Donnay XDual racquets? - Page 2

gd! · 11-16-2012, 09:53 PM

I got mine in mint condition for 100 Euros, though it has grip 3 while I usually use grip 2. Had to reduce it by using a Prince ResiThin base grip. Using a + 5g butt cap and I add about 2g of lead tape in the racquet head only if I switch to a Co-Poly below 1.25; currently I prefer a 1.15mm edged which will be released mid Dec.
For stability it is not required to add lead to the head, just my experience.
For the thinner X-Dual frames, does these come along with 1g strips @ 3/9 + 2g strip @12 like the X-Series frames did? I am talking of these installed strips in same color than grommet. For any Donnay racquet I own or tried, I did not prefer any 3g strip from the customization kit.

kaiser · 11-19-2012, 02:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TripleB

Can anyone give me some feedback (power, control, spin potential, feel, etc.) on these Donnay Racquets:

- X-Dual Gold 99

- X-Dual Silver 99

- X-P Dual Black 102

I’m trying to find a thinner beamed (<23mm) racquet that offers excellent spin potential, is easy on the arm (still having some arm pain even though I haven’t played tennis in over a month), gives spot on control, decent power, is between 96-102 sq in, standard length, and weighs between 10.9 and 11.5 ounces strung. 4.0 baseline singles player, looking to transition to the net more, and will be playing much more doubles.

Others I’ve considered are the Head MicroGel Radical MP, Dunlop AG 4D 300 Tour, and Dunlop Bio F3.0 Tour but tend to shy away from 18x20 string patterns. The Mantis Tour 305 but haven’t heard a great deal about Mantis racquets. And the X-Feel Tour from Pacific but really haven't found a Pacific (or Fischer) racquet I've liked in the past. Plus I like the easy customization of the Donnay XDual Racquets.

Thank you for any help.

TripleB

BTW, recent racquets: Wilson BLX Pro Open, Dunlop AG 4D 200 Tour, Dunlop AG 4D 300, Babolat Pure Drive Cortex

Hi Tony, our preferences in rackets are remarkably similar! I've been playing with the 4D 200 Tour for almost 3 years now and, in combination with regular coaching, my strokes have improved considerably. Now, however, I'm beginning to wonder if I could get some easier head speed from a slightly lighter swinging racket without losing too much of the solid plow through of the 200 Tour. I'm also biased to open-patterned, narrow beamed rackets and am particularly interested in the Donnay Gold. Personally, I would also add the PS 95 BLX to your list, even if it would probably need some lead tape, and I heard that pvaudio has made a happy switch from the 200 Tour to the Prestige Pro.

I'm very interested in how this thread will develop!

kaiser · 11-19-2012, 03:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kal-El 34

send me a message i can answer any questions you may have!

based on what you have said the gold is where you are leaning, but don't sleep on the silver either.... we sell a lot more silver where I am at than the gold... a little more free power

Kal-El, don't worry about bothering the rest of us with your insights!

Kal-El 34 · 11-19-2012, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaiser

Kal-El, don't worry about bothering the rest of us with your insights!

haha man i've been busy lately so i don't like just leaving the board hanging for awhile. Just easier in this case to go e-mail route so i don't miss anything. I posted reviews of all frames except the 102's so far. I may have some time this week and will get some more reviews out there.

SFrazeur · 11-19-2012, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by El Diablo

TripleB might become the first person to switch to a new racquet and then switch again without ever having used it. This is bizarre; forget about racquets for awhile, get into something else for now.

I agree. I think the guy has a problem.

-SF

TripleB · 11-19-2012, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kal-El 34

I posted reviews of all frames except the 102's so far. I may have some time this week and will get some more reviews out there.

Awesome...would love to hear your thoughts on the Black 102...of the Donnays the Silver 99 and the Black 102 are the two I'm most interested in because they leave me some room for customization and I believe they both have a little more pop than the Gold 99.

Thanks for the input.

TripleB

kaiser · 11-21-2012, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kal-El 34

haha man i've been busy lately so i don't like just leaving the board hanging for awhile. Just easier in this case to go e-mail route so i don't miss anything. I posted reviews of all frames except the 102's so far. I may have some time this week and will get some more reviews out there.

I've searched this forum top to bottom, but athough I did find a review by you of the Gold 94, I couldn't find one of the Gold 99. I've seen an ad for a used Gold 99 + customization kit, so I'd be very interested in your assesment of this stick. I'm looking for something a bit more zippy and forgiving than my current Dunlop 200 Tours, but with similar solidity and stability. Playing on clay, spin is important.

Clemsonfan · 11-21-2012, 03:29 AM

I am demoing the XP Dual Black and Silver right now. Liked the 102 so much I used it at state 4.0 singles in place of my PDGT Cortex.

