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

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by drakulie

No, I am correct, and as usual, you are INCORRECT.

I'll explain it to you like a 4 year old, so it doesn't go over your air-filled head.

1. I always string my racquets at 45 lbs (gut mains/poly crosses).
2. With this racquet, also strung at 45 lbs, my wife is stating I am hitting with much more spin.

Now go to the corner like a good little boy and be quiet.

So have you been hitting with the Steam only since you made this thread?

[bad_call]

Originally Posted by LeeD

You're prolly correct, but I"ve lived long enough to recognize marketting hype when I see it. I've seen it in surfing, motocross, tennis, windsurfing, kiteboarding, waterskiing, snowboarding, skiing, and several other sports. And I've been in the industry for most of those sports.
Hype. Sounds like it to me.
You may embrace it wide eyed like a 14 year old if you want, I'll wait a year, then decide.

another skeptic here...for now opting for a home brew vs kool-aid.

[YesTennis]

Originally Posted by drakulie

Just received a 99s from the Wilson Rep in order to playtest, and report on durability and playability with different set ups. Thanks JIM!!!



Specs of frame are as follows:

Unstrung: (completed on Prince Tuning Center at Work)
weight: 304
balance: 32
swing weight: 300

Strung: (completed on RDC at Home)
weight: 320
balance: 33
swingweight: 328
flex: 68

Strung with Wilson Natural Gut 17g, Luxilon 4G 16g at 45 lbs. ERT came in at 29.

Drilled for 2 hours with my wife (former top 10 junior). First impressions from her:

Much more spin and heavier shots on both sides and shots were landing deeper more consistently than usual. Pace was about the same, but depth and height was extremely noticable. Serves had much more spin, and first serve was much faster/heavier. second serves, although more spin, kicker was sitting up a bit (possibly due to leaving in middle of box as I dial in) and not as much pace. Flat shots although had more spin than usual didn't get on top of her as quickly. Still, these shots were forceful enough to keep her on her heels. Shot that impressed her most was cross court forehand which she stated was huge, and kicking away from her. Volleys not as penetrating as they usually are, but still had good depth and direction.

She also stated many shots she gave up on because they appeared to be going long landed in (which I noticed a few times. hehehehe)

Balls were fluffing up more than usual (approx 30 minutes)

More detailed review will follow in a few days, including durability of strings. Will be hitting tomorrow with a girl who just won the silver in 30s nationals doubles and gold in mixed.

Hi Drakulie-Quick question- My usual string set-up is also gut/poly. Just wondering if you had any thought about this set-up versus full poly in the Steam 99S? It sounds like the gut/poly played fine while playing with your wife.

Secondly, I saw the new Blade in the picture next to the Steam. Just wondering if you were going to play test the Blade? If you do, would really appreciate your thoughts!

Thanks in advance

[racertempo]

Originally Posted by drakulie

Strung with Wilson Natural Gut 17g, Luxilon 4G 16g at 45 lbs. ERT came in at 29.

D

I am very very glad to hear that you had success at the lower tension. The recommended tension range on the 99s is 54-64, so I was worried about doing 50 or 48......thanks for the review!

[sureshs]

I think Fed strings at 48 lbs

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by racertempo

I am very very glad to hear that you had success at the lower tension. The recommended tension range on the 99s is 54-64, so I was worried about doing 50 or 48......thanks for the review!

I would not be concerned about the low side of the tension range. The upper end is where I think you have to be more concerned about racket integrity.

[racertempo]

Originally Posted by mikeler

I would not be concerned about the low side of the tension range. The upper end is where I think you have to be more concerned about racket integrity.

Some folks mentioned that with the 3-4 fewer stings in the crosses that it might need the higher tension, the 105s recommended tension is 57-67!!!! Sounds though I will be fins around my 48-50 range with a full poly bed.

[KFwinds]

Originally Posted by drakulie

No, I am correct, and as usual, you are INCORRECT.

I'll explain it to you like a 4 year old, so it doesn't go over your air-filled head.

1. I always string my racquets at 45 lbs (gut mains/poly crosses).
2. With this racquet, also strung at 45 lbs, my wife is stating I am hitting with much more spin.

Now go to the corner like a good little boy and be quiet.

TT Mods, if this isn't a flame I don't know what is...

[Federerkblade]

Come on kk winds lee d was saying silly things in this thread for a week

[Ross K]

Anyone else played both the 99s and the Juice 100 care to say how they contrast. A million miles apart, or, as JackB1 said I think, a few similarities?

[kaiser]

Originally Posted by Federerkblade

Come on kk winds lee d was saying silly things in this thread for a week

He does get a bit annoying at times...

