Diary of a Racketaholic

Power Player

Bionic Poster
I wish it was easier for you to get demos over there. It would make your life so easy..oh well.

I demo sticks still just from guys I hit with who are demoing now..lol.
 

PED

Legend
VCore 98D and/or VCore 100 skip this one, I feel it's may be too light for what you are looking for. Also they have less power than the apd or pdr: the worst of both worlds in this comparison

Aerostorm Tour Neither nor: not really a control stick but not a power stick either

PDR 2012 Buy it, you'll love it. It has mass, power and feel

There's my quick and dirty analysis :)
 

Dave M

Hall of Fame
I wish it was easier for you to get demos over there. It would make your life so easy..oh well.

I demo sticks still just from guys I hit with who are demoing now..lol.

We can get demos, there are places that don't even charge as long as you send them back, Ross just likes buying new frames too much! :shock: ;-)
Course there is a chance there are a few of us who are guilty of that too!!!
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
I think PED just nailed it. Those yys are not going to hit as big as you want coming from the APD no matter what bucketheads newest posting account says.

The new Tours looked cool, but everyone review says they are more for moving the ball around with spin and not hitting through the court. I had that, and it was called the Prince EXO Tour. If that stick hit big and through the court with the serve power I want, I'd have 4 by now.

I am biased, but the PDR is truly a special stick if you love Babs. You put the gut poly in there and your life just improves in general.

Simply put the PDR delivers in every category for me with this setup. I have not had anything come up to make me look for another racquet.
 

Ross K

Legend
H,

I did chuckle at your quick analysis :) ... for sure, BDR is top of my list. You're probably spot on about the others too.


Dave,

The only UK demo services I've previously been aware of charges a big preliminary fee, which is then minused from the cost of the racket which you will then have to buy in total, otherwise you lose that hefty deposit. What are the names of these mythical places you speak of in the UK that provide free demoing services?:grin:


Power,

The new Tours looked cool, but everyone review says they are more for moving the ball around with spin and not hitting through the court. I had that, and it was called the Prince EXO Tour. If that stick hit big and through the court with the serve power I want, I'd have 4 by now.

You've hit the nail right on the head there re the Exo - I have exactly the same feelings... that damn ball just kept on coming back to me when I was wielding this rack!:eek:
 

Dave M

Hall of Fame
H,
I did chuckle at your quick analysis :) ... for sure, BDR is top of my list. You're probably spot on about the others too.


Dave,

The only UK demo services I've previously been aware of charges a big preliminary fee, which is then minused from the cost of the racket which you will then have to buy in total, otherwise you lose that hefty deposit. What are the names of these mythical places you speak of in the UK that provide free demoing services?:grin:


Power,



You've hit the nail right on the head there re the Exo - I have exactly the same feelings... that damn ball just kept on coming back to me when I was wielding this rack!:eek:

I have sent you a message regarding demos on your facebook email, don't want to get in trouble here, not that TWE actually consider us worthy of their demos, or their prices aren't so big i had to check to see what currency their £ listing was in, i digress.
Looks like Power agrees with what i was thinking about the exo tours, so much i liked but damn those people on the other side of the net, it just kept comming back and i'm not Ferrer i don't have that much energy to expend chasing balls!
 

Ross K

Legend
Dave ^^ cheers mate.

PP, Sorry I know you would've covered this previously, but as I'm familiar with the PD+ Swirly/team (great frame), how would you say the PD+ you played and the PDR compare then? Crucial differences?
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
The PDR feels a lot more solid and hits a bigger ball stock. Even with lead at 12 the Pd+ hit rather nicely, but the depth on the PDR is much better and more consistent. I really like the Pd+ a lot, I just had a nagging feeling that I was missing something in the + length. I realized that it was very tough for me to go crosscourt on the forehand for some reason.

Anyway I finally made the decision between stock and + so that was nice. Super tough decision because + really grabbed me and I still miss that extra length sometime - but the feel of a standard is better for me.
 

Ross K

Legend
The PDR feels a lot more solid and hits a bigger ball stock. Even with lead at 12 the Pd+ hit rather nicely, but the depth on the PDR is much better and more consistent. I really like the Pd+ a lot, I just had a nagging feeling that I was missing something in the + length. I realized that it was very tough for me to go crosscourt on the forehand for some reason.

