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

[GrandSlam45]

I decided to take the plunge and got my Ki5 strung with Luxilon Fluoro - the poly string that's supposedly easier on the arm. We'll see... I will pick the racquet up on Monday and will report back with a review. If it sucks, I may have to try the PPA 16 that everyone here is raving about. So far though, the best string i've tried with the Ki5 is Technifibre NRG2 17, but it doesn't last long enough.

[KenC]

Originally Posted by GrandSlam45

...I may have to try the PPA 16 that everyone here is raving about. So far though, the best string i've tried with the Ki5 is Technifibre NRG2 17, but it doesn't last long enough.

PPA 16 is turning out to be more durable that the average multi. It is not as comfy as XCel but it is good enough throughout the life of the string. What I like about the string is that it is slightly lower powered than typical multis and plays fine at lower tensions. In fact, it reminds me a little of my beloved Multifeel that I used years ago. I am thinking about stocking up on this stuff.

[Ramon]

Originally Posted by GrandSlam45

I decided to take the plunge and got my Ki5 strung with Luxilon Fluoro - the poly string that's supposedly easier on the arm. We'll see... I will pick the racquet up on Monday and will report back with a review. If it sucks, I may have to try the PPA 16 that everyone here is raving about. So far though, the best string i've tried with the Ki5 is Technifibre NRG2 17, but it doesn't last long enough.

I predict the Fluoro won't be much different from other soft polys. For me, that usually means it's fine for the first 3 hours, but then I start feeling a numbness in my wrist after that. I hope your experience is better.

PPA 16 is a great multi. Lately, I've been shanking a lot of balls and breaking PPA prematurely. That's its biggest weakness for me, but if you're playing with a 17 gauge multi, you probably don't have that problem or else the 17 gauge wouldn't last you 2 sets. Normally, I find that PPA lasts longer than the majority of multis.

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by KenC

PPA 16 is turning out to be more durable that the average multi. It is not as comfy as XCel but it is good enough throughout the life of the string. What I like about the string is that it is slightly lower powered than typical multis and plays fine at lower tensions. In fact, it reminds me a little of my beloved Multifeel that I used years ago. I am thinking about stocking up on this stuff.

Before you settle on PPA, you should try Signum Pro Micronite or Discho Microfibre. I'm pretty sure they are the same string and for me it lasts just as long as PPA but does not stiffen up at the end. PPA has more spin and does not move as much but the Discho is softer and has better feel.

[KenC]

Originally Posted by mikeler

Before you settle on PPA, you should try Signum Pro Micronite or Discho Microfibre.

I want to but they are more difficult to get here. The only place I can find them is in Germany and they have really high shipping costs for some reason. I can get the PPA 16 in black for €5 a pack at the moment and shipping is a mere €6. I already bought 10 packs and have 6 left, I was thinking about getting another 20 or even 30 packs. This is actually cheaper than the reel. Worst case scenario I use it as a cross string later on with something else like DM.

Is DM available in black?

[GrandSlam45]

So I hit for 2 hours last night with my Ki5 strung with Luxilon Fluoro 17 strung at 50lbs. I think this racquet/string combo is my new holy grail! The power and control were amazing. My partner said he had never seen me play so well before.

Am I kidding myself? Maybe. I realize these strings are only supposed to last 3 hours, but I will know for sure after a week. I experienced zero arm pain today, and that's usually when I know if I screwed up my elbow or not.

Anyhow, very happy to report that a poly string seems to be working well with a Ki5.

[smirker]

Originally Posted by GrandSlam45

So I hit for 2 hours last night with my Ki5 strung with Luxilon Fluoro 17 strung at 50lbs. I think this racquet/string combo is my new holy grail! The power and control were amazing. My partner said he had never seen me play so well before.

Am I kidding myself? Maybe. I realize these strings are only supposed to last 3 hours, but I will know for sure after a week. I experienced zero arm pain today, and that's usually when I know if I screwed up my elbow or not.

Anyhow, very happy to report that a poly string seems to be working well with a Ki5.

Hi GrandSlam.

