A more durable Element???

[ryushen21]

Does such a string exist?

I've been using a hybrid of Tier One Tour Status and Element Rough in my VCore 100 and I love the feel and response. However, it feels like the Element is starting to die quite a bit faster than the Tour Status.

Is there anything else out there that might have a longer life but have similar characteristics?

 

[LOBALOT]

I would stay away from elements in the bottom of the periodic table as they are usually produced in a laboratory and last for an instant in time.

 

[ryushen21]

I would stay away from elements in the bottom of the periodic table as they are usually produced in a laboratory and last for an instant in time.

Yeah, they usually have some really nasty side effects too.

 

[McGradey]

Love Element, such a quality string

I would be interested to see what people suggest here. I get decent life in an 18x20 with Element, but I can see that it would die very quickly in an open string pattern.

 

[LOBALOT]

It is a great string for advanced tournament kids who are transitioning from softer setups and frequently snapping string and moving into the world of polys.

 

[puppybutts]

you could try kirschbaum max power rough. but their strings are prestretched, so depending on what you mean by "die", you may not like it.

if by "die" you simply mean the tension loss, you could try a multifilament

 

[alexio]

wolfram

 

[Injured Again]

Does such a string exist?

I've been using a hybrid of Tier One Tour Status and Element Rough in my VCore 100 and I love the feel and response. However, it feels like the Element is starting to die quite a bit faster than the Tour Status.

Is there anything else out there that might have a longer life but have similar characteristics?

I strung up an Element hybrid for a guy that had the same kind of impression - that the cross retained playability longer than the Element mains. I strung up one gauge thinner crosses with one gauge thicker Element and increased playability duration by about a third. The thinner crosses cut into the Element more quickly but the thicker gauge of Element offset that somewhat. In either case, playability was more consistent and this combo sometimes let him play until breakage, which never previously happened - the strings were always cut out due to tension loss on the Element mains.

 

[ryushen21]

I strung up an Element hybrid for a guy that had the same kind of impression - that the cross retained playability longer than the Element mains. I strung up one gauge thinner crosses with one gauge thicker Element and increased playability duration by about a third. The thinner crosses cut into the Element more quickly but the thicker gauge of Element offset that somewhat. In either case, playability was more consistent and this combo sometimes let him play until breakage, which never previously happened - the strings were always cut out due to tension loss on the Element mains.

I haven't measured it, but my guess would be I've had a decent tension drop with Element Rough as well. It's resulted in good bite/pocketing so I'm not too mad.

But, it's hard to justify the cost of Element if it's not going to hold up. I've got about 12 hours on this string job and I know that's not bad, but I'm probably going to cut it out.

Alas, I don't know if there is anything else out there that like Element but holds up better.

 

[Jouke]

you could try kirschbaum max power rough. but their strings are prestretched, so depending on what you mean by "die", you may not like it.

if by "die" you simply mean the tension loss, you could try a multifilament

Kirschbaum max power is a damn hard string. It’s nothing like element imho.

 

[1HBHfanatic]

-something that feels like element???
-maybe luxilon.smart!?!
-maybe head.lynx.tour!?!
-maybe babolat.rpm.POWER!??? round, but soft

-something new coming down the pipeline : head.hawk.POWER,
-slick, soft, more durable IMO, but its round
-would be a good cross string IMO

 

[Injured Again]

Alas, I don't know if there is anything else out there that like Element but holds up better.

I really haven't found anything like Element. When I was dealing with wrist issues, I tried a number of well-known, softer strings and they all had some characteristic that was noticeably worse than Element, whether that was initial feel, overall tension loss, or durability. Probably the best of the bunch was Cyclone Tour, with the worst characteristic of it being tension loss which was more than Element, but it did provide greater spin capability and because of the cheap cost, I didn't mind restringing it often. Six to eight hours max was what I got out of it before tension loss made loss of control an issue. If you find something that is better than Element, I'm all ears!

 

[Trip]

@ryushen21 - I did a search for all strings in RacketPedia in gauges 1.27 - 1.33 (ie. 1.30 +/- .03) for qualities as close to Element Rough as possible, save for at least 10% (or more) higher Tension Maintenance, and the best overall result was Diadem Flash 1.30, per the graphic and specs below (click to enlarge):

As you can see, suppleness won't be quite as high (a combo of Peak Resilience and Elasticity), but Comfort and Power are identical and Dynamic Stiffness (ie. stiffness strung in the racket) is actually slightly lower at 235g/mm, versus Element Rough at 245g/mm, which means overall string bed behavior will be very close (Flash feels slightly stiffer in the hand -- higher static stiffness -- but is actually a bit less stiff once it's strung in the frame -- lower dynamic stiffness). The main benefits should be noticeably higher tension maintenance and a bit more control and spin. Also, despite the spec data listing 1.30 as the max gauge, Flash does come in 1.35, if you need to fill in the string spacing and/or calm down the string bed even more.

