i.Prestige alternative

Sebel

New User
Hey guys :) I'm looking for a racket that plays similar to the old i.prestige midplus. I had 3 of them but 2 broke due to their age. So I need an alternative.

My current stick is the youtek prestige pro. I demoed both the youtek prestige mp and pro, took the pro because of the stiffer feel at impact. The mp felt to soft and power was lacking.
However I still like the 18x20 string pattern more than the open sting pattern of the pro.

How do the new IG prestige's compare to the i.prestige?

Are there any other similar rackets out there?

I'd like to buy some PT57E but unfortunately I can‘t afford them.

Thank‘s for your help. :)
 

Sebel

New User
Hey, thanks for your reply. I already have a pair of PT630. Nice sticks but the flex is way to soft.
Do you have any other suggestions, how does the new IG line compare?
 

hrstrat57

Hall of Fame
YT Prestige MP with swap out to leather grip and add lead at 3/9 sparkles....needed the mods to shine.

Played i Prestige MP for several season, still have 3 in good shape(not 4 sale) the YT Prestige MP pair I bought matched from TW and then modded are in the bag...rock solid.
 

hrstrat57

Hall of Fame
btw....it is also my understanding that the i Prestige MP is a PT57E in retail clothing they were only made in Austria.
 

movdqa

Talk Tennis Guru
A lot of reviewers here indicate that the YT PMP is too stiff. I personally think that the YTPMP is stiff but manageable. It is low-power in stock form but lead it up and it can be a beast.
 

Sebel

New User
I moddes my yt prestige pro to i.prestige specs with the TW calculator. ( Lead in handle and at 3/9 ) still don‘t get that solid feel at impact :(

How does the new IG prestige mp compare to the yt?

@hrstrat57 :As far as I know you are right. And yes, they are/where both made in Austria.

I would't sell them either, priceless sticks :D
 

mrmike

Semi-Pro
YT Prestige MP with swap out to leather grip and add lead at 3/9 sparkles....needed the mods to shine.

Played i Prestige MP for several season, still have 3 in good shape(not 4 sale) the YT Prestige MP pair I bought matched from TW and then modded are in the bag...rock solid.

Can I ask how much lead you added at 3 & 9 on your YTPMP? I've been having the same arm issues as many have mentioned with that frame. I bought a used Microgel PMP recently with the intention of it being a backup. Turned out the other way around. The MG version is much smoother and has more ststic weight also. With a just 1 heat shrink grip sleeve, I am up to 12.8 oz. on the MG. Same mod on YT version got it to 12.4 oz. Had some lead, maybe 4g, at 2&9 for a while, but it made the YT a little sluggish. Maybe I should try 4g moved down to 3&9?
 

hrstrat57

Hall of Fame
@hrstrat57 :As far as I know you are right. And yes, they are/were both made in Austria.

I would't sell them either, priceless sticks :D

Be patient and keep looking, they pop up on the internet - sometimes NOS all the time.....no reason to switch just hunt down a couple more and rock on!!

My matched YT Prestige Mp's are excellent tho but needed the leather and the lead at 3/9.
 

hrstrat57

Hall of Fame
Can I ask how much lead you added at 3 & 9 on your YTPMP? I've been having the same arm issues as many have mentioned with that frame. I bought a used Microgel PMP recently with the intention of it being a backup. Turned out the other way around. The MG version is much smoother and has more ststic weight also. With a just 1 heat shrink grip sleeve, I am up to 12.8 oz. on the MG. Same mod on YT version got it to 12.4 oz. Had some lead, maybe 4g, at 2&9 for a while, but it made the YT a little sluggish. Maybe I should try 4g moved down to 3&9?

I used leather grip (babolat) and 4 inches of lead, single strips....my pair of frames were mfg from the same batch and matched by TW. I did the leather and LT mod after hitting with them and finding them lacking in plow thru and getting them pushed around a bit compared to my i Prestige MP's and other Head 18x20 frames you see in my sig.

I cannot tell them apart and they both play amazing. I string at 57# and use Head Intellitour 16.
 

Sebel

New User
I used leather grip (babolat) and 4 inches of lead, single strips....my pair of frames were mfg from the same batch and matched by TW. I did the leather and LT mod after hitting with them and finding them lacking in plow thru and getting them pushed around a bit compared to my i Prestige MP's and other Head 18x20 frames you see in my sig.

I cannot tell them apart and they both play amazing. I string at 57# and use Head Intellitour 16.

Well when I hit them side to side the i.prestige just feels much more solid at impact, no vibration nothing. Do you think it‘s just a matter of string pattern?
 

scotus

G.O.A.T.
Well when I hit them side to side the i.prestige just feels much more solid at impact, no vibration nothing. Do you think it‘s just a matter of string pattern?

