Nick777
Semi-Pro
Thats too thin... Cyclone tour only the 1.30 has very good tension maintenance and the red colour plays pretty well. Tried the 1.25 but lost tension quicker
Prince Phantom Pro and Phantom Pro100P
- Thread starter Hayward Butler
- Start date
liftordie
Hall of Fame
Yeah but Cyclone 1.15 has good tension maintenance and it is not harsh. X-perience seems to be even better. And thin gauge is so good for spin and feel!!
But now I have to see if I can play 10 hours with thin gauge like this.
Nick777
Semi-Pro
Very thin gauge for a 16/18 i think! Tried cyclone at 120 and 1.25 but didntlike it much it was a bit stiff, prefer yptp
liftordie
Hall of Fame
I will try thinner than 1.20 and 1.25!
And yeah the PP100 is 16x18 but stringbed is closed anyway. Phantom's are not string breaker.
Yeah I could also try YPTP.
Nick777
Semi-Pro
Good luck! I prefer control from 1.25 gauge in open patterns. Yptp 1.25 yellow at 46-48 pounds plays great in phantomI will try thinner than 1.20 and 1.25!
And yeah the PP100 is 16x18 but stringbed is closed anyway. Phantom's are not string breaker.
Yeah I could also try YPTP.
liftordie
Hall of Fame
Phantoms are so INCREDIBLY control frames that you can play thinner gauges and low tension.
Yellow string in a Phantom? Not beautiful!!!
Thanks and good luck to you too!!
I'm currently demoing the Phantom Pro 100P strung at 60lbs with Prince Touch 16/Lightning XX 16.
Overall, I like the solid feel, control and playability, though I find it a bit underpowered. A couple of questions.
1) I normally use a 16g natural gut/syn gut setup. Would using that setup at maybe 58lbs help provide more power ?
2) On the serve, my shoulder is experiencing soreness, I think from trying to increase the power of the serve. Has anyone else experienced shoulder soreness from this racket ?
3) For those who moved on from the PP100P, what did you move to and why ?
I demoed the TT100P and hit with the PP100 and neither worked for me. If I move on, I'm considering the Yonex EZONE 98+. I've hit with the DR 98+ in the past and liked the overall playability and especially the much easier pop on the serve. I read the review of the EZONE 98+ and it seems it plays similar to the DR 98+, but a little crisper. An EZONE 98+ is available to me for demo, but not the DR98+
Anyway, if I can juice the power of the PP100P a bit with my normal gut/sys gut strings at maybe lower tensions without losing the control and playability, it's likely a keeper for me.
Also, I'm fine with the weight and balance and don't want to add lead anywhere.
Thanks for any input.
Overall, I like the solid feel, control and playability, though I find it a bit underpowered. A couple of questions.
1) I normally use a 16g natural gut/syn gut setup. Would using that setup at maybe 58lbs help provide more power ?
2) On the serve, my shoulder is experiencing soreness, I think from trying to increase the power of the serve. Has anyone else experienced shoulder soreness from this racket ?
3) For those who moved on from the PP100P, what did you move to and why ?
I demoed the TT100P and hit with the PP100 and neither worked for me. If I move on, I'm considering the Yonex EZONE 98+. I've hit with the DR 98+ in the past and liked the overall playability and especially the much easier pop on the serve. I read the review of the EZONE 98+ and it seems it plays similar to the DR 98+, but a little crisper. An EZONE 98+ is available to me for demo, but not the DR98+
Anyway, if I can juice the power of the PP100P a bit with my normal gut/sys gut strings at maybe lower tensions without losing the control and playability, it's likely a keeper for me.
Also, I'm fine with the weight and balance and don't want to add lead anywhere.
Thanks for any input.
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JOSHL
Hall of Fame
I used the PP100P and switched to the 93p. Don’t let the small head size deter you-it plays bigger.
60 lbs in a phantom 100p? Most of us here are low 40 lbs to the mid 40lb range. You're stringing it way too high. Even at 50lb in synthetic gut feels too dead for me. Really boardy. I am using isospeed control classic which is a multi and I can easily take it out to play at 47lbs.
