Diary of a Racketaholic - Page 596

JGads · 12-11-2012, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sansaephanh

what did you guys do when you figure out you are just another hack in the park?...

I keep taking more hacks.

And more cowbell.

DrewRafter8 · 12-11-2012, 04:00 PM

Had an interesting night out testing the Donnay Pro 1 against the IG Rad Pro. Had both of these sticks to try out and make a final decision on which one I'm going to switch to. I had the 2013 APD out with these and a Prestige S. The APD is one racquet I really like for those select few shots that you can completely demolish. But overall, it lacks in feel and just isn't my type of racquet. Now the Prestige S is a real contender. This thing is a really nice racquet, but I don't know that I like it as much as the IG Rad Pro. Coming from some heavier, high sw sticks I think the S is a little lacking in the sw department for me. I'm wondering whether or not I could really get to liking it if I had some time with it though. It really is precise, I could hit the cross court FH right on the service line-alley line intersection around 80-90% of the time when drilling tonight. I don't think it hits the heavier ball of the IG Pro or has as much spin. However, it was strung with some multi that I might break very quickly. I'm hoping I break it because I'd like to see how the S plays with poly. The Donnay I've got has crappy strings in it. They've been used a good bit and it had a tendency to launch. What I find interesting is that when I tried the Donnay Pro 1 versus the Gold, I was wanting a stick that felt like the Gold but performed like the Pro. The IG Rad Pro does it. I think the playtest is going to boil down to two Head racquets. I'm still thinking hard about the 16x19 Blade and trying to wander into the Steam room. But I'm ready to switch racquets now!

PED · 12-11-2012, 04:06 PM

The S shines with poly but I found it plays better with the poly string low. I'm full tour bite at 44/43 currently.

The sw is lower than the rad pro but you get so much more stick speed with the s and that makes up for it. It's very accurate and hits a nice heavy ball. The pattern is wide open and it burns strings much faster than the rad pro.

I got mine in September and other than my one week flirtation with the black drive, I've been very happy with it. I'm much more consistent with it over the rad as the sw on the rad can make it cumbersome at times.

Control is excellent and I was able to give my hitting partner a few rides on the rodeo yesterday. No lead needed IMO

DrewRafter8 · 12-11-2012, 04:10 PM

It and the IG Rad Pro weighed in at 330 grams exactly. I wouldn't dream of touching either with lead. I like a 330-335 gram stick.

Ross K · 12-11-2012, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeler

The Exo Tour is a weird stick, no doubt about that. I can understand why people would not like it.

I honestly liked it a lot, just couldn't serve so great with it, nor find the required g/stroke put away power. Seemed to me the ball used to sit up somewhat - though I definitely agree with what you said about that aspect coming over time and practice etc.

I'll always recall scampering around the backcourt like a demented rabbit, points lasting waaay longer than usual, and no matter what I was doing, the ball kept coming back to me!

Bartelby · 12-11-2012, 10:01 PM

Three grams inside the butt cap works well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrewRafter8

It and the IG Rad Pro weighed in at 330 grams exactly. I wouldn't dream of touching either with lead. I like a 330-335 gram stick.

Hi I'm Ray · 12-12-2012, 01:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ross K

Hi I'm Ray,

Have you hit with the new APD? If so, what's your take on it?

Nope, not yet. There's a few frames that are potentially more different than my current racket that come before the APD13 on my demo list. Unless the APD13 performs like the PD on serve and has better comfort, or has better comfort & feel than the Formula 100, I'm not likely to switch to it. I noticed the APD13 rated well across the board on serves which is a nice surprise, but the bad surprise is that comfort & feel ratings are at an all time low despite the active cortex...

What I've got on my demo list are: 99s, Extreme 2.0 Pro, Rad Pro, & to change thing up a bit: the previous BLX Blade 98, F 3.0 Tour, & possibly the Gold 99. Then APD13

Ross K · 12-12-2012, 03:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hi I'm Ray

Nope, not yet. There's a few frames that are potentially more different than my current racket that come before the APD13 on my demo list. Unless the APD13 performs like the PD on serve and has better comfort, or has better comfort & feel than the Formula 100, I'm not likely to switch to it. I noticed the APD13 rated well across the board on serves which is a nice surprise, but the bad surprise is that comfort & feel ratings are at an all time low despite the active cortex...

What I've got on my demo list are: 99s, Extreme 2.0 Pro, Rad Pro, & to change thing up a bit: the previous BLX Blade 98, F 3.0 Tour, & possibly the Gold 99. Then APD13

Re APD 2013, funnily enough, the reduction in SW and addition of more pop may appeal to me. Curious though to hear your feedback on several of these, Ray. Nice list.

Yes, the two Wilsons and the Bab are my contenders too.