Youtek Prestige Pro is stiffer and vibrates more.

Also, I am quite convinced that the older pallets (gray TK57) that are on the iPrestige are better quality and more solid than the newer pallets (black TK82) that re on the Youtek.
 

Sebel

New User
Youtek Prestige Pro is stiffer and vibrates more.

Also, I am quite convinced that the older pallets (gray TK57) that are on the iPrestige are better quality and more solid than the newer pallets (black TK82) that re on the Youtek.

IMHO the old head rackets had much better quality than these days.

I‘ve been playing prestige since the the 600 classic and have to admit that I switched to wilson ncode 90, k90 because liquidmetal, flexpoint and microgel just were crappy.

How would an leaded up IG Prestige MP compare? Could it be an alternative to the iprestige?
 

dr325i

G.O.A.T.
IMHO the old head rackets had much better quality than these days.

I‘ve been playing prestige since the the 600 classic and have to admit that I switched to wilson ncode 90, k90 because liquidmetal, flexpoint and microgel just were crappy.

How would an leaded up IG Prestige MP compare? Could it be an alternative to the iprestige?

Ask VSBABOLAT about the details -- he has tested both and is familiar with the differences.

To the guy offering a PT280 -- LOL! That one and iPrestige are further apart than the YT Prestige and PT630!

Also, go to stringforum net and check it out, you may find some iPrestiges.
 

BLiND

Hall of Fame
Hi, I use to play with the i.Prestige MP a long time ago... they are great frames and I miss them the most out of all the frames I've played with.

Truth is, the proceeding Prestige racquets (LM and Youtek) are not nearly as stiff, or as solid.

If it was me, I'd stick with them and hunt out 2nd hand ones, there should be a few about as they were very popular.

Alternatively I'd advise demoing racquets such as:
Vantage VT232 (95", 18x20, 70RA) - stiff and solid, what I use now, closest I've found.
Wilson nBlade (98", 18x20, ~65RA) - Lighter and more muted but stiff and still solid, more even balance.

I've not tried any of the other Wilson Blade racquets but they are clearly aimed at the Head Radical/Prestige line as alternatives.
 

BLiND

Hall of Fame
Also try the Head Speed Pro... its heavy, fairly stiff and rock solid, don't be put off by the 16x19 string pattern, they strings are fairly focused in the middle of the head giving a similar feel to 18x20.
 

Sebel

New User
Hey, thanks for your advise. I already tested the speed pro. The specs are there but the racket feels too stiff.

Today I did a few shots with the new wilson 6.1 95 18x20.Really solid racket, great feeling at impact. Also good power in stock form.

However I think that you‘ll get a bit more touch with the prestige‘s.
 

BLiND

Hall of Fame
Interesting, I don't find the Speed Pro that stiff, if anything I'd say its no where near as stiff as it should be... I remember the i.Prestige being pretty stiff!

Try the Vantage VT231 (95", 18x20, 63RA)... awesome rackets, high quality, I own only 4 of them!

p.s. you do know that the Prestige MP is in-fact 95" head, and not 98" as advertised? Head measure their heads differently.
 

its_me_leon

New User
Take your iPrestige and go to a shop with a RDC and let them measure the specs. After that buy a Vantage. I would go for the 70 Version instead of the 63 if you find your current racquet soft. Vantage play softer than other brands.
 

BLiND

Hall of Fame
Agreed the Vantage is not nearly as stiff as the RA indicated... personally I'd say they are more like 60RA & 67RA.
 

Sebel

New User
Interesting, I don't find the Speed Pro that stiff, if anything I'd say its no where near as stiff as it should be... I remember the i.Prestige being pretty stiff!

Try the Vantage VT231 (95", 18x20, 63RA)... awesome rackets, high quality, I own only 4 of them!

p.s. you do know that the Prestige MP is in-fact 95" head, and not 98" as advertised? Head measure their heads differently.

I'm sorry to disappoint you but I haven't got the chance to get any Vantage rackets. They don't sell them in any shop ( Germany) . Maybe I should demo the IG Speed again! :D

Aren't there any other rackets out there playing similar?

Btw:
Got to hit the new Wilson 6.1 95 18x20 again today. Had the impression that it feels hollow when playing faster. Power level is quit good but overall control und feel don't compare to the prestige. No real alternative :(
 

vsbabolat

G.O.A.T.
I'm sorry to disappoint you but I haven't got the chance to get any Vantage rackets. They don't sell them in any shop ( Germany) . Maybe I should demo the IG Speed again! :D

Aren't there any other rackets out there playing similar?

