**The PURE DRIVE 2012 Forum (club)**

Power Player

Power Player

Bionic Poster
JackB1 said:
its OK. Blissful??? Not quite :)

The Rebel 98 has a much nicer feeling sweetspot IMO
Click to expand...

You need to hit harder man :).this pure drive is up there for me with some of the best ever when you crunch one. Last time I really had that feel was with the pc600 and the pk 7g.

Maybe it's the strings..I'm going to try tour bite/ nvy and string up this pdr right now.
 
K

keithfival

Professional
Power Player said:
You guys never commented on the blissful feel of the PD 2012 sweetspot. This surprises me. It is absolutely awesome.
Click to expand...

Yup, I noticed it literally the first ball I hit with it. Crush a forehand and it just feels like a puff of magical pixie dust. The only thing I can compare it to is when you hit a 9 iron just perfectly and you actually don't even feel the ball, you just look up and it's on the green (this has only happened to me once I think!)

That said, I hit a bit with it again tonight and due to my unusual hyper-sensitive neck/upper trap situation it did not pass the rigorous "not aggravating my neck" test (strung with Addiction on the low side). I started to feel some general wearing on my shoulder too. Again, I point out that I have some weird thing going on that at least 50% of frames bother, so it shouldn't be taken as an indictment of the PD. In fact, the Pro Kennex Ki5 demo bothered my neck much more. (As an aside, the Exo Tour 18x20 didn't bother it one bit and the Black Ace 93 not far behind. Just baffling).

So, alas, I will not be joining the club but I think it is a slam dunk racket if it the stiffness doesn't bother you. (Oh, and I don't know what the problem folks have with the PD "touch" is, I hit some ridiculous droppers right off the bat, the strings just grab the ball like nothing else.)
 
JackB1

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
p
Power Player said:
You need to hit harder man :).this pure drive is up there for me with some of the best ever when you crunch one. Last time I really had that feel was with the pc600 and the pk 7g.

Maybe it's the strings..I'm going to try tour bite/ nvy and string up this pdr right now.
Click to expand...

Dude....I can hit plenty hard and you don't need to swing like Delpotro to feel a racquets sweetspot. I have hit some amazing winners with it, but I don't feel like the sweetspot is magical like you are making it sound.
 
Power Player

Power Player

Bionic Poster
Don't be so sensitive..at least Keith knows what I am saying..this thing feels soo good, but you gotta peg the ball to really get the tingly butterflies. It also is enhanced with the right strings I am sure. Go crispy.

Gotta a pdr today..so goaty..dear god..this thing swings super easy..I am very surprised. Have no idea what to do now, but the pdr is more comfy and hits the ball so hard that I split my friends dampener in half..lol.
 
BC1

BC1

Professional
Byakuya said:
How do all the Black Drive+, Pure Drive, Pure Drive Roddick, compare to each other. Are they all pretty much the same racquet but 27 vs 27.5?
Click to expand...

Similar in many ways of course. But also distinctly different. A 1/2 inch. Or .5 ounces can make a big difference. The roddick's additional weight makes it feel more solid and it can be more powerful if you can swing it.
 
BC1

BC1

Professional
Power Player said:
Don't be so sensitive..at least Keith knows what I am saying..this thing feels soo good, but you gotta peg the ball to really get the tingly butterflies. It also is enhanced with the right strings I am sure. Go crispy.

Gotta a pdr today..so goaty..dear god..this thing swings super easy..I am very surprised. Have no idea what to do now, but the pdr is more comfy and hits the ball so hard that I split my friends dampener in half..lol.
Click to expand...

Congrats on the pdr! Imo I would stick with it if you aren't having any trouble with the weight. I would think it will enhance your game in every way. How are the strings. What did u go with?
 
Power Player

Power Player

Bionic Poster
I put my money where my mouth is and went tour bite/nvy at 50/52.

It's pretty fantastic. Tons of spin..the proverbial heavy ball was vicious.

