stormholloway
Legend
So any comparisons to the PT280? If you talked about it I missed it.
Review of HEAD IG Prestige Mid and IG Prestige MP
- Thread starter vsbabolat
- Start date
I read this thread so I took the MP demo out for a spin. I will agree this is a much better version of the prestige compared to the last several versions of the frame. Pretty good feel and a nice sweet spot. I can feel the stiffness difference between this and my PT57A's, but it has a pretty good feel in my book. It feels a bit closer to the TGK 238.1 in feel, it just doesn't flex in the hoop that that frame does. But all in all a nice stick. I am probably going to get one and set it up to my specs and see what the real differences are, this could be an option as a racquet for me...
stronzzi70
Professional
I received my IG PRESTIGE MP: Strung with Wilson sensation at 55 lbs / Prince Tournament Poly 53 lbs mains.
Today I went to the court with my IG Prestige MP and my IG Prestige Mid, was my first day with the MP.
I played full match, I won the first set with the MP: Nice frame, amazing control, power is there if you have skills for that, decent top spin also, but for one reason I was missing some heavy balls like IG Prestige Mid does.
Second set, still with the MP...was ok...almost the same performance like the first set, but I felt tired , then I saw my opponet comfortable with my balls......I lost the second set.
Third Set :
switched to the IG Prestige Mid..........Oh my god.....my serve is back again huge bombs,,,all my groundstrokes was much much better, I can saw my opponent losing more often his timing, in the same time my slice was very low and fast....My forehand was killing every balls above my waist..
What I can say...this IG Mid is my official racquet...try to sell the MP....I going for two IG Prestige Mid..maybe three.
Apologize for my english........
Today I went to the court with my IG Prestige MP and my IG Prestige Mid, was my first day with the MP.
I played full match, I won the first set with the MP: Nice frame, amazing control, power is there if you have skills for that, decent top spin also, but for one reason I was missing some heavy balls like IG Prestige Mid does.
Second set, still with the MP...was ok...almost the same performance like the first set, but I felt tired , then I saw my opponet comfortable with my balls......I lost the second set.
Third Set :
switched to the IG Prestige Mid..........Oh my god.....my serve is back again huge bombs,,,all my groundstrokes was much much better, I can saw my opponent losing more often his timing, in the same time my slice was very low and fast....My forehand was killing every balls above my waist..
What I can say...this IG Mid is my official racquet...try to sell the MP....I going for two IG Prestige Mid..maybe three.
Apologize for my english........
Bartelby
Bionic Poster
The mp is simply lacking the swingweight of the mid, so as you tired the racquet became less helpful.
Add some lead to the mp and then see how you like it before selling.
Add some lead to the mp and then see how you like it before selling.
Pure Babs
Rookie
stronzzi70
Professional
IG prestige MP......great racquet........
But the amazing feel of the Mid really make me so happy...I want to play more and more with it,.....
But the amazing feel of the Mid really make me so happy...I want to play more and more with it,.....
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
That's how I feel.
VS, did you ever hit with the Pro? I have to agree the MID is a great stick. I have the MP as a demo and going out this weekend as last week I hit with the MID. WOW never really thought I would like a 93 especially as I am getting older. My demo of the pro is on order.
parasailing
Legend
I can't wait to get my hands on the demo based on the reviews so far about the Mid and MP. Does IG really improve both these racquets by that much?
I hit with the Youtek Prestige MP and it offered great control but lack power. Has anyone played with the KPS 88 and can give a comparison between that and the IG Mid?
I hit with the Youtek Prestige MP and it offered great control but lack power. Has anyone played with the KPS 88 and can give a comparison between that and the IG Mid?
JGads
G.O.A.T.
I don't know what Innegra is, but it really helped these sticks. They just feel really nice and solid, and no longer at all harsh.
movdqa
Talk Tennis Guru
Well, I can give you a comparison with the KPS88 and the YT Prestige MP. My IG Prestige MPs are on the way so I can do a comparison with all three, hopefully soon.
I have my YT Prestige MPs leaded up to around where my KPS88s are though the swingweights on the YTPMPs are quite a bit higher due to the lead placements. I find that the KPS88s are more precise and accurate but find that I win more with the YTPMPs. Power between the two frames is comparable as is spin production. I was surprised at the spin-friendliness of the YTPMP with it's tight pattern. Both are rock solid at 13 ounces. Both are great on forehand topspin, serve, volley. The KPS88 is better for my one-handed backhand, the YTPMP is a bit better on my serve and forehand and, it's a little more forgiving on defensive shots.
