New Racquet short reviews: 99s, blade 18x20, Speed G Pro/MP

[mrmo1115]

Originally Posted by rafafan20

Did you play with the MP? I really didn't like it, I tried to be gentle in the review... curious to see the TW review

I have not. But I have held it in person and dry swung it. Found it incredibly light. I don't like to touch racquets that won't be stable and solid that 11.5+ ounce racquets tend to give me. I had a stretch of my junior career (a year) where I was playing racquets in that "tweener" classification.. K Blade 98, Tecnifibre 305, and Yonex 98 D, but realized I was playing with the wrong kinds of frames. I'm coming from the Pure Storm Tour GT which is on the other end of the spectrum. A heavy and solid frame but has no whip. I'm looking for something that can give me the whippiness of a lighter frame but the stability of a heavier frame.. I feel like the Pro gives me that.

Originally Posted by Vertiz

Thx for the reply mrmo. Have you played w. thhe ig prestige MP ? How would you compare it to the speed pro?

I haven't ever played the IG iteration of the Prestige.. but I have extensive experience with the MP in its predecessors. I was a multi year user of the FXP.. used the MG for a year and playtested the Youtek. I found that the power level decreased as the models got newer and its something I couldn't deal with. So one thing I can definitely comment on is that the Pro definitely has an increase in power level. It might not have the same amount of control as the Prestige, but the Speed Pro definitely has a solid amount as well. The Prestige might be a bit more whippier since it has a low SW compared to the Speed Pro, but it won't feel as solid at contact. Hope I helped.

[parasailing]

Okay glad for the clarification on the Speed Pro, Mrmo. I never really like 18x20 string pattern as I had a Prestige Youtek MP and just didn't get enough oomph on the ball plus hate stringing up more crosses.

Does this Speed Pro produce the same heavy ball, spin, and power like the PSTGT but in a lighter package? I still can't imagine a 18x20 string pattern offering more spin and lively feel that a 16x19 string bed can produce.

[rafafan20]

Originally Posted by parasailing

Okay glad for the clarification on the Speed Pro, Mrmo. I never really like 18x20 string pattern as I had a Prestige Youtek MP and just didn't get enough oomph on the ball plus hate stringing up more crosses.

Does this Speed Pro produce the same heavy ball, spin, and power like the PSTGT but in a lighter package? I still can't imagine a 18x20 string pattern offering more spin and lively feel that a 16x19 string bed can produce.

Inexplicably, with the same string, the Pro had more power and spin in my hands than the MP

[mrmo1115]

Originally Posted by parasailing

Okay glad for the clarification on the Speed Pro, Mrmo. I never really like 18x20 string pattern as I had a Prestige Youtek MP and just didn't get enough oomph on the ball plus hate stringing up more crosses.

Does this Speed Pro produce the same heavy ball, spin, and power like the PSTGT but in a lighter package? I still can't imagine a 18x20 string pattern offering more spin and lively feel that a 16x19 string bed can produce.

I feel like although this is an 18/20 pattern it packs a bigger punch than many of the other 18/20 player frames out there I think due to the thicker beam and at a higher SW than the Prestige, etc. There are definitely some 18/20s out there that have pretty good power as well I'm sure. I just think spec wise this racquet is perfect for me since its not as heavy as a PSTGT ( <12 oz) but it still provides me that power (>320 SW <330 SW).

So yes, I think that the Speed Pro does provide a comparable ball in terms of spin and power as the PSTGT but it doesn't have that "log" feeling as much (being much more maneuverable). That being said, I think the PSTGT might be a bit more solid on off center shots and from behind the baseline.. but the SP isn't that far behind. Overall I think I found a racquet that fits my needs. A PSTGT in a lighter package is a good way to put it.
I don't feel like with the SP I have to set up for my shots as much as I do with the PSTGT allowing me to attack balls quickly and robbing my opponent time to get back into the point. I found that with my PSTGT I wouldn't attack the short ball quickly enough allowing my opponent to sometimes reset the point and battle back after I had control of most of the point. Finishing points in the midcourt and at the net were tough using the frame. Balls out of my strike zone were tough as well. Another realization I've made using this new Speed Pro is that while I've been using the PSTGT my forehand stroke has been more abbreviated probably due to the higher SW not allowing myself to take a full swing like I used to with my old frames. I feel like maybe I was compromising myself not being able to take that full cut at my forehand. All of that is solved with this frame.

Originally Posted by rafafan20

Inexplicably, with the same string, the Pro had more power and spin in my hands than the MP

I don't think its that inexplicable. The Pro is heavier and has a higher SW so the power level should be higher even if its a closed pattern compared to the MP.

