Wilson Hits Homerun with Wilson Steam 99S (mini review) - Page 43

dmcb101 · 12-12-2012, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by corners

PWS is unnecessary. The whole point of PWS was to add mass at 3&9 to improve torsional stability by increasing polar moment of inertia, aka twistweight. But if you peruse the list of twistweights of contemporary frames you'll see that racquets with PWS have low to average twistweights. Manufacturers can easily add mass at the 3&9 or 10&2 or 11&1 positions without changing the shape of the frame. PWS was a big deal in 1980 but it's just for nostalgia now.

This is an interesting point. Maybe what I supposedly liked about the PWS was the added weight at 3 and 9. I demoed the 99s and cant quite remember the overall stability factor but I guess if I felt like I wanted more there is always the option of adding lead. Thanks for the post!

JackB1 · 12-12-2012, 08:02 AM

has anyone else compared the Steam 99s with the Juice 100? I am a little torn between the 2.

A_Instead · 12-12-2012, 08:06 AM

Jack1B,
Steam 99s has less power than the Juice.
Steam has more control.
Steam has more feel.
Steam has more flex.
Spin was no different between the 2.

I still prefer my BLX Pro Opens.

dmcb101 · 12-12-2012, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A_Instead

Jack1B,
Steam 99s has less power than the Juice.
Steam has more control.
Steam has more feel.
Steam has more flex.
Spin was no different between the 2.

I still prefer my BLX Pro Opens.

I disagree with the spin statement. I felt a big difference was off center hits. The steam came through in that department where the Juice was really flimsy feeling on off center hits.

JackB1 · 12-12-2012, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A_Instead

Jack1B,
Steam 99s has less power than the Juice.
Steam has more control.
Steam has more feel.
Steam has more flex.
Spin was no different between the 2.

I still prefer my BLX Pro Opens.

thanks. I tend to agree with you on all those counts, although I think the difference in power is negligable. When I hit with them side by side, the 99s felt a little more "solid" on impact, while the Juice had a slightly "tinny" feel. Did you find that as well?

dmcb101 · 12-12-2012, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackB1

thanks. I tend to agree with you on all those counts, although I think the difference in power is negligable. When I hit with them side by side, the 99s felt a little more "solid" on impact, while the Juice had a slightly "tinny" feel. Did you find that as well?

This is exactly what I was thinking. Dont mean to butt in!

racertempo · 12-12-2012, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A_Instead

Jack1B,
Steam 99s has less power than the Juice.
Steam has more control.
Steam has more feel.
Steam has more flex.
Spin was no different between the 2.

I still prefer my BLX Pro Opens.

I am another one that will attest to all of these statements from my experience with both frames.........EXCEPT I noticed (I my hitting partner noticed as well) far more spin with the 99s. Mine were strung the same as well, the Juice just felt like a 110-115in- type frame with a thick beam, lots of power, and difficult to control. The Steam 99s AND the 105s were both better than the 100 Juice in all categories for my game (and by better that means lower power).

A_Instead · 12-12-2012, 12:59 PM

Jack1B,
Yes Steam 99s seemed more solid.
Using my standard string set up. Gosan Hybrid 57lbs . I didnt need as much of a dampener on the Steam. (which I like).

Racertempo,
I do suppose the Steam has a more ball "catching" feature that applies spin more easily. Meaning that with slight cuts, chips, out of position flicks, the ball did not fly/take off as much as the string bed "gripped" the ball better/more.

The Steam 99s is unigue and one can tell that the string bed can do more for you in terms of spin.

Its winter here in PA so I have been playing in doors on a slippery service so I dont see the "kicking", "jumping" as much when the ball lands on the other side as I do outdoors on a normal service. (Serves slide about 4 inches before they kick up)

I do notice that Kick serves are easy. Real easy and jump nicely. (even on the slick service)

On another note, It is expected that Santa will bring me the new AroPro Drive so I will be able to compare it to the Steam 99s as well.

racertempo · 12-12-2012, 01:43 PM

Good to hear that you also noticed the serve kicking, I don't think anyone has demo'd yet that has not liked the serve kick from this frame.

I just want it out already.....anyone hear any official release dates yet?

Ashanti · 12-12-2012, 01:49 PM

I feel this is wilson's answer to the apd a pure spin frame and i feel from just collective reading there equal but the steam is giving more spin potential

JackB1 · 12-12-2012, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by racertempo

Good to hear that you also noticed the serve kicking, I don't think anyone has demo'd yet that has not liked the serve kick from this frame.

I just want it out already.....anyone hear any official release dates yet?

I heard Jan 3 and I also heard Jan 15, so I am confused.

srvnvly · 12-12-2012, 04:53 PM

Presale Jan 4: http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=444496

drakulie · 12-12-2012, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A_Instead

Jack1B,
Steam 99s has less power than the Juice.
Steam has more control.
Steam has more feel.
Steam has more flex.
Spin was no different between the 2.

I still prefer my BLX Pro Opens.

I don't agree at all with the spin statement. My wife who uses the Juice, and hits a very flat BH, and does have spin on the FH began using the 99s, and immediately there was a noticable difference in the added spin with the 99s.