Anyway I finally made the decision between stock and + so that was nice. Super tough decision because + really grabbed me and I still miss that extra length sometime - but the feel of a standard is better for me.

Thanks. Food for thought.:wink:
 

Boricua

Hall of Fame
I think PED just nailed it. Those yys are not going to hit as big as you want coming from the APD no matter what bucketheads newest posting account says.

The new Tours looked cool, but everyone review says they are more for moving the ball around with spin and not hitting through the court. I had that, and it was called the Prince EXO Tour. If that stick hit big and through the court with the serve power I want, I'd have 4 by now.

I am biased, but the PDR is truly a special stick if you love Babs. You put the gut poly in there and your life just improves in general.

Simply put the PDR delivers in every category for me with this setup. I have not had anything come up to make me look for another racquet.

Going into the future (2013), hope that the next APD has the great attributes of the PDR, but stiil having its unique aero shape. Can you imagine:):)
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
I am sure it will be a great stick. I just think I prefer the pure drives. They do literally everything. I could hand the PDR to anyone and it suits any type of modern style of tennis.

APD is more loopy topspin and spin serve while Pure drive is like the 6.1 in which I can do anything including flatten the ball out when I want and drive it.
 

PED

Legend
Has anybody tried the Dunlop Biomimetic 500 tour? Any thoughts about it?

A few pages back, Murrayfan has some solid comments about the 400 Tour which sounds really nice. Sounds like great power and it swings really quickly.

I know some have tried the 500 tour but I don't think there is an in depth review of it on this thread. We like for our tweeners to start with a "B" :)
 

Ross K

Legend
Ross, admit it, you are a bab man. Join the dark side...


Admit I'm a Bab man?... OF COURSE I'm a Bab man!... You want to see my Babolat Alliance tattoos?


04moya.jpg


:grin:
 

prjacobs

Hall of Fame
A few pages back, Murrayfan has some solid comments about the 400 Tour which sounds really nice. Sounds like great power and it swings really quickly.

I know some have tried the 500 tour but I don't think there is an in depth review of it on this thread. We like for our tweeners to start with a "B" :)

I found the 4D 500 tour to do everything, and I really mean everything better than the PD and PDR, a couple of years ago. But that's just how it matched up with my game. I'm also interested in the 400 tour. The 4D 500 tour hurt my shoulder :( , and I've scrapped it.
 

Ross K

Legend
^^^

JuanMartinDelPotro.jpg


And even more alarmingly... why does Del Potro look like the off-spring of Antonio Banderas and Galen from Planet of The Apes?
 

Boricua

Hall of Fame
I am sure it will be a great stick. I just think I prefer the pure drives. They do literally everything. I could hand the PDR to anyone and it suits any type of modern style of tennis.

APD is more loopy topspin and spin serve while Pure drive is like the 6.1 in which I can do anything including flatten the ball out when I want and drive it.

I can predict youll buy one:)
 

SlapShot

Hall of Fame
Rackaholics......I'm thinking about offing my entire collection I've amassed over the years. Just getting fed up with having too much crap around the house. Just going to keep my 4 PST GT and that's it. We're talking about 18+ frames, all gone. Anyone done anything this wild and crazy before?
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
Yes, I sold 3 Prestige mids, 3 PSTgts, 2 Dunlop 200s and 2 Donnay Platinums rather sudenly over the course of a few weeks.

The Mids were a youtek, a TGK and ...a Prestige Classic mid 600. :eek:
 

jason586

Rookie
I was able to buy a mint 7G from member Levy1 which should be here Saturday or Monday. I'm looking forward to a little help on my 2HB. Right now, the i.prestige MP is the stick to beat for me (even being nearly 13oz with leather, overgrip, dampener) over the recent challenger NCode 6.1 95 16x18.

I'll tell you this: the two-handed backhand is without question my most improved shot with the 7G. It's my weaker shot, too, but it's easily at its best with the 7G. Extra length plus the very nice long grip makes it just perfectly comfy to grip and rip.

Report back when you try it, curious to see how it'll go for you. And keep in mind it might take you a few sessions to get used to the length, so don't be surprised if there are bumps along the road. Worth it in the end, though.
 

Boricua

Hall of Fame
Rackaholics......I'm thinking about offing my entire collection I've amassed over the years. Just getting fed up with having too much crap around the house. Just going to keep my 4 PST GT and that's it. We're talking about 18+ frames, all gone. Anyone done anything this wild and crazy before?

