I love the most random frame - Pro Kennex Kinetic Pro 7g

[Power Player]

Kcraig what has helped me adapt to the XL is to move my feet just a hair more when I prepare. I turn fully to the side and get my spacing while I'm prepping, so it is not too bad. But for me, it weighs in at 11.9 with everything, and that is a weight that I like a lot and don't have timing issues with.

I think 12.5 is about where I start being inconsistent.

I'd like to hear about the 5G as well when you try it out. Just in case I am torquing my shoulder too much on serve and can't get past it. I think it is just getting used to the stick and the length, so i should be fine.

I'd imagine the 5G has the same feel, I am interested in the power level comparison. The 7G absolutely pummels the ball and it's pretty addictive.

[bhupaes]

I've been using the 7g for a while now. The extra half inch helps my 2HBH. What can I say, it's a great racquet. I used to have 3 grams at 12 o'clock (this "sweetened" the top of the racquet head which is normally a bit unresponsive) and 12 grams wrapped around the handle near the butt cap. I have now removed the lead from the hoop, to have the racquet be as maneuverable as possible, but have retained the lead on the handle which seems to makes it more stable and powerful.

[Kcraig]

Originally Posted by Power Player

Kcraig what has helped me adapt to the XL is to move my feet just a hair more when I prepare. I turn fully to the side and get my spacing while I'm prepping, so it is not too bad. But for me, it weighs in at 11.9 with everything, and that is a weight that I like a lot and don't have timing issues with.

I think 12.5 is about where I start being inconsistent.

I'd like to hear about the 5G as well when you try it out. Just in case I am torquing my shoulder too much on serve and can't get past it. I think it is just getting used to the stick and the length, so i should be fine.

I'd imagine the 5G has the same feel, I am interested in the power level comparison. The 7G absolutely pummels the ball and it's pretty addictive.

Totally agree alot of the issues are due to footwork, or lack thereof. I also finally figured out where the "contact point" is on serve and to let the stick do the work. Definitely do not need to "force" anything with this frame as it does produce a nice penetrating ball. Playing so much more doubles these days and think the standard length would be more manuverable. At 6'2" I don't really "need" the added length, but do like it on the 2hb!!!

BTW: My demo is strung with full NXT demo strings, pacific xtack pro OG and Sampras O dampner and it weighs in right at 341g/12.0oz. I can handle a high SW OR higher static, but I've realized it's hard for me to handle BOTH. Therefore, good specs for me are static around 338-342g and SW hovering around 320ish--just where I imagine the 5g will fit.

Anyone able to confirm/add to whether the 5g and 7g play/feel the same, except for the added 1/2" and higher SW?

[Machspeed]

I too am a big fan of the PK 7G. Last year I demoed a host of elbow friendly racquets as I had a nasty case of tennis elbow that just would not go away, not even with rest, string change/tension, etc. Regardless, no racquet felt better than the 7G....not even close. Amazingly to me, I was able to play right through the tennis elbow without exasperating the problem and have not slowed down a bit since. In fact, I feel no pain now when I play. As was previously stated here, this racquet is not exceptional at any one thing, but across the board it is outstanding. And..... it will do much work for you if you let it, especially in the serve.

I think someone may have asked about the 5G comparison. When I demoed the 7G, I also demoed the 5G. Unfortunately, the racquets were not equally strung and the 7G just felt so much better to me.

[Boricua]

Originally Posted by mikeler

Power Player and I are just getting into these frames. The comfort is unreal.

How is the control?

Would you, or anybody else, consider thsi racket a players racket or a tweener?

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by Boricua

How is the control?

Would you, or anybody else, consider thsi racket a players racket or a tweener?

Control is good, it is definitely a player's racket.

[Kcraig]

My 7g demo came strung with pretty fresh NXT which was really nice!! Most demos I receive have just horrible string jobs! I have one more outing with the 7g and then have to send it back. Luckily the 5g will come in on Thursday so I will be able to compare. One thing for sure--when your timing is right, the 7g produces a nasty heavy powerful ball for sure!! Only downside, is when the timing/footwork are not "just right" control does suffer

[Power Player]

Yes, control is at least equal to the PSTGT for me, I have to play with it more, but I it has hit very accurate for me so far.

I would consider it a player's racquet as well. It is like a Pure Drive Roddick with much better feel.

Kcraig, I agree about the timing. Well it is not nearly as hard to play with as a true player's stick like a prestige. I don't have to be just right with the 7g compared to the prestige or dunlop 200. Those were much more demanding. The 7G needs you to readjust your spacing to the ball compared to standard length and then you are good.

Very interested in how the 5G demo goes. I am pretty hooked on the weight and power of the 7G though. Hopefully my shoulder enjoys serving with it as well!

[Kcraig]

Originally Posted by Power Player

Yes, control is at least equal to the PSTGT for me, I have to play with it more, but I it has hit very accurate for me so far.

I would consider it a player's racquet as well. It is like a Pure Drive Roddick with much better feel.

Kcraig, I agree about the timing. Well it is not nearly as hard to play with as a true player's stick like a prestige. I don't have to be just right with the 7g compared to the prestige or dunlop 200. Those were much more demanding. The 7G needs you to readjust your spacing to the ball compared to standard length and then you are good.

Very interested in how the 5G demo goes. I am pretty hooked on the weight and power of the 7G though. Hopefully my shoulder enjoys serving with it as well!

