Prince Ozone Tour Owners Club

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
Was wondering how many of us are out there?

This is a great racquet with hard to find specs (good weight, head light, low flex, good power). The only other with similar specs I found was the Bab Pure Storm and that was a touch heavier feeling. The Ozone Tour just feels perfect to me in every way.....weight, balance, power, comfort. I couldn't ask for more. The smaller beam scared me at first, but now it's not even an issue at all. Great serve and volley racquet, but can also generate powerful groundstrokes with lots of spin.

I have a question for fellow owners.......this came with 2 grommet inserts. One is plastic and the one installed was rubber. Do these make any difference? Are the rubber one's better for less vibrations? If I have the rubber on, should I still use a dampener or is that overkill?

CMon Ozone Owners! Lets hear from you!

P.O.T.O.C. Member #1
 

Meaghan

Hall of Fame
What about us pro tour uses?? are we in??
The plastic grommet is a string hole insert and reduces the vibration further. I have these all over my Rebel and its a lovely soft feel i prefer.
 

dadozen

Hall of Fame
Dang, you were still searching for a new racquet a couple of days ago...

Have you searched the forum? I'm pretty sure that there's already a club for this great racquet.

Cheers, and good luck
 

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
What about us pro tour uses?? are we in??
The plastic grommet is a string hole insert and reduces the vibration further. I have these all over my Rebel and its a lovely soft feel i prefer.

Sure....Pro owners are welcome!
 

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
What about us pro tour uses?? are we in??
The plastic grommet is a string hole insert and reduces the vibration further. I have these all over my Rebel and its a lovely soft feel i prefer.

The plastic reduces vibes more than rubber? That doesn't make sense, but I will take your word for it since I haven't tried both. Unfortunately, mine came strung with the rubber and the plastic one was in a bag, so I have to wait until I restring to try it out.
 

Meaghan

Hall of Fame
The plastic reduces vibes more than rubber? That doesn't make sense, but I will take your word for it since I haven't tried both. Unfortunately, mine came strung with the rubber and the plastic one was in a bag, so I have to wait until I restring to try it out.

I dont think its the rubber v plastic but the string hole inserts v the port hole inserts. Its too vulnerable to splitting if they use rubber on the string hole inserts.
 

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
I dont think its the rubber v plastic but the string hole inserts v the port hole inserts. Its too vulnerable to splitting if they use rubber on the string hole inserts.

So the plastic one holds the strings in place in the grommets, where the rubber insert lets them move around in the little O-port, like the side open ports? Makes sense.

Is there a big difference in the overall feel of the racquet with the plastic piece vs the rubber?
 

Meaghan

Hall of Fame
I can only judge from different rackets, the ozone pro tour (port inserts) and the rebel (string inserts) and Id say that the string inserts IMO have better feel as they seem to float the strings instead of tight against the racket body. Some have called it mushy, but I really like this dampened feel. Saying that my OPT is really sensitive too!
 

dParis

Hall of Fame
The plastic reduces vibes more than rubber? That doesn't make sense, but I will take your word for it since I haven't tried both. Unfortunately, mine came strung with the rubber and the plastic one was in a bag, so I have to wait until I restring to try it out.
I agree. That doesn't sound right. I tried the Tour with the rubber insert but if I were to play this racquet often, I would probably opt for the plastic insert. I've read virtually unanimous preference for the plastic insert. It makes the response a little crisper than the rubber insert and as muted and mushy as the Ozone's stringbed feels, I can imagine the plastic improving the feel. I can't imagine switching to the plastic would result with me feeling the racquet has become too harsh.
 

Meaghan

Hall of Fame
Actually...are there string hole inserts (complete grommet strip) for the OPT, it may sway me from my Rebel....??
 

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
I agree. That doesn't sound right. I tried the Tour with the rubber insert but if I were to play this racquet often, I would probably opt for the plastic insert. I've read virtually unanimous preference for the plastic insert. It makes the response a little crisper than the rubber insert and as muted and mushy as the Ozone's stringbed feels, I can imagine the plastic improving the feel. I can't imagine switching to the plastic would result with me feeling the racquet has become too harsh.

