Mantis PRO 295 - Page 3

TeamHumphrey · 12-28-2012, 11:59 AM

LOL -- wasn't my choice, picked up a slightly used one. Arrived today, beautiful racquet, feels great as is in the living room -- but I know better than to try and make it work stock.

TeamHumphrey · 12-28-2012, 07:01 PM

I've added 6g to the hoop and 22g to the handle -- total is now 336g, balance around 6pts headlight. I have a court date on Sunday to try it out.

Anton · 12-29-2012, 06:00 PM

Well I gave it a good run but at some point I gotta call it quits - the stringbed just plays too open for my style, even with full poly at 62 lbs. Really liked the racket all other respects.

TeamHumphrey · 12-30-2012, 02:42 PM

Anton, sorry to hear that it didn't work out for you -- let me know if it needs a rescue (you wouldn't even have to take the lead off).

I finally hit with it today -- the results were pretty good, though I need to move some of the weight around.

I was splitting time between the Mantis and a Blade93 demo that finally arrived. The Blade93 is scary good overall. If the Mantis wasn't a sunk cost already, I'd be planning some more demo time to decide between the Blade93 and the Vcore Tour 89.

The Mantis was promising enough today to stay in my bag -- I'll continue to tweak it for a few weeks and move back to the Blade Vcore debate if I can't get it dialed in quite right.

Anton · 12-30-2012, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeamHumphrey

Anton, sorry to hear that it didn't work out for you -- let me know if it needs a rescue (you wouldn't even have to take the lead off).

I finally hit with it today -- the results were pretty good, though I need to move some of the weight around.

I was splitting time between the Mantis and a Blade93 demo that finally arrived. The Blade93 is scary good overall. If the Mantis wasn't a sunk cost already, I'd be planning some more demo time to decide between the Blade93 and the Vcore Tour 89.

The Mantis was promising enough today to stay in my bag -- I'll continue to tweak it for a few weeks and move back to the Blade Vcore debate if I can't get it dialed in quite right.

Well taking the lead off is moot now, considering I broke it in 5 places in a temporary flash of insanity after missing a second overhead in a row and losing two tie break match.

Looking back on it now it was a night of good tennis...minus a lost tournament and broken racket.

Anyway I think 295, setup right, would make an awesome racket for someone who plays a patient game with a lot of spin and placement.

BORG · 01-07-2013, 11:50 PM

For you who have playtested Mantis pro 295. The string bed is open, how is the spin potential and comfort? Have you got any compairison with Mantis 305 of overall playability?

BreakPoint · 01-08-2013, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seekay

I got to hit with one of these a few weeks ago, and it was promising -- very solid and stable. The stock weight was a little light for my preference, but f course that can be fixed.

I also heard a rumor that there's a heavier version of the same frame in the works.

I hope so because the specs on the Pro 295 look way too light to be usable.

TfReAk · 01-08-2013, 01:10 AM

The Mantis pro 295 looks to me as a Head MG Radical with a 16*19 stringpattern. Maybe someone could compare the two? Are they anything a like?

TfReAk · 01-10-2013, 01:53 AM

Anyone?

.....

Anton · 01-10-2013, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BORG

For you who have playtested Mantis pro 295. The string bed is open, how is the spin potential and comfort? Have you got any compairison with Mantis 305 of overall playability?

295, with my lead setup at least, was VERY comfortable, especially with multi on mains. Compared to 305 it feels more stable and plush per maneuverability.

Spin is big due to great frame balance ( at least as i had it setup) and very easy main movement in the stringbed.

My only problem was high launch angle.

Anton · 01-10-2013, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TfReAk

The Mantis pro 295 looks to me as a Head MG Radical with a 16*19 stringpattern. Maybe someone could compare the two? Are they anything a like?

Haven't played with rad mg 100 in a long time but similar in that big string bed feel, 295 is much more maneuverable and better feeling though.

Anton · 01-10-2013, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BreakPoint

I hope so because the specs on the Pro 295 look way too light to be usable.