Also, there's no official lab data for Tier One Ghostwire 1.27, but I would give that a try as well if you haven't already.

Hope that helps!

 

[Pumpkin]

I really haven't found anything like Element. When I was dealing with wrist issues, I tried a number of well-known, softer strings and they all had some characteristic that was noticeably worse than Element, whether that was initial feel, overall tension loss, or durability. Probably the best of the bunch was Cyclone Tour, with the worst characteristic of it being tension loss which was more than Element, but it did provide greater spin capability and because of the cheap cost, I didn't mind restringing it often. Six to eight hours max was what I got out of it before tension loss made loss of control an issue. If you find something that is better than Element, I'm all ears!

Oh wow. Interesting post. I'm experimenting with softer polys at the moment and am ready to try element next. I've just tried black code. Element is very expensive but maybe because it's good.

 

[Pumpkin]

@ryushen21 - I did a search for all strings in RacketPedia in gauges 1.27 - 1.33 (ie. 1.30 +/- .03) for qualities as close to Element Rough as possible, save for at least 10% (or more) higher Tension Maintenance, and the best overall result was Diadem Flash 1.30, per the graphic and specs below (click to enlarge):

As you can see, suppleness won't be quite as high (a combo of Peak Resilience and Elasticity), but Comfort and Power are identical and Dynamic Stiffness (ie. stiffness strung in the racket) is actually slightly lower at 235g/mm, versus Element Rough at 245g/mm, which means overall string bed behavior will be very close (Flash feels slightly stiffer in the hand -- higher static stiffness -- but is actually a bit less stiff once it's strung in the frame -- lower dynamic stiffness). The main benefits should be noticeably higher tension maintenance and a bit more control and spin. Also, despite the spec data listing 1.30 as the max gauge, Flash does come in 1.35, if you need to fill in the string spacing and/or calm down the string bed even more.

Also, there's no official lab data for Tier One Ghostwire 1.27, but I would give that a try as well if you haven't already.

Hope that helps!

Those charts and data to me are a rough guide. You can't tell until you use the string. Never trust a scientist.

 

[Trip]

@Pumpkin - 100%. He'll have to play the string to really know. That said, based on my personal experience with about 40-50 reference strings, RP's data tends to correlate pretty well to real-world playability. It's certainly not to be taken as gospel truth, but I'd also say they are closer than they are further away to being able to predict how a string will play just from the numbers. Take that for what it's worth, your mileage may vary, batteries not included, grain of salt, etc. etc.

 

[LOBALOT]

@Pumpkin - 100%. He'll have to play the string to really know. That said, based on my personal experience with about 40-50 reference strings, RP's data tends to correlate pretty well to real-world playability. It's certainly not to be taken as gospel truth, but I'd also say they are closer than they are further away to being able to predict how a string will play just from the numbers. Take that for what it's worth, your mileage may vary, batteries not included, grain of salt, etc. etc.

Right, I agree. Don't forget Element is a multi/poly string. One string I have been thinking about was Head Lynx Touch but I have not played with it to compare it to Element.

 

[Trip]

I liked Lynx Touch overall (was on the playtest), but stability and durability was not really one of its strongpoints, so I question its playable longevity in a VCore 100 under much more than, say, intermediate level hitting, but again, the only way to truly know is to try it.

 

[LOBALOT]

I liked Lynx Touch overall (was on the playtest), but stability and durability was not really one of its strongpoints, so I question its playable longevity in a VCore 100 under much more than, say, intermediate level hitting, but again, the only way to truly know is to try it.

Exactly, that is my thought too. Element is so unique I think one needs to just try other options including Lynx Touch and see how it plays especially as string/racquet/setup is such a personal preference.

I do see from the table you sent that it says Element's longevity is 6-10 hours so would think Lynx Touch would be similar. I wonder what the table shows.

 

[Space_D]

What about Signum Pro Firestorm? I've tried both and feel like it plays pretty similar to Element (even has a similar color).

Edit: I should add the durability of Firestorm is probably on par with Element (as in, not much better). However, it is much cheaper so more cost efficient from a re-stringing standpoint.

 

[LOBALOT]

What about Signum Pro Firestorm? I've tried both and feel like it plays pretty similar to Element (even has a similar color).

Wow, I missed this one. From a quick gander at the string comparison tool that is a great suggestion! Probably even better than my Lynx Touch.

