Babolat Pure Storm Ltd GT vs. Prince EXO3 Tour 100 (18x20)

[macias]

Hi,

Both racquets are in the lists of "plays like a" of TW, so what are the distinctive differences that a player should know about (apart from specs, it is obvious)?

I am in particular interested in behaviour of EXO3 holes. Let's say I hit a forehand and after that backhand -- do strings shift a lot (because on second stroke they will be placed on facing front edges of holes)? Does one can tell the difference what was the position of string on holes?

Thank you in advance for comments.

Cheers,

 

[tata]

In so far the strings i've used, I do not experience extreme string movement in the 18x20. For me, assuming a fresh string job, they stayed aligned pretty well and for a while. Even when time kicks in, i don't find any extreme string movement. BUt this was nxt tour 17 i was using.

 

[JesterMania]

I play mainly with the PSLTD and have, and still play occasionally with the EXO3 Tour 100 (but 16x18).

For the ports, I'm not sure what you're asking but no, the strings don't shift wildly or anything. I can't tell any difference between the ports and standard holes. Additionally, the EXO3 Tour 100s have replaceable hole grommets that you can order from TW if you dislike using ports.

Regarding their playability, I found the EXO3 Tour 100 to have more spin and power than the PSLTD, but the string-bed was quite lively and harder to control than the PSTLD (I assume things get better with the 18x20 model). The EXO3 Tour 100 is also more comfortable and seemed more flexy. I get quite addicted to the spin the Tour can pull off, but I think my game is overall more controlled and consistent with the PSTLD.

 

[tennismonkey]

i find the exo3 tour 18x20 to be more comfy, spinny and powerful. i give the ps ltd the edge in control but not by much.

ps ltd plays like a traditional racquet. no adjustments needed. exo3 tour 18 mains takes a little bit of time to get used to the feel. the soft flex combined with the holes makes for a weird feeling of the ball sitting on the strings a lot longer.

 

[macias]

Thank you very much for the replies, as with good racquets, it is usually the case is the best choice is to get them both

@JesterMania, just for the record. Standard grommet "keeps" string in place, hole port however is just well "hole", so if you look at side the string can be in several positions with 2 extremes:

|
#

or

|
#

where # denotes hole, and | denotes string. If the ball hits the racquet in 1 figure from the right it will move, likely to end up as in the second figure. And I was asking about this movement.

 

[macias]

Errata (engine deletes spaces):

figure 1

_|
#

figure 2

|
#

_ is just space

 

[JesterMania]

I get what you mean now. No, the strings don't really do this, they seem to stay pretty much fixed in place. I think the port grommets on the outer edge of the frame keeps the strings in place. Even if it did move, it will not be noticeable or affect your gameplay. Prince has been using this port technology for a long time now. Also as mentioned, you can remove the port grommets and buy hole grommets instead.

 

[ricki]

Errata (engine deletes spaces):

figure 1

_|
#

figure 2

|
#

_ is just space

its not possible, as ports on opposite side are shifted by one port to the other side, so that string cannot move like you wrote