Diary of a Racketaholic

Meaghan said:

Actually ross you may be right but I've been thinking about the pros and cons of these rackets for a short time now, especially whilst showering of a morning!
If all being equal (ie similar feel/stability etc) the volkl is a versatile stick, its grace and easy flowing nature allow you to express yourself and as an all court kinda guy, I like that. The problem lies in the fact that I am not Federer and although I consistently hit good shots, with a stick like this it gets into your head, oooh little drop shot here, dinky cutesy clever shot there and this gets me into trouble.
I win points, games and matches by playing my game, big serve, very aggressive, powerful ground strokes, forcing errors, getting stuff back, if I stick to the plan I can look pretty decent, if I start getting cute my game goes in and out and start trying too hard......so is a beautifully versatile stick for me?

Or , like the last couple of outings with the yonex do I play a stick that's a little more one dimensional (in a multi dimensional kind a way but not as multi dimensional as the volkl!). Theres no messing with this stick, it wants you to hit thro the ball, it has no problems creating angles with acute spin but in general it likes to just keep deep and to the corners, which in the scheme of things will win you most matches. It likes you to keep it simple, something I keep telling myself. I can play my all court game, s & v, chip and charging, baseline rallying, mixing it up, but for some reason I don't try to be too clever. My problem lies in the fact that its an ugly brute and I see myself much more in terms of artistic flaneur. Maybe its that opposites attract or maybe I do have to try the rdx500 mid/rds001 although it will have to be the all yellow one!?

Lastly, the mg600 (leaded up its the closest thing to my beloved feeling pt600), its control suits my game, its versatile but not in a cut thro the air like a magician kinda way the volkl is, its not clunky or beefed up brute, but get the weighting right and you have all the power you need. It does feel much smaller headed and this makes me keep it simple, its somewhere in between. Its the racket I chose (prob unrealistically) for myself when I started playing a few years ago, we have history!

So yes a racket must match your own personality but I have to think of my biggest asset and that's my serve and work on everything else and as these sticks are so close in all departments that shouldn't prove too difficult.

At the moment on serve out of 10 the yonex is a 9.3, the head 8.9 and the volkl 8.8......maybe I should do the tw rating list and see what happens

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just did the tw test taking the results from the review of the kps88 as a reference to my three rackets as i used the pro staff for a year.....the results were as follows (I did this rather quickly and instinctively making judgements against the kps88)
Head mg600: 85.1
Volkl dnx10 mid: 85.1
Yonex rq260: 84.9

Told you it was close! Bugger! .......

Rich,

Immense, thought-provoking post there earlier.


Dave,

Do post up re thoughts on the Exo once you've had a hit.


Will,

I'd forget about the tennis and just succumb to the horrors of moving and try and finish the move as quickly as possible. Recalling the unending chaos of some of my own past moves, may I also recommend you keep a permanently filled hip flask of Brandy or Whisky.


Boricua,

Yes, I'm just reacquainting myself with my old N-Code 6.1's (Wilson, of course)... as I said, it's not that I want to play with these as my no.1 rac, rather I just want to feel what it's like to hit with a frame I can swing faster than fast and get to everything, as well as hit more groundie angles, more precise DTL, decent control, but still have some beef behind it.

RHs,

2 other ones for you all to pronounce and pass judgement on...

The Dunlop Bio 400 Tour and the IG Instinct...

Anyone hit with these care to share their impressions?

Cheers

I just returned from a first training session with my recently acquired T-Fight 320 (new cosmetic). Got two words for it: hell yeah! 2 years ago I already had a brief stint with this then fairly new racquet and today it's somehow even better than I remembered it. Well, maybe I'm just a better player nowadays, too.

It's a surprisingly plush feeling frame considering its measured stiffness of 66 RA. Not EXO3 Tour level plushness mind you, but still, even with a full bed of of the infamous Black Cod strung at 22kg, it feels rather comfortable. No unsound vibrations, nothing fishy.