 

[LOBALOT]

I think this thread is a pretty handy one in that as I indicated Element is a great option for tournament kids switching into poly. However, Element is so dang expensive and these kids start to snap string (any string) at this age very quickly. Any savings in string is helpful for parents given all they spend on tennis.

 

[TennisJrDad]

Was he using Element or Element Rough?

@ryushen21 - I did a search for all strings in RacketPedia in gauges 1.27 - 1.33 (ie. 1.30 +/- .03) for qualities as close to Element Rough as possible, save for at least 10% (or more) higher Tension Maintenance, and the best overall result was Diadem Flash 1.30, per the graphic and specs below (click to enlarge):

As you can see, suppleness won't be quite as high (a combo of Peak Resilience and Elasticity), but Comfort and Power are identical and Dynamic Stiffness (ie. stiffness strung in the racket) is actually slightly lower at 235g/mm, versus Element Rough at 245g/mm, which means overall string bed behavior will be very close (Flash feels slightly stiffer in the hand -- higher static stiffness -- but is actually a bit less stiff once it's strung in the frame -- lower dynamic stiffness). The main benefits should be noticeably higher tension maintenance and a bit more control and spin. Also, despite the spec data listing 1.30 as the max gauge, Flash does come in 1.35, if you need to fill in the string spacing and/or calm down the string bed even more.

Also, there's no official lab data for Tier One Ghostwire 1.27, but I would give that a try as well if you haven't already.

Hope that helps!

 

[ryushen21]

@ryushen21 - I did a search for all strings in RacketPedia in gauges 1.27 - 1.33 (ie. 1.30 +/- .03) for qualities as close to Element Rough as possible, save for at least 10% (or more) higher Tension Maintenance, and the best overall result was Diadem Flash 1.30, per the graphic and specs below (click to enlarge):

As you can see, suppleness won't be quite as high (a combo of Peak Resilience and Elasticity), but Comfort and Power are identical and Dynamic Stiffness (ie. stiffness strung in the racket) is actually slightly lower at 235g/mm, versus Element Rough at 245g/mm, which means overall string bed behavior will be very close (Flash feels slightly stiffer in the hand -- higher static stiffness -- but is actually a bit less stiff once it's strung in the frame -- lower dynamic stiffness). The main benefits should be noticeably higher tension maintenance and a bit more control and spin. Also, despite the spec data listing 1.30 as the max gauge, Flash does come in 1.35, if you need to fill in the string spacing and/or calm down the string bed even more.

Also, there's no official lab data for Tier One Ghostwire 1.27, but I would give that a try as well if you haven't already.

Hope that helps!

Thanks for the analysis! I have Ghost Wire but it doesn't give me the same vibes as Element does. Although, a textured version of GW could be something interesting. Maybe @TierOneSportsOfficial can get on that for us!

Oh wow. Interesting post. I'm experimenting with softer polys at the moment and am ready to try element next. I've just tried black code. Element is very expensive but maybe because it's good.

This is the main issue with any Lux string. They're great, expensive, and die fast.

Right, I agree. Don't forget Element is a multi/poly string. One string I have been thinking about was Head Lynx Touch but I have not played with it to compare it to Element.

I had a few seeding sets of the Lynx Touch. It wasn't particularly memorable for me and I feel like Element was the superior choice between the two.

Was he using Element or Element Rough?

I am using Element Rough.

 

[Pumpkin]

I feel that looking for the perfect string is like looking for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

 

[Pumpkin]

Does anyone know the differences between element and element rough in terms of the advantages and disadvantages?

 

[K1Y]

I tried signum pro firestorm and its a perfect soft poly that doesnt feel muted so I think it should fit the "element player" bill

 

[Chairman3]

I think the new Head Hawk Power could be a contender. I was on the playtest.
Not stiff feeling, decent tension maintenance or at least the tension loss isn't dramatic and the string remains playable.
The feel is slightly muted, but I found it really depends on the racquet you use it in.

 

[fuzz nation]

Does such a string exist?

I've been using a hybrid of Tier One Tour Status and Element Rough in my VCore 100 and I love the feel and response. However, it feels like the Element is starting to die quite a bit faster than the Tour Status.

Is there anything else out there that might have a longer life but have similar characteristics?

I'm not a poly player, but I do know that Element isn't isn't as firm or rigid as some options out there. My boss at the club where we taught for several years loved to use Element as a cross in a hybrid with NXT mains in his own frames - last check, he was using the Clash 98.

