Speed Pro Graphene pics (and others) - Page 4

Federerkblade · 01-15-2013, 10:58 PM

does it come with leather grip underneath????

also what weight should this racquet weigh unstrung with the packaging on ?

Dgdavid · 01-15-2013, 11:31 PM

My first impression after three sets with the Graphene Pro is very good. Mine is strung with RPM Blast 17 at 50lbs and is a lovely hit. Will know more when I play a doubles match tomorrow and a singles match Friday but am confident to take it straight in. Prefer it to my new Vcore Xi 98 (which is also very good).

lidoazndiabloboi · 01-15-2013, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Federerkblade

does it come with leather grip underneath????

also what weight should this racquet weigh unstrung with the packaging on ?

it comes stock with the Head Hydrosorb pro white grip. I swapped the leather grip on myself. Others have pictures of the weight with packaging.

My racket is 345g (12.17oz) strung with leather grip, overgrip, dampener and 3g of lead tape at the top.

Federerkblade · 01-15-2013, 11:43 PM

cool im thinking of ordering mine today and stringing it with either full black code 47lbs or wilson gut main and technifibre razor code cross at 55/51.

Just wish these racquets came on spec

West Coast Ace · 01-16-2013, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neil1b

...Groundstrokes were amazing....Persons with one handed backhand will love this stick....

Great review. Going to call the shop and get a demo racket.

Federerkblade · 01-17-2013, 10:58 AM

Guys more review pls ?????

Anton · 01-17-2013, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Federerkblade

Guys more review pls ?????

I second the motion!

Oz_Rocket · 01-17-2013, 11:48 AM

Well I could find plenty of stock in Melbourne while here for the AO but all the demos were out and had a 4 day wait. So I pulled the trigger and bought a Speed Pro anyway. I've only had a hit with my kids so only initial impressions (although my 9yo son can hit fairly decent groundies).

My current racquet is a Speed IG MP 315 16x19. Love the balance and feel (not too stiff for my ageing arm) but I am not a fan of the off centre instability. I'm still getting back into the game after a 13 year break so thought I'd try an 18x20.

I'll weigh the Pro when I get home but I have put an overgrip and dampener on and it has the factory string (Sonic Pro). Feel and balance in the hand is great and right for me.

After my first few strokes I was surprised at how much power it has compared to what my IG MP was like new. Also the off centre stability is much improved. If the kids hit one long and I volleyed it back softly to keep the rally going it was just so much easier to make the shot compared to the IG MP which would tend to die if not hit perfectly.

Control was great and as expected much better than the IG MP. While I didn't get the chance to hit many hard balls, it doesn't feel any stiffer than the IG MP and for someone who is naturally a more flat hitter I could generate enough spin for my liking when needed.

Serving was fantastic. I'm fairly old school with a hard flat first serve (used to be up around 200kmh but these days is more like 180-190) and I didn't feel I'd lost much if anything in raw speed compared to the IG MP but gained a lot in control. Only hit a few slice second serves but again they felt good. I didn't hit too many volleys or overheads but the racquet feels very manoeuvrable with plenty of control.

So overall first impression is this is a great racquet and as others have said Head appears to have addressed the few things that I didn't like about the old model. Looking forward to playing against some grow ups to give it a full work out. Next will be playing around with strings and I am really looking forward to getting a hold of some of the new Sonic Pro Edge.

EikelBeiter · 01-17-2013, 11:54 AM

Does it feel heavier than a prestige?

How would you compare the power level to a youtek radical?

Federerkblade · 01-17-2013, 11:56 AM

Yeah baby thanks for that review.. more pls

Oz_Rocket · 01-17-2013, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EikelBeiter

Does it feel heavier than a prestige?

How would you compare the power level to a youtek radical?

I'm only just getting back into tennis after a long time away so have very limited experience with different frames beyond a few demos so take these comments with a grain of salt.

I hit with a Prestige Pro very briefly but have hit a bit with a friend's IG Speed Pro and the new Graphene Speed Pro feels lighter than both (which you'd expect). Probably the best comparison is that it feels slightly lighter and easier to swing than my IG MP (which has the same unstrung weight of 315g) but not as light as the old IG MP 300.

Again I've only demoed a Radical MP once but the power level is lower to what I remember about the Radical but I have no idea what strings/tension were in it and it was ages ago.

Torres · 01-17-2013, 12:30 PM

So are these Speed rackets ultra polarized? Head promo vid says all the weight is shifted to the head and handle or is that just marketing gumpf? If its utlra polarized, I'm not sure that that's necessarily a great thing because I'd rather have a more even distribution of weight.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_n-hDutA5ws

srvnvly · 01-18-2013, 05:42 AM

Played doubles last night with the Speed MP and Pro, and the new Instinct. The Speed Pro was by far the rock star: power and stability aplenty. The MP was underweighted, with not enough plow-through for me; if this was weighted similar to the Pro (weight, swingweight, stability), it would be my new stick. The instinct was better, but still lacked plow-through. The Instinct is a great candidate for lead tape.

