Dunlop F 3.0 Tour

[Pneumated1]

Originally Posted by JackB1

the new Dunlops are NOTHING like the prior models. Its a totally new mold.
Definitely stiffer feeling than the X10.

Thanks. It's as I expected then. I'm set for awhile with my Londons, but they'll wear out eventually. I'd like to move into a London-like frame that I know won't be discontinued, but I'll cross that bridge then.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by Pneumated1

Thanks. It's as I expected then. I'm set for awhile with my Londons, but they'll wear out eventually. I'd like to move into a London-like frame that I know won't be discontinued, but I'll cross that bridge then.

Why not just stock up now and buy a bunch of them? They're pretty cheap right now at most places.

[Hominator]

Originally Posted by Pneumated1

Thanks for clarifying that for me, Hominator, and sorry for splitting hairs.

If it's more crisp than the X10s, then I won't need to bother. I have to have some noticeable flex. My choices are severely limited, so I'll try to keep stocking up on my frame.

Still think it's worth a demo, if you get the chance. Very surprised with the frame.

[Pneumated1]

Originally Posted by JackB1

Why not just stock up now and buy a bunch of them? They're pretty cheap right now at most places.

I've begun to do just that.

[Stringers]

Definitely a stiff frame but did enjoy the action I got with them! Very lively feel for it's specs.

Something about the frame tho that I couldn't get past, whether it was the stiffness or the shape, couldn't quite place my finger on it, but never felt comfortable hitting with this stick.

[Pneumated1]

Originally Posted by Hominator

Still think it's worth a demo, if you get the chance. Very surprised with the frame.

I most likely will. If modern trends hold, this F 3.0 Tour may be the "flexible" of the future.

[Hominator]

Hit with the 3.0 F Tour again this morning. I hit one with Luxilon Alu Power Rough and one with Dunlop Silk. I must say, I was really surprised at how much I liked the one strung with Dunlop Silk. The strings didn't move much and the power, spin, and feel were spot on for me. I was quite surprised with how much spin I was able to get. The difference in spin production between the Luxilon and Silk was negligible to me.

I did, however, hit the black off the strings within an hour. Might be my new string of choice.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by Hominator

Hit with the 3.0 F Tour again this morning. I hit one with Luxilon Alu Power Rough and one with Dunlop Silk. I must say, I was really surprised at how much I liked the one strung with Dunlop Silk. The strings didn't move much and the power, spin, and feel were spot on for me. I was quite surprised with how much spin I was able to get. The difference in spin production between the Luxilon and Silk was negligible to me.

I did, however, hit the black off the strings within an hour. Might be my new string of choice.

the Dunlops really go well with multis since they are relatively low powered. But I have to say, I didn't like Silk at all....really think there are dozens of better feeling multi's out there. The difference between Silk and something like Xcel is like a mile wide IMO. Yes it is low powered and doesn't move, but that's it for me. No pocketing and give to the string like other multis. Feels like a cheap syngut to me.

[Hominator]

Originally Posted by JackB1

the Dunlops really go well with multis since they are relatively low powered. But I have to say, I didn't like Silk at all....really think there are dozens of better feeling multi's out there. The difference between Silk and something like Xcel is like a mile wide IMO. Yes it is low powered and doesn't move, but that's it for me. No pocketing and give to the string like other multis. Feels like a cheap syngut to me.

Yeah, I've seen the negative reviews for Silk, but I liked it in this frame. Maybe it's because I grew up on regular synthetic gut and tend to gravitate towards that feel. I strung another one with black Xcel, pretty much my go to string, so i'll get the chance to compare the two soon.

[MikeHitsHard93]

I hated silk as well. Demoed a bio 300t way back and really didn't like the stuff feel of those strings.

[kc571]

Agreed on the Silk. It was almost worth it to string it up the way that I wanted. The racquet was good to hit with, but I hit more unforced errors in matches. That worried me a little. My other demo stick was the Donnay XDUAL. For me, I was able to keep the ball in and win points.

[JackB1]

Silk would be good for someone who doesn't like their multi's to feel like typical multi's (springy, elastic, powerful). Silk is very firm feeling with lower power than most multi's. That doesn't make it bad...just different.

[corners]

Originally Posted by retrograde

Anyways, the two tools I like to use are:

Power Potential & Sweetspot Size scatter plots:
http://twu.tennis-warehouse.com/cgi-...eruniverse.cgi

Vibration Frequency:
http://twu.tennis-warehouse.com/cgi-...bfrequency.cgi

Using the above, I can see why the M3.0 and F3.0 seem similar to you, at least to a first order. Their power potential distributions and sweetspot zone areas are pretty similar.

