AG 300 16x18 REVIEW

[samster]

Better late than never. I picked up two of these last week when they went on sale and have played twice with them so far. Last weekend mainly just drilling with it and yesterday played 2 sets with it. Was playing a counterpuncher yesterday (ie. pusher as referred to by some), won the 1st set 6-4 and then trailed the 2nd set down 1-4 and ended up winning 7-5.

My skill level: ~3.5 to 4.0 NTRP. My regular frame during the past year: Wilson K90. But have spent some time with the AG 100.

Now, on to the AG 300 16x18. String setup: Global Gut 55# (M); Isospeed Professional Classic 59# (C). I played it stock and my comparison is to the AG 100 in stock form as well. My AG 100 had gut/iso setups at same tensions.

Notes:

1) The AG 300 16x18 is very similar to the AG 100 in terms of feel and control level. (The specs are quite similar, not surprisingly)

AG 100
90 sq. in. / 581 sq. cm.
Length: 27 inches / 69 cm
Strung Weight: 11.7oz / 332g
Balance: 7pts Head Light
Swingweight: 312
Stiffness: 62

AG 300 16x18
98 sq. in. / 632 sq. cm.
Length: 27 inches / 69 cm
Strung Weight: 11.5oz / 326g
Balance: 7pts Head Light
Swingweight: 315
Stiffness: 62

2) AG 300 possesses slightly more power and spin than the the AG 100. The AG 100 hits a flatter ball in my opinion.

3) It is more forgiving than the AG 100 and MUCH more forgiving than the K90. I found myself mis-hitting less with the 300.

4) Serve: Best serve for me with the 300 was down-the-T on the deuce side. Cranked 3 aces during the 2nd set and helped me come back and win. I thought it was on par with the 100. Probably more pace than the K90 but not as heavy serves.

5) Groundstrokes: More topspin vs. AG100. Lacked the heaviness that I am accustomed to from the baseline with the K90. I found myself having trouble finishing my counterpuncher friend from the baseline. Control was good and on par with the AG 100 but not as good as the K90. Stability was good. Slice was similar to the AG 100 but not as low and skiddish with the K90.

6) Volleys: While I was down 2nd set, I started attacking the net more after when I would get weak replies from my friend. Volleys were easy with the 300 and overhead was easy as well. The maneuverability was excellent.

7) Comfort: Very easy on the arm vs. the K90. No fatigue after 2 sets. The AG 300 can be thought of as a more forgiving AG 100.

Summary: Nice all-court frame with slightly more pop/spin vs. AG 100.

This upcoming week I have AG 200 16x19 coming. I am anxious to see how the AG 200 16x19 works out for me.

 

[shell]

Nice summary Samster. That pretty much is similar to my experience, although I would definitely rate the AG 100 better on serves than the 300 16x18.

They are definitely related racquets with slight differences.

 

[samster]

Shell,

I was expecting the 300 not to serve as well as the 100. What aspect(s) on the serve did you think the 100 was better?

 

[shell]

Shell,

I was expecting the 300 not to serve as well as the 100. What aspect(s) on the serve did you think the 100 was better?

I get more pace and slightly better control. Same spin. I have often thought it is just the head size.

 

[The Dampener]

For serving, the 300 hits nastier kicks and second spins. But the 100 makes it easier to hit your spots with whatever kind of serve you choose.

That is my impression, anyway.

 

[JavierLW]

Better late than never. I picked up two of these last week when they went on sale and have played twice with them so far. Last weekend mainly just drilling with it and yesterday played 2 sets with it. Was playing a counterpuncher yesterday (ie. pusher as referred to by some), won the 1st set 6-4 and then trailed the 2nd set down 1-4 and ended up winning 7-5.

My skill level: ~3.5 to 4.0 NTRP. My regular frame during the past year: Wilson K90. But have spent some time with the AG 100.

Now, on to the AG 300 16x18. String setup: Global Gut 55# (M); Isospeed Professional Classic 59# (C). I played it stock and my comparison is to the AG 100 in stock form as well. My AG 100 had gut/iso setups at same tensions.

Notes:

1) The AG 300 16x18 is very similar to the AG 100 in terms of feel and control level. (The specs are quite similar, not surprisingly)

AG 100
90 sq. in. / 581 sq. cm.
Length: 27 inches / 69 cm
Strung Weight: 11.7oz / 332g
Balance: 7pts Head Light
Swingweight: 312
Stiffness: 62

AG 300 16x18
98 sq. in. / 632 sq. cm.
Length: 27 inches / 69 cm
Strung Weight: 11.5oz / 326g
Balance: 7pts Head Light
Swingweight: 315
Stiffness: 62

2) AG 300 possesses slightly more power and spin than the the AG 100. The AG 100 hits a flatter ball in my opinion.

