Wilson Hits Homerun with Wilson Steam 99S (mini review)

[mad dog1]

the Steam room is getting rather heated!

[sureshs]

Is it getting hot in here or is it just LeeD?

[thecrusher956]

Was just reading over this to find info...the debate going on is hilarious. Why fight on a thread, just put it behind you.

[racertempo]

Originally Posted by sureshs

You should have mentioned head sizes - that is even more of the point.

But my point was that these days pros are stringing low compared to club players. Used to be the other way around.

Good point as well, i Just wanted to make sure and was commenting that I was happy to see that lower tension was not a problem for the reasons previously mentioned. Happy someone else did it first.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by Power Player

This racquet is a total TT GOAT thread for multiple reasons :

A detailed Drak review

The wilson promo described by different posters who experienced it all over the country.

A moment of Suresh

Exciting racquet tech that gets everyone rabidly curious

JackB1 switches sticks

Naysayers and doubters step in

UK guys find each other online and make friends while feverishly tracking down a demo

RossK claws his eyes out in a raw 'holic lust.

Green posters from both sides of the pulpit rise to the occasion with pros and cons

Full poly at over 55#s of tension is totaly accepted as ok

LeeD leaves the technqiue forum and steps in to question and antagonize

Honestly, this thread should be stickied as a HOF thread and made required reading for anyone new to the Racquet forums.

hey, I haven't switched ........................yet

funny post PP

seriously though, I am very impressed with the Steam 99s. It seems like a great fit for my game. Its like a "super tweener". But all gimmicks aside, its a solid racquet with nice feel and power. The swingweight of my demo is spot on perfect. It adds a little more spin to my shots and I think this stick will be even better with my own string choices. An added bonus too for us home stringers...just 15 crosses to worry about

[LeeD]

Part of my reasoning of my inane posts is that I had just tried the Steam100, the older model, that was new last year or so, and made some headlines.
It hit good. No biggee. The extra length was noticeable, but no biggee.

[MikeHitsHard93]

Originally Posted by El Zed

Is that really necessary? Maybe there is a history between you two, but the question appeared rather innocuous and your response rather out of line and suspiciously defensive.

Agreed............

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by LeeD

Part of my reasoning of my inane posts is that I had just tried the Steam100, the older model, that was new last year or so, and made some headlines.
It hit good. No biggee. The extra length was noticeable, but no biggee.

the current Steam 100 bears little resemblance to the 99s.

[LeeD]

Read post 731 again.
WHO is being antagonistic?
Steam100 is lower 11oz, moderately stiff, slightly head light balance, moderately thin beamed.
99s has fewer mains.
"bears little resemblance" ????

[couch]

Originally Posted by JackB1

the current Steam 100 bears little resemblance to the 99s.

Very true. Only the name remains the same. I've only hit with the 99 so far and it seems to be a much more solid racquet. The added weight was definitely needed. I hope to hit with th 99S this weekend and will put an end to all this hub bub once and for all

[LeeD]

Regardless of what you posted, I assume you have hit with the Steam100so I can safely defer to your knowledge and experience.
If you haven't hit with the Steam100, you are just speculating.

[couch]

Are you talking to me? If so, then yes, I have hit with the current Steam. Current Steam feels rather light and flimsy with no weight behind the ball compared to the 99. As mentioned, I have not hit wit the 99S but should be able to this weekend and will provide some feedback from both 99 and 99S.

[LeeD]

Thank you for your clarification.
I also thought the 100 Steam was lightweight and quick, but dead feeling, strung with 16 gauge nylon at 50 lbs. I normally use the same string. My demo was a 4 3/8, very twisty feeling, but I use 4 5/8 with overgrip, so I need to factor that in.

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by LeeD

Mine is not an attempt at a study.
Mine is an opinion expressed by a jaded old fart who's seen this hype and marketting a few more times than most.
Kindal like what your grandpa says. You know he's a cranky old fart, you know his memory is suspect, yet you KNOW he does have some valid points and also more experience in most subject matters.
Sure, it possible this racket will be great for the player's it was designed for, and also for players who play into it's style. But overall, every few years, every racket company makes some outrageous attempt at swaying the consumers in their favor, and this one is Wilson's attempt right now.

You also KNOW it may be time to admit Gramps to a good home.

[bad_call]

Originally Posted by mikeler

You also KNOW it may be time to admit Gramps to a good home.

now don't be mean to the elderly. he may be somewhat "odd" but does have valid points about short balls, etc.

Originally Posted by mikeler

So have you been hitting with the Steam only since you made this thread?

no response yet here?

[Bartelby]

This thread's running out of steam.

[jackcrawford]

Originally Posted by drakulie

Drilled for 2 hours with my wife (former top 10 junior). First impressions from her:

Much more spin and heavier shots on both sides and shots were landing deeper more consistently than usual. Pace was about the same, but depth and height was extremely noticable.

The original post, with the Trackman data, and this now added to back up the radar, is what really makes this thread unique -an attempt to quantify racquet performance more objectively than usually happens here on the forum. A subjective note; I know you generally prefer thin-beam racquets that are heavier than this, but I guess the "feel" of this frame is ok for you?

[thecrusher956]

Some top players like Bellucci have begun using the steam pj

[mikeler]

Picked up the Steam 105 today. Did not hit with it though.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by mikeler

Picked up the Steam 105 today. Did not hit with it though.

Why the 105? Too light and powerful. Try the 99s.