Prince Vegeta
Semi-Pro
What's everyone's opinion on this frame? How do you think a low tension poly would play in it? I currently play volkl cyclone 17 @ 38lbs in my babs pure control tour.
Yonex Ezone DR 98+
- Thread starter Prince Vegeta
- Start date
I would not recommend using lower tension on this racket. So far, I have tried both Yonex Poly Tour and Luxilon Alu Power at 52lb. As is, it is too powerful and it is difficult to hit short sharper angled balls. This was an interesting concept, but in reality, it cost me many matches this season and it's been a bit of disaster. It has too much of an trampoline effect and it is tough to control the depth of the shots. I have had too many balls go out when I had the point won essentially and all I had to was to bump the ball in the open court, because the ball launches high and long without good topspin, unless you hit it just right.
I plan on bumping up the tension significantly and give one more try. If it does not work out, you will see two 98+s for sale.
I plan on bumping up the tension significantly and give one more try. If it does not work out, you will see two 98+s for sale.
kimguroo
Legend
I am experimenting extended racket recently. I pulled out old rackets from my closet and I liked extended racket. mostly it's OS rackets but have a donnay silver x-core (don't remember the exact name) and like it except stiffness which is 70. Even though I don't have an arm problem, I felt I want to less stiff rackets.
I used racket finder tool and surprisingly only two rackets were find. prokennex Ki 5x and Dr98+. since 5X is sold out, 7g or q5x might be an option but slightly higher stiffness.
I might be few person who is not really clicked with AI/DR lines and very concern about similar result with DR98+
I used racket finder tool and surprisingly only two rackets were find. prokennex Ki 5x and Dr98+. since 5X is sold out, 7g or q5x might be an option but slightly higher stiffness.
I might be few person who is not really clicked with AI/DR lines and very concern about similar result with DR98+
ezekiel114
Semi-Pro
Pulled the trigger on these a month or so ago. Had them strung with yonex poly tour pro 16g @48. Enjoyed my bh and serving with it. Felt pretty natural.
However, my forehand has taken a bit to adjust. Either I need to shorten my swing or step back to give myself more time. Typical issues with an extended frame.
My volleys suck with whatever racquet I use anyways so I'll exclude that from the review [emoji41]
First frame I haven't modified. I've thought about maybe some at 3/9 or 10/2 but honestly feel like it plays pretty awesome stock. I might up the tension and mess around with some setups but as I mentioned in the dr98 club, I'm surprised this hasn't gotten the hype the standard one did when it first came out.
This is a must try.
Waiting...
jmacdaununder2
Legend
Waiting...waiting...lol
TennisManiac
Hall of Fame
I'm right there with you. I'm about to unload mine too for the same reasons. I may give the standard version a try.
Allcourtguy
Semi-Pro
I'm not having these issues at all. Playing with HyperG at 47 and loving it. Able to execute pretty much any shot I want with it. The higher SW for me over the standard DR98 has been a huge plus and adjusting my strokes took a couple of weeks but well worth the effort. Far superior to the standard DR98 IMO.
I imagine much depends on what you are used to and your technique. So, as usual, you mileage may vary. Hence, I recommend demo'ing first. Other than the issues I mentioned above, they racket is extraordinarily comfortable and does many things well.
I haven't tried higher tension and/or different strings yet. One challenging thing was that since I got used to a longer racket, my normal length rackets fell a bit too stubby. So, as an emergency measure to salvage my tennis season, I sourced an i.Prestige MP XL locally (Craigslist) and it ended up working out well for me. The XL (Head) has the flex in the right places and feels really solid. I used to have several of standard i.Prestige MPs as well as XLs. The regular model was heavier and firmer feeling racket, so noticeable increase in flex was a welcome change in the XL model especially with poly strings and tight string pattern (18x20).
Unfortunately, IMHO, Yonex took an already flexy DR and made it longer, so it feels rather strange. Another big thing for me was that I did not like the shape of the Yonex grips, whereas the old rectangle shaped Head Prestige grip feels perfect to me. Strangely, I actually hit noticeably bigger serve with the i.Prestige XL than with the DR+. This probably has more to do with the weight and balance rather than the XL being more powerful necessarily. Also, I am seeing much better control as well as slightly better spin (tighter topspin) with the XL. The ball goes exactly where I aim and I am not losing points on quick exchanges as I was with the Yonex DR+. Again, much of this is based on personal history and preference, so your mileage may vary.