3) It is more forgiving than the AG 100 and MUCH more forgiving than the K90. I found myself mis-hitting less with the 300.

4) Serve: Best serve for me with the 300 was down-the-T on the deuce side. Cranked 3 aces during the 2nd set and helped me come back and win. I thought it was on par with the 100. Probably more pace than the K90 but not as heavy serves.

5) Groundstrokes: More topspin vs. AG100. Lacked the heaviness that I am accustomed to from the baseline with the K90. I found myself having trouble finishing my counterpuncher friend from the baseline. Control was good and on par with the AG 100 but not as good as the K90. Stability was good. Slice was similar to the AG 100 but not as low and skiddish with the K90.

6) Volleys: While I was down 2nd set, I started attacking the net more after when I would get weak replies from my friend. Volleys were easy with the 300 and overhead was easy as well. The maneuverability was excellent.

7) Comfort: Very easy on the arm vs. the K90. No fatigue after 2 sets. The AG 300 can be thought of as a more forgiving AG 100.

Summary: Nice all-court frame with slightly more pop/spin vs. AG 100.

This upcoming week I have AG 200 16x19 coming. I am anxious to see how the AG 200 16x19 works out for me.

I wish I could even find one of these racquets still, they seem to be pretty scarce now that they are on sale.

 

[Deleted member 25923]

What do you like better?

 

[DavidGarcia]

where does TW get the strung weight: 11.5oz / 326g from in the 300?

My 3 x 300s are more around 320g.

 

[Keifers]

Excellent review, samster. With some some spot-on comparisons with the AG100. I particularly appreciated that you played with them stock and identically strung.

I'm looking forward to your comments on the AG200 16X19.

 

[samster]

Excellent review, samster. With some some spot-on comparisons with the AG100. I particularly appreciated that you played with them stock and identically strung.

I'm looking forward to your comments on the AG200 16X19.

I am hoping the AG200 16x19 will be the "holy grail" since the static weight is the same, balance the same, but 10 point higher SW than AG 100/300 (but still manageable SW, ie. for me which means < 330 SW). Hopefully, the extra SW will produce a heavier ball to enhance baseline play.

 

[Deleted member 25923]

So you're leaving the 100?

 

[Keifers]

I am hoping the AG200 16x19 will be the "holy grail" since the static weight is the same, balance the same, but 10 point higher SW than AG 100/300 (but still manageable SW, ie. for me which means < 330 SW). Hopefully, the extra SW will produce a heavier ball to enhance baseline play.

Yeah, that SW of 326 sounds very attractive to me, too -- just about right, in fact. The AG200 18X20's SW of 331 was too high for me; even though it made for some very nice driving groundies, I couldn't play with it in dubs.

 

[samster]

So you're leaving the 100?

Not for certain yet. Mine are 4 1/2 grips. Are you looking for more?

 

[samster]

Yeah, that SW of 326 sounds very attractive to me, too -- just about right, in fact. The AG200 18X20's SW of 331 was too high for me; even though it made for some very nice driving groundies, I couldn't play with it in dubs.

I slice most of the time (ie >90%) on my 1hbh and they tend to float if the static weight or SW is too low.

 

[hyogen]

how would you compare the ag 16x18 to the 300g you just sold me?

i thought about getting the 16x18s...but i am content with the 16x19 m-fil 300, so I'll just stick to this string pattern.

 

[Keifers]

I slice most of the time (ie >90%) on my 1hbh and they tend to float if the static weight or SW is too low.

Yep, that's my experience with slice bhs as well.

(Ultimate slice bhs? KPS88, for sure. Yikes they're good!)

 

[Deleted member 25923]

Not for certain yet. Mine are 4 1/2 grips. Are you looking for more?

You know me too well

 

[Nojoke]

This post could not have come at a better time. I play the AG 100 and used to play K90, just like the OP. I also was looking at the AG300 16x18 because I was thinking of trying something with a little more power, and a little less weight. I love the AG 100 and the control it gives me, but sometimes I feel like I could use some more fire power. Especially when I play people who I think are worse than me, but are able to blow some shots by me because of powerful rackets.

I was also thinking about the AG 200 16x19. Is that considered more powerful than the ag 100?

If the AG 300 16x18 has almost the same control as the AG100, with more power and spin, I might give it a go. How was the 300 at the net? Plowthrough any different? Weight of shot? If the 300 is basically a more user friendly, more forgiving, more powerful AG100, I could be checking out yet another new racket.

