ClaudTT
Semi-Pro
Totally agree, and the frame acts differently also as it should with 'dead' mass.
Ultimate racquet of choice - tournament players and/or coaches
- Thread starter galapagos
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- best racquet holy grail
I had a Major Bullitt Elite racquet a bunch of years ago. I bought it for that very reason- it was the racquet Verdasco really used under the Tec pj. It played really nice. I ended up selling it though.
galapagos
Hall of Fame
ye, ltd are very "old school" while RS is like taking something "traditional" and injecting yonex ezone philosophy. More power, more spin, more comfort, more more more
Even ezones have that little hint of traditional racquets with narrower bridge. It goes from 24mm to 19mm ! So modern racquets really try to mix best of both worlds and i respect that. However I prefer "traditional" with some tweaking rather than modern with tweaking (I enjoy RS line more than Ezone line for that reason)
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Do you have any info on the specs of the new Tf40 ?
ClaudTT
Semi-Pro
YEAAAAHHH !!! totally agree. I just proved to myself last night... 3 sets singles (lost 3-4-5) against a young hard hitter, started with the RS300 (custom) and then went back in time a little to the TF40 and finally Ltd all same specs and Hybrid strings. All awesome rackets and more power > more ball manipulation for all court game.ye, ltd are very "old school" while RS is like taking something "traditional" and injecting yonex ezone philosophy. More power, more spin, more comfort, more more more
To summarize: am waiting for the 'new TF40'...
ClaudTT
Semi-Pro
Sorry I don't, and only know that is ~98 with 'thinner beam'... great feel, more head boost ala TF40 ie: free power. With new cross sections with the known technologies.
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ClaudTT
Semi-Pro
Yes, it needed customization. I raised both the SW and Polar to my liking ~325 & ~16.5 kcm^2 W 360 gr
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galapagos
Hall of Fame
My favourites:
Diadem Elevate FS 98 16x20 (customized)
Angell TC 95 63 ra 16x19
Tecnifibre Tfight RS305 18x19 (customized)
interesting fact: they are all foam filled
im not sure which one is my favourite. Switching between them. Now messing around with Diadem and i am very happy. Might actually remove some weight from the handle. No need to add anything to head for my needs…
close but behind:
Head Speed pro 360+
Head Gravity pro
Head prestige MP 360 +
still quite excited about Blade v7 18x20. 16x19 i already tried and it was very good but not good enough to really make me wanna play the lottery game with Wilson QC…
What are your preferred Tc95 specs?
galapagos
Hall of Fame
320g/310mm balance 294-297 SW unstrung without this little rubber thing on the grip (2grams) and added 2 grams of lead to the bottom of the handle xd
galapagos
Hall of Fame
i also tried tc95 in 310g/315mm, 320g/305mm, 315g/310mm and many 320g/310mm with SW from 290 to 305...
tc97 in 310g/315mm and 320g/310mm
tc100 in 320g/305mm and 315g/310mm...
i dont remember them all but enough to know some basics i guess xd
show, do you use one or two hands on your left? what are the specifications of your Tecnifibre rs 305?
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Yeah I agree the Dunlop has better feel for sure. The Head is more pick up and play. I have a SW machine, scale and balance board now so adding lead is super easy. Its the only reason I bought the Dunlop and it paid off. I hit the target specs I wanted and never looked back, as the frame plays great.
I hated adding lead too until I was able to measure SW accurately. For example, my Tfight LTD verdasco copy has a SW of like 345 because I was just adding lead until I thought it had enough power. Do not recommend that strategy,haha.
Happi
Hall of Fame
You should try out the old Prince POG OS 107, such a great frame and there is a reason it is still around after 30+ years. They nailed it, very unique racquet, 19mm beam and foam filled.
It have the power of a TC100 but the control of a TC95, and a spin monster. Works best for a 2 hander.
galapagos
Hall of Fame
why 16x19... it's probably like packing tc95 and tc100 together into one frame. There were some other frames from Prince more exciting I think. 100p something something and 97p something something xd I am that bad at Prince lineup. It seems they have several versions of 100p? Including different weights and materials ? So confusing.
