The ones I have access to are RDX 500 16 x 19. 11.7 ounces. 7 PTs HL. If it plays like the RDS MP then I will pass. IMO, that is the worst Yonex I have ever hit with. Too Light/stiff/ low powered. I liked the RDS mid, but not enough to switch to it. I am loving my Ti 80's but they do cause some tenderness in my arthritic shoulder If I play alot. I don't want to give up on them, just considering an easier "little brother" to it for when I have some soreness and need to play. The flex and weight look ideal on the RDX, but I have read that it is not s great serving frame. I'd be more interetsted in using it just to get out and hit groundies and volleys when I am not feeling 100%. If I could serve well with it, it would be an added bonus.
Andrew, nice to hear from you. Would you entertain a trade for like new Black ace 98 5/8" leather grip? what grip size is your RDX?
Andrew, I demo'd the RDS 001 MP and loved its feel but had arm pain afterward, and so the RDX 500 MP has my attention too. The words that describe feel (buttery, crisp, more/less feel, muted, comfortable, dead, feedback) are frustratingly subjective, so I am having trouble learning whether the RDX 500 is really the arm-friendly RDS I'd hope for. Discounting flex and speaking only of feel, it sounds like you and the TW reviewer below (who is talking about the Mid, but they can't be that different in feel) would agree that the RDS is more like a current Prince (comfortable, cushioned, muted, etc), while the RDX is more like a K-Factor or n-Code Wilson player's racquet (more feedback, crisp, etc). How close is that guess?I tried the RDX 500 MP (16x19) because I wanted something with more feel than the RDS 001 MP I was using. The RDX certainly has more feel and is considerably more comfortable/easier on the arm.
TW Review of RQiS 1 Tour said:"This racquet (RQiS 1 Tour) is not really like its predecessor (RDX 500 Mid) at all. The other racquet was very crisp feeling, where this one has more of that 'buttery' response that is, I think, more comfortable. The power level is extremely low, but there is enough heft to still be stable through contact even on well hit, heavy serves. Spin is very good. Overall a really good racquet if you've got the swing for it."
Andrew, I demo'd the RDS 001 MP and loved its feel but had arm pain afterward, and so the RDX 500 MP has my attention too. The words that describe feel (buttery, crisp, more/less feel, muted, comfortable, dead, feedback) are frustratingly subjective, so I am having trouble learning whether the RDX 500 is really the arm-friendly RDS I'd hope for. Discounting flex and speaking only of feel, it sounds like you and the TW reviewer below (who is talking about the Mid, but they can't be that different in feel) would agree that the RDS is more like a current Prince (comfortable, cushioned, muted, etc), while the RDX is more like a K-Factor or n-Code Wilson player's racquet (more feedback, crisp, etc). How close is that guess?
Thanks for the response, Andrew; it is helpful. To be sure, the differing flexes of the two racquets will be the dominant factor in what they feel like, and that seems to be what you are describing. I'm hoping that someone can differentiate between their respective flex ratings and respective [other factors that go into "feel"]; the latter is what I'm especially interested in, since there is a whole range of racquets that my arm will tolerate but only a few that make me go "Ahhhh" when I hit a ball!The stiffness of the 001 MP seems to be a problem for a lot of people. I had fantastic results with it and, for whatever reason, my forehand really improved dramatically. However, I can honestly say that I never really enjoyed the experience of hitting with it (the feel off the string bed).
Feel is, naturally, subjective but, when you get the same type of description from so many different people there's a good chance not all of them can be wrong.
In terms of the response off the string bed, the RDS I found to be very crisp, not necessarily jarring but the stiffness was very apparent. Off the string bed, the RDX provided a much softer response, the ball seemed to stay on the strings a bit longer and it was significantly more comfortable.
I think you've got the around the wrong way. You could compare the RDS-001 MP to the Wilson line, but not the RDX. If anything, the RDX would be more like a Head Prestige. It isn't flexy like a Volkl 10 series but it isn't a stiff racquet. The overall response is comfortable and controlled (like the Prestige) but with the added bonus of spin.
