Playtesters: New PK frame feedback?

[JGads]

Hey guys, I realize you likely won't be doing much in the way of official reviews and such on these sticks, but the descriptions of some of the new Pro Kennex offerings indicate you guys might have had a swing or two with them ("Our playtesters found that the frame offered..."). Just curious if any of you have any initial thoughts on some interesting looking new frames, particularly the Pro Kennex Black Ace Mid 2012 version (lighter swingweight, slightly added stiffness and thickness?) and the Q5 offerings, which by spec appear to be slightly stiffer, maybe more powerful offerings of the 5G/7G/Ki5 series?

Just wondering if any of you have any thoughts on these frames, particularly how they might compare to their predecessors (the Ace Mid to the previous Ace Mid; the Q5 light and heavy versions feel and ball action compared to 5G/7G/Ki5)... Or maybe they're more comparable to other sticks in a different line?

The Black Ace Mid and PK 7G are two of my all time favorite sticks, so I'm wondering about these PK newbies since they aren't up for demoing quite yet.

Cheers..

[ced]

Originally Posted by JGads

Hey guys, I realize you likely won't be doing much in the way of official reviews and such on these sticks, but the descriptions of some of the new Pro Kennex offerings indicate you guys might have had a swing or two with them ("Our playtesters found that the frame offered..."). Just curious if any of you have any initial thoughts on some interesting looking new frames, particularly the Pro Kennex Black Ace Mid 2012 version (lighter swingweight, slightly added stiffness and thickness?) and the Q5 offerings, which by spec appear to be slightly stiffer, maybe more powerful offerings of the 5G/7G/Ki5 series?

Just wondering if any of you have any thoughts on these frames, particularly how they might compare to their predecessors (the Ace Mid to the previous Ace Mid; the Q5 light and heavy versions feel and ball action compared to 5G/7G/Ki5)... Or maybe they're more comparable to other sticks in a different line?

The Black Ace Mid and PK 7G are two of my all time favorite sticks, so I'm wondering about these PK newbies since they aren't up for demoing quite yet.

Cheers..

A lot of us would also be interested in your opinion as to how the Q5 compares to the Qtour you just finished reviewing.

[TW Staff]

I will try and hit the Q5 with the QTour this week side by side. However, I might not be able to get out with them until Thursday.
Chris, TW

[ced]

Originally Posted by TW Staff

I will try and hit the Q5 with the QTour this week side by side. However, I might not be able to get out with them until Thursday.
Chris, TW

Great ... will be anxiously awaiting your opinion.

[JGads]

Chris, as a lover of Mids you should have a hit with the updated 2012 Black Ace Mid if you're able. Stellar frame.

[athleticstennis]

Originally Posted by ced

Great ... will be anxiously awaiting your opinion.

I am also will be eagerly awaiting for your opinion as a lover of PK frames.

[TW Staff]

I hit the Q5 315 today side by side with the QTour.

I'll start with the 315. I really like that racquet. It comes around very quickly, yet feel pretty solid. I was getting a lot of spin with it and it felt better and better the faster I swung. I liked the comfort, too. On the feel front, it felt pretty modern. I could feel the frame breathe more than with a traditional box beam racquet. I wouldn't say it was overly hollow as the kinetic provided a dampened feel, but it is definitely more modern in its feel.

Out of the two, I preferred the QTour. I like the classic feel. The response is smooth and the feel is plush. I find great directional control with it and it is just closer to the racquets I'm enjoying right now such as the Prestige MP and C10 Pro.

Chris, TW

[JGads]

Originally Posted by TW Staff

I hit the Q5 315 today side by side with the QTour.

I'll start with the 315. I really like that racquet. It comes around very quickly, yet feel pretty solid. I was getting a lot of spin with it and it felt better and better the faster I swung. I liked the comfort, too. On the feel front, it felt pretty modern. I could feel the frame breathe more than with a traditional box beam racquet. I wouldn't say it was overly hollow as the kinetic provided a dampened feel, but it is definitely more modern in its feel.

