ConorM3737
New User
Hey TW, I'm thinking of buying an Aero Pro Drive in time for Christmas, and was wondering if you guys think I should buy the GT, or is the extra money for the 2013 model worth it? Thanks.
Aero Pro Drive 2010 vs 2013
- Thread starter ConorM3737
- Start date
I would definitely buy the new one. I have used the Cortex and GT version. The GT I consider a bit stiff when used with full copoly. I have been told that the new version is more dampened and buttery and that is what the Aero needs. 50 or 60 more dollars spent is worth it.
D
Deleted member 232704
Guest
+1 to that. New one.
db10s
Hall of Fame
I'm not saying you don't, but I find that hard to believe. Pics or it didn't happen. What do you mean by "feels like a new racket"? Like, different?
db10s
Hall of Fame
And where did you use it?
TW Staff
Administrator
ConorM3737,
I've just finished up a month-long playtest of the new AeroPro Drive and actually just played a tournament with them this past weekend to finish it up. The specs of the 2010 and 2013 are very similar, as they are very similar in weight, stiffness, and swingweight. However, the dampening technology in the new one is very effective and I think is worth getting the new one. The shock from the stiff frame is dampened much better with the new technology Babolat has introduced this year, and it makes the racquet much more comfortable to hit. I'd definitely get the new ones for Christmas. And they look great too!
Andy, TW
I've just finished up a month-long playtest of the new AeroPro Drive and actually just played a tournament with them this past weekend to finish it up. The specs of the 2010 and 2013 are very similar, as they are very similar in weight, stiffness, and swingweight. However, the dampening technology in the new one is very effective and I think is worth getting the new one. The shock from the stiff frame is dampened much better with the new technology Babolat has introduced this year, and it makes the racquet much more comfortable to hit. I'd definitely get the new ones for Christmas. And they look great too!
Andy, TW
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Andy, how would you compare the Dunlop Biomimetic M 6.0 and the 2013 AeroPro Drive?
TW Staff
Administrator
I found the APD to be much easier to swing and a lot more solid than the M 6.0. I know that Chris was a much bigger fan of the M 6.0 than I was, but I would definitely go with the APD over it. The 2013 APD is one of my favorite racquets I've hit in a long time.
Andy, TW
TW Staff
Administrator
I have not hit the Pure Drive in quite a while, so I will hit it in the next couple days and get back to you. The new APD didn't feel very flex-y to me...it seems pretty stiff. However, the new Active Cortex that has been used in the Pure Drive is now introduced in the AeroPro Drive, and it makes it significantly more comfortable and improves the ball feel quite a bit.
I'll hit the Pure Drive though and get back to you with a comparison.
Andy, TW
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TW Staff
Administrator
Ok, I just got done hitting the Pure Drive 2012, and the two racquets felt quite similar in spec. The biggest difference to me was just the shape of the beam, which affected the way they play. The Pure Drive is more "club-like", offering tons of pop and power from the groundstrokes, but I felt the AeroPro Drive maneuvered a little better and was a better racquet from other areas of the court. The Active Cortex is in both now though, which makes them both more comfortable and plush feeling than previous versions. For me, I'd give the edge to the APD.
Andy, TW
Andy, TW
dgoran
Hall of Fame
That was fast 
that must be a dream job customer is requestion you try a racquet and you immediately do hahaha this is awesome. Thank you for your feedback.
BTW did you feel that either one is stiffer than the other or they were the same. I for example feel that APD 2010 is flexing more in the throat in comparison to 2012 Pure Drive.
that must be a dream job customer is requestion you try a racquet and you immediately do hahaha this is awesome. Thank you for your feedback. BTW did you feel that either one is stiffer than the other or they were the same. I for example feel that APD 2010 is flexing more in the throat in comparison to 2012 Pure Drive.
TW Staff
Administrator
That was fast
BTW did you feel that either one is stiffer than the other or they were the same. I for example feel that APD 2010 is flexing more in the throat in comparison to 2012 Pure Drive.
