Another Head Pro Tour 280/630 Question

[ktownva]

Ok, I just got a PT 630 today - did a trade for it, but I won't go into details. Anyway, I play with the FXP Prestige MP, and it is very sweet, but I wanted to find out what the PT's were like.

First thing I noticed about the PT was that it was about 1/2" longer than my standard length FXP. I had never heard it mentioned that the PT's were extended, so I'm guessing this might be a custom stick that someone had lengthened.

I strung up the PT with the exact same string and tension as my FXP and headed out to hit against the practice wall. The very first thing I noticed was how stiff the PT felt. It was liking hitting with a board compared to my FXP. Almost every shot felt like a mishit, I was very surprised because I have heard so many positive things about the PT. I hit for about 20 minutes, and could never seem to find the sweetspot.

So, I guess my question is: was the PT ever released in a 27.5", and is the feel of the PT supposed to be so unforgiving? I have hit with all of the 630 Prestige's: i.Prestige MP, Liquidmetal Prestige MP, and now Flexpoint Prestige MP. Each is different but they all have a similar feel that the PT630 did not. Bottom line is, are PT's a version of the Prestige, or a separate model line?

 

[Ronaldo]

Ok, I just got a PT 630 today - did a trade for it, but I won't go into details. Anyway, I play with the FXP Prestige MP, and it is very sweet, but I wanted to find out what the PT's were like.

First thing I noticed about the PT was that it was about 1/2" longer than my standard length FXP. I had never heard it mentioned that the PT's were extended, so I'm guessing this might be a custom stick that someone had lengthened.

I strung up the PT with the exact same string and tension as my FXP and headed out to hit against the practice wall. The very first thing I noticed was how stiff the PT felt. It was liking hitting with a board compared to my FXP. Almost every shot felt like a mishit, I was very surprised because I have heard so many positive things about the PT. I hit for about 20 minutes, and could never seem to find the sweetspot.

So, I guess my question is: was the PT ever released in a 27.5", and is the feel of the PT supposed to be so unforgiving? I have hit with all of the 630 Prestige's: i.Prestige MP, Liquidmetal Prestige MP, and now Flexpoint Prestige MP. Each is different but they all have a similar feel that the PT630 did not. Bottom line is, are PT's a version of the Prestige, or a separate model line?

Maybe you have a Paintjob, eh?

 

[johnathan smith]

What color are your frames?
I have a couple of pro tour 630's with LM prestige cosmetics that are 27.5 inches in length.
I guess they could have made the original blue frames in a 27.5 length for pros.
To answer your question,....No, Head did not make an extended pt 630 for the public.

 

[ktownva]

What color are your frames?
I have a couple of pro tour 630's with LM prestige cosmetics that are 27.5 inches in length.
I guess they could have made the original blue frames in a 27.5 length for pros.
To answer your question,....No, Head did not make an extended pt 630 for the public.

They are blue and black, PT 630 graphics. I'm not an expert, but by examining them they do not look like PJ's, and I'm not sure what would get painted to look like a PT anyway. So, there were 27.5 PT's made for pros, and I may have one. Cool, I guess.

 

[galain]

From the way you describe it, you traded for a fake frame mate.

The 630 is almost the total opposite of what you have written. I've been hitting with one lately, and I've also used the Flexpoint mid plus which is considerably stiffer than the PT. I'd check the strings and tension you have too, but I've never heard of a 1/2 inch longer PT. I hope not, but seriously, you may have something entirely different.

 

[johnathan smith]

From the way you describe it, you traded for a fake frame mate.

The 630 is almost the total opposite of what you have written. I've been hitting with one lately, and I've also used the Flexpoint mid plus which is considerably stiffer than the PT. I'd check the strings and tension you have too, but I've never heard of a 1/2 inch longer PT. I hope not, but seriously, you may have something entirely different.

With respect to what Galain said , your PT is probably legit.
Head made several different layups (stiffnesses) on those 630 frames.
I have a few that are very flexible and soft and a few that are fairly stiff.
Can you post pics?

 

[ktownva]

With respect to what Galain said , your PT is probably legit.
Head made several different layups (stiffnesses) on those 630 frames.
I have a few that are very flexible and soft and a few that are fairly stiff.
Can you post pics?

Here are a few pics, sorry for the large file size. I don't think it is a fake, it's just not the same as a Prestige which is what I was expecting. To me, it feels more like a Radical.

Also, I'm sure this has little to do with how the racquet feels, but maybe:

When I strung the PT, I used a two piece setup. When I tied off the final cross string, I tied it at 12, which is the correct hole for the FXP and I thought it would be the same for the PT. But when I looked up the PT's pattern, it has 5 as the tieoff hole. Could this make that much of a difference in the way the racquet plays?