Out of the two, I preferred the QTour. I like the classic feel. The response is smooth and the feel is plush. I find great directional control with it and it is just closer to the racquets I'm enjoying right now such as the Prestige MP and C10 Pro.

Chris, TW

So I'm guessing what you mean by the frame 'breathing' more than a box beam is that it's not as full... and modern meaning a tad more hollow than older offerings? I think that's what you mean. Cheers, Chris, for taking a spin and giving some feedback on a PK frame. I'll suggest one last time that you take one of the new PK Black Ace Mids out for a try -- I have a C10 as well (the Mac Pro Stock), and I was digging the IG Prestige MP you like as well, but this Ace trumps them for me right now -- more full feel/less wobble than the C10 and Prestige, and more plow than the IG MP though not quite the forgiveness of the extra square inches but it's a minimal difference. Really awesome frame.

[danix]

I appreciate the ability to get feedback more quickly than waiting for a full review.

I bought the QTour on faith, and loved the classic feel and power I was getting. But, in addition to bothering my elbow, it started bothering my shoulder, something that hasn't been an issue for several years. Its promise of a player's stick that didn't hurt was unfulfilled, for me (note that other feedback indicates people love it and it doesn't hurt them).

I switched back to the Ki5 and although I hate playing with it due to lack of feel and power, it doesn't hurt me, which is now my top priority.

The biggest question is not how the Q5 compares to the Tour, it's how it improves on the Ki5, if in fact it does. The biggest difference is the polarized Kinetic system (with the beads in 4 small pockets at 10/2 and 5/7 roughly). In terms of both lab and real world experience, how do the two compare?

I have a feeling I'm going to have to cough up another $180 to find out...

[TW Staff]

Sorry to hear you had arm issues with the racquet. The arm issues you mentioned could be simply due to the change in weight and balance, and that change aggravated your arm. The QTour is flexible and has plenty of mass to absorb shock, plus we had four very different players hit it, and all raved about the comfort -- consider we hit it with poly strings, too.

I remember when I started testing racquets, my arm went numb after a month due to the constant change in weight/balance. I just increased my stretching/training and used ice until my body got used to the constant change.

Chris, TW

[JGads]

Originally Posted by danix

I appreciate the ability to get feedback more quickly than waiting for a full review.

I bought the QTour on faith, and loved the classic feel and power I was getting. But, in addition to bothering my elbow, it started bothering my shoulder, something that hasn't been an issue for several years. Its promise of a player's stick that didn't hurt was unfulfilled, for me (note that other feedback indicates people love it and it doesn't hurt them).

I switched back to the Ki5 and although I hate playing with it due to lack of feel and power, it doesn't hurt me, which is now my top priority.

The biggest question is not how the Q5 compares to the Tour, it's how it improves on the Ki5, if in fact it does. The biggest difference is the polarized Kinetic system (with the beads in 4 small pockets at 10/2 and 5/7 roughly). In terms of both lab and real world experience, how do the two compare?

I have a feeling I'm going to have to cough up another $180 to find out...

Danix, have you tried the 7G? It's softer feeling than the Ki5, so the arm should be fine, but has more power as well, which you're looking for. You may have a small adjustment to the extra length but it sounds like it could be what you and your arm are looking for.

[danix]

Originally Posted by JGads

Danix, have you tried the 7G? It's softer feeling than the Ki5, so the arm should be fine, but has more power as well, which you're looking for. You may have a small adjustment to the extra length but it sounds like it could be what you and your arm are looking for.

Never been a fan of extended lengths other than my beloved Volkl CX9.
Might be worth a demo, thanks. About to try the Q5 tomorrow.

[ced]

Originally Posted by TW Staff

I hit the Q5 315 today side by side with the QTour.
... ... ... ... ...

Out of the two, I preferred the QTour. I like the classic feel. The response is smooth and the feel is plush. I find great directional control with it and it is just closer to the racquets I'm enjoying right now such as the Prestige MP and C10 Pro.

Chris, TW

Thanks, Chris, I was expecting this and it backs up my feelings to the point I just ordered my third Qtour !!