Intrigued by Yonex - which racquet to buy?

Icsa · Sep 16, 2020

With all the buzz about Yonex around here (thanks TW for the videos!) I'm intrigued to try a Yonex racquet.
My goal is to buy a racquet that gives me the real feel on how a good Yonex racquet plays, but I'm finding a lot of overlap between lines.

After discovering how much everyone loves the discontinued DR 98, I don't know which one to choose from the current ones:
1. EZone 98 Tour
2. VCore Pro 97 330
3. VCore 95 Red with lead and leather grip

My current racquet of choice is RF97A first edition and I also use as a backup the last iteration of a 6.1 95 16x18. Both with a swingweight of 346. I'm a 4.0, 1hbh, that likes to hit harder in singles while having some fun at the net in doubles. I prefer flatter hits with just enough spin to land the ball at the baseline, and, stability & touch at the net to block heavy balls. Another point of reference, I tried and I didn't like the Clash, it doesn't give me enough control and the flex feels strange.

If anyone tried the 3 Yonex racquets, which one would you recommend that I buy?
Thanks

djnemo · Sep 16, 2020

I am playing with the Vcore Pro 330 and the Ezone Tour right now. Based on your current racquet, I think the Vcore Pro 97 330 should be the first on your demo list - similar to the RF97 but a little more flexible.

Addxyz · Sep 16, 2020

Regna 98.

Papa Mango · Sep 16, 2020

If you are using the RF, then definitely the VCore Pro 330.
I played it for 6 months, solid racket, but serving was an issue for me personally especially ~~late~~ in the second set.
Otherwise the VCore 95 is a solid racket even without the leather/lead.
Demo if you can and also be aware that the Yonex grip sizes are a tad ~~smaller~~ larger than Wilson's and you might have to build up the butt cap if you don't like flat butts

Have not played with the Ezone.
Good luck, string either of the above rackets on the lower side and enjoy!

Papa Mango · Sep 16, 2020

Addxyz said:
Regna 98.

Wowza... 380 bucks!!!
no demo option either....

If I write what I am thinking I might get banned....

Icsa · Sep 16, 2020

Papa Mango said:
... be aware that the Yonex grip sizes are a tad smaller than Wilson's and you might have to build up the butt cap if you don't like flat butts

Thanks for the tips!

socallefty · Sep 16, 2020

I would try the VCore Pro97 HD 18x20 along with the VCore Pro97 330 and skip the rest. If you like flat shots, the denser pattern HD is worth trying out. The swingweight is slightly less than the 330 and you might serve better with it too - it is also better at the net.

The 95 might be too light and unstable after the RF97, but worth trying if you plan to add lead tape.

bleno567 · Sep 16, 2020

Papa Mango said:
Demo if you can and also be aware that the Yonex grip sizes are a tad smaller than Wilson's and you might have to build up the butt cap if you don't like flat butts

Yonex grip sizes run a little larger rather than smaller in my experiences. If you search, I believe others feel that way as well. Yes, though, their butt caps have almost no flair.

TagUrIt · Sep 16, 2020

I made the switch from Wilson to Yonex about 8 months ago and I’ve never looked back. I was previously playing with the Clash 100 Tour and was always very curious about all the fuss about Yonex racquets. Out of curiosity I demoed 7 different Yonex racquets. I ended up with the 2020 Ezone 100. The racquet increased my game tremendously. I definitely saw a difference in performance as well as quality. As of a month ago I switched to the Ezone 98, throughly enjoyed the racquet, but felt it could use a little more weight. The Ezone Tour came out and now have two of them. It really is as good as the reviews say. I am blasting serves in, hitting groundies and volleying is effortless. As to the other racquets they offer, I would encourage you to demo. All an all, you really can’t go wrong with Yonex their craftsmanship is extraordinary and the really do make so amazing racquets.

pow · Sep 16, 2020

TagUrIt said:
I made the switch from Wilson to Yonex about 8 months ago and I’ve never looked back. I was previously playing with the Clash 100 Tour and was always very curious about all the fuss about Yonex racquets. Out of curiosity I demoed 7 different Yonex racquets. I ended up with the 2020 Ezone 100. The racquet increased my game tremendously. I definitely saw a difference in performance as well as quality. As of a month ago I switched to the Ezone 98, throughly enjoyed the racquet, but felt it could use a little more weight. The Ezone Tour came out and now have two of them. It really is as good as the reviews say. I am blasting serves in, hitting groundies and volleying is effortless. As to the other racquets they offer, I would encourage you to demo. All an all, you really can’t go wrong with Yonex their craftsmanship is extraordinary and the really do make so amazing racquets.

Curious why you switched from the 100 to the 98? I keep reading that the 98 is pretty underpowered and quite a bit different from the 100?