PS - these pics were taken before I cutout the strings and strung it with my setup.

 

[alkibiades]

Hey, what vibe damp is that? It's very unobtrusive and secure looking.

 

[ktownva]

Hey, what vibe damp is that? It's very unobtrusive and secure looking.

It was made by Prince, but I don't think they are around anymore.

 

[Ten_nuts]

Hi, i've been playing with PT280 for long time. Right now i have 7 of them. I've never tried the PT630 so i really have no idea about the differences between PT280 and PT630. Most people say they are exactly the same, don't you think so? Anyway, to me there are at least 3 different versions of the Head PT280: Made in Austria, Design in Austria: plain and with part number inside throat. Ignore the 1st one Made in Austria, the rests were made in China. Both of them have the same specs: head size 97 sq in, length 27 in, strung weight 11.9 oz, string 18x20.... but the China sticks feel stiffer and slightly heavier than the Austria sticks (i personally brought them to Post Office to weigh them: the Austria stick was 12 oz and the China stick was 12.2 oz, both had overgrips). So you get the idea that the China sticks are more stable (or less head vibrate) than the Austria sticks? In fact that's true to me because i had to add 1oz lead tape on both sides of the Austria sticks at 3 and 9 (total 2 oz) to reduce the little vibrate i felt. And here comes an interesting issue: the Austria stick with 2 oz lead tape at 3 and 9 becomes my main stick because i never feel the vibration anymore. Also the FH and BH are more powerful as well as the serve. It's like i found my true SW. So i kept adding 2 oz lead tape to the Austria stick and 1 oz to the China sticks at 3 and 9, and up til now they are my main sticks. So anyone out there who has the PT 280, you should feel little vibrate when hitting hard, you should try like me adding lead tape at 3 and 9 from 1oz and go up (do not go over 2 oz unless you can handle the SW). Now about the string, of course i've tried tons of them and the best one in my opinion is the Luxilon Timo 17g at 57lbs. Trust me that this LUX TIM 17g string can fit best with the PT280, and you will feel great playing with this setup. I also have tried other Prestige and same kind: I Prestige MP, Liquidmetal Prestige MP, Flexpoint Prestige MP, even the I Prestige XL MP, Flexpoint Prestige MP XL, Dunlop HM 200g, M Fil 200, Aerogel 200... and some more but then i had to go back to the PT280. To me all other listed above i can play with them all well, but only the PT280 is the one that i feel so comfortable playing with. Maybe i've played with the PT280 for so long. So KTOWNVA and guys, you should give it a try with LUX TIM 17g at 57g or down to 55g and you'll see how great you can feel. Oh, do not try to string at high tension like 60 lbs with this kind of string. You can try 60 lbs with other Head Prestige lines but not with this stick. Go on and try it, and come back here to let us know your games with this 1 of a kind stick. Take care.

 

[tandayu]

Here areI cutout the strings and strung it with my setup.

open the grip, see the pallet and how the buttcap installed

 

[tandayu]

Hi, i've been playing come back here to let us know your games with this 1 of a kind stick. Take care.

I also have one Austrian Pt280 which is the heaviest and the stiffest of all. You just have to choose which of the production batch that you prefer. In general, yes, the china version is heavier and feels stiffer

 

[galain]

Thanks for the heads up Jonathan. Wasn't aware of that. Sorry to the OP if I sounded too sure of myself and put you off.

 

[rorschack]

I got severals PT280 Made in Austria, one Designed in Austria, and two PT630. They all are very solid once you put the CAP grommet on, from either i.Prestige MP or another CAP which goes all the way around. Don't remember which one. I use the i.Prestige MP one.

Anyway, they all play very similar to me. The difference is very little and could be attributed to different strings, tension, etc. And it's kind of foolish for people to pay the high prices for the PT630.

No lead tapes at all for me. Lead tape takes away maneuverability at the net. So, I took them off my other racquets (Prestige Pro) as well. Head got the CAP system which already makes the racquet very very stable!

Back to the OP. What tension did you string your PT630 at? Try this...put the CAP on it then string with soft strings at the lower end tension (i.e. 52lb). Give that a go. You'll find these racquets are sweet and solid like rock! Nailing the sweet spot = 100% happiness. They are generally more forgiving and easier to play with than the Prestige Classic 600 where your form has to be right on for that hitting session. However, as mentioned many times, with the PC600, can you spell "precision"? That being said, I switch between these two just for the fun of it.

