Donnay Formula 100

[JackB1]

OK, here are my thoughts on the Formula 100....

The headshape and specs are almost identical to my Warrior 100.
I really like the F100s cosmetics and the racquet looks great in person. At first hit, I didn't like it much. Felt a little pingy and I felt some vibration in the frame's hoop. Couldn't put my finger on it, but it definitely wasn't "love at first hit". It could be the strings...I have Babolat RPM Blast in the mains and NRG in the crosses at 53/56. Power was good, but not as much as my Warrior. It felt a little heavier and more solid than the Warrior, but wasn't as nice feeling on hits outside of center. Reminded me very much of the Volkl Organix 8-300. Didn't like the sound on impact....wasn't a satisfying sound to me...kind of tinny sounding. Groundstrokes were pretty nice. Lots of topspin to be had with this frame. I wouldn't recommend it too flatter hitters though. It really seems to suit loopy topspin strokes best. Serves were OK, but not as booming as my Warrior.
This racquet also reminds me of a Pure Drive. Beam looks thicker than the Warrior. Definitely a baseline basher type of stick. After reading all the glowing reviews the TW crew gave it, I was expecting more. It wasn't bad...just didn't really wow me in any way but I couldn't wait to go back to my Warrior. I could see how some would like it, but it definitely wasn't a racquet that I had any desire to further investigate. It's already been sold. I may have warmed up to it, but 99% of the time, my first instincts are usually correct. I need to have a certain level of satisfaction after my initial hit with a new stick in order to keep pursuing it, and that just wasn't there with the F100. The specs, swingweight and power were all in my wheelhouse, but nothing else really clicked for me. I may have been too quick in moving on, but I am so satisfied with the Warrior right now, there was no hard feelings at all. Interesting playtest and it just shows me how individual racquet preferences are. The TW testers were lukewarm on the Warrior, which I loved and they were gushing over the Formula 100, which I didn't really care for.

[RollTrackTake]

Different strokes for different folks......literally. If you blacked out the F100, Pro Open & BB DC Pro I would be hard pressed to tell the difference in playability. I do think the Babs (PD & APD) are distinct. I still haven't gotten my hands on a Warrior long enough to feel it out

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by RollTrackTake

Different strokes for different folks......literally. If you blacked out the F100, Pro Open & BB DC Pro I would be hard pressed to tell the difference in playability. I do think the Babs (PD & APD) are distinct. I still haven't gotten my hands on a Warrior long enough to feel it out

I agree the F100, Pro Open & DCP are VERY similar. But personally, I feel the Warrior is superior to those 3.

[pug]

Originally Posted by JackB1

OK, here are my thoughts on the Formula 100....

The headshape and specs are almost identical to my Warrior 100.
I really like the F100s cosmetics and the racquet looks great in person. At first hit, I didn't like it much. Felt a little pingy and I felt some vibration in the frame's hoop. Couldn't put my finger on it, but it definitely wasn't "love at first hit". It could be the strings...I have Babolat RPM Blast in the mains and NRG in the crosses at 53/56. Power was good, but not as much as my Warrior. It felt a little heavier and more solid than the Warrior, but wasn't as nice feeling on hits outside of center. Reminded me very much of the Volkl Organix 8-300. Didn't like the sound on impact....wasn't a satisfying sound to me...kind of tinny sounding. Groundstrokes were pretty nice. Lots of topspin to be had with this frame. I wouldn't recommend it too flatter hitters though. It really seems to suit loopy topspin strokes best. Serves were OK, but not as booming as my Warrior.
This racquet also reminds me of a Pure Drive. Beam looks thicker than the Warrior. Definitely a baseline basher type of stick. After reading all the glowing reviews the TW crew gave it, I was expecting more. It wasn't bad...just didn't really wow me in any way but I couldn't wait to go back to my Warrior. I could see how some would like it, but it definitely wasn't a racquet that I had any desire to further investigate. It's already been sold. I may have warmed up to it, but 99% of the time, my first instincts are usually correct. I need to have a certain level of satisfaction after my initial hit with a new stick in order to keep pursuing it, and that just wasn't there with the F100. The specs, swingweight and power were all in my wheelhouse, but nothing else really clicked for me. I may have been too quick in moving on, but I am so satisfied with the Warrior right now, there was no hard feelings at all. Interesting playtest and it just shows me how individual racquet preferences are. The TW testers were lukewarm on the Warrior, which I loved and they were gushing over the Formula 100, which I didn't really care for.

Thank you for the the review, I have been interested in trying this stick, so it is great info.

Seems like you really click with the Warrior, have you ever hit with the original O3 white? I would be interested how the Warrior is in comparison to that classic.

[RollTrackTake]

Anyone use lead tape on the Formula 100 yet? I've used it in my last few doubles matches and feel it could use some lead to aid in plow through. I like the racquet stock, I want to love it. I'm also going to be tinkering with string setups. Going to try a poly at low tension. Then a hybrid. Thinking Lux Savage & Forten Sweet 16.

[vinnieSE]

Doesn´t the Formula 100 support the custom kit? It would allow you to quite easily slide in weights at 3g each in the headguard. Does TW carry the kits?