With the stock weight and balance pretty much to my liking, I just added some Tourna and a dampener and was ready to go. Both forehands and backhands had good court penetration and ample spin but could easily be flattened out for some extra speed. Slices are equally nice. The racquet is very easy to manoeuvre, both at net and at the baseline, it comes around very fast. Easy half-volleys. The sweetspot is, of course, a good bit smaller than on the EXO3 Tour but the Tec makes up for it in the easy power department. You just don't need as much racquet head speed.

Serves were easy to control, placement-wise, with good action on the ball. I only hit one overhead during gameplay tonight, but – I nailed it. And that's a shot that always seems to trouble me with the EXO3 Tour. So all in all I'm fairly excited about this frame. Can't wait to hit with this some more.

808 said:

I just returned from a first training session with my recently acquired T-Fight 320 (new cosmetic). Got two words for it: hell yeah!

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+1, this is your first step to cleansing your body of cortex.

Just looking at some photos of me playing and there i am hitting with a pure control (the one that was really a pro one) and a prince ripstick extender. I had completly forgotten i'd had them a couple of years ago.Those two can go on the list!
Will do Ross,THey do seem interesting swinging.The little man is wondering around with them one at a time but he does keep reappearing with the prince tour in hand.!4 months old and he can control a ball with a racquet, not bad eh?!

Look who's just arrived.......I asked for the pb10 mid to be"on spec" and it is. Initial thoughts its that the cosmetic black and yellow I really like, although there is too much writing on it. It also feels slightly more tinny than the dnx which feels more like steel than graphite! It does however feel better balanced for modification, the dnx felt very weighty in the head. This doesn't really matter tho as I'll add twenty grams or so.
Will string her up tonight and add some lead and have a hit 2moro.

808 said:

I just returned from a first training session with my recently acquired T-Fight 320 (new cosmetic). Got two words for it: hell yeah! 2 years ago I already had a brief stint with this then fairly new racquet and today it's somehow even better than I remembered it. Well, maybe I'm just a better player nowadays, too.

It's a surprisingly plush feeling frame considering its measured stiffness of 66 RA. Not EXO3 Tour level plushness mind you, but still, even with a full bed of of the infamous Black Cod strung at 22kg, it feels rather comfortable. No unsound vibrations, nothing fishy.

With the stock weight and balance pretty much to my liking, I just added some Tourna and a dampener and was ready to go. Both forehands and backhands had good court penetration and ample spin but could easily be flattened out for some extra speed. Slices are equally nice. The racquet is very easy to manoeuvre, both at net and at the baseline, it comes around very fast. Easy half-volleys. The sweetspot is, of course, a good bit smaller than on the EXO3 Tour but the Tec makes up for it in the easy power department. You just don't need as much racquet head speed.

Serves were easy to control, placement-wise, with good action on the ball. I only hit one overhead during gameplay tonight, but – I nailed it. And that's a shot that always seems to trouble me with the EXO3 Tour. So all in all I'm fairly excited about this frame. Can't wait to hit with this some more.

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Man, these TF 320 'love posts' that are suddenly raining down on this thread are really making me wonder if I shouldn't have looked longer and closer at this rac :???:... QSN. You use a 2hbh or 1hbh 808?


Dave,

1. Your list keeps getting longer and longer! Anyhow, we've seen enough. I hereby declare you 'Champion Diary Racketaholic!':

2.

!4 months old and he can control a ball with a racquet, not bad eh?!

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Good stuff matie. BTW, I got my kid a... ahem... junior 200G MW a few years back (well, her Dad's a racketaholic right - I'm not getting her one of those bloody 'Dora The Explorer' frames or something!) - only problem is, she shows little interest and is much more into computer games etc... maybe it's time I went all 'heavy tennis Dad' on her -haha!?


All,

Bumping this:

The Dunlop Bio 400 Tour and the IG Instinct...

Anyone hit with these care to share their impressions?

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Anyone?