I may put a little lead on the pdr..seriously..it swings that easy..I was stunned.
 
fibonacci888

fibonacci888

Rookie
So it's for 100% sure no PD 2012 for me. The offcenter hits I unfurtunately have to often hurt my arm to much. Yesterday i played with a full set of synthetic gut in the PD and after an hour or so my arm started to feel sore. Picked up the warrior and after 5min the pain was gone.

The warrior seems to be the best choice but i'll give it a go with another string. Anybody got other suggestions for a forgiving tweener?
 
Dgdavid

Dgdavid

Professional
Power Player said:
I put my money where my mouth is and went tour bite/nvy at 50/52.

It's pretty fantastic. Tons of spin..the proverbial heavy ball was vicious.

I may put a little lead on the pdr..seriously..it swings that easy..I was stunned.
Click to expand...

you've got the PDR now? How was it overrall (apologies if I've missed comments elsewhere).

ps. the 6.1 is going back. Great racket but actually, I play better with my Dunlop Biomimetic 200 in the 95 head range.
 
Last edited:
BC1

BC1

Professional
Dgdavid, were you able to test the dunlop bio Max 200g yet? This is the only racquet out there right now that has my interest. Way different then the Pd, but love the specs on paper and Ive always liked all dunlop frames.
 
H

Hominator

Hall of Fame
Power Player said:
Don't be so sensitive..at least Keith knows what I am saying..this thing feels soo good, but you gotta peg the ball to really get the tingly butterflies. It also is enhanced with the right strings I am sure. Go crispy.

Gotta a pdr today..so goaty..dear god..this thing swings super easy..I am very surprised. Have no idea what to do now, but the pdr is more comfy and hits the ball so hard that I split my friends dampener in half..lol.
Click to expand...

I'm with you regarding the sweetspot. While it may not be blissful, it's certainly large, at least for the way that I hit and compared to the racquets I was using (Volkl X10s). I think Jack was coming from another tweener, so from that perspective, I can understand how the PD's sweetspot did not impress him as many tweeners have nice sweetspots (compared to player's sticks).

Everything is relative - skill level, playing style, what racquet you're coming from, etc...
 
Power Player

Power Player

Bionic Poster
Yeah agree. I just personally think the feel of the 2012 PD is on another level compared to prior releases. With a prestige when you crush one right on that tiny spot it is unreal. I get some of that same feel with the Pure Drive, you just have to hit it hard and have the right string setup.
 
DrewRafter8

DrewRafter8

Professional
Power Player said:
Yeah agree. I just personally think the feel of the 2012 PD is on another level compared to prior releases. With a prestige when you crush one right on that tiny spot it is unreal. I get some of that same feel with the Pure Drive, you just have to hit it hard and have the right string setup.
Click to expand...

I know you've had elbow problems, but that hybrid you did with TB and N.Vy should be awesome in your + as well. The only thing that would scare me if I had arm issues is that some people do claim that extended sticks can irritate those issues. I love using N.Vy as a cross. What gauge TB did you use?
 
JackB1

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
Power Player said:
Don't be so sensitive..at least Keith knows what I am saying..this thing feels soo good, but you gotta peg the ball to really get the tingly butterflies. It also is enhanced with the right strings I am sure. Go crispy.

Gotta a pdr today..so goaty..dear god..this thing swings super easy..I am very surprised. Have no idea what to do now, but the pdr is more comfy and hits the ball so hard that I split my friends dampener in half..lol.
Click to expand...

I'm gonna try some different strings soon
 
JackB1

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
Power Player said:
I put my money where my mouth is and went tour bite/nvy at 50/52.

It's pretty fantastic. Tons of spin..the proverbial heavy ball was vicious.

I may put a little lead on the pdr..seriously..it swings that easy..I was stunned.
Click to expand...