[El Diablo]

^^ Formula 100 can use the interchangeable buttcaps (as can all Donnay) and the slide weights at 3:00 and 9:00. Donnay said they might in the future produce a headguard that will accept the weights at 12:00.

[tlimster]

Anyone else try this racket lately? Just went out and hit with it this afternoon and it is growing on me.

[RollTrackTake]

Originally Posted by tlimster

Anyone else try this racket lately? Just went out and hit with it this afternoon and it is growing on me.

I haven't found a rhythm with this racquet still. I'm holding on to one because I like the power & comfort combo. I just can't get the feel, control & power where I need them to be. It's all just off for me. I haven't tried a new string setup & lately it hasn't gotten used much. There is still a chance I'll use it for doubles but it has to beat out the Pro Open & now I'm testing the Warrior for the same purpose. If anyone has any string tension combos they like please share. I love B5E in my Pro Open. That's what I'll probably go with next.

[t-swede]

how much would the formula weigh in at with the 10g buttcap and both 3g slides ?

cheers the swede

[klementine79]

Originally Posted by scotus

Wow, I had no idea the Donnay plant/troll finally got banned, although I am afraid the ban will be lifted in mere 2 weeks.

At any rate, kudos to TW mods for doing what so many of us here have been wishing for.

Yeah, just saw that. Miss the enthusiasm and recklessness, maybe not .

Originally Posted by Dgdavid

We'll all settle down with one stick in the next 3-4 weeks and then...Power Player will switch. I can see it now!

Woah... good call. We're about to see this prognostication come to fruition.

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Anybody settle with the Formula100? Likes-dislikes/comments after 2-3 months of usage?

Really interested, especially if it's lower on the power-tweener spectrum and comfortable.

[Automatix]

Originally Posted by klementine79

Yeah, just saw that. Miss the enthusiasm and recklessness, maybe not .

All I can say is... AT LAST!

[RollTrackTake]

Originally Posted by klementine79

Yeah, just saw that. Miss the enthusiasm and recklessness, maybe not .



Woah... good call. We're about to see this prognostication come to fruition.

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Anybody settle with the Formula100? Likes-dislikes/comments after 2-3 months of usage?

Really interested, especially if it's lower on the power-tweener spectrum and comfortable.

I've still got an F100 in the bag and pull it out every other week when I play a casual pick up match. Still have MSV Focus Hex in at what was 50lbs. I really need to try some B5E or this Iontec stuff and reevaluate the racquet. I still hold out hope because it's so comfortable and I like the aesthetic of it. Power wise I don't think it's on the low side of the tweener section. I'd put it up there with the Warrior & Pro Open.
Likes: Comfort, serve, cosmetic, power
Dislikes: iffy on control, lack of feel and other common tweener gripes (floating slices, plow through= meh, etc...)

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by RollTrackTake

I've still got an F100 in the bag and pull it out every other week when I play a casual pick up match. Still have MSV Focus Hex in at what was 50lbs. I really need to try some B5E or this Iontec stuff and reevaluate the racquet. I still hold out hope because it's so comfortable and I like the aesthetic of it. Power wise I don't think it's on the low side of the tweener section. I'd put it up there with the Warrior & Pro Open.
Likes: Comfort, serve, cosmetic, power
Dislikes: iffy on control, lack of feel and other common tweener gripes (floating slices, plow through= meh, etc...)

My F100 had a bit of a buzzy/twangy feel on impact to it. Do you notice this as well?

[jackcrawford]

Originally Posted by JackB1

My F100 had a bit of a buzzy/twangy feel on impact to it. Do you notice this as well?

Yes, it felt like an aluminum racquet to me.

[RollTrackTake]

Originally Posted by JackB1

My F100 had a bit of a buzzy/twangy feel on impact to it. Do you notice this as well?

On serve if I miss & hit in the upper part of the hoop I get that feeling. Other than that it feels solid. But I just don't get a precise feel of where the balls going with the F100. Most likely it's the strings or just me

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by RollTrackTake

On serve if I miss & hit in the upper part of the hoop I get that feeling. Other than that it feels solid. But I just don't get a precise feel of where the balls going with the F100. Most likely it's the strings or just me

Isn't it weird how all the TW testers gave it such glowing reviews and you can't find a half dozen guys here that like it?. Everyone seems to have the same "just OK" opinion of it.

[Dgdavid]

Originally Posted by JackB1

Isn't it weird how all the TW testers gave it such glowing reviews and you can't find a half dozen guys here that like it?. Everyone seems to have the same "just OK" opinion of it.

Jack, are you still upset about the Warrior 100 review by any chance

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by Dgdavid

Jack, are you still upset about the Warrior 100 review by any chance

Not at all

The Warrior review was reasonable, but people forget its just 4 opinions.
I may or may not have the same tastes as them.

[RollTrackTake]

Originally Posted by JackB1

Isn't it weird how all the TW testers gave it such glowing reviews and you can't find a half dozen guys here that like it?. Everyone seems to have the same "just OK" opinion of it.

yeah. curious. I think it has the characteristics of being a very good fit for me. I just didn't love it at first hit. I should ask TW what string setups they used. I don't like racquets that are 'string sensitive' but I do want to give it a fair shot. Full bed of B5E is probably the next (and maybe last) setup I try in the formula 100.