Donnay Formula 100

[scotus]

Thank you, RollTrackTake & tlimster.

[RollTrackTake]

Originally Posted by tlimster

I had a Pure Drive 2012 and traded it for a Formula 100. I also have a pro stock Roddick GT+ that I hit with on occasion. The PD 2012 is more comfortable than the Roddick GT+, but the Formula 100 is the most comfortable. It is muted and you have to get used to the feel. I would also say the PD has slightly more power.

The PD 2012 is definitely a great racket, and I never tried it with my current string setup. The issue for me with that racket was that I would occasionally get flyers. Plus, after an hour of hitting I would feel it in my wrist and elbow.

That said, the paint job on the PD blows the Formula 100 away. My F100s are already losing paint on the sides.

donnay paint is bad. specs can also vary quite a bit. I should have bought matching spec'd racquets but could only buy 1 at a time over the last 9 months.

[Flash]

I have been reading this forum for some years every now and then, but not posting much. Now I thought I should.

I have been demoing and switching racquets for quite some time, originally starting due to shoulder and arm problems. I liked the Wilson K-Factor 95 16x18 a lot, but it was a bit heavy on longer clay matches. After that I have experienced Blades, PD, being way too stiff for my arm.

Recently I have demoed around 10 - 15 different setups, Head Radical YT Pro, IG MP, Prestige IG S and MP, four Princes, Prostaff 6.1 BLX's etc. All were either too stiff, powerful or difficult/not powerful enough. I have never considered buying a racuqet without demoing.

Today I received and played one hour with the Donnay Formula 100, which I bought from TW based on the discussions on this forum, and the TW reviews. So, essentially bought it based on social media feedback, a first ever for me. How was it?

One word, Great, at least so far. Today played inside, tomorrow I will have a go at clay. It felt solid, and first time I got the feel of stability (kind of "thud" feeling) in the racquet during my hits, which I remember from the K95. I had good power on my serves and groundstrokes, but at no time did the racquet feel overly powerful. Pretty good control as well. Return of serve was good, as was blocking back hard hit serves or groundies. Touch was there as well, evidenced by some nice drop shots on returns and a half-volley pick up at net.

Playing indoors with new balls, against a hard hitting player is probably a good test for arm problems as well. Nothing to report there, no irritation in the forearm, no ache or stiffness in the shoulder, feels as this is a comfortable and arm-friendly racquet while being very stable and firm in its playing response.

Whether this ill be my playing racquet for the coming times, I don't yet know. The main reason for that is that I will also get to test the Donnay Pro One

So far, this is the racquet, and tomorrow it will get tested on clay.

[Xonemains]

I just wanted to bump this thread, I have spent alot of time with this racquet lately. I have tested different set up, strings, balances and all. (I have no paint lettering left on the inside from 3 to 9 o'clock). That's how much I played around with it. All I can say for now is in the thick beam and 100" racquet department. This Formula is for sure first in its class.

I'll write up a full blown review when I have time. Sure it's not the most solid racquet out there, it never will be even with heaps of lead, but for its intended purposes, it gets the job done with no arm pain at the end.

Stay tuned! (I have to hit the courts now).

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by Xonemains

I just wanted to bump this thread, I have spent alot of time with this racquet lately. I have tested different set up, strings, balances and all. (I have no paint lettering left on the inside from 3 to 9 o'clock). That's how much I played around with it. All I can say for now is in the thick beam and 100" racquet department. This Formula is for sure first in its class.

I'll write up a full blown review when I have time. Sure it's not the most solid racquet out there, it never will be even with heaps of lead, but for its intended purposes, it gets the job done with no arm pain at the end.

Stay tuned! (I have to hit the courts now).

I agree with everything you have said about this wonderful frame. It is plenty solid for me...moreso than the stock PD12. It has been playing well for me with poly/multi or poly/syngut at 47/50.

[Xonemains]

Originally Posted by JackB1

I agree with everything you have said about this wonderful frame. It is plenty solid for me...moreso than the stock PD12. It has been playing well for me with poly/multi or poly/syngut at 47/50.

How's your new set up with these polys? How does it compare to your old full bed excel set up? Just curious more spin? My current set up is 3g at 12 o,clock. The rest of the weight in in the handle up to 338g atm. Still feels extremely fast. I actually do win more with this stick than my P1's.