[rafafan20]

More referring to the spin I guess I was getting loads more spin with the Pro

[mrmo1115]

Makes sense^

[etd]

If you like hitting with ~ 12 oz racquets, a 11 oz racquet will not feel right as these racquets have to be less headlight in order to get the swingweight up and improve stability.

I also hit with the Blade 98 18X20 today when I demoed the Graphene Speed MP. These are both very good 11 oz racquets, but the balance on both is a bit "clubby" (2 or 3 pts headlight) compared to a 12 oz racquet which is usually 6 to 8 points headlight.

Actually, I felt that both the Graphene Speed MP and the Blade 98 18x20 have a lot of power for 11 oz racquets, but you're right, they will not match the power and ball "heaviness" of a 12 oz racquet. You have to make it up with swing speed with a 11 oz racquet.

[mrmo1115]

Originally Posted by etd

If you like hitting with ~ 12 oz racquets, a 11 oz racquet will not feel right as these racquets have to be less headlight in order to get the swingweight up and improve stability.

I also hit with the Blade 98 18X20 today when I demoed the Graphene Speed MP. These are both very good 11 oz racquets, but the balance on both is a bit "clubby" (2 or 3 pts headlight) compared to a 12 oz racquet which is usually 6 to 8 points headlight.

Actually, I felt that both the Graphene Speed MP and the Blade 98 18x20 have a lot of power for 11 oz racquets, but you're right, they will not match the power and ball "heaviness" of a 12 oz racquet. You have to make it up with swing speed with a 11 oz racquet.

I've been demoing the 2 Blades and they do feel "clubby" I don't think having all the weight at the tip is something I like. I'm used to a racquet thats a bit more head light. The Blade 98 feels a bit more maneuverable than my Bab PST but not as much as the Head.

I feel like the Blade does play heavier than its static weight due to its high SW. For the people who don't mind the heavy head then I think the Blade works perfectly. A light package but one that packs punch and has stability/solid feel.

etd, whats your opinion on the Blade 18/20? I haven't had as much time with it since its strung with Wilson Sensation.. a string that's not in my wheelhouse. I've hit the 16/19 and its just way too lively for me. Whats your frame history? If you're in the 11 oz strung range then we might not be similar in preference but just wanted your opinion on it. And I don't think you've hit the Pro ? If I'm wrong and you have can you compare Blade 18/20 with the Pro? I'm not really considering the 18/20 but maybe I'm not giving it a fair shot since I haven't hit it much. The time I've hit with it though I haven't been sold on it.. I think its the balance.

[cork_screw]

I felt the same way you feel about the speed pro with the previous generation ig. And I feel that in this updated line, they might have improved it. The ability to convert a fast powerful shot coming your way and to redirect it with the absorption of energy is quite amazing coming from the older IG. I am dying to try the new graphene. I was excited over the steam 99s, but the more I read into it, I think it might be better in the next few updates later down the line. I think this is more like a prototype than something that should be played with. I hear the feel isn't so great. And you tend to over hit.

[parasailing]

Originally Posted by etd

If you like hitting with ~ 12 oz racquets, a 11 oz racquet will not feel right as these racquets have to be less headlight in order to get the swingweight up and improve stability.

I also hit with the Blade 98 18X20 today when I demoed the Graphene Speed MP. These are both very good 11 oz racquets, but the balance on both is a bit "clubby" (2 or 3 pts headlight) compared to a 12 oz racquet which is usually 6 to 8 points headlight.

Actually, I felt that both the Graphene Speed MP and the Blade 98 18x20 have a lot of power for 11 oz racquets, but you're right, they will not match the power and ball "heaviness" of a 12 oz racquet. You have to make it up with swing speed with a 11 oz racquet.

I have a Blade 16x19 and I agree that you can't compare racquets with such a big difference in weight. I actually added about .3oz or so of lead to the handle to make the Blade more headlight and easier to whip.

My question is if you had to pick between the Speed MP and Blade 98, which one would you go with? I like the Blade 98 so far because it swings easier than my PSTGT but still offers a good amount of power. Of course, due to the lighter static weight, it doesn't offer the same power but before that, I never found a racquet that was stable enough at 11oz.

Originally Posted by mrmo1115

I've been demoing the 2 Blades and they do feel "clubby" I don't think having all the weight at the tip is something I like. I'm used to a racquet thats a bit more head light. The Blade 98 feels a bit more maneuverable than my Bab PST but not as much as the Head.