Ross K said:

Dave,

1. Your list keeps getting longer and longer! Anyhow, we've seen enough. I hereby declare you 'Champion Diary Racketaholic!':

2. Good stuff matie. BTW, I got my kid a... ahem... junior 200G MW a few years back (well, her Dad's a racketaholic right - I'm not getting her one of those bloody 'Dora The Explorer' frames or something!) - only problem is, she shows little interest and is much more into computer games etc... maybe it's time I went all 'heavy tennis Dad' on her -haha!?


All,

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I thought hte bio tour 400 sounded interesting actually but found very little on it.

I didn't mean to become a racquetaholic, I didn't it just ended up this way!But thanks anyway!!

We have adora frame here that belongs to my daughter, i've also equipped them with radical jnr frames too.Alex is very good at checking frames out with me always willing to have a swing at a ball.You should see him with pro stock head frames, he liked them!

Ross K said:

QSN. You use a 2hbh or 1hbh 808?

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1hbh, I couldn't hit my way out of a wet paper bag with a 2hbh.

Branching out string wise for the Tec: just ordered up some Purple Typhoon, and red and black Hexonic.

Was impressed this am at how nice the TB felt in colder temps, 51 degrees on court and nice pop and power. The apd with TB in the colder weather was tough on the joints.

Fed, if you are reading this, what are the particulars of your Fedfight setup at 12.5oz. The modfather has retired but I'm always curious about setups

PED said:

Branching out string wise for the Tec: just ordered up some Purple Typhoon, and red and black Hexonic.

Was impressed this am at how nice the TB felt in colder temps, 51 degrees on court and nice pop and power. The apd with TB in the colder weather was tough on the joints.

Fed, if you are reading this, what are the particulars of your Fedfight setup at 12.5oz. The modfather has retired but I'm always curious about setups

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It's just bab leather, 16g poly, damp, tournatac OG and 4g of lead centered on the 4th cross down. 12.5 fully loaded. I enjoy this extra weight for doubles.

I like blackcode over TB and redcode so far. The best thing about this frame for me is serves. It's really powerful. Serves like a PD, plays from the back like a 6.1.

Fed Kennedy said:

IServes like a PD, plays from the back like a 6.1.

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Sounds like a mullet, business in the front and party in the back.

I assume you're simulating PWS, correct?

Fed Kennedy said:

It's just bab leather, 16g poly, damp, tournatac OG and 4g of lead centered on the 4th cross down. 12.5 fully loaded. I enjoy this extra weight for doubles.

I like blackcode over TB and redcode so far. The best thing about this frame for me is serves. It's really powerful. Serves like a PD, plays from the back like a 6.1.

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Very nice. :wink:

Differences / similarities between Yonex RDiS 100 Mid and MP

I'm going to post this in the main section but I figured I'd ask the experts first. Can anyone give me a rundown comparison between the Yonex RDiS 100 MP and Mid versions.

The specs of the MP are right in my wheelhouse so I bought one some months ago, played with it for 15 minutes and then forgot it existed.

Long story short, I took the MP out for a spin last night and I absolutely killed it. Now the MP is pretty much a beefed up Prestige Pro with a touch less control. It feels very similar, very crisp and solid, hits bigger but, call me crazy, I find the Sweet Spot is a tad too big.

What I mean by that is that I'm used to the relatively small SS of the PPro, and the reason I like that is because the feedback is so good that I know exactly when I'm making good contact or hitting late.

The Yonex on the other hand felt too rewarding, the entire stringbed feels fantastic, no matter where the ball is struck. The problem with that is that if a ball landed long or in the net, I couldn't get a feel as to why I missed because it felt so good off the strings.

Anyway, I figure that if the MP is so good, and really, it is that good, then the Mid should be even better for me because the SS has to be smaller.

My issue is that I would want the exact same specs as the MP only in a smaller package, but according to TW, the Mid version is a good 10 grams heavier, 332 vs 343. BUT, according to other sites, notably TE, they are pretty much the same weight and balance.

Can anyone confirm the weight difference, or are they the same weight and balance.

Thanks.

el sergento said:

I'm going to post this in the main section but I figured I'd ask the experts first. Can anyone give me a rundown comparison between the Yonex RDiS 100 MP and Mid versions.