I havent but if I were you I would do it. Less dogs, less fleas.
 

Ross K

Legend
Rackaholics......I'm thinking about offing my entire collection I've amassed over the years. Just getting fed up with having too much crap around the house. Just going to keep my 4 PST GT and that's it. We're talking about 18+ frames, all gone. Anyone done anything this wild and crazy before?

I haven't but I should. Got far too many frames. That said, there's a few I simply can't ever part with... PT630... C10 Pro... a fair few Babs.
 

crosscourt

Professional
I am sure it will be a great stick. I just think I prefer the pure drives. They do literally everything. I could hand the PDR to anyone and it suits any type of modern style of tennis.

APD is more loopy topspin and spin serve while Pure drive is like the 6.1 in which I can do anything including flatten the ball out when I want and drive it.

Have you hit with the earlier PDRs and how does the new one compare? I have hit both the PDR and the PDR GT and even played the PDR for a while. It was kind of rudimentary. Yes, you could hit with lots of power and spin. No, you couldn't feel much while you did it. Still the same or has it moved on?

CC
 

bad_call

Legend
Rackaholics......I'm thinking about offing my entire collection I've amassed over the years. Just getting fed up with having too much crap around the house. Just going to keep my 4 PST GT and that's it. We're talking about 18+ frames, all gone. Anyone done anything this wild and crazy before?

go for it. that should leave plenty of room for a small batch all grain system: 5 gal alum pot, and 5 gal mash tun. :D
 

Ross K

Legend
Have you hit with the earlier PDRs and how does the new one compare? I have hit both the PDR and the PDR GT and even played the PDR for a while. It was kind of rudimentary. Yes, you could hit with lots of power and spin. No, you couldn't feel much while you did it. Still the same or has it moved on?

CC

Now I think of it, I wasn't a huge fan of the PDR/C actually.
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
Have you hit with the earlier PDRs and how does the new one compare? I have hit both the PDR and the PDR GT and even played the PDR for a while. It was kind of rudimentary. Yes, you could hit with lots of power and spin. No, you couldn't feel much while you did it. Still the same or has it moved on?

CC

I love the feel now. Didn't love the feel of any Babs this much before. I am also using gut mains though, so keep that in mind. But the 2012 version definitely feels different. It is verified that they put foam in the throat so I believe that does make a difference..no hollow feeling.

Also I took the lead off and instantly missed it. This racquet swings rather light IMO for the weight. I personally think lead at 3 and 9 is almost a must, but what is cool is that it is not too heavy stock.

I went back to stick #2 my leaded up setup and I hit so much more consistently.
 

esgee48

G.O.A.T.
Bad Call: Are you referring to the art of making beer or moonshine? Either case, wouldn't the Aluminum affect the flavor of the product? :roll:
 

bad_call

Legend
Bad Call: Are you referring to the art of making beer or moonshine? Either case, wouldn't the Aluminum affect the flavor of the product? :roll:

permit the aluminum to oxide (heat in oven, boil water in it, etc). when cleaning, keep the dull oxide (don't make shiny clean). suggest aluminum because of lower cost and very good heat transfer.

btw - no noticeable flavor transfer in beer.

(apologies to the OP for the slight side track)
 
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Ross K

Legend
klem,

Are you 98Ding it now then? Please let me know how you're finding this frame as it's interested me for a while. Also, how's the injury/fitness holding up?
 

TennisMD

Professional
I love the feel now. Didn't love the feel of any Babs this much before. I am also using gut mains though, so keep that in mind. But the 2012 version definitely feels different. It is verified that they put foam in the throat so I believe that does make a difference..no hollow feeling.

Also I took the lead off and instantly missed it. This racquet swings rather light IMO for the weight. I personally think lead at 3 and 9 is almost a must, but what is cool is that it is not too heavy stock.

I went back to stick #2 my leaded up setup and I hit so much more consistently.

