The Fischer Faction!

[Ross K]

Originally Posted by nickynu

Do ya know what I think a full review is in order .... please.

As yor myself I have 6 X 330g Pro No1 Grip2 s Black/Red from Kafelnikov time and have used the Black/white/red and the Silver/Red before that and whatever else I have had flirtations with inbetween has left me empty and unsatisfied, the only good loving that I will always come back to is Fischer.

The old pro number 1s are just baseline scalpels inflicting heavy cuts on all who are foolish enough to even think about standing up to them

Not a full length review but a brief overview...


Frame: Fischer Vacuum Pro 98 (with Pro. No. 1 paint job)... it's heavilly customized (for a very high level of play)... W: 367g (or just a fraction below 13 oz)... about 7 - 9 pts head light... unknown SW... 16x20 string pattern... tapered beam... Basically, it's altogether a bit of a mystery frame.

Groundies: Simply the best frame I've ever used from off the ground... like a Ferrarri or a high performance racing car, you can feel this thing smoothly accelerate through the gears!... absolutely wooooonderful power (the word 'sniper' comes to mind)... there's a great length to be found, ably assisted by a phenomenal topspin, AND the ball (the 'heavy ball') stays in!?... Yes, this is a hefty bat, but OMG, on the fh, a few more words spring to mind... 'lethal' and 'primed'... What can I add? It feels pretty stiff and heavy when you play your first shots, but quickly (and I know this sounds like a contradiction but it's true) the frame also starts to feel very lush and alive, and it unleashes to devastating effect!... poetry in motion!

Serve: The second time I played with it there was an improvement. There's no denying the frame swings too heavy for my liking. However, yesterday, with some work it must be said (due to the heft and unusual balance, this isn't easy to get the hang of straight away), my results were pretty good if not out and out fantastic. Basically, I found it could do everything - flat bombers, kickers, slice serve - and do them with v/good power. Whether or not I can consistently utilize what's on offer though is another matter because I do need to familiarize myself with it better and routinely get the most from its abundant power.

Maneuverability: As I said, it doesn't swing light enough for me, and I'd worry about a higher level player taking full advantage here, but I'd say it's comparable to my PSC 6.1 in terms of how it is to move about. So, in truth, it's a bit cumbersome for me (I also found my PSC to the same)... but... it's just so red hot off the ground I think I can put up with this for a while!

Net play, volleys, up in the air stuff, etc: Wouldn't have a clue on account of avoiding any of that stuff like the plague! ... Okay. Not entirely true!... pretty good on the few droppers I tried... and... er... Yeeees! That's just about it for now with the net play, volleys, etc! (What can I say? I'm more a b-line basher - though I would like to develop... and this frame is just xxx from around the b-line!)


So there we have it. I might have only played with it twice (and for not very long either), but I enjoyed it so much on those occasions - and my results were genuinely highly impressive - I can't see me putting it down now for a while (I guess that means retiring my PSC 6.1 as well). Anyway, until a Fischer frame I prefer takes its place (yep, I intend to go on a full on, Fischer 'journey of exploration'!... WTF?!), I think I'll be wielding this unique rod for quite a while.

BTW, nickynu, the Kelefnikov 330 Pro No. 1 is top of my 'must try' list.

BTW2, Would you or others possibly please list your, say, top 3 Fischers and with a few reasons why...

Cheers

Ross

[daveyboy]

Count me in, from the Vacuum Pro 90's, to the Pro Classic 98's and the Vacuum Lite 98 (Precursor to the Pro 1) to the Magnetic Tour Lights I hit now, I love the whole line.

[markwillplay]

I would like to ask a couple of fischer questions here if I may. I once owned 2 mag tours (100 sl). I bought them because I liked the specs. Strange enough, they really seemed to tweak my arm. They were also not nearly as stable at net as I thought they would be and they seemed to have a pretty small sweetspot for a 100 inch head. Actually, my very small 200G was less jarring and seemed to have just as big a sweetspot. I had read that they could be pushed around a bit but decided to take a chance and that was the case. I have gone back to my POG OS's. My question is about the other models. I am not apposed to a 95 inch head or 98 for sure. It seems that the Fischer flex and weight should provide a very plush feel and I wonder if maybe I tried the wrong model. I just would think that these frames would be great for the elbow and for all court game. Do you have any comparisons to make with the mag tour 100 sl? I have not played with the m pro 98 sl but it does look inviting.

[austro]

I am in:

2 x M Pro 1 with 23kg Alu crosses and 25kg Babolat gut on mains. On the second frame I have recently gone one 1kg up.

I have 3 or 4 broken ones too. They do break easily! (when you trow them...)

