Diary of a Racketaholic

[Power Player]

7g reminded me of a pure drive meets a prestige. power of a PD, crispy feel of a prestige..kind of. I think most people would say it is top tier in terms of feel, and the power is very babbish.

Finally realized what the Blade reminds me of - a better Donny Platinum. I loved that thing, but Donnay lost me when they tried to market that Blake stick for $300 when it came out.

[grh]

Originally Posted by BigM

Ok,

Vcore xi 98 strung with PT Spin!!! wow just wow! Not sure what YY have done to this frame as the specs are nearly identical as the original Vcore 98 but it plays so much smoother. Seems to flex more in the head. Has anyone else tried these new frames yet?

BigM

Hi BigM,
Have you actually gotten hold of a vcore xi? I'm very excited about it's arrival here in Vancouver Canada this Wednesday and will be demoing the vcore xi 100s. This model interestingly comes in two weights, 280g and 300g. We will only be getting the 280 here for the moment. The 300g will become available spring next year. It's really unfortunate as I wanted the 300g. 280g seems really light for my taste. But maybe I should consider the vcore xi 98 then huh?

[Ross K]

Originally Posted by grh

Hi BigM,
Have you actually gotten hold of a vcore xi? I'm very excited about it's arrival here in Vancouver Canada this Wednesday and will be demoing the vcore xi 100s. This model interestingly comes in two weights, 280g and 300g. We will only be getting the 280 here for the moment. The 300g will become available spring next year. It's really unfortunate as I wanted the 300g. 280g seems really light for my taste. But maybe I should consider the vcore xi 98 then huh?

You know where to post your first review right?

[grh]

Originally Posted by grh

Hi BigM,
Have you actually gotten hold of a vcore xi? I'm very excited about it's arrival here in Vancouver Canada this Wednesday and will be demoing the vcore xi 100s. This model interestingly comes in two weights, 280g and 300g. We will only be getting the 280 here for the moment. The 300g will become available spring next year. It's really unfortunate as I wanted the 300g. 280g seems really light for my taste. But maybe I should consider the vcore xi 98 then huh?

Hi BigM,

Can you tell us a little bit more about your experience with the vcore xi 98's performance? Spin, power, control, serves, volleys, stiffness, arm/elbow issues? Have you tried the vcore 98? If you have, how does it compare? Any input would be gratefully appreciated. Thanks.

[grh]

Originally Posted by Ross K

You know where to post your first review right?

I apologize for the intrusion. Ignore my other post. I'll look for info elsewhere. Again, sorry. I'm new to the forum.

[JGads]

Originally Posted by Ramon

I wouldn't be writing the 7G's obituary just yet. TW does have all the grip sizes from 4-1/4" to 4-5/8" in stock for the 7G. Also, if you look at the 5G, the 4-5/8" is out of stock, but it's supposed to be in stock by Nov 5. Obviously, they have to be getting it from somewhere! So my guess is the 5G and 7G are still alive, but I would think they each have one foot in the grave.

The older racquets did have a softer feel. My first PK was the original Silver Ace, which was butter compared the Ki 5x I have now. I think that's generally the trend in the industry. Still, I love the Ki 5x because of its controllable power, large sweet spot, and arm-friendliness. It actually doesn't feel that comfortable compared to other racquets, but for some reason my arm feels much better with it, and I've heard the same comment from others as well.

Hope you're right, but I just don't know. There are so many newer, shinier updated frames from PK and the Black Ace Mid, which they also kept putting out there for a long while, is down to its final few frames on TW and soon to be gone. We'll see. I snagged one of the updated 2012 Black Ace Mids (same frame with a slightly lighter swingweight; basically an incredibly user-friendly Prestige Mid) for the crazy cheap $109 and it's ridiculously good, a Mid people would go bananas for if it was a bigger release under one of the big brand names. But I think PK just made a tiny handful of these, or maybe just gave TW some Black Aces that came out a tad lighter in spec or something, because you can't find them elsewhere.

Originally Posted by Ross K

Re the 7G, if there's 1 or 2 frames it slightly reminds ppl of what would those frames be? Just trying to get a better idea of it. Cheers

Originally Posted by Power Player

7g reminded me of a pure drive meets a prestige. power of a PD, crispy feel of a prestige..kind of. I think most people would say it is top tier in terms of feel, and the power is very babbish.

It's so hard to compare the 7G to other frames because it feels like really nothing else because of the kinetic tech. Not in a good or bad way it's just different - at first it kind of weirded me out, the sand particles (at first I thought I got a dud frame or something) but I've grown to really like the feel.. Solidly stiff but dulled/softened JUST enough by the kinetic tech.. I can see how PP thinks of it as a Prestige/Bab hybrid, because the ball it hits is naturally booming like a Bab but it has the Prestige's feel of really going where you want the ball to go. Not quite exactly precise as as a Prestige Mid or MP, but in the neighborhood and with much easier power getting it there.

[JGads]

Oh, and regarding NVy (discussed earlier by some), wouldn't try it as a full bed. I think it's really intended to be as a cross and while I've not personally tried it in a full bed, have heard multiple views from others who have tried it that it doesn't work as a full and is really intended as a cross. Mad Dog, who posts here sometimes and I hit with regularly, tried NVy as a full bed in a PS85 and it felt way off to him.. but he's since put it in as a cross and likes it that way.

[JGads]

Originally Posted by grh

I apologize for the intrusion. Ignore my other post. I'll look for info elsewhere. Again, sorry. I'm new to the forum.