I have made exactly the same switch but without such positive results so far. I cut out the syn gut that the Ki5 came with and installed a gut/poly hybrid which felt too stiff so I cut out the poly cross and put in syn gut which was better until the gut got wet and turned to mush. Now thinking a lowwe tension full poly is the way forward for the Ki5. Poly Star Energy is next at 50lbs.

Did you modify the Ki5 in any way? It feels a bit dead in the upper hoop compared to the PD. Have added 6g to the hoop and 4g at the top of the handle. Will see how it plays tomorrow once I have strung it.

Any feedback would be appreciated as I am close to moving on again and really want to get on with the Ki5 due to my recurrent TE problems.

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by KenC

I want to but they are more difficult to get here. The only place I can find them is in Germany and they have really high shipping costs for some reason. I can get the PPA 16 in black for €5 a pack at the moment and shipping is a mere €6. I already bought 10 packs and have 6 left, I was thinking about getting another 20 or even 30 packs. This is actually cheaper than the reel. Worst case scenario I use it as a cross string later on with something else like DM.

Is DM available in black?

I don't believe a black version is made.

[Ramon]

Originally Posted by smirker

Hi GrandSlam.

I have made exactly the same switch but without such positive results so far. I cut out the syn gut that the Ki5 came with and installed a gut/poly hybrid which felt too stiff so I cut out the poly cross and put in syn gut which was better until the gut got wet and turned to mush. Now thinking a lowwe tension full poly is the way forward for the Ki5. Poly Star Energy is next at 50lbs.

Did you modify the Ki5 in any way? It feels a bit dead in the upper hoop compared to the PD. Have added 6g to the hoop and 4g at the top of the handle. Will see how it plays tomorrow once I have strung it.

Any feedback would be appreciated as I am close to moving on again and really want to get on with the Ki5 due to my recurrent TE problems.

I experimented with a lot combinations of lead on my Ki 5x including 3 and 9 o'clock, 12 o'clock, 3, 9, and 12 o'clock, and lead in the butt cap to counterbalance. I liked the way it played stock, and I really didn't have much of a reason to add weight other than seeing if it made an improvement. I did see some improvements in stringbed response, particularly with lead at 12 o'clock, but eventually I came to the conclusion that the stock racquet was fine and adding weight slowed down a frame that was already sluggish compared to my APDGT. All I add now is racquet head tape on the bumper guard, an overgrip, and an O-shaped dampener. If you use 1.5" Gamma racquet head tape, the weight is actually quite substantial (about 4-5 grams I think).

I really didn't have a problem making the transition from my APDGT. I think most people who like the Ki 5 are the type of players who take fast swings and generate much of their own power. When I took the same kind of swings with my APDGT, the ball would fly. Maybe your problem is a matter of style, which could mean getting used to the racquet or picking another frame with more power.

Personally, I thought the best place to add lead was at 12 o'clock with no counterweights because the racquet is plenty head light (I would consider the Ki 5 very head light also). However, just adding racquet head tape and an overgrip was enough for me.

[smirker]

Originally Posted by Ramon

I experimented with a lot combinations of lead on my Ki 5x including 3 and 9 o'clock, 12 o'clock, 3, 9, and 12 o'clock, and lead in the butt cap to counterbalance. I liked the way it played stock, and I really didn't have much of a reason to add weight other than seeing if it made an improvement. I did see some improvements in stringbed response, particularly with lead at 12 o'clock, but eventually I came to the conclusion that the stock racquet was fine and adding weight slowed down a frame that was already sluggish compared to my APDGT. All I add now is racquet head tape on the bumper guard, an overgrip, and an O-shaped dampener. If you use 1.5" Gamma racquet head tape, the weight is actually quite substantial (about 4-5 grams I think).

I really didn't have a problem making the transition from my APDGT. I think most people who like the Ki 5 are the type of players who take fast swings and generate much of their own power. When I took the same kind of swings with my APDGT, the ball would fly. Maybe your problem is a matter of style, which could mean getting used to the racquet or picking another frame with more power.

Personally, I thought the best place to add lead was at 12 o'clock with no counterweights because the racquet is plenty head light (I would consider the Ki 5 very head light also). However, just adding racquet head tape and an overgrip was enough for me.

