Anything better than a Gravity Pro? Dunlop CX400 Tour or Yonex Percept 100D perhaps ?

[OnePoint618]

I'm a long time user of an over-spec Head Gravity Pro 2019. It's not perfect but I haven't found another racquet I hit better with. I'm greedy and I want more of everything !

In order of qualities I'm not willing to compromise on :
- solid feel on contact ( if I don't enjoy the sensation it doesn't matter how good a racquet is, I cant gel with it )
- controllable power
- large sweet spot
- low launch angle

It's a brilliant racquet but the greatest source of pleasure in my tennis life is hitting my wristy 1HBH and the GPro just feels cumbersome on that wing and not whippy enough to take balls on the rise.
Upgrading to the latest generation of the GPro and finding something slightly under-spec is an option but I've heard they are less crisp feeling than the original.

Has anyone with a similar style to me moved on from a Gravity Pro to something they liked better ?
Would switching to a Dunlop CX400 Tour or Yonex Percept 100D give me more of what I want ?

Thanks in advance for the advice !

 

[PRS]

I wouldn't describe my one-hander as wristy but I love my Percept 100D. I did need to add weight into the handle to lower the balance point, but it feels very solid now, extremely stable, and more power than my previous racquet (customized Vcore pro 97HD) with a nice, low launch angle.

 

[GAS]

GPro is a very old-school feeling racquet. For similar feeling you probably need to look into Prestige Pro.

 

[OnePoint618]

I wouldn't describe my one-hander as wristy but I love my Percept 100D. I did need to add weight into the handle to lower the balance point, but it feels very solid now, extremely stable, and more power than my previous racquet (customized Vcore pro 97HD) with a nice, low launch angle.

Thanks ... that's useful to know. I've heard these new Percepts have a more feel on contact. Is that true ?
( FYI I played with a Yonex Ai98 for a couple of years. I respected that stick but simply couldn't live with lack of feel / sensation in the stringbed )

 

[OnePoint618]

GPro is a very old-school feeling racquet. For similar feeling you probably need to look into Prestige Pro.

Its an option. Would I lose a lot on power? Do you think a Radical Pro would be better in that regard ?

 

[GAS]

I don't know. You'll have to ask one of the racquetholics here. I decided to play with GPro exclusively a couple years ago and haven't looked back.

 

[PRS]

Thanks ... that's useful to know. I've heard these new Percepts have a more feel on contact. Is that true ?
( FYI I played with a Yonex Ai98 for a couple of years. I respected that stick but simply couldn't live with lack of feel / sensation in the stringbed )

I don't know about the Ai98, but they definitely have better feel than the previous could generations. Some people still don't love the feel and find it a little muted, so I'd definitely demo if possible. I think it feels great, but I also didn't have an issue with the previous versions that many people did.

I know that's not the most helpful, but trying not to steer you wrong cause I absolutely love it, but it's not for everyone.

 

[OnePoint618]

I don't know about the Ai98, but they definitely have better feel than the previous could generations. Some people still don't love the feel and find it a little muted, so I'd definitely demo if possible. I think it feels great, but I also didn't have an issue with the previous versions that many people did.

I know that's not the most helpful, but trying not to steer you wrong cause I absolutely love it, but it's not for everyone.

You're right, I need to try it !
Out of interest, did you demo other percepts in the range and settle on the 100D ?

 

[Doulke]

I did not try the Dunlop nor the 100d, played the percept 100 and the feeling was not close to the gravity. I really love the gpro and I think it’s really hard to find something similar that can combine all the good things of the gravity. My prestige pro 95 feels very different than my 360 gravity, maybe the 98 18x20 prestige that I think has same been thickness can come close, or else try something like the pro staff 100/X.
I would probably try an under spec one or thinner lighter strings for starters.

 

[PRS]

You're right, I need to try it !
Out of interest, did you demo other percepts in the range and settle on the 100D ?