Thanks.

Joe

 

[The Dampener]

AG100
AG200 16x19
AG300 16x18

They're spec'd very similarly and yet each is different enough to keep all of our heads spinning.

 

[Nojoke]

AG100
AG200 16x19
AG300 16x18

They're spec'd very similarly and yet each is different enough to keep all of our heads spinning.

Damp-

I've seen your posts in the various Dunlop threads. It seems like you have some experience with all these suspects How would you rate those three in power, control, stability, slice, net touch, etc? What about the harder to define: forgiveness, fun factor, user-friendliness?

Same questions for anyone with experience with all these rackets (plus the 4d 200 16x19)

 

[KonTrol]

mabey go to tennis zone if theres one colse to your house they give great advice

 

[The Dampener]

How would you rate those three in power, control, stability, slice, net touch, etc? What about the harder to define: forgiveness, fun factor, user-friendliness?

First, you should know I have zero experience with the 4ds (except for the 300T). I'm commenting only on the original AGs. In short, I found that the AGs all performed as you might naturally conclude they would based on their given specs.

Below are my subjective impressions of the three sticks mentioned.

power:
300 16x18
100 (primarily due to easy swing speed)
200 16x19

control:
100
200 16x19
300 16x18

stability:
all very similar

slice:
100
200 16x19
300 16x18

net touch:
300 16x18
100
200 16x19

forgiveness:
100 (forgiving in a lot of ways)
300 16x18 (forgiving in spin and power)
200 16x19

fun factor:

they're all fun

user-friendliness:
100 (the mid that plays like a midplus)
300 16x18 (you can bend the ball with this baby)
200 16x19 (good at everything, great at nothing)

 

[samster]

This post could not have come at a better time. I play the AG 100 and used to play K90, just like the OP. I also was looking at the AG300 16x18 because I was thinking of trying something with a little more power, and a little less weight. I love the AG 100 and the control it gives me, but sometimes I feel like I could use some more fire power. Especially when I play people who I think are worse than me, but are able to blow some shots by me because of powerful rackets.

I was also thinking about the AG 200 16x19. Is that considered more powerful than the ag 100?

If the AG 300 16x18 has almost the same control as the AG100, with more power and spin, I might give it a go. How was the 300 at the net? Plowthrough any different? Weight of shot? If the 300 is basically a more user friendly, more forgiving, more powerful AG100, I could be checking out yet another new racket.

Thanks.

Joe

My AG 200 16x19 came today; however, it has been raining all day. I will get to fully test the AG 200 16x19 this weekend.

The AG 300 16x18 was good at the net, very maneuverable and enough stability. I felt it had just a touch more plowthrough and power than the AG100.

 

[samster]

user-friendliness:
100 (the mid that plays like a midplus)
300 16x18 (you can bend the ball with this baby)
200 16x19 (good at everything, great at nothing)

Damp,

Thanks for your input on your experience with all three frames.

I agree with you that the 100 is pretty forgiving for a mid; it is absolutely great when I hit the sweetspot. Unfortunately, that's not always the case. The 300 is more forgiving when I am not hitting the sweetspot. I also found that slice backhand tends to float with the 100.

 

[hoodjem]

Do the bigger two also need lead tape? (I believe it's a must on the AG100.)

Does one need to lead up the AG 16X19 or the AG300 16X18, just like the AG100?

Does the higher swingweight of the AG200 compensate and make the lead-tape unnecessary?

 

[samster]

Do the bigger two also need lead tape? (I believe it's a must on the AG100.)

Does one need to lead up the AG 16X19 or the AG300 16X18, just like the AG100?

Does the higher swingweight of the AG200 compensate and make the lead-tape unnecessay?

I ordered the AG 200 16x19 to answer that exact question...

 

[Keifers]

I ordered the AG 200 16x19 to answer that exact question...

Hey samster,
Are you able to estimate the sw of your new AG200 16X19s by just swinging them around your living room?

I'm very curious whether they're at or close to TW's measurement. Many thanks.

 

[The Dampener]

Do the bigger two also need lead tape? (I believe it's a must on the AG100.)

Does one need to lead up the AG 16X19 or the AG300 16X18, just like the AG100?

Does the higher swingweight of the AG200 compensate and make the lead-tape unnecessay?

I played all three of these frames stock with great results. And I am, by nature, a tinkerer. But we all have different tastes.

 

[diehard6.0]

Hey samster,
Are you able to estimate the sw of your new AG200 16X19s by just swinging them around your living room?

