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

[couch]

Originally Posted by drakulie

couch, Luxilon will have a 15 gauge 4G string. I believe I heard it would be released in January 2013.

You are going thru the strings fairly quick, and I suspected this would happen at higher tensions. In my case, I've been stringing at 45, so makes sense I'm getting more durability.

I could try stringing a little lower but I think 55 would be the lowest I'd be willing to try in this racquet. That's not too much of a difference. When I get a couple of these I will have the luxury to experiment a little more with tension but I think the 15g may be the best option for me at this point.

[drummerdan]

Great! Thanks, Drak!

[Anton]

Originally Posted by couch

Well, I've had some experience with the 99 over the last couple hitting sessions because I've broken strings in the 99S.

I had the 99S strung with 16g 4G and I got about 3 1/2 hours out of it so I had to switch off to the 99. Today I hit for about an hour with Lux Alu BB (ran out of 4G) strung at 58 just like the 4G. The Alu BB lasted less than an hour. So this is obviously going to be an issue for me with this racquet. I think 4 hours of heavy hitting is fair and I'm able to live with that but anything under that and I may have to reconsider using this racquet.

I know there was some discussion about a 15g 4G string but I can't remember if that is actually going to happen or not. I hope it does because I may put the 15g in the mains and put 16g in the crosses- don't know. Or just go with 15g all the way through. Anyone know for sure about the 15g 4G?

I still love the 99S and prefer it over the 99 only if I can get 4 hours on a string job.

The 99 is just what you would think it would be. It's a little less powerful, hits with less spin, and feels a little more solid due to the tighter string pattern. I think the 99 is an excellent racquet in it's own right. I had mine strung with Lux Savage at 55lbs and would probably prefer 4G 16L at about 52-54lbs in this racquet. Probably 52lbs.

I have some more 4G on the way so I will continue to play test the 99S and see how it works out. I have already made up my mind that one of these is my new racquet. Hoping it's the 99S.

Try Signum Pro Hyperion - it lasts much longer than it should per guage...

When I was hitting with Extreme Pro I also had a problem with strings lasting, but Hyperion's longevity at 16g was about twice what some other polys managed.

[Nostradamus]

Is this racket better than the new Babolat aeropro 2013 ?

[Doubles]

Originally Posted by Nostradamus

Is this racket better than the new Babolat aeropro 2013 ?

Isn't that totally subjective?

[Nostradamus]

Originally Posted by Doubles

Isn't that totally subjective?

No, if it is a better racket, it will improve your level by 0.5-1 level.

[Anton]

Originally Posted by Nostradamus

No, if it is a better racket, it will improve your level by 0.5-1 level.

Then no racket is better than Babolat aeropro 2013

[couch]

Originally Posted by Nostradamus

No, if it is a better racket, it will improve your level by 0.5-1 level.

I believe this racquet will increase "your" level at least 1.5. This is the best racquet ever manufactured regardless of playing style, ability, etc. It just doesn't matter with this racquet. It's the best ever!!

[bad_call]

Originally Posted by couch

I believe this racquet will increase "your" level at least 1.5. This is the best racquet ever manufactured regardless of playing style, ability, etc. It just doesn't matter with this racquet. It's the best ever!!

and the string companies smile...

[couch]

Originally Posted by Anton

Try Signum Pro Hyperion - it lasts much longer than it should per guage...

When I was hitting with Extreme Pro I also had a problem with strings lasting, but Hyperion's longevity at 16g was about twice what some other polys managed.

Thanks Anton. I have used Hyperion and Tornado quite extensively in the past but always in 17g. May have to try the 16g in this racquet. Bad thing is that I really like the way the 4G plays in this racquet. I only have one 99S at the moment and will experiment more when I have two.

[Doubles]

Originally Posted by Nostradamus

No, if it is a better racket, it will improve your level by 0.5-1 level.

No racket will do that for you, Fedace. Sorry, you'll have to actually play tennis rather than posting on here all the time.

[thecrusher956]

The racket itself wont make you good.

[v-verb]

Originally Posted by thecrusher956

The racket itself wont make you good.

No but as most of us would say, the right racquet can help you reach your potential. No substitute for practice or coaching of course.

I'm going to try a Steam 99S, but so far for me POGs (mid and OS) and Prince Borons are my fave racquets. Most newer racquets just don't feel right to me

[sureshs]

Racket can make you better by a 0.5 level under some circumstances:

It replaces one which gave you pain before.

It make a small improvement in a shot, like the serve, leading to a snowballing effect of improvement when you start playing more because you like what you are doing.

If you have become complacent and jaded, then a new racket can shake things up and make you interested in the game again.

[Federerkblade]

whys the thread of the video review of the 99s been removed ?

[dyldore]

Originally Posted by sureshs

Racket can make you better by a 0.5 level under some circumstances:

It replaces one which gave you pain before.

It make a small improvement in a shot, like the serve, leading to a snowballing effect of improvement when you start playing more because you like what you are doing.

If you have become complacent and jaded, then a new racket can shake things up and make you interested in the game again.

+1 I started hitting with the new APD after using a Flexpoint Radical for years...I can hit with more pace and control, while being more consistent at the same time. I am encouraged to practice more because of this, too.

[dyldore]

Originally Posted by Federerkblade

whys the thread of the video review of the 99s been removed ?

I noticed that too, I'm guessing because of all the flaming. :/

[racertempo]

Originally Posted by dyldore

I noticed that too, I'm guessing because of all the flaming. :/

That would be my guess as well, plus it really just turned into a duplicate of this thread. Someone should post that video review in this thread though.

[dyldore]

Originally Posted by racertempo

That would be my guess as well, plus it really just turned into a duplicate of this thread. Someone should post that video review in this thread though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dRb3RRwLLs

Here you go everyone!

[drakulie]

Originally Posted by couch

I could try stringing a little lower but I think 55 would be the lowest I'd be willing to try in this racquet. That's not too much of a difference. When I get a couple of these I will have the luxury to experiment a little more with tension but I think the 15g may be the best option for me at this point.

Please post your findings. Would be great if to get a record of what strings works well, and have extended durability. Also, the tension being used will be helpful.

Originally Posted by Anton

Try Signum Pro Hyperion - it lasts much longer than it should per guage...

When I was hitting with Extreme Pro I also had a problem with strings lasting, but Hyperion's longevity at 16g was about twice what some other polys managed.

Being that the Extreme Pro is notorious for going thru strings quickly, this is very useful info. Thanks.