I like to use Gosen OGSM 16 as a cross in many hybrids I do for locals who use my services. That syn. gut is relatively firm for that string type and it's also both slippery and nicely durable. Syn. gut generally doesn't seem to go dead the same way that polys can, so this particular syn. gut seems to be a better than average option as a cross string. It's also affordable.

I like moderately soft syn. guts in full beds in my own frames - Babolat, Prince Original, and Kirschbaum are usually in my racquets - but when I've used those in poly hybrids for others, they don't seem to work quite as well overall compared with OGSM. Just be careful with the tension on the Gosen. It's a stiffer syn. gut, so it doesn't need to be too snug to do its job.

 

[jimmy8]

Tourna Grit might be worth a try

 

[jonathane40]

I'm not a poly player, but I do know that Element isn't isn't as firm or rigid as some options out there. My boss at the club where we taught for several years loved to use Element as a cross in a hybrid with NXT mains in his own frames - last check, he was using the Clash 98.

I like to use Gosen OGSM 16 as a cross in many hybrids I do for locals who use my services. That syn. gut is relatively firm for that string type and it's also both slippery and nicely durable. Syn. gut generally doesn't seem to go dead the same way that polys can, so this particular syn. gut seems to be a better than average option as a cross string. It's also affordable.

I like moderately soft syn. guts in full beds in my own frames - Babolat, Prince Original, and Kirschbaum are usually in my racquets - but when I've used those in poly hybrids for others, they don't seem to work quite as well overall compared with OGSM. Just be careful with the tension on the Gosen. It's a stiffer syn. gut, so it doesn't need to be too snug to do its job.

Have you tried Gosen OGSM 16 in the crosses with a multifilament string like Head Velocity MLT 16 or Tecnifibre Multifeel 16 in the mains? I am currently using both of these multis either in full bed or Velocity in the Mains and Multifeel in the crosses with good results. However, their coating does wear out and then they lock in and there is less SnapBack. cheers!

 

[fuzz nation]

Have you tried Gosen OGSM 16 in the crosses with a multifilament string like Head Velocity MLT 16 or Tecnifibre Multifeel 16 in the mains? I am currently using both of these multis either in full bed or Velocity in the Mains and Multifeel in the crosses with good results. However, their coating does wear out and then they lock in and there is less SnapBack. cheers!

I've primarily used the OGSM as a cross in a poly hybrid, but not as a cross with a multi main. I'd expect it to work okay with the right string though.

I do believe that these sorts of combos can be a gamble. Some string combos seem to be better at sliding against each other compared with some others. A pal of mine was looking for some extra comfort in his setup along with half-decent control, so he asked to try a multi/syn. gut hybrid a couple summers ago. I only remember using Prince Premier Control in his mains, but the syn. gut was something softer than Gosen. He didn't like that layout at all (much too harsh for him), but I also strung his other frame with a full bed of syn. gut - maybe Kirschbaum 16 - and he thought that was really good. My guess with the hybrid was that the two strings didn't interact very well.

 

[LOBALOT]

I've primarily used the OGSM as a cross in a poly hybrid, but not as a cross with a multi main. I'd expect it to work okay with the right string though.

I do believe that these sorts of combos can be a gamble. Some string combos seem to be better at sliding against each other compared with some others. A pal of mine was looking for some extra comfort in his setup along with half-decent control, so he asked to try a multi/syn. gut hybrid a couple summers ago. I only remember using Prince Premier Control in his mains, but the syn. gut was something softer than Gosen. He didn't like that layout at all (much too harsh for him), but I also strung his other frame with a full bed of syn. gut - maybe Kirschbaum 16 - and he thought that was really good. My guess with the hybrid was that the two strings didn't interact very well.

I really don't have any luck with anything soft in the crosses OGSM or otherwise. I really think if one needs a softer setup with today's polys they can find a nice one to use as a cross and then experiment with a softer string that holds tension well in the mains if this is the direction they are looking to head. Any setups I have tried with synthetic gut or multi in the cross tend to lock up quickly.

 

[ryushen21]

When I'm finally able to play again, I'm going to start with Ghost Wire crosses as I'm most familiar with them and compare it to Element the easiest. I saw a few of the recommendations for Lynx Tour but I'm not sure it's the feel response that I'm looking for since I've previously used LT/Element together. Firestorm looks the most intriguing of the recs y'all gave me.

 

[TomTennis495]

The element is a wonderful string. I get about 4 to 5 matches with a full bed before they go dead on me. So roughly 8-10 hours is how long they last for me. Im a 4.5 and hit hard, mainly from the baseline.

 

[Znak]

When I'm finally able to play again, I'm going to start with Ghost Wire crosses as I'm most familiar with them and compare it to Element the easiest. I saw a few of the recommendations for Lynx Tour but I'm not sure it's the feel response that I'm looking for since I've previously used LT/Element together. Firestorm looks the most intriguing of the recs y'all gave me.