PED · 12-12-2012, 04:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ross K

Re APD 2013, reduction in SW and addition of more pop may appeal to me.

Ross, apd13 does swing lighter which is nice but I didn't feel it was any more powerful than the previous 3 versions FWIW

Boricua · 12-12-2012, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PED

Ross, apd13 does swing lighter which is nice but I didn't feel it was any more powerful than the previous 3 versions FWIW

PED, did this lightness make it a bit flimsy against big serves and heavy baseline hitters?

Also, did this lightness lead to quick but not powerful serves?

PED · 12-12-2012, 04:59 AM

^^It didn't feel flimsy if you time it right against heavy hitters but it was hit and miss for me on accuracy. I had too many balls that were sitting up. PP mentioned this in his test as well.

That last writeup in the apd test thread was excellent. The guy mentioned that he usually likes to stand on the baseline and drive the ball looking for a short one. With the apd, to be effective, he needed to drop 5' behind the bl.

That's what I noticed as well. I worked too hard on my game to hug the baseline over the last 18 months just to surrender it back with the apd. So I'm back with my Prestige S. I'm more effective when taking time away from my opponent rather than hitting a higher arcing ball.

I know you are a fan of the apd and I think you will like this one

Ross K · 12-12-2012, 05:21 AM

Noteworthy comments ^^^. I suspect I'd like it a heck of a lot. Sounds very familiar to me, obviously. Still think I may want to investigate 99s and probably new Blade ahead of the APD though.

Boricua · 12-12-2012, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PED

^^It didn't feel flimsy if you time it right against heavy hitters but it was hit and miss for me on accuracy. I had too many balls that were sitting up. PP mentioned this in his test as well.

That last writeup in the apd test thread was excellent. The guy mentioned that he usually likes to stand on the baseline and drive the ball looking for a short one. With the apd, to be effective, he needed to drop 5' behind the bl.

That's what I noticed as well. I worked too hard on my game to hug the baseline over the last 18 months just to surrender it back with the apd. So I'm back with my Prestige S. I'm more effective when taking time away from my opponent rather than hitting a higher arcing ball.

I know you are a fan of the apd and I think you will like this one

APD is a fun racket and I enjoy hitting topspin with it. So, I am interested. Nonetheless, if I get it I dont know if it will be my main racket. I like the mass, solidness and preciseness of the VCORE 97 Tour (330). But, we will see how they do one against the other.

By the way, what happened to Megan? Have not heard from him in a while. Is he on vacation in the Fiji islands? lol

PED · 12-12-2012, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boricua

APD is a fun racket and I enjoy hitting topspin with it. So, I am interested. Nonetheless, if I get it I dont know if it will be my main racket. I like the mass, solidness and preciseness of the VCORE 97 Tour (330). But, we will see how they do one against the other.

By the way, what happened to Megan? Have not heard from him in a while. Is he on vacation in the Fiji islands? lol

Mystic Meg is probably drinking red wine to celebrate the revival of his home town team: Liverpool FC

Boricua · 12-12-2012, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PED

Mystic Meg is probably drinking red wine to celebrate the revival of his home town team: Liverpool FC

I am not a big soccer fan but my 5 year old is in soccer so I am forced

to have a favorite team, that being Barcelona.

Boricua · 12-13-2012, 05:50 AM

Put an hour and a half of practice yesterday with the VCORE 97. Just hitting nonstop, not playing sets. Found it a bit heavy for my loopy topspin stokes. Definitely pulling the plug on the 2013 APD and string it with a soft copoly at low tension or with gut/poly.
I will sell both VCORES and also buy a Volkl V1, lead it a bit, and use it as the "rest the arm racket" when the Aeropro gets a bit nasty on my arm.

mikeler · 12-13-2012, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boricua

I am not a big soccer fan but my 5 year old is in soccer so I am forced

to have a favorite team, that being Barcelona.

That is a good sport to learn footwork at that age.

Boricua · 12-13-2012, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeler

That is a good sport to learn footwork at that age.

Most definitely. He likes soccer alot and it will help him if he wants to get into tennis later on. I sometimes give him tennis lessons (for free, lol) but don't force him to come along.

Ross K · 12-13-2012, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boricua

Put an hour and a half of practice yesterday with the VCORE 97. Just hitting nonstop, not playing sets. Found it a bit heavy for my loopy topspin stokes. Definitely pulling the plug on the 2013 APD and string it with a soft copoly at low tension or with gut/poly.
I will sell both VCORES and also buy a Volkl V1, lead it a bit, and use it as the "rest the arm racket" when the Aeropro gets a bit nasty on my arm.

Okay, so it seems your experiment with the VC 97 is at an end. I'd imagine it is rather different. Mind you, you can go other other way of course (like me!) and suddenly find you're having the hardest time deciding between 2 or 3 very, very similar frames. Anyhow, hoping to play tomorrow for the first time in a week due to frosty/icey weather conditions here in the South of England.

