Wilson Hits Homerun with Wilson Steam 99S (mini review)

[kaiser]

Very, very nice summary Jack, thanks!

[Tennusdude]

There is a tool called Tennis Spin Maker, it looks like a pliers. You use it on the strings to create a surface which will create more spin. They claim that the textured surface of strings wears off in a few hours, whereas the texture imparted by this tool does not wear off as quickly. Anyone hear about this or try it?

[Maui19]

Originally Posted by JackB1

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/REVI...99SReview.html

That review is eerily reminiscent of how my racquets played when I used poly at very low tensions (<40). The similarity is uncanny.

[sundaypunch]

Originally Posted by Tennusdude

There is a tool called Tennis Spin Maker, it looks like a pliers. You use it on the strings to create a surface which will create more spin. They claim that the textured surface of strings wears off in a few hours, whereas the texture imparted by this tool does not wear off as quickly. Anyone hear about this or try it?

Never heard of this. It sounds like something that crimps the string? It would seem like it would make it much more likely to break early.

[thecrusher956]

For people who have tried the steam, which version would be good for 5.0-5.5 player who rips balls flat but adds spin on most shots?

[srvnvly]

Originally Posted by thecrusher956

For people who have tried the steam, which version would be good for 5.0-5.5 player who rips balls flat but adds spin on most shots?

Based on Chris's comments, I would say the 99: http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=449436

'The response is not quite as lively and the ball leaves the strings at a slightly lower trajectory. The feel of the Spin Effect string pattern also enlarges the feel of the sweetspot considerably. Due to those differences, the regular 99 feels much firmer and crisper to me. It offers me more control on volleys and drop shots etc, but lacks the power and spin of the S version.

Chris, TW'

[ChicagoJack]

Originally Posted by kaiser

Very, very nice summary Jack, thanks!

Hi Kaiser - Yeah cool, no problemo. The info I provided is old news by a couple of years now. And yet, questions still roll in here about how to increase ball to string friction, ie ball bite, with the regularity of waves crashing into the beach. I don't think my post will change the pattern of the tides. I added two photos this morning having observed what a long read it was. I think those photos summarize just as well. - Jack

[KFwinds]

Hey there, C-Jack! Since I haven't run into you since the playtest and Lance hasn't hooked me up with your info yet...

I decided to go the Blade route instead of the 99s. If I have some extra dough this spring I might pick one up off the 'bay for fun, but I'm really digging the precision of the Blade. Still could not help thinking about how nice your Donnay hit, and ended up ordering a Pro One 18x20 to compare to my Blade. Loved your racquet - it was actually my favorite over all the new Wilsons (although this may have been in part because of the stiff strings in the demos).

Cheers! -

Kevin


I apologize for the interruption - you may all resume your spinny Steam chat...

[ChicagoJack]

Oh cool! Hey there Kevin, Apparently You have got my Donnay stuck in your mind, and I've been wondering if I hit so well with the 99s just because you kept sending back such clean balls for me to hit. Just shoot me an email, ChicagoJack.Tennis at comcast dot net. Would love to hit with you again and can both figure it all out, ha ha. My apologies as well for the slight thread derail. - Jack

[racertempo]

The Spin Maker thing mentioned a few posts ago is total crap, it ignores the fact that poly string loses tension quickly. It states that the tool will allow you to play with your poly for 40+ hours and even longer.....but who wants to keep a poly in that long?

[skuludo]

Originally Posted by racertempo

The Spin Maker thing mentioned a few posts ago is total crap, it ignores the fact that poly string loses tension quickly. It states that the tool will allow you to play with your poly for 40+ hours and even longer.....but who wants to keep a poly in that long?

Have you actually tried it?

There are two positive reviews on amazon.

[racertempo]

Originally Posted by skuludo

Have you actually tried it?

There are two positive reviews on amazon.

No i have not tried it and never would. Just logically, why would you want to keep a poly string in your racquet for 40+ hours? Tension is gone and the string becomes garbage, which is why Poly players restring far more frequently then those who play multi. One of their biggest selling points is increasing the lifespan of the string Just does not make sense.

And Amazon reviews, really? If they only have 2 positive reviews what is to say they are not from people who work for the company? That kind of thing happens all of the time.....so until someone posts on here or another place that an independent review was positive I think 2 amazon reviews are negligible.

[goober]

Originally Posted by skuludo

Have you actually tried it?

There are two positive reviews on amazon.

Both reviews are by people that have exactly ONE review. I ignore reviews like this since they are usually associated with people who are related to the company in some way. They are also charging $70 for something that looks like a pair of pliers.

[db10s]

Originally Posted by goober

Both reviews are by people that have exactly ONE review. I ignore reviews like this since they are usually associated with people who are related to the company in some way. They are also charging $70 for something that looks like a pair of pliers.

I could use a pair of pliers that I use for stringing and do the same thing.

[Mongolmike]

Anyone hear any updates when the Steam 99s and 105s will be available thru TW?

[racertempo]

Originally Posted by Mongolmike

Anyone hear any updates when the Steam 99s and 105s will be available thru TW?

TW told me on the phone a little while ago that they expect the Steam 96, Steam 99s and 105s in on January 17th. She said it is usually a couple of days before they are strung and shipped out from there, so should be January 20-22 before they are in our hands as our own and not a demo

[D-money]

Apparently there's going to be a demo to win type of incentive to demo these and other rackets that Wilson is putting on through TW. The grand prize is a trip to hit with a pro. Hopefully there's some other cool prizes too. As if there wasn't enough incentive to demo these you may also be able to win something. I think they're going for the crack dealer business model "first taste is free" mixed with Lays "betcha can't have just one"

[Mongolmike]

Originally Posted by racertempo

TW told me on the phone a little while ago that they expect the Steam 96, Steam 99s and 105s in on January 17th. She said it is usually a couple of days before they are strung and shipped out from there, so should be January 20-22 before they are in our hands as our own and not a demo

Thank you.

I've already demo'd the 105 twice...I like it alot and can't wait to start experimenting with different strings and different tensions. I'm gonna get one through my club because that is where I demo'd, and I'll order a second through TW... wonder if they offer pre-order and I order one unstrung (I string my own) if that will speed up the process any?

[souledge]

Has anyone ever strung a 99S with Premium Gut / MSV Co-Focus hybrid? How did it play and at what tension?

[sundaypunch]

Originally Posted by souledge

Has anyone ever strung a 99S with Premium Gut / MSV Co-Focus hybrid? How did it play and at what tension?

I'm curious about this as well. My guess is that the gut wouldn't last long in such an open pattern.