MSV Hex Tension, Alternatives?

[AA5B Tiger]

I've run through a reel of MSV Hex and mostly liked it. Hits as good, if not better, than RPM Blast. Definitely doesn't go dead as fast as RPM Blast. However, I keep finding myself wanting to put it a little above 52#. Unfortunately, MSV is pretty clear on the packaging to not exceed 52.

Anybody have much experience with it over 52?

Good alternatives that would play similar, last as long, up around 55 or so?

A friend swears by Pro Supex Ultra Gear -- and routinely puts it up at 58-60. I played with it those tension in one of his racquets (which is very similar to my racquet) -- and it felt great up there. Plenty of pop, feel, etc.

Thanks in advance.

[canny]

I played with it at 54.. just because I always strung my polys high and it still played well. But I admit It developed better pocketing and play-ability imo after some break in/tension drop. Went 57 and it was gross, cut it straight out. I think im gonna drop down to 54 mains and 52 crosses next job though.

[Hi I'm Ray]

Originally Posted by AA5B Tiger

I've run through a reel of MSV Hex and mostly liked it. Hits as good, if not better, than RPM Blast. Definitely doesn't go dead as fast as RPM Blast. However, I keep finding myself wanting to put it a little above 52#. Unfortunately, MSV is pretty clear on the packaging to not exceed 52.

Anybody have much experience with it over 52?

Good alternatives that would play similar, last as long, up around 55 or so?

A friend swears by Pro Supex Ultra Gear -- and routinely puts it up at 58-60. I played with it those tension in one of his racquets (which is very similar to my racquet) -- and it felt great up there. Plenty of pop, feel, etc.

Thanks in advance.

I find it kind of odd that Hex ranges in thickness from 1.10 - 1.27 yet the same max tension is printed on all of the packages. I played extensively with Hex before and used tensions from 53-56lbs on a APDGT to 57lbs on a PB10 mid and they all played fine without becoming overtensioned, boardy, or dead. I've been moving towards lower tensions since then. It should depend on your frame and string gauge.

Good alternatives to Hex, that I feel all have better feel, control, and spin are:

Volkl Cyclone
Signum Hextreme Pure
Yonex Poly Tour Spin

[AA5B Tiger]

Originally Posted by Hi I'm Ray

Good alternatives to Hex, that I feel all have better feel, control, and spin are:

Volkl Cyclone
Signum Hextreme Pure
Yonex Poly Tour Spin

Thanks. I'll buy a few sets of each and give them a whirl.

I typically hybrid the MSV Hex with good results. Of all the cross strings I've tried, plain and cheap Goshen OG Micro 17 Natural feels the best to me.

Do you hybrid -- and, if so, what sort of cross strings do you use?

FWIW, I tried Forten Sweet as a cross and loved it so long as it was the natural color. When I bought a reel of the white Forten Sweet, it felt more stiff and less forgiving. Thinking I was crazy, I bought a few more individual packs of Sweet in the natural color and the good aspects returned.... Go figure...

[McLovin]

My only question to you is: Are you 100% certain that your '52' is truly '52'?

I ask because for years (20+) I thought I was stringing at 'X' lbs on various dropweight machines. Then this fall I splurged on a Wise tension head and quickly discovered that my 'X' was actually 'X - 4'.

Now, I realize I'm taking the Wise as 100% accurate, which it probably isn't, but it is likely closer to reality than my older dropweights.

So, again, are you 100% certain that, when everything is all said & done, your racquet is strung at 52?

[AA5B Tiger]

Originally Posted by McLovin

My only question to you is: Are you 100% certain that your '52' is truly '52'?

I ask because for years (20+) I thought I was stringing at 'X' lbs on various dropweight machines. Then this fall I splurged on a Wise tension head and quickly discovered that my 'X' was actually 'X - 4'.

Now, I realize I'm taking the Wise as 100% accurate, which it probably isn't, but it is likely closer to reality than my older dropweights.