I suspect that I would love the IG Prestige Mid for feel and accuracy but I think that I will still play better with the MP.
RacketFever
New User
Can you give me the link to the thread? Are you trying to say that the head size of the new prestige line is lesser than what they are marketing it for?
shadowshifter
New User
Ooh, can you comment on the IG radical pro and how it compares to the prestiges you've tried?
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
It's 89.5sq.in. When the Prestige Mid first came out it in 1986 it was printed on the frame 89.5. Then at some point in the 90's they started calling it 93. The head size has never changed.
RacketFever
New User
So my Ig prestige pro is 95 sq inch? I find it offers more forgiveness than my PDGT.
stronzzi70
Professional
Vs,,,,what do you think about it...?........IG RADICAL PRO..
parasailing
Legend
IG Rad MP > IG Rad Pro. IG does make the entire Head line better than the Youtek version. Waiting to demo IG Prestige MP and IG Prestige Mid to see how they compare.
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
I liked it. It has good sweet spot location, nice feel, and very good pop off the stringbed. I did not like the balance or the overall static weight. But that can be very easily changed.
stronzzi70
Professional
I would like test this racquet just for fun.....maybe 10 g at handle and 2 g at 3 and 9..........what do you think?
I just purchased the IG MP and had it strung with VS gut in the mains and MSV Co-Focus in the crosses, at 58/53. Have used gut/poly hybrids in my EXO 3 Tour (and other racquets) and really like this combo. I've always felt that a gut/poly hybrid has some positive off-setting characteristics: the gut seems to provide more power compared to other strings, while the poly seems to provide that needed control.
Have only played one set with the Prestige (successfully) so far, but really liked this hybrid in it. Not sure if it provided "more pop" as I don't have other Prestige MP's with different string setups with which to compare, but it did seem to have more pop in relation to the demo I used a couple of weeks ago which had Wilson Sensation in it. And I was definitely liking the control aspect as shots that I felt were going long more often stayed in. And a lot of my shots seemed really heavy (per my opponent's comments) with some surprising good spin for an 18x20. While my serves weren't blistering, they were more powerful than what I was getting with the EXO, and good precision.
It was just one set that I played, so more testing to go as the strings settle in. But, so far so good.
Dgdavid
Professional
Thanks Skeeter. Mine is currently stock (Sonic Pro 17) at mid-tension. I am playing well with it but a little bit more pace is what I am after (yes I can hit harder but want my natural stroke to be slightly more pace).
I think Sonic Pro is a copoly (?) so thought either get the same (or RPM Blast) and drop it 2lbs; or get full poly like pro hurricane tour (and drop it 2lbs) but that is the limit of my very poor string knowledge. Saw someone else mention Gut/Poly hybrid but I think I had it the wrong way round in my head (poly in mains when it sounds like gut in the mains). Do you have a suggestion I should ask the stringer? Don't want to mess too much because its £26 a time!
I think Sonic Pro is a copoly (?) so thought either get the same (or RPM Blast) and drop it 2lbs; or get full poly like pro hurricane tour (and drop it 2lbs) but that is the limit of my very poor string knowledge. Saw someone else mention Gut/Poly hybrid but I think I had it the wrong way round in my head (poly in mains when it sounds like gut in the mains). Do you have a suggestion I should ask the stringer? Don't want to mess too much because its £26 a time!
The other nice thing about hybridizing with gut is that it is obviously cheaper than going with a full bed. And Pacific makes some decent gut that's of good value compared to Babolat and others. Since the mains are generally your "power" strings, i.e., I understand that the mains are your more "active" string, and gut is intrinsically a more powerful string, I'd definitely string the mains with gut to get a bit more power, then try either a co-poly or even a soft multi in the crosses, but a few pounds lower than the mains. Your stringer may have some ideas as well.
Dgdavid
Professional
My stringer (*** in UK) strongly recommends the Gut in the crosses not mains because it will still give a little extra power but be far more durable. Looks like I will go for RPM Blast in mains and VS Gut in crosses both at mid-tension (as per my current Sonic Pro full bed). He says that in comparison, it will be me the little extra power without sacrificing control I am looking for. Thinks VS in mains will give me too much extra if I am only fine tuning. VIew?