I haven't tried higher tension and/or different strings yet. One challenging thing was that since I got used to a longer racket, my normal length rackets fell a bit too stubby. So, as an emergency measure to salvage my tennis season, I sourced an i.Prestige MP XL locally (Craigslist) and it ended up working out well for me. The XL (Head) has the flex in the right places and feels really solid. I used to have several of standard i.Prestige MPs as well as XLs. The regular model was heavier and firmer feeling racket, so noticeable increase in flex was a welcome change in the XL model especially with poly strings and tight string pattern (18x20).
Unfortunately, IMHO, Yonex took an already flexy DR and made it longer, so it feels rather strange. Another big thing for me was that I did not like the shape of the Yonex grips, whereas the old rectangle shaped Head Prestige grip feels perfect to me. Strangely, I actually hit noticeably bigger serve with the i.Prestige XL than with the DR+. This probably has more to do with the weight and balance rather than the XL being more powerful necessarily. Also, I am seeing much better control as well as slightly better spin (tighter topspin) with the XL. The ball goes exactly where I aim and I am not losing points on quick exchanges as I was with the Yonex DR+. Again, much of this is based on personal history and preference, so your mileage may vary.
Prince Vegeta
Semi-Pro
I used to use an extended length pure drive in college. I had the biggest serve on the team and I want to rekindle some of that. The pure drive was a bit too stiff for my liking though. I agree, standard frames do feel stubby.
D
Deleted member 19728
Guest
Yeah I am in the same boat, I love this thing. I find it easier to hit angles because the racquet head is so much further out there and you can real carve out an inside out forehand. I couldn't make a go of it either with the standard weight DR98, but the plus lengths fixed all my issues with it and I love this stick more than any I have hit with in eons. Just effortless power and great control. Plus the head of the raquet coming through contact feels like a midsize and not as clunky as my PDR+s. Great frame.
ZirkusAffe
Semi-Pro
Just hit with my friends he has the BHB7's in there which I think are starting to lose control but man o man that racquet hit incredibly nice, I use the DR98 regularly now and its very nice, the +plus is better, my BH was a big weapon, BHB7 even almost a trampoline I was putting the ball down in the court and putting serious pressure on him at will. FH for me was a problem yesterday I was hitting big top spin but loopy shots they were landing in but not my ideal stroke hitting that high over the net, BH was the complete opposite.. I thought for sure there would be more adjustment to length but nope awesome out of the gate, I look forward to hitting with it again soon or just buying one. I didn't get to serve with it. shaped polys in that racquet is insane spin I could see his incoming balls with so much spin it was crazy. I'm giving him a set of cyclone 19g tonight he's finding it erratic on DTL or sharper angles x-court, and I saw that he was struggling with keeping it in on the sides by about 3-4" when he went after it. Can't wait to hit with that beast again though.
compared to the DR98, I found the Plus to be equally fast into the hitting zone made it simple to just pick up and hit with extra power and spin. For me control is depth I had better depth control than with my DR98 but my cyclones and string bed is probably dead and close to locked, so unfair comparison to his fresher and sharp BHB7's. I'd do BHB7's with OGSM blk synth crosses in a second on the plus.
compared to the DR98, I found the Plus to be equally fast into the hitting zone made it simple to just pick up and hit with extra power and spin. For me control is depth I had better depth control than with my DR98 but my cyclones and string bed is probably dead and close to locked, so unfair comparison to his fresher and sharp BHB7's. I'd do BHB7's with OGSM blk synth crosses in a second on the plus.
Prince Vegeta
Semi-Pro
Thanks for the response! I'm super excited to try it now!
TennisManiac
Hall of Fame
Tried hitting with mine again today and again after about 10 minutes I put it down and grabbed my PS97. I submitted a classified F/S ad this morning. Hopefully it will be up in a day or so. Check it out.
TennisBoysCousin
Rookie
Anyone try adding lead to this frame?
Prince Vegeta
Semi-Pro
I'm equally curious to see how it plays with lead. My normal spec is about 345g, 7 points HL, and 340 SW; but these specs are for a 27 inch racket. Idk how well a 7 point HL balance will work on a 27.5 frame.
ZirkusAffe
Semi-Pro
It's 6HL out of the gate, has more power than the DR98.. I think leather grip would get you to the 7-8HL range.. no clue if you need more lead in the hoop for plow, definitely more power in the plus over the DR98.