Thanks for the response, Andrew; it is helpful. To be sure, the differing flexes of the two racquets will be the dominant factor in what they feel like, and that seems to be what you are describing. I'm hoping that someone can differentiate between their respective flex ratings and respective [other factors that go into "feel"]; the latter is what I'm especially interested in, since there is a whole range of racquets that my arm will tolerate but only a few that make me go "Ahhhh" when I hit a ball!
The "crisp" description was, I suppose, a red flag; it seems sometimes to be a compliment paid to a frame by players who have different preferences than mine. It is encouraging to learn that it may not apply.
I 've got two on the way. Should be here by Thursday. Brand new 500's!
Just don't follow the old Yonex recomendation to string the mains higher that the crosses. That will make the sweetspot shorter and will deaden the upper hoop, hence problems with the serve and the volleys.
email me and I will let you know. All he has left is 1/4"" grips, but they are "new" stock.I got the last 2 5/8" grips.
Bpoulakis@ikon.com.
I've always presumed the weaker serve was due to the flexible shaft and that stringing crosses lower increased the sweet spot, so I'm a bit surprised that you've observed that this actually shortens the sweet spot.
I've also presumed that the dead upper hoop, which I can't say troubled me, was due to either low swing weight or weight distribution or both.
This is valid for all racquets. If you string the mains higher than the crosses, then the sweet spot becomes shorter an wider and the upper hoop becomes deader. If you string the crosses higher, then the sweet spot becomes narrow and long.
Stringing the crosses lower is an old Yonex recommendation from back when their racquets were narrow. Newer Yonex racquets are not narrow anymore, the RDX 500 MP is as wide as the Pure Storm or any other 98" racquet. Yonex doesn't recomend this anymore, but it's comming back to haunt them, because people keep stringing the crosses lower, and then they complain about the dead upper hoop.
The RDX 500 MP already has a wide sweet spot, there is no need to string the crosses lower. If you don't string the mains higher, the RDX doesn't even have a dead upper hoop, it's as lively as any other racquet.
That doesn't mean that the RDX will serve like a Pure Drive or anything close to that. It will just serve as well as any low power player racquet similar to it.
I won't know how the RDX 500 MP comapres to the TI 80 in terms of power, but I have no problem generating good pace and spin with the TI 80, so if the RDX 500 has more power than the TI 80, then I should be happy serving with it.I use the weight of the TI pretty effectively, providing excellent plow through on all shots so my only concern may be that the RDX 500 feels whippy compared to the TI, much like thye Black ace felt compared to the Redondo. It should be here by tommorow. I will post once I get out and hit. Thanks for all of the input and info. It is greatly appreciated.
Well the RDX showed up today and I got a chance to hit for 2 hours in very windy conditions. It came strung with wilson reaction 16g at 58#.
I am less than overwhelmed.The power level was much lower than my TI 80. It had noticeably less heft and "plow". Spin production was good, control was good, but it was lacking some serious pop off the ground. The frame feels a little hollow compared to my TI 80's and "buttery" would not be a term I would use to describe this frame. More like flexible yet muted. I am hoping it's the strings more than the frame. I am using it in a match tomorrow. I like the weight and balance, but honestly, first impressions- it felt like a toy compared to my TI 80's. Reminded me of a softer RDS 100MP. I am going to use it at least 5-6 hours before making any conclusions. Better than the BA 98 for sure. I went to the TI 80 for the last 1/2 hour and immeditely saw an increase in depth and power. Also could feel the added weight behind every shot. I am torn to if I should use a poly hybrid or stick with softer string. Ona positive note, I served great with it right out of the box. I like the lighter swingweight and got some extra snap into my serves.
I think it's the string and the tension. I used an RDX for about a year and and an Ti80 for about a month. I wouldn't say that the RDX had less power.
I personally used a co-poly in it at about 52 lbs. I believe I was alternating between BB Ace and SPPP at the time. Give it another shot and by all means add a little lead, you have a lot of room for customisation coming from your Ti 80, to add some power and still be at less static and swing weight.