NRG: New Racket Day (Yonex RDiS 100 Mid)

tennis_balla

Hall of Fame
So after a few emails to the Yonex rep I once again got back on sponsor row and got a players package from Yonex. Being in Canada we don't always get things when they release and was told these are about as fresh of the boat as you can get them, not really in their system yet so I'm happy I got them this early. Initial reaction is the racket looks and feels amazing and the pictures don't do it justice and the new black sack they come in is awesome and such a great idea, good quality too with the Yonex logo stitched on. I hate the little racket bags I always throw them out or have them lying around collecting dust but these I can actually use or use them for other purposes like going to the beach etc. Big plus.
Anyways I've been playing with the RDS 001 Mid since spring of 2006 when they first came out so I'll post a review on here on the weekend but it will mainly be comparing it to the RDS 001 Mid so keep that in mind. I string my RDS 001's with BB ALU @ 65 main/67 cross and add lead tape so they weigh roughly 358 grams. I strung the new one at 63 main/65 cross. I only had time to string one up today unfortunately. So anyways here are some pictures and a full family shot at the end :)

DSC01880.jpg

DSC01883.jpg

DSC01881.jpg
 

robJAR

Semi-Pro
Hey man that's a wonderful collection of racquets you have there! I've always wanted to try Yonex racquets as I am accustomed to Babolats and Wilsons. I am also looking forward to your review!

-robJAR
 

tennis_balla

Hall of Fame
Thanks guys, I'll write a review as soon as I can like I said most likely this weekend.

LanEvo - I got a good deal on them and not just on rackets but I'd rather keep that private.
 

chrishin

New User
are the serial codes CD or other ones? because i know in japan both tennis and badminton came with those cloth bags, but perhaps they've changed it now
 

tennis_balla

Hall of Fame
200193CD is the bottom serial. The racket serial numbers end with 39,40,41, 45 and 46 so a nice close batch.

My RDS001's end with US. What does the US and CD mean? I'm guessing US means USA market? cause thats where I got them but what about CD?

Edit:
Nevermind I found it thanks for the info...
Code of Distribution:

AS = Australia, BX = Belgium / Netherlands, CD = Canada, CH = China, CN / CP = Chinese National Team, DK = Denmark, FR = France, GR = Germany, HK = Hong Kong, ID = India, IN / IP = Indonesia, JP = Japan, KR = Korea, MA = Malaysia, NZ = New Zealand, SD = Sweden, SP = Singapore, TH = Thailand, TW = Taiwan, UK = United Kingdom, US = USA
 
Last edited:

MaxShane

Rookie
TB,it's so a beauty!!! have you ever campare the rdis to rds side by side? Spec say it 93 to 90,then the rdis is more fat or slim?
 

tennis_balla

Hall of Fame
TB,it's so a beauty!!! have you ever campare the rdis to rds side by side? Spec say it 93 to 90,then the rdis is more fat or slim?

I hit shortly with the RDX 500 Mid one time a few years ago and you know how people were saying the RDS 001 Mid looked beefier, as in more of a racket then the RDX, which is true well the RDiS 100 Mid looks even beefier then the RDS 001. It is a slightly thicker frame but not by much, and you can tell and feel its beefier and slightly bigger headsize just by holding it and looking at it if you're used to the RDS 001. I don't mean this as a negative it doesn't look or feel clumsy at all. My first reaction when I picked it up was this is something that I could just plow through the ball especially once I add some lead tape. So yea I'm liking that aspect of it.
 

Rexking

Professional
Great players package balla! Looking forward to read further reviews on the rdis from you. Can't wait to demo one of these myself :p
 

nickarnold2000

Hall of Fame
I love Yonex's quality control. I remember my 3 RDS mids, weight wise, 2 weighing exactly the same and the 3rd being a gram heavier! I don't think Wilson can claim that.
 

tennis_balla

Hall of Fame
Ok so I'll try and make this review the best I can. Like I said before keep in mind that this will be mostly in comparison to my RDS 001 Mid which I have lead tape to 3 and 9 o'clock position on it, one long strip and weighs in if I remember correctly at 356 grams, strung with BB Alu @ 65 main/67 cross. I strung my RDiS 100 Mid @ 63 main/65 cross with BB Alu and added the same amount of lead tape like on my RDS 001.
In terms of playing level, here's two short videos of mine so you guys make up your minds on that :p
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLaqKkOYzmo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2m5lIth0Sk

First Impressions:

