doctor dennis
Semi-Pro
Hi
Anybody have any vibration issues with this frame?
Any vibrations from the handle?
Cheers
Anybody have any vibration issues with this frame?
Any vibrations from the handle?
Cheers
Wilson Hits Homerun with Wilson Steam 99S (mini review)
- Thread starter drakulie
- Start date
Not with the 99s, no, Dennis. It's relative solidness is one of its attractions in my book.
Re that Extreme Pro I believe you're currently checking out, I have to say I personally found those to be pretty disastrous on the arm. Certainly past versions.
doctor dennis
Semi-Pro
Thanks for the input. I too found no problems with vibrations I just bad somebody query it with me so I though I'd ask the wider audience.
I've switched to the EP 2.0. Its even more solid than the 99S but as easy to swing. Spin is great too but not much will compare to the 99S.
I had the MG version and found that OK, so I'm sure I'll be fine with this one. It feels comfortable to me.
I will miss the 99S but the string issue tipped me over the edge unfortunately.
v-verb
Hall of Fame
I'm still loving the 99S but looking forward to a player's thin beam with the 16 x 15 pattern.
String has held up exceptionally well - almost zero tension loss at 43 lbs - strung at 45 lbs and almost no notching. I silicone the strings every time I play. I hit pretty hard as well.
I estimate they have about 14 hrs on them so far.
I'm going gut/poly though as my elbow sensitivity to poly is making itself known - blame the string not the stick for that.
String has held up exceptionally well - almost zero tension loss at 43 lbs - strung at 45 lbs and almost no notching. I silicone the strings every time I play. I hit pretty hard as well.
I estimate they have about 14 hrs on them so far.
I'm going gut/poly though as my elbow sensitivity to poly is making itself known - blame the string not the stick for that.
Fuji
Legend
Hit with the #1 Open player in my province today and we played tiebreaks! My best result was a loss of 10-5, which is still fairly competitive in my books! At least against him.
Surprisingly, it wasn't the amount of balls I was getting back (he grinds more than Ferrer) but it was quality of ball I was putting in play that gave him a bit of trouble. I was actually able to pass him once, and hit a couple winners with the 99S due to it's sheer power, which made me happy.
I also played 1 point against my universities #2 singles player, and while is ball is absolutely massive, we had a good 7 shot rally, in which the 99S held up perfectly fine to the pace.
#2 actually tried out the 99S and said "This would hit amazing if I strung it with my setup." Even though he uses the PD+, he really liked the way the frame felt. His normal string job is Snake Bite 16g @ 65lbs. :lol:
Anywho, all is well in Steam land. Still haven't broken the 4G after another 2 hours of hitting today!
-Fuji
Surprisingly, it wasn't the amount of balls I was getting back (he grinds more than Ferrer) but it was quality of ball I was putting in play that gave him a bit of trouble. I was actually able to pass him once, and hit a couple winners with the 99S due to it's sheer power, which made me happy.
I also played 1 point against my universities #2 singles player, and while is ball is absolutely massive, we had a good 7 shot rally, in which the 99S held up perfectly fine to the pace.
#2 actually tried out the 99S and said "This would hit amazing if I strung it with my setup." Even though he uses the PD+, he really liked the way the frame felt. His normal string job is Snake Bite 16g @ 65lbs. :lol:
Anywho, all is well in Steam land. Still haven't broken the 4G after another 2 hours of hitting today!
-Fuji
Good luck with the new frame dd.
FWIW (and bear in mind I'm talking about the the older versions of the the Extreme Pro here), though I really enjoyed them from the backcourt in terms of booming and spinning the ball out to the b/line, I found these to play very harsh on the arm. Plus there was certain clubby heftiness that is in sharp contrast to the oh so sweet swinging 99s... still can't quite figure it out - (even when looking at the specs) - but 99s just has such a superb way of swinging for me.
doctor dennis
Semi-Pro
It's definitely softer than the older version i had.