I actually bought the Ozone for it's low stiffness (60) to help my tennis elbow and I thought the rubber insert would be better in that regard.
I dont find the racquet "muted and mushy" at all. I think of it more as a "plush" feel :) It doesn't make the racquet any less capable of "touch" shots.
I think it's more of a mental thing than anything.
 

dParis

Hall of Fame
I actually bought the Ozone for it's low stiffness (60) to help my tennis elbow and I thought the rubber insert would be better in that regard.
I dont find the racquet "muted and mushy" at all. I think of it more as a "plush" feel :) It doesn't make the racquet any less capable of "touch" shots.
I think it's more of a mental thing than anything.
Yes, mental and personal taste too. All racquets give feedback. Some rackets speak loud and clear while others tend to mumble a bit. Given time I think I could adjust to any racquet's feedback but I hit with the Ozone T w/rubber insert for about a week and I wasn't feeling connected to it. Now, just what use is feedback to an intermediate player such as myself? I don't think about it too much as feel is, rightly or wrongly, of greater priority to me comfort and tactile wise. On the other hand - and I just might be blowing smoke up my butt - I feel feedback helps me prepare for the next shot I'm about to hit. Feedback tells me, "You need to hit through more next time" or "Your hitting your serves a little too high/low on the strings; make an adjustment" etc. I wasn't getting any of that feedback from the Ozone T. When compared with other racquets I was hitting, the Ozone's feel/feedback deficiency was too much to overlook. The racquet was gripped with a mushy Wilson kgrip(?) that I didn't like at all and I'm sure that didn't help things.

I do think the plastic insert would be a step in the right direction - for me, if I were to use the racquet again. I agree with much of your praise for the Ozone. Given the design of the racquet, don't think the plastic insert would remove the plush feel.
 

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
I just saw the little package that the plastic insert comes in and it says "for more vibration dampening use the rubber one, but for more feedback, use the plastic insert," or something close to that.

Since I am currently battling a little TE, I will leave it "as is" with the rubber. Maybe down the road a little, I will switch it over to the plastic one and see how that feels.
 

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
Yes, mental and personal taste too. All racquets give feedback. Some rackets speak loud and clear while others tend to mumble a bit. Given time I think I could adjust to any racquet's feedback but I hit with the Ozone T w/rubber insert for about a week and I wasn't feeling connected to it. Now, just what use is feedback to an intermediate player such as myself?......

So you are seeking "feedback" as to where on the racquet you hit the ball?
It's too bad you couldn't try it with the plastic piece instead. There are some comments in the TW reviews that said it made things much crisper feeling. That mushy grip you had on probably didn't help either. Personally, I have no problem with the Ozone's "feel" right now, but I haven't been playing long enough to know what to "feel for".
 

dParis

Hall of Fame
So you are seeking "feedback" as to where on the racquet you hit the ball?
Personally, I have no problem with the Ozone's "feel" right now, but I haven't been playing long enough to know what to "feel for".
Something like that. At this point, feedback is somewhat abstract. Where on the racquet I hit the ball is definitely part of it. A big part of it. But feedback may also remind me that I need to meet the ball further out in front of me, for example. The feel of the ball on the same point of the string bed may differ if I let the ball get behind me a bit. Like I said, I don't think about it too much when I play. It's just sort of there, on the fence between my conscious and subconscious. As I amass a larger book of tennis knowledge and experience, I'll be better able to take advantage of a racquet's feedback.

Given the Ozone's composition, I think that even with the plastic insert, the racquet is one of the arm-friendliest in its class. I wouldn't anticipate any elbow problems with either the rubber insert or the plastic one.
 

Ljubicic for number1

Hall of Fame
Hey JackB1,

I think you and Meaghan may have your wires crossed, I know you are talking about the hard and soft throat pieces that comes with the Ozone tours and o3 whites and Meaghan seems to be talking about the speedport tuning systems which come with the speedports and are available for the EXO3 rebels, graphites and ignites.