Nope. I wasn't even sure I was going to switch to anything, but I wanted to try something that was just a little more forgiving, powerful, and easy to use since I didn't play quite as often or as serious as I used to, but still with great touch and control since that's my specialty on the court.

 

[tele]

I'm a long time user of an over-spec Head Gravity Pro 2019. It's not perfect but I haven't found another racquet I hit better with. I'm greedy and I want more of everything !

In order of qualities I'm not willing to compromise on :
- solid feel on contact ( if I don't enjoy the sensation it doesn't matter how good a racquet is, I cant gel with it )
- controllable power
- large sweet spot
- low launch angle

It's a great racquet but the greatest source of pleasure in my tennis like is hitting my wristy 1HBH and the GPro just feels cumbersome on that wing and not whippy enough to take balls on the rise.
Upgrading to the latest generation of the GPro and finding something slightly under-spec is an option but I've heard they are less crisp feeling than the original.

Has anyone with a similar style to me moved on from a Gravity Pro to something they liked better ?
Would switching to a Dunlop CX400 Tour or Yonex Percept 100D give me more of what I want ?

Thanks in advance for the advice !

sounds like a vcore pro 97 hd would be worth a try if you can get your hands on one, or maybe the percept 97d. The 97hd definitely had more feedback than my dr 98, which i think should be very be similar in feel to the ai98 you had. i have not played with the percept

 

[yourtennisfit]

I haven't played the Dunlop, but I think I can help on the 100D

Don't play that one if you are expecting any solid feel or plow through as with the Gravity Pro. It actually felt like a toy in stock form, compared to both generations of the GPro. Only upside is that there is more power.
But you would have to add a serious amount of lead in order to have something similar than the GPro.

I think close rackets could be the Prestige Pro (possibly 16x19 if you get your hands on this), Blade 18x20 or TFight 305

 

[OnePoint618]

I did not try the Dunlop nor the 100d, played the percept 100 and the feeling was not close to the gravity. I really love the gpro and I think it’s really hard to find something similar that can combine all the good things of the gravity. My prestige pro 95 feels very different than my 360 gravity, maybe the 98 18x20 prestige that I think has same been thickness can come close, or else try something like the pro staff 100/X.
I would probably try an under spec one or thinner lighter strings for starters.

You might be right. Replacing the Gravity Pro is a tall order. I know that because I have forayed for years through so many racquets : LM Prestige, LM/Flexpoint/Microgel/YT Radicals, various Yonex's, Prostaff's and the Gravity Pro's blend of qualities are unique.

The only reason I'm considering a switch is because I hit with a friends Volkl V8 Pro recently and was impressed with how good it was in stock form at 305g. I think racquets have come a along way these past few years and there are some forgiving players frames out there.

 

[OnePoint618]

I haven't played the Dunlop, but I think I can help on the 100D

Don't play that one if you are expecting any solid feel or plow through as with the Gravity Pro. It actually felt like a toy in stock form, compared to both generations of the GPro. Only upside is that there is more power.
But you would have to add a serious amount of lead in order to have something similar than the GPro.

I think close rackets could be the Prestige Pro (possibly 16x19 if you get your hands on this), Blade 18x20 or TFight 305

Interesting. I played with the LM Prestige MP for a while and it was too demanding for me. I know the Prestige Pro will have more power than the LM MP but I expect it might have less than the GPro. Probably better on the 1HBH though. I might try and pick one up second hand.

 

[OnePoint618]

sounds like a vcore pro 97 hd would be worth a try if you can get your hands on one, or maybe the percept 97d. The 97hd definitely had more feedback than my dr 98, which i think should be very be similar in feel to the ai98 you had. i have not played with the percept

So many frames but alas such a short life !
I like the look of the VCore Pro ... and I may be wrong here as I usually prefer 18x20s .. but I expect the VCore Pro to be spinny & muted for my tastes.