No no, I'm pretty sure Ross was saying/asking to post your review in this thread.. There is a lot of interest around here for those new frames.

[Ross K]

Originally Posted by JGads

No no, I'm pretty sure Ross was saying/asking to post your review in this thread.. There is a lot of interest around here for those new frames.

grh,

Absolutely! Yes, as JG says above, I was just saying do post your thoughts here first afterwards as a good few of us are really keen to hear reports on these new Yonnies.

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by JGads

Oh, and regarding NVy (discussed earlier by some), wouldn't try it as a full bed. I think it's really intended to be as a cross and while I've not personally tried it in a full bed, have heard multiple views from others who have tried it that it doesn't work as a full and is really intended as a cross. Mad Dog, who posts here sometimes and I hit with regularly, tried NVy as a full bed in a PS85 and it felt way off to him.. but he's since put it in as a cross and likes it that way.

I will mark it off the list. Did I see in another thread that the new Wilson Steam frame is coming out middle of next month.

[grh]

Originally Posted by Ross K

grh,

Absolutely! Yes, as JG says above, I was just saying do post your thoughts here first afterwards as a good few of us are really keen to hear reports on these new Yonnies.

Thanks Ross K and JGads for clarifying that. I misunderstood.

Anyway, I'm an APD original and Cortex user myself. Just got a Yonex EZone Xi (100) 2 weeks ago. Not sure yet if this is what I really want. I wanted to be sure that the VCore is not for me before I settle on the EZone.

[Ross K]

Originally Posted by grh

Thanks Ross K and JGads for clarifying that. I misunderstood.

Anyway, I'm an APD original and Cortex user myself. Just got a Yonex EZone Xi (100) 2 weeks ago. Not sure yet if this is what I really want. I wanted to be sure that the VCore is not for me before I settle on the EZone.

So how does the Xi 100 compare to the APD in your view?

[Meaghan]

Ross you may get the chance of hitting with a PK sooner than later, there are a few going around our fb uk site

[Power Player]

Gads i may trade in my dunlop 200 for credit towards a black ace mid just because i know it is probably really fun. I just have a thing where i hate to switch racquets around throughout a match. ill switch to a new stick and just go all in with that stick and sell the others. I do envy you guys who can rotate in new sticks during a match..my mind just doesnt work that way and i overthink things when too many variables start popping in.

Stoked about the new blades coming..stoked to try the steam just for the raw curiosity factor.

[mikeler]

PP,

I'll ask the local shop when they will have demos.

[smirker]

Originally Posted by Meaghan

Ross you may get the chance of hitting with a PK sooner than later, there are a few going around our fb uk site

Not mine Richard. Happy as Larry with my choice right now.

[Meaghan]

Originally Posted by smirker

Not mine Richard. Happy as Larry with my choice right now.

Yeah but that Gardner bloke.......

[Power Player]

Originally Posted by mikeler

PP,

I'll ask the local shop when they will have demos.

Nice..i love new racquet time. Yes, shiney new toys are nice, but it also means the prior pjs go on sale

[grh]

Originally Posted by Ross K

So how does the Xi 100 compare to the APD in your view?

The Xi trumps the APD in comfort, forgiveness, and power. Massive sweetspot. Every portion of the stringbed is practically playable. There's no shock/vibration penalty at all based on my experience. But it's a little too powerful that if you are not careful you'll see your shots hit the fence. So you need to rein it in with topspin and/or increased string tension. You also do not need to muscle your shots to get power. It's an amazing racquet once you get to know it and accept that it is what it is.

The APD to me is still without doubt my best racquet of choice. If not for my arm pain right now, I'd still play with it. I've had my pain since December and the APD is certainly not helping. With the EZone the pain has not gotten worse.

[JGads]

Originally Posted by Power Player

Gads i may trade in my dunlop 200 for credit towards a black ace mid just because i know it is probably really fun. I just have a thing where i hate to switch racquets around throughout a match. ill switch to a new stick and just go all in with that stick and sell the others. I do envy you guys who can rotate in new sticks during a match..my mind just doesnt work that way and i overthink things when too many variables start popping in.

Stoked about the new blades coming..stoked to try the steam just for the raw curiosity factor.

I can go back and forth between the 7G and Ace really effortlessly, just because they've been my primaries for awhile now, plus they're not wildly different in specs other than size.. Other sticks there's more of an adjustment, and I do tend to enjoy the switching factor in casual hits more so than actual matches. For example, Mad Dog and I just always rally for a couple hours, we don't play points or anything, and those nights are fun to just racaholic out and bring all of your different frames and go back and forth for some bashing.

With me, in match play, it's still kind of the same whether I choose to go 7G or Ace Mid: 7G if I'm feeling VERY good and strong, lots of energy, Ace Mid if I'm feeling I need just a bit more scalpel precision on my serves and shots, and more easy maneuverability... Being that I have a two-handed backhand and a forehand that's naturally pretty spinny, the 7G always makes more sense for me to use but the Ace Mid makes me smile again and again whenever I pick it up, so I continue to pick it up -- the feel is second to none, and it's just so unbelievably precise. Love going corner to corner on serves with it and the ball going precisely where I'm asking it to both on serves and forehands.

Re: Blades, saw in the TW thread that they're going on presale next month. Certainly looks like the next two months around here will be full of views on Blades, spinny Steams and those new Yonexes.