For the record, she doesn't like the 99s, but was impressed with the fact she gained much more spin with the 99s on the FH and serve.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashanti

I feel this is wilson's answer to the apd a pure spin frame and i feel from just collective reading there equal but the steam is giving more spin potential

I wouldn't really say they are "equal" in any sense. The 99s blows away the APD in terms of spin, has way more power, and hits a much heavier shot. It is also much more comfortable on the arm. The APD is going to feel more "solid" simply because it is so stiff and also FEELS stiff, giving the illusion that it is more "solid".

Different strokes for different folks.

Ross K · 12-12-2012, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashanti

I feel this is wilson's answer to the apd a pure spin frame and i feel from just collective reading there equal but the steam is giving more spin potential

I thought the Pro Open was Wilson's APD?... Oh, hang on a minute. Isn't the Juice 100 now their APD/PD!?... Wait a second! The 99s is actually their APD!...

Quote:

I wouldn't really say they are "equal" in any sense. The 99s blows away the APD in terms of spin, has way more power, and hits a much heavier shot. It is also much more comfortable on the arm.

As an APD user on and off for a few years, it's this ^ kind of statement that puts the 99s to the no. 1 position in frames I want to check out in 2013. Saying that, botticelli seemed to feel the total opposite re these frames with his little review. Ah well, will just have to wait a bit longer until I can form my own view.

drakulie · 12-12-2012, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ross K

botticelli seemed to feel the total opposite re these frames with his little review. .

With respect to his review, the data I witnessed with several different playtesters trying out the apd, speed, and 99s, showed facts which are simply hard to ignore. 99s hit with more spin and speed than the apd. Wasn't even close. To add, the height over the net everyone achieved between the two again wasn't close. 99s was out in front.

I'm not saying the 99s will be for everyone. It won't be. People will not like it for a variety of reasons. I for one wish it was a tad bit heavier. But the facts can't be disputed with opinion.

racertempo · 12-13-2012, 03:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srvnvly

Presale Jan 4: http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=444496

That is a presale date....I want to know the actual date they will be released.

srvnvly · 12-13-2012, 05:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by racertempo

That is a presale date....I want to know the actual date they will be released.

I want to know the date too, but, from this information, we know it will NOT be Jan 4, as some have speculated in this thread. I would guess 10 - 14 days later, but that is just my estimate based on history.

Power Player · 12-13-2012, 05:06 AM

Jan 15th is what I was told at a store here.

couch · 12-13-2012, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Power Player

Jan 15th is what I was told at a store here.

They are supposed to ship on the 15th to our store. So they will probably be available a couple days after that. Some bigger stores like TW may get them a couple days earlier but for most stores they are being shipped on the 15th

YesTennis · 12-13-2012, 05:56 AM

1. Anyone have updated info after playing with both the 99S and regular 99?

2. Has anyone played the 99S with gut/poly? I know Drakulie talked about this and waiting for his update.

3. I normally don't play full bed poly, so any updates on arm issues, etc.. after playing full bed Lux 4G?

Thanks in advance

12-12-2012, 08:02 AM	#842
JackB1 Legend Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 8,447	has anyone else compared the Steam 99s with the Juice 100? I am a little torn between the 2. __________________ Wilson Black Blade 104 (since 5/1/13) - NXT Tour / Copoly at 55/51

12-12-2012, 12:59 PM	#848
A_Instead Semi-Pro Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 605	Jack1B, Yes Steam 99s seemed more solid. Using my standard string set up. Gosan Hybrid 57lbs . I didnt need as much of a dampener on the Steam. (which I like). Racertempo, I do suppose the Steam has a more ball "catching" feature that applies spin more easily. Meaning that with slight cuts, chips, out of position flicks, the ball did not fly/take off as much as the string bed "gripped" the ball better/more. The Steam 99s is unigue and one can tell that the string bed can do more for you in terms of spin. Its winter here in PA so I have been playing in doors on a slippery service so I dont see the "kicking", "jumping" as much when the ball lands on the other side as I do outdoors on a normal service. (Serves slide about 4 inches before they kick up) I do notice that Kick serves are easy. Real easy and jump nicely. (even on the slick service) On another note, It is expected that Santa will bring me the new AroPro Drive so I will be able to compare it to the Steam 99s as well. Last edited by A_Instead : 12-12-2012 at 01:13 PM.

12-12-2012, 04:53 PM	#852
srvnvly Semi-Pro Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 707	Presale Jan 4: http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=444496 __________________ "I filed it under H, for toy."

12-13-2012, 05:06 AM	#858
Power Player G.O.A.T. Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: On my iPhone Posts: 13,602	Jan 15th is what I was told at a store here. __________________ 🐐ing

12-13-2012, 05:56 AM	#860
YesTennis Semi-Pro Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 416	1. Anyone have updated info after playing with both the 99S and regular 99? 2. Has anyone played the 99S with gut/poly? I know Drakulie talked about this and waiting for his update. 3. I normally don't play full bed poly, so any updates on arm issues, etc.. after playing full bed Lux 4G? Thanks in advance Last edited by YesTennis : 12-13-2012 at 05:58 AM. Reason: spelling mistakes