Pacific Classic 1.25 x MSV Co-Focus 1.18

[pvaudio]

Originally Posted by jk175d

I seriously doubt anyone would notice a difference in a blind test with identical string-jobs on identical frames. Write to MSV and see what they say about it.

I can't speak for Co-Focus since I only have the nice blue, but this is incredibly common and usually incredibly obvious:

Babolat
Pro Hurricane white vs blue (amazing vs. "is this even the same string?")

Genesis
SpinX grey vs pink (truly completely different)
Typhoon blue vs grey (softer vs. stiffer)

Technifibre
X-1 red vs natural (aka bad vs. good)

Gosen
OGSM natural, white vs black (crisp, awful, mediocre)

Discho
Iontec salmon vs. black (stiffer vs softer and spinnier vs more pop)


These are just examples off the top of my head from strings I've tried and own. Another example is WC Mosquito Bite, of which I'm 100% partial to the blue. I'd say the black is spinnier, but the blue has the most feel of all of them which is its defining trait.

[jk175d]

I think I may be officially off the co-focus bandwagon. I've gotten SOOO comfortable with Outlast as my cross. Not only do I like the feel and performance, but what is most amazing about this string is how consistent it feels from hour 1 to hour 30 (speaking only about when used as cross with gut mains)

Last two times I've hit with the co-cofocus cross, it felt mushy in comparison. (fresh string job). Previously I had been using the co-focus frame more for singles and the outlast for doubles. But lately the outlast frame has shined more in singles too so I think I may be down to just one set-up instead of two.

[tennisinoc]

Originally Posted by jk175d

So I pulled out my Pacific/Co-focus strung frame. The mains have probably 30 hrs, but the crosses I replaced about 6-8 hrs ago.

Question: When you replace your crosses, do you keep the same cross pattern and put the new cross string back into the gut main string notches? Or do you reverse the pattern and string the crosses on the other side where there there are no notches? Comprende?
I always wondered what the pro or cons of doing either way would be.

[jk175d]

Originally Posted by tennisinoc

Question: When you replace your crosses, do you keep the same cross pattern and put the new cross string back into the gut main string notches? Or do you reverse the pattern and string the crosses on the other side where there there are no notches? Comprende?
I always wondered what the pro or cons of doing either way would be.

I keep them in the same pattern using the same notches. My feeling is if I reverse the pattern and start new notches on the opposite side it will weeken the mains much more quickly. Plus, if you are one to keep the crosses in proper alignment as you go, the stringing process goes a little faster as the strings just snap into place into the old notches.

[Smasher08]

Originally Posted by jk175d

I keep them in the same pattern using the same notches. My feeling is if I reverse the pattern and start new notches on the opposite side it will weeken the mains much more quickly. Plus, if you are one to keep the crosses in proper alignment as you go, the stringing process goes a little faster as the strings just snap into place into the old notches.

Good advice. My other thought is that if the notching results in natural oils seeping out and lubricating the crosses (thereby increasing spin) then why not keep that spinniness by using the same pattern.

[McLovin]

OK, so I got my test set last night: Co Focus 1.23 in the 'ocean blue' (will provide photos later today). I strung it in my X Force Pro using my normal tensions (Pacific Classic 17 mains @ 58, Co Focus crosses 56).

For comparison, I had a fresh racquet at the same tension with SPPP 1.23 in the cross (same mains, same tensions).

First off, during stringing I thought I wasn't going to like it. It seemed a tad stiff compared to SPPP, but I kept an open mind hoping it would produce. Well, good thing I did, because I really liked it. It wasn't stiff at all, and seemed to have nice spin & power, but also good feel.

During warm up I switched back & forth between the SPPP & Co Focus, and just felt more comfortable with the Co Focus racquet. I played 2 sets in the 90 degree heat on clay and felt real good about my strokes, my serve in particular. While I beat the guy 1 & 1, that isn't really an indicator since I'm a 4.5 & he's a 4.0 (those are my normal scores against him). But everything just felt solid.

I play again today against a 4.5 (soon to be 5.0) college kid, so I will get a better indication of how it plays this afternoon. But unless something drastic happens, I'm just about ready to pick up a reel.

[polytheist]

Originally Posted by jk175d

I think I may be officially off the co-focus bandwagon. I've gotten SOOO comfortable with Outlast as my cross. Not only do I like the feel and performance, but what is most amazing about this string is how consistent it feels from hour 1 to hour 30 (speaking only about when used as cross with gut mains)

Last two times I've hit with the co-cofocus cross, it felt mushy in comparison. (fresh string job). Previously I had been using the co-focus frame more for singles and the outlast for doubles. But lately the outlast frame has shined more in singles too so I think I may be down to just one set-up instead of two.

Which is softer, the Outlast or Cofocus?

[Smasher08]

Update - 43 hrs (set 4) & 64 hrs (set 3)



Fyi, take the hours of set 3 with a grain of salt -- the vast majority of those are from teaching.

Set 4, however (51x47, non-prestretched) has been a revelation: unlike previous sets, I didn't feel any poly death throes during hours 20-30. At all.

In all honesty, I don't know it that's a fluke or a placebo effect or what. But I don't recall feeling it with set 3 either (49x45, non-prestretched) so there may be something there.

The other big difference (aside from being much livelier-feeling and spinnier off the bat) is that at tension the mains aren't as thin as before. So I'm hoping that translates into more longevity.

