Vortex Extreme Spin Rackets

[jbleiman]

i've had mine for about 10 days...es116...the jury is still out...it is a beautiful made racquet and has a very plush feel....i've played maybe 6-7 sets with it and there is a learning curve...i think i am getting better playing the racquet...my current racquet is a wilson n3...which i really like...my serve is alittle more powerful with the vortex...my topspin is slightly better with the vortex...my slice-which is my number one shot-forehand and backhand-it seems is better with the n3-i keet it lower and have more bite,although i am improving with the vortex,touch shots-drop shot and lob-amstill more comfortable with the n3...so i will give it the full month and we'll see

[tlm]

The es 100 that i am using is excellent on the slice backhand, that is where it stands out the most.

[jbleiman]

i have an excellent slice backhand..it is very good with the vortex just somewhat better with the n3...but as i said i have improved with the vortex so we'll see if i can get it equal to the n3 or surpass it with alittle more playing time

[jbleiman]

so far i am alittle disappointed that the spin on the vortex doesn't seem any better than the n3..although i will say i get excellent spin from the n3....the control from the vortex is getting closer to the n3 the more i use it

[jbleiman]

they sent me the racquet strung at 50lbs with their megaspin string..i think the cross is a multi but i'm not sure..if i restring it i might go with gaucho gut at 40lbs

[Murray Mound]

. How big is your n3? You may need a smaller stick that slices through the air a bit more? You can return the 116 amd switch it for the 108 or the 100. I gotta admit that for me slices and topspin were some of the best shots for me with the stick ....so I am a bit surprised you came to a different conclusion.

How is your serve and return of serve? That's where I thought the 116 really shined ......But for slices I like a real "knife" the 116 was way to big for me for serious slices. I play with the 100. I think the 108 be better suited for your game. Give a smaller head a try....certainly nothing to lose.

[Murray Mound]

I just looked up the specs of your n3. I see it's 113 and almost 9 points head heavy.

That's almost the complete opposite of the Vortex as they are about 7-8 points head light.

I would give the 108 a try strung at 55. Give it a whirl....if it's still not working then I'm afraid vortex cannot beat your trusty n3.

Just remember how long it took you to find the correct string tension an type for your n3. Your using the "stock" tension which is made for the general public. It was string at 45 amd laying there for quite a while so it's as low as 35.

[tailofdog]

Originally Posted by Murray Mound

I think you should try the stick first .

The racquet may not be for you ( I Loved it) but the "company" is basically this senior USTA player named Tom and his son Wase both who have been really nice to me.

It's a family owned business and there are 12 employees total in the "company".

Anyway , I found Tomd and Wade very helpful, I could even text message on theor personal cell phones. One night Tom interrupted his dinner out just to talk about a string issue I was having.

I personally find it refreshing to work with a family owned "ma pa" business rather than staying on hold on an automated system with a billion dollar faceless corporation.....but that's just my humble opinion

Is this guys name Tom Olmstead? If so he bought out the old Wonder Wand brand rights.

[Murray Mound]

Originally Posted by tailofdog

Is this guys name Tom Olmstead? If so he bought out the old Wonder Wand brand rights.

Yup. What the hell were those racquets? I can't find anything on the net.

[tailofdog]

Look a little harder and you will find it.
He bought a discontinued company called WONDER WAND. I played with a guy today that had one. It was a WONDER WAND INTRUDER that had (LOW TENSION DYNAMICS) on the side of the racquet. Ye said he bought it from a guy name Tom when he was in California 5 yrs ago. I just put 2and2 together and looked up WONDER WAND and saw that he aquired that company in 2008 and also set up to improve the brand with modern materials and tech.
By the way the racquet this guys racquet was ok. Fairly thick beam and unusual throat. You can see the beginning of the Vortex design!

[tailofdog]

Originally Posted by Murray Mound

Yup. What the hell were those racquets? I can't find anything on the net.

Look a little harder. I played with a guy that had one today. It said low tension dynamics on the side. (WONDER WAND INTRUDER) not a bad racquet thick beam and unusual throat design. You can see the beginning VORTEX there in this racquet. He took over this company in 2008 after it went under.

[Murray Mound]

I already knew he acquired wonder wand . I looked on the net for it pretty hard and I could not find a pic.

