Aero Pro Drive 2010 vs 2013

ConorM3737 · 11-02-2012, 05:52 AM

Hey TW, I'm thinking of buying an Aero Pro Drive in time for Christmas, and was wondering if you guys think I should buy the GT, or is the extra money for the 2013 model worth it? Thanks.

Boricua · 11-02-2012, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ConorM3737

Hey TW, I'm thinking of buying an Aero Pro Drive in time for Christmas, and was wondering if you guys think I should buy the GT, or is the extra money for the 2013 model worth it? Thanks.

I would definitely buy the new one. I have used the Cortex and GT version. The GT I consider a bit stiff when used with full copoly. I have been told that the new version is more dampened and buttery and that is what the Aero needs. 50 or 60 more dollars spent is worth it.

Andyroo10567 · 11-03-2012, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boricua

I would definitely buy the new one. I have used the Cortex and GT version. The GT I consider a bit stiff when used with full copoly. I have been told that the new version is more dampened and buttery and that is what the Aero needs. 50 or 60 more dollars spent is worth it.

+1 to that. New one.

Rafa4Ever · 11-04-2012, 08:17 AM

I have used the new one and it is definitely worth it. Feels like a new racquet

db10s · 11-04-2012, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rafa4Ever

I have used the new one and it is definitely worth it. Feels like a new racquet

I'm not saying you don't, but I find that hard to believe. Pics or it didn't happen. What do you mean by "feels like a new racket"? Like, different?

db10s · 11-04-2012, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rafa4Ever

I have used the new one and it is definitely worth it. Feels like a new racquet

And where did you use it?

TW Staff · 11-05-2012, 08:27 AM

ConorM3737,

I've just finished up a month-long playtest of the new AeroPro Drive and actually just played a tournament with them this past weekend to finish it up. The specs of the 2010 and 2013 are very similar, as they are very similar in weight, stiffness, and swingweight. However, the dampening technology in the new one is very effective and I think is worth getting the new one. The shock from the stiff frame is dampened much better with the new technology Babolat has introduced this year, and it makes the racquet much more comfortable to hit. I'd definitely get the new ones for Christmas. And they look great too!

Andy, TW

ArliHawk · 11-06-2012, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TW Staff

ConorM3737,

I've just finished up a month-long playtest of the new AeroPro Drive and actually just played a tournament with them this past weekend to finish it up. The specs of the 2010 and 2013 are very similar, as they are very similar in weight, stiffness, and swingweight. However, the dampening technology in the new one is very effective and I think is worth getting the new one. The shock from the stiff frame is dampened much better with the new technology Babolat has introduced this year, and it makes the racquet much more comfortable to hit. I'd definitely get the new ones for Christmas. And they look great too!

Andy, TW

Andy, how would you compare the Dunlop Biomimetic M 6.0 and the 2013 AeroPro Drive?

dgoran · 11-07-2012, 08:57 AM

Hi Andy can you compare new pure drive 2012 to aero pro 2013 is it flexing like aero pro 2010 or is it stiff like pd

TW Staff · 11-07-2012, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArliHawk

Andy, how would you compare the Dunlop Biomimetic M 6.0 and the 2013 AeroPro Drive?

I found the APD to be much easier to swing and a lot more solid than the M 6.0. I know that Chris was a much bigger fan of the M 6.0 than I was, but I would definitely go with the APD over it. The 2013 APD is one of my favorite racquets I've hit in a long time.

Andy, TW

TW Staff · 11-07-2012, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dgoran

Hi Andy can you compare new pure drive 2012 to aero pro 2013 is it flexing like aero pro 2010 or is it stiff like pd

I have not hit the Pure Drive in quite a while, so I will hit it in the next couple days and get back to you. The new APD didn't feel very flex-y to me...it seems pretty stiff. However, the new Active Cortex that has been used in the Pure Drive is now introduced in the AeroPro Drive, and it makes it significantly more comfortable and improves the ball feel quite a bit.

I'll hit the Pure Drive though and get back to you with a comparison.

Andy, TW

TW Staff · 11-07-2012, 02:27 PM

Ok, I just got done hitting the Pure Drive 2012, and the two racquets felt quite similar in spec. The biggest difference to me was just the shape of the beam, which affected the way they play. The Pure Drive is more "club-like", offering tons of pop and power from the groundstrokes, but I felt the AeroPro Drive maneuvered a little better and was a better racquet from other areas of the court. The Active Cortex is in both now though, which makes them both more comfortable and plush feeling than previous versions. For me, I'd give the edge to the APD.

Andy, TW

dgoran · 11-07-2012, 03:11 PM

That was fast

that must be a dream job customer is requestion you try a racquet and you immediately do hahaha this is awesome. Thank you for your feedback.