These are two different things altogether. The throat piece you are talking about is for vibration dampening, works similar to a normal vibration dampener that you insert in the stringbed.
And the string hole and port hole inserts that Meaghan is talking about is a tuning system. String hole inserts = more traditional feel with smaller sweet spot. Port hole inserts = larger sweet spot, more power, more dampening.
 

Meaghan

Hall of Fame
Thanks Ljub
good job you know what ur talking about ha!
Dampening and feel etc are difficult to relate from one person to another.
 

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
I think you and Meaghan may have your wires crossed, I know you are talking about the hard and soft throat pieces that comes with the Ozone tours and o3 whites and Meaghan seems to be talking about the speedport tuning systems which come with the speedports and are available for the EXO3 rebels, graphites and ignites.

These are two different things altogether. The throat piece you are talking about is for vibration dampening, works similar to a normal vibration dampener that you insert in the stringbed.
And the string hole and port hole inserts that Meaghan is talking about is a tuning system. String hole inserts = more traditional feel with smaller sweet spot. Port hole inserts = larger sweet spot, more power, more dampening.

Thanks for clearing that up. You are correct. I am talking about the piece at the top of the throat and she may be referring to the O-Ports vs. the traditional stationary grommets.

So if I have the rubber piece instead of the plastic one, then I don't need any additional dampeners on the racquet? Thanks.

p.s. anyone out there try and compare the rubber insert vs the plastic one?
 

Meaghan

Hall of Fame
Thanks for clearing that up. You are correct. I am talking about the piece at the top of the throat and she may be referring to the O-Ports vs. the traditional stationary grommets.

So if I have the rubber piece instead of the plastic one, then I don't need any additional dampeners on the racquet? Thanks.

p.s. anyone out there try and compare the rubber insert vs the plastic one?

I was referring to the throat grommet and ljub is right i was referring to the way it feels will the ports and string inserts, whether plastic or rubber.
Oh and she is a he Meaghan is my surname. Dont see many women out there lugging round a 360g Rebel do we now?
 

Ljubicic for number1

Hall of Fame
Thanks for clearing that up. You are correct. I am talking about the piece at the top of the throat and she may be referring to the O-Ports vs. the traditional stationary grommets.

So if I have the rubber piece instead of the plastic one, then I don't need any additional dampeners on the racquet? Thanks.

p.s. anyone out there try and compare the rubber insert vs the plastic one?

I haven't compared the two different grommets on the ozone but have tried both several times on the o3 white and I settled on the soft rubber one despite the TW play testers giving the hard plastic one the big thumbs up in their test.

I found I had much better touch on drop shots and volleys with the rubber one which was totally at odds with what everybody else feels. Felt like the ball stays on the stringbed a fraction longer giving me more directional control.
 

Meaghan

Hall of Fame
Question for you Ozone Tour folks - is there an Exo series replacement for it?

No...........there is a discussion on these boards about the Ozone line being discontinued, but i cant see it as there is no obvious replacement. 03-speedports, classics-EX03, ozone-?
 

Ljubicic for number1

Hall of Fame
No...........there is a discussion on these boards about the Ozone line being discontinued, but i cant see it as there is no obvious replacement. 03-speedports, classics-EX03, ozone-?

Hey Meaghan, Can you give a bit of brief comparison between the Reb and the Ozone Pro Tour. I have just purchased a couple of secondhand pro tours and would like to know what to expect. How does the spin compare? Serve compare? power level?

Thanks John.
 

Meaghan

Hall of Fame
Hey Meaghan, Can you give a bit of brief comparison between the Reb and the Ozone Pro Tour. I have just purchased a couple of secondhand pro tours and would like to know what to expect. How does the spin compare? Serve compare? power level?

Thanks John.