Stratotanker · Sep 16, 2020

pow said:
Curious why you switched from the 100 to the 98? I keep reading that the 98 is pretty underpowered and quite a bit different from the 100?

Hmm. Many reviews (including TW’s) suggest the 98 has possibly too much power and not enough control. Where do you keep reading the 98 is underpowered?

TagUrIt · Sep 16, 2020

pow said:
Curious why you switched from the 100 to the 98? I keep reading that the 98 is pretty underpowered and quite a bit different from the 100?

Just my experience, at the time when I demoed, I didn't think I was quite ready for a 98 square inch frame. Like all things we began to outgrow them. I started customizing my 100's by adding a leather grip and tungsten tape at the 10 and 2 o'clock positions. After playing with the 100 for about 6-7 months, I felt it was time and I'm at level where I can hit effectively with a 98. I've seen reviews about the 100 vs 98 and to me, lack of power hasn't been an issue. The Ezone Tour is the holy grail of racquets for me.

pow · Sep 16, 2020

TagUrIt said:
Just my experience, at the time when I demoed, I didn't think I was quite ready for a 98 square inch frame. Like all things we began to outgrow them. I started customizing my 100's by adding a leather grip and tungsten tape at the 10 and 2 o'clock positions. After playing with the 100 for about 6-7 months, I felt it was time and I'm at level where I can hit effectively with a 98. I've seen reviews about the 100 vs 98 and to me, lack of power hasn't been an issue. The Ezone Tour is the holy grail of racquets for me.

What improved for you going down from 100 to 98 tour? Is your spin down but more depth and court penetration? Etc.

I went the opposite direction. I used to play with 93 sq inch pk Redondo but now use 100sq inch prince tt310 and I hit much harder and spinnier before and with more margin.

TagUrIt · Sep 16, 2020

pow said:
What improved for you going down from 100 to 98 tour? Is your spin down but more depth and court penetration? Etc.

I went the opposite direction. I used to play with 93 sq inch pk Redondo but now use 100sq inch prince tt310 and I hit much harder and spinnier before and with more margin.

Funny you should ask, yes I am hitting deeper heavier balls. I'm an aggressive baseliner that hits VERY VERY flat, I'm finally hitting with some variety in my shots from both wings. I can hit flat where the ball travels 1-3 inches over the net or I can hit heavy where it's 1-6 feet over the net and landing near the baseline. I contribute this to lot's of practice, clinics, lessons, etc., but also having a racquet that can assist me in doing so. It goes without saying, but all and all, I think everyone has to choose the racquet that suits their game and what they feel most comfortable playing with.

flanker2000fr · Sep 17, 2020

I think you picked the best frame out of each line, though I feel perhaps the Vcore Pro 97 HD should be in there too.

PD1978 · Sep 17, 2020

The HD is awesome, but pretty HL compared to the RF.

Dragy · Sep 17, 2020

Icsa said:
Both with a swingweight of 346.

If you want to go with customizing to same level of SW, I’d only go with Vcore Pros. If you want to try Ezones, stay at not more than 330 (98 Tour stock SW). Frames are quite powerful by design and play best at moderate mass. Supposed to be swung fast and may launch the ball if you beef them up too much.

Papa Mango · Sep 17, 2020

bleno567 said:
Yonex grip sizes run a little larger rather than smaller in my experiences. If you search, I believe others feel that way as well. Yes, though, their butt caps have almost no flair.

You are correct.. I did mean to say Yonex is larger/Wilson smaller
Edited my post with correction.

Papa Mango · Sep 17, 2020

socallefty said:
I would try the VCore Pro97 HD 18x20 along with the VCore Pro97 330 and skip the rest. If you like flat shots, the denser pattern HD is worth trying out. The swingweight is slightly less than the 330 and you might serve better with it too - it is also better at the net.

The 95 might be too light and unstable after the RF97, but worth trying if you plan to add lead tape.

Ooh... I didn't realize that the HD was lighter specs than the 330, might have to give this one a demo.

ryushen21 · Sep 17, 2020

VCore Pro for sure. HD and 330g would be a good starting point. The HD can be a little low powered with full poly so you may want to consider a hybrid in that one.

EpitomeOfAwesome · Sep 17, 2020

bleno567 said:
Yonex grip sizes run a little larger rather than smaller in my experiences. If you search, I believe others feel that way as well. Yes, though, their butt caps have almost no flair.

I demoed the Babolat Pure Strike and Yonex VCore Pro 310 at the same time from TW both 4-1/4 group sizes.
I usually play with 4-1/8 Babolat Pure Drive but felt right at home with Yonex 4-1/4.
On the other hand Babolat Pure Strike grip felt too big for 4-1/4.
I also received Head Gravity MP in the same demo order with same grip size and it matched Yonex's grip size.