 

[tele]

So many frames but alas such a short life !
I like the look of the VCore Pro ... and I may be wrong here as I usually prefer 18x20s .. but I expect the VCore Pro to be spinny & muted for my tastes.

vcore pro 97 hd is 18x20. good power considering flex and not overly muted IMO

 

[OnePoint618]

vcore pro 97 hd is 18x20. good power considering flex and not overly muted IMO

Ah sorry ... I'm confusing the red vcore range with the vcore pro.
I never tried that vcore pro's simply because I saw so many videos of people complaining it felt mushy and underpowered. There's some buzz about how the new Percepts are different - hence my interest.

 

[tele]

Ah sorry ... I'm confusing the red vcore range with the vcore pro.
I never tried that vcore pro's simply because I saw so many videos of people complaining it felt mushy and underpowered. There's some buzz about how the new Percepts are different - hence my interest.

the hd was often compared to the gravity. I am talking about vcore pro 2 generations ago. i think the previous gen had the mushy reputation but could be wrong

Thread 'Yonex Vcore 97 HD vs Gravity Pro' http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/yonex-vcore-97-hd-vs-gravity-pro.655821/


of course, there are plenty of other racquets out there. . .

 

[yourtennisfit]

the hd was often compared to the gravity. I am talking about vcore pro 2 generations ago. i think the previous gen had the mushy reputation but could be wrong

Thread 'Yonex Vcore 97 HD vs Gravity Pro' http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/yonex-vcore-97-hd-vs-gravity-pro.655821/


of course, there are plenty of other racquets out there. . .

I played both of them - and I am aware that there were a lot of comparisons, but they aren't quite the same breed

The Vcore Pro HD felt super soft, super muted and really has a tight string pattern, much closer than the GPro
You had to take a lot more power and risk to get the same shot as the Gravity Pro

 

[OnePoint618]

the hd was often compared to the gravity. I am talking about vcore pro 2 generations ago. i think the previous gen had the mushy reputation but could be wrong

Thread 'Yonex Vcore 97 HD vs Gravity Pro' http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/yonex-vcore-97-hd-vs-gravity-pro.655821/


of course, there are plenty of other racquets out there. . .

I'm with you now. I checked the specs and read the thread. They both seem like good players frames and the 97HD seems like it would be a better swing on the 1HBH. Smaller sweetspot though so possibly less forgiving. I wonder why choose that generation rather than the new Percept 97D? Not sure.

 

[OnePoint618]

I played both of them - and I am aware that there were a lot of comparisons, but they aren't quite the same breed

The Vcore Pro HD felt super soft, super muted and really has a tight string pattern, much closer than the GPro
You had to take a lot more power and risk to get the same shot as the Gravity Pro

I never played with that generation of Yonex Vcore Pro's ... but yes, that is my perception of them.
I've always had a lusting for Yonex players frames ( I was a big Nalbandian and Wawrinka fan! ) ... but TBH they were a little too demanding and muted for me.
I don't know if it's marketing hype but the new Percept range seems more forgiving.

 

[tele]

I played both of them - and I am aware that there were a lot of comparisons, but they aren't quite the same breed

The Vcore Pro HD felt super soft, super muted and really has a tight string pattern, much closer than the GPro
You had to take a lot more power and risk to get the same shot as the Gravity Pro

I have not played with the gravity pro, though you are making it sound pretty good.

I did play with an hd for over a year and though it indeed felt soft, I did not find it to feel super muted, though I suppose muted is a relative term. I felt like I had a good idea where I made contact on the stringbed and thought it handled touch shots well.

 

[JFrijhoff]

Thanks ... that's useful to know. I've heard these new Percepts have a more feel on contact. Is that true ?
( FYI I played with a Yonex Ai98 for a couple of years. I respected that stick but simply couldn't live with lack of feel / sensation in the stringbed )

It's definitely more crisp than the gravity Pro, but like others have said, in stock form it doesn't feel like an easier version of the GPro. I haven't modified it yet myself.
Besides the other rackets that have been mentioned, which I didn't hit myself, you could have a look at the Prince Phantom 100P. To me this played like an easier GPro (havent' hit with the 2024 version, only the previous one). The stock weight is beefier with 320 gr, but it felt easier to swing with than the GPro. Similar flex-rating, but different string pattern of 16x18.

