Prince Original Graphite ( POG ) Mid and OS versions

[TheLambsheadrep]

Originally Posted by MichaelChang

POG4 is lighter than 1/2/3, the few Taiwan one I had is 12.5 but the ones from Thailand is below 12. I forgot how was the China made.

For your inquiry regarding difference in specs between 1 and 2, I have to be honest that I forgot myself. I didn't keep any POG1. I kept myself 2 POG2 in mint condition and I remember it weights almost same as POG3 and the balance is also very close. Between 2 and 3, I think 3 is a little more stable on off-center shots, 2 is a little less powerful. I was once wondering, POG2 and 3 looks similar and without the bumper on 2, yet the stick still weights over 13oz just like POG3, amazing.

Ya, I love that I don't have to modify my POG 2 at all . The POG 3 should make me happy, too, some day...

[Sinner]

Thanks OP for the info...

Anybody got any specs for the POG 5 Straight-shaft OS? Thanks.

[BlueB]

Mine is 344g, 6 HL, 332 SW.

Take note that I have only 2 overgrips (no leather grip) on it and some very very heavy 15 gut / 16 poly. With lighter strings and heavier grip, I guess it would weigh about the same or few grams more, while the ballance would be more HL and SW less. Hope it helps to some degree...

[Sinner]

^ Thanks so much! Will take that into consideration!

Do you have any older models or the current Tour model? Perhaps you might have an idea how the Straight-Shaft compares to those? I have the 4-stripe and a Tour, but might have an opportunity to pick up a Straight-Shaft... am considering it, but dunno how differently it plays. Thanks again.

[Sinner]

Well, I picked-up the POG 5 Straight-Shaft OS today. I figured that I'd just add it to my collection anyway, despite how it plays.

Just for reference, for what it's worth, here are the specs listed on the card.

[BlueB]

Plays like 4-stripe, but abit more HL. Those are my 2 favorite versions. I played with single stripe too, they have too much SW for my taste.

[Sinner]

Been playing with the POG 6 Tour quite a bit over the past few weeks. Took the 4-stripe out the other day and it hit me just how much more HH it felt vs the Tour. Can't wait to take the Straight-Shaft out for a spin.

[D-A-C]

Thought I would share my collection of Prince Graphites.

From R to L Graphite 90, Graphite Straight Shaft, Tour 110, Tour 93, EXO93, and Blacked out EXO93

[Sinner]

Nice blacked-out prototype! Is that a black/grey leather grip too?

[PaulC]

Originally Posted by D-A-C

Thought I would share my collection of Prince Graphites.

From R to L Graphite 90, Graphite Straight Shaft, Tour 110, Tour 93, EXO93, and Blacked out EXO93

1. Wondering which optic yellow string and gauge you're using? Poly EXP 17?

2. BTW, does the Straight Shaft 93 play exactly the same as the Tour 93 for you?

Thanks for you input in advance!

[D-A-C]

Originally Posted by Sinner

Nice blacked-out prototype! Is that a black/grey leather grip too?

Its not leather but a Prince Dura tac grip.

[D-A-C]

Originally Posted by PaulC

1. Wondering which optic yellow string and gauge you're using? Poly EXP 17?

2. BTW, does the Straight Shaft 93 play exactly the same as the Tour 93 for you?

Thanks for you input in advance!

1. The yellow / green optic string is Yonex Poly Tour Pro 16 (125).

2. The rackets play differently due to the stings, the SS 93 has Yonex Poly Tour strung at 56, where as the Tour 93 is string either Genesis Black Magic or MSV Hex Focus - I just cant remember which. Again strung at 56. The Yonex string plays a little softer TBH.

[D-A-C]

Originally Posted by Sinner

Been playing with the POG 6 Tour quite a bit over the past few weeks. Took the 4-stripe out the other day and it hit me just how much more HH it felt vs the Tour. Can't wait to take the Straight-Shaft out for a spin.

How do you think the tour 90 plays versus the SS then?

[Sinner]

Originally Posted by D-A-C

How do you think the tour 90 plays versus the SS then?

I haven't hit a lot with the SS and I use an oversize. But as both are using different strings (Tour has syn gut, while SS has Gamma tnt) and at different tensions, it's hard to make a direct comparison. Both have a similar balance and weight though... def more HL than my 4-stripe.

[eman resu]

POG 3 = Normal shaped head, single line with grommets and bumper, printing on side is "graphite series 110" top has no printing front is Prince/Graphite. Printed stringing weight is 70-80 - Circa 1983

What's the balance and stiffness?

Is it much better than the Wilson Sting 2 Largehead?

[Tamiya]

I don't think anything W has ever made anything that feels like a POG

[gtshark1]

Originally Posted by Tamiya

I don't think anything W has ever made anything that feels like a POG

I recently played back to back sets with a Wilson 6.1 classic and a POG mid. The 6.1 is a racquet that's stayed in my possession for a long time because I "think" it's the greatest racquet ever made. I hadn't used it forever because of my tie to another company. The POG mid was a recent purchase brand new from TW because I'm more and more tireing of trying to find a newer tech racquet that feels best.

I figured the 6.1 and POG would play/feel/perform similarly because of the mainly graphite construction, size and weight. After playing the set with the 6.1 (6-3 which felt amazing and had me playing at a level with confidence I hadn't felt in years), I played a 2 set against the same opponent with POG. Started down 0-2 right off the bat. Racquets felt the same in general but I wasn't getting the depth I got with the 6.1. After a mental adjustment and aiming for higher trajectory/deeper depth, the set went similar to the first with a 6-2 final score.

Summary- I have confirmed with myself that the new tech cant give me the same confidence i have with the 6.1 and the POG. They feel similar but some adjustments needed to be made to get the most out of the respective frames. These racquets are top of the class for me compared to what I've tried from the new generation.

[dak95_00]

^^^^Being a long time POG user and an occasional 6.1 Classic user, I agree w/ you completely that they feel very similar. What you noticed IMO is that the open string pattern of the POG adds spin the 16x18 or 18x20 Wilsons don't have. I'd suggest the power and stiffness/feel are nearly identical other than the spin potential.

[dak95_00]

I had a curious play yesterday. I'd just strung up a 4 stripe POG 90 w/ Prince Beast and another POG single stripe 1984 90 w/ another poly both at 60 lbs. I hit w/ each for about 20 minutes and then switched to a recent POG Tour MP which again was strung w/ another poly at 60 but the strings were much older.

Here is the best description i can give:
1) The flight of all of my shots were consistent. I didn't like any of them better than the next. For me, that's a good thing.
2) The tour and 4 stripe each had some vibration and more on off center hits.
3) The 1984 had no vibration. I don't dampeners. It just made a thud each time the ball was struck whether in the center or not. The only difference is I used tubing in two places.

Will tubing in the strings reduce vibration and act as a dampener?

[gtshark1]

Originally Posted by dak95_00

^^^^Being a long time POG user and an occasional 6.1 Classic user, I agree w/ you completely that they feel very similar. What you noticed IMO is that the open string pattern of the POG adds spin the 16x18 or 18x20 Wilsons don't have. I'd suggest the power and stiffness/feel are nearly identical other than the spin potential.

Agree 100%. I didn't consider the 14X18 compared to the 16X18 bèing the slight difference but now that you mention it- I think that's a perfect analysis. Early in the match with the POG I was dumping regular shot in the net and hitting a bit short. The added spin makes sense.

Again, after the trajectory and swing adjustment it was great. Both the 6.1 Classic and POG are just superb compared to the new lines.

Thanks for the comments. You are spot on!