Yeah no probs....
Its a difficult one, Im more consistent with the OPT than the Rebel i suppose, ralleying etc. They both feel good in the hand, similar (Rebel feels a little lighter due to HL balance. I add an extra grip so the OPT is about 10pts HL and Rebel 12pts).
Serves....rebel for me, but there is not much in it and I also think the rebel is about the best serving stick out there. My 2nd serve I couldnt tell the difference, both kicked similarly.
Groundstrokes...this is where its hard, I can rally all day with the OPT where is with the rebel i tend to go for a winner cos i can, this is not saying that i cant with the OPT its just i get a bit more topspin thus giving my opponent time to make the ball, and in some perverse way the OPT makes you rally where as the Rebel makes you want to scream a backhand down the line. I mean look at the difference between Monfils and Ferrero/Davydenko. I think that says it all about the 2 rackets!
I have a 1HB and the rebel feels real good with that but the OPT is not far behind.
Volleying and touch shots workes similarly but there is deffo a mushy feel thing with the rebel that i really like, thats why its interesting the talk of the string inserts, I really do think they make a massive difference and Im looking to see if they sell them for the OPT (full grommet, not just throat) as I think this could make the difference.
Again I found playing against better players the Rebel feels more solid esp service returns but again theres not much in it.
I also have a RDis 100 MP and a Head Pyramid tour and after a lot of racket testing ( ive bought and sold maybe 30 or 40 diff rackets) these 4 stand out for me (4.5 all court game).
At the moment my troubles with the throat grommet splitting on my Rebel is doing my head in so Ive relied on the other 3 for the past 2 months.
Also my OPT is fully stung with PHT and the spin is rediculous.
Also looks are important and IMO rebel wins outright.
Rebel on a good day remains top but only just, the Pyramid tour is hard to get hold of and is discontinued so in my opinion the remaining three rackets are just about the best out there. The one other that come close was the Fischer M Comp 95.
 
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Ljubicic for number1

Hall of Fame
Thanks for the great insight Meaghan, Looking forward to testing the OPT in a week or so when it arrives.

I love the Rebel except the 2nd serve is getting me in trouble, its just a sitter for a good returner. Hopefully I can get some added spin with the Ozone.
 

Meaghan

Hall of Fame
Thanks for the great insight Meaghan, Looking forward to testing the OPT in a week or so when it arrives.

I love the Rebel except the 2nd serve is getting me in trouble, its just a sitter for a good returner. Hopefully I can get some added spin with the Ozone.

I think thats just your ability and technique Ljub and no racket is ever gonna change that, I get loads of spin off the Rebel but cant tell much difference between the 2 sticks on 2nd serve, in fact IMO the Rebel still edges it but I look forward to see what you think when you get the chance to play.
If you like the Rebel then you cant go wrong with the OPT.
its funny i think of Davydenko and Ferrero, they look like they can hit all day but they dont seem to put the ball away. This is deffo the Prince version of the APD except much better stick, its really thin 18mm beam is great and doesnt lack power.
By looking at your posts with the Ex men i can see you moving over to the OPT and if i can get the inserts i may do to????
 

Meaghan

Hall of Fame
Oh one more thing...there is a noticable trajectory difference with the OPT, I havent noticed it as much with other 100" headsizes, obviously this aids rallying and accounts for that put away ball. Saying that, I had a match a couple of days ago and my topspin forehand was bouncing over peoples heads- literally!
Very easy stick to use. It may well help your 2nd serve thinking of it.....when are they arriving and how much did you pay. I bought mine new from TWE. Are you an Aussie??
 

Ljubicic for number1

Hall of Fame
I dont have this 2nd serve problem with my other racquets though, I serve fine with exo3 Graphite, o3 white, fxp prestige etc.

The high trajectory sounds good to me.

Picked them up here in the for sale section for $65 a piece.
 

Meaghan

Hall of Fame
I dont have this 2nd serve problem with my other racquets though, I serve fine with exo3 Graphite, o3 white, fxp prestige etc.

The high trajectory sounds good to me.

Picked them up here in the for sale section for $65 a piece.