Can't be bothered writing that review now, Donnay doesn't pay me so who gives, lol. All I can say is people looking for a stick in this class that has better feel and comfort, demo this. And Pro kennel users with broken ams, give this a try also.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by Xonemains

How's your new set up with these polys? How does it compare to your old full bed excel set up? Just curious more spin? My current set up is 3g at 12 o,clock. The rest of the weight in in the handle up to 338g atm. Still feels extremely fast. I actually do win more with this stick than my P1's.

Can't be bothered writing that review now, Donnay doesn't pay me so who gives, lol. All I can say is people looking for a stick in this class that has better feel and comfort, demo this. And Pro kennel users with broken ams, give this a try also.

The full excel is good, but it made the stick feel a little too muted. I think Donnay's recommendation of a copoly/syngut is the way to go.

[Nostradamus]

does this racket serve as well as PD 2012 ?

[RollTrackTake]

Originally Posted by Nostradamus

does this racket serve as well as PD 2012 ?

I didn't think it served as well as the PD 2012. just one man's opinion. why? could have been the strings. F100 with full Co-Focus vs PD2012 w/ RPM blast. more so I thought it was because the F100 had a higher swing weight. I wasn't able to snap my wrist as forcefully as with the PD2012 when using the same swing speed & effort.

[Xonemains]

Pure drive serves better in stock form. It also serves better because it has slightly more power

[Nostradamus]

Originally Posted by RollTrackTake

I didn't think it served as well as the PD 2012. just one man's opinion. why? could have been the strings. F100 with full Co-Focus vs PD2012 w/ RPM blast. more so I thought it was because the F100 had a higher swing weight. I wasn't able to snap my wrist as forcefully as with the PD2012 when using the same swing speed & effort.

thank you for such a informative opinion.

[Nostradamus]

Originally Posted by Xonemains

Pure drive serves better in stock form. It also serves better because it has slightly more power

is it cause the stiffness index ? PD is alot stiffer i think

[Xonemains]

Originally Posted by Nostradamus

is it cause the stiffness index ? PD is alot stiffer i think

Pure Drive is stiff and plays stiff. The only thing it does better than the formula is serves and bit more power. Everything else, the Donnay has it beat in every category. Don't get me started about comfort. You know the answer.

[Ross K]

Any of you F100 users feel it necessary to put lead on it?

I frequently see posts calling it PD-like - better in some respects actually but not in terms of serve MPH.

Just makes me wonder what a few grams @ 12 might achieve here.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by Ross K

Any of you F100 users feel it necessary to put lead on it?

I frequently see posts calling it PD-like - better in some respects actually but not in terms of serve MPH.

Just makes me wonder what a few grams @ 12 might achieve here.

I don't think lead is necessary, but a few grams at 12' might increase serve speed. To me, I found them almost equal in serve speed with both stock.

[Top Jimmy]

Originally Posted by drakulie

We will. You have no clue what you are talking about. Regardless of specs, the Pro One and APD have absolutely zero similarities on court. None. They play nothing alike, regardless of the fact they both have 16X19 string patterns.

Next you will be saying the Pure Drive and BLX 90 play the same because they both have 16X19 patterns.

Click on the Formula, and you'll see one of the racquets its compared to is the Pure Drive:
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Donn...NAY-DFORM.html

Now click on the Pure Drive, and you'll see one of the racquets its being compared to is the Aero:

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Babo...BAB-BPDGT.html

No where is there any mention of the Pro One.


Seriously, have you even hit with any of these frames?? You should quit while you are behind.

I agree. I owned aand played with a APDGT for a year, demo'd the Pro One for a week, they are about as similar as a T3000 and a 200G.

[Dgdavid]

Finally got a reasonably price F100 coming in. Will be trying it out this weekend. Blade will take some shifting though.

[Xonemains]

Originally Posted by Dgdavid

Finally got a reasonably price F100 coming in. Will be trying it out this weekend. Blade will take some shifting though.

I had a feeling it wouldn't be too much longer b4 you get some of these!

Just remember to string it a few lbs lower than normal, it's designed that way.

Don't lead it up either Dgdavid, it's very very good stock and swings very fast.

[JackB1]

if anyone in the states is looking for one of these great racquets, drop me a line. I may be willing to part with one of my seldom used backups.

[gd!]

Originally Posted by Xonemains

Just remember to string it a few lbs lower than normal, it's designed that way.

Don't lead it up either.

Fully AGREE. Same experience using X-Red 99 & X-P Dual both strung @ around 50/48.
Just left the + 5 butt cap, added to X-PD. XR99 w/o any customization weight.