Prediction....BC1 will get the PDR within 2 days :)
 
JackB1

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
Hominator said:
I'm with you regarding the sweetspot. While it may not be blissful, it's certainly large, at least for the way that I hit and compared to the racquets I was using (Volkl X10s). I think Jack was coming from another tweener, so from that perspective, I can understand how the PD's sweetspot did not impress him as many tweeners have nice sweetspots (compared to player's sticks).

Everything is relative - skill level, playing style, what racquet you're coming from, etc...
Click to expand...

great points Homi.
 
Dgdavid

Dgdavid

Professional
BC1 said:
Dgdavid, were you able to test the dunlop bio Max 200g yet? This is the only racquet out there right now that has my interest. Way different then the Pd, but love the specs on paper and Ive always liked all dunlop frames.
Click to expand...

Can't get them in UK even from TW Europe. Currently back in the control racket class including an IG Rad MP, Dunlop Bio 200 (until the guy that bought them finally pays...) and considering a very cheap deal for 2 x Vcore 95D. It was playing with the Dunlop 200s yesterday that persuaded me the Six.One wasn't special enough. Just swapped it for an IG Rad MP demo.

I have 2 POG OS rackets arriving today too but that is more of a fun experiment.

I suspect I will give the Max 200g, Pro One and PDR a miss now. I seem to play better when relying more on generating my own power.

Do you think you need something a tad heavier especially on 1hbh?
 
BC1

BC1

Professional
JackB1 said:
Prediction....BC1 will get the PDR within 2 days :)
Click to expand...

lol. If I had a money tree in my back yard, you'd be correct. Actually I would already have one! But no, I unfortunately will not be going there anytime soon. I did demo the PDR2012 when it first came out, but only for about 10 minutes. It felt and hit good, but at the time I preferred the weight of the standard. But you got me pegged - all of this pdr talk makes me want it!!
 
BC1

BC1

Professional
Dgdavid said:
Do you think you need something a tad heavier especially on 1hbh?
Click to expand...

No, what I need is a good series of lessons from a good instructor. My backhand technique is poor, I humbly admit it. It's not the racquet. WOW, that's a breaktrough for me! (not blaming the racquet :) )
 
Power Player

Power Player

Bionic Poster
DrewRafter8 said:
I know you've had elbow problems, but that hybrid you did with TB and N.Vy should be awesome in your + as well. The only thing that would scare me if I had arm issues is that some people do claim that extended sticks can irritate those issues. I love using N.Vy as a cross. What gauge TB did you use?
Click to expand...

No I had wrist issues..my elbow has been fine (knock on wood). the wrist issue stemmed from a biking accident, overuse and weightlifting all combined it seems.

I have 1.25 TB. I'd like to try a softer plusher poly to compare. Not really sure. I have RIP ready as my go to string in case I have any pain, but the PDR is so far a more comfortable stick than the standard, probably due to the mass.
 
P

psycho0

Rookie
PP, I was wondering if you have ever tried the PS GT? If you have, could comment on the playability between the PS GT and the new PD? Thanks
 
Power Player

Power Player

Bionic Poster
I only tried the pure storm tour, and I freaking loved it. Amazing feel. My biggest issue was control breaking down for me and my serve was pretty average with it. I could still easily use it if I had to and was not a bored tennis guy who likes racquets.

The new PDR swings a lot faster and hits a bigger ball, so I find it easier to use so far. It also really is awesome on serve as well.
 
G

gameboy

Hall of Fame
Just bought one!

I have been a Prince guy for a long time (NXG OS & EXO Graphite), but my wife and my daughter play Pure Drive Lites and I was really impressed with how the 2012 model felt so I got the Pure Drive for myself.

I took advantage of the free Babolat Hurricane Feel string offer, so I will start with that, but I will be stringing it with Nat Gut/Lux combo in the future.

I am really looking forward to playing with it. Should be coming early next week.
 
JackB1

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
ATL Jack said:
Jack got confused because he started a very similar thread:

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=421618&highlight=soft+multi
Click to expand...

