Head IG Extreme 2.0 MP Review

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by Jocke

@JackB1; how would you compare the Extreme vs Formula 100 comfort-wise? Anyone else tried both?

both feel firm but not harsh.

the Formula is probably more comfortable and if arm health is a primary concern, then that would be my choice.

[Jocke]

Would it be possible with a short comparison between the two? I have no demo possibilities of Donnay here in Sweden. I like the results of the Extreme so far but am a little concerned about arm health...

[TripleB]

Fantastic review...thanks for taking the time to share.

With the low cost of the older model I thought about giving it a shot...hoping to get a bit more power than my Pro Opens while retaining a crisp feel.

TripleB

[srvnvly]

Jack - did you feel the listed 333 swing weight, or did it play lighter?

[Bmr]

My Review:

I posted another thread on this a week or two ago, but I wanted to chime in for anyone who wanted more feedback on this racquet.. I'm coming from a Speedport Black and Wilson Juice. I've been using Gosen Polylon SP string for at least 3 years now. I've messed around with other string, but I really like how this one feels. I typically string around 60-62 lbs.

This racquet does have a heavier feel than what i'm coming from, but it's a very nice balance. The racquet has caused me no arm issues - maybe slightly more fatigue at the end of a couple hours.

Groundstrokes feel great with this racquet (including service returns - VERY stable). Seems like I can flatten out my shots more and also have more control than the SPB. My forehand/serve can't generate the same level of pace that my SPB can, but i'm still working on that.

Volleys/feel is the most incredible thing about this racquet. I can tell you that i've felt completely lost and amateurish when volleying with the SPB. When i'm at net with the Head, it is like automatic and magical. I can hit angles, lines and it is a friggin brick wall. I'm getting difficult shots back in play almost routinely now. Very pleasant surprise. Even with the polyester, it still feels great at net.

Serves is probably the toughest thing to figure out. Different feel altogether than what i'm used to. I realize that I may need to drop tension a bit more and perhaps experiment with another string to get a better balance. What string have you guys used and what have you experienced with it?

So far the playing results have been pretty good with this. I had a 6-0 singles score and won most of my doubles matches. However, I think the only downside to this racquet so far is not getting as much raw power off my forehand side, which really disrupted my opponents at net as well as the baseline. If I can figure out that while retaining the other characteristics that I like, this will be the holy grail of racquets for me.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by Bmr

My Review:

I posted another thread on this a week or two ago, but I wanted to chime in for anyone who wanted more feedback on this racquet.. I'm coming from a Speedport Black and Wilson Juice. I've been using Gosen Polylon SP string for at least 3 years now. I've messed around with other string, but I really like how this one feels. I typically string around 60-62 lbs.

This racquet does have a heavier feel than what i'm coming from, but it's a very nice balance. The racquet has caused me no arm issues - maybe slightly more fatigue at the end of a couple hours.

Groundstrokes feel great with this racquet (including service returns - VERY stable). Seems like I can flatten out my shots more and also have more control than the SPB. My forehand/serve can't generate the same level of pace that my SPB can, but i'm still working on that.

Volleys/feel is the most incredible thing about this racquet. I can tell you that i've felt completely lost and amateurish when volleying with the SPB. When i'm at net with the Head, it is like automatic and magical. I can hit angles, lines and it is a friggin brick wall. I'm getting difficult shots back in play almost routinely now. Very pleasant surprise. Even with the polyester, it still feels great at net.

Serves is probably the toughest thing to figure out. Different feel altogether than what i'm used to. I realize that I may need to drop tension a bit more and perhaps experiment with another string to get a better balance. What string have you guys used and what have you experienced with it?

So far the playing results have been pretty good with this. I had a 6-0 singles score and won most of my doubles matches. However, I think the only downside to this racquet so far is not getting as much raw power off my forehand side, which really disrupted my opponents at net as well as the baseline. If I can figure out that while retaining the other characteristics that I like, this will be the holy grail of racquets for me.

Hey BMR, I would like to know how you think the Extreme MP compares to the Juice 100? I just tried a demo of the Juice and was very impressed. Very easy to use racquet with easy spin and power. I still love the Extreme, but the Juice maybe makes the game easier. What do you think?

[srvnvly]

I just ordered an Extreme 2.0 MP, and it outperforms the Juice 100 by a lot, in every way, even serves. I thought the Juice 100 lacked plow-through, whereas the Extreme has great plow-through and is very crisp, especially on put-away volleys.

[Bmr]

Jack,

I echo how srvnvly feels. I actually have a Juice 100 in my bag right now and I love it. However, there is a definite lack of plow-through and stability, especially when facing heavier hitters. It may be due to a smaller grip..i'm going to try and add an overgrip and see if it fares any better.

I'm not sure I would go as far as it outperforms the Juice by a lot..it's a different racquet altogether. I still need to find the right string combination for the Extreme. Srvnvly - let us know what you string it with.

Despite the fact that I don't volley well with the SPB - my serves have tremendous spin/kick and my groundies are unreal..and that is what has created so many problems for my opponents. I have yet to find that balance in competition with the Extreme, but i'm still working on it. Like all three racquets and will be experimenting with them for the foreseeable future.