I feel like the Blade does play heavier than its static weight due to its high SW. For the people who don't mind the heavy head then I think the Blade works perfectly. A light package but one that packs punch and has stability/solid feel.

etd, whats your opinion on the Blade 18/20? I haven't had as much time with it since its strung with Wilson Sensation.. a string that's not in my wheelhouse. I've hit the 16/19 and its just way too lively for me. Whats your frame history? If you're in the 11 oz strung range then we might not be similar in preference but just wanted your opinion on it. And I don't think you've hit the Pro ? If I'm wrong and you have can you compare Blade 18/20 with the Pro? I'm not really considering the 18/20 but maybe I'm not giving it a fair shot since I haven't hit it much. The time I've hit with it though I haven't been sold on it.. I think its the balance.

I am still debating whether to demo the Pro given what you guys have mentioned but a little leery of 18x20 string patterns.

[mrmo1115]

Give it a shot. You'll see that spin potential is great and that 18/20s are quite solid. I'm a bit partial to 18/20s because the first 16 main racquet I've ever used was the Bab.

[rafafan20]

I haven't owned an 18x20 since I was a junior player but I love the pro, give 'er a whirl.

mrmo1115 what are you currently using and are you going to switch to the pro?

[rafafan20]

Originally Posted by cork_screw

I felt the same way you feel about the speed pro with the previous generation ig. And I feel that in this updated line, they might have improved it. The ability to convert a fast powerful shot coming your way and to redirect it with the absorption of energy is quite amazing coming from the older IG. I am dying to try the new graphene. I was excited over the steam 99s, but the more I read into it, I think it might be better in the next few updates later down the line. I think this is more like a prototype than something that should be played with. I hear the feel isn't so great. And you tend to over hit.

I think you are dead on. Its a racquet to have some fun with. If you are playing a decent opponent the spin won't throw them off. Plus when you switch to a different racquet you feel way off for about 15-20 minutes.

[parasailing]

Originally Posted by rafafan20

I haven't owned an 18x20 since I was a junior player but I love the pro, give 'er a whirl.

mrmo1115 what are you currently using and are you going to switch to the pro?

Originally Posted by mrmo1115

Give it a shot. You'll see that spin potential is great and that 18/20s are quite solid. I'm a bit partial to 18/20s because the first 16 main racquet I've ever used was the Bab.

So both of you are saying that this particular 18x20 does have power unlike other racquets I have tried like the Head Youtek Prestige MP or the Prestige Pro? I tried many racquet demos with 18x20 string pattern and always found them short on power and I have tried to lower the tension on the strings to make up for it but never been successful.

[rafafan20]

Yes, this is the most pop I've seen in a 18x20, don't have a ton of experience though

[Torres]

For those that have hit with the Speed Pro, is there much flex to it in the throat? The RA stiffness seems to be right up there which isn't quite my preference...

[mrmo1115]

Originally Posted by rafafan20

I haven't owned an 18x20 since I was a junior player but I love the pro, give 'er a whirl.

mrmo1115 what are you currently using and are you going to switch to the pro?

I currently use the babolat storm tour and have been using it for a bit more than a year now. I really do think this will be my next frame. But I want a couple more hours with the frame before I pull the trigger.

Originally Posted by Torres

For those that have hit with the Speed Pro, is there much flex to it in the throat? The RA stiffness seems to be right up there which isn't quite my preference...

I think I'm the only one that mentioned the racquet being a bit stiff. But I think it was more of me not used to a full bed of poly than the racquet itself

[Power Player]

I can hit as heavy as with my blade as I can with my dunlop 200 mfil. I think the difference is minimal. The secret is to get the Blade moving, and let that higher swingweight crack the ball.

[Anton]

Originally Posted by etd

If you like hitting with ~ 12 oz racquets, a 11 oz racquet will not feel right as these racquets have to be less headlight in order to get the swingweight up and improve stability.

I also hit with the Blade 98 18X20 today when I demoed the Graphene Speed MP. These are both very good 11 oz racquets, but the balance on both is a bit "clubby" (2 or 3 pts headlight) compared to a 12 oz racquet which is usually 6 to 8 points headlight.

Actually, I felt that both the Graphene Speed MP and the Blade 98 18x20 have a lot of power for 11 oz racquets, but you're right, they will not match the power and ball "heaviness" of a 12 oz racquet. You have to make it up with swing speed with a 11 oz racquet.

Exactly.

Demoing rackets without customizing them to the specs you like is a waste of time.

[mrc]

I hit the Graphene Speed Pro today. Strung with 4G Mains Poly at 50lbs and Nat Gut at 55 Crosses. Just not my thing, too stiff, thick, light, and hollow feeling.If you want to break 200MPH on your forehand..great stick. Reminds me a bit of Head Radical IG Pro which I hit for a few minutes.