So Power Player or any others with similar experience. the new PDR interest me, tend to play my best with this type of rkt, game big serve big forehand. Currently playing the new 2012 wilson BLX 6.1 95 16 x 18 the one with amplifeel. So having mixed results in matches and went back to the older Head Youtex extreme Pro and on a winning streak. So you are now with the PDR reg length? If so any comparison to the above mentioned Head rkt and why switch from Wilson to PDR 2012?
Any others who can compare the Head Youtex Extreme Pro( the all Yellow) not the IG to the new PDR please jump in.
This new trade in program and ability to buy grade A used rkts should keep all us addicts addicted
 

Fed Kennedy

Legend
So Power Player or any others with similar experience. the new PDR interest me, tend to play my best with this type of rkt, game big serve big forehand. Currently playing the new 2012 wilson BLX 6.1 95 16 x 18 the one with amplifeel. So having mixed results in matches and went back to the older Head Youtex extreme Pro and on a winning streak. So you are now with the PDR reg length? If so any comparison to the above mentioned Head rkt and why switch from Wilson to PDR 2012?
Any others who can compare the Head Youtex Extreme Pro( the all Yellow) not the IG to the new PDR please jump in.
This new trade in program and ability to buy grade A used rkts should keep all us addicts addicted

I used to play the youtek extreme pro. Best racquet head has made in awhile. Of all the sticks I have chucked to the side, this one haunts me the most. Best return racquet ever.
I felt I played to a high standard with this frame despite it being a blob.
I demoed the new PDR...similar racquet...I give the PDR high marks on serve, cant beat Babo in this regard...the new cortex smoothes out the feel, still tastes like cortex but a little better...basically you are dealing with a higher sw on the ytep, more open string pattern a little more power, flat shots godlike with the ytep...the head gripshape is horrible...feel more connected to the ball without woofers and cortex but who needs feel when you are playing 2 shot points :)
 

klementine

Hall of Fame
permit the aluminum to oxide (heat in oven, boil water in it, etc). when cleaning, keep the dull oxide (don't make shiny clean). suggest aluminum because of lower cost and very good heat transfer.

btw - no noticeable flavor transfer in beer.

(apologies to the OP for the slight side track)

Side-track!! :shock: That's great..hahhaaahaha..... glass works really well too.

klem,

Are you 98Ding it now then? Please let me know how you're finding this frame as it's interested me for a while. Also, how's the injury/fitness holding up?

I just ordered one last night, should be here on Tuesday. The shoulder feels great! Full range of motion and NO PAIN. It's my lat on that side that's sore, due to a lack of different exercises. As far as fitness, I've hit twice so far, again rallies only, no serves or match play yet. Doc says to slowly get into my 'normal' routine approaching the 5th month but to watch the frequency of any activity.

Going in on Thursday for a check-up and then my rehab session. Will post my impressions of the nurses... errr... 98D!!!
 

TennisMD

Professional
I used to play the youtek extreme pro. Best racquet head has made in awhile. Of all the sticks I have chucked to the side, this one haunts me the most. Best return racquet ever.
I felt I played to a high standard with this frame despite it being a blob.
I demoed the new PDR...similar racquet...I give the PDR high marks on serve, cant beat Babo in this regard...the new cortex smoothes out the feel, still tastes like cortex but a little better...basically you are dealing with a higher sw on the ytep, more open string pattern a little more power, flat shots godlike with the ytep...the head gripshape is horrible...feel more connected to the ball without woofers and cortex but who needs feel when you are playing 2 shot points :)



thanks for the response, I wish all games had two point shots LOL and if my serve is working it is, sounds like you give the serving edge to the new PDR
 

flume

New User
There has been some extended length frame discussion in this thread the last little while... PD+ etc.
For all the history of people who have tried and liked the PK7G, has anybody tried the PK5G?
The 7G seems to have a cult following but the 5G is barely mentioned.
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
MD I hit with the extreme MP and not the Pro. The pro hit like a Pure drive, but not as big since it was lighter. It didnt seem to do anything that the Pure Drive cant do, and I could not really get into the PJ or the head shape.

I spent 45 minutes on my serve today since I have a summer league starting up that is 4.0-5.0. Kind of cool. The PDR is the best serving racquet I have used. I have definitely made some changes..higher toss, takeback is more rythmic, so that all helps.

But my serve power is a lot bigger and I hit a kick serve that seemed like it was never going to come down and hit about 8 feet off the back fence. It was crazy..Hoping I can get those to pop off more often because I can torture people with a bounce like that.

Anyway, sold on the lead setup..I really prefer it to stock. Gut poly is a go..Im pretty much locking it in for matchplay now.
 

Murray_fan1

Professional
Glad you have found your set up PP. I think the BDR has moved up on my must demo list if ever I get the urge to flirt with something else. Did you ever get the chance to try out the Hexaspin twist? I just could not jive with that string.
 
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