Both are easy on the arm and I have a torn shoulder labrum. The Silver is great for serving, perhaps the most powerful and accurate i have used since returning to tennis after a 22- year layoff and both are great at the other shots. I prefer to play at the net and currently like the XP Dual Black more for volleys which tips the scales in its favor.

That said I hope to test the Silver more this week. In any case I like all of the Donnays i am testing better than my current racquet in terms of comfort and shot depth- and that includes the Formula 100!

MAXXply · 11-21-2012, 04:40 PM

Longtime racketaholic here who shares the OP's curiosity about the Donnay range. Demos aren't available in my area. Before I pull the trigger, can anyone advise their experiences about the Donnay gripshapes? I prefer the blocky shape of Wilson/Prince grips. I don't like the flatter HEAD shape. Where does the Donnay sit in terms of gripshape? The white perforated grips as fitted look deceptively thin. I play a 3/8 POG with one overgip.

zapvor · 11-21-2012, 06:53 PM

the grip size is fine. you get used to it. donnays are so sweet still looking for 2 more

counterpuncher · 11-22-2012, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAXXply

Before I pull the trigger, can anyone advise their experiences about the Donnay gripshapes? I prefer the blocky shape of Wilson/Prince grips. I don't like the flatter HEAD shape. Where does the Donnay sit in terms of gripshape?

It sort of sits between a Dunlop and a Wilson so you won't have an issue. Sizes run pretty much the same as Wilson.

ChicagoJack · 11-22-2012, 08:20 AM

Hi TripleB,

FYI, Donnay is having a black Friday-Monday, buy one get one free sale on two frames. the XP Dual Black 102 (Orange grommets, Agassi, Courier frame) and the XP Dual Lite (White grommets).

I play tested the XP Dual Black 102, alongside the Pro One 16x19 for several weeks. The XP Dual is a really nice racquet imo. The distinguishing features are low swingweight, easy access to spin, and of course comfort. Low swingweight and headsizes in the 99-102 range always give me a little boost of extra confidence with my heavy topspin 1 handed backhand. Seems like its a bit easier to make little timing adjustments mid swing and I dont worry about shanking as much, and that allows me to focus on where to hit it, rather than how to hit it a little bit more.

In stock form I think it would be awesome for an advanced grinding baseliner who likes a low powered frame. You know, the kind of grinder guy who shows up to a tourny with an ancient Fischer Fiberglass and just hits 20-30 loopers, hitting with a ton of spin, a high margin for error, until you just loose your cookies mentally.

I think it would also be awesome for intermediate doubles league players. At that level, second serves are often weak, yet there's a lot of decent forehands. The returner will often gobble up those weak 2nd serves, and send em right to the net man's navel. A light 102 evens the odds a bit for the often bruised and battered net player.

Players with a tweak freak streak can look at the low weight, the 61 ra flex and see it as an undiscovered gem for customization. It's solid core so silicone is not an option, but there is the +5, and +10 buttcap, plus you can fit up to four 5g weight slides on the hoop. (two on the tip, and two at 3-9)

If not for my borderline obsessive love affair with the P1, (I just ordered another 6 lol) I'd mostly likely be playing a leaded up XP Dual 102. If they made a 62ra Pro One, with a 99-102 sq in head, in a 16x18 pattern, (or even a 16x15 ala the Wilson 99s) that would be just about the most fun I could have with my clothes on.

-Jack

MAXXply · 11-22-2012, 03:14 PM

Has anyone tried both the Platinum 99 and Gold 99? What did you think?

My default stick is the POG Mid and am happy to play heavy on any racket provided the balance remains significantly headlight. I'm torn between the Platinum and Gold and wonder what your experiences were between the two in terms of swingweight, plowthrough and balance?

counterpuncher · 11-22-2012, 03:24 PM

If you add the heaviest butt cap to the Gold 99 (or other weight to the handle), then the specs (weight & balance) would be almost identical to the Platinum 99, making swingweight and plowthrough almost identical. The main difference between the two would then be the string pattern. If you are coming from a POG mid I would think that you'd be leaning towards the Gold.

rst · 12-27-2012, 07:34 PM

i have hit the and still hit with the no longer produced x-yellow 99 and i now have to new xd silver lites 99 that i am about to get strung up.

the silver lites seem very close to the yellow in weight and feel.

i string these lightwieght donnays at lower tension (50 to 52) for better energy return and find that they are quick and maneuverable in the wrist with a comfortable feel.

a super heavy bit will shake them a bit but not too bad against loosey-goosey strings.

because i have longer hands i have to place two layers of ductape, two gamma overgrips and then a gamma hi-tec grip on a 4-5/8 grip to get it where i want it and this adds some weight to the handle end of these lightweight rackets. since i hit a flat forehand i find this helpful. my rackets are probably near the x-silver weight with all the wrapping.

i think the thin x donnays are great rackets and would hate to see them go.