When I first hit with it I noticed it had a more forgiving feel then the RDS 001. Yonex rackets to me play bigger then they really are, I never felt like the 90 sq in frame of the RDS 001 played like a 90 and this racket is no exception. I definitely felt the difference of the slightly bigger head size and beam width. Spin was easier to generate and like I said before it felt much for forgiving and easier to hit with then the RDS 001. One thing I found it lacking, though it would depend on the player in what they are looking for in a frame, is the RDiS 100 lacked a bit of the nice firm old school feel I liked so much with the RDS 001. Its by no means a dead racket nor did it feel muted and still provided plenty of feel on the ball.
I always felt like the RDS 001 was a perfect balance between the Wilson 6.0 Classic and Prestige Classic to me. I've used both as a junior and it felt like going back to those frames. I had both rackets side by side with me on the court to compare and the RDS 001 definitely feels a bit more crisp on impact. I am getting rather picky here and I'm sure it has to do with the trade off to a slightly bigger and thicker frame and I don't completely see this as a negative with the frame itself, its just a different feel not necessarily a bad one but people switching over like I did will notice it I think. Once I got used to it, it was no problem and the racket is as direct as any.

Groundies:

Like I said before, feels more forgiving and a bit more spin then the RDS 001 Mid and slightly more power also. Finding the sweet spot is almost a no brainer and this is where I'd like this frame more then the RDS 001 on slower surfaces such as clay. Slice, top spin, flat screaming winners are no problem here.

Volleys:

Slightly bigger head size felt nice at the net, definitely not sluggish at all, really nice with volleys with a nice cut to the ball. Typical Yonex frame I'd say here, good points all around and nice feel on the ball.

Serves:

This is where the racket really got my attention. One of the things I loved most about my RDS 001 was how easy it was to hit serves. I don't know if it was the combination of the frame dimensions and the fact that Yonex rackets do give off nice spin but the ball would just pop off the racket effortlessly anywhere you wanted it to go and the RDiS 100 was no exception and then some. Really great on serves, much easier to get slice, topspin definitely more pop on the ball and just all round beautiful to serve with.

Final Thoughts:

Well I hope that helped, I'm sure I left a lot of things out so ask away and I'll try and answer them the best I can. This is a really nice frame I think and while it might lack some of the crispness and old school feel on the ball the RDS 001 I felt had, I don't see this as a negative towards the racket and everything about it was great. I'm happy to switch to this cause the positives outweigh that. I found it like an easier players racket to hit with. It wasn't harsh, it wasn't too comfy but right in the middle and felt right.
 

db379

Hall of Fame
Thanks for the review. It looks like a nice frame for sure.

I'm interested in the feel of the racquet. You commented on it, but can you give us a bit more info on that? Is it buttery? Is it solid on impact? Is it rather muted or do you get good feedback? I like the rds001mid (all yellow) although it might be a tad stiffer than I like. rdx500 felt very flexy and comfy, rquis felt both flexy and stiff (I know, but that's how it felt to me). Where does this one stand? I guess a slighty less stiff rds mid with a slightly larger head would be close to perfect for me... Is it the rdis?


BTW, nice groundstrokes, I like your FH. Which level are you? 5.0-5.5?
 

jpasquito

Rookie
Thank you very much for the review. I'm a RDS002 tour user and I just can't help thinking I'm a little bit off with my power/control ratio. That is---the RDS002 tour can hit pretty darn big and I often need to reel it in.
I really liked the RDS001 mid but thought that it was a little bit 'temperamental'. If you were a little late getting there or with timing, it threw you WAY off. With the RDS002 tour, you could be a little late, and still 'flick' for the extra power, or if you caught it late or off center, you got a LOT less power reduction. So, it is a trade off right? Sacrifice the Control (when you timing is dead on) for a little Slack. For me, I think going to the RDS mid is too much of a incremental demand but, I'd like to have something there from the Yonex lineage, to be there in my bag as somewhere in between the demanding RDS001 mid and the RDS002 tour.
I did get to demo the RDiS mid, I liked it. Served very well with it. I wasn't in love with the rest of its performance characteristics but, it was damn good.
Finally, a question for 'tennis balla', would you consider this RDiS racquet a decent midpoint between RDS001 mid and the RDS002 tour (assuming you've hit with it before)?
 

tennis_balla

Hall of Fame
Its still a firm racket, definitely not flexible. In terms of stiffness its very close to the RDS 001 Mid but like I said before in a bit more friendly package at the expense of some ball feel. I have not played with the RDS 002 but I have hit with the RDS 001 Midplus and its a step more in that direction if that makes sense.