Did you do any more testing on this one? Looking for a cheaper alt too, can't justify the $40 price tag the local store near me is charging

 

[Power Player]

When I'm finally able to play again, I'm going to start with Ghost Wire crosses as I'm most familiar with them and compare it to Element the easiest. I saw a few of the recommendations for Lynx Tour but I'm not sure it's the feel response that I'm looking for since I've previously used LT/Element together. Firestorm looks the most intriguing of the recs y'all gave me.

Ghost Wire is not really like Element at all. GW is a soft and mushy string for a poly, while Element still has a lot of crispness blended with the softer response.

I have not tried Firestorm.

Honestly this may sound crazy but the best substitute for Element may actually Gosen Polybreak. A comfortable, round poly that is pretty slept on and barely anybody uses. I am not sure why because it is quite good. I may grab a few packs myself, it's been a while since I have used it.

 

[TennisJrDad]

If you are looking for a more cost effective string which meets or exceeds Luxilon Element's performance characteristics, you could look at the following three strings:

• Msv Swift (White)
• Genesis Hexonic 2.0 (Black)
• Yonex Poly Tour Rev (Purple)

 

[McGradey]

Poly tour pro yellow isn’t that far off

 

[TennisJrDad]

YPTP is an awesome string, but the PTP is stiffer and less elastic than the PTR string which would make it a less ideal replacement for element probably.

Poly tour pro yellow isn’t that far off

 

[Znak]

Poly tour pro yellow isn’t that far off

Disagree on this one, feel is completely different imo

 

[McGradey]

Disagree on this one, feel is completely different imo

To me they have a springiness in common, but Element feels nicer. Element feels (and is) expensive.

 

[ClownCar96]

I've found Poly Tour Rev Purple 1.25 to be a great cross string in a lot of setups. It's slick for great snapback, softens the string bed (a little) and has great tension maintenance. Slight shape adds to bite on the ball. I have a reel if you would like me to send a sample, half set, happy to!

 

[TennisJrDad]

Spot On!

I've found Poly Tour Rev Purple 1.25 to be a great cross string in a lot of setups. It's slick for great snapback, softens the string bed (a little) and has great tension maintenance. Slight shape adds to bite on the ball. I have a reel if you would like me to send a sample, half set, happy to!

 

[Trip]

FWIW, the OP was looking for a substitute to Element Rough, which offers a bit more spin, control and elasticity than regular Element in the same gauge, but doesn't hold tension quite as well.

The idea of Poly Tour Rev isn't bad, although I think you'll find it a bit higher-powered, but since dynamic stiffness is lower, you could probably string it ~5% higher and get similar control and comfort.

 

[dave t]

PTR seems like a great string - but it is super expensive!

 

[ryushen21]

To me they have a springiness in common, but Element feels nicer. Element feels (and is) expensive.

That may be the aspect of Element (Rough) that I like the most. It's softer but not at the cost of feedback or response.

I've found Poly Tour Rev Purple 1.25 to be a great cross string in a lot of setups. It's slick for great snapback, softens the string bed (a little) and has great tension maintenance. Slight shape adds to bite on the ball. I have a reel if you would like me to send a sample, half set, happy to!

I like Rev a lot. I've played it in a full bed in the past. It doesn't last as long Tour Status, but most strings don't. I may give it a shot as a cross though.

FWIW, the OP was looking for a substitute to Element Rough, which offers a bit more spin, control and elasticity than regular Element in the same gauge, but doesn't hold tension quite as well.

The idea of Poly Tour Rev isn't bad, although I think you'll find it a bit higher-powered, but since dynamic stiffness is lower, you could probably string it ~5% higher and get similar control and comfort.

It may be worth a shot. But I'm pretty sure that Element Rough just has that unique quality to it that is hard to replicate.

PTR seems like a great string - but it is super expensive!

Luckily, I buy everything in reels and get discounted pricing. But yeah, it still makes me wince compared to what I pay for other strings.

 

[ClownCar96]

That may be the aspect of Element (Rough) that I like the most. It's softer but not at the cost of feedback or response.


I like Rev a lot. I've played it in a full bed in the past. It doesn't last as long Tour Status, but most strings don't. I may give it a shot as a cross though.


It may be worth a shot. But I'm pretty sure that Element Rough just has that unique quality to it that is hard to replicate.

Luckily, I buy everything in reels and get discounted pricing. But yeah, it still makes me wince compared to what I pay for other strings.

w&d has wicked low prices on Yonex reels