@@@@@----------The OFFICIAL Pro Kennex Ki5 Support and Discussion Thread--------@@@@@

[Ramon]

Originally Posted by Bartelby

So build quality and spec reliability is excellent with pro kennex?

Originally Posted by KenC

Build quality seems fine and the two racquets that I have play identically. The only problem I have is that the two frames weigh in at 308 and 310g before stringing and overgrip. Seems like PK have a tolerance of +/- 7g. I prefer heavier racquets so I kinda' wish they erred on the heavier side rather than the lighter side...

I'll live with it, but I would rather prefer stricter tolerances for if and when I decide to get a third frame. If a third one weighs in at 320g bare frame I would probably be annoyed.

I wish I would have weighed my racquets with a good scale when I first got them. Now that I modified them, it's too late, but based on my mods my best guess is that both of my Ki 5x racquets would come in at about 338-340 grams stock strung weight. I don't have a problem with variance between my 2 frames. They both seem heavier than spec, but at least that's consistent. Subjectively, the Ki 5x does feel heavier than the Ki 5. I suspect the difference in weight is just due to the extra length of the handle.

[athleticstennis]

I love prokennex.I got into Prokennex a little more than a year, and still going strong. Looking forward to the updated Ki5 (Q5).

[smirker]

Originally Posted by KenC

I know a guy who uses it here, but he strings it with Alu Rough and I am afraid to even ask to try it. The balance is a little less head light but evidently they play very similarly. I find the 315 be be just as maneuverable as my PSLGTs, which are great at the net.

Thanks Ken. Think it might be worth my while waiting for the Q5 295 before I go with the Ki5.

[Steve Huff]

I think the ki 5 is just as easy on the arm as the 5g. The older 5g is dead in the top part of the hoop. The ki 5 seems to be a little stiffer in that area, but that was where it needed it.

[Ramon]

Originally Posted by Steve Huff

I think the ki 5 is just as easy on the arm as the 5g. The older 5g is dead in the top part of the hoop. The ki 5 seems to be a little stiffer in that area, but that was where it needed it.

Thank you. That helps explain why people are split between whether the Ki 5/5x was an improvement over the 5G/7G. I do hit the upper part of the stringbed a lot, and I like the response of the Ki 5x.

[KenC]

So, It's been maybe more than a month now with the 315 and my elbow is definitely 98% recovered. Yesterday I did my usual 2 hour session with my hitting coach but without my tennis brace, and although I could feel a little bit of discomfort in the elbow area, it passed within a few minutes and this morning my elbow is ready to go with no pain at all.

I'm pretty much dialed in with the 315 now. During the weekend I pulled out a PSLGT for about 15 minutes just to see if my honeymoon with the 315 is over or not. Let me be frank- the PSLGT is probably the best racquet out there for serious tennis today. It is so solid and precise, yet with more than enough power and spin when swung properly. It is very tempting to go back to it...

I then pulled out a Pure Storm Tour and hit for maybe 20 minutes. OK, this racquet is for crushing the ball. Switching from the PSLGT, it was like getting out of a Rolls and into a Ferrari. It doesn't have the same magical feel as the PSLGT but it is easier to play with and be a little more lazy with and get away with it.

Then it dawned on me that the 315 pretty much covers what I like about both my other racquets. It really is a good, all-round racquet that does everything well. Maybe I serve a little better with the PSLGT, and maybe my FH is a little more penetrating with the PST, but the differences areso slight that I think I can make it up with improved technique.

Maybe I won't get rid of my babolats just yet, but I think I will go forward with the Ki5 315. Even after my elbow is 100%.

[Ramon]

Originally Posted by KenC

I then pulled out a Pure Storm Tour and hit for maybe 20 minutes. OK, this racquet is for crushing the ball. Switching from the PSLGT, it was like getting out of a Rolls and into a Ferrari. It doesn't have the same magical feel as the PSLGT but it is easier to play with and be a little more lazy with and get away with it.

Your experience is not unique. My previous racquet was the Babolat APDGT. Last week, I hit with my friend's APD Cortex for a few minutes. I was amazed at how well I was hitting with it. I took big swings at the ball and, for the most part, my shots were going in and they were good shots. It was fun to hit with a racquet that was lighter, more maneuverable, and more powerful.

However, I know this kind of feeling is just fleeting. For some reason it never translated to a better game for me in match play, and I know that in the long run it won't be good for my arm, so it's not an option anyway. Besides, I think my Ki 5x is one of the reasons my form is better now than it was before I got it.

[danix]

Very curious to hear what people think of the Q5 compared to the Ki5. I posted some quick impressions in another thread.