Dartagnan64
G.O.A.T.
Agree. Lower the tensions on the phantoms. My Phantom 100 has gut 17g at 55 lbs in the mains and that’s just barely powerful enough. Likely drop it to 52 next time.
Thanks. Very helpful. At your preferred tension do you feel the PP100P is underpowered, especially related to the serve ?
I'd say power is adequate. Decent pace. Not going to blow the other guy away with power but enough to keep them honest.
Dartagnan64
G.O.A.T.
These racquets are not Pure Drives if that's what you are asking. They are low powered (under-powered is not really a thing TBH) frames that do best with more powerful strings setups. So low tensions and gauges. It's a pretty simple formula: High powered frame, use low powered string bed; low powered frame, use high powered string bed.
Nobody plays with a PD with full gut at 50lbs, so why would anyone play a Phantom with full poly at 60 lbs?
I get a little less power on my serves from my phantoms but more accuracy, so it's a trade-off. I get just as many aces as I used to with my PD+ (which is sadly not many lol). They just come from placement and spin, not from blasting that rare flat serve down the T. I hold serve far easier these days.
I'm still learning the PP100P I got a few months ago. I would say that serves are my least favorite attribute of this racquet. However, they are more than made up for with awesome groundstrokes. I currently have a Gut/Poly hybrid in it with Tonic Ball Feel 16 mains @ 45 x Prince Tour XP 17 crosses @ 36. Serve returns have always been one of my weak spots, but they are now becoming one of my strong points. I played last night and was crushing some forehand serve returns (75-80 mph range according to Playsight), both 1st and 2nd serves. I hit a lot of topspin in my game but many of these ended up being more on the flat side (I was catching them on the rise a bit) and that stick felt like a bolt of lightning if I hit the ball in the right spot. They felt powerful and solid, but surprisingly controlled. Most were pretty low over the net. My opponent was seriously perplexed and frustrated. I did sail some long as well, but for the most part they were dropping in and felt very good. I put just a little lead at 10 and 2 to enlarge the sweet spot a bit, and I believe it did just that.
So, my answer to your question is split - I do feel it is a little underpowered on serve, even at my preferred tension, and I don't get as much kick on 2nd serves as I'd like. But I do not feel it is at all underpowered for the rest of my game.
iceman_dl6
Professional
(Still in my honeymoon phase at around 1 month)
For me, on the contrary, since I can hit out without fear of going long with the PP100P, I actually get more power and my opponents notice it! I’ve been serving fabulously too! My previous racquet was the RF97 and briefly the Yonex SV95. However, it’s still the honeymoon period and I don’t want to get too excited too soon!
Thanks for the responses. I really appreciate the input which is very helpful. I'm also experiencing the overall playability positives that have been mentioned. In general, the racket fits my game well.
Concerning the power, I'm not looking for PD power, but I was hoping for a little more easy power over all, particularly on the serve. As advised, lower string tension with my normal nat. gut mains will likely help, which I'll try if I buy it. (It's a demo that was strung as it is.) Thanks ashridge for your gut/poly setup info.
I do like the serve accuracy (actually great accuracy of all strokes in general) and one of my regular doubles opponents mentioned that my serve was heavier. That was good to hear. I have a few more days with the demo.
Concerning the power, I'm not looking for PD power, but I was hoping for a little more easy power over all, particularly on the serve. As advised, lower string tension with my normal nat. gut mains will likely help, which I'll try if I buy it. (It's a demo that was strung as it is.) Thanks ashridge for your gut/poly setup info.
I do like the serve accuracy (actually great accuracy of all strokes in general) and one of my regular doubles opponents mentioned that my serve was heavier. That was good to hear. I have a few more days with the demo.
Dartagnan64
G.O.A.T.
I think the Phantoms are good all rounders. They don’t have an exceptional stroke but they don’t do anything poorly. They control better than most spin sticks and spin better than most control sticks.
