Anyone familiar with the prince thunder 820?

[nmorse]

Has anyone in here ever hit with or used to play with this racquet? I have had it for yrs and love the pop I have with it, but it bothers my arm after a few hrs of use, and I was looking for something new which would be more forgiving on my arm but have the same kind of power that the thunder 820 had? Any thoughts? Maybe the prince TT hornet, even tohugh it is discontinued? Let me know, thanks

neil

 

[Gaines Hillix]

The TW Racquet Finder feature recommends 3 frames that have similar specs; Volkl CAT V1, Wilson H5 Mid Plus and Wilson Hyper Hammer 5.2 OS.

 

[jomiller]

TH820 is very stiff and unforgiving, 28 " no longer made and the xL adds to the stress.
Try to demo a Head LM4 and if you buy one maybe use softer
string like Wilson Sensation 16 and string to say58 and see how it feels and compares.
Unfortunately racquet-manufacturers are only producing for pro, and even they get arm problems...
Maybe we should all remind them that we want to play instead of nursing elbows and shoulders and wish to get more user friendly racquets.

 

[nmorse]

jomiller.....do you think the prince TT hornet would be similar or an improvement to the thunder 820? I know the hornet was replaced by the more attack, but i don't know anyone who likes that racquet.....what about the nxg graphite os, i heard that one and the pure drive plus might be worth a look? thx

 

[tnsdoc]

I used the ol' 820 years ago and actually thought it was one of Prince's better frames, despite being 28 in. length. The discontinued TT Hornet with tungsten OS is pretty close for power but with better control; a little lead tape here and there and it's a nice playing frame for 3.5-4.5 players. The Prince more series is just "more garbage" IMO, and the Attack is a miserable racquet. The Air Drive OS has good punch and control but is a bit muted in play; might be worth a try. Babolat PD OS and Yonex V-con17 OS are nice frames too; good luck in your search.

 

[nmorse]

tnsdoc....thx for the input....did the thunder 820 ever bother your elbow? if so, did the TT hornet OS you were talking about feel better on your arm? Yeah your opinion about the attack is pretty much what i've heard, that the old TT hornets were much better, hwich is why i guess gambill ditched it so quick.....

have you used the nxg graphite os? if so, how does that compare?


im basically looking for a racquet w good power that is a little easier on the arm than the thunder 820..thx for the help!

 

[python]

Neal, be sure to check out the specs of the Hornet before you buy one. I believe they are actually stiffer than the Thunder 820. Most here generally believe a heavy, flexible head-light racquet is the way to go for arm comfort.

You might try cutting the 820 down to 27.5 or even 27 inches. You'll lose quick a bit of swingweight as well as stress to your arm from swinging it. Have you tried the Volkl V1 Classic? It's the stick I play with, and it has plenty of power. Also reputed to be arm-friendly, although I think it is stiff myself.

 

[tnsdoc]

Neal, my old TT Hornet OS was 10.1oz strung, without modification with lead tape, flex of about 70, and swingweight of 310, and 3 pts. head light. It is stiffer than the NXG OS which is certainly less powerful due to the beam width and flex, and subsequently would expect the NXG to be more comfortable. But the Hornet was pretty sweet considering the RA 70 and gave me no arm problems whatsoever. A couple other guys on our 4.5 team also used this frame at one time, with good success and no arm problems. Alot depends on the individual, so I'd definitely demo first, but the Hornet is being cleared out on many sites for a great price.

 

[nmorse]

tnsdoc......do you know where i could demo a TT hornet? like you said there aren't many left around and i have no clue where to find one to demo? you're talking bout the reddish one, right? not the blk and red one? sorry for bothering you, thx for the help man

 

[tnsdoc]

Neal, can't help you with a site that would have the TT Hornet to demo; it's been out of circulation for awhile. I am referring to the later model in my previous notes, not the original 28 in. black and red. A few places still have it for sale though if you're willing to go for it.

 

[D. Nelson]

tnsdoc email me !!

...I 'know' this is in the wrong forum....can't reply to 'for sale' ads....ggrr!! TNSDOC, email me about your VOLKL V1 frame :

imouch@bellsouth.net Dave