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
I prefer the IG Prestige Mid over the Wilson 6.0 Tour series and the IG Prestige MP.
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klementine
Hall of Fame
Vs,
I'm out of tennis for awhile. Just had successful rotator cuff surgery and hopefully there will be NO extensive rehab sessions.
But I've been looking at my 'comeback stick' already. I'm seriously considering the PresMid, as it is one of the few frames I know that can be played with full multi and still be considered low-powered.
I played with the MgMid for 4 years and absolutley loved and still love that frame. My problem was that I absolutely hated the Yt version (way too stiff/unforgiving) and thus started to demo and experiment with other frames.
I've hit with the i.prestige, the LM and flexpoint (rated in the same order) but my favorite was the Mg. Should I start hunting down MgMids or will this IGmid satisfy that plush, soft feeling that I need.
Regards,
Klem
I'm out of tennis for awhile. Just had successful rotator cuff surgery and hopefully there will be NO extensive rehab sessions.
But I've been looking at my 'comeback stick' already. I'm seriously considering the PresMid, as it is one of the few frames I know that can be played with full multi and still be considered low-powered.
I played with the MgMid for 4 years and absolutley loved and still love that frame. My problem was that I absolutely hated the Yt version (way too stiff/unforgiving) and thus started to demo and experiment with other frames.
I've hit with the i.prestige, the LM and flexpoint (rated in the same order) but my favorite was the Mg. Should I start hunting down MgMids or will this IGmid satisfy that plush, soft feeling that I need.
Regards,
Klem
klementine
Hall of Fame
I should add that I have demo'd the IGPresMid+ (3months ago) and thought it was pretty much the same as the Yt version. Still way too stiff for me, albeit a 'tighter', 'crisper' feel than the Yt version.
Just wondering if the IGPresMid plays (in terms of feel) anything like the IGPresMid+, if it does, I'm staying away.
Just wondering if the IGPresMid plays (in terms of feel) anything like the IGPresMid+, if it does, I'm staying away.
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
The IG Prestige Mid feels nothing like the MP. It feels so much better than the MP it's not even funny. I really like the Mid and it feels nothing like the YT. When you come back demo it.
VS do you think the IGmid+ is still much softer and forgiving than the YT version. I assume then you think the Ig mid is more arm friendly than the mid+ IG. I liked both(IG) and purchased the mid+. now have some concerns about the mid+ since I hurt my elbow with the YT. Your input appreciated now that you have probably had more time with both.
I'm not a string Meister like others on these boards, so I defer to any others who might know more than I on this matter. I was looking for something a little more arm-friendly and a bigger jump in power, so went with gut in the mains for that reason. But if you're only tweaking a bit, as you say, then I'm sure gut in the crosses will be fine. However, it's such a low-powered, control-oriented frame, that I don't think gut in the mains will cause you to loose that much, if any, control. But, hey, best thing to do is just try it out and see what works best!
JGads
G.O.A.T.
I at one point owned and played with both the Youtek Mid and Midplus (played the Mid for about six months, the Midplus for just a few weeks before selling it because I preferred the Mid and it felt better to me). I can say definitively that both IG versions play softer and more solid than their Youtek counterparts. The Youtek versions - especially the Midplus - had a very brassy feel to them sometimes, or on hits outside of the sweetspot. I've had demos of both of the new frames and they both feel outstanding....
The IG Mid feels better than the Midplus and, with the right string, may not even need a dampener. The Midplus, without a dampener, can rattle a bit but with a dampener it becomes very silky smooth. Personally I don't think that the feel of the Mid and Midplus, with dampeners in them, feel very different. The Mid does feel extra yummy because of its weight and solidity, but the Midplus is a very nice feeling frame and I don't think the difference in feel between the two sticks is as huge as it was with the YT Mid and YT Midplus.
With the Youteks, I preferred the Mid hands down. With the IG, the Midplus is my preferred frame. Just my input.