There is a certain feel on the ball you get with small frames, be it the 6.0 Classic, the RDS 001 Mid or Prestige Mid (no way is the Prestige Mid a 93, they must of calculated the WHOLE headsize) for example and because of this one being slightly bigger it moves away from that. Thats what I was trying to explain yesterday, not sure if that came through in my post. I'm more like someone who feels it, knows its right but tough to explain it so bear with me :p

...oh and yes I felt it was nice and solid on impact, typical players frame response in that regard.
 

T1000

Legend
I have the 001 2008 and I find it to unforgiving when i play heavy topspin hitters, in windy conditions, or when I'm having a bad day. I want a more forgiving version that plays the same, so is this the racquet I'm looking for? I also want some more spin potential in my racquet too
 

tennis_balla

Hall of Fame
T1000 - Its definitely worth a demo, don't expect night and day changes but they are there in what you're looking for.
 

In D Zone

Hall of Fame
Great review Tennis Balla

I am anxiously waiting delivery of my RDiS (scheduled to arrive today). Although I will have to wait till tomorrow to play with it. I purchased my used, and I am surprised to find several guys in TW were already unloading the RDiS in the classified. Just wondering why (?) Don't see alot of the Yonex followers jumping into the RDiS band wagon compared to the followers of K88 players. It made me wonder.....

Do you think the frame plays much stiffer the RDS001 mid? Noticed you had your RDS001 mid strung in the high 60's (wow) and in lower 60's on the RDiS. The former owner found the racquet to be too stiff; the RDis is strung in the high 50's - I more comfortable playing in the mid 50's; I might have to restring the RDis when I get it.
 
Last edited:

tennis_balla

Hall of Fame
I only dipped down a few pounds for the RDiS cause I wasn't sure, I like it strung tighter even if it is with polyester.
It happens all the time on here I guess, people just buy a racket for the hell of it cause its new not because they necessarily think its for them then end up selling it. I found the stiffness about the same.
 
Great review Tennis Balla

I am anxiously waiting delivery of my RDiS (scheduled to arrive today). Although I will have to wait till tomorrow to play with it. I purchased my used, and I am surprised to find several guys in TW were already unloading the RDiS in the classified. Just wondering why (?) Don't see alot of the Yonex followers jumping into the RDiS band wagon compared to the followers of K88 players. It made me wonder.....

Do you think the frame plays much stiffer the RDS001 mid? Noticed you had your RDS001 mid strung in the high 60's (wow) and in lower 60's on the RDiS. The former owner found the racquet to be too stiff; the RDis is strung in the high 50's - I more comfortable playing in the mid 50's; I might have to restring the RDis when I get it.


dude people are crazy :???:
they just usually buy a racket not even because its new
but because a famous person used it
i bet most of the people that bought the kps 88 bought it for pete
which don't get me wrong he's awesome
its just don't buy a racket just because you have his racket now your automatically him
people should buy the racket because the specs rock not because of a signature
im sorry its just sad :(
i perfer non signed rackets cause i like to personally own a racket
and not feel that im just copying a person :cool:
anyways nice racket review it really helped
just wondering though what kind of lead tape do you use because mine keeps falling off my RDS 001 and im expecting a RDIS soon
 

tennis_balla

Hall of Fame
1/4 lead tape, mine stays on forever I think its from Unique Sports. Just make sure the frame is clean underneath.
 

Kuub

New User
Hello,

Does anybody of you guys know if the Yonex rdis mp is good for someone who plays with lots of spin with the forehand? Is the mp maybe to powerfull? And how about kickserves because i did demo the MP. On a flat first serve it was ok but i couldn't do my kickserve with this racket. That was a bit a negative point about this racket(in my opinion)

Thanks
 

tennis_balla

Hall of Fame
That would depend what you're used to Kuub and what level you play at. As a players stick, the RDiS Mid gives off plenty of spin.
 

Kuub

New User
That would depend what you're used to Kuub and what level you play at. As a players stick, the RDiS Mid gives off plenty of spin.

Tennis_balla thanks for your answer. But I'm sorry my question wasn't clear. I am testing the yonex rdis Mid not the Mp. But i want some opinions from someone who played with the MP. Because i like the mid version with my first serve ( flat serve was very hard with this racket), but i couldn't do a good kickserve with this racket.