 

[yourtennisfit]

I have not played with the gravity pro, though you are making it sound pretty good.

I did play with an hd for over a year and though it indeed felt soft, I did not find it to feel super muted, though I suppose muted is a relative term. I felt like I had a good idea where I made contact on the stringbed and thought it handled touch shots well.

It's not a bad racket, but the GPro (especially first gen) just has a very direct but still comfortable feeling about it.
The Vcore Pro always felt like I did not have this pin-point precision kind of feeling

What needs to be said about the Gravity though: It doesn't give anything for free and needs to be swung fast through the ball
And with a swingweight of around 335 minimum, you will have to be efficient with all your strokes

 

[OnePoint618]

I have not played with the gravity pro, though you are making it sound pretty good!

I did play with an hd for over a year and though it indeed felt soft, I did not find it to feel super muted, though I suppose muted is a relative term. I felt like I had a good idea where I made contact on the stringbed and thought it handled touch shots well.

Yes, these terms are quite subjective. I would describe the GPro as muted but solid on contact. There is no vibration but I can feel and hear the ball. I wouldn't go as far as describing it as crisp though.
Most of the Yonex frames I've tried have been overly muted to the point I'm not sure where on the stringbed I'm catching the ball, whether I middle it or slightly mishit it.

 

[pico]

Did you ever try the CX 200 Tour?

 

[Guttersnipe]

TF40 18m is a much better racquet in just about every conceivable way (unless you’re a Yonex Guy) compared to VCP HD.

Prince Tour 100p (18x20) plays very similar, Synergy 98 (18x18) has that same round head shape, along with The Phantom 100X (18x20) that glides though the air with its ultra thin throat but is a bit anemic, and has to be leaded up but bludgeons the bejesus outta the ball.
Or if you can find a Twistpower 97x it’ll be the best of the bunch.

 

[OnePoint618]

Did you ever try the CX 200 Tour?

I never tried the CX200 Tour .... unless I'm mistaken it has a pretty low swing weight, right ?
I figured the CX400 Tour would provide a bigger sweetspot, some more power at the expense of a little control.

 

[GAS]

TF40 is a good option for OP. The downsides are TFs atrocious QC and low twistweight when compared with GPro.

 

[Ryebread]

100d with leather grip
sweet spot is not huge b/c 18 mains
low launch angle

blade 100 v9 with leather grip
sweet spot is more forgiving b/c 16x19
lower than average launch angle

 

[pico]

I never tried the CX200 Tour .... unless I'm mistaken it has a pretty low swing weight, right ?
I figured the CX400 Tour would provide a bigger sweetspot, some more power at the expense of a little control.

Yeh - would need some tweaking but great on ohbh.

 

[ollinger]

The OP's screenname (OnePoint61) is the number of kilometers in a mile. Is that the point??

 

[OnePoint618]

The OP's screenname (OnePoint61) is the number of kilometers in a mile. Is that the point??

Not quite. It's a Fibonacci number sometimes referred to as the golden ratio
It's found often in nature and used in many disciplines to predict human behaviour :

https://www.imaginationstationtoled...he Fibonacci sequence is the,233, 377, 610, …
https://education.kitco.com/trading/fibonacci-numbers-and-golden-ratio

 

[BHold81]

I’m a plow junkie when it comes to racquets also. Unfortunately that doesn’t translate to a whippy feel. The one current racquet other than the Gravity Pro I can think of that might fit your bill somewhat is the Prince Synergy 98. Drives through the ball very nice. I recommend a controlled multi like head velocity in it.