Hit 'em clean
Semi-Pro
Enjoying your reviews... thanks for the effort! Curiously I had the exact same reaction to the Elevate FS 98 as you did. My main stick is the Speed Pro 360+ which I love, but I've been giving the Elevate FS 98 a serious go. First time I demoed I did not like the string set up... it was interesting, but I sent it back. Eventually I decided to just buy it and put their Solstice power strings in (which I also liked in the Blade)... figured it would give it a little more pop and spin that I though it was lacking... and Voila it came alive! I did a recent review and stated the exact same thing (hadn't read yours yet)... felt like a Speed Pro 360+ to me but in a 98sq in head. Slightly more pop and spin, but very similar.
I think the Elevate's extra spin potential might keep it from going through the court as much as the Speed Pro does. That might be a little of what you're seeing with your opponents having a bit of an easier time returning. My opponents are having difficulty with the heavy spin I'm putting on the ball. I strung mine with 17ga at 48lbs which works well for me.
I think the thing that has impressed me the most is the weight of shot and how stable the frame is at it's stock weight... really absorbs pace well. 16x20 pattern is such a wicked combination allowing me to make it play like an 18x20 or 16x19 pattern depending on how I swing. Really enjoying this stick!
Gee
Hall of Fame
Did you already compare your (customized) Elevate with the Prestige?
The PMP 360+ still continues to intrigue me because the specs are close to perfect to me. Maybe I prefer just a little higher sw (ca. 330 SW) but that is an easy fix with a little of lead and leather grip to me.
However the only thing that is holding me back to buy the PMP 360+ is that it is not foam filled but maybe this is an unjust rejection.
galapagos
Hall of Fame
Yes. Strung it with the same string (solstice power at 1kg less than diadem so 23 kg) . Power lvl was crazy low. I had to give everything i had to make something interesting with the ball and still sometimes it was not enough on my backhand.
My friend who is a huge prestige fan laughed at me and said to never string prestige above 22 kg
galapagos
Hall of Fame
Lets say Elevate power lvl uncustomized is around 4.5-5 / 10 then prestige at same tension is around 1Yes. Strung it with the same string (solstice power at 1kg less than diadem so 23 kg) . Power lvl was crazy low. I had to give everything i had to make something interesting with the ball and still sometimes it was not enough on my backhand.
My friend who is a huge prestige fan laughed at me and said to never string prestige above 22 kg
tecnifibre RS 305 is around 3-4 and angell tc95 16x19 (320g) is around 7
Gee
Hall of Fame
Yes. Strung it with the same string (solstice power at 1kg less than diadem so 23 kg) . Power lvl was crazy low. I had to give everything i had to make something interesting with the ball and still sometimes it was not enough on my backhand.
My friend who is a huge prestige fan laughed at me and said to never string prestige above 22 kg
Allright this makes sense.Lets say Elevate power lvl uncustomized is around 4.5-5 / 10 then prestige at same tension is around 1
The prestige is all about control and that would need a lot of customizing in order to increase the power potential to a similar level as my Angell TC95 16m. I also guess I'll win more with the Elevate and TC95.
Besides I sold 2 Wilson Ultra Tours but still own one so I'll rule out the Prestige.
galapagos
Hall of Fame
Or…string it very low. Like 21/20 kg. I remember playtesting prestige 2 years ago and it had very low tension (as expected from demo racquet in the shop) . The performance was the closest to my angell regarding feel of the loop, power potential etc. Of course launch angle is much different (i guess better for us) and spin potential (a bit worse).
I will string it soon again but very low to see if it can jump into angell or Elevate territory of playability (how easy it is to perform at certain lvl).
Gee
Hall of Fame
You mean the IG prestige MP? I also played that one for a year. Very nice precision but I had to heavily customize it in order to get enough plow. Qua performance very similar to my TC95 18m (330grams 12pts HL 308SW unstrung) but a less comfortable firmer crisper feel than the Angells due to the lack of foam. Maybe I also strung it too tight.