I also bought the yellow Comp but didn't like it. I guess my level of play isn't up for it.

Am in the market for the new version of the M Pro 1 but TW is out of my grip size.

[Djokovicfan4life]

15 members now! Markwillplay, do you want in or not?

[007]

a 1998 VT98 Pro 330g is still my all-time fave stick despite having 'temporarily' owned at least 25 frames since then - the only one I still have is the VT98.
It's my benchmark frame against which all others are compared to. I own other frames that I like almost as much: TF335 16x20, Volkl C7 Pro, RDS002 Tour, RD TI 80, X1.....but the VT98 Pro trumps them all. It is THE SAME frame as the Red/Silver Kafelnikov Pro #1 FYI

[Ross K]

Originally Posted by 007

a 1998 VT98 Pro 330g is still my all-time fave stick despite having 'temporarily' owned at least 25 frames since then - the only one I still have is the VT98.
It's my benchmark frame against which all others are compared to. I own other frames that I like almost as much: TF335 16x20, Volkl C7 Pro, RDS002 Tour, RD TI 80, X1.....but the VT98 Pro trumps them all. It is THE SAME frame as the Red/Silver Kafelnikov Pro #1 FYI

2 Q's for 007:

You're saying the VT98 Pro is exactly the same as the Pro No. 1 (red/black Kafelnikov 330g frame)? If so, why the different name?

You ever hit with the Fischer Vacuum Pro 98 (the frame I've written about above.) If so, where does it fit into Fischer lineage? And how did you rate it compared to others?

Cheers

Ross

[haerdalis]

Has anyone tried the new m pro 105 racquet? I really want to try it but I havent seen it here and would like to know more before I buy.

[ndtennis]

Originally Posted by markwillplay

I would like to ask a couple of fischer questions here if I may. I once owned 2 mag tours (100 sl). I bought them because I liked the specs. Strange enough, they really seemed to tweak my arm. They were also not nearly as stable at net as I thought they would be and they seemed to have a pretty small sweetspot for a 100 inch head. Actually, my very small 200G was less jarring and seemed to have just as big a sweetspot. I had read that they could be pushed around a bit but decided to take a chance and that was the case. I have gone back to my POG OS's. My question is about the other models. I am not apposed to a 95 inch head or 98 for sure. It seems that the Fischer flex and weight should provide a very plush feel and I wonder if maybe I tried the wrong model. I just would think that these frames would be great for the elbow and for all court game. Do you have any comparisons to make with the mag tour 100 sl? I have not played with the m pro 98 sl but it does look inviting.

I can't say I have played a lot with the 100sl so I cant really compare the two, but I can tell you from my experiences with the 98 it is a good all around racket. It is a great serve and groundstrokes, volleys are not to bad either. Similar they are powerful rackets. I seem to forget how powerful 100 was in comparison to 98. And I have been hitting with it for all most 2 years now and I have had no trouble with my elbow. and that is playing almost everyday.
hoped it helped

[nickb]

Ross:

Me and "nickynu" hit all the time...its him that got me into Fischer frames in the first place!

If you want an opinion on baseline fischers nickynu is the man to ask...he's a full time baseliner who plays a very "offensive" style hitting winners from all over place

Sorry im not telling the truth...he did come to net once on sunday

Nick (sorry to reveal your true identity):

Any news on those L5 pallets?


Nick

[0d1n]

Originally Posted by Ross K

[/u]

2 Q's for 007:

You're saying the VT98 Pro is exactly the same as the Pro No. 1 (red/black Kafelnikov 330g frame)? If so, why the different name?

You ever hit with the Fischer Vacuum Pro 98 (the frame I've written about above.) If so, where does it fit into Fischer lineage? And how did you rate it compared to others?

Cheers

Ross

Ross, I'm not 007, but I can answer your first question. The red/black pro 1 is NOT the same with the frame that 007 is talking about. The red/silver earlier version of the pro 1 is the same with the VT98 Pro. (Edit ...here's the red/silver one we're talking about http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=XK2nPvtmVJw ...this is the older version of Pro 1)
The red black one is the "newer" version (which appeared just before the MSpeed series) and it's different, it feels slightly stiffer, smallish sweet spot and lower swing weight (in stock form). Still a pretty good frame, but definitely NOT the same. I prefer the MSpeed series to the red/black or red/black/white versions.

[Ross K]

Originally Posted by nickb

Ross:

Me and "nickynu" hit all the time...its him that got me into Fischer frames in the first place!

