jbdbackfan
Semi-Pro
What type of strings did you use? Have a feeling this racquet demands a multi or natural gut to get the missing pop you mentioned
Prince Phantom
- Thread starter joekapa
- Start date
What type of strings did you use? Have a feeling this racquet demands a multi or natural gut to get the missing pop you mentioned
tennis1111
Semi-Pro
Played shortly with Phantom today
.
I usually play with Tour 100. Much better feel and control with Phantom. Litlle bit less pop. May be due to strings.
Will play match tommorow and report back.
.I usually play with Tour 100. Much better feel and control with Phantom. Litlle bit less pop. May be due to strings.
Will play match tommorow and report back.
I used Alu power.
Bladerunner
New User
I have been testing a Phantom xr-j for a little bit more than one week. I really love it. It makes my tennis more versatile. Indeed, I used to play with 18x20 frames more or less head-loaded... this 16x18 headlight noodle is just perfect for me allowing to add spin to my game without losing too much control and pop. My model test was strung with Prince Warrior response, a very comfy mono (a kind of hybrid string) and If I had not arm issues I would have elected this string... however I think I am going to choose a mono-like multifilament (Tecnifibre HDX) or a multi-like, non polyester monofilament (Babolat Origin)... akthough unfortunateIy I should lose some control and spin with these strings compared to the Warrior response. By the way if some of you, guys, have suggestions...
Anyway this Phantom is for me such a interesting racquet to play with.
Anyway this Phantom is for me such a interesting racquet to play with.
SJSA
Professional
As a current player with Tour 100, I would like to hear your comparisons between Tour 100 and Phantom.Played shortly with Phantom today
I usually play with Tour 100. Much better feel and control with Phantom. Litlle bit less pop. May be due to strings.
Will play match tommorow and report back.
Unfortunately, there was also a trampoline effect. When blocking heavy shots, the ball would often fly long. That didn't happen with the RF97A. I strung with alu power at 52.
jmacdaununder2
Legend
Also it would be great to hear how it compares with TT95, especially with regard to flex and power. I've actually had the length of my TT95 extended by a pro shop to 28" (I've played with this length for so many years now it's difficult to change, especially on serve; maybe 27.5" would be doable) and it still feels perfect to me in terms of flex, definitely the best feeling racquet I've played with. I would just appreciate a little bigger head size to allow somewhat off centre hits to still come off okay, especially at a 28" length. Generally speaking, IMO extending racquets to 28" can result in too much of a noodly feeling, especially if the original ra wasn't high to begin with; the Textreme seems to mitigate this potential problem with my TT95, so I'm considering extending a Phantom - especially the non-ported model, if I can get my hands on one - or maybe a 100P.
I was a big fan of the TT95 except for it's lack of power. The Phantom did not feel quite as plush and with less power. Hard for me to get good bite on my slices. Could be the strings I used, alu power. Seemed less stable due to the larger head and thinner beam.
jmacdaununder2
Legend
Thanks for the info; maybe the non-ported model will have more 'playability'.
Seth
Legend
If I may ask: What NTRP are you?
jbdbackfan
Semi-Pro
How was stability and serve returns?Played shortly with Phantom today
I usually play with Tour 100. Much better feel and control with Phantom. Litlle bit less pop. May be due to strings.
Will play match tommorow and report back.
Just a lowly 3.5. Too demanding for my skill level, clearly.
every7
Hall of Fame
Thanks for the posts and including the photos. Sorry that the racquet didn't work out. You still did pick an amazing day to go to IW! Those matches must have been indredible to see live
Seth
Legend
Not lowly at all, I was curious about how different level players felt about the Phantom.
Seth
Legend
I use an EXO3 Tour 100 16x18 (first gen EXO3) regularly. All of the Tour 100s are fairly low powered, but I think the Textreme in the Phantom provides just enough stiffness to give it nice pop. Not a rocket launcher by any means, but a very playable racquet. The Phantom is an easy transition from the EXO3 Tour 100.
Seth
Legend
Played shortly with Phantom today
I usually play with Tour 100. Much better feel and control with Phantom. Litlle bit less pop. May be due to strings.
Will play match tommorow and report back.
I found more pop in the Phantom. I was using Tour XR poly strung at 52.
langdon0555
Semi-Pro
I have the last version of the tour 100 16x18...black and orange paint job.
