Yonex RDS 003 vs. O3 Speedport Red

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goldlaurel

Guest
I've narrowed down my decision to these two racquets. Putting aside price, what do people think about them? They seem pretty similar in their specs, with the major differences being that the O3 Speedport Red is lighter but the RDS 003 is more head-light. I'm an all-court player who plays in more singles than doubles, and I want a racquet that's good all-around (from the baseline, at net, serving, etc.). Thanks!
 
G

goldlaurel

Guest
I preferred the Speedport Red to the original Red. Felt a little stabler and faster through the air, with more spin too.
 
G

goldlaurel

Guest
Why do you think the Speedport is inferior? It felt very nice when I demoed it, as did the RDS 003, which is why I'm asking about other people's experiences.
 
Y

yonexred2113

Rookie
goldlaurel said:
Why do you think the Speedport is inferior? It felt very nice when I demoed it, as did the RDS 003, which is why I'm asking about other people's experiences.
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its just crappy..........i play at a prince academy and i cant stand how much they push prince....yonex is the most dependable racket out there, rds 003, if strung right to ur specs, more power, less power etc...... will be 10 times better than any prince out there
 
E

El Guapo

Semi-Pro
yonexred2113 said:
its just crappy..........i play at a prince academy and i cant stand how much they push prince....yonex is the most dependable racket out there, rds 003, if strung right to ur specs, more power, less power etc...... will be 10 times better than any prince out there
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You have no clue what you're talking about. Exactly which Prince adacemy are you at and what's your ranking?
 
kreative

kreative

Hall of Fame
I haven't tried the Speedport Red, but the Original O3 Red has more pop than the RDS003, and felt more manueverable. 003 has more feel, and more control oriented than the Red. Red also more muted. Depends on what you're looking for.
 
White_Rice

White_Rice

Rookie
$80 difference in price

$160 if you buy two racquets.



You could almost buy a 3rd Yonex for the price difference. The choice is yours.
 
E

es-0

Rookie
we'll obviously you didn't want peoples opinions on the racquets because you have already made a decision. you think the Speedport Red is superior then the RDS 003 so there isn't anything we can do to change your mind.
 
coolblue123

coolblue123

Hall of Fame
IMO, I played with both. But then I am alittle basis because i play with the RDS003 right now.

It really depends on what you want. If you like lighter racquets, go for the Red. (But it felt alot lighter than 10.5 oz). But I felt the Red didn't do as well on off centered as the RDS due to it's weight.

But in terms of power, I think the Red has more power. But then, the good thing about Prince unlike alot of the other Prince Models, is that the Red has less of that "Prince Trampoline," effect.

But what White_Rice is right. For 80 dollar difference, that's alot of money to shell out. If you must get the red, wait 6 monthes till the price drops. Who knows, maybe Prince will come out with the Tri-Ports... Triangluar Ports???

Just my quick 2 cents.
 
E

El Guapo

Semi-Pro
I'd go with the 002 personally, but you do know that there are lots of places selling the O3 Red Speedport for well under $200, right?

As for the little kid from MN, exactly what academy is at Flagship Athletic Club? If it's just another Prince-sponsored club, who cares?
 
White_Rice

White_Rice

Rookie
El Guapo said:
I'd go with the 002 personally, but you do know that there are lots of places selling the O3 Red Speedport for well under $200, right?

As for the little kid from MN, exactly what academy is at Flagship Athletic Club? If it's just another Prince-sponsored club, who cares?
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I'm from Minneapolis and Flagship Athletic Club is a nice place to play tennis because they are one of the few places in the area that has clay courts, but I didn't realize there was an academy there. It used to be a Northwest Athletic Club but Lifetime Fitness bought them out.
 
E

El Guapo

Semi-Pro
I thought that it was Lifetime as well. I'm interested to know about the Prince-sponsored tennis academy that's based out of that club. There are tons of Prince-sponsored tennis shops and clubs but not as many academies, especially in MN.
 
