Elite 16, I think. Hard to read. I could find no Pro Kennex strings for sale at TW.

The 7G has been around the block of few times: black Wilson grip and Wilson Sensation Control 16.

The Redondo 98 has done the demo circuit too. The dark mustard brown leather grip doesn't have a lot of wear, but feels smooth with NO tack at all. Not appealing. The string reads Gosen Micro 17 Japan. If I matched it correctly at TW, it retails for $3.50. Perhaps that's it only virtue?

I took the 5G & 7G to the courts today for a brief session. I did a hopper of 'drop & hit' balls, alternating rackets to get a feel for them: one hand forehands & backhands and 2 hand forehands and backhands, serves. Then I hit 65 balls against my ball machine, rotating rackets periodically.

Let me say this: the purpose my my racket demo session was to see if I could improve on my present set up listed below. I still have some shoulder issues that I'm hoping one of the PKs can help. I also like the extended length concept because I think it will suit my topspin 2HFH. So frankly I'm predisposed to choose the 7G over the others.

The 5G felt stiffer to me on groundstrokes. It could be the new strings; they felt tight to me with a higher tone ping. The 5G did not have the power of the 7G. I had to raise my sights to hit deep shots. The 7G had more comfort and more effortless power on groundstrokes. No surprise, it has more leverage and perhaps softer, looser springs. Obviously, the strings in demo rackets are a variable.

Both rackets did OK on serves, but the 7G seemed more like swinging my OS Head. I felt right at home serving with the 7G.

The one thing the 5G really shined at today were slice backhands. It gave excellent control on aggressive slices.

After this brief test, I favor the 7G.

Next time out, I will compare the 7G to the Redondo 98.

Best wishes,
Dave

7G is a beast. If you're two handed on both wings, frame could be sensational for you. One of the best frames ever, in my book. Have fun with it.

[max]

This is good to hear. I'm an old advocate of the PK 5G; nice to learn there's something even better.

[DaveInBradenton]

This afternoon I compared the 7G with the Redondo 98 MP+.

The Redondo demo looks like a 3rd place finisher compared to the 5G and 7G. It has a lackluster paint job. I would call it flat metallic maroon with battleship grey contrasting segments on the hoop. Not a lot of eye appeal, but I hope a brand new one would look better than this demo. Then there's the dark mustard brown (I'm being polite) leather grip that looks like it was baked in someone's trunk for a Florida summer. It's smooth and "tacky-less". The fact is, it's tacky, but not in a good way. It's got Gosen Micro 17 strings which I'm guessing are cheap (17 gauge I like though) And then there's the name, "Redondo". To me it sounds too much like REDUNDANT. You know, ........like compared to the 7G. Pro Kennex marketing, what were you thinking? Frankly, I really wanted to just compare the 5G with the 7G with the Kinetic system, but because the price to demo 2 or 4 rackets is the same, I looked for a couple other rackets to request as well.

All that being said, the Redondo really plays well! A very nice racket. I like it.

The Redondo has good power, but not as much as the effortless power of the +.5 inch 7G.

The Redondo has more control than the 7G. Less power, more control. I think it breaks down to personal preference. Take your pick.

The Redondo is a very comfortable racket, as you would expect with a flex rating in the mid 50s. I would give the edge in comfort to the 7G. I assume it's th Kinetic tech.

I prefer both these rackets to the 5G, but please note that the new demo 5G I have has the highest frequency string ping, making me think it's strung tight. I know this is not scientific, but I'm just reporting it.

Next time out, I'm going to take all three rackets to see if my impressions are the same.

Best wishes,
Dave
Tampa Bay

[DaveInBradenton]

Today I decided to test the 7G against my trusty Head MicroGel Radical 107 with Bab 17 gauge natural gut tonic strung @ 52.

Power levels and control, as tested, seemed to be fairly close. This makes me wonder if the 7G, if strung with full natural gut strung at 52 like my MicroGel, would turn out to be an even better performer.

Although my MG Radical is a comfort racket, the Kinetic 7G gets the nod in comfort. That's a big deal for me. I'm a senior player with shoulder issues. I need to have the best possible shoulder-friendly racket, string, and tension combination that keeps me on the courts.