Does the phantom play stiffer than that one?
Seth
Legend
I've only hit with the 18x20 version of that frame brefly. I don't remember it well enough to make a call.
tennis1111
Semi-Pro
I measured string tension today on my test Phantom an it is strung 8 lbs more then my Tour 100. String on phantom are Prince Beast 1.25 and I'm usually playing with Tecnifibre black code 1,24.
Played today and Phantom was better in every way compared to my Tour 100 16x18 but groundstrokes. It felt little bit anemic. It must be due to higher tensione and different string setting. Also much less spin with Beast becouse it doesn't grab the ball like black code does.
Interesting that I found Phantom little bit quicker thrue the air. May be becouse of bigger O3 holes.
Serving and volleys were so much better with Phantom. Something I allways missed with my Tour 100...
I have to restring it and test again.
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tennis1111
Semi-Pro
You can feel the flex but it isn't mushy like Tour 100.
Feels much more like normal racket
jmacdaununder2
Legend
Was the quickness through the air perhaps due to the thin beam etc.? Great, a serve/volley racquet; a racquet for a dying art from a dying? - maybe in North America - company? Surely some revelation is at hand?...surely the second coming is at hand?
langdon0555
Semi-Pro
You can feel the flex but it isn't mushy like Tour 100.
Feels much more like normal racket
What other racquet feels (flex wise) like the phantom?
tennis1111
Semi-Pro
I would say you can feel flex in the head. Hope this helps
Doc Hollidae
Hall of Fame
Any suggestions on what to string the Phantom at with full poly?
Seth
Legend
Prince Tour XR. I strung at 52 lbs.
tennis1111
Semi-Pro
So I have restrung Phantom and it plays much better now.
It plays bit more flat then prince Tour 100 16x18 and I would say with a bit less spin. Don't get me wrong, Phantom has planty of spin but ball doesn't jumps that high compared to Tour 100 16x18. New Pure Strike will be better comparison.
Phantom is quicker thrue the air then Tour 100 and I was having problem with my timing in the beging of the first set. By the end of first the set it was much better.
Serving and volleys are new level comparing to Tour 100 16x18.
And only for jbdjackfun stability was good but I wouldn't say it is the most stable racquet on the market.
So to conclude, new Phantom is more complete racquet then Prince tour 100. It looks like it is very string sensitive so test it with different strings and tension. For me it is little bit strange to hold and play with such a thin beam but I think I will get used to it.
It plays bit more flat then prince Tour 100 16x18 and I would say with a bit less spin. Don't get me wrong, Phantom has planty of spin but ball doesn't jumps that high compared to Tour 100 16x18. New Pure Strike will be better comparison.
Phantom is quicker thrue the air then Tour 100 and I was having problem with my timing in the beging of the first set. By the end of first the set it was much better.
Serving and volleys are new level comparing to Tour 100 16x18.
And only for jbdjackfun
stability was good but I wouldn't say it is the most stable racquet on the market.So to conclude, new Phantom is more complete racquet then Prince tour 100. It looks like it is very string sensitive so test it with different strings and tension. For me it is little bit strange to hold and play with such a thin beam but I think I will get used to it.
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djNEiGht
Legend
I just strung up the Phantom with 17g syn gut. Will do another type of string shortly. Just wanted to get an honest feel of the racquet as well as seat the grommets. It is a really great looking stick. Thin beamed and flex up in the hoop. I don't miss stringing o-ports though Should hit with it tomorrow.
Your gut mains and tension adjustment will provide enough power.
haqq777
Legend
Any particular recommendation in terms of tensions? I'm thinking of going 52lbs on gut mains (Lux) and 49lbs Cyclone crosses once I string up the racquet. Do you suggest going even lower? For reference I'm coming off full bed poly in my PDs @ 51lbs. Thanks
Sorry, I was talking in general about dealing with low-powered racquets. I myself have not tried the Phantom.
Just start somewhere and adjust the second time. I would personally not recommend Cyclone as a cross string to gut mains unless you really like that setup.
