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

[Hankenstein]

Originally Posted by srvnvly

Thanks, Couch- how different is the non-S than the S?

The non-S also feels a bit stiffer then S-version even if they have same RA. The open pattern of the S makes it feeling quit soft actually.

Those two new 99-frames is pretty different compared to the current BLX Steam 100. Very solid frames for being a 304 gram racquet. Very good platform for customization

[srvnvly]

If you had to pick one, which would you pick? I'm impatiently waiting for these to come out in January - would the Blade 98 16x19 trump either of these frames? I'm guessing the swing weight and power is greater for the Steam racquets.

[Federerkblade]

out 15 jan in UK

[TennisJC]

My quick write-up / playtest impressions on the Blade 18x20:
- Good control
- Heavier weight
- Less spin than the Steam 99S;

Blade 2013 adds more comfort with the AmpliFeel 360 grip...
http://www.tennis-bargains.com/2012/...-98-18x20.html

Pretty much agreed with the other TW review and video play testing (but I didn't get to try the 16x19) which one tester liked a bit more:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3YGAmfut7Q

[parasailing]

Originally Posted by srvnvly

If you had to pick one, which would you pick? I'm impatiently waiting for these to come out in January - would the Blade 98 16x19 trump either of these frames? I'm guessing the swing weight and power is greater for the Steam racquets.

Just wait another few weeks and you will see the reviews coming from TW users. I know I am excited to try one and see how well it hits.

[Hankenstein]

Originally Posted by srvnvly

If you had to pick one, which would you pick? I'm impatiently waiting for these to come out in January - would the Blade 98 16x19 trump either of these frames? I'm guessing the swing weight and power is greater for the Steam racquets.

Blade 98 16/19 is a very good allround frame, good spin, good power and also good control.

The 99 and 99s has a bit more power and are a bit more forgiving, but still has good feel.

The 99s has some crazy spin and even if the 99s didn´t feel like the best frame of those 3, it was without no doubt the frame that helped me cause most trouble for my hitting partners. They had problems adjusting to the bounce and misscalculated my shots etc.

That was evidence enough for me that the 99s is the best frame to use in "combat"

[Rock Strongo]

*OFF TOPIC POST AHEAD*

Originally Posted by Hankenstein

Blade 98 16/19 is a very good allround frame, good spin, good power and also good control.

The 99 and 99s has a bit more power and are a bit more forgiving, but still has good feel.

The 99s has some crazy spin and even if the 99s didn´t feel like the best frame of those 3, it was without no doubt the frame that helped me cause most trouble for my hitting partners. They had problems adjusting to the bounce and misscalculated my shots etc.

That was evidence enough for me that the 99s is the best frame to use in "combat"

I was looking for you!

You reminded me that I had a LinkedIn account since I got what I think was a friend request by you!

[TennisJC]

Originally Posted by TennisJC

The narrowest gap between crosses is 14mm (near center) and largest gap is ~19mm (not counting the last outer strings)...

Putting the 18x20 blade next to the 16x15 steam you can immediately see the difference in "Shape" of the gaps. On the blade, the center cells/gaps looks squares (1:1), where as on the steam you immediately notice they are ALL rectangles (roughly 1:1.5-1. (w:l)...therefore you can probably do the math on that the area WxL and see that each cell is significantly larger on this "Super Open" pattern - that difference only increases dramatically when you compress/expand a co-poly like a trampoline in slow-mo video...

Btw, I need to do 720p video on YouTube (sorry about the 480p stuff I uploaded earlier) - I'm going to do another set of recordings and upload them

Tennis Spin Testing (at ITF) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRDkIkxqdws
(Credit to YouTube for their creative commons videos from Dr. Steve Haake (RI), ITF, Wilson and the YouTube video editor ) Enjoy!
- JC: "The Tennis Alchamist"

[Federerkblade]

Jc you are training with yann ? How do you know him and whoa

[racertempo]

Originally Posted by corners

Thanks for sharing your experiences. I've got an Rdis 200 as well, so the comparisons you make are pretty interesting to me, especially regarding feel. Poor feel is a deal breaker for me, so it's very nice to hear that these frames aren't all bite and no bark, so to speak. I'll definitely try the 105S too.

Unfortunately the local shop guy did not let me take the 99s and 105s to my match last night as another person was slated for the 99s. So off I went with the 105s. Had a good 20 minute hitting session with my partner for warm up after which he stated that I needed to "buy a case of those racquets" from my addition spin and control on ground strokes. So onto the match we went and it was 3 full sets, my ground strokes were good with this frame and the volleying was no less feel then my normal frames (Yonex Ezone Xi 100 and RSIS 200 Lite). Serving had a little more spin and kick to it and no less pass that I felt.

But the annoying thing was HOW MUCH the string moved. I am the only person who has hit this demo and it was for 30 minuets on the ball machine last week and then this match, and the string is moving far too much. This demo was hybrid strung and the Multi in the crosses is already very very clearly being sawed at and showing some marking and fraying. I am encouraged though about how frame will do with all Poly in there as soon as I get mine in January. After the match my partner again commented that I hit the ball as well as he has ever seen me hit in doubles. I actually really really loved the weight and feel of the 105s, especially when hitting singles and running all over the court, a lot of 105 frames are far too light and tough to control, but this one has nice weight distribution, perhaps a little tape will be needed for some players, but I am sold and cannot to have mine!