[Ross K]

Originally Posted by srvnvly

I just ordered an Extreme 2.0 MP, and it outperforms the Juice 100 by a lot, in every way, even serves. I thought the Juice 100 lacked plow-through, whereas the Extreme has great plow-through and is very crisp, especially on put-away volleys.

Could you go into more detail please on how precisely the Extreme is better than the J100 in every way.

Also, surely the lack of plow could be remedied by lead tape?

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by srvnvly

Jack - did you feel the listed 333 swing weight, or did it play lighter?

it plays like 330. Took a little getting used to on serves and DTL shots.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by Bmr

Jack,

I echo how srvnvly feels. I actually have a Juice 100 in my bag right now and I love it. However, there is a definite lack of plow-through and stability, especially when facing heavier hitters. It may be due to a smaller grip..i'm going to try and add an overgrip and see if it fares any better.

I'm not sure I would go as far as it outperforms the Juice by a lot..it's a different racquet altogether. I still need to find the right string combination for the Extreme. Srvnvly - let us know what you string it with.

Despite the fact that I don't volley well with the SPB - my serves have tremendous spin/kick and my groundies are unreal..and that is what has created so many problems for my opponents. I have yet to find that balance in competition with the Extreme, but i'm still working on it. Like all three racquets and will be experimenting with them for the foreseeable future.

did you try adding lead in the hoop of the Juice. Its very headlite for a light racquet, so you could add 4-8 grams on the hoop and not need to counterbalance it at all.

[srvnvly]

Originally Posted by Ross K

Could you go into more detail please on how precisely the Extreme is better than the J100 in every way.

Also, surely the lack of plow could be remedied by lead tape?

Serving - this is probably the closest the 2 racquets will be, as the Juice can hit a good, flat serve, but the Extreme is good at directionally hitting a flat serve (into the body and nailing the inside corner on the deuce side, for instance), and a wide, slice serve, several of which went for aces this last weekend.

Forehand - lots of power + plough-through and, surprisingly, not a lot of over-hitting. The Juice was inconsistent power-wise, and too-often I would push shots beyond the baseline, then end up other-thinking my strategy from there on. Even forehand slice serve returns in doubles, were placed where I wanted them (away from the netman and at the server's feet).

Backhand - I have a OHBH and, again, was surprised that I could hit as well as I do with the Extreme. I was able to comfortably hit topspin with good pace and placement; slice was even more incredible, as follow-up volleys seemed easier.

Volleys - VERY crisp with putaway power, using the Extreme. I had to work harder with the Juice to get the same effect.

Intangibles - shots hit at my feet and low shots that stayed low (you know what shot I'm writing about) were not so much easier, but at least I got a racquet on it, and in some cases the craptacular shot I got back over the net made for a more difficult putaway shot from my opponent.

The Extreme 2.0 just suits my current playing style better than the Juice 100. That said, I will also give the new Wilson Steam racquets a good test drive when them come out in January.

[srvnvly]

I also did not modify the Juice 100 with lead tape. I know a lot of people like to mod their racquets, but I have never had much luck with custom modifications, so I played with it in stock form, as I am doing with the Extreme.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by srvnvly

I also did not modify the Juice 100 with lead tape. I know a lot of people like to mod their racquets, but I have never had much luck with custom modifications, so I played with it in stock form, as I am doing with the Extreme.

The Juice really NEEDS lead in the hoop IMO.

[Bmr]

Jack,

I did try adding lead but had inconsistent results. Maybe I need more time to adjust to that. It's definitely a bit too head light for me..the Extreme seems to temper my shots a bit more, which allows me not to overhit. However, on quick reaction shots it can work against you also.

You adding lead at the 3 and 9? How much?

The Juice is definitely better than the SPB at the net...at least for me.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by Bmr

Jack,

I did try adding lead but had inconsistent results. Maybe I need more time to adjust to that. It's definitely a bit too head light for me..the Extreme seems to temper my shots a bit more, which allows me not to overhit. However, on quick reaction shots it can work against you also.

You adding lead at the 3 and 9? How much?

The Juice is definitely better than the SPB at the net...at least for me.

so far just 4 grams total at 3/9.

[srvnvly]

Originally Posted by Bmr

Jack,

I'm not sure I would go as far as it outperforms the Juice by a lot..it's a different racquet altogether. I still need to find the right string combination for the Extreme. Srvnvly - let us know what you string it with.

I use a full multi:X-1B 17, strung at the lower end. I'm not convinced this is the right setup, but for now it works for me. I'm hopeful the new Steams will transcend both of these racquets and most of us will find out in January.

[srvnvly]

Originally Posted by srvnvly

I just ordered an Extreme 2.0 MP, and it outperforms the Juice 100 by a lot, in every way, even serves. I thought the Juice 100 lacked plow-through, whereas the Extreme has great plow-through and is very crisp, especially on put-away volleys.

Bummer for me: I ordered a used 4 1/4 grip in "A" condition, and hit horribly with it. It felt so much worse than the 3/8 demo that I used, which I thought felt a tad large, so I sent it back. The Dunlop F 3.0 Tour felt pretty good, though, much better than the M 3.0.