Thanks Ramon for the detailed response. i have added some lead at 3/9/12 for now to see what improvements (if any) that might make. I prefer a lower powered frame which the Ki5 certainly is in relation to the PD. My issue is a lack of a solid feel which is very subjective.Bringing the balance point down a bit might help to increase the power level a tad. Will try with lead at 12 only too.

[GrandSlam45]

Smirker... I didn't make any mods to my Ki5, so I'm playing with it in stock form. At first I experimented with adding lead to 3 and 9, and then just 12 o'clock, but it didn't work for me. I found the racquet to have less control when it was leaded, but that was just my experience. I realize everyone will have different experiences based on their playing style, arm strength, level, etc.

I tried many soft strings and even full natural gut with the Ki5, and though really comfy, for it still lacked the "pop" that I desired . The poly string @ 50lbs was the secret ingredient for me. If you desire a more stable feel, I would give it a try.

[retrograde]

Originally Posted by KenC

I don't know how significant the extra 5 or so grams is, but the racquets seem to play very well and handle heavy balls just fine. But I am interested to know if anyone ever got the 315 with an actual weight of 315g?

My demo from TW weighs 11.45oz / 325g so allowing 0.5oz /15g for strings, looks like mine is 310g as well. Interestingly, TW (US) specs the strung weight at 11.8oz / 334.52g! So I would consider paying for TW's matching service if there's really that much variation.

I played 3 sets of dubs with the KI5 315 today. For reference, I've been playing with 7g's for 10 years now, currently with full bed of RIP 17 (Discho Multifibre 1.25 is on the way). The last few years, I've been having bouts with TE and am considering moving down to 27" to see if that's a factor for me.

Once I got used to the different launch angle on the ball, it was pretty easy to play with the KI5 315. It shares some of the attributes I like about the 7g - high twistweight (racquet doesn't want to torque in my hand on an offcenter hit) and decent sized sweetspot. It also has the same comfy feel and nice headlight balance.

Less to my liking was the KI5 315 has less plowthru and volleys lacked punch compared to my 7g. My stock 7g's are around 11.8 oz (prolly higher swingweight too) so that may account for much of the difference. I would probably prefer an 11.8oz KI5 if they do exist.

On a side note, I also had a Dunlop Bio F3.0 Tour and Dunlop Bio Max 200G in the box. Anyone who likes the 7g might want to try the F3.0 even though its specs are different. Larger sweetspot and higher twistweight than last year's Bio 300 Tour, and the F3.0 has a surprising amount of spin potential for an 18x20. I had a blast serve & volleying with it. Feels pretty stiff on offcenter shots though.

[KenC]

Originally Posted by retrograde

My demo from TW weighs 11.45oz / 325g so allowing 0.5oz /15g for strings, looks like mine is 310g as well. Interestingly, TW (US) specs the strung weight at 11.8oz / 334.52g!

A buddy also has two that are right around 310g. It seems to me that 315 is the max weight that the Ki5 can have and they really shoot for 310 +/- a few grams. The Ki5 is pretty popular at my club and they all play the same, so maybe even if they are off a few grams they still play identically. It bothered me at first, but now I don't care since my elbow has healed while still being able to play aggressive tennis.

[retrograde]

Originally Posted by KenC

... but now I don't care since my elbow has healed while still being able to play aggressive tennis.

Amen to that.

[smirker]

Originally Posted by GrandSlam45

Smirker... I didn't make any mods to my Ki5, so I'm playing with it in stock form. At first I experimented with adding lead to 3 and 9, and then just 12 o'clock, but it didn't work for me. I found the racquet to have less control when it was leaded, but that was just my experience. I realize everyone will have different experiences based on their playing style, arm strength, level, etc.

I tried many soft strings and even full natural gut with the Ki5, and though really comfy, for it still lacked the "pop" that I desired . The poly string @ 50lbs was the secret ingredient for me. If you desire a more stable feel, I would give it a try.

Thanks for the feedback Mine now weighs 120z with 4g at the tip and an over grip being the only additions other than replacing the stock grip. All my rackets seem to end up this weight, regardless of their weight when I buy them. I have a poly/syngut hybrid in it which play much better than the softer strings I have tried so far. A work in progress but so far, so good.