The specs of the MP are right in my wheelhouse so I bought one some months ago, played with it for 15 minutes and then forgot it existed.

Long story short, I took the MP out for a spin last night and I absolutely killed it. Now the MP is pretty much a beefed up Prestige Pro with a touch less control. It feels very similar, very crisp and solid, hits bigger but, call me crazy, I find the Sweet Spot is a tad too big.

What I mean by that is that I'm used to the relatively small SS of the PPro, and the reason I like that is because the feedback is so good that I know exactly when I'm making good contact or hitting late.

The Yonex on the other hand felt too rewarding, the entire stringbed feels fantastic, no matter where the ball is struck. The problem with that is that if a ball landed long or in the net, I couldn't get a feel as to why I missed because it felt so good off the strings.

Anyway, I figure that if the MP is so good, and really, it is that good, then the Mid should be even better for me because the SS has to be smaller.

My issue is that I would want the exact same specs as the MP only in a smaller package, but according to TW, the Mid version is a good 10 grams heavier, 332 vs 343. BUT, according to other sites, notably TE, they are pretty much the same weight and balance.

Can anyone confirm the weight difference, or are they the same weight and balance.

Thanks.

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Ive always read and heard that the Mid is a bit heavier but some have told me its more maneuvarable due to its smaller head. Ip ersonally have just hit with the MP. For me, the MP its too heavy for my topspin strokes as I like to go under the ball and have fast swingspeed. Shouid be a great racket for people who hit the ball in the middle and drive the ball- great control racket.

Going back to the Mid and MP I think the difference in weight should not be that great but thats just a guess.

Am I racketholic if I have all different rackets. I don't have any two same rackets. I am still looking for the best one for me. I guess I am still testing them.

Found a GOAT string setup for the EXO and am now marrying the racquet. I am in love. The 2.5 level hottie ladies next to me took my game to the next level as they snuck coy peaks over hoping I was checking out their supple behinds.

I was.

But I was mainly staring at my GrOAT. This stick now hits as big as the Pure Storm Tour for me, but with far more spin and maneuverability.

Prince, you were my first. I am sorry I ever strayed from you.

Meaghan said:

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^ Very nice... and tasty!

I think I'll hit with my MgPresMid tomorrow. Still think my game suits mids the best... if I could find one that's as flexible as the XoTours, I would switch.

Let us know how the 'battle of mid-way' takes shape.

Power Player said:

Found a GOAT string setup for the EXO and am now marrying the racquet. I am in love. The 2.5 level hottie ladies next to me took my game to the next level as they snuck coy peaks over hoping I was checking out their supple behinds.

I was.

But I was mainly staring at my GrOAT. This stick now hits as big as the Pure Storm Tour for me, but with far more spin and maneuverability.

Prince, you were my first. I am sorry I ever strayed from you.

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Haha!...



Klem,

I also like this:

"Let us know how the 'battle of mid-way' takes shape."

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Perfect description for Meaghan's mids resting currently going on... talking of which...



Meags,

Hit with that PB10mid yet? Full report please, Sir!



All,

So, still waiting for my TGKPP pallets (dear oh dear), and with the APD not quite cutting it for me ATM, and with a couple of sticks interesting me but not proving easy to nab in the UK - I've been noodling around with my N95 for a week or two. I am playing later today properly.

Looking forward to seeing how I fare with this rac considering I lost against this bloke a few weeks back with my APD and the TF SF 315, and considering the primary reasons I'm looking at the N95 at all - namely, wanting to explore better maneuverability and 'swing-ease'; hitting the angles better; gaining better control and placement - whilst still being able to hit big and spinny, having some heft there, feel, build, etc. Anyhow, I think I'm now a bit more used to the N-Code's somewhat head-light balance, so... bring it on!

Boricua said:

Ive always read and heard that the Mid is a bit heavier but some have told me its more maneuvarable due to its smaller head. Ip ersonally have just hit with the MP. For me, the MP its too heavy for my topspin strokes as I like to go under the ball and have fast swingspeed. Shouid be a great racket for people who hit the ball in the middle and drive the ball- great control racket.