 

[Grafil Injection]

Not quite. It's a Fibonacci number sometimes referred to as the golden ratio
It's found often in nature and used in many disciplines to predict human behaviour :

https://www.imaginationstationtoledo.org/about/blog/the-fibonacci-sequence#:~:text=The Fibonacci sequence is the,233, 377, 610, …
https://education.kitco.com/trading/fibonacci-numbers-and-golden-ratio

Not to be pedantic, but it's probably better to be accurate. The Golden Ratio ((1 + root 5)/2) = 1.6180339...., which to two decimal places is 1.62.

 

[OnePoint618]

Not to be pedantic, but it's probably better to be accurate. The Golden Ratio ((1 + root 5)/2) = 1.6180339...., which to two decimal places is 1.62.

1.62 is just seems wrong
I chose OnePoint61 for brevity
... but I've just requested my name be changed to OnePoint618
(to satisfy your pedantry ! )

 

[dgoran]

Prince 100x 18x20

 

[fox]

Prince Tour 100P - it’s tad thicker and stiffer GPro.

 

[Anton]

Demo:

2023 GPro
CX400 Tour
Precept 100D

Aka YouTuber delight package.

Nobody is going to answer for you better. For me it’s 2023 GPro at 12.5oz. Don’t need anything else, haven’t tried anything in a year.

 

[Curtennis]

Not really sure what you’re looking to get from a switch. The obvious answer is to stop using an over spec gravity pro and just get a regular one.
I found the gravity pro to swing just as fast as a percept 100d despite the fairly large weight difference. Gravity is just such a swingable racquet for its weight.

 

[Crocodile]

I would give the Tecnifibre TF 40 315 a demo. Being foam filled and box Beamed with a moderate swing weight could work for you.
My mate ordered a Dunlop 400T and his example came over spec with the SW so he found it a bit clunky.

 

[Dragy]

Try Blade Pro maybe? Try CX200 98sqin. Lead it up for enough stability.

I’d also have you experience different feeling racquets more rather than listen to “crisp” and “less crisp” descriptions. Original GPro is rather raw in feel, although big sweetspot hides it a bit. But it’s not related to being solid.

Many muted frames feel very solid, I’d say it’s combo of decently high SW and stability tech. Or just huge SW.

Taking into account you want whippiness, I’d go exploring less raw and old graphite frames, but more modern options. Speed Pro is a contender for sure, CX200 with some customization, Percept 100D — try it. Blade v9 may work as well.

 

[OnePoint618]

Try Blade Pro maybe? Try CX200 98sqin. Lead it up for enough stability.

I’d also have you experience different feeling racquets more rather than listen to “crisp” and “less crisp” descriptions. Original GPro is rather raw in feel, although big sweetspot hides it a bit. But it’s not related to being solid.

Many muted frames feel very solid, I’d say it’s combo of decently high SW and stability tech. Or just huge SW.

Taking into account you want whippiness, I’d go exploring less raw and old graphite frames, but more modern options. Speed Pro is a contender for sure, CX200 with some customization, Percept 100D — try it. Blade v9 may work as well.

I like the idea of a CX200 but I expect it to be underpowered compared to a GPro ... hence my interest in the CX400 Tour
Percept 100D is on my radar too
I've hit with so many frames but never a Blade. You think I'd enjoy switching from a GPro ?

Describing feel is always subjective. To me, the best way to describe my original GPro is solid with some feel.
Perhaps your definition of solid is a muted & heavy frame.
I wouldn't say the GPro is 'raw' either ... I play it without a damper and there's no harshness, vibrations or unpleasant sensations

 

[vndesu]

Recently I found myself switching rackets around and i was using the 100D for awhile while having my Gravity Pro on the side, but as of late I feel like the Speed MP has been my go to.

With my 100D set up, I had a leather grip added and added 1 gram of lead to the top and counter weighted under the grip.

Currently Im going back and forth between the Previous gen and current Aux 2.0. While I do appreciate the muted feeling and heavier swingweight of the current speed MP. The older had way more feel and response for me.

For my speed set up, the previous gen has just a leather grip and 1 gram at the 3 and 9. While the Aux 2.0, I only have a leather on it and have been testing out strings on it.