To be honest I felt that the stiffness of both racquets was pretty similar, but you're right, the APD has a tiny bit more flex in the throat of the racquet. I was discussing it with playtester Chris too, and he felt the APD gets a little "brassy" feeling towards the tip, whereas the PD doesn't. For me though, they felt real similar other than the obvious difference in the shape of the beam.
Andy, TW
naturallight
Semi-Pro
Hi, is the shape of the grip any different with the new Babolat racquets? I heard it was more rectangular like the Head grip shapes. Is that true?
thanks
thanks
TW Staff
Administrator
I couldn't tell any difference between the old and new Babolat grip shape. They seemed pretty similar to me.
Andy, TW
naturallight
Semi-Pro
very helpful, thanks
mrrockstar
New User
Hi Andy, how do you compare the APD 2012 with Head Extreme Pro 2.0?
which one is more comfortable, especially for injured before?
thanks!
which one is more comfortable, especially for injured before?
thanks!
TW Staff
Administrator
Babolat grips tend to run just slightly larger than normal, and these new APD's are no different.
Andy, TW
TW Staff
Administrator
Both are great racquets...two of my favorites that I've tested since the summer. The Extreme Pro has a little bit more feel and is a little more comfortable, though the APD has improved feel and comfort compared to its previous versions. I'd give the edge in power and spin potential to the APD though. If you've been injured before though, I'd probably go with the Extreme Pro for a little softer, more comfortable feel.
Andy, TW
mrrockstar
New User
Thanks very much Andy.
BTW, is the Cortex version APD2013 is the same as current Babolat Pure Drive?
BTW, is the Cortex version APD2013 is the same as current Babolat Pure Drive?
It's official: I'm drooling now.
I'm all over this as soon as it's available. If it's as good an update as the PD was in 2012 (I've only recently discovered this), and if it serves witha tad more pop and action than certainly my original black APD, I'll be a very happy soul.
Man, what with the Wilsons too, there's a lot of tempting racs looming on the horizon lol.
Cheers for posting, and any other observations/thoughts, Andy, do post them up!
Mighty Matteo
Semi-Pro
I have hit with both racquets. My current racquet is the APDGT, but i playtested the new apd for about a 10 hour long playtest. this is my comparison between both. they actually feel very different. the new apd is more dampened and muted feeling. It is more solid and feels slightly less maneuverable. Shots hit off-center are more apparent with the Gt, which feels more flexible and has better feel at the net and with slices. I prefer the GT because i feel the ball better with it. However, I'm not one of those people who loves a very solid and dampened feel. I don't use a string dampener. i like a crisper feel and I like to feel the ball. So if you do like a solid, dampened feel, then buy the new racquet. Otherwise, the GT would be fine.
Any differences, even if minor, re serving?
BigM
Rookie
It's official: I'm drooling now.
I'm all over this as soon as it's available. If it's as good an update as the PD was in 2012 (I've only recently discovered this), and if it serves witha tad more pop and action than certainly my original black APD, I'll be a very happy soul.
Man, what with the Wilsons too, there's a lot of tempting racs looming on the horizon lol.
Cheers for posting, and any other observations/thoughts, Andy, do post them up!
I'm so excited as well Ross!! I regret switching from My APD GT's last year as I thought I needed more of a "Player" type of frame. I was wrong. I wonder if Andy has tried the new 2013 Blades yet.
BigM
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tennisnut09
Rookie
Hi Andy, which one has more control and plow thru. Can you explain a little more about the brassy feeling.
Thanks!
tennisnut09
Rookie
Hi Andy, please.
TW Staff
Administrator
I would say the AeroPro has better control, and the Pure Drive has better plowthrough.
When I say "brassy feeling", I mean that it feels stiff, jarring, and uncomfortable.
Andy, TW
tennisnut09
Rookie
Thanks Andy, the pre-sale date is 11/23 right?
TW Staff
Administrator
tennisnut09
Rookie
Thanks Brittany, Will there be any change the review will be up at the same time as the pre-sale like the wilson blade.
TW Staff
Administrator
tennisnut09,
The review will be the same. Although, the video part has a couple new features you should check out when we post on Friday.
Brittany, TW
tennisnut09
Rookie
Thank you!
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