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Gads, I appreciate your input. I liked the feel of the mp and the mid even better. However, I thought I would be more consistent with the MP. I have not played with my preferred string or set-up but will do so tomorrow. Time will tell. After not playing for over a year I want to optimize my chances of staying healthy. Thanks again
I agree. Demoed both the IG mid and mp. Both racquets serve incredibly well. Just relax and the prestige just serves bombs into the court. I also prefer the mp just because its more forgiving than the mid, but I can see myself playing with the mid. I feel the mid is a little more maneuverable than the mp and it is more solid feeling. Nevertheless the mp still feels great and it's a lot more stable than the last version, which i found a little too stiff and light.
stronzzi70
Professional
After demoed the next racquet:
BLX 95 18X20 2012, IG RADICAL PRO, IG PRESTIGE MID PLUS, PS 95 ( OH my god what are you doing wilson), PS 90 (Again what are you doing wilson) and the IG Prestige Mid.......All can say is: This is the best racquet until now for this 2012........IG Prestige Mid!
BLX 95 18X20 2012, IG RADICAL PRO, IG PRESTIGE MID PLUS, PS 95 ( OH my god what are you doing wilson), PS 90 (Again what are you doing wilson) and the IG Prestige Mid.......All can say is: This is the best racquet until now for this 2012........IG Prestige Mid!
stormholloway
Legend
I get the mid in the mail tomorrow. I'm pretty stoked. I've played with most of the line excluding the liquidmetal. I bought and played with the YT version for a time. It didn't have the magic though. The hoop just wasn't sweet at all. Once the honeymoon wore off I realized what I had was essentially a mistake by Head.
The TW reviews seem to reflect this as well. The YT mid got **** poor marks here.
The TW reviews seem to reflect this as well. The YT mid got **** poor marks here.
JGads
G.O.A.T.
Might depend a little on hour style and swing. But, for me, this is how it broke down:
Mid: more plow through and stability on defensive 'block-backs', better slices and on a kill shot, if you hit the sweet spot, just a sick, pinpoint ball that's criminal. The feel is also slightly better, a LOT better without a dampener, but with a damp it's close.
MP: a LOT more forgiveness, more maneuverability, and you just don't have to be as fine with your stroke. Off center hits are still playable rather than shanked. More spin, and I personally had a MUCH better serve (both heaviness and especially better consistency).
Last year I did the same comparison and the Mid just crushed the MP in all things. The MP was just an average frame that served well but didn't have a special feel (too brassy) and didn't have a heavy ball come off the frame. Just no guts. This year the MP has improved everywhere, feel and ball quality, and stability, and when I faced a player better than me on a windy day, all was revealed for me: I shanked my way through an awful set in which I got absolutely crushed with the Mid, and then with the Midplus against the same guy on the same night I battled my way into a tiebreaker that I lost. On a different night against the same guy, I went 6-1 when I fell into an exhilarating (and rare) zone of just total control over the ball and bomb serve after bomb serve.
I just think that Head massively improved this MP version, bringing it close enough to the Mid that the added forgiveness is worth going for, whereas with past versions the Mid was just so far ahead of the MP in other areas. If I always played equal or lesser players in ideal conditions, the Mid might be more 'fun' to play with, but the MP is the much smarter choice for me against guys at or above my level.
I'm re-demoing the MP this week to see if I want to make a purchase.
Dgdavid
Professional
Thanks JGads. I bought a MID just in case and will try it over the next week. Also experimenting with the strings on my two MidPluses. I need to settle though so at the end of the week, either the MID or the MPs are going into the Europe sale/trade section. Can't be doing with choice each time I go to the bag!
movdqa
Talk Tennis Guru
My IG Prestige MPs arrived just before I was going out for a match. I thought that one would be strung but they both came brand new and unstrung. I just took a few swings through the air and they were easier to swing than I expected for 386 Swingweight - maybe it was that there were no strings in it.
Paintjob is really nice - much better in person than in pictures. I don't like the clear grommets but may leave them in there.
After putting them back in the box, I played my match with my YT Prestige MPs and the one that I used felt great. Pop, spin, control - all there. It will probably take me a week to get these strung up and I hope to give them a try next Friday. I hope that they feel as great as everyone has mentioned. But if not, I'll be perfectly happy with the YTs.
Paintjob is really nice - much better in person than in pictures. I don't like the clear grommets but may leave them in there.
After putting them back in the box, I played my match with my YT Prestige MPs and the one that I used felt great. Pop, spin, control - all there. It will probably take me a week to get these strung up and I hope to give them a try next Friday. I hope that they feel as great as everyone has mentioned. But if not, I'll be perfectly happy with the YTs.