[smirker]

Fellow Ki5 fans, what are your preferred string set-ups please? I have one on it's way and was thinking gut/poly hybrid around 56/52. Your thought please?

[Ramon]

Originally Posted by smirker

Fellow Ki5 fans, what are your preferred string set-ups please? I have one on it's way and was thinking gut/poly hybrid around 56/52. Your thought please?

That's a good place to start if your arm can take it. Dead poly hurts my arm even if it's just a cross string, which is why my goto setup right now is full natural gut (Klip Legend) at about 60 pounds.

[coolblue123]

just got a ki5x. I use to play with a 7g for 3 yrs before. looking forward to play with it.

[jwbarrientos]

Originally Posted by jwbarrientos

I am in, 3 PK Ki5 315, so far no complain
(only adjustement)

Did I say no complain? Holy crap one handle broke suddenly

[Fusker]

Originally Posted by smirker

Fellow Ki5 fans, what are your preferred string set-ups please? I have one on it's way and was thinking gut/poly hybrid around 56/52. Your thought please?

I use Lux Alu at 55 lb with Babolat N.VY at 57. That's the setup that works optimally for me, and the nice thing with the Ki5 is you can run tighter setups (if that's your preference) without fear of elbow pain.

[KenC]

Originally Posted by jwbarrientos

Did I say no complain? Holy crap one handle broke suddenly

Out of the blue? Never heard of a handle breaking before, even on babolat racquets.

[KenC]

Originally Posted by smirker

Fellow Ki5 fans, what are your preferred string set-ups please? I have one on it's way and was thinking gut/poly hybrid around 56/52. Your thought please?

I usually use TF XR1 16g in a full bed at 24kg. Nothing exciting, just a basic multi and rather comfy. I used Bab XCel Black 16g twice and it was very comfy but too expensive for a string breaker. At the moment I am on my third string job with Prince Premiere Attack Black 16 at 24kg and am liking the string. Although it is a multi, it seems to feel and play almost like a co-poly. Not as comfy as XCel or XR1 but good enough with this frame.

[smirker]

Originally Posted by Ramon

That's a good place to start if your arm can take it. Dead poly hurts my arm even if it's just a cross string, which is why my goto setup right now is full natural gut (Klip Legend) at about 60 pounds.

Originally Posted by jwbarrientos

Did I say no complain? Holy crap one handle broke suddenly

Originally Posted by Fusker

I use Lux Alu at 55 lb with Babolat N.VY at 57. That's the setup that works optimally for me, and the nice thing with the Ki5 is you can run tighter setups (if that's your preference) without fear of elbow pain.

Originally Posted by KenC

I usually use TF XR1 16g in a full bed at 24kg. Nothing exciting, just a basic multi and rather comfy. I used Bab XCel Black 16g twice and it was very comfy but too expensive for a string breaker. At the moment I am on my third string job with Prince Premiere Attack Black 16 at 24kg and am liking the string. Although it is a multi, it seems to feel and play almost like a co-poly. Not as comfy as XCel or XR1 but good enough with this frame.

Seems like the Ki5 is gathering momentum! Thanks for the suggestions. Gut/ poly in The Ki5 will definitely be softer than the full poly I was playing in the PD so should be ok as my TE is not at the chronic stage as it was before but I can feel the beginnings of a problem on the horizon. Slightly concerned about the cracking comment, lets hope it's just a one off.

Will start with gut/poly and see how my elbow reacts then go from there.

[Dgdavid]

I'm in. One with Tour Bite at 54/56lbs and another incoming with factory strings (which weren't that offensive in the first one actually).

[Stroke]

Has anyone who likes the Ki5 or similar Kennex versions of that racquet tried the Ki15PSE? At one time i saw it marketed as a Ki5 on steroids.

[trenzterra]

My impression of the Ki5 is that it isn't a durable racquet.

Had hairline cracks on the throat after just two years of using it, and I don't play that often. Had another crack in the frame after I accidentally knocked it against the table, and it wasn't a very hard knock.

In comparison, my BLX 95 accidentally flew out of my hand while serving once and it still works fine...

[smirker]

Originally Posted by trenzterra

My impression of the Ki5 is that it isn't a durable racquet.

Had hairline cracks on the throat after just two years of using it, and I don't play that often. Had another crack in the frame after I accidentally knocked it against the table, and it wasn't a very hard knock.

In comparison, my BLX 95 accidentally flew out of my hand while serving once and it still works fine...

After just two years is quite a long time. Hairline cracks are common and usually don't affect performance.