Boricua · 12-13-2012, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ross K

Okay, so it seems your experiment with the VC 97 is at an end. I'd imagine it is rather different. Mind you, you can go other other way of course (like me!) and suddenly find you're having the hardest time deciding between 2 or 3 very, very similar frames. Anyhow, hoping to play tomorrow for the first time in a week due to frosty/icey weather conditions here in the South of England.

I am going with two 2013 APDs and a Volkl Classic V1 (99 dollars). Im using a 90 dollar credit and approximately 260 that I wll get from the VCORES. I will loose money in this VCORE experiment.
But, the APD is a nice racket that adjusts to my strokes and game style. The V1 is a pillow to rest my arm and Ive heard it hits the ball really well. Have you hit with it? (see TW review)
And, no Yonex from now on.

"Anyhow, hoping to play tomorrow for the first time in a week due to frosty/icey weather conditions here in the South of England."

No indooor courts where you live? In Puerto Rico its sunny but it also rains alot (the tropic) and we do not have indoor courts.

12-11-2012, 04:00 PM	#11902
DrewRafter8 Semi-Pro Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 756	Had an interesting night out testing the Donnay Pro 1 against the IG Rad Pro. Had both of these sticks to try out and make a final decision on which one I'm going to switch to. I had the 2013 APD out with these and a Prestige S. The APD is one racquet I really like for those select few shots that you can completely demolish. But overall, it lacks in feel and just isn't my type of racquet. Now the Prestige S is a real contender. This thing is a really nice racquet, but I don't know that I like it as much as the IG Rad Pro. Coming from some heavier, high sw sticks I think the S is a little lacking in the sw department for me. I'm wondering whether or not I could really get to liking it if I had some time with it though. It really is precise, I could hit the cross court FH right on the service line-alley line intersection around 80-90% of the time when drilling tonight. I don't think it hits the heavier ball of the IG Pro or has as much spin. However, it was strung with some multi that I might break very quickly. I'm hoping I break it because I'd like to see how the S plays with poly. The Donnay I've got has crappy strings in it. They've been used a good bit and it had a tendency to launch. What I find interesting is that when I tried the Donnay Pro 1 versus the Gold, I was wanting a stick that felt like the Gold but performed like the Pro. The IG Rad Pro does it. I think the playtest is going to boil down to two Head racquets. I'm still thinking hard about the 16x19 Blade and trying to wander into the Steam room. But I'm ready to switch racquets now! __________________ I am going to win Wimbledon one day -- even if it is the over 40s doubles ..." Goran Ivanisevic

12-11-2012, 04:06 PM	#11903
PED Legend Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 5,193	The S shines with poly but I found it plays better with the poly string low. I'm full tour bite at 44/43 currently. The sw is lower than the rad pro but you get so much more stick speed with the s and that makes up for it. It's very accurate and hits a nice heavy ball. The pattern is wide open and it burns strings much faster than the rad pro. I got mine in September and other than my one week flirtation with the black drive, I've been very happy with it. I'm much more consistent with it over the rad as the sw on the rad can make it cumbersome at times. Control is excellent and I was able to give my hitting partner a few rides on the rodeo yesterday. No lead needed IMO __________________ You have my name, come find me. Just leave your nonsense out of this thread.

12-11-2012, 04:10 PM	#11904
DrewRafter8 Semi-Pro Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 756	It and the IG Rad Pro weighed in at 330 grams exactly. I wouldn't dream of touching either with lead. I like a 330-335 gram stick. __________________ I am going to win Wimbledon one day -- even if it is the over 40s doubles ..." Goran Ivanisevic

12-12-2012, 04:59 AM	#11911
PED Legend Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 5,193	^^It didn't feel flimsy if you time it right against heavy hitters but it was hit and miss for me on accuracy. I had too many balls that were sitting up. PP mentioned this in his test as well. That last writeup in the apd test thread was excellent. The guy mentioned that he usually likes to stand on the baseline and drive the ball looking for a short one. With the apd, to be effective, he needed to drop 5' behind the bl. That's what I noticed as well. I worked too hard on my game to hug the baseline over the last 18 months just to surrender it back with the apd. So I'm back with my Prestige S. I'm more effective when taking time away from my opponent rather than hitting a higher arcing ball. I know you are a fan of the apd and I think you will like this one __________________ You have my name, come find me. Just leave your nonsense out of this thread.

12-12-2012, 05:21 AM	#11912
Ross K Legend Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 7,758	Noteworthy comments ^^^. I suspect I'd like it a heck of a lot. Sounds very familiar to me, obviously. Still think I may want to investigate 99s and probably new Blade ahead of the APD though. __________________ Steam 99s