I used it just fine at about 12oz

mrmo1115 · 01-10-2013, 08:40 AM

Has anyone tried the 315? Opinions and any racquets that play similarly to it?

crosscourt · 01-10-2013, 08:46 AM

I play the 315. An excellent racket, very comfortable, fantastic control, does eveything. The only downside is that it is a low powered trad players racket. Closest comparison is a Dunlop 200 or Head Prestige MP.

mrmo1115 · 01-10-2013, 08:54 AM

Does the frame have its own special feel? For example Donnay having its own unique feel and although specs might be ideal, it might not be for everyone. Is there that special Mantis feel that is unique to everything else? Spec wise the 315 looks fantastic

Anton · 01-10-2013, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrmo1115

Does the frame have its own special feel? For example Donnay having its own unique feel and although specs might be ideal, it might not be for everyone. Is there that special Mantis feel that is unique to everything else? Spec wise the 315 looks fantastic

All Mantis I tried have a great feel to them and I'm yet to hear differently from anyone else - smooth, clean feel.

BreakPoint · 01-10-2013, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anton

I used it just fine at about 12oz

But the stock strung spec is only 11.1 oz. so you would have to add a heck of a lot of lead to get it up to 12.0 oz. I would probably have to add enough weight to get it up to at least 12.5 oz. for it to work for me. I demoed the Mantis Tour 315 and thought it was WAY, WAY too light.

Anton · 01-11-2013, 04:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BreakPoint

But the stock strung spec is only 11.1 oz. so you would have to add a heck of a lot of lead to get it up to 12.0 oz. I would probably have to add enough weight to get it up to at least 12.5 oz. for it to work for me. I demoed the Mantis Tour 315 and thought it was WAY, WAY too light.

But with that comes full range of weight distribution and balance customization you do not get with other rackets.

It takes all of maybe 20 min to put the lead on if you have to take off the base grip - I don't see what the big deal is.

BreakPoint · 01-11-2013, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anton

But with that comes full range of weight distribution and balance customization you do not get with other rackets.

It takes all of maybe 20 min to put the lead on if you have to take off the base grip - I don't see what the big deal is.

I prefer not to have to play around with lead tape. It just seems silly to me to have to tack on layers upon layers of lead tape everywhere just to make a racquet playable. (And not to even mention the risk of lead poisoning.) Why can't they just make a racquet that's already heavy stock like they used to?

Anton · 01-11-2013, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BreakPoint

I prefer not to have to play around with lead tape. It just seems silly to me to have to tack on layers upon layers of lead tape everywhere just to make a racquet playable. (And not to even mention the risk of lead poisoning.) Why can't they just make a racquet that's already heavy stock like they used to?

Well I like that shiny metal look and majority of lead can be placed under grommets and under grip.

12-29-2012, 06:00 PM	#43
Anton Hall Of Fame Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Staten Island Posts: 2,724	Well I gave it a good run but at some point I gotta call it quits - the stringbed just plays too open for my style, even with full poly at 62 lbs. Really liked the racket all other respects. __________________ HEAD Graphine Speed Pro 12.3oz

01-07-2013, 11:50 PM	#46
BORG New User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 7	spinpotential? mantis pro 295 For you who have playtested Mantis pro 295. The string bed is open, how is the spin potential and comfort? Have you got any compairison with Mantis 305 of overall playability?

01-08-2013, 01:10 AM	#48
TfReAk Rookie Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 135	The Mantis pro 295 looks to me as a Head MG Radical with a 16*19 stringpattern. Maybe someone could compare the two? Are they anything a like? __________________ HEAD MG Radical MP w/ 2 grams lead @ 3 and 9; testing strings...

01-10-2013, 01:53 AM	#49
TfReAk Rookie Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 135	Anyone? ..... __________________ HEAD MG Radical MP w/ 2 grams lead @ 3 and 9; testing strings...

01-10-2013, 08:46 AM	#54
crosscourt Professional Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 1,223	I play the 315. An excellent racket, very comfortable, fantastic control, does eveything. The only downside is that it is a low powered trad players racket. Closest comparison is a Dunlop 200 or Head Prestige MP. Last edited by crosscourt : 01-10-2013 at 02:17 PM.