11-16-2012, 09:53 PM	#21
gd! Rookie Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cosmo City Posts: 273	I got mine in mint condition for 100 Euros, though it has grip 3 while I usually use grip 2. Had to reduce it by using a Prince ResiThin base grip. Using a + 5g butt cap and I add about 2g of lead tape in the racquet head only if I switch to a Co-Poly below 1.25; currently I prefer a 1.15mm edged which will be released mid Dec. For stability it is not required to add lead to the head, just my experience. For the thinner X-Dual frames, does these come along with 1g strips @ 3/9 + 2g strip @12 like the X-Series frames did? I am talking of these installed strips in same color than grommet. For any Donnay racquet I own or tried, I did not prefer any 3g strip from the customization kit. __________________ Donnay X-P Dual & FHP 38 1.15 black

11-21-2012, 03:29 AM	#28
Clemsonfan New User Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 18	Donnay XP Dual Black 102 and Silver I am demoing the XP Dual Black and Silver right now. Liked the 102 so much I used it at state 4.0 singles in place of my PDGT Cortex. Both are easy on the arm and I have a torn shoulder labrum. The Silver is great for serving, perhaps the most powerful and accurate i have used since returning to tennis after a 22- year layoff and both are great at the other shots. I prefer to play at the net and currently like the XP Dual Black more for volleys which tips the scales in its favor. That said I hope to test the Silver more this week. In any case I like all of the Donnays i am testing better than my current racquet in terms of comfort and shot depth- and that includes the Formula 100!

11-21-2012, 04:40 PM	#29
MAXXply Professional Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sydney Posts: 1,183	Longtime racketaholic here who shares the OP's curiosity about the Donnay range. Demos aren't available in my area. Before I pull the trigger, can anyone advise their experiences about the Donnay gripshapes? I prefer the blocky shape of Wilson/Prince grips. I don't like the flatter HEAD shape. Where does the Donnay sit in terms of gripshape? The white perforated grips as fitted look deceptively thin. I play a 3/8 POG with one overgip. __________________ Before TW: POG Mid user for over 20 years After TW: confirmed racketholic Last edited by MAXXply : 11-21-2012 at 04:45 PM.

11-21-2012, 06:53 PM	#30
zapvor Legend Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: tennis courts Posts: 7,908	the grip size is fine. you get used to it. donnays are so sweet still looking for 2 more __________________ Member of TW MAC. yes, we are better than you. and we bout to hop on a court to make another 'mil

11-22-2012, 08:20 AM	#32
ChicagoJack Professional Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,326	Hi TripleB, FYI, Donnay is having a black Friday-Monday, buy one get one free sale on two frames. the XP Dual Black 102 (Orange grommets, Agassi, Courier frame) and the XP Dual Lite (White grommets). I play tested the XP Dual Black 102, alongside the Pro One 16x19 for several weeks. The XP Dual is a really nice racquet imo. The distinguishing features are low swingweight, easy access to spin, and of course comfort. Low swingweight and headsizes in the 99-102 range always give me a little boost of extra confidence with my heavy topspin 1 handed backhand. Seems like its a bit easier to make little timing adjustments mid swing and I dont worry about shanking as much, and that allows me to focus on where to hit it, rather than how to hit it a little bit more. In stock form I think it would be awesome for an advanced grinding baseliner who likes a low powered frame. You know, the kind of grinder guy who shows up to a tourny with an ancient Fischer Fiberglass and just hits 20-30 loopers, hitting with a ton of spin, a high margin for error, until you just loose your cookies mentally. I think it would also be awesome for intermediate doubles league players. At that level, second serves are often weak, yet there's a lot of decent forehands. The returner will often gobble up those weak 2nd serves, and send em right to the net man's navel. A light 102 evens the odds a bit for the often bruised and battered net player. Players with a tweak freak streak can look at the low weight, the 61 ra flex and see it as an undiscovered gem for customization. It's solid core so silicone is not an option, but there is the +5, and +10 buttcap, plus you can fit up to four 5g weight slides on the hoop. (two on the tip, and two at 3-9) If not for my borderline obsessive love affair with the P1, (I just ordered another 6 lol) I'd mostly likely be playing a leaded up XP Dual 102. If they made a 62ra Pro One, with a 99-102 sq in head, in a 16x18 pattern, (or even a 16x15 ala the Wilson 99s) that would be just about the most fun I could have with my clothes on. -Jack __________________ (9) Donnay Pro One, 16x19 \| 12.4oz, -12Pts, ~330sw Mains: Babolat Tonic Gut, X's: Red WC Mosquito Bite \| 54/50 lbs. Last edited by ChicagoJack : 11-22-2012 at 09:15 AM.