Btw i currently play with a head microgel radical, but i think it's to light for me (lead tape was horrible for me, i like stock rackets). I don't know what my ranking is because i live in Belgium and we have another ranking here. But i play decent tennis, with a more flat backhand and a forehand with a good amount of spin.

So i want to know if the MP version has good spinpotential and is it controllable? Is there a racket to compare with the mp?

Thanks for your advice
 

tennis_balla

Hall of Fame
The MP will have more spin potential naturally over the Mid version because its a bigger headsize. I have not hit with the MP version so I cannot tell you what it compares to sorry.
 

mawashi

Hall of Fame
Nice review, thx.

Did you find that the frame was a jack of all trades n master of none that some posters have commented on the frame?

mawashi
 

imalil2gangsta4u

Hall of Fame
thanks for the review! i really want to try this racket now. im currently testing out the rqis tour 1 xl and i really like it, but this one seems like it might be even better.
 
F

Federer4life

Guest
Out of curiosity, how do these compare to the RDX 500 mids?
 

tennis_balla

Hall of Fame
That could be a good assessment of the racket, I mean its a very well rounded frame and comfortable anywhere in the court. I found it easier to serve with, make contact with and put spin on the ball the my previous frame. Its not a racket thats just average in all categories its one that does it all well but doesn't stand out big in any one area...and I don't see that as a negative one bit. With some customization you can make it do what you want and what you prefer.
 

Cashew´s

New User
What happens when you add lead tape, and how much did you add on which positions? I just got two of these but the MP and feel that I cant get power on my shots, although every single one of them is going in with topsin, with slice its a different story, I havent been able to control slice shots, they keep flying long. Overall I love the feel and quality of Yonex and specially these ones.
 

In D Zone

Hall of Fame
After weeks of tweaking string tension, finally settled using hybrid. Premier Ace 17 G @52lbs; PSGD 17 G @54lbs.
Added lead at 3 and 9 oclock. Increased the SW of the RDiS which made it much more stable.

Big difference I noticed with the RDis compared to RDS001 mid is the precision of my shots. Ball was crisp;felt that I can control the Power and Spin of my shot at will. I have played several matches with RDIS and I must say this frame continues to impressed me.

I am glad I stucked with the RDis and finally discovered its true protential.
 

iksmols

Semi-Pro
After weeks of tweaking string tension, finally settled using hybrid. Premier Ace 17 G @52lbs; PSGD 17 G @54lbs.
Added lead at 3 and 9 oclock. Increased the SW of the RDiS which made it much more stable.

Big difference I noticed with the RDis compared to RDS001 mid is the precision of my shots. Ball was crisp;felt that I can control the Power and Spin of my shot at will. I have played several matches with RDIS and I must say this frame continues to impressed me.

I am glad I stucked with the RDis and finally discovered its true protential.

I like this racquet more and more everytime I play with it .(strung with Topspin CF 16 @ 55 lb ).
 
Hi Tennis Balla.
Nice review. I've been trying to find out about the rdis 100 for a while now because TW hasn't reviewed it yet.
What I found really encouraging was that I watched your youtube video and I hit nearly exactly the same way you do. In fact, freakily so. I hit a single handed backhand and a full western forehand. Are you hitting with a full or semi, bit hard to tell from the video. Anyway, my major concern was that the smaller head size might result in more shanks. Have you found this? Do you find you're able to get enough pop with the racquet that you need for a full western grip? How did you find the racquet for control from the baseline?
I'm extremely keen on this racquet but was worried it wouldn't suit my style. Do you play aggressively or counter-punch?
Thanks! :)
 
Got to read the review for the first time. Thanks for bumping the thread. Which version of the RDS mid was compared to the RDiS? I understand there were 2 versions. How do you distinguish one from the other, and when did Yonex do the switch. I'm tempted to get the RDS on sale, since all my stocks are true mids (Yonex RDti 70, Fischer Vac Pro, Prestige Pro, etc.)
 

ferocious4hand

Semi-Pro
I bought a couple RDiS 100 mid to replace my RQis 95 tour, RDiS is a much better all-around racket. Glad I made the switch.

PS. I recently strung this awesome stick with gamma fusion 19, all I have to say is it's ridiculous. The spin, bite and power is pretty amazing.
 

Buckethead

Banned
TennisBalla,i'm intending to buy a few rds 001 mids?
After all this time,which one is better in your opinion by now,and why?
thanks
 
Top