[racertempo]

Originally Posted by sureshs

I think Fed strings at 48 lbs

That's nice....but Fed does not play with a frame with only 15 crosses, that is the point.

[racertempo]

Originally Posted by Ross K

Anyone else played both the 99s and the Juice 100 care to say how they contrast. A million miles apart, or, as JackB1 said I think, a few similarities?

I have hit with both and found a little less power in the Steam 99s, and far far more control. Serves were much heavier with the Steam as well. Both frames were strung the same for me as they came from the same shop, and after an hour with the juice I struggled to keep it in the court, so I swapped to the 96 Juice in hopes of less power, which certainly was the case.

[LeeD]

I"m sorry, Draks, but here you're jumping the gun and coming to conclusions.
Say your wife is correct, you hit harder..more spin, same pace.
But that is ONE person talking, a tiny sampling of something you will soon find out doesn't matter at all, except for player's who can't handle men's pace....and doesn't hit men's pace.
She might be a former Div1 woman's player, I give you that, but she is NOT hitting like a strong 5.0 MAN, which is the division close to your level.
Once you start to run, once you face a real strong incoming ball, once you hit with someone who can run down your shots, you will find a slight gain in spin is NOT anything big, and you'll soon find it's bad points....control, YOUR biggest serves, something.
Don't act like the 14 year old your mentality is at right now over this Wilson thing. Unless you're paid by them, which you sound like you are.

[mikeler]

An epic G.O.A.T battle has begun...

[Power Player]

This racquet is a total TT GOAT thread for multiple reasons :

A detailed Drak review

The wilson promo described by different posters who experienced it all over the country.

A moment of Suresh

Exciting racquet tech that gets everyone rabidly curious

JackB1 switches sticks

Naysayers and doubters step in

UK guys find each other online and make friends while feverishly tracking down a demo

RossK claws his eyes out in a raw 'holic lust.

Green posters from both sides of the pulpit rise to the occasion with pros and cons

Full poly at over 55#s of tension is totaly accepted as ok

LeeD leaves the technqiue forum and steps in to question and antagonize

Honestly, this thread should be stickied as a HOF thread and made required reading for anyone new to the Racquet forums.

[canuckfan]

Drak is an excellent poster who makes helpful and well informed posts. He sometimes loses his temper but he really knows his stuff. He has hit with the racket; Lee hasn't. Drak has hit with his wife; Lee hasn't (although there are a few vids floating around that prove drak's wife is really good and would probably lay a beatdown on Lee in a match). So, Lee, if you have your doubts you can be skeptical, but frankly you don't know what you're talking about. Some of your posts are good, but many are needlessly argumentative. When you personally hit with the steam, then by all means give us your feedback.

[LeeD]

Different points of view.
Draks is hyping this racket.
I've seen hype in more sports than most of you have ever tried, working in sports stores for 30 odd years, skiing, biking, tennis, snowboarding, windsurfing, surfing, motorcycles, kiteboarding.
I"m also 63, and a pessimist at heart. The glass is half empty.
I don't promote anything, especially stuff that is BRAND NEW, but really a second reincarnation of something tried in the past. That goes for every single innovation in the sports I've mentioned, and I can give examples if you care.
How to promote your new product? You find an enthusiastic high profile person to try your stuff for free! It's done in every sport. You DON'T look for a pessimist or old timer (old timer in mental thinking, not in years) for your spokesperson. Said enthusiastic person spreads the word, it catches with a certain element of the sport (notice some hard hitters don't embrace this racket), and the element snowballs until it's HYPE, lots of players buy it, use it, LOVE IT for a few years, then DISCARD the idea as something NEW comes into the scene.
But remember this, most important. The old concepts that were supplanted by this NEW IDEA ...... they were the new ideas 5 years ago!
Think about this.
It's hemlines again. Shorter, longer, shorter, longer.

[LeeD]

I'm just saying, if you choose to embrace this new concept, go for it, I hope your game improves and you LOVE the new racket.
BUT, I'd wait a year, just like you would wait a year, when a new concept car comes out.

[JGads]

Originally Posted by Power Player

This racquet is a total TT GOAT thread for multiple reasons :

A detailed Drak review

The wilson promo described by different posters who experienced it all over the country.

A moment of Suresh

Exciting racquet tech that gets everyone rabidly curious

JackB1 switches sticks

Naysayers and doubters step in

UK guys find each other online and make friends while feverishly tracking down a demo

RossK claws his eyes out in a raw 'holic lust.

Green posters from both sides of the pulpit rise to the occasion with pros and cons

Full poly at over 55#s of tension is totaly accepted as ok

LeeD leaves the technqiue forum and steps in to question and antagonize

Honestly, this thread should be stickied as a HOF thread and made required reading for anyone new to the Racquet forums.

epic...........