The 7G may not be the panacea for my shoulder issues, but I feel I have to give it a try.

Best wishes,
Dave

Remember when tennis rackets were wood and balls were white?

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by DaveInBradenton

Today I decided to test the 7G against my trusty Head MicroGel Radical 107 with Bab 17 gauge natural gut tonic strung @ 52.

Power levels and control, as tested, seemed to be fairly close. This makes me wonder if the 7G, if strung with full natural gut strung at 52 like my MicroGel, would turn out to be an even better performer.

Although my MG Radical is a comfort racket, the Kinetic 7G gets the nod in comfort. That's a big deal for me. I'm a senior player with shoulder issues. I need to have the best possible shoulder-friendly racket, string, and tension combination that keeps me on the courts.

The 7G may not be the panacea for my shoulder issues, but I feel I have to give it a try.

Best wishes,
Dave

Remember when tennis rackets were wood and balls were white?

Even though I recommended the 7G in my multis thread to you, I did not realize you were having shoulder issues. The extended length is going to put more stress on your shoulder. Maybe the 5G is a better option for you health wise.

[DaveInBradenton]

Originally Posted by mikeler

Even though I recommended the 7G in my multis thread to you, I did not realize you were having shoulder issues. The extended length is going to put more stress on your shoulder. Maybe the 5G is a better option for you health wise.

Hi Mike, it's thoughtful of you to mention that. I realize the extra half inch may require a bit more muscle to swing, but conversely the extra power the racket generates may
prompt me to slow up my swing speed a bit. I love to take a big whack at the ball. I'm a compulsive over-hitter, but it's so much fun!

I have to admit, my aggressive swings are probably the cause of my shoulder pain. And, using both hands on both sides, makes a faster swing speed easier. I also use one hand shots on both sides since that was the way I learned to play back in the late '50s. Basically, when the ball is in the baseball strike zone, I use two hands, otherwise one handers when I have to stretch. Since making my come-back, I need to learn to balance swing speed versus consistency/accuracy.

I've ordered a 7G with Bab 17 NG at 52 (lowest recommended tension) and will report after I get some court time.

Thanks again,
Dave

[DaveInBradenton]

This afternoon was my first time out with my brand new 7G with 17 gauge VS natural gut strung at 50. The 50 is two pounds less the lowest tension ProKennex recommends, but I'm trying to get the best frame/string/tension to stop my shoulders from hurting after I play.

It was breezy (about 15 mph) off the Gulf Coast today in central Florida, but the temperature was in the lower 70's and sunny. I hit two hoppers against my ball machine, about a total of 130 balls.

I am very pleased with the way this racket plays. I did well today, I especially for the first time out. I don't feel like I have to make much adjustment from my previous racket. With the 17 gauge NG and low tension there is plenty of power. Perhaps too much power, but I need more time with the racket and without the wind. IF this cures my shoulder, I can experiment with higher tension.

The 7G comfort level is excellent. Whether it will aleviate my shoulder problems, time will tell. Let's see how I feel in a couple of week.

I am very pleased I bought the 7G. Back to the courts the day after tomorrow!

Thanks to everybody that contributed to this thread to help me make my choice.

Best wishes,
Dave

[canadad]

I have been playing with the the 7G recently and love it. It is very solid and I am hitting everything pretty well. I have not dialled in huge serves, but they are okay. I can't find too many issues, it is just a good all around frame. Amazing that something that has been around so long is still so effective.

[DaveInBradenton]

I've been using my 7G for two months now. It's a very good balance between control and power. As one TW tester mentioned, it's a player's racket with power.

Like any racket, it takes some time to get acclimated. I've practiced with mine 2-3 times a week since I got it. I am satisfied that it's the racket for me. I will sell one or two of my MicroGel Radicals and stick with the 7G.

BTW, I no longer wear my tennis elbow brace. Life is good.

Best wishes,
Dave

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by canadad

I have been playing with the the 7G recently and love it. It is very solid and I am hitting everything pretty well. I have not dialled in huge serves, but they are okay. I can't find too many issues, it is just a good all around frame. Amazing that something that has been around so long is still so effective.

I found the pace with the 7G to be terrific on serves but I place my serves better with the Prince Exo Tour.