Help with decision: PS 85 or BLX PS 90

Good day everyone.

I am deciding between the prostaff 85 (new) or the BLX ps 90.

I am intending to get this racquet primarily for some fun social tennis matches and I intend to string the racquet up with full natural gut.

Which do you recommend?

I'm mainly a baseline player, those are my strengths, but I enjoy the net game very much particularly in doubles and hence why I wanted to get something like the above two racquets for non-pressure leisure.

the 90 will have a bit more forgiveness and spin for your baseline work.
(Yes I know it sounds weird saying that going from an 85 to a 90 is more forgiving but it does seem huge)

Its still pretty good at net too but it'll have more defensive spin options. Plus the blx should be a good filter of shock if you're using a stiffer/spinnier poly.

The 85 is all about attack and ending the point early. Its pretty much serve and volley.... Very crisp feel (which means a lot). I don't recommend doing anything more adventurous than a full gut/multi or a hybrid on it.

I think in your case, go the 90. Its got more options for strings down the line if you choose something else besides gut (without the risk of hurting your arm).

My vote goes for the BLX PS90. Its a relatively more forgiving stick to the PS85. I have both. I tend to use more of the BLX PS90 since I got it.

Jay_The_Nomad said:

I am intending to get this racquet primarily for some fun social tennis matches and I intend to string the racquet up with full natural gut.

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Get the 85! Don't even hesitate. If you were going to play tournaments there could be a serious discussion about this. But if you're just gonna use this frame or fun then get the graphite/kevlar braided Pro Staff 85 and forget that plastic BLX junk. The K version of the 90 was great but since then these frames are just cheap pro staff imitations.

i'd echo the sentiments of the 2 previous posts. i've literally just stepped off court after using the 85 and the blx 90. the 85 is fun and very rewarding but after an hour or so it starts to become hard work. as stated, the blx 90 will be slightly more forgiving, it'll give you more spin options, and in my opinion just as solid as the 85. im currently using a sort of "budget federer" string job with alu power rough in the crosses and nxt tour in the mains. i really feel as though it further enhances the spin capabilities of the racket giving you more control from the baseline when needed.

corners said:

Get the 85! Don't even hesitate. If you were going to play tournaments there could be a serious discussion about this. But if you're just gonna use this frame or fun then get the graphite/kevlar braided Pro Staff 85 and forget that plastic BLX junk. The K version of the 90 was great but since then these frames are just cheap pro staff imitations.

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i've never used the k factor version of the 90. i've heard lots of people say its a superior racket to the blx's. how would you compare the 2?

For fun, I'd say the PS85. It's one of the best rackets ever made and a joy to hit with. Its feel, control and precision are something that none of the modern rackets offer...

The BLX 90 is more forgiving and easier to handle overall. As someone else said, 5 sq. doesn't seem to be much but it makes a huge difference. If I had to play tournaments I'd go with this one...

No brainer - 90.

85 only if you want something "collectible" or wanted to experience the butterfly impact feeling of that frame.

or if you know you can handle the 85 against a pure drive, then go ahead!

martini1 said:

or if you know you can handle the 85 against a pure drive, then go ahead!

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Well, Sampras with his PS 85 was certainly able to handle Roddick with his Pure Drive at the '02 US Open, beating him easily in straight sets.

cgwhitey99 said:

i've never used the k factor version of the 90. i've heard lots of people say its a superior racket to the blx's. how would you compare the 2?

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K has thick, raw, rich feel. Rock solid. 1st BLX version was mushy and muted, current BLX is mushy and a little less muted.

Agree with corners, that if the purpose is purely for fun, and that the racket will be strung with gut, then the PS85 should be the choice, good luck!

BreakPoint said:

Well, Sampras with his PS 85 was certainly able to handle Roddick with his Pure Drive at the '02 US Open, beating him easily in straight sets.

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But rumor has it he got so scared after that and said "That's it! I'm retiring!" :lol:

I was using the PS90 blx for about 6 months...

I found I was losing matches if I wasn't performing at my best, and was a little tired that day.

If you are super fit, strong and have great footwork and technique, sure get the 90. if you are a player that plays comps and has your bad days, don't get the 90.. It's just too much work IMO. If you're a bassliner, you will struggle retrieving the ball.

I've switched to a 97 Pro One, and am a lot more consistant with all shots.

In saying that, I think the 90 improved my game a lot, and I would highly recommend it to use for training.

BreakPoint said:

Well, Sampras with his PS 85 was certainly able to handle Roddick with his Pure Drive at the '02 US Open, beating him easily in straight sets.

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Sampras played with the PS85 since he was twelve years old. The 85 was like a part of him so he could do stuff with it that many cannot do! I go with both; you only live once so go and buy both and have fun - why decide?

Harry_Wild said:

Sampras played with the PS85 since he was twelve years old. The 85 was like a part of him so he could do stuff with it that many cannot do! I go with both; you only live once so go and buy both and have fun - why decide?

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Not exactly true. Sampras didn't start using the PS 85 until he was about 17 or 18. He used a Donnay Pro Cynetic before that, and a Kneissl before that. I think when he was 12 years old he was still using a wood racquet.

Just an update everyone. I ended up getting the blx prostaff 90 instead of the 85 and it is strung with x one biphase.

My usual go to racquet is a 100 sq inch.

Admittedly there was a slight adjustment period but it was only very slight. Maybe around 30 minutes of hitting and I was good to go with casual match play.

I found that groundstrokes weren't anymore difficult to hit with the 90 then a 100 particularly when hitting attacking groundstrokes. But the feeling of the 90 is definitely nicer than my 100 for lack of a better word; just more solid and oomph and more sensation. But i perceive that the quality of the ball i am giving the opponent is the same.

As for defensive groundstrokes from the back of the court and when under the pump from the opponent, I found slices to be a lot nicer than my 100. However, i dont feel very comfident hitting top spinny defensive balls with this racquet but bunting high defensive lobs are fine because touch shots are great.

The serve however is one aspect I am struggling with this racquet. I think I am getting less racquet head speed and hence less pace on the ball. And the serve is the one aspect that gets affected most by the 90 s inch. The serve takes the longest to readjust once I switch from the 100 and even after switching, I don't feel I'm nearly as effective.

Volleys are really nice and so are touch shots. But I am wondering maybe it's because I'm using a premium multifilament with better feel compared to my usual full bed poly in the 100. With that previous set up, I struggle with touch shots: really struggle. But with this 90/multi setup it is so much easier.

Overall I am glad I got this racquet because it is great fun in casual pickup social doubles where I get to hit lots of touch shots and ocassimaloy blast the ball. Only downside is the serve.

If you are going to play for fun, then I'd recommend 85