So far I've only had to add 1 additional SSer, and as you can see there's now a little bit of fraying.

[Smasher08]

Btw: a theory on the lack of my noticing the dying phase of CoF.

Perhaps it was because it was more or less masked by the much livelier un-prestretched mains

In other news, I'm up to 94 hours on my teaching setup (so take the hours with a grain of salt) and 55 in my playing one. Only 1 SSer is in the playing stringjob, as notching doesn't appear to be too bad yet. Full credit to the thicker un-prestretched mains!

As for playing characteristics, there's little more to add: it's simply phenomenal.

[filphil]

Any updates on this?

My next string setup is going to be Pacific classic 16L x SPPP 17L on the 89t

[Mrsbrownsboys]

I've just got ths setup. Arrived today msv in gold. My 16x19 yonex vcore 100 I usually go in at 56/52. Suspect I should start with this as was pretty powerful my last engagement with gut/poly in champions choice although didn't like the stiffness of alu rough...still had oodles of power though.

[kazamzaa]

mrsbrownsboys I just hit today with gut/poly babolat/msv. My previous setup was with thicker strings 1.35/1.27 at the same tension. I feel that the power level and comfort is up with these thinner strings 1.30/1.23. So what I'm trying to say is "try thicker string if you want to tame the power level."
If I inderstood right, you have 1.25 NG mains and 1.18 poly crosses in a 100" frame with an open string pattern??? I would say thicker could be better for you. Gives you durability and control. It tames the power too.

[Smasher08]

Update - 65 hours (Set 4 - playing set) and 100+ hours (Set 3 - teaching set)

As usual, take the hours in my teaching set with a grain of salt.

Just a quick update for my playing set: I tried putting in a few SSers and didn't like how stiff it felt, so out they went. There are a few deep notches in the mains now, so I've no idea how long this stringjob will last. As it stands, since I've gotten 65 hours already, I'm happy. The spin, as always is great, and there is great control and power. I've gotten into the habit of throwing in the odd mega topspin moonball: if deep enough, they have enough spin to bounce straight up over the back fence for a winner.

I don't think I ever managed to do that with Focus Hex mains!

[Smasher08]

Originally Posted by kazamzaa

mrsbrownsboys I just hit today with gut/poly babolat/msv. My previous setup was with thicker strings 1.35/1.27 at the same tension. I feel that the power level and comfort is up with these thinner strings 1.30/1.23. So what I'm trying to say is "try thicker string if you want to tame the power level."
If I inderstood right, you have 1.25 NG mains and 1.18 poly crosses in a 100" frame with an open string pattern??? I would say thicker could be better for you. Gives you durability and control. It tames the power too.

The interesting thing about switching gauges is that there's always tradeoffs: the thicker the gauge, the greater the surface area coming into contact between mains and crosses, and the greater the friction meaning less spin.

Better for him to try out this 1.25x1.18 set and see what kind of durability, power and control he gets. Unfortunately figuring out what works with specific frames and playing styles can be just as much of an art as a science.

[kevin]

Smasher, I just joined the pacific classic 1.25 x co-focus 1.18 bandwagon. I put them into my PK Qtour for 2 weeks now (12 hrs).

Thanks for providing all the good reviews and status reports. They are quite align with what I felt, except I forgot that your 52/48 is on a 89" frame. I find the Qtour a bit too powerful with 52/48 on a 98" frame. Nevertheless, still fun and comfortable to play with.

[Korso]

Originally Posted by filphil

Any updates on this?

My next string setup is going to be Pacific classic 16L x SPPP 17L on the 89t

Making a switch to the 89T . Please enlighten us on the play of this setup.

[filphil]

Originally Posted by Korso

Making a switch to the 89T . Please enlighten us on the play of this setup.

I'm hoping my racket will be shooting lasers after this.

[Mrsbrownsboys]

Originally Posted by Smasher08

The interesting thing about switching gauges is that there's always tradeoffs: the thicker the gauge, the greater the surface area coming into contact between mains and crosses, and the greater the friction meaning less spin.

Better for him to try out this 1.25x1.18 set and see what kind of durability, power and control he gets. Unfortunately figuring out what works with specific frames and playing styles can be just as much of an art as a science.

Got the 125/118 setup. Spin is king for me. I play to create an opportunity to hit a winner as hard as I can within the spin capabilities of my gear...wind up or down accordingly. Obviously a max spin setup will give me the confidence to really go after the shot. The msv packaging states no more than 53lbs...56/52 is my usual..might go 55/50

[filphil]

How does a gut/poly hybrid compare to a full bed of multi in stiffness?

I like the spin of my current string setup of tour bite 17 except it's too jarring for me.

[Mrsbrownsboys]

Finally got around to trying this yesterday. Very impressive. It certainly has a lot less power than the champions choice (Wilson/Alu) combo at the same tension. Feels very very comfortable. The alu in the previous combo I found ridiculously stiff after a short period of time and uncomfortably so. It feels very controllable and the spin from the first play was as good if not better than anything I've tried. I'm hoping things will get better as some have found here.

If it lasts say 6 weeks then it’s a keeper, although I might knock the tensions down a touch for a bit more power and possibly go with a thicker gauge in the pacific as it does look pretty delicate. Any tips regarding the weather? Seems a bit of moisture in the air and the balls are picking up a bit of rain also off the court, I assume this accelerates the breakdown of the string?