I'm not a Wilson fan so i dont have much experience of their rackets but you're right, the 99S was sweet to swing and contact was plush for a lightish tweenerish frame.
Although i'm gone, i cant give any negative comments about how the 99S plays.
The EP 2.0 will be an excellent choice from my recent hitting sessions if they are anything to go by.
Devilito
Hall of Fame
must be talking about Carson. He'd have no chance again Sam or Dennis though. He's sick though. 10-5 is a good result
You must be improving
Fuji
Legend
must be talking about Carson. He'd have no chance again Sam or Dennis though. He's sick though. 10-5 is a good result
I actually got to watch Sam play in the same tournament as me a couple weeks ago. He's unreal haha. Just too solid. I haven't seen Dennis play in a while though, is he even still out and about?
Carson is a good guy, he coaches out of my club and I see him all the time haha! I'm trying to improve!
Are you planning to play any events this summer?
-Fuji
thefederman
Rookie
Edit
10chrs
10chrs
Devilito
Hall of Fame
I actually got to watch Sam play in the same tournament as me a couple weeks ago. He's unreal haha. Just too solid. I haven't seen Dennis play in a while though, is he even still out and about?
Carson is a good guy, he coaches out of my club and I see him all the time haha! I'm trying to improve!
Are you planning to play any events this summer?
-Fuji
just whatever open events are in Calgary. Maybe the futures if I feel I've got enough practice this summer as to not to embarrass myself. The way the weather's been so rainy I haven't had much chance to practice outdoors. Just indoor and that's not really beneficial when it comes to dealing with wind /sun etc. BTW I want Carson's backhand
Rabbit
G.O.A.T.
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
Man, I still can't believe how popular this frame still is. It is probably the most uncontrollable open patterned racket I have ever demoed
Fuji
Legend
just whatever open events are in Calgary. Maybe the futures if I feel I've got enough practice this summer as to not to embarrass myself. The way the weather's been so rainy I haven't had much chance to practice outdoors. Just indoor and that's not really beneficial when it comes to dealing with wind /sun etc. BTW I want Carson's backhand
Ahhh that makes sense! It's been such off and on weather here too, I'm hitting lots outdoor but not really adjusting that well haha. One of my UAlberta buddies is thinking about going down to play in the Futures. It seems like it would be a rather tough draw though, even just from the players here in AB. :razz:
Haha, I want Carson's volleys! His hands are so good.
-Fuji
Hi Knight, I am interested , please let us know how the Vortex multi strings work in the Steam if you try them first. I notice Vortex doesn't sell reels
The Dark Knight
Legend
They don't?
Well I love them. I use 15 guage multi in the mains and 15 guage poly in the crosses.
The results are amazing .
But I've even gone full multi .
No issues with breakage and plays great.
doctor dennis
Semi-Pro
I'd look on tennis warehouse to find out what its called. Its not a 2.0 Pro unfortunately.
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ok so you have al ready used the Vortex in the Steam ? What about the snap back on polyester that is supposedly the reason for the spin?
I called Vortex and spoke to Tom, He recommends NOT to use their multi 15g on their open pattern rackets. For best results on their open string rackets. he said to use polyester
The Dark Knight
Legend
I think it works great.....I love the stick and the strings .
The polyester strings in the Vortex are very good but very stiff .
Their multis however work great as well in the steam. I would probably use a hybrid. The crosses don't snap back so you don't have to worry about it.
Plus in my entire life I have never broken a cross string or even seen one break.....I bet you could even use gut in the crosses.
You have given me a great idea! I'm going to do that next!
The Dark Knight
Legend
Tom is a great guy isn't he?
Poly does work better for sure but the problem is that it hurts the arm.
On to the comparison of the racquets .
I LOVE vortex.....but I have some bad news for Tom.....the steams are better.
The only advantage if the vortex is that they have more sticks to choose from.....and I LOVE them all.
I think the best would be a Vortex with a 16x15 pattern. I really hope that Tom comes out with one because the sticks themselves are better than the Wilson's .