Just waiting for the 18x20 Phantom Pro 100 Longbody.
Just waiting for the 18x20 Phantom Pro 100 Longbody.
With Textreme+Twaron!
Dartagnan64
G.O.A.T.
Likely the Phantoms won’t see an update until 2020. This year Prince will focus on the new Tour models.
I’m pretty sure the Phantoms were a “testing the waters” racquet line for Prince. I think they’ve proven popular enough to warrant ongoing updates. Hopefully some expansion to the line as well. There is room in the market for buttery thin beamed players sticks with some modern sensibilities.
Tommy Haas
Hall of Fame
Does anyone know what the specs are for that new Prince Tour 100 frame with Twaron markings on the throat is? I'm sure TW knows since they're playtesting, but keeping it under wraps. What else is expected from Prince in 2019? I'm holding off on a PP100 and PP100P purchase until I see what's new. I want a 97/98" control stick with a low RA or can work with a 100" with 18x20 like the TT100P, but at 62RA, it's just too stiff for me.
nohandedbackhand
Semi-Pro
I think you mean Donnay! I have a pro one hexacore 16x19 coming next week - I'll try to post a review after I string it up and hit with it.
Oops...yes. Donnay. From the tennisnerd review, it sounds super low RA, but I'm not sure how well it'll do if people think the PK Redondo98 is a wet noodle
Please do post a comparison with any phantom you have...
Tommy Haas
Hall of Fame
Wow! The Donnay specs look great. There are so many flexible frame options that I don't even know where to begin since there's so little user feedback that can be found. The new Allwood model has an unbelievably low 50RA. I don't know if their RA ratings are strung or unstrung.
nohandedbackhand
Semi-Pro
Just noticed on tw site that the current tour racquets now have a "2015" distinction which I don't think was there last week..innnnteresting
I’ve been playing a pp100p at 45lbs, leather grip and lead at 12,3,9 static weight around 346grams. Racquet feels great but I definitely don’t produce enough pace to make my opponents uncomfortable like I did with my old pure strikes.
I’m still giving too many short balls, trying to adjust as the comfort and stability are great
I’m still giving too many short balls, trying to adjust as the comfort and stability are great
Nick777
Semi-Pro
You gave to generate your own power, its not a racket that crashes the ball thats for sure
Dartagnan64
G.O.A.T.
Adjusting your swing plane a little more through the ball may help. I like the phantoms because I can swing aggressively and keep the ball in. I had to be too brushy with the Pure Drive.
Brain will adjust. I can’t hit light stiff tweeners anymore now that I’ve gotten used to heavier flexible frames.
liftordie
Hall of Fame
Oh YEAH!!!
Maybe try playing a more polarised set up. You might have too much weight on yours slowing you down. But if you are a fairly advanced player I don't see why that should be the case. I have 3 grams total at 10 and 2 and 3 grams at the bottom of the handle through the trap door strung at 45lb in a multi. I have no issues with depth.
Mkiske
Semi-Pro
Phantom Pro 100P by NTRP 4.0 - All around player.
After playing several matches (All in singles, except one in doubles), follow my impressions...
Scoring:
8 - Forehand: I had more difficulty in delivering powerful strokes. But I had a lot of control to work with angles and change the rhythm.
Lastly, my top spin stroke gained depth and a lot of spin.
10 - One handed backhand: I liked very much of slice, top spin and mainly flat shots. Awesome, even with the 100 square-inch head size.
9 - Volley: My volleys have improved a lot and my accuracy increased.
8 - Serve: My flat serves became slower. However, the heavy spin and precision on my kick serves was amazing.
9 - Stability: Very good in the stock form.
8 - Power: Weight for what? To improve power on flat serve and forehand? Maybe, but for me, the way it is, it's great.
9 - Comfort: Crisp feel and comfort at the exact point.
Important note: String used was Volkl Cyclone Tour 17g, 45 lbs.
After playing several matches (All in singles, except one in doubles), follow my impressions...