Curious about your further experiences with a lower string tension.
galapagos
Hall of Fame
Gravity Tour dropping soon
are you already testing her?Gravity Tour dropping soon
galapagos
Hall of Fame
I finished testing it but really didnt have the time to write a proper review. Currently back to diadem Elevate. Trying to find out if it can take down my angell tc95…as a backup i have rs305 (customized) and prestige mp (waiting for the tension to drop lol)
I started to dig the concept of bigger headsizes (than 95). Switching from hard to clay season can be a challenge
smithie
Semi-Pro
Choo choo, the hype train is coming into the station!Gravity Tour dropping soon
put for us @galapagos
@Gee @galapagos any recommendation for a 1,30mm poly string to put in the elevate FS? I just bought a used one and I’m thinking of a thicker gauge because op the open mains and something medium soft. Btw this is my first racquet purchase in around 7 months, hence its been a while
galapagos
Hall of Fame
I am Elevate newbie still but i really liked solstice power 1.25 and i think solinco confidential should work well.@Gee @galapagos any recommendation for a 1,30mm poly string to put in the elevate FS? I just bought a used one and I’m thinking of a thicker gauge because op the open mains and something medium soft. Btw this is my first racquet purchase in around 7 months, hence its been a while
I will try mayami tour hex too. Maybe Alu power ice blue , signum pro firestorm. In general not too stiff and not too dead but spin oriented. With 1.30 poly i would string probably No higher than 23kg.
@galapagos , which rope do you use on your technifibre rs 305?
Boubi
Professional
Try red code
galapagos
Hall of Fame
I would go with razor code or black code. Red code if razor code is too low powered (still a lot of control). Mayami tour hex sounds like a must try. I found one youtuber with RS and tour hex.
Maybe volkl cyclone… solinco confidential. Kinda strings that people would use in blade and yonex (especially ezone) frames. Dont string higher than 23kg.
@galapagos is it an indication of a racket that has more ball weight and a little more spin than the rs 305 tecnifibre?
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galapagos
Hall of Fame
There is always something in reference to something thats why racquet testing is so exciting
never perfect.i would first try to lower the tension. It should offer more power and spin. Thats my plan with Elevate as well and without the mods. I like mine 320/310 but i was so connected to the stock specs that i am not sure whats better. To have more power potential or better connection with the racke
I see many young guns with radical that are stringing very low like 21/20 kg , 22 max and they are hitting some crazy balls.
but if you want a new toy i think blade 16x19 would be my first demo. Then Maybe speed pro. It has 18x20 pattern but in 100” headsize it makes sense
Gee
Hall of Fame
I only played with Diadem Flash 1.20 at 22/21 kg and Tecnifibre Triax 1.28 at 26kg. Both strings feel well in my Elevates. However I also guess a slightly thicker gauge might be even better.@Gee @galapagos any recommendation for a 1,30mm poly string to put in the elevate FS? I just bought a used one and I’m thinking of a thicker gauge because op the open mains and something medium soft. Btw this is my first racquet purchase in around 7 months, hence its been a while
galapagos
Hall of Fame
LONG TIME NO SEE ! Long-awaited HEAD Gravity Tour review !
I prefer the newest paintjob from 2021. Who is with me?
I am always trying to summarize my reviews with one sentence. Here is for the gravity tour:
- The easiest to play control oriented frame on the market
Playing with gravity tour was very refreshing. It is low powered (very similar power lvl to prestige MP or stock extreme tour) which gives confidence to swing out and 100" headsize boosts that confidence even more.
I am a strong believer in 100" 18x20 combo. In 98" or 95" I would rather see 18x19 or tight 16x19. 16x20 is a cool option too.
Very comfortable and actually feels (and swings) thinner than 22mm. So maybe Gravity Pro should be 21 instead of 20 ?
Is it an easier to use Gravity Pro? Hmm... Yes. That's the closest racquet and much easier to swing and it feels just like the specs are indicating (maybe slightly fastert han what I would imagine from 325 SW). Gravity Pro also plays faster than the specs are telling but I would say the weight distribution sometimes give you the hints of a heavier racquet while you don't exactly feel it heavy
if that makes any sense to you? - this particular weight distribution in gravity pro was driving me crazy. At some point I felt that I need more plow, I want to feel my racquet to be more solid (kinda less empty feeling) but then my wrist says hold on bro, and then my serve says "lol are you joking?"
