Yonex VCORE series 2018

Sardines

Sardines

Hall of Fame
Since it's no longer the Vcore SV, I thought the range of racquets deserve its own thread.

The marketing text is now less numbers (like the SV 2.9% more spin with Aerofins etc) and just a big marketing statement of most spin friendly racquet ever!

The Liner tech (like Wilson's parallel drilling) is about lengthening the main 12 strings, which will change the feel, as will the NAMD material and the shoulder grooves too.

http://yonex.com/sports/tennis/products/tennis/racquets/vcore-series

VC95_2.jpg

VC95.jpg

VCORE 95
VC98.jpg

VC98_2.jpg

VCORE 98
VC100_2.jpg

VC100_2.jpg

VCORE 100
 
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XFactorer

XFactorer

Hall of Fame
Considering I didn't mind the NAMD updating in the VCORE Pros... I might get the 98 sight unseen. And they took out that extra darn cross! YAS!
 
Sardines

Sardines

Hall of Fame
Going from 16x20 to 16x19 isn't going to be that big of a difference! Looks like they just cut it from the top of the hoop, which would increase string movement and maybe create some control issues. For me, the SV series doesn't need more power or spin, it needs more feel. It's not stiff but it is quite dead. Maybe more twist weight for stability and 1-2pts more head light, while maintaining 345+ swing weight.
 
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styksnstryngs

styksnstryngs

Professional
Sardines said:
Going from 16x20 to 16x19 isn't going to be that big of a difference! Looks like they just cut it from the bottom of the hoop, which would increase string movement and maybe create some control issues. For me, the SV series doesn't need more power or spin, it needs more feel. It's not stiff but it is quite dead. Maybe more twist weight for stability and 1-2pts more head light, while maintaining 345+ swing weight.
Click to expand...
Two words: lead tape
 
Sardines

Sardines

Hall of Fame
Well that's something new. I think feel for me is about vibration from the string bed and how it's dampened in the racquet. The SV series are fast swinging slugger racquets, and the extra plush feel isn't in the design of a slugger's stick, which is a pity. I like the extra power of the SV98+, but the response is quite dead compared to traditional racquets from the 90s and 00s, which takes away some of the precision.
 
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XFactorer

XFactorer

Hall of Fame
Sardines said:
Going from 16x20 to 16x19 isn't going to be that big of a difference! Looks like they just cut it from the bottom of the hoop, which would increase string movement and maybe create some control issues. For me, the SV series doesn't need more power or spin, it needs more feel. It's not stiff but it is quite dead. Maybe more twist weight for stability and 1-2pts more head light, while maintaining 345+ swing weight.
Click to expand...
You'd be surprised how many people are in my camp... 1 cross does change up the stringbed quite a bit.
 
mpournaras

mpournaras

Hall of Fame
Sardines said:
Going from 16x20 to 16x19 isn't going to be that big of a difference! Looks like they just cut it from the bottom of the hoop, which would increase string movement and maybe create some control issues. For me, the SV series doesn't need more power or spin, it needs more feel. It's not stiff but it is quite dead. Maybe more twist weight for stability and 1-2pts more head light, while maintaining 345+ swing weight.
Click to expand...
You could probably even string up that bottom shared hole as a cross if you wanted. I got a Duel G 97 demo with 21 crosses... Didnt mind it lol.

Te picture makes it look like the strings are notched for a 20th cross anyway lol
 
fundrazer

fundrazer

G.O.A.T.
XFactorer said:
Considering I didn't mind the NAMD updating in the VCORE Pros... I might get the 98 sight unseen. And they took out that extra darn cross! YAS!
Click to expand...
I might do the same. I think there's still an offer on the table from my friend to get me a new racquet. Probably not going to have the time to demo. Question will be do I go with the 95 or 98. I only tried the SV95 last time, as I thought the 98 might be a little too stiff for me. I'm not as worried about that lately, as I was hitting my old PDR for a few weeks and didn't have problems.
 
XFactorer

XFactorer

Hall of Fame
fundrazer said:
I might do the same. I think there's still an offer on the table from my friend to get me a new racquet. Probably not going to have the time to demo. Question will be do I go with the 95 or 98. I only tried the SV95 last time, as I thought the 98 might be a little too stiff for me. I'm not as worried about that lately, as I was hitting my old PDR for a few weeks and didn't have problems.
Click to expand...
The 95 is still a 16x20, if that makes a difference. It's gonna feel like a board!
 
G

GreenClay

Rookie
mpournaras said:
September. All the specs are out on the Yonex site... except for stiffness. Which is what we all want lol
Click to expand...
Thanks. Yeah, I saw the specs, but it largely comes down to stiffness. I’m back to using my EZONE dr 98s and wondering whether the VCORE 95 might be in the same ballpark in terms of feel, power, control, etc.
I, for one, am hoping for a flexier 95. Never played with the 95 SV but sounds like it was a bit jarring.
Hopefully, we won’t have to wait until sept for a review/preview
 
Tour_G

Tour_G

Semi-Pro
So we can expect even more power from the 98 due to the 16x19? But, on the other hand, I guess it will add some comfort at impact and hopefully they lowered the stiffness to tame the power.
 
XFactorer

XFactorer

Hall of Fame
mpournaras said:
September. All the specs are out on the Yonex site... except for stiffness. Which is what we all want lol
Click to expand...

TW said end of August in a QA thread. We won't know stiffness until then. :-(


*update: Aug 25 is the official launch* - just got an email from Yonex in my Spam box.
 
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XFactorer

XFactorer

Hall of Fame
Tour_G said:
So we can expect even more power from the 98 due to the 16x19? But, on the other hand, I guess it will add some comfort at impact and hopefully they lowered the stiffness to tame the power.
Click to expand...
Namd felt good in the VCORE Pro line... I hope it'll soften the VCORE 98 a bit.
 