Ahh i see, yeah then this could be the one, good bargain too....let us know when they arrive and you get a chance to have a hit, look foreward to seeing what you think.
Ive got full PHT in mine so that does help with the spin......
 

Ljubicic for number1

Hall of Fame
Ahh i see, yeah then this could be the one, good bargain too....let us know when they arrive and you get a chance to have a hit, look foreward to seeing what you think.
Ive got full PHT in mine so that does help with the spin......

Will let you know how they go.

I also just received my port hole inserts for the Reb's and will test thm tomorrow if we dont get the predicted rain.

Yes a Aussie.
 

Meaghan

Hall of Fame
Will let you know how they go.

I also just received my port hole inserts for the Reb's and will test thm tomorrow if we dont get the predicted rain.

Yes a Aussie.

That'll be interesting ive only used port inserts on the OPT and Pro white and string inserts on the Rebel. Do you know if we can get the string inserts for the OPT?

Where about in AUS do you live? is it warm? its cold and wet in UK!
Dokic is lovely!
 

Ljubicic for number1

Hall of Fame
That'll be interesting ive only used port inserts on the OPT and Pro white and string inserts on the Rebel. Do you know if we can get the string inserts for the OPT?

Where about in AUS do you live? is it warm? its cold and wet in UK!
Dokic is lovely!


No you cant get inserts for the round hole o3s only the speedport/exo rectangular holes.

I live on the south coast of NSW, about 300 kilometers south of Sydney. Its preety much warm year round here during the day, during the winter the nights get down to around zero on a cold night but the days are still warm.

Yes Jelena is lovely:)
 

Ljubicic for number1

Hall of Fame
By the way what did you think of the pro white? I still love the original white, its such a versatile racquet that can transcend many different player levels from beginner to very capable.
 

Meaghan

Hall of Fame
By the way what did you think of the pro white? I still love the original white, its such a versatile racquet that can transcend many different player levels from beginner to very capable.

I tell all the kids at the club to get the white, IMO the best all round racket available for beginners to advanced players.

The 03 is a little HH, my friend had one and leaded it up and it was so spinny, more than anyone ive ever seen.
The speedport version is great and i played with the pro version for a bit, just couldnt get the pace on the serve. I think people are blinded by the chick stick status it has and want to be real men and play with k88 k90 or Head mids and play consistently worse than hey would if they picked up the White.
Thats why the OPT works so well they are very similar, just that thinner beam does make a difference.

Off to buy wine and beer for tonights party, feel rough from last nights party....getting to old for all this, Im 38 i need sleep! Is it early morning there?
Wish i lived somewhere warm
 

Ljubicic for number1

Hall of Fame
I tell all the kids at the club to get the white, IMO the best all round racket available for beginners to advanced players.

The 03 is a little HH, my friend had one and leaded it up and it was so spinny, more than anyone ive ever seen.
The speedport version is great and i played with the pro version for a bit, just couldnt get the pace on the serve. I think people are blinded by the chick stick status it has and want to be real men and play with k88 k90 or Head mids and play consistently worse than hey would if they picked up the White.
Thats why the OPT works so well they are very similar, just that thinner beam does make a difference.

Off to buy wine and beer for tonights party, feel rough from last nights party....getting to old for all this, Im 38 i need sleep! Is it early morning there?
Wish i lived somewhere warm

I actually add 5gms to the tip of the white to make even more head heavy. Has massive spin with full blue gear.

38 hey, same age here. Its 11.19pm
 

Meaghan

Hall of Fame
how did you find the massive leap to 12pts HL of the rebel. I really struggle with anything lower than about 6pts HL.

Ive only been playing for 2 years and only watched Wimbledon before and never womens tennis, so earlier this year was the first time a gazed upon the wonder that is jelena dokic at the AO, she is a great player but there is definitely something about her that makes me go all funny inside haha!

Anyway back to the OPT, Im thinking of adding just a touch of lead to the OPT at12/9/5, it already feels pretty stable and i would normally raise the sweetspot with lead at 10/2 but it seems im hitting this bang in the middle.
 