So of course, with Gravity Tour I also felt that emptiness slightly but it was exactly as expected from this specs and I gained more acceleration.
It is only slightly less stable than gravity pro but maybe a bit too unstable for me. It's 100" control oriented, fast frame so make sure to swing faster and you will be fine. Not exactly the best racquet to "block" the ball so returning a first serve bomb can be trickier than with heavier frames.
Spin potential is good, it's not magic but the design is really making it easier to import and understand technique (it encourages you to improve and is not punishing that hard for being too lazy).
The only part where it can punish you is by being so low powered the ball can be placed short.
That's why I am not a fan of Babolat. They can be too lively and in a "shaping" process it can "encourage" to slow down your RHS which is actually the worst thing. Babolats can be great if:
-you already are a shaped player and simply want more power from your racquets
-you are not really focused on improving, you just want to have fun and smack some balls from time to time (you probably play 1day a week and not really interested in competitive matches)
-you want to improve, you are competitive and you are more "excited" by the bigger power potential rather than "worried"
When I was altering Gravity Tour with Diadem Elevate my sparing partner said that it looks like I feel better with Diadem while it is harder for him to return balls from Gravity Tour. Go figure....haha
Funny way to describe gravity tour:
---Head made legendary Prestige line, Wilson had to copy it but made headsiz from 95" to 98".
---Wilson made legendary Blade line, Head had to copy it but made headsize from 98" to 100"
So ye, who is it for?
- gravity pro is too demanding but you loved overall performance and feel
- perfect racquet for a less advanced/younger but very talented player before the potential switch to speed pro, gravity pro or prestige mp in the future (from head) and blade (wilson)
- you are a blade guy but you want something easier to play with (while keeping the power lvl actually lower)
- you are a speed guy but want something easier to play with (while keeping the power lvl actually lower)
- you just want to have some fun on the courts and not really after competitive matches
- you really enjoy Yonex frames and their weight distribution but you want to switch to something else but still forgiving
I rate it at 7.2 for it's overall performance and how easy it is to pick and play
what could be improved? I am slightly worried that for my game and my opponents this could be slightly too unstable (not enough solid). Also I am not really an aggresive player while Gravity Tour is gaining most with higher RHS. But the design, concept and the execution absolutely at highest lvl from Head and overall It's a very competitive frame on the market (not many are similar but it covers a lot of grounds from other top selling frames)
rest of the frames (click)
say hello on IG ! @dandan.tennis
I prefer the newest paintjob from 2021. Who is with me?
I am always trying to summarize my reviews with one sentence. Here is for the gravity tour:
- The easiest to play control oriented frame on the market
Playing with gravity tour was very refreshing. It is low powered (very similar power lvl to prestige MP or stock extreme tour) which gives confidence to swing out and 100" headsize boosts that confidence even more.
I am a strong believer in 100" 18x20 combo. In 98" or 95" I would rather see 18x19 or tight 16x19. 16x20 is a cool option too.
Very comfortable and actually feels (and swings) thinner than 22mm. So maybe Gravity Pro should be 21 instead of 20 ?
Is it an easier to use Gravity Pro? Hmm... Yes. That's the closest racquet and much easier to swing and it feels just like the specs are indicating (maybe slightly fastert han what I would imagine from 325 SW). Gravity Pro also plays faster than the specs are telling but I would say the weight distribution sometimes give you the hints of a heavier racquet while you don't exactly feel it heavy
if that makes any sense to you? - this particular weight distribution in gravity pro was driving me crazy. At some point I felt that I need more plow, I want to feel my racquet to be more solid (kinda less empty feeling) but then my wrist says hold on bro, and then my serve says "lol are you joking?"
So of course, with Gravity Tour I also felt that emptiness slightly but it was exactly as expected from this specs and I gained more acceleration.