Wow, the F3.0 that TWU tested has vibration frequency (dynamic flex) of 138. Most frames that flexible test around 58-62 RDC. The reason why people are reporting that the F plays soft is because it is soft. BTW, C10 Pro has vibration frequency of 137.

[retrograde]

Originally Posted by corners

Wow, the F3.0 that TWU tested has vibration frequency (dynamic flex) of 138. Most frames that flexible test around 58-62 RDC. The reason why people are reporting that the F plays soft is because it is soft. BTW, C10 Pro has vibration frequency of 137.

Yes, that's a relatively low characteristic frequency. Along with my F3.0 demo were a Yonex RDIS 200 and PK KI5 315, both known to be comfy racquets. Their frequencies are 136 and 140, respectively.

My first and second sessions with the F3.0, I felt it was stiffer/less-comfy than the RDIS 200 and KI5 315. During the third session today, the F3.0 didn't feel so bad. I'm chalking it up to strings or a touchy elbow for now.

[Hominator]

Practiced with one of my F 3.0 Tours strung with Babolat Xcel 17 black. The Xcel provided a much softer feel, consistent with what you would expect from a multi. Very soft and powerful. The Silk, by comparison, felt much stiffer, similar to regular synthetic gut, but a tad softer.

Surprisingly, I think I prefer the Silk in this frame. The stringbed feels very uniform and offers a very quick response. I'm also able to get a bit more control on my groundstrokes with Silk.

That said, I probably wouldn't pay full price for Silk.

[acura9927]

When do you guys expect the Bio 300 Tour to be under 100 dollars new? I want to get another one, I've searched all over and this is the only racquet made for me to swing away without sailing the ball to the back fence. I was thinking it would go down even lower than 129 on TW but hasn't yet.

[themitchmann]

I hit with it while testing several frames, including the new Head Speeds and Instincts, as well as the Steam 99S.

The Dunlop was the worst of the group. Very tinny feeling to me. Too light for a "Tour" racquet.

It's too bad, as I really wanted to like it. I dig the pj, though.

[tom4ny]

like the Bio 300 tour, the F3.0 Tour feels best when strung below 55#'s. When I first got my F3.0 from TW, they had strung it way too tight for me, around 60 #'s even though I had requested 55/52. Anyway, it was like night and day especially with a poly.

The F3.0 Tour is very stable for it's weight and can handle hitting against hard hitting opponents. I have had no issue with the racquet twisting even on off center shots. It is a fast frame with a snappy string bed and great control. Shock dampening is better than the Bio 300 Tour. The F3.0 has good power but I still added lead from 11:00-1:00 to match my Bio 300 Tours and I like it even better. The Bio 300 Tour's string bed has more dwell time and you feel the flex of the frame more. I understand what Dunlop means when they say that the new version is more "modern" but for my game the more oval head shape and the more traditional feel of the Bio 300 Tour is preferable.

I like these frames with Kirshbaum Pro Line II and Pro Line X and also with Isospeed Professional Classic and Energetic - all 17 gauge.

[Hominator]

Originally Posted by tom4ny

like the Bio 300 tour, the F3.0 Tour feels best when strung below 55#'s. When I first got my F3.0 from TW, they had strung it way too tight for me, around 60 #'s even though I had requested 55/52. Anyway, it was like night and day especially with a poly.

The F3.0 Tour is very stable for it's weight and can handle hitting against hard hitting opponents. I have had no issue with the racquet twisting even on off center shots. It is a fast frame with a snappy string bed and great control. Shock dampening is better than the Bio 300 Tour. The F3.0 has good power but I still added lead from 11:00-1:00 to match my Bio 300 Tours and I like it even better. The Bio 300 Tour's string bed has more dwell time and you feel the flex of the frame more. I understand what Dunlop means when they say that the new version is more "modern" but for my game the more oval head shape and the more traditional feel of the Bio 300 Tour is preferable.

I like these frames with Kirshbaum Pro Line II and Pro Line X and also with Isospeed Professional Classic and Energetic - all 17 gauge.

Agreed on all accounts.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by Hominator

Practiced with one of my F 3.0 Tours strung with Babolat Xcel 17 black. The Xcel provided a much softer feel, consistent with what you would expect from a multi. Very soft and powerful. The Silk, by comparison, felt much stiffer, similar to regular synthetic gut, but a tad softer.

Surprisingly, I think I prefer the Silk in this frame. The stringbed feels very uniform and offers a very quick response. I'm also able to get a bit more control on my groundstrokes with Silk.

That said, I probably wouldn't pay full price for Silk.

It's odd that the name of the string is "silk", but its one of the stiffest feeling multis around ??? But I agree Homi...it feels like a syngut to me.