Any options to replace and upgrade from Vcore pro 97HD ?

[djmanosv]

Hi

4.5 player here approaching my 40’s…

I have been playing indoor with 3 sticks 97HD (18x20) the past 2.5 years where my game has been improved a lot (changed from VCcore Pro 100 to 97Hd), especially serve, volleys and backhand. I can hit with more spin on my forehands, but I often find difficult to generate the extra power needed and finish the balls. Baseline works fine for me for rallies, but difficult to hit the extra power shots, In addition, when approaching the net, the racket feels heavy and difficult to manoeuvre since it is 330+ grams. 2HBH is working fine for me with precision and spin, but always I miss this extra power, especially after 1 hour play, the stick feels heavy

Past year i string often with PTP 1.15 at 24/23 kg + no mods

So now I am out for new options, maintaining spin and serves, but also gaining more power and a bit easier racket with same or larger sweet spot. I don't mind moving up to 100 as long as it is easy to control and achieve power balls without loosing too much control. Spin and serves are also important. Quick recommendations would be

Ezone 98/100 ?
Blade 100 ?
Blade 98 18x20 ?
new Yonex 2023-2024 ?
Head ?

Other options to demo ?

 

[AmericanTwist]

Go up a few points in RA and/or a lighter frame...Blade 98 v8 18x20, VCP 97D, Ultra Pro v2-v4, Dunlop cx 200 tour 18x20 come to mind. You can also try the new vcore 98 and 95.

 

[Trip]

@djmanosv - Presuming you've tried increasing hitting weight and/or stringing for more power (lower tension, gut/poly hybrid, etc.) and feel that you are truly the end of the line with the 97HD, I'd recommend you focus on finding a lighter and/or slightly more powerful 97-100" frame, with either a semi-open 18-main or semi-dense 16-main string pattern, same-size (17") or larger sweet spot, a slightly thicker beam, a couple-few RA points more stiff, and still good feel -- specifically the following (alphabetical by brand/model):

- Head Speed Pro
- Prince ATS Tour 98
- Prince ATS Tour 100P
- ProKennex Ki 5
- ProKennex Ki Q+ 5
- Solinco WhiteOut 18x20 (maybe w/ handle weight)
- Yonex Percept 97
- Yonex Percept 97D
- Yonex Percept 100D
- Wilson Blade 98 v8 18x20 (w/ some handle weight)
- Wilson Blade 100 v8 (w/ some handle weight)
- Wilson Pro Staff Six.One 100 v14
- Wilson Pro Staff X v14

(I've left out the Dunlop CX's, both 200 and 400 Tour, Head Radical MP/Pro, Gravity MP and all Tecnifibres, because their sweet spots are all smaller than your 97HD and you specifically wanted to retain sweet spot size, or enlarge it)

All that said, the logical place to start would be the Percept 97D, then 97, then 100D, then move on to Head, Prince, ProKennex, Solinco and Wilson as opportunity allows.

Hope that helps. Any questions, feel free.

 

[djmanosv]

Amazing replies, I appreciate your time very much.
@Trip you are ON the spot of my thoughts and experience now. May I ask why you have left out the ezone 98 (tour) version ?

I am in the process of ordering demo sticks right now. I would like to keep the 18x20 but with lighter stick and more power and more manouverable

 

[Trip]

@djmanosv - I left the EZ98 out because the sweet spot, believe it or not, is about 1" smaller than the 97HD. That said, there's a pretty good consensus that it can stand to benefit from about 1-2g of lead at 10 and 2 each, which will open up the sweet spot slightly, perhaps roughly equaling the 97HD. I found that to be the case for a friend who made the switch to it, but was having trouble with control and hoop-tip awareness -- I added 1g of lead at each of 10 and 2 and it fixed the problem for him almost immediately, and he played much better with it (much to my challenge, but also satisfaction, as I love helping others to optimize their gear and make them better!).

As for the EZ98 Tour, I left that out because IMHO if you're looking for a decently more maneuverable and effortless frame, it's not going to be enough of a step in that direction; in fact, at 4pts HL strung and 332SW, it would likely feel a good bit more cumbersome, and you'd probably be better off just spec'ing up a regular EZ98, which is noticeably easier to play in stock form and affords you a much wider customization window.

 

[socallefty]

Pure Strike Tour.

 

[jimmy8]

Wilson shift 300 - great all around and very maneuverable, light, but still very stable, amazing racket

 

[AmericanTwist]

Purposely listed 18x20 frames so you won't see huge increases in stiffness/power.

 

[artdeco]

I have the HD, and I just acquired the 97D.
The D is much the same but has slightly more free-power.

 

[Trip]

I have the HD, and I just acquired the 97D.
The D is much the same but has slightly more free-power.

As a VCP 97D player myself, I'm curious to see if the Percept 97D can up the put-away and counterpunching power even more. Early signs point to yes (due to the more firm hoop). We will see soon enough!

 

[shinminsoo86]

Wilson BLADE PRO 18*20 or ULTRA PRO 18*20

Both are under weight which you wanted or requested demo of Ezone tour.

but BLADE pro you can get power from high number of swingweight otherwise ULTRA pro is nearly 315~320 swingweight with great control.

choice is yours

 

[FuzzyYellowBalls]

As a former user of the HD for 2 years, there is nothing like it. But, the EZone 98 believe it or not has a pretty closed pattern at the sweetspot and will give you the boost you are seeking. Also, the VC95 has less boost, but very maneuverable with the same pinpoint accuracy of the HD.

The balance of the Blade might throw you off. Ezone Tour is also not balanced right if you are used to the HD.


100D will probably disappoint. The 97Ds are pretty good though, just stiff, so it might be so close to the HD while not being the HD it could annoy you. Like no real super boost in power, just less feel than the HD.

 

[10S-Junkie]

Also a former user of the 97HD. Switched to the 97D as it had a bit more head stability and power (but a bit less spin).
Have since sold my 97HDs and 97Ds and my main stick is now the Prince ATS Tour 98.
So you may want to take @Trip 's suggestion of demoing the Prince ATS Tour 98. It may pleasantly surprise you. Happy hunting!

 

[djmanosv]

Also a former user of the 97HD. Switched to the 97D as it had a bit more head stability and power (but a bit less spin).
Have since sold my 97HDs and 97Ds and my main stick is now the Prince ATS Tour 98.
So you may want to take @Trip 's suggestion of demoing the Prince ATS Tour 98. It may pleasantly surprise you. Happy hunting!

Ordering the demos now, will see how it goes !