 

[ktownva]

I strung the PT630 with Gamma Gut 2 at 57lbs Mains, 55lbs Cross. This is the same setup I use on my FXP Prestige MP. I had thought that maybe a CAP would make the PT feel more "buttery". Will try it if I don't sell/trade the racquet first.

 

[Ten_nuts]

I need to correct this guys: as i mentioned the lead tape above, i forgot that the amount of lead tape would be 0.2 oz instead of 2 oz. for the Austria (each side will be 0.1 oz), and 0.1 oz for the China (each side will be 0.05 oz). RORSCHAK is right that softer string at mid tension will make hitters feel great and the stick itself is solid like rock. For example, i had tried the Technifibre X-1 Byphase at 55lbs and the string moved like crazy, so i'd tried it again at 60lbs and this got even better, but the string still moved alot. I kept trying many other brands until i found the LUX TIm 17g and my search was over. If you have chancem i recommend you try it at 55lbs, and if you are a hard hitter like me you can go to 57 lbs and stop right there. Do not try higher 57 lbs with this string because if you do so, you just spent 30 bucks for playing with it about 2 or 3 days than you would feel like the string looses its tension quickly. Otherwise, you will see the string job you got will last for more than 2 weeks if you play everyday like me. Thanks for reading this my friends. Peace out.

 

[Pro_Tour_630]

I strung the PT630 with Gamma Gut 2 at 57lbs Mains, 55lbs Cross. This is the same setup I use on my FXP Prestige MP. I had thought that maybe a CAP would make the PT feel more "buttery". Will try it if I don't sell/trade the racquet first.

The stick you have most probably came from Europe. I have few of them (non caped) like yours and many of the Caped version. For me, I like the caped version better. There are many batches throughout the years of the Pro Tour and they all play different.

When measuring length it is best to measure unstrung. Please take a photo of the two unstrung sticks or you can use a tape measure. Or remove grip and check underneath the butt cap like tandayu suggested.

As for your choice of string, I would not go with a 16g string in the Pro Tour. You might get away with it with the FXP since the FXP produced more power and spin on its own. The Pro Tour is very string sensitive when it comes to string and tension unlike its little brother the Prestige classic 600. Try 18g biphase, and see if you like it.

Lastly, Caps do not make the stick feel more "buttery", it makes the stick feel more solid.

Hope this helps and you do not give up on the PT. It is a wonderful frame with the right setup.

 

[ktownva]

Lastly Capes do not make the stick feel more "buttery", it makes the stick feel more solid.

Hope this helps and you do not give up on the PT. It is a wonderful frame with the right setup.

Thanks Michael. I'll continue to experiment with the PT until I get a bit more playability out of it. I'm sure there is a reason it is so popular, but I struggled big time with it.

 

[Lucas2015]

There are many batches throughout the years of the Pro Tour and they all play different.

I find the sweetspot in different locations. Is this possible? With one 630 I own, I find difficult to play parallel forehands due to lower sweetspot (or in the very center, with no response in the upper hoop area)

 

[vsbabolat]

Ok, I just got a PT 630 today - did a trade for it, but I won't go into details. Anyway, I play with the FXP Prestige MP, and it is very sweet, but I wanted to find out what the PT's were like.

First thing I noticed about the PT was that it was about 1/2" longer than my standard length FXP. I had never heard it mentioned that the PT's were extended, so I'm guessing this might be a custom stick that someone had lengthened.

I strung up the PT with the exact same string and tension as my FXP and headed out to hit against the practice wall. The very first thing I noticed was how stiff the PT felt. It was liking hitting with a board compared to my FXP. Almost every shot felt like a mishit, I was very surprised because I have heard so many positive things about the PT. I hit for about 20 minutes, and could never seem to find the sweetspot.

So, I guess my question is: was the PT ever released in a 27.5", and is the feel of the PT supposed to be so unforgiving? I have hit with all of the 630 Prestige's: i.Prestige MP, Liquidmetal Prestige MP, and now Flexpoint Prestige MP. Each is different but they all have a similar feel that the PT630 did not. Bottom line is, are PT's a version of the Prestige, or a separate model line?

They are slightly longer in retail. But not half inch. .25 at the most. Next week I can show you.
When the Pro Tour 630 came out in 1994 there was no 630 series Prestige. Only 600 and 660. So you can say that the Pro Tour 630 was the original 630 series Prestige. I find the feel similar to the Prestige Classic 600, from the same family, or that classic HEAD Twaron feel.

 

[Zoolander]

Anyone else annoyed that the OP never looked in the buttcap to see if this was a legit 27.5 inch pro stock?

And then let us know? I gots ta know!