Got to meet and hit with "ATL jack" tonite and it was brief but fun. He seems like he really likes his PD12. He has nice topspin on his forehands and his serve kept me off balance. He said he's "sold" on the PD and I believe him. Personally, I was going back and forth with the PD12 and the Warrior and plan to spend more time testing both side by side. I do seem to serve slightly better and bigger with the Warrior, but the PD feels more "solid" on groundstrokes. I agree that the sweetspot on the Warrior feels a little less "distinct" than the PD's. Also the Warrior is definitely more comfortable and a little "easier" to use because of the larger sweetspot. Now that I have 2 of each, I am going to take my time deciding which to keep. I "want" it to be the PD since I like its cosmetics more and the Prince racquets with the ports are a pain to string. But I am going to stay with the one that gets be better results on the court.
 
Power Player

Power Player

Bionic Poster
air_quotes.jpg



Lol.

I added some lead at 3 and 9 to the pdr. Will update you all on how this goes.
 
Y

YesTennis

Semi-Pro
Still enjoying the PD, but have noticed some very active Yonex threads. Seems like it is a well liked racquet. The ohbh players seem to think its very stable. Just wondering if anyone had played with the VCore 98D, and how it compares to the 2012 PD. Thanks in advance
 
BC1

BC1

Professional
gameboy said:
Just bought one!

I have been a Prince guy for a long time (NXG OS & EXO Graphite), but my wife and my daughter play Pure Drive Lites and I was really impressed with how the 2012 model felt so I got the Pure Drive for myself.

I took advantage of the free Babolat Hurricane Feel string offer, so I will start with that, but I will be stringing it with Nat Gut/Lux combo in the future.

I am really looking forward to playing with it. Should be coming early next week.
Click to expand...

Congrats and welcome!! Keep us posted. Also curious as to how you like the hurricane feel.
 
JackB1

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
YesTennis said:
Still enjoying the PD, but have noticed some very active Yonex threads. Seems like it is a well liked racquet. The ohbh players seem to think its very stable. Just wondering if anyone had played with the VCore 98D, and how it compares to the 2012 PD. Thanks in advance
Click to expand...

I have played with the 98D and liked it a lot. Its in the same exact class as the PD and Warrior..just a matter of personal preference. The 98D is not quite as powerful as the PD or Warrior, but close. Great baseliners stick.
 
Y

YesTennis

Semi-Pro
Thanks Jack!! Much appreciated. Sounds like you liked the Yonex 98D better than the Rebel 98. Think I might demo the Yonex.
 
JackB1

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
YesTennis said:
Thanks Jack!! Much appreciated. Sounds like you liked the Yonex 98D better than the Rebel 98. Think I might demo the Yonex.
Click to expand...

I don't like it "better", but it's better suited for me. It's a stiff PD/APD type of racquet with a little more control and feel than the Bab's, but very similar.
 
Power Player

Power Player

Bionic Poster
If I remember, jack went yonex pretty early when they first came out. My question would be, why do you think they hit so big with such low swingweights? They are barely 310, which is pretty wild. My timing would be shot to hell..lol.
 
BigM

BigM

Rookie
Power Player said:
If I remember, jack went yonex pretty early when they first came out. My question would be, why do you think they hit so big with such low swingweights? They are barely 310, which is pretty wild. My timing would be shot to hell..lol.
Click to expand...

You would hate the Yonex imo PP. They feel way too light and lack the refinement of the PD 2012. I'm using Savage in the PD's and really enjoying the frame. I play terrible with it but I love it lol! Go figure....

BigM
 
JackB1

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
Power Player said:
If I remember, jack went yonex pretty early when they first came out. My question would be, why do you think they hit so big with such low swingweights? They are barely 310, which is pretty wild. My timing would be shot to hell..lol.
Click to expand...

No different than the regular PD.
 