[getsby]

there is almost no information on Q5 315-really nobody plays this stick?

[canadad]

Originally Posted by getsby

there is almost no information on Q5 315-really nobody plays this stick?

I have one, most of my comments are here:
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=434238

[retrograde]

Originally Posted by getsby

there is almost no information on Q5 315-really nobody plays this stick?

After I demo'd a Ki 315 last November, I also tried the Q5 315, Ki5x, and Qtour. The first two were strung w/ Babolat Addiction and the Qtour had PPA.

My impression was that Q5 played noticably stiffer than any of the PK's I've tried (I use the 7G). Seemed a bit out of character for PK but maybe the Q5 is shooting for a different customer profile. Since I'm prone to TE, I didn't play with it long.

[KenC]

I've been playing around with strings on the Ki5 315.

First I put in Prince Premier Attack 16g in black in a full bed at around 24kgs. This is a nice string and plays well but is a little stiff. I wouldn't call it arm friendly but I also wouldn't call it unfriendly. If there is one thing that really characterizes this string it is DURABILITY. I normally break multis in about 6 hours of play but get at least 10 out of PPA.

I got a reel of Mantis Comfort Synthetic 16g in black and started playing around with it at around 24kgs. As a full bed this is a great string for comfort, and the power and spin are what I always get with other strings. Really impressive comfort, but durability is typical for a multi, even maybe a tad less. 5-6 hours and pop. I think it may last longer but when stringing it in a full bed the crosses start to notch the mains and vice versa and there are many tiny notches all over by the end of the stringing. When pulling the crosses it sounds like a violin playing. Maybe this is because of the black coating?

So, since I normally break crosses, I put the PPA in the crosses at 23kg and the MCS in the mains at 24kg. It works just great and I am still getting 10 hours a stringjob and the comfort is improved. Spin is impressive and there is more than enough power. Interestingly, the PPA doesn't notch the MCS when stringing either.

Anyway, this is a great hybrid for the Ki5 315. The extremes in comfort and durability between these two strings balances out and provides a stringbed that is both
very comfortable and durable. And the cost of these strings is not so bad either and playability wise is just as good as a full bed of XCel Premium but at half the cost.

[Ramon]

Originally Posted by KenC

I've been playing around with strings on the Ki5 315.

First I put in Prince Premier Attack 16g in black in a full bed at around 24kgs. This is a nice string and plays well but is a little stiff. I wouldn't call it arm friendly but I also wouldn't call it unfriendly. If there is one thing that really characterizes this string it is DURABILITY. I normally break multis in about 6 hours of play but get at least 10 out of PPA.

I got a reel of Mantis Comfort Synthetic 16g in black and started playing around with it at around 24kgs. As a full bed this is a great string for comfort, and the power and spin are what I always get with other strings. Really impressive comfort, but durability is typical for a multi, even maybe a tad less. 5-6 hours and pop. I think it may last longer but when stringing it in a full bed the crosses start to notch the mains and vice versa and there are many tiny notches all over by the end of the stringing. When pulling the crosses it sounds like a violin playing. Maybe this is because of the black coating?

So, since I normally break crosses, I put the PPA in the crosses at 23kg and the MCS in the mains at 24kg. It works just great and I am still getting 10 hours a stringjob and the comfort is improved. Spin is impressive and there is more than enough power. Interestingly, the PPA doesn't notch the MCS when stringing either.

Anyway, this is a great hybrid for the Ki5 315. The extremes in comfort and durability between these two strings balances out and provides a stringbed that is both
very comfortable and durable. And the cost of these strings is not so bad either and playability wise is just as good as a full bed of XCel Premium but at half the cost.

I think breaking crosses is the exception rather than the rule, so I'm thinking your style must be unique. I usually break mains, and MCS lasted me less than 5 hours. PPA will last me 10-12 hours if I don't break it in under 5 on a shank. I agree that PPA and MCS are both very playable. I just don't particularly like MCS on volleys because I want something more crisp at net. I'm experimenting mostly with gut and using multis as a backup. I think natural gut and RIP Control are the only non-poly strings I found that I can depend on to not break early on shanks.