G

goldlaurel

Guest
Played some more today with both the Speedport Red and the RDS 003 and had the following impressions:

- I was hitting MUCH crisper groundstrokes with the RDS 003. It seemed stabler when I made contact with the ball, and there was more reliable spin and power. For some reason I was more inconsistent with the Speedport Red -- some shots were flying long and others were hit weakly into the net.

- At net I mildly preferred the Speedport Red. Obviously it's a lighter and quicker racquet, and that was evident when I had to react quickly to balls hit at me.

- For serving, both racquets struck me as good in different ways. It was a piece of cake serving with good form since the Speedport Red is so light. On the other hand, the extra heft of the RDS 003 made my serves harder and produced some more spin.
 
coolblue123

coolblue123

Hall of Fame
It also depends rather on groundies you're hitting late as well. One of my friends went with a 03 Red for this reason. He said that the lighter racquet allowed him to compensate "catching up," with the ball since he's a late hitter.

Hopes this helps. But to confirm, I had the same feeling about having a more stable feel on the RDS compared to the Red. Volleys were okay w/ the RDS but groundies felt nice!
 
netman

netman

Hall of Fame
Have hit with both and both are nice frames. Really depends on what you like. The O3 Red has that muted feel all the O3 frames have. The RDS 003 is really a player's frame amped up a bit so that it tiptoes into tweener territory. I have found the RDS 003 to be very sensitive to string tension. It took me several tries to find the right tension, but once I found it, I had a frame that can rip groundies and serves deep with pace, then turn around and put a drop volley on a dime. It is now my primary frame.

Both are very easy on the joints so it would be best to get them and do a head to head. However if you can't vary string tension you won't get the data you need to make a final choice.

-k-
 
Y

yonexred2113

Rookie
me is bored said:
u say ur 3rd in ur state, but if ur using these light rackets ur state must suck, or ur in a really small state i.e. rhode island, nobody knows how to play tennis in ur state, or ur lying ;)
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i know really..those rds 001 mp's with 2 overgrips, 12.3 oz...rly light, man thats almost getting close to those speedport silvers..haha
 
S

Stan

Professional
netman said:
Have hit with both and both are nice frames. Really depends on what you like. The O3 Red has that muted feel all the O3 frames have. The RDS 003 is really a player's frame amped up a bit so that it tiptoes into tweener territory. I have found the RDS 003 to be very sensitive to string tension. It took me several tries to find the right tension, but once I found it, I had a frame that can rip groundies and serves deep with pace, then turn around and put a drop volley on a dime. It is now my primary frame.

Both are very easy on the joints so it would be best to get them and do a head to head. However if you can't vary string tension you won't get the data you need to make a final choice.

-k-
Click to expand...

What string and tension setup ended up working best for you?
 
lilxjohnyy

lilxjohnyy

Hall of Fame
me is bored... since when did weight of racket have to do with how good you are.... i know someone who is 2.5 and uses ncode nsix-one tour because he feels its the best racket for him ..
 
M

Michelangelo

Professional
Demoed both, seems RDS 003 is more control oriented. Despite the weight Speedport Red is a stable racquet with solid feel and nice pop and punch. Personally I think Speedport (yes, port, not hole) offers more touch/feel than O3. Based on the demo stick, Speedport Red holds the edge of power. The current generation of Yonex racquets have some metallic sound at ball contact. Nothing really affects the performance but just I don't like the sound. However, none of them would be my choice since I prefer something with more old-school feel.
 
netman

netman

Hall of Fame
Stan said:
What string and tension setup ended up working best for you?
Click to expand...

Currently using a hybrid. Topspin Cyberflash 1.25 in the mains at 57. Gosen Sheep Micro 17 in the crosses at 55. I may take the crosses up to 57 next time to imrprove control by stiffening the string bed a bit.

FYI, I've been using an RDS 001 MP lately and find it to be a nice step up from the 003 for doubles. Easy switch from the 003, but has some added heft and is quicker at the net, which helps in the point blank action of doubles.
 
D

drak

Hall of Fame
I've owmed the Red and the RDS003 and sold both, I much prefer the RDS002 (easily weighted to 11.5 oz my replacing grip and addong small about of lead to head) to either unless you need more power. RDS002 serves great, easy and big top, can swing as hard as you want with good control and pace.
 
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