Ljubicic for number1

Hall of Fame
how did you find the massive leap to 12pts HL of the rebel. I really struggle with anything lower than about 6pts HL.

Ive only been playing for 2 years and only watched Wimbledon before and never womens tennis, so earlier this year was the first time a gazed upon the wonder that is jelena dokic at the AO, she is a great player but there is definitely something about her that makes me go all funny inside haha!

Anyway back to the OPT, Im thinking of adding just a touch of lead to the OPT at12/9/5, it already feels pretty stable and i would normally raise the sweetspot with lead at 10/2 but it seems im hitting this bang in the middle.


I am a racquet junkie so have played with lots of head light stuff too. Played the N95 16x18 for about 18 months and really enjoyed that frame, so I can adjust in a few minutes to different balances.

Jelena was damn fine when a bit younger http://sites.evc.net/sport/Jelena Dokic/big/Jelena_Dokic_13.jpg

http://bahamaderek.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/dokic-13-2000-issue-of-girlfiend1.jpg
 

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
If I were to add weight to one of my Ozone's to make it match the other, I would add it in the throat area to keep balance unchanged, correct? Also, where would I add it on this racquet? There doesn't appear to be any room in the throat due to the O ports. Should I add little strips the the left and right of those 3 large O Ports in the throat?
 

Ljubicic for number1

Hall of Fame
If I were to add weight to one of my Ozone's to make it match the other, I would add it in the throat area to keep balance unchanged, correct? Also, where would I add it on this racquet? There doesn't appear to be any room in the throat due to the O ports. Should I add little strips the the left and right of those 3 large O Ports in the throat?


First thing you have to do is check the balance point and see where the lead is needed to match your heavier one. Its more likely you will need to change the balance point not keep it the same.
 

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
First thing you have to do is check the balance point and see where the lead is needed to match your heavier one. Its more likely you will need to change the balance point not keep it the same.

Can I do that just on a dowel and mark the points on both where they balance and see if it's the same?
 

Meaghan

Hall of Fame
Hi JackB1
I find when you add lead in the throat the racket acts sluggish. I think its better to add a little in the hoop and a little in the handle.
 

iscottius

Professional
does this racquet really have a lot of power? does it serve big? con you compare it to head microgel extreme pro?
 

Ljubicic for number1

Hall of Fame

Meaghan

Hall of Fame
does this racquet really have a lot of power? does it serve big? con you compare it to head microgel extreme pro?

There are similarities but i find the OPT just feels better in the hand and goes thro the air really well, maybe the port holes and thiner beam are factors.
As for power, it does come with a punch, i think i serve better with the OPT than EP. I have mine strung at 55, I dont think it makes it too powerful, just so much spin so you can have a big swing at it. I string the OPT with full poly too to access more spin and make it slightly less powerful.
 

Ljubicic for number1

Hall of Fame
There are similarities but i find the OPT just feels better in the hand and goes thro the air really well, maybe the port holes and thiner beam are factors.
As for power, it does come with a punch, i think i serve better with the OPT than EP. I have mine strung at 55, I dont think it makes it too powerful, just so much spin so you can have a big swing at it. I string the OPT with full poly too to access more spin and make it slightly less powerful.


I am really hoping it doesn't play to much like the extreme pro, I hated that stick.
 

Meaghan

Hall of Fame
I am really hoping it doesn't play to much like the extreme pro, I hated that stick.

Yeah me too. Its a popular racket at the club but i hated it, couldnt serve and the head felt so round and big.

ive just had another session with the OPT and im getting quite excited, my baseline rallying is really comfortable, landing consistently deep and my topspin ball bounce is getting up so high.

Ljub i think this is deffo gonna sort out your 2nd serve.
 

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
Anyone here ever compare the Head Microgel Radical Pro to the Ozone Tour? They seem to have similar specs. The Radical Pro got rave reviews here on TW, but doesn't seem to have been a big seller? Anyone here played both?
 
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