Sardines

Sardines

Hall of Fame
http://www.tennis.com/gear/2018/07/racquet-preview-yonex-vcore/75193/

Jon Levey says it's 7% less stiff.

Tour_G said:
So we can expect even more power from the 98 due to the 16x19? But, on the other hand, I guess it will add some comfort at impact and hopefully they lowered the stiffness to tame the power.
Click to expand...

Not necessarily. The main power comes from the open string pattern from the 6 mains on the throat. Going to 16x19 "seems" to be an attempt to make the top half of the hoop more open, which will give it a bit more juice, but also spin. I personally don't think it needs any more power or spin, but if this NAMD material gives more feel, that would be a good thing.
 
mpournaras

mpournaras

Hall of Fame
Sardines said:
http://www.tennis.com/gear/2018/07/racquet-preview-yonex-vcore/75193/

Jon Levey says it's 7% less stiff.



Not necessarily. The main power comes from the open string pattern from the 6 mains on the throat. Going to 16x19 "seems" to be an attempt to make the top half of the hoop more open, which will give it a bit more juice, but also spin. I personally don't think it needs any more power or spin, but if this NAMD material gives more feel, that would be a good thing.
Click to expand...
That brings the VCore 98 to a comfy 62-63 RA (just using the percentage)
 
BigM

BigM

Rookie
The 95 is the pick of the bunch. The 98 and 100 felt stiff to me but I currently use Ezone 98+. It will be interesting to see what others think.
 
XFactorer

XFactorer

Hall of Fame
FV_Br said:
If the 98 has a low stifness, that will be my choice!
Click to expand...
Same.

Sounds like a lot of us like the softer Yonex racquets. Even their stiffer ones were relatively comfortable compared to Babolats and others brands. I played with the DR100 for a while and didn't mind that it was stiff because it was so comfortable!
 
Sardines

Sardines

Hall of Fame
XFactorer said:
Same.

Sounds like a lot of us like the softer Yonex racquets. Even their stiffer ones were relatively comfortable compared to Babolats and others brands. I played with the DR100 for a while and didn't mind that it was stiff because it was so comfortable!
Click to expand...
The SV is stiffer than the DR, so I doubt the new series will be that much more flexible than the Vcore Pro and Ezone series.
 
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XFactorer

XFactorer

Hall of Fame
Sardines said:
The SV is stiffer than the DR, so I doubt the new series will be that much more flexible than the Vcore Pro and Ezone series.
Click to expand...
Agreed. But it can be softer/flexier relative to the SV series. In one of the threads, TW mentioned as 7% softer/flexier per Yonex reps. That's a small win in my book.
 
rvernsey

rvernsey

New User
A little better look at some of the small details:

DSC_0721-800-1.jpg

DSC_0733-800-1.jpg

DSC_0729-800-1.jpg

DSC_0727-800-1.jpg

DSC_0725-800-1.jpg

DSC_0742-800-1.jpg

DSC_0743-800-1.jpg


Unstrung RA of sample of the 98 was 64 RA unstrung which should be very soft compared to 2016 models. Samples aren't always identical to production, I'll test as soon as I receive some hitters in a couple weeks or less.
 
Sardines

Sardines

Hall of Fame
@XFactorer not TW, tennis.com's Jon Levey did and I quoted him.

That red is pretty shocking in those pics!

I have to say I'm not big on the color as it's bright and in bright sunlight, a bit bright. I hope it plays better than it looks! haha
 
XFactorer

XFactorer

Hall of Fame
@rvernsey Thanks for the pics! The VCORE (throat area) looks like a change from the SVs, right?

As for RA rating.... it drops when it's strung, am I right?
 
G

Gemini

Hall of Fame
GreenClay said:
And from TW

We haven't received our samples yet although they are due any day now in our office so we can't comment on a number. However, from what we were told from Yonex, the updates should be slightly (1-2 lbs) more flexible but we can't confirm anything official at this time.

Thanks,
Brittany, TW
Click to expand...

Well..then..I'm out!! The reason I moved from the DR line to VCore line is that I wanted a stiffer frame that still gave me almost all the attributes of the DR 98s. I don't find the SV 98+ to be a stiff playing frame at all. It's pretty magical in my opinion. Time to stock up :)
 
Classic-TXP-IG MID

Classic-TXP-IG MID

Hall of Fame
rvernsey said:
A little better look at some of the small details:

DSC_0721-800-1.jpg

DSC_0733-800-1.jpg

DSC_0729-800-1.jpg

DSC_0727-800-1.jpg

DSC_0725-800-1.jpg

DSC_0742-800-1.jpg

DSC_0743-800-1.jpg


Unstrung RA of sample of the 98 was 64 RA unstrung which should be very soft compared to 2016 models. Samples aren't always identical to production, I'll test as soon as I receive some hitters in a couple weeks or less.
Click to expand...

Love the look of these racquets... Thanks @rvernsey

They are sounding better and better. I like the colour and design, the RA of the 98 if it stays as you measured and drops after stringing, is great. In the previous (current) version the SV95 was the lowest RA... so if the same goes for the upcoming models, it could get even better. Really excited now.

Looking forward to more updates and reviews.
 
fundrazer

fundrazer

G.O.A.T.
Sneak peak on the vlog today. Paintjob looks super nice. They don't have specs for us yet though as they're waiting for a bigger sample size.

 
W

whorng

Rookie
Hmmm, if the 98 is 64 RA unstrung that is ~62 strung. More flexible than the Vcore Pro and Ezone 98?
And I just bought another pair of Vcore Pro 98 310g. Grrrrr...
 
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