A Vortex with a Wilson string pattern would be my holy grail.
Yes he's a good guy, we spoke for a while about East coast vs West coast tennis..he said he gets a lot of calls from Steam owners for his strings..he spoke very highly of the Vortex Kevlar strings
BalboaNoah
New User
Tom IS a great guy, but...i like the Tour versions of the Vortex (Vortices?) better than the Steams. Of course, everything is personal preference, but i believe they are more solid than the Steam, hit more penetrating and versatile balls (including flat), and the string bed consistency over the life of the string is better, and i've used everything but gut in the Vortex.
just my $.02.
doctor dennis
Semi-Pro
Easy mistake to make. Lol
How do find both rackets in your SIG?
What's your go to stick?
The Dark Knight
Legend
If you want to use a pretty good string that is indestructible :
Pro Supex Blue Gear 15 guage
Absolutely indestructible .....I have never broken them ..... EVER.
Pro Supex Blue Gear 15 guage
Absolutely indestructible .....I have never broken them ..... EVER.
Right now, the go to racquet is the EP 2.0 because it has gut in it. I don't have the time to string that often, yet.
Once I get my backup racquet (Head PT630) and string that with gut, I'll be moving to a gut / poly (Wilson NG / CoFocus) for the EP 2.0 and a full poly (BHBR) for the Steam 99S.
I seem to be able to blast more winners with the 99S, but I have better placement with the EP 2.0. Serves go to the EP 2.0, but that might be because it has a full bed of gut currently in it. Kick serves go to the 99S, but that might be because it has poly in it.
I currently play with people that are between 3.5 and 4.5 and a favorite tactic of mine is to hit a heavy kicker and a crosscourt or inside-in forehand for a winner, depending on the location of the return. I find the Steam 99S does this better.
Once I get my backup racquet (Head PT630) and string that with gut, I'll be moving to a gut / poly (Wilson NG / CoFocus) for the EP 2.0 and a full poly (BHBR) for the Steam 99S.
I seem to be able to blast more winners with the 99S, but I have better placement with the EP 2.0. Serves go to the EP 2.0, but that might be because it has a full bed of gut currently in it. Kick serves go to the 99S, but that might be because it has poly in it.
I currently play with people that are between 3.5 and 4.5 and a favorite tactic of mine is to hit a heavy kicker and a crosscourt or inside-in forehand for a winner, depending on the location of the return. I find the Steam 99S does this better.
doctor dennis
Semi-Pro
Thanks for sharing.
So far, spin was better with the 99S but I hit heavier the EP 2.0.
I cant believe you have gut in the EP 2.0. I thought it would get shredded quite quickly.
Focus Hex and Xcite work well with the 99S if you get a chance to try them.
Thanks, bud!
The Dark Knight
Legend
OMG.....you spoke to him about the steam?????
That took balls !
He must be pretty worried.....no ?
On the other hand the steam I think raises interest in the Vortex because it legitimizes it.
I have to tell you I picked the steam over the Vortex 95 .....but just barely.
In fact I have a New issue now....the vortex ES 116.
I've never played with a stick that large but OMG this is the greatest doubles stick that I have ever used in my entire life .....it's actually blows the steam 99s out of the water for doubles .
So now I'm using the vortex for doubles and the 99s for singles.
The problem is that there's a new players version of the vortex es 116 coming out this month!!!
I really pray that Tom makes a 16x15 pattern because the vortex sticks themselves are amazing .
The Dark Knight
Legend
Excuse my ignorance but what is a ep 2.0 ?
The Dark Knight
Legend
I agree with that . I was using the vortex tour 95 and was really on the fence against the steam 99s
It was a rough battle but I chose the steam by a hair.....the vortex is a LOT better frame..... The Wilson frame seems like a piece of crap next to the solid vortex. But in the end the string pattern of the steam is just easier to plate with.
Having said that tge vortex es 116 is hands down the greatest doubles stick. Have ever tried . Or if you slice a lot then this is a dream.....but not for topspin.