Dgdavid

Dgdavid

Professional
I had two spells with the vcore 98D this year lasting one week and two weeks respectively (and still own one). The first spell was not good, it had a syn gut in it and it wasn't nice (although I liked Syn Gut in the Warrior). The second spell was recent (March) and it was strung with RPM Blast at mid tension and it was far nicer. It fact, it felt just as solid as my PD 2012 but did not serve quite as well. I hit flatter with the 98D and had some issues keeping the ball in when on the run. On the plus side, my 1HBH was significantly better than the PD on both slice and flat. I would regard it slightly near the 'players' racket end of the spectrum than the PD which I think is slightly near than the Warrior.

If I HAD to pick one of three we've been discussing recently to play an important match tomorrow, I would pick the Warrior but if I had to pick one racket for the next two years to get grooved with, it would be the PD.
 
JackB1

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
Played a singles match today with the Warrior and my opponent was a little older than me and not quick on his feet, so I employed lots of drop shots and touch slices. The Warrior DEFINITELY has better touch than the PD. That is not even up for debate IMO. I am worried that I would give up some of that with the PD. I just felt so comfortable with the Warrior. I know I might feel that way eventually with the PD, but like David said...for right now, what gives me the best chance to win is the Warrior.
 
Power Player

Power Player

Bionic Poster
Once again touch comes from playing with the same racquet. If I can hit drop shots and lobs with the Pure Drive then it has good touch, because lobs are not exactly my best shots.

I think the warrior probably does make it easier because of the flex, but touch really comes from using the same setup for weeks. Obviously you gain one thing and losde another, I prefer to master the touch with a stuff stick so I can reap the other benefits.

I actually love drop shots with the pure drive...but i spent a lot of time on the wall practicing getting the feel for the proper trajectory and then practicing on the courts. If you can do this, then the Pure Drive gives you an advantage on serve and with control and power.

At the end of the day I see you as being a Warrior guy..sensitive elbows are nothing to toy with. The pure drive just basically give mes every single shot I could want..the touch shots are there if you put the work in.
 
JackB1

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
Power Player said:
Once again touch comes from playing with the same racquet. If I can hit drop shots and lobs with the Pure Drive then it has good touch, because lobs are not exactly my best shots.

I think the warrior probably does make it easier because of the flex, but touch really comes from using the same setup for weeks. Obviously you gain one thing and losde another, I prefer to master the touch with a stuff stick so I can reap the other benefits.

I actually love drop shots with the pure drive...but i spent a lot of time on the wall practicing getting the feel for the proper trajectory and then practicing on the courts. If you can do this, then the Pure Drive gives you an advantage on serve and with control and power.

At the end of the day I see you as being a Warrior guy..sensitive elbows are nothing to toy with. The pure drive just basically give mes every single shot I could want..the touch shots are there if you put the work in.
Click to expand...

You can hit any shot with any racquet it you practice it enough. The point is its just much easier to do with certain racquets. I hadn't played with the Warrior for 2 weeks and was easily able to hit perfect drops shots almost immediately.
The Pure Drive is built for baseline bashing...I get that. The Warrior is a much better all around racquet. It makes deciding very tough. And there's no way I would ever say the PD had "good touch". Lets be real, OK?
 
Power Player

Power Player

Bionic Poster
I am being real. Tons of players hit touch shots with the pure drive. It's not that hard. Practice more.

the pure drive suits all types of play, not just base lining. I see doubles players using it. I don't care what racquet you go with, as I think the warrior will be easier on you and makes more sense, but to say you struggle with touch shots is your own issue, not the racquet. I still think you never got the right string setup for it.
 
Y

YesTennis

Semi-Pro
Power Player- Have you played with the AeroPro Drive in the past? If you have,would appreciate your thoughts in comparing it to the PD. The APD has a higher listed SW, why does it not have more "plow" than the PD? Thanks
 
K

keithfival

Professional
YesTennis said:
Power Player- Have you played with the AeroPro Drive in the past? If you have,would appreciate your thoughts in comparing it to the PD. The APD has a higher listed SW, why does it not have more "plow" than the PD? Thanks
Click to expand...