Going back to the Mid and MP I think the difference in weight should not be that great but thats just a guess.

Click to expand...

I have same experience with Rdis MP as you. I really love the frame for all my stokes. Only thing that bothers me, it's hard to whip it from my forehand side. Weight is distributed as like frame wants to drive through the ball. I can still get good spin with it, because pattern is pretty open, but it just dosn't feel right.
Very good racquet. Although i'm looking for something what plays similar, but it is easier to whip.

Strung the pb10 mid up last night @ 52lbs with tour bite. Added leather grip and favourite overgrip at mo (pointfore), also added 7g from ten thro to two. New spec is 370g, 9 pts hl, swingweight not measured yet but feels in the region of 360.

Initial thoughts are that it mods up easier than the dnx as there is less weight in the hoop and therefore feels a little more "together". There is a slight difference in feel, the pb10 is firmer, crisper, flexes more uniformly similarly to my mg600. Interestingly it feels like it doesn't move thro the air as quickly as the jack rabbit on acid, that is the dnx, again down to stiffness and the way it flexes. This is a good thing imo, it needed slowing down a touch as I have been finding the head on the dnx getting away from me now and again.

Good initial garden wall test! Really looking forward to getting out this afternoon and seeing if that prestige feel is there in full swing and whether the added stiffness makes it easier to serve flatter bombs.

Ross K said:

Haha!...
So, still waiting for my TGKPP pallets (dear oh dear), !

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Where did you order them from that they are taking so long?Which pallets were you after?

un6a said:

I have same experience with Rdis MP as you. I really love the frame for all my stokes. Only thing that bothers me, it's hard to whip it from my forehand side. Weight is distributed as like frame wants to drive through the ball. I can still get good spin with it, because pattern is pretty open, but it just dosn't feel right.
Very good racquet. Although i'm looking for something what plays similar, but it is easier to whip.

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For now, I am using, again, the Babolat Aeroprodrive now with soft strings. I put the RDIS aside.

Fellow 'Holics,

Very interesting playing today with the N95, although I'll say straight away it isn't a frame I think I'd be wise to look at much longer, and not least on account of that well known 6.1 harshness that I knew previously from the PSC, HPS and indeed this version, but had rather forgotten about TBH - anyhow, cut a long story short - my wrists are sore. It's a bit heftier to shift around than I recalled as well (arm felt decidedly knackered by the end of the 2nd set). Plus I wasn't quite hitting the b-line spinny ball I prefer (the ball you hit with this reminded me more of the PST/YTPP, whereas I prefer that APD/Extreme Pro/03 Tour kind of b-line ball.) However, it was a successful session in that I was after checking a frame that I could get to the ball to really quickly, and that I could play a bit more varied with, hit better angles, find better control, had inbuilt solidness, etc. It was just so nice to come in a bit, nail those angles, hit those DTL and ISO FHs, and with anything up in the air, this rac is just on top of it and killing it. Your name is Zorro. For those a bit more all court than me maybe, IMO this frame is sensational.

The question though is where this is this leading me? Well, it would be great to retain some of these qualities I experienced today but in a slightly comfier, easier form. I also think that 100" head-size does indeed suit me.

So... breaking it down here... the mix...

TGKPP... (Yes, I know it's not 100" head but it still has incredible effortless oomph, superlative feel, great build, etc. Despite the difficulties I've had with mods, def worth more efforts.)

APD... (I've gone off this of late. I find it a bit one-dimensional. However, in that one dimension it happens to be bloody brilliant - haha. I do also still wonder if I could, er mod this differently.)

Exo Tour 100... (I'm now thinking I should just bite the bullet and check it out. Considering how long I've been sniffing around this frame, and after today too with the N95, I do think this rac could be right up my street.)

Then, more by way of randomly interesting me are a couple of frames from Yonex (I can't remember their names - I can never remember Yonex frame names - must be a mental block or something? :roll, the YT IG Instinct, Bio 400 Tour, and the Organix 8 315. I've probably forgotten some too.