So, again, are you 100% certain that, when everything is all said & done, your racquet is strung at 52?

Good point. I have a drop-weight machine and occasionally put a little digital pull scale on it -- and the tensions are always within a few ounces of what I have dialed in.

Even with all of that said, I've been coveting a Wise head for about 6 months.

Yet, if anything, I've suspected I somehow achieved more than my target tension with the drop-weight method.

[Hi I'm Ray]

I'll have to respond later, but for now could I ask what gauge Hex you are using?

[AA5B Tiger]

Originally Posted by Hi I'm Ray

I'll have to respond later, but for now could I ask what gauge Hex you are using?

I use Hex 17 1.18 Black...

[McLovin]

Fair enough. Just thought I'd throw it out there.

BTW, after 6 months of using the Wise, I don't know how I lasted so long w/o it (or any electronic tensioner, for that matter). I've cut at least 5-7 minutes off my stringing time, and I'm not even going for speed.

[AA5B Tiger]

Originally Posted by McLovin

Fair enough. Just thought I'd throw it out there.

BTW, after 6 months of using the Wise, I don't know how I lasted so long w/o it (or any electronic tensioner, for that matter). I've cut at least 5-7 minutes off my stringing time, and I'm not even going for speed.

It doesn't take much convincing for me.

Did you buy your Wise here or direct? I see direct is now $50 cheaper than here (after the seemingly across the board 10% TW price increase a many items after the 1st of the year)...

Any problems? Calibration issues?

[McLovin]

I bought it direct, although in all honesty I didn't even check here.

The only issue I've had is with real thin poly it can slip in the gripper. But I've had that problem with practically any gripper I've used (a little sandpaper rub & it's all good).

I took it on faith that it was calibrated, but RacquetTune measurements have been pretty close.

I really don't worry about the actual number, just that it is consistent. And so far, it's been dead on every time.

[Hi I'm Ray]

Originally Posted by AA5B Tiger

Thanks. I'll buy a few sets of each and give them a whirl.

I typically hybrid the MSV Hex with good results. Of all the cross strings I've tried, plain and cheap Goshen OG Micro 17 Natural feels the best to me.

Do you hybrid -- and, if so, what sort of cross strings do you use?

FWIW, I tried Forten Sweet as a cross and loved it so long as it was the natural color. When I bought a reel of the white Forten Sweet, it felt more stiff and less forgiving. Thinking I was crazy, I bought a few more individual packs of Sweet in the natural color and the good aspects returned.... Go figure...

I thought you were using full beds of poly at first. Its interesting you mention the hybrids because I do the same, and with the same crosses. I mainly use Forten Sweet 17 in natural, with gold being pretty much the same. The white color has a coating and I agree it didn't feel as good. Forten Sweet retains tension better IMO, OG Sheep tends to lose more tension and become very soft feeling after a break in period - its pretty good for that softer, pocketing response.

Hex 1.18 Black is the one I used most. Whats funny is I also started to like a firmer response, much like how you are looking to increase the tension. Here's a few quick notes for you on the strings I listed. I was only able to find Hextreme Pure and Poly Tour Spin in 1.25. Coming from your current setup, I'd recommend starting these out at 50lbs and keeping your cross string tension the same, otherwise you might end up with more firmness than you bargained for. Cyclone 16 felt softer and more stretchy than the other two, surprising since its 1.30mm thick, so you might want to string it maybe 2lbs tighter than Hextreme or PTS for the same firm feel. I have only tried Hextreme Pure, I read that it is noticeably different than the standard Orange color. I also tried Cyclone 18 which was a good string as well, however I feel Cyclone starts to get a little harsh above the mid 50's so if you want a firm feel without the harshness, I'd suggest trying one of the thicker gauges and staying below 55lbs.

Those are all good strings with a very high level of control and a ton spin, while having enough difference between them to give you a good variety. I'm pretty sure you'll find at least 1 or more that you like between them.