Btw:
Got to hit the new Wilson 6.1 95 18x20 again today. Had the impression that it feels hollow when playing faster. Power level is quit good but overall control und feel don't compare to the prestige. No real alternative :(

Honestly your best option is buying them on the famous auction site or trying the IG Prestige. The are the best since the i.Prestige. You will have to add some weight to the IG Prestige to match to the i.Prestige.
 

BLiND

Hall of Fame
OK well if you're in Germany than you can buy Vantage from the US, but of-course you can't demo them which is a problem.

If it was me I'd stick with the iPrestige and find some 2nd hand... there should be loads floating around europe, thats where they were made.

OR, you could try the Wilson Blade line which are kinda similar... I have not tried the IG Prestige so cannot comment on that, but I know the LM, Youtek are very different.
 

Sebel

New User
Honestly your best option is buying them on the famous auction site or trying the IG Prestige. The are the best since the i.Prestige. You will have to add some weight to the IG Prestige to match to the i.Prestige.

Hey vsbabolat thanks for your reply! Just ordered the IG demo and tourna lead tape. Looking forward to hit with the IG. Gonna tell you what I think about it in a few days.
 

movdqa

Talk Tennis Guru
You could also try string forums - there are iPrestige models for sale there from time to time and the prices can be quite good.

I'm going to play a match tomorrow and will use the IG Prestige MP - going cold turkey though it's from a YT Prestige MP so I don't expect much of a difference in performance and playability. I've only hit with it in a racquetball court for 20 minutes but it did feel quite good there.

There's nothing like being able to load up on a new set of frames instead of having to chase old frames on websites.
 

Sebel

New User
There's nothing like being able to load up on a new set of frames instead of having to chase old frames on websites.

Right! I had 3 i.prestige frames. I broke one :cry: . One of the two remaining frames was almost brand new... a few months ago the THROAT broke after miss hit :evil:

Therefor I‘d rather switch to a new sets of frames than looking for used i.prestige.
 

seb23

Rookie
Hey vsbabolat thanks for your reply! Just ordered the IG demo and tourna lead tape. Looking forward to hit with the IG. Gonna tell you what I think about it in a few days.

You could also try string forums - there are iPrestige models for sale there from time to time and the prices can be quite good.

I'm going to play a match tomorrow and will use the IG Prestige MP - going cold turkey though it's from a YT Prestige MP so I don't expect much of a difference in performance and playability. I've only hit with it in a racquetball court for 20 minutes but it did feel quite good there.

There's nothing like being able to load up on a new set of frames instead of having to chase old frames on websites.

How did you both find the ig prestige?
 

Sebel

New User
How did you both find the ig prestige?

Pretty good stick. Found it to be softer than the i.prestige and the youteks but still very solid and stable.

I like the feeling at impact. Feels like a prestige has to feel. Very firm, clear feel, not that hollow feeling the new 6.1 95s have. However its not the i. feel.

As far as I can say there was a bit less vibration than with the youteks.

Very easy to swing in stock form but lacks power due to the missing weight.
I added 8g of lead at 3/9 + leather grip to get a bit more out of it. Worked quite good.

Definitely a big improvement from Head. Liquidmetal,Flexpoint and Microgel were awful! Not I big fan of the PJ though.
IMHO the clear caps look cheap.

I‘m going to hit the IG and the i. side by side again this week to make a final decision. So stay tuned :)
 

seb23

Rookie
Pretty good stick. Found it to be softer than the i.prestige and the youteks but still very solid and stable.

I like the feeling at impact. Feels like a prestige has to feel. Very firm, clear feel, not that hollow feeling the new 6.1 95s have. However its not the i. feel.

As far as I can say there was a bit less vibration than with the youteks.

Very easy to swing in stock form but lacks power due to the missing weight.
I added 8g of lead at 3/9 + leather grip to get a bit more out of it. Worked quite good.

Definitely a big improvement from Head. Liquidmetal,Flexpoint and Microgel were awful! Not I big fan of the PJ though.
IMHO the clear caps look cheap.

I‘m going to hit the IG and the i. side by side again this week to make a final decision. So stay tuned :)

Look forward to it. I've been playing with liquidmetal prestiges and recently picked up a pro tour 630 and i was shocked by the difference, it just felt so comfy and this was with a full bed of dead alu. When i say dead i mean really dead, the strings broke within about half an hour of hitting with them. I want to try the ig out just as im curious although i dont think i will be forking out for a brand new one, especially since I have picked up a couple of radical tours (bumblebee).

If you decide you dont want to switch to the igs then its still possible to pick up i.prestiges. There is actually a brand new one on the bay right now and i saw one go for £19 a few weeks ago and it was in good condition. You just have to be patient and keep looking.
 
Top