I always suspected that the vortex was the wonder wand.

Tom probably used the womderwand mold amd drilled a
different string pattern in it?

Anyway I would love to know more about this wonder wand . Of you find a pic or a
description please share.

[Spyre]

why don't they have a typical "players" type rackets.
There heaviest racket is 10.8 oz strung with a 27.5 inch length.
Those specs alone turn a lot of ppl off imo.

[tlm]

I agree they need to make a smaller version of this racket. I have been experimenting with different strings to tone it down. It is a very interesting racket, it can be deadly on a lot of shots.

I would suggest to anyone using it to use thick low powered strings at high tension. I have found that fxp 16 gauge mains with rip control 16 crosses both at 70 lbs. plays pretty good.

Also cheap leoina 15 gauge synthetic with the same rip control cross plays good.I dont like rip control in a full job, but it is a great string to tone down the power.

I usually use high end strings but on this stick it is not necessary.I will be changing strings with this racket every 3-4 days anyway.

Plus i found the string is not that important in this racket, except for it being thick+low powered. I can get great spin with any string on this crazy racket.

I know that it sounds odd to change strings that often but i change at least once a week with any racket. This open pattern is going to be tougher on the strings, plus i love playing with new strings.

[tailofdog]

Originally Posted by tlm

I agree they need to make a smaller version of this racket. I have been experimenting with different strings to tone it down. It is a very interesting racket, it can be deadly on a lot of shots.

I would suggest to anyone using it to use thick low powered strings at high tension. I have found that fxp 16 gauge mains with rip control 16 crosses both at 70 lbs. plays pretty good.

Also cheap leoina 15 gauge synthetic with the same rip control cross plays good.I dont like rip control in a full job, but it is a great string to tone down the power.

I usually use high end strings but on this stick it is not necessary.I will be changing strings with this racket every 3-4 days anyway.

Plus i found the string is not that important in this racket, except for it being thick+low powered. I can get great spin with any string on this crazy racket.

I know that it sounds odd to change strings that often but i change at least once a week with any racket. This open pattern is going to be tougher on the strings, plus i love playing with new strings.

Are you going to keep your demo?

[Murray Mound]

I would like a smaller head as well.

The stick is fun though.

[joe sch]

Originally Posted by Murray Mound

I would like a smaller head as well.

The stick is fun though.

I have said it many times, I almost never like rackets larger than 95s but really enjoy the ES100. I would like to see a ES90 version and would also like to see one that is more hefty, ie made more like the old school thicker beamed, smaller beam width rackets. I really like the overall frame mold with the longer handle and sparse string pattern with pyramid mains. I hope they sell alot of rackets so they can afford to produce more model variants.

[tlm]

I think i am going to keep the demo, i am still trying different string set ups. I have it close now+if i can tone the power down a little more it will be perfect.

This racket has really improved my slice backhand+topspin backhand.The forehand is similar to the kobra, but with a little more jump on the looping shots.But it really is good when i go to for a flatter forehand winner.

The serve is pretty good, but still adjusting to the racket.Return of serve is so so, still getting used to the power.

[tailofdog]

Originally Posted by Murray Mound

I already knew he acquired wonder wand . I looked on the net for it pretty hard and I could not find a pic.

I always suspected that the vortex was the wonder wand.

Tom probably used the womderwand mold amd drilled a
different string pattern in it?

Anyway I would love to know more about this wonder wand . Of you find a pic or a
description please share.

It could be. On reflection the WONDER WAND INTRUDER looks a lot like the ES 108. WITH The paint job on the VORTEX would make it look a lot different.
The stringing pattern on the INTRUDER was 20x21 so yes it could be he changed the drilling pattern.

[Murray Mound]

Originally Posted by tlm

I think i am going to keep the demo, i am still trying different string set ups. I have it close now+if i can tone the power down a little more it will be perfect.

This racket has really improved my slice backhand+topspin backhand.The forehand is similar to the kobra, but with a little more jump on the looping shots.But it really is good when i go to for a flatter forehand winner.

The serve is pretty good, but still adjusting to the racket.Return of serve is so so, still getting used to the power.

Wow! I am surprised!

I really thought you were gonna toss it. I'm glad your still fiddling around. I hope it works out.