Have a good weekend racketahoilcs. I don't know about anyone else but I need a beer or 3:grin:

P W P do demos of the exo3 tour i think you can keep them for 2 weeks, long enoough for an initial impression.

Ross, I would suggest planning to spend 8 hours with the EXO. The first 2 you will need to get used to it, and the next 6 you will learn what it can do.

And while it is awesome with full poly, if you are feeling you need more power, have the crosses strung up with Babolat N Vy at 60#s and the poly mains (tour bite will be a good choice) at around 54.

At this point, you may achieve a Defcon 5 level experience.

Hey there Rackaholics......an update from the wonderful world of Ryu.....

Been doing some pretty regular hitting /demoing and the shoulder has been feeling pretty good. The hybrid in the platinums feels good on the arm and shoulder but i fear that it may ultimately be too powerful and that the required increase in tension will be the undoing of the comfort. So i'm wondering low (and I mean low, like 45 lbs or lower full poly) or appx. 55 lbs., and I can't believe I'm saying this but read on, syn gut.

Two surprises popped up for me in my demos: the Dunlop bio 200 (strung mid tension with syn. gut) and the YT Rad with what i'm assuming was also mid tension syn. gut.

Power Player said:

Ross, I would suggest planning to spend 8 hours with the EXO. The first 2 you will need to get used to it, and the next 6 you will learn what it can do.

And while it is awesome with full poly, if you are feeling you need more power, have the crosses strung up with Babolat N Vy at 60#s and the poly mains (tour bite will be a good choice) at around 54.

At this point, you may achieve a Defcon 5 level experience.

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Good advice PP. I'll keep it in mind if/when I get the frame, and look forward to that defcon 5 level experience around the 8 hour mark!

Something else PP... I'd kind of explored what I wanted to do with the N95 yesterday and it's deep in the second set, I'm feeling a bit tired and achey in the arms/wrists, and I knew my hitting partner had kind of given up the ghost, so anyhow I actually played some games yesterday with my old 03 Tour. The big surprise though was when I was serving. Could be just because generally I was having a good serve day yesterday, but I was getting plenty of zip and arching spin, and it was very easy and effortless to use. Which surprised me a bit because a few months ago I had concluded the rac was a bit too underpowered for me. "Shrugs shoulders.":wink:

Dave,

RE my missing TGK pallets (off fboy), it's essentially a long, boring and all too familiar story of Royal Mail screw ups... Cheers for heads up re where I might get London demos etc - I'm going to look into it right now... Has Marcus come out with his 'big announcement' yet? LOL - dear oh dear...

Ross
you prob had a good serving experience with the prince because you had already been serving with the tank. You should lead up your n 95 and before your match have several practice serves with that then you'll believe you can knock the stuffing out of anything.

Will let you know the results of yesterdays match with my mids shortly. Just to say tho, the mg600 has bitten the dust unfortunately!

Ross K said:

Good advice PP. I'll keep it in mind if/when I get the frame, and look forward to that defcon 5 level experience around the 8 hour mark!

Something else PP... I'd kind of explored what I wanted to do with the N95 yesterday and it's deep in the second set, I'm feeling a bit tired and achey in the arms/wrists, and I knew my hitting partner had kind of given up the ghost, so anyhow I actually played some games yesterday with my old 03 Tour. The big surprise though was when I was serving. Could be just because generally I was having a good serve day yesterday, but I was getting plenty of zip and arching spin, and it was very easy and effortless to use. Which surprised me a bit because a few months ago I had concluded the rac was a bit too underpowered for me. "Shrugs shoulders.":wink:

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Yep. I bet it was because it was the 2nd set and you were playing relaxed. The more I relax with the EXO, the harder and heavier I hit. It reminds me of the pure storm tour in that regard.

New instinct is pretty sick. Anyone here have a chance to try it out? Ross, you might like it with a little lead... instead of the one dimension of the APD it has about one and a half dimensions.