If you like that 18 main and tighter string pattern I would def give the 100D a try, but if youre looking for more of an open pattern, I would give the Speed MP a try.

 

[OnePoint618]

Recently I found myself switching rackets around and i was using the 100D for awhile while having my Gravity Pro on the side, but as of late I feel like the Speed MP has been my go to.

With my 100D set up, I had a leather grip added and added 1 gram of lead to the top and counter weighted under the grip.

Currently Im going back and forth between the Previous gen and current Aux 2.0. While I do appreciate the muted feeling and heavier swingweight of the current speed MP. The older had way more feel and response for me.

For my speed set up, the previous gen has just a leather grip and 1 gram at the 3 and 9. While the Aux 2.0, I only have a leather on it and have been testing out strings on it.

If you like that 18 main and tighter string pattern I would def give the 100D a try, but if youre looking for more of an open pattern, I would give the Speed MP a try.

Thanks for the insight. The fact that you enjoyed switched from a GPro is useful to know.

I'm pretty confident the 100D has the power and the manoeuvrability I want. Feel can be a deal breaker for me though & I'm not so sure how the 100D will feel compared to the GPRO original.

 

[vndesu]

Thanks for the insight. The fact that you enjoyed switched from a GPro is useful to know.

I'm pretty confident the 100D has the power and the manoeuvrability I want. Feel can be a deal breaker for me though & I'm not so sure how the 100D will feel compared to the GPRO original.

I personally think the 100D has good feel. Though it does have a thicker beam I felt like there was no issues once you adjust to the weight. Just know that the 100D does come in pretty light so going from a Gpro to that you might have to tinker around with weight if needed.

There was a period where I tried the 100D with just a leather and it was feeling too light. IMO I think it will really shine once you find the propper weight and string set up.

 

[Chairman3]

I'm not so sure how the 100D will feel compared to the GPRO original.

It'll definitely feel different.
From my recollection the GPro is plush and very nice pocketing, as others mentioned, old-school feeling. But so solid and stable.

The 100D on the other hand is more "modern," what I call a little firmer less plush, I don't want to say it's stiff buuut with the wrong string you notice its stiffer layup.
The demo I used had PT Drive which is on the stiffer side.
For a Yonex, it has decent feel and isn't as muted as some versions of their racquets.
Definitely whippy/fast but won't be as stable either.

Great racquet but the GPro is hard to beat in many categories except maneuverability.

 

[PRS]

I'm pretty confident the 100D has the power and the manoeuvrability I want. Feel can be a deal breaker for me though & I'm not so sure how the 100D will feel compared to the GPRO original.

Only way to know is to try it. Feel is much too subjective to give you accurate advice. Personally, I love the feeling of the 100D (with a leather grip), but other people have complained about the feel of the Percept/Vcore Pro racquets.

 

[OnePoint618]

It'll definitely feel different.
From my recollection the GPro is plush and very nice pocketing, as others mentioned, old-school feeling. But so solid and stable.

The 100D on the other hand is more "modern," what I call a little firmer less plush, I don't want to say it's stiff buuut with the wrong string you notice its stiffer layup.
The demo I used had PT Drive which is on the stiffer side.
For a Yonex, it has decent feel and isn't as muted as some versions of their racquets.
Definitely whippy/fast but won't be as stable either.

Great racquet but the GPro is hard to beat in many categories except maneuverability.

Going by your description of the 100D, I think it might be a useful addition to my tennis bag if not a replacement !

I want a lighter, whippier racquet with decent control. I can live with it being a touch stiffer than the GPro. The stiffness is probably required to give it any hope of matching the power of the GPro.

 

[OnePoint618]

Only way to know is to try it. Feel is much too subjective to give you accurate advice. Personally, I love the feeling of the 100D (with a leather grip), but other people have complained about the feel of the Percept/Vcore Pro racquets.

Demos are a pain to arrange even in London the capital. I see plenty of used Percept 100s for sale but no 100Ds. I might have to bite the bullet & buy new !