BTW did you feel that either one is stiffer than the other or they were the same. I for example feel that APD 2010 is flexing more in the throat in comparison to 2012 Pure Drive.

TW Staff · 11-09-2012, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dgoran

That was fast

that must be a dream job customer is requestion you try a racquet and you immediately do hahaha this is awesome. Thank you for your feedback.

BTW did you feel that either one is stiffer than the other or they were the same. I for example feel that APD 2010 is flexing more in the throat in comparison to 2012 Pure Drive.

To be honest I felt that the stiffness of both racquets was pretty similar, but you're right, the APD has a tiny bit more flex in the throat of the racquet. I was discussing it with playtester Chris too, and he felt the APD gets a little "brassy" feeling towards the tip, whereas the PD doesn't. For me though, they felt real similar other than the obvious difference in the shape of the beam.

Andy, TW

naturallight · 11-09-2012, 08:44 AM

Hi, is the shape of the grip any different with the new Babolat racquets? I heard it was more rectangular like the Head grip shapes. Is that true?

thanks

TW Staff · 11-09-2012, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by naturallight

Hi, is the shape of the grip any different with the new Babolat racquets? I heard it was more rectangular like the Head grip shapes. Is that true?

thanks

I couldn't tell any difference between the old and new Babolat grip shape. They seemed pretty similar to me.

Andy, TW

naturallight · 11-09-2012, 09:29 AM

very helpful, thanks

srvnvly · 11-09-2012, 10:13 AM

Andy, is the grip still a bit larger than normal? I use a 3/8 grip normally, but the current APDGT 3/8 grip almost seems like 1/2.

mrrockstar · 11-09-2012, 10:33 AM

Hi Andy, how do you compare the APD 2012 with Head Extreme Pro 2.0?

which one is more comfortable, especially for injured before?

thanks!

TW Staff · 11-09-2012, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srvnvly

Andy, is the grip still a bit larger than normal? I use a 3/8 grip normally, but the current APDGT 3/8 grip almost seems like 1/2.

Babolat grips tend to run just slightly larger than normal, and these new APD's are no different.

Andy, TW

11-02-2012, 05:52 AM	#1
ConorM3737 New User Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 18	Aero Pro Drive 2010 vs 2013 Hey TW, I'm thinking of buying an Aero Pro Drive in time for Christmas, and was wondering if you guys think I should buy the GT, or is the extra money for the 2013 model worth it? Thanks.

11-04-2012, 08:17 AM	#4
Rafa4Ever Rookie Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 103	I have used the new one and it is definitely worth it. Feels like a new racquet __________________ San Diego Tennis Prestige MP strung with RPM team 17g @48lbs

11-05-2012, 08:27 AM	#7
TW Staff Administrator Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Tennis-Warehouse.com Posts: 22,452	ConorM3737, I've just finished up a month-long playtest of the new AeroPro Drive and actually just played a tournament with them this past weekend to finish it up. The specs of the 2010 and 2013 are very similar, as they are very similar in weight, stiffness, and swingweight. However, the dampening technology in the new one is very effective and I think is worth getting the new one. The shock from the stiff frame is dampened much better with the new technology Babolat has introduced this year, and it makes the racquet much more comfortable to hit. I'd definitely get the new ones for Christmas. And they look great too! Andy, TW __________________ LIKE us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tenniswarehouse Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/TennisWarehouse TW Blog: http://blog.tenniswarehouse.com/ YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/tenniswarehouse Follow us on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/tenniswarehouse/ Add us on Google+: www.google.com/+tenniswarehouse Last edited by TW Staff : 11-05-2012 at 08:32 AM.

11-07-2012, 08:57 AM	#9
dgoran Professional Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 1,136	Hi Andy can you compare new pure drive 2012 to aero pro 2013 is it flexing like aero pro 2010 or is it stiff like pd __________________ Too many racquets...

11-07-2012, 02:27 PM	#12
TW Staff Administrator Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Tennis-Warehouse.com Posts: 22,452	Ok, I just got done hitting the Pure Drive 2012, and the two racquets felt quite similar in spec. The biggest difference to me was just the shape of the beam, which affected the way they play. The Pure Drive is more "club-like", offering tons of pop and power from the groundstrokes, but I felt the AeroPro Drive maneuvered a little better and was a better racquet from other areas of the court. The Active Cortex is in both now though, which makes them both more comfortable and plush feeling than previous versions. For me, I'd give the edge to the APD. Andy, TW __________________ LIKE us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tenniswarehouse Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/TennisWarehouse TW Blog: http://blog.tenniswarehouse.com/ YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/tenniswarehouse Follow us on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/tenniswarehouse/ Add us on Google+: www.google.com/+tenniswarehouse