So right now it's the 99s for singles and the vortex es 116 for doubles .
The Dark Knight
Legend
Hmmmm..... That's a completely different stick than the steams......
What I really would be interested in is if anyone has ever tried the
Prince Exo warrior db 100 and the steam 99s or 105s.
The prince like some of the Vortexs is a 14x18 string pattern.
I wonder how if stacks up against the steam ??
What I would really like is if anyone has tried all three but I'm sure there is no such person.
Prince EXO3 Warrior DB Team 100 would be a better comparison.
I did try all 3.
Steam 99s and 105s have more spin for sure. DB 100 doesn't even come close.
105s is too light out of the box. 99s is more playable for 4.0 + players.
I string the 105s at 77lbs and added 1 oz of lead. it's great.
Tennis Fanatic 070
Banned
If this advice came from any other person than you, I would have tried it.
Second point where it goes wrong: a 15 gauge of this string doesn't excist.
Third point where it goes wrong: almost every 15g polyester is very very durable
Fourth point where it goes wrong: I highly doubt that you are anything near a descent player, so I guess a 18g synthetic gut would be durable for you
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The Dark Knight
Legend
Somehow I will have to get over my depression. Like I care? I hope you don't try it!
What do you mean there is no 15 guage available ? I must be suing with blue gear 16 guage I guess? Well it doesn't break!
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The Dark Knight
Legend
Tennis Fanatic 070
Banned
16L (1.28mm) is the thickest gauge available. So stop telling lies for once.
As I mentioned earlier in this thread (http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=7463644&postcount=2441), I found that the all poly setup was affecting my shoulder, although it played great. (I have a history of poly causing me shoulder/arm problems).
So I rested a few days and went back to my 6.1 95 strung with a nat gut/syn gut and had no shoulder issues.
A few days ago, I strung the 99s with all syn gut (Gosen 16g) at 58lbs to see how it would play and to see if my shoulder would be ok with it. To my shock, the 99s played horribly with this string setup. No consistency in the string bed. I had many flyers, especially on the forehand side. I was very disappointed. Also, I felt the lighter weight compared to the 12oz + 6.1 95 was causing shoulder pains (maybe because I'm used to a heavier racket), although the pain maybe associated with how bad the string played.
Anyway, what a contrast to how well the 99s played for me with all 4G 16g at 52lbs.
I'll probably give the 99s one last shot with 4G 16g at 45lbs. It really does play great with poly.
So I rested a few days and went back to my 6.1 95 strung with a nat gut/syn gut and had no shoulder issues.
A few days ago, I strung the 99s with all syn gut (Gosen 16g) at 58lbs to see how it would play and to see if my shoulder would be ok with it. To my shock, the 99s played horribly with this string setup. No consistency in the string bed. I had many flyers, especially on the forehand side. I was very disappointed. Also, I felt the lighter weight compared to the 12oz + 6.1 95 was causing shoulder pains (maybe because I'm used to a heavier racket), although the pain maybe associated with how bad the string played.
Anyway, what a contrast to how well the 99s played for me with all 4G 16g at 52lbs.
I'll probably give the 99s one last shot with 4G 16g at 45lbs. It really does play great with poly.
I agree, you need polys
I just strung mine up with the 4GS at 45lbs. And I think it produces a much more consistent string bed then running the 16gauge 4G at 62lbs.
It took a few hits to dial in my trajectory a little bit, but once I did I feel that the low tension thicker gauge moves in a more predictable way. No sprayed balls, and serving was dialed. The thicker gauge gives me a little less ball feel at net, but nothing I could not get used to.
It took a few hits to dial in my trajectory a little bit, but once I did I feel that the low tension thicker gauge moves in a more predictable way. No sprayed balls, and serving was dialed. The thicker gauge gives me a little less ball feel at net, but nothing I could not get used to.
I am using the 105s too. Where did you put the lead?
the grip area and inside the handle.
