Prince Beast 98
- Thread starter DanS
- Start date
I went the opposite direction with mine - evenly balanced. You must’ve put a lot of weight in the handle.
One was off spec and overly headlight (about 9pts HL) and the overgrip pushed it to 10pts HL. One was a few grams under static weight and was 6pts HL. This one was a larger grip size so no overgrip required so I just loaded it up under the buttcap (about 12grams!). I still have a ported version in stock form to play doubles on a weekend social (these are the only matches I play) and for whatever reason I always serve much better with the ported version. So in short, off the ground I prefer the solid beam for control and overall hitting experience (great for rallying and getting a good workout) but when it's match time the o3 version comes out if I am to hold serve easier. I make do with it off the ground. I'd say in a match holding serve takes priority.
Alekok1221
Rookie
Hi can someone here compare the non ported version with the pure strike 98 or the vcore 98? I'm curious about the comparison
damianduytran
New User
In short, the Prince Beast 98 feels more solid than the Pure Strike 98 IMO. The Pure Strike feels slightly stiffer, more spin, and at the same time had this weird hollow feeling I don't like from Babolat. I have tried the Vcore 98 Galaxy Black from a friend for one set. The vcore 98 feels similar to the Beast in terms of flex and playability. The Yonex feels more controllable and slightly more flexy without that hollow feeling. It feels similar to the Beast IMO
riptide120
New User
One of the TW testers at the time said that Beast 98 plays very similar to Srixon Revo cv 3.0 F Tour -- another relatively unloved frame. Has anyone used both? How do they compare?
BillKid
Hall of Fame
I already did:
TLDR version
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/prince-beast-98.610547/post-14658739
Detailed review with H2H comparison http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/prince-beast-98.610547/post-14549436
I would just add that since then I demoed the PS again and felt it a bit harsh on off center hits.
Last edited:
BillKid
Hall of Fame
I agree with you on the PS vs B98 comparison except for spin, I find the B98 very topspin friendly. Not as good for slice I would say.
So I watched Isner play a very competitive four set match against Tsitsipas with his Prince Beast and couldn’t help but wonder if Prince has made a colossal mistake closing out this line of sticks. I’d moved off the Beast 98 to play with some foam filled xenecores I’d acquired last year but have subsequently returned to the Beasts for two key reasons. Although I think I get a little more free power with the Donnays, I find the Beast 98s more user friendly and actually easier on my wrist and elbow, which is remarkable as the xenecore line is marketed for comfort!
I don’t think I’ve ever hit a stick with this blend of power, comfort and control!
I don’t think I’ve ever hit a stick with this blend of power, comfort and control!
I've used full bed gosen OG sheep micro 16g before and it played quite nice but string movement and tension loss becomes very obvious. I find head rip control 16 works well in it and generally only starts to move and fly a bit when it is nearly breaking so it is my current set up. I have another one strung up in prince premier control to see if i can use it as a more budget friendly substitute as head rip control ain't cheap!
BillKid
Hall of Fame
Beast 98 user myself, I have not performed a head to head comparison, but have already tested the Ezone 98.
Although I immediately loved the Prince, for lack of good reason I didn’t like the Ezone too much. As far as I can remember, the B98 feels more comfortable, more maneuverable, more spin friendly, and might have a slightly higher launch angle. Take it with a grain of salt.
The B98 is an excellent racquet at least for me. Maybe I should demo the Ezone 98 again.
Edit: I suspected the Ezone was strung a bit too high when I tried it
Although I immediately loved the Prince, for lack of good reason I didn’t like the Ezone too much. As far as I can remember, the B98 feels more comfortable, more maneuverable, more spin friendly, and might have a slightly higher launch angle. Take it with a grain of salt.
The B98 is an excellent racquet at least for me. Maybe I should demo the Ezone 98 again.
Edit: I suspected the Ezone was strung a bit too high when I tried it
Last edited:
Ronaldo
Bionic Poster
Any difference between the Beast 98 & 100?
BillKid
Hall of Fame
I own both and IMO the B98 is better in all aspects except the B100 is more powerful (Pure Drive level).
The B100 is still a very good tweener in the 300g 100sqin thick beam category.
For me the B98 has more « personality », easy to play, great comfort, decent feel, great balance between control and power, topspin friendly. Top choice especially for a baseliner.
Ronaldo
Bionic Poster
Own the Textreme Beast O3 100. Bit uncomfortable, stiff
B98 user and have hit with a friend's ezone 98 a few times and concur with the observation. The B98 is more comfortable and the ezone 98 felt a bit more head heavy but felt like control was slightly better. There's more power potential in the B98.
DJ-
Hall of Fame
Great frame for sure. Shame it's not getting an update.
Hulger
Semi-Pro
Above mentioned was too early and hopeful thinking. To improve stability and filter some vibrations from off centred shots I needed to add lead at 3&9 about 5 g. It was manageable, but still the overall stiffness and extremely direct contact of the frame started to inflict some pain in the elbow. Maybe at some moment I should try it with 1.20 poly @ about 46 lbs (not gonna use other string types), but I fear it will turn into a rocket launcher.
Interesting thing about this racquet is that, I don't think it is viable to official games, because the two center mains are more departed than the gap between 2-3 mains.
Uncoil
Semi-Pro
It's finished. Only available in Japan.
They are close. Maybe the tour 100p is closer. I heard that plays closer to a 16x19 given the open 18x20 patttern. The tour 310 might fly a bit more in comparison.
I'll have to disagree.
I own both beast 98 o3 and textreme tour 310. Beast o3 is more spinny and powerful and as a result less predictable and harder to control.
I own all three racquets. TT310, beast o3 98 and beast 98. The o3 tech makes it the spinniest. The TT310 has a very open pattern but it has a oval head shape whereas the beasts have round head shapes. The o3 is a lot spinnier than its traditional beam counterpart. If you watch the tw video reviews they observe the same thing.
They had a few used ones a few weeks ago, I have not checked lately.
Turbo-87
G.O.A.T.
You can still get a Prince Hydrogen Chrome from TW Europe. It is a beast 100.
ProfessorAce
Rookie
Still using it and lovin it!!!
iNeverSlice
Rookie
I'm still using it and I have no plans to switch. I actually just got 3 brand new ones to replace my old ones.
ccmtennis
Semi-Pro
I have played with both. The 98 03 is my current stick and the sweet spot and controlled power is much better than the PAVS. The PA has better touch but otherwise harder to go from offense to defense compared to the 98 03 . You really need a full swing with the PAVS so it is also less forgiving
It worked well for me in Prince tour xr which played basically the same as alu power but cheaper. Haven't experimented much but those 2 strings worked best for me so far around 50 to 53lbs depending on which season.
princemidplus
Semi-Pro
Wish I had some......
Uncoil
Semi-Pro
Full bed of Tour XR was too muted for me in the O3. I briefly hit with XR mains with syn gut crosses this morning. Played fairly well but will see how long this combo lasts durability wise.
TennisTennisTennis
Rookie
anyone trying to sell some of these?
Not for now! Still holding onto 1 of each version. Both are 5/8 grips so I doubt I'll have people lining up to takes these off me.
Similar threads