Fed, others who've hit with the YT Extreme Pro,

How is this frame in the maneuverability, quick and easy swinging (or otherwise) stakes? Although I only hit with it for a pretty limited time, I recall the MG Extreme Pro as being a but sluggish, But, having never played it, I'm not sure if the YT version is maybe faster to the ball.

Would also welcome hearing just ppls general vibes on this rac.

TIA

Ross K said:

Fed, others who've hit with the YT Extreme Pro,

How is this frame in the maneuverability, quick and easy swinging (or otherwise) stakes? Although I only hit with it for a pretty limited time, I recall the MG Extreme Pro as being a but sluggish, But, having never played it, I'm not sure if the YT version is maybe faster to the ball.
Would also welcome hearing just ppls general vibes on this rac.

TIA

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Its more of a battering ram. Not too heavy, but sw is around 340. Be prepared to swing fast with a loose arm. Frame has much more plow than average tweeners.

Ross did you ever get around to the aerostorm tour gt, that's a frame you may like a lot.

Ross another one you might like is the new IG Radical Pro. I had a chance to hit with it and it's a little light but a little weight could make it a more forgiving YTPP. It's a very comfortable frame as well.

Fed Kennedy said:

Ross another one you might like is the new IG Radical Pro. I had a chance to hit with it and it's a little light but a little weight could make it a more forgiving YTPP. It's a very comfortable frame as well.

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Looking forward to hitting with this and comparing it to the new blx prostaff 95. Did the IG Rad Pro have a good amount of pop?

Fed Kennedy said:

Ross another one you might like is the new IG Radical Pro. I had a chance to hit with it and it's a little light but a little weight could make it a more forgiving YTPP. It's a very comfortable frame as well.

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How was it compared to the Tec? I owned the yt version and loved the mg version as well.

sargeinaz said:

Looking forward to hitting with this and comparing it to the new blx prostaff 95. Did the IG Rad Pro have a good amount of pop?

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It's very similar to the yt radical mp.

PED said:

How was it compared to the Tec? I owned the yt version and loved the mg version as well.

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It's lighter and softer, way less power and plow. It's much closer to the yt radical mp than the yt radical pro. It's a project frame: would need leather, lead etc. Unless you like a really fast light feeling frame.

Fed Kennedy said:

It's lighter and softer, way less power and plow. It's much closer to the yt radical mp than the yt radical pro. It's a project frame: would need leather, lead etc. Unless you like a really fast light feeling frame.

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thanks Fed, I feel the new BLX PS95(looking forward to this more) will be the same way. A platform racket. I hope I'm wrong though, but there is just no substitute for mass.

sargeinaz said:

thanks Fed, I feel the new BLX PS95(looking forward to this more) will be the same way. A platform racket. I hope I'm wrong though, but there is just no substitute for mass.

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Agree 100%. I play on hard courts. Mass just equals more free points. Less work, better returns.