I wonder why my experience with the grip size was so different.

2nd Serve Ace · Sep 17, 2020

Dragy said:
If you want to go with customizing to same level of SW, I’d only go with Vcore Pros. If you want to try Ezones, stay at not more than 330 (98 Tour stock SW). Frames are quite powerful by design and play best at moderate mass. Supposed to be swung fast and may launch the ball if you beef them up too much.

Interesting. I take it you're not a fan of the xl ezones, then.

Dragy · Sep 17, 2020

2nd Serve Ace said:
Interesting. I take it you're not a fan of the xl ezones, then.

I’ve been playing with DR 98 ones weighted to 352g and 337 SW... it just happened through several iterations. They didn’t give me confidence unless absolutely freshly strung at 55lbs. Of course partially technics, but I’m sure they would be great at SW of 325-330. I just got addicted to volley and return stability. So tried and switched to thinner beam 18x20.

That’s my experience.

Dragy · Sep 17, 2020

2nd Serve Ace said:
Interesting. I take it you're not a fan of the xl ezones, then.

I actually don’t treat xl equally - there’s no extra mass at the hoop behind different SW, but just the distance. So in terms of what the ball “feels” it’s like swinging normal frame faster.

dkshifty · Sep 17, 2020

Icsa said:
With all the buzz about Yonex around here (thanks TW for the videos!) I'm intrigued to try a Yonex racquet.
My goal is to buy a racquet that gives me the real feel on how a good Yonex racquet plays, but I'm finding a lot of overlap between lines.

After discovering how much everyone loves the discontinued DR 98, I don't know which one to choose from the current ones:
1. EZone 98 Tour
2. VCore Pro 97 330
3. VCore 95 Red with lead and leather grip

My current racquet of choice is RF97A first edition and I also use as a backup the last iteration of a 6.1 95 16x18. Both with a swingweight of 346. I'm a 4.0, 1hbh, that likes to hit harder in singles while having some fun at the net in doubles. I prefer flatter hits with just enough spin to land the ball at the baseline, and, stability & touch at the net to block heavy balls. Another point of reference, I tried and I didn't like the Clash, it doesn't give me enough control and the flex feels strange.

If anyone tried the 3 Yonex racquets, which one would you recommend that I buy?
Thanks

I've tried the VCP 97 330 as well as the HD. I would say the 330 had more feel by far, probably because of the HD's low RA. In terms of heft, the HD would compare more to your current stick, the RF97A. That is currently my stick of choice as well.

A lot of my friends have said good things about the new Tour, but I haven't personally tested it yet.

Moveforwardalways · Sep 17, 2020

So now USTA 4.0 players are using 350+ gram racquets and leading up Yonex 95 Shapo racquets? Is the apocalypse upon us?

jered · Sep 17, 2020

PD1978 said:
The HD is awesome, but pretty HL compared to the RF.

The HD is 7pts HL strung and the RF is 9pts HL strung. ???

dkshifty · Sep 17, 2020

^^
HD definitely wasn’t as easy to swing as the RF was.

2nd Serve Ace · Sep 17, 2020

The ezone will have that more even flex profile that prostaff users crave.

Balance is easily adjustable.

Icsa · Sep 17, 2020

Moveforwardalways said:
So now USTA 4.0 players are using 350+ gram racquets and leading up Yonex 95 Shapo racquets? Is the apocalypse upon us?

I don't expect anyone to follow what I do. I started playing with heavy racquets because I wanted to learn good mechanics and it was hard to move away.
The higher SW was an accidental discovery - my 6.1 arrived with 345 SW stock. I ended up liking it and sticking with it.

Moveforwardalways · Sep 17, 2020

Icsa said:
With all the buzz about Yonex around here (thanks TW for the videos!) I'm intrigued to try a Yonex racquet.
My goal is to buy a racquet that gives me the real feel on how a good Yonex racquet plays, but I'm finding a lot of overlap between lines.

After discovering how much everyone loves the discontinued DR 98, I don't know which one to choose from the current ones:
1. EZone 98 Tour
2. VCore Pro 97 330
3. VCore 95 Red with lead and leather grip

My current racquet of choice is RF97A first edition and I also use as a backup the last iteration of a 6.1 95 16x18. Both with a swingweight of 346. I'm a 4.0, 1hbh, that likes to hit harder in singles while having some fun at the net in doubles. I prefer flatter hits with just enough spin to land the ball at the baseline, and, stability & touch at the net to block heavy balls. Another point of reference, I tried and I didn't like the Clash, it doesn't give me enough control and the flex feels strange.

If anyone tried the 3 Yonex racquets, which one would you recommend that I buy?
Thanks

Just remember that all 3 of those racquets are significantly less powerful than the RF97 and have a much lower RA. You are going to have to swing much bigger to get the same pop.

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