Scoring:
8 - Forehand: I had more difficulty in delivering powerful strokes. But I had a lot of control to work with angles and change the rhythm.
Lastly, my top spin stroke gained depth and a lot of spin.
10 - One handed backhand: I liked very much of slice, top spin and mainly flat shots. Awesome, even with the 100 square-inch head size.
9 - Volley: My volleys have improved a lot and my accuracy increased.
8 - Serve: My flat serves became slower. However, the heavy spin and precision on my kick serves was amazing.
9 - Stability: Very good in the stock form.
8 - Power: Weight for what? To improve power on flat serve and forehand? Maybe, but for me, the way it is, it's great.
9 - Comfort: Crisp feel and comfort at the exact point.
Important note: String used was Volkl Cyclone Tour 17g, 45 lbs.
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Mkiske
Semi-Pro
Next time I'll try this traditional Cyclone.
liftordie
Hall of Fame
iceman_dl6
Professional
I use the thinnest version of Alu Power (Feel) and works really great with the PP100P! By the way, i just discovered thin polys and they are awesome!
Tommy Haas
Hall of Fame
Have you received the Pro One Hexacore 97" 16x19 yet? The 18x20 version is supposed to be very similar to the PT57A. I'm torn between which one to get because the 16x19 version has Murray's specs, but I'm weary of 16x19 midplus frames as they all seem to have launch angles too high for my liking like the Yonex Ezones.
liftordie
Hall of Fame
OK... After more hours of playing, X-perience 1.18 is finally better than Cyclone 1.15!!!
X-perience is finally way more comfortable and tension maintenance is better. Spin is pretty similar. Better control with X-perience in the long period and the free power is so good with PP100. I just feel Cyclone grab the ball a little bit better but it is finally just a feeling... And X-perience also grab the ball really well! And touch is really better with X-perience. And my arm feel little pain with Cyclone... Strictly ZERO pain with X-perience.
I think X-perience need little more time to settle and provide its full potential.
I will try one last string with Kirschbaum Evolution, but X-perience with PP100 is definitely an extremely great combo!!!
Tommy Haas
Hall of Fame
@iifto
Did you have arm pains playing with Cyclone and the PP100? I'm surprised that any poly would cause pain with such a flexible frame unless Cyclone was as stiff as Kevlar.
Did you have arm pains playing with Cyclone and the PP100? I'm surprised that any poly would cause pain with such a flexible frame unless Cyclone was as stiff as Kevlar.
liftordie
Hall of Fame
For sure not the same pain with my old Pure Aero... But poly stay poly. You can feel some bad vibrations, even with the best arm friendly frame as PP100.
So yes, little pain (nothing big) with Cyclone after 1h30 of hard hitting. And strictly zero pain after the same time with X-perience.
Trust me or not. Try it or not. But X-perience 1.18 in PP100 play really really great. And look SO cool!!
Will try Kirschbaum Evolution next week as a last test. If it not play better, I will buy a reel of X-perience. It is like designed to be played with PP100. Really.
Christian Olsson
Professional
If one likes the TT95 but feels it is a smidge underpowered will the phantoms deliver and which ones? I love the classic feel of a head radical tour. But could do with just a bit more power. I love my Vsense 10 317 but these phantoms has got me intrigued.
Skickat från min iPhone med Tapatalk
Skickat från min iPhone med Tapatalk
Dartagnan64
G.O.A.T.
Phantom 93P with thin low tension poly.
Christian Olsson
Professional
Big sweetspot? Wouldn’t the 100 version be more alike my current Volkl? Is the 93 sq inch hard to play?
Volkl Vsense 10 - 318sw 318 bal 334w
Volkl Super G 10 - 318sw 316 bal 335w
Sonic pro 17, will shortly try hybrids.
liftordie
Hall of Fame
Phantom Pro 100 with X-perience 1.18 at 45/40lbs (or lower). Really pure pleasure... And beauty!!!
Left here
JOSHL
Hall of Fame
If you play the Volkl 10 series you can easily play the 93p. It’s seriously a magic wand of a stick.