If you want an opinion on baseline fischers nickynu is the man to ask...he's a full time baseliner who plays a very "offensive" style hitting winners from all over place

Sorry im not telling the truth...he did come to net once on sunday :

Ah! A baseliner with an aversion to the net?!... now this sounds like a man I can see eye to eye with!...and a poet too!

The old pro number 1s are just baseline scalpels inflicting heavy cuts on all who are foolish enough to even think about standing up to them

... A few Q's for you then, if I may, Nicky (and anyone else who might wish to comment)...

How are the 2 different Pro no.1's you've mentioned on the serve? Which is best... in fact, how do they match up on serve, groundies, to swing (heavy, light, etc)?

Have you ever played with my old Vacuum Pro 98? If so, how does it compare to the Pro. no. 1's in your view? (As I've already said, I've found my Vac Pro a bit too cumbersome for me and the balance a bit, er, 'unusual' (that'll be the custom job.) However, once those Formula 1-like engines are revved, it has the most incredible feel/power/control/topspin combo on the fh... are you telling me your Pro. No. 1's are the same or better?... If so, I think that will be it - I'll seriously just have to check them out.)

Cheers - and may your baseline scalpel remain rapier sharp and the net but something we only know as it relates to fishing!

Ross

[latinking]

I am a Fischer guy all de way!!!

I use M-Speed Pro 1- SL (red and green). Use a full Kirschbaum super spikey at 60 lbs. Also have been using lately a hybrid of, 17g Cyber flash mains at 58lbs and 16g Gosen OG micro crosses at 62lbs.

[007]

ROSS: OD1N is correct. The very first 'Pro #1' was the red/silver 330g Kafelnikov. It's predecessor was the VT98 Pro 330g. They ARE THE SAME FRAME but with different cosmetics. Both have Vacuum Technic + ceramic fiber + tapered beam PowerFeel.

Then the black/red/white Pro#1 replaced the red/silver when Gamma took over distribution. The b/r/w was 320g unstrung, lost the ceramic fiber but added some Ti and played a lot differently. It was lighter and played less 'solid' (but was still good a stick minus the classic 'Fischer feel' ).

Then Gamma left the scene and the Pro#1 changed to black/red/silver and got a bit heavier, lost the Ti, added fiberglass and played very nicely again @ 330g strung and was a very solid frame again. The Pro #1 was killed off and replaced by the Magnetic Pro....which IMO plays a lot like the VT98 Pro and red/silver Pro #1 but has more pop and does not have ceramic fiber either

Vacuum Pro has always been constant-beam and was dropped in 1997 I think

[Ross K]

[quote=007;2210510]ROSS: OD1N is correct. The very first 'Pro #1' was the red/silver 330g Kafelnikov. It's predecessor was the VT98 Pro 330g. They ARE THE SAME FRAME but with different cosmetics. Both have Vacuum Technic + ceramic fiber + tapered beam PowerFeel.

Then the black/red/white Pro#1 replaced the red/silver when Gamma took over distribution. The b/r/w was 320g unstrung, lost the ceramic fiber but added some Ti and played a lot differently. It was lighter and played less 'solid' (but was still good a stick minus the classic 'Fischer feel' ).

Then Gamma left the scene and the Pro#1 changed to black/red/silver and got a bit heavier, lost the Ti, added fiberglass and played very nicely again @ 330g strung and was a very solid frame again. The Pro #1 was killed off and replaced by the Magnetic Pro....which IMO plays a lot like the VT98 Pro and red/silver Pro #1 but has more pop and does not have ceramic fiber either

Vacuum Pro has always been constant-beam and was dropped in 1997 I think[/QUOTE]

Thanks for very informative post.

However, if very last line (in bold) is correct, then maybe my frame isn't indeed a Vacuum Pro because mine is tapered beam?... I did say it was something of a mystery racket?.. hmmm...

[fuhzball]

I came across an Fischer Pro Tour FT Air Carbon Ti the other day. It was cheap, so I bought it to go with the 6 mspeeds (they were lonely). Is this a forerunner of the pro 1's or something all together different?

[downey stringing master]

i like the old vaccum 90's the yellow /purples ones are lush

[Ross K]

For those like me who've had trouble getting clear info on some of the older Fischers, here's a good link - from a thread from last year:
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=132036

[jorel]

fave version so far is the one right before the mspeed one... the light 320g one
black and red one
i could bomb serves with this one

[Sleepstream]

Originally Posted by Ross K

For those like me who've had trouble getting clear info on some of the older Fischers, here's a good link - from a thread from last year:
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=132036

It's still not accurate, otherwise how would one explain the inconsistencies between the Vacuum Pro 98s, where there are pictures of a constant beam and a tapered beam version?

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=185973

That's a thread you created not too long ago, and it was never fully resolved.