I have gone as high as 72/65 and as low as 48/30 on gut-poly hybrids, depending on sticks. I have yet to find a frame that it so anemic that I cannot get decent juice out of it by using gut mains and adjusting tension. There are powerful polys as well, so that gives you further options.
djNEiGht
Legend
In my iPrestige MP 18x20 I string gut poly at 53/50 and my full bed poly at 45 for reference. I did string my PD w full poly at 45 as well because it was a stiffer racquet
I haven't hit with the Phantom yet and will know where to adjust tension when I go poly or multi after my syn gut adventure. I feel that adding the gut poly hybrid will add some nice power but you are already coming off of a powerful set up and tension. Maybe go with 55/52? Also, I would suggest changing the poly from cyclone to a smooth/round poly. I think you would get better snap back as well as not saw through the mains.
haqq777
Legend
Thank you, both gentlemen for the recommendations. I will swap the Cyclone with Red Code Wax I have lying around somewhere (that thing has great snapback in my experience). I used the gut with Cyclone poly setup on my RF97A and it played really nicely but I agree with a smooth rounder poly hybrid. Cheers.
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djNEiGht
Legend
good luck with your phantom experience. The tensions I mentioned are also for my personal use. Some others that I have strung for like the PD similar to mine and then I'll get some at a similar tension as you use. The Red Code Wax sounds exciting. I have yet to try it.
One thing that might challenge me in finding the tension on this racquet is the o-ports and lack of boomerang. I am using the sharpie/dowel method. I did not want to go with the 50/50 method.
Doc Hollidae
Hall of Fame
I ended up stringing it at 52 mains and 50 crosses.
JohnBPittsburgh
Hall of Fame
I have strung 56/52 with VS Gut/Prince Tour XR in my Prince Tour 16x18 and it was perfect. I think it would play perfectly in the Phantom. (or something similar in tension)
tennis1111
Semi-Pro
BTW Green Prince Beast dumper goes so well with new Phantom
jackcrawford
Professional
I love the feel of the Prince Tour 18 x 20, but not enough pop for this 4.0. I'm guessing the Phantom will be a fun hit, but not a a match frame for me. For years I have used a V1 Classic with a Wilson Shockshield grip as my regular match racquet.
djNEiGht
Legend
I'll post my Beast XP damp in the Phantom later. So purty!BTW Green Prince Beast dumper goes so well with new Phantom
Bladerunner
New User
I am going to test a multi (Tecnifibre HDX) on the Phantom. I do not know whether or not I am going to get the same positive feeling I had with the Prince Warrior Response. I plan to string it with HDX at 55 lbs.
Doc Hollidae
Hall of Fame
Played a set of doubles with the Phantom last night. First thing that came to mind is this racket needs some lead. It was incredibly difficult to put away a ball whether from the baseline or at the net. With the low flex and static weight, the racket really lacks plow through. The racket is incredibly soft and much more dampened than the Speedport Tour I used to play with. I really would be interest
I could see myself playing with this racket after adding a good amount of lead though. I see this more of a platform racket, than a racket you would play with stock, at least in a 4.5+ setting.
I could see myself playing with this racket after adding a good amount of lead though. I see this more of a platform racket, than a racket you would play with stock, at least in a 4.5+ setting.
tennis1111
Semi-Pro
It looks to me too that it needs little bit of lead, comparing to my Tour 100 16*18. Can't understand why as they have very similar specs and swingweight...
Sounds like a perfect racquet for extension of length.
Doc Hollidae
Hall of Fame
Why do you say that? The racket needs lead in the head in its current state.
Oh, it's for those of us who like extended racquets.
The lengthening adds a whole lot of swing weight, so it often renders adding lead to the head unnecessary unless the racquet lacks stability.
Doc Hollidae
Hall of Fame
Just lacks mass in the head. I would think extending it would increase that issue, but I haven't played with an extended racket since the original 6.2 Hammer Stretch.
mugener
Rookie
Sounded like my type of racket."With the low flex and static weight, the racket really lacks plow through. The racket is incredibly soft and much more dampened"--
ollinger
G.O.A.T.
can't imagine what Prince had in mind here. Other than a small number of eccentrics out there, I don't think the market is crying out for a racquet with the lowest flex number in all of tennis. An RA of 62 or 63 used to be the dividing line between stiffer and flexier, now that number seems to be 67.
yonexRx32
Professional
I was only pointing to the poster's contradictory statements "low flex and soft".. Soft is usually high flexibility. I guess he meant "low RA"..