I'm still leaning toward the Steam 99S, but the new Speed Pro gave me a LOT to think about, while I wait to demo the Steam 99.

Torres · 01-18-2013, 10:05 AM

^ Are you able to describe the characteristics of the Pro compared to other well known racquets and in what areas its better or worse?

Anton · 01-18-2013, 10:49 AM

The main thing that turned me off from speed line was lack of stability..but from the sounds of it that issue has been fixed.

Federerkblade · 01-18-2013, 11:20 AM

if you look at the two tool it suggests it has a massive sweet spot now too...

i just want to find one on spec > I personally think the speed range is a beautiful looking racquet but coud not play with one as i didnt get on with of the other previous speeds apart from 300 but that needed way too much customization

mrc · 01-19-2013, 04:22 AM

I hit the Graphene Speed Pro today. Strung with 4G Mains Poly at 50lbs and Nat Gut at 55 Crosses. Just not my thing, too stiff, thick, light, and hollow feeling.If you want to break 200MPH on your forehand..great stick. Reminds me a bit of Head Radical IG Pro which I hit for a few minutes.

neil1b · 01-19-2013, 04:30 AM

Light???? Ummm.....mine in 12.2 with over grip and dampner............light?

Federerkblade · 01-19-2013, 04:32 AM

first negative review its important to have balance with reviews. intrigued if any 4.5 plus players dont like it

neil1b · 01-19-2013, 04:35 AM

No, I get that and I am sure its not for everyone, but how can one say a 12 ounce stick is light? More so since their current stick is lighter?

01-15-2013, 10:58 PM	#61
Federerkblade Semi-Pro Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 703	does it come with leather grip underneath???? also what weight should this racquet weigh unstrung with the packaging on ? __________________ Wilson Pro Open BLX 2012 modded to 335g lead at 10 and 9 Last edited by Federerkblade : 01-15-2013 at 11:17 PM.

01-15-2013, 11:31 PM	#62
Dgdavid Professional Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Surrey, England Posts: 818	My first impression after three sets with the Graphene Pro is very good. Mine is strung with RPM Blast 17 at 50lbs and is a lovely hit. Will know more when I play a doubles match tomorrow and a singles match Friday but am confident to take it straight in. Prefer it to my new Vcore Xi 98 (which is also very good). __________________ Tecnifibre 315 Ltd 16x19

01-15-2013, 11:43 PM	#64
Federerkblade Semi-Pro Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 703	cool im thinking of ordering mine today and stringing it with either full black code 47lbs or wilson gut main and technifibre razor code cross at 55/51. Just wish these racquets came on spec __________________ Wilson Pro Open BLX 2012 modded to 335g lead at 10 and 9

01-17-2013, 10:58 AM	#66
Federerkblade Semi-Pro Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 703	Guys more review pls ????? __________________ Wilson Pro Open BLX 2012 modded to 335g lead at 10 and 9

01-17-2013, 11:48 AM	#68
Oz_Rocket Rookie Join Date: May 2012 Location: The Land Down Under Posts: 133	Well I could find plenty of stock in Melbourne while here for the AO but all the demos were out and had a 4 day wait. So I pulled the trigger and bought a Speed Pro anyway. I've only had a hit with my kids so only initial impressions (although my 9yo son can hit fairly decent groundies). My current racquet is a Speed IG MP 315 16x19. Love the balance and feel (not too stiff for my ageing arm) but I am not a fan of the off centre instability. I'm still getting back into the game after a 13 year break so thought I'd try an 18x20. I'll weigh the Pro when I get home but I have put an overgrip and dampener on and it has the factory string (Sonic Pro). Feel and balance in the hand is great and right for me. After my first few strokes I was surprised at how much power it has compared to what my IG MP was like new. Also the off centre stability is much improved. If the kids hit one long and I volleyed it back softly to keep the rally going it was just so much easier to make the shot compared to the IG MP which would tend to die if not hit perfectly. Control was great and as expected much better than the IG MP. While I didn't get the chance to hit many hard balls, it doesn't feel any stiffer than the IG MP and for someone who is naturally a more flat hitter I could generate enough spin for my liking when needed. Serving was fantastic. I'm fairly old school with a hard flat first serve (used to be up around 200kmh but these days is more like 180-190) and I didn't feel I'd lost much if anything in raw speed compared to the IG MP but gained a lot in control. Only hit a few slice second serves but again they felt good. I didn't hit too many volleys or overheads but the racquet feels very manoeuvrable with plenty of control. So overall first impression is this is a great racquet and as others have said Head appears to have addressed the few things that I didn't like about the old model. Looking forward to playing against some grow ups to give it a full work out. Next will be playing around with strings and I am really looking forward to getting a hold of some of the new Sonic Pro Edge. Last edited by Oz_Rocket : 01-17-2013 at 12:15 PM.