Best current IG Prestige?

[Top Jimmy]

Demo night last night with the MP and Pro. Went straight into a match. Warmed up with both. Preferred the lighter weight of the MP during warm-ups (considering I'm trying to get away from the 4d200T heft.)

Won the first set 6-1, lost the second 4-6 due to forehand issues, won the 3rd set tiebreak. (i'm a 4.5 player for reference.)

The racket feels very plush to me, maybe it was the string, it was strung at 57 lbs with Babalot Ny. I wish it had a full poly setup.

Serving with the MP is fantastic. I'm able to get much more head speed with the lighter frame and didn't have to struggle to get some extra MPH when I wanted. Even with the tighter string pattern I was getting some really good action.

Volley's were plush and the lighter weight really helped, especially on overheads.

My one handed topspin backhand was the same as always, I can rip it with any racket so not a problem, at least it didn't get worse.

Now the forehand on the other hand was an issue. The launch angle and slightly less spin caused some issues. Balls flying long or clipping the top of the net. And to be honest I don't think it's the racket but the grip shape is the culprit. I cannot get the same comfortable wrist movement with the stupid rectangular grip, it seems to hinder my rotation on the forehand.

The other issue was when i did hit a good forehand i couldn't thump it like normal so i lacked a real put away shot which became an issue in the second set. The extra weight of the 4d200t seems to make me drag the forehand and allows me load up, if that makes sense.

So basically everything was equal to or better with this racket except i lost my forehand and put away shot.

So frustrating. Maybe I could get used to the grip, not sure.

[tennis_balla]

Interesting that so many dislike the grip shape on Head rackets, that's one of the things I like the most about the rackets.

[maxpotapov]

Originally Posted by tennis_balla

Interesting that so many dislike the grip shape on Head rackets, that's one of the things I like the most about the rackets.

I was thinking why?..
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=441823

[Top Jimmy]

I'm thinking a 4 1/4 grip might help with the grip shape, demo was a 3/8ths.

[anubis]

I used the MP briefly this year and really liked it. I happen to prefer the radical MP, but the prestige MP feels really good too.

If you like an open pattern, then I'd suggest the pro. but honestly, spin production on the MP is not hard at all with proper technique and strings. 17g or 18g poly and you have gobs of spin... with a tad more control than you would with open pattern.

[nyc]

@topJimmy re: grip shape - switching from wilson this gave me initially trouble as well, especially on the forehand. Similar situation as yours where I demoed a 3/8 but usually play 1/4.

Ended up buying one MP for extended demo in 1/4 grip and replaced it with a wilson shaped pallet from the custom shop in NYC, but it felt larger than 4 1/4 even though that was the spec.

after a month switched to the Pro with Head pallets and stuck with it. Took 2-3 weeks to dial it in and now I absolutely love the grip shape and haven't looked back. It's specially rock solid with a one handed BH.

[El Zed]

Not to intrude, but in terms of feel, is the IG Prestige Pro more similar to the Austrian PT280/PC600s or the Microgel Radical MP? I'm not speaking in terms of flex, but sheer "feel." While the MGRadical is a "nice" racquet, I'd place it closer to the APDGT rather than the PT280 in terms of solidness (vs. hollowness), while exhibiting an almost porcelain-like brittle feel (not sure if that even makes sense).

Also, does the IGPP have anywhere near a heavy-ball in comparison to the PT280? The PT280 just has this beautiful tendency of unleashing absolute cannons with heavy spin when employing a full-western grip.

Thanks, all.

[Circa 1762]

Originally Posted by El Zed

Not to intrude, but in terms of feel, is the IG Prestige Pro more similar to the Austrian PT280/PC600s or the Microgel Radical MP? I'm not speaking in terms of flex, but sheer "feel." While the MGRadical is a "nice" racquet, I'd place it closer to the APDGT rather than the PT280 in terms of solidness (vs. hollowness), while exhibiting an almost porcelain-like brittle feel (not sure if that even makes sense).

Also, does the IGPP have anywhere near a heavy-ball in comparison to the PT280? The PT280 just has this beautiful tendency of unleashing absolute cannons with heavy spin when employing a full-western grip.

Thanks, all.

Hmm. My current rackets are Youtek Prestige MPs, and even though the IG Prestige Pro has a smoother feel, it still has the same type of brittle, ceramic-like feel as the Youtek MPs. I've hit with the MG Radical MP before, though, and it felt much more muted, and not nearly as ceramic-like.

That said, I've also hit with the newest Pure Drive Roddick, and the Prestige Pro is definitely less hard on the arm than those. Unfortunately, I can't compare to the PT280, but I have a hunch the Prestige Pros don't quite have the feel you're looking for.

[El Zed]

Originally Posted by Circa 1762

Hmm. My current rackets are Youtek Prestige MPs, and even though the IG Prestige Pro has a smoother feel, it still has the same type of brittle, ceramic-like feel as the Youtek MPs. I've hit with the MG Radical MP before, though, and it felt much more muted, and not nearly as ceramic-like.

That said, I've also hit with the newest Pure Drive Roddick, and the Prestige Pro is definitely less hard on the arm than those. Unfortunately, I can't compare to the PT280, but I have a hunch the Prestige Pros don't quite have the feel you're looking for.

Thanks much for the reply. I tend to vacillate between the APD and the PT280 mostly now; depends on mood, the type of game I want to pursue, and my skill level on the day. Frankly, they are too different to be compared, with each fitting it's own niche nicely. While the MGRad is a nice racquet, I was hoping that it was close enough to PT280 as to serve as a low cost/low maintenance option. Alas, don't think there is anything that a MGRad does better than the PT280, particularly in terms of feel.

While I was hoping for a PT280 with an open pattern, it seems as though the IGPP isn't going to be the answer - that brittleness is just too much of a deal-breaker, particular given the cost of committing to this stick.