Well today i headed to the court for some doubles, I took with me a babolat pure storm gt & the ex03 toour 16 by 18. I had no pre concieved ideas of how either would play.Demo frames so strung with prince syn gut in the babolat at what felt like a very high tension (you can pluck it like a banjo and it makes a noise) and a generic kinda poly which felt old and mid tension ish in the prince. I started with the babolat (in all honesty because it was the one i thought i'd get on best with and it seemed the closest to my pro staff mid i've been loving lately)and played a few games.Others may be able to tell me if it's a string sensitive frame but it felt dead from about half way up the hoop.Serves left me feeling decidedly underwhelmed placement was a bit off but i seemed to be missing a lot of pace meaning i was trying for more and more spin to obtain better clearance over the net and not provided free hits to my opponent. Volleys were ok which i am very sad to say was as good as it got for me and this frame as my groundstrokes just fell short on everything in terms of pace and spin. I took out the prince and began my service game with it straight in.From the start my serve was more consistent, I suspect it was as quick as with the 'storm but it seemed easier to pick where i wanted it to go, I also felt on groundstrokes i was able to dictate more even when playing in mix ins with some of the older members where i was facing many many moon balls and slower stuff I could just move it from side to side.
I can tell it's going to need a few hours with this one to make a real decision on what i really feel about it but it was quite positive overall.In every dept that the pure storm felt unresponsive and a bit tinny (not like a pure drive mind you) but i was hoping for something a bit more like a lighter swinging pure control, sadly not. (I presume Sampras is using the tour version, can't imagine he'd be happy with one of these!?!)
Volleys overheads were both starting to come on the ex03, timing is key but while there is more room for error with the 100" headsize over the 85 I do feel much less connected than with the pro staff to what the ball is doing.I felt a bit like when i hit a forehand with the prince i was hitting the ball and what i felt didn't necessarilly indicate what it was going to do the other side of the net, not always in a bad way, a few shots really flew on me though, one service line swinging volley i really caught hold of and the ball landed in the middle of the local towen football teams match!THose moments made me think about the 18 by 20 version....
Afraid to say the babolat is pretty much out of the running, one of my doubles hitting partners uses a wilson ncode n3, a monster of a frame in head size beam width and how light it is, he took the prince to hit a couple of balls (suffers bad tennis elbow) and he played better straight away.I may of seen the future for me in 30 years with a frame like that though!
So it's down to the prince or well something else i haven't yet found.One thing that really struck me is how not unlike the vantage bastcore 20 the ex03 is in terms of feel.

Wilson ncode n3, good for the arm they say.
*Head Size: 115 sq. in OS
*Length: 27.5 inches
*Weight: Strung — 9.6 oz Unstrung — 9.1 oz
*Tension: 55-65 pounds
*Balance: 10 Pts Head Heavy
*Beam Width: 31mm Dual Taper Beam
*Composition: Graphite
*Flex: 50 Grips
*Grip Type: Micro-Dry Comfort
*Power Level: High
*String Pattern:
16 Mains / 19 Crosses
Mains skip: 7T,9T,7H,9H
One Piece
No shared holes
*Swing Speed: Slow-Moderate
*Swing Weight: 323

Fed Kennedy said:

Agree 100%. I play on hard courts. Mass just equals more free points. Less work, better returns.

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After a year in tweener land, albeit lead assisted, I agree with this.

I saw a question you asked on another thread about a 100% graphite stick vs graphite with lead applied.

I've always preferred a heavier frame in stock form to one that was leaded up to the same specs.

> I've always preferred a heavier frame in stock form to one that was
> leaded up to the same specs.

I used to feel this way too but I now think that platform racquets are far more flexible. My reasoning was that the frame would be stronger as you have material spread out over the frame compared to lead that is just held on with adhesive. That may or may not be correct but the vast majority of the top ten players in the world use very light hairpins where silicone and lead are added to get to their target specifications and they all hit a lot harder than I do.

If you don't like to customize (and it can be a pain in the neck), then I can understand wanting to just play stock but you truly do get a lot more freedom with customizing a lightweight platform.

movdqa said:

If you don't like to customize (and it can be a pain in the neck), then I can understand wanting to just play stock but you truly do get a lot more freedom with customizing a lightweight platform.

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I agree with you totally re the pro's using the various PT, TGK's and what not.

I guess I just got sick of the endless mods lol on my apd's and pd's....all self inflicted I might add. I did enjoy using the YT Rad Pro 2 years back: it was 335g all in and I only had to mess around with string setups.

I'm enjoying playing with a stick that's 344g in stock form, strung and fully dressed.

I have mind that's always wondering about what if I moved this lead from to here and so on......

Now, at least my finger nails can be cut short again since I'm not having to peel back CAP grommets or lead tape....lol

I hopefully have my desired setup on my TGK238.4s - 32 inches of lead around the hoop. I have the new CAP grommets ready to be installed and strung on two of them and will then do the third when I replace the strings on them. Putting them under the CAPs for me means no more changes.

I understand wanting to tinker and I spent the whole summer tinkering but at some point, you find what you win with the best and just stick with it. At least I hope so. I just acquired another TGK260.2 that I was thinking of using but the tgk238.4 setup I have is so good that I'm torn between the two.