I'm very curious whether they're at or close to TW's measurement. Many thanks.

The swing weight of AG200 16X19 is not definitely 326 as listed by TW. It is 315 at most. I added 3gs of lead on 3 & 9 and it still swings light. I will add 2-3gs more.

 

[Keifers]

The swing weight of AG200 16X19 is not definitely 326 as listed by TW. It is 315 at most. I added 3gs of lead on 3 & 9 and it still swings light. I will add 2-3gs more.

That's too bad.

326 would have been perfect for me -- maneuverability and plow through.

Maybe TW had theirs strung with poly?

 

[diehard6.0]

I put a poly string on AG200, but even with 3gs of lead it fell short of my favorite swing weight of 325.

 

[Keifers]

Can you tell me what the 3 grams looks like?

1/4" lead tape? How long each strip? etc...

Thanks.

 

[samster]

Hey samster,
Are you able to estimate the sw of your new AG200 16X19s by just swinging them around your living room?

I'm very curious whether they're at or close to TW's measurement. Many thanks.

Yes, I swung it around the house and there is more plowthrough than the AG 100 or the AG 200 16x18.

 

[hoodjem]

I'll get my lead-tape ready.

 

[diehard6.0]

Can you tell me what the 3 grams looks like?

1/4" lead tape? How long each strip? etc...

Thanks.

I ended up with applying 7gs of lead (from 10-8 o'clock and 2-4 o'clock) as well as replacing the stock cushion grip with a leather grip. My only gripe with AG200 was forehand groundstrokes. I had a great difficulty placing the ball deep into the court with AG200 in stock form. So, I added weight as mentioned, and dropped the tension 4lbs lower than my normal setup. Now, I gained power as much as I want instead of sacrificing some maneuverability (not much though). AG200 16*19 plays similarly to my old friend 6.0 95. Still I like the classic feel of 6.0 95 better, but the stability of AG200 is much more impressive.

 

[honeynutichiros]

What are you guys going to do about the grommets for the 200 16x19? I can't seem to find them anywhere

 

[Keifers]

What are you guys going to do about the grommets for the 200 16x19? I can't seem to find them anywhere

Important question. Have you asked TW?

Since they sell them now, I would think they have or will have the grommets.

 

[Rabbit]

You know me too well

Psssst.....I know what he paid for them...

 

[LES]

First, you should know I have zero experience with the 4ds (except for the 300T). I'm commenting only on the original AGs. In short, I found that the AGs all performed as you might naturally conclude they would based on their given specs.

Below are my subjective impressions of the three sticks mentioned.

power:
300 16x18
100 (primarily due to easy swing speed)
200 16x19

control:
100
200 16x19
300 16x18

stability:
all very similar

slice:
100
200 16x19
300 16x18

net touch:
300 16x18
100
200 16x19

forgiveness:
100 (forgiving in a lot of ways)
300 16x18 (forgiving in spin and power)
200 16x19

fun factor:

they're all fun

user-friendliness:
100 (the mid that plays like a midplus)
300 16x18 (you can bend the ball with this baby)
200 16x19 (good at everything, great at nothing)

This is great, thanks. Have you tried Mfil 200 16x19? How does this fit into here. I just blind bought an AG100 blind to replace my Mfil 200's

 

[ir0-ed]

Before switching to AG4D200 16x19, I used to play with m-fil 200plus. I really wanted to try this AG300 16x18 as the specs are so inviting but can't find any of my friends using them. A new AG300 16x18 in 4 3/8 (my exact grip size) is headin to my doorstep... I just needed to see what's the buzz about this stick

 

[JavierLW]

Before switching to AG4D200 16x19, I used to play with m-fil 200plus. I really wanted to try this AG300 16x18 as the specs are so inviting but can't find any of my friends using them. A new AG300 16x18 in 4 3/8 (my exact grip size) is headin to my doorstep... I just needed to see what's the buzz about this stick

You're lucky. I cant seem to find one of these for the life of me. (at least one with a L4 grip)

They must of gotten all snagged up once the price went down, you cant beat that price for a new racquet that's probably this decent.

 

[LES]

Before switching to AG4D200 16x19, I used to play with m-fil 200plus. I really wanted to try this AG300 16x18 as the specs are so inviting but can't find any of my friends using them. A new AG300 16x18 in 4 3/8 (my exact grip size) is headin to my doorstep... I just needed to see what's the buzz about this stick

Did you notice any difference of stiffness between the MFil 200 plus & AG4D200?

Mfil 200 stiffness rated at 67 on the racquet TW lists as 64. TW lists AG's as 61.