I think you nailed it on the "spacing" comment--when fully extended out on FH and overheads it was nasty--think I was getting "jammed" to often. One area the 7g really shined for me was slice!! I was even resorting to some nasty slice FH approaches as i was struggling so much on reg topspin forehand approaches. Ball is nasty and low--opponent had no answer for it--

[Machspeed]

Originally Posted by Kcraig

My 7g demo came strung with pretty fresh NXT which was really nice!! Most demos I receive have just horrible string jobs! I have one more outing with the 7g and then have to send it back. Luckily the 5g will come in on Thursday so I will be able to compare. One thing for sure--when your timing is right, the 7g produces a nasty heavy powerful ball for sure!! Only downside, is when the timing/footwork are not "just right" control does suffer

Yeah, that string, both the type and the tension make a big difference. Let us know how the 5G works out for you?

[Power Player]

I am going to spend as much time as possible with this racquet before getting too excited, but I am incredibly impressed by ProKennex. And to think they made this racquet over 10 years..thats crazy.

[Sreeram]

Originally Posted by Power Player

I am going to spend as much time as possible with this racquet before getting too excited, but I am incredibly impressed by ProKennex. And to think they made this racquet over 10 years..thats crazy.

I have always been following your pattern of racuqets accidently, I moved to MG Radical Pro after your reviews, it was a great racquet for my topspin game but it lacked control so I started avoiding risks in shot resulting in me hitting the middle most of the time, instead of going for the corners. I am trying PST GTnow, nice racquet and gives power even to my offcenter hits (due to woofer). I am getting fast serves with it as well. Great control and spin potential.
I played 7G briefly and it really helped me in singles with great consistency. I also served well with it. But it is not a good racquet at net, so if you play more doubles then I would suggest you not to go here.

[Power Player]

Well if you are following my pattern of sticks, you will have an enjoyable ride..haha. I have not owned a bad stick in a long time. The PSTGT is one of the best sticks I have ever used. I will release my official rankings after I spend a month or two with the PK.

I rarely play doubles so I am good with the 7g so far. The PKs are so inexpensive that I may buy a 5G down the road just to see how it plays and to have in case my shoulder acts up from the XL.

[Boricua]

Does this racket have a round grip?

[Boricua]

Does anybody know how this racket compares with the Yonex RDIS 100 MP?

[Power Player]

I have no idea on the Yonex, but the grip is similar to Wilson's. The Replacement grip on it is pretty cushioned, so if you wanted more bevel feel, I'd reccomend the Babolat Skin feel as a replacement.

Another thing I like about the racquet is the butt end is extremely defined. Makes it easy to hold on to the end of the racquet when serving or hitting overheads and not lose grip.

[Sreeram]

Originally Posted by Power Player

Well if you are following my pattern of sticks, you will have an enjoyable ride..haha. I have not owned a bad stick in a long time. The PSTGT is one of the best sticks I have ever used. I will release my official rankings after I spend a month or two with the PK.

I rarely play doubles so I am good with the 7g so far. The PKs are so inexpensive that I may buy a 5G down the road just to see how it plays and to have in case my shoulder acts up from the XL.

Yes, I should admit that I really enjoyed them. Whenever I liked a racquet by just looking at spec and thought that it will suit my game, I go to TT to see some threads on it, I always found you saying good things about it. 7G is the only racquet which I just randomly picked as I got a good deal. My game improved a lot with it, I became very consistent but some reason I failed badly in doubles, so I just started hating this stick.
I struggled a bit with PST GT tranistion initally for a week but now I got the same consistency and placement that I had before with increased power. I think i will stick with PST GT without turning back.
One such strick that I loved the most but broke it and dint invest in buying a new one is AG 200. Amazing feel and my serve was at its best with this frame, very similar to what I get with PST GT now. Have you tried 200 series of Dunlop?

[Power Player]

No, but I used the 4D200 for about a year. I love Dunlop sticks, but they don't have a lot of power. It is nice for control, but you have to be in incredible shape to hit with them if you like topspin and swing hard. I think the PSTGT is excellent, but for me the 7G hits even bigger.

I rarely play doubles so the 7G suits me well. I can see how the XL could be a problem if you play a lot of doubles. In that case I would probably use a 5G.

Didn't feel any shoulder twinges on it yesterday either when I hit some serves, which is nice.

Really love gripping off the bottom of the handle and just ripping forehands. Backhands also feel very satisfying and I am not being attacked on that side anymore since I can hit them back so deep.

I think anyone who uses babolats but misses the feel of a players stick and is feeling arm twinges should try this racquet.

[Sreeram]

Originally Posted by Power Player

No, but I used the 4D200 for about a year. I love Dunlop sticks, but they don't have a lot of power. It is nice for control, but you have to be in incredible shape to hit with them if you like topspin and swing hard. I think the PSTGT is excellent, but for me the 7G hits even bigger.

I rarely play doubles so the 7G suits me well. I can see how the XL could be a problem if you play a lot of doubles. In that case I would probably use a 5G.

Didn't feel any shoulder twinges on it yesterday either when I hit some serves, which is nice.

Really love gripping off the bottom of the handle and just ripping forehands. Backhands also feel very satisfying and I am not being attacked on that side anymore since I can hit them back so deep.

I think anyone who uses babolats but misses the feel of a players stick and is feeling arm twinges should try this racquet.

Do you really think 7G has a nicer feel that PST? According to me PST has a good feel. 7G is stiff, but does not vibrate. It is great for the arm, I accept that, but it is crisper than PST GT for sure.
Real feel good racquet from PK is redondo. But again it lacks power for a recreational play.

[Power Player]

I would not say nicer, both feel great. The PSTGT is extremely plush and muted and has incredible feel.

I like the crispness of the 7g, feels like a combo of a prestige and a Wilson since it is a little muted as well.

Honestly, I was surprised by the feel of the 7g. Imagine going from a Pure Drive or APDC to it. It has close to the same power yet no horrible vibrations if you hit off center.