It is only slightly less stable than gravity pro but maybe a bit too unstable for me. It's 100" control oriented, fast frame so make sure to swing faster and you will be fine. Not exactly the best racquet to "block" the ball so returning a first serve bomb can be trickier than with heavier frames.
Spin potential is good, it's not magic but the design is really making it easier to import and understand technique (it encourages you to improve and is not punishing that hard for being too lazy).
The only part where it can punish you is by being so low powered the ball can be placed short.
That's why I am not a fan of Babolat. They can be too lively and in a "shaping" process it can "encourage" to slow down your RHS which is actually the worst thing. Babolats can be great if:
-you already are a shaped player and simply want more power from your racquets
-you are not really focused on improving, you just want to have fun and smack some balls from time to time (you probably play 1day a week and not really interested in competitive matches)
-you want to improve, you are competitive and you are more "excited" by the bigger power potential rather than "worried"
When I was altering Gravity Tour with Diadem Elevate my sparing partner said that it looks like I feel better with Diadem while it is harder for him to return balls from Gravity Tour. Go figure....haha
Funny way to describe gravity tour:
---Head made legendary Prestige line, Wilson had to copy it but made headsiz from 95" to 98".
---Wilson made legendary Blade line, Head had to copy it but made headsize from 98" to 100"
So ye, who is it for?
- gravity pro is too demanding but you loved overall performance and feel
- perfect racquet for a less advanced/younger but very talented player before the potential switch to speed pro, gravity pro or prestige mp in the future (from head) and blade (wilson)
- you are a blade guy but you want something easier to play with (while keeping the power lvl actually lower)
- you are a speed guy but want something easier to play with (while keeping the power lvl actually lower)
- you just want to have some fun on the courts and not really after competitive matches
- you really enjoy Yonex frames and their weight distribution but you want to switch to something else but still forgiving
I rate it at 7.2 for it's overall performance and how easy it is to pick and play
what could be improved? I am slightly worried that for my game and my opponents this could be slightly too unstable (not enough solid). Also I am not really an aggresive player while Gravity Tour is gaining most with higher RHS. But the design, concept and the execution absolutely at highest lvl from Head and overall It's a very competitive frame on the market (not many are similar but it covers a lot of grounds from other top selling frames)
rest of the frames (click)
say hello on IG !
@dandan.tennis
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t_pac
Semi-Pro
Interesting, I wouldn't have said the Gravity Tour was that low powered. Not a canon by any means but I actually thought it had a nice amount of free power.
Unfortunately for me the day after my play test with it my elbow was destroyed. I find it hard to believe the GT caused it as it's a pretty low RA plus I had it strung with Gut/poly. Maybe something in the way the frame vibrates that my elbow didn't like? Probably a coincidence, but hadn't had any elbow issues for a long time before using it.
Too scared to give it another go now as just not worth the risk, would rather stick with my TF40s. I really like the way it plays though.
Unfortunately for me the day after my play test with it my elbow was destroyed. I find it hard to believe the GT caused it as it's a pretty low RA plus I had it strung with Gut/poly. Maybe something in the way the frame vibrates that my elbow didn't like? Probably a coincidence, but hadn't had any elbow issues for a long time before using it.
Too scared to give it another go now as just not worth the risk, would rather stick with my TF40s. I really like the way it plays though.
galapagos
Hall of Fame
Gut poly always adds some power
Final specs elevate FS non-Tour with leather and 2 OG’s: 331g and 7pts HL. This is with full poly 1,3 mains/ 1,25 crosses. Indeed leather is kind of the same weight as the original RG. And shadow swinging it around - I don’t think it needs lead in the hoop as per recomm. Galapagos. Probably also the result of thick(er) poly strings. Hopefully i can hit some balls with it soon
ClaudTT
Semi-Pro
Yeah, I had the same problem many many years ago after playing with a very low RA racket: Rossignol F200 (Wilander's) and I loved the racket !!! never missed a backhand, but my elbow said Thanks but no thanks.
Happi
Hall of Fame
Looking very much forward to the TC95 review. If possible compare to TC100 and perhaps TC95 18M.extreme tour or tc95 next ?
Gee
Hall of Fame
TC95extreme tour or tc95 next ?