[namartens]

Originally Posted by Rock Strongo

*OFF TOPIC POST AHEAD*





I was looking for you!

You reminded me that I had a LinkedIn account since I got what I think was a friend request by you!

Hm, I got the same email, twice. When I clicked on the button in the email it looked a bit suspicious to me. Normally when I receive an invite for Linkedin through my email I only have to press the button and it accepts the invite. This time when I pressed the button I was directed to a site where it asks for my password. I did not enter it. Now when I log on to linkedin on their website I don't even see the invite from Hankenstein???

[corners]

Originally Posted by racertempo

But the annoying thing was HOW MUCH the string moved. I am the only person who has hit this demo and it was for 30 minuets on the ball machine last week and then this match, and the string is moving far too much. This demo was hybrid strung and the Multi in the crosses is already very very clearly being sawed at and showing some marking and fraying.

Yeah, it seems that your shop doesn't understand the principle behind the creation of these frames. Using a multi cross makes in a string pattern like this makes no sense. If the mains are getting stuck out of position the strings are not doing what these racquets were designed to allow them to do.

[corners]

Originally Posted by racertempo

I actually really really loved the weight and feel of the 105s, especially when hitting singles and running all over the court, a lot of 105 frames are far too light and tough to control, but this one has nice weight distribution, perhaps a little tape will be needed for some players, but I am sold and cannot to have mine!

If you really feel that that particular 105S has sweet weight distribution I would ask you shop to put it on the RDC and write down the weight, balance and swingweight. Then when you go to buy one for yourself you can have them pick the closest they have from their inventory. When you find a sweet swinging stick you can have it again in another racquet as long as you write down the specs.

[Hankenstein]

Originally Posted by namartens

Hm, I got the same email, twice. When I clicked on the button in the email it looked a bit suspicious to me. Normally when I receive an invite for Linkedin through my email I only have to press the button and it accepts the invite. This time when I pressed the button I was directed to a site where it asks for my password. I did not enter it. Now when I log on to linkedin on their website I don't even see the invite from Hankenstein???

* OT *

Sorry guys, must be something strange.. Linkedin sent out an email to ALL my contacts with whom i had emailed in the past with my hotmail account when i set up that linkedin-account. Strange, but its no virus or anything like that. But i have got one hell of a load of new contacts

[Nostradamus]

When will TW carry the demos ?

[racertempo]

Originally Posted by corners

If you really feel that that particular 105S has sweet weight distribution I would ask you shop to put it on the RDC and write down the weight, balance and swingweight. Then when you go to buy one for yourself you can have them pick the closest they have from their inventory. When you find a sweet swinging stick you can have it again in another racquet as long as you write down the specs.

I plan on buying from TW since I just loaded up on the 20% discount cards and now have those gift cards sitting until these are released in January. I don't think I'll be too picky about the weight knowing that they vary a little....I am just pleased that the overall weight and HL amount for the 105 is where it is, as most in that headsize tend to me around an even balance for a little HH....and often only weight around 10oz. Cannot wait, the proof for me is my partner whom I have played 50+ matches with over the past 2 years giving his positive feedback and telling me to buy a whole case of them

[sundaypunch]

Originally Posted by corners

Yeah, it seems that your shop doesn't understand the principle behind the creation of these frames. Using a multi cross makes in a string pattern like this makes no sense. If the mains are getting stuck out of position the strings are not doing what these racquets were designed to allow them to do.

I was just going to say this. A multi has to be the absolutely worst choice for a cross string on these. Obviously fully poly should give the best results. I am curious to find out how these do with a good poly main and syn. gut cross (OGSM, Forten Sweet, etc.)

[TennisJC]

Originally Posted by Federerkblade

Jc you are training with yann ? How do you know him and whoa

He's in the DC area too very skilled teacher too; has his own 5th set projects now...we're launching "Prep Like a Pro" for winter (off-season) training videos..

Have you seen his Advanced Footwork drills - very awesome stuff: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agkP1i2Ljto

Btw, whoever said they might have seen me before...was it at Legg Mason/Citi Open perhaps? http://www.tennis-8.com/search/label/Legg%20Mason

[Nostradamus]

Originally Posted by TennisJC

Tennis Spin Testing (at ITF) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRDkIkxqdws
(Credit to YouTube for their creative commons videos from Dr. Steve Haake (RI), ITF, Wilson and the YouTube video editor ) Enjoy!
- JC: "The Tennis Alchamist"

I really can't tell how much spin you are imparting from the video

[Fuji]

Originally Posted by Hankenstein

* OT *

Sorry guys, must be something strange.. Linkedin sent out an email to ALL my contacts with whom i had emailed in the past with my hotmail account when i set up that linkedin-account. Strange, but its no virus or anything like that. But i have got one hell of a load of new contacts

I've gotten a couple from you!

-Fuji