2012 PD has a *much* more solid feel which allows for better flat hitting and better touch. That's the main diff to me, spin/power are similar.
 
JackB1

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
Power Player said:
I am being real. Tons of players hit touch shots with the pure drive. It's not that hard. Practice more.

the pure drive suits all types of play, not just base lining. I see doubles players using it. I don't care what racquet you go with, as I think the warrior will be easier on you and makes more sense, but to say you struggle with touch shots is your own issue, not the racquet. I still think you never got the right string setup for it.
Click to expand...

PP, I will try other string setups for sure and I will keep an open mind. I am just reporting my findings as I go.
 
Power Player

Power Player

Bionic Poster
YesTennis said:
Power Player- Have you played with the AeroPro Drive in the past? If you have,would appreciate your thoughts in comparing it to the PD. The APD has a higher listed SW, why does it not have more "plow" than the PD? Thanks
Click to expand...

The pure drive is stiffer which allows you to get more head speed. If you want plow you want the pdr..I like how heavy I can hit with the standard plus, but the pdr has serious plow to it.

You can lead up the APd and get plow, it just gets sluggish fast. I like both stick, but the pure drive seems like the most versatile Raquet made in the last 10 years. It simply can be used for any style game, and I really like that aspect of it.

The pdr is perfect if you have flip flopped between players sticks and tweeners and can't make up your mind.
 
Y

YesTennis

Semi-Pro
Power Player said:
The pure drive is stiffer which allows you to get more head speed. If you want plow you want the pdr..I like how heavy I can hit with the standard plus, but the pdr has serious plow to it.

You can lead up the APd and get plow, it just gets sluggish fast. I like both stick, but the pure drive seems like the most versatile Raquet made in the last 10 years. It simply can be used for any style game, and I really like that aspect of it.

The pdr is perfect if you have flip flopped between players sticks and tweeners and can't make up your mind.
Click to expand...


Power Player- Your comments are much appreciated and helpful. Think I'll just stay with the PD. Was watching the Nadal/Verdasco match and got fired up about the APD.
 
A

ArliHawk

Hall of Fame
Long question, perhaps, but I'll start off asking if anyone's used the Babolat Air Sphere grip?

My APDGT's were slightly big at 3/8, so I replaced the syntec with skin feels. With skin feel and over grip, they are the perfect size. When I went to buy the Pure Drive, I bought 1/4 thinking it would be perfect. Had wrist problem the other night when hitting, so I was thinking about replacing the syntec with Air Sphere grip. Just wondering if I'd lose all feel of the bevels.
 
Power Player

Power Player

Bionic Poster
I am interested in what babolat does with the new APD because the new roddick is much easier to hit big with while swinging faster. So obviously they are cranking the stiffness and countering that by filling the frame with foam to dampen vibrations.

As a result getting the pdr to 12 ozs results in a racquet that swings fast yet since it is 12 ozs you are just laying into the ball. I need more time, but when I swing my pd+ with lead at 12 and the pdr with lead at 3 and 9 they feel very similar. This is great because I already know i can get the pd+ around with speed for hours.
 
BC1

BC1

Professional
Power Player said:
I am interested in what babolat does with the new APD because the new roddick is much easier to hit big with while swinging faster. So obviously they are cranking the stiffness and countering that by filling the frame with foam to dampen vibrations.

As a result getting the pdr to 12 ozs results in a racquet that swings fast yet since it is 12 ozs you are just laying into the ball. I need more time, but when I swing my pd+ with lead at 12 and the pdr with lead at 3 and 9 they feel very similar. This is great because I already know i can get the pd+ around with speed for hours.
Click to expand...

Power Player. So tell the truth, by now I know you've given the 2012 pdr+ some thought. Imagine combining the greatness of the plus with the weight and solid feel of the roddick! It would be too much for me to handle. But PP you could pull it off! You gotta give it a try! Just imagine what those girls at the club would think of your forehand swinging that beast!
 
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