Best new mid-size to pick up?

Which mid should I pick up?

  • IG Prestige Mid

    Votes: 13 34.2%
  • Blade 93

    Votes: 13 34.2%
  • Powerbridge 10 Mid

    Votes: 6 15.8%
  • Pro 90 Vacuum

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • VCore 89

    Votes: 6 15.8%

  • Total voters
    38

Lilguy1456

Semi-Pro
Help me choose...I've demoed all 3 of these, and I enjoy all 3. Which will I definitely not regret getting and why?
 

El Zed

Banned
Help me choose...I've demoed all 3 of these, and I enjoy all 3. Which will I definitely not regret getting and why?

Can you describe your style?

Right off the top, I believe you might have some issues with the Pacific if you wish to employ a more modern style. This is presuming that the racquet is at all comparable to the Pro Vacuum 90 - which to me, rendered it more difficult to access spin compared to some other (less modern) classics (such as the Prestige Pros, etc.). I'm actually demoing this particular frame, and hope to be proven wrong as the Fischer was an otherwise stellar frame (and still is if you hit flat and/or use a 1HBH).
 

Lilguy1456

Semi-Pro
Can you describe your style?

Right off the top, I believe you might have some issues with the Pacific if you wish to employ a more modern style. This is presuming that the racquet is at all comparable to the Pro Vacuum 90 - which to me, rendered it more difficult to access spin compared to some other (less modern) classics (such as the Prestige Pros, etc.). I'm actually demoing this particular frame, and hope to be proven wrong as the Fischer was an otherwise stellar frame (and still is if you hit flat and/or use a 1HBH).

I'd love to describe myself as "all court," but in reality, I'm just OK at everything lol. I do hit a with a western grip, but I've use smaller, closed pattern racquets and have had no issue getting spin.

We talked in another thread about my wrist injury, so that's a factor too. The softness of the Vacuum is enticing, but might be very tough to generate spin, so I'm liking the PB10...
 

El Zed

Banned
I'd love to describe myself as "all court," but in reality, I'm just OK at everything lol. I do hit a with a western grip, but I've use smaller, closed pattern racquets and have had no issue getting spin.

We talked in another thread about my wrist injury, so that's a factor too. The softness of the Vacuum is enticing, but might be very tough to generate spin, so I'm liking the PB10...

Yeah, don't get me wrong - the vacuum is a GREAT racquet, and highly suited for a certain style. But if you're a baseline basher, there are much better options. I actually sold off two of the original Fischer Fishnets in new condition for the simple fact that it never suited my game.

The PB10 is a very nice stick as well, although I recall not being amazed with it during my demo and leaving with the impression that the C10 was "better" to me. I know you want a mid-size frame, but if you are after easily available softness, you really owe it to yourself to check out the new Radical Pro....
 

Lilguy1456

Semi-Pro
Yeah, don't get me wrong - the vacuum is a GREAT racquet, and highly suited for a certain style. But if you're a baseline basher, there are much better options. I actually sold off two of the original Fischer Fishnets in new condition for the simple fact that it never suited my game.

The PB10 is a very nice stick as well, although I recall not being amazed with it during my demo and leaving with the impression that the C10 was "better" to me. I know you want a mid-size frame, but if you are after easily available softness, you really owe it to yourself to check out the new Radical Pro....

I've enjoyed radicals in the past...but I always wished they were a bit more headlight. I suppose I could tailweight though. 2-3 pts HL is very low though...
 

Lilguy1456

Semi-Pro
The answer to 90% of the questions in this forum is "whatever is good for you"...I'm wanting to hear OTHER views, rather than being told to go with my own lol
 

El Zed

Banned
I've enjoyed radicals in the past...but I always wished they were a bit more headlight. I suppose I could tailweight though. 2-3 pts HL is very low though...

If you get a radical, I'm sure you'll want to add silicone to handle. This is what Head does with nearly all of its pro stock frames, and I'd venture to say a large part as to why these frames are purported to have better feel. So, in a way, it'll be a win-win for you.
 

jonestim

Hall of Fame
I notice that the Organix 10 Mid was not listed in your poll. Sounds like that may be a winner as well.
 

Lilguy1456

Semi-Pro
If you get a radical, I'm sure you'll want to add silicone to handle. This is what Head does with nearly all of its pro stock frames, and I'd venture to say a large part as to why these frames are purported to have better feel. So, in a way, it'll be a win-win for you.

Radical MP or Radical Pro? Decisions...
 

Fuji

Legend
Just wanted to add, I did a mini review of the Blade 93 Black, and that frame is money. Hits so amazingly well, I just wish I was good enough to play with mids full time! :razz:

-Fuji
 

Lilguy1456

Semi-Pro
Just wanted to add, I did a mini review of the Blade 93 Black, and that frame is money. Hits so amazingly well, I just wish I was good enough to play with mids full time! :razz:

-Fuji

I'm just worried about the stiffness...
 

Fuji

Legend
I'm just worried about the stiffness...

I have had pretty vicious arm problems in the past, and I had my demo strung with a Poly/Syn gut hybrid. It felt crisp, but never harsh. No dampner or anything. Just a super clean and clear feeling ball. I didn't get any funky vibrations at all due to the high stiffness.

-Fuji
 

Sander001

Hall of Fame
Best new mid-size to pick up?
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anirut

Legend
If you can still find a Dunlop 4D 100, go for it. Should suit your style well. Lighter, open pattern and soft.

The Redondo mid may be an old frame by now, since you're asking for a new mid size. It's an arm saver, and a 'duck' -- can do everything well but doesn't excel at anything particular. Everything depends on you.
 

El Zed

Banned
If you can still find a Dunlop 4D 100, go for it. Should suit your style well. Lighter, open pattern and soft.

The Redondo mid may be an old frame by now, since you're asking for a new mid size. It's an arm saver, and a 'duck' -- can do everything well but doesn't excel at anything particular. Everything depends on you.

You know, Black Ace 93s are still available new for a good price. I can guess which side you fall on, but good alternative to the Redondo? I recall past post comparing the 98 to the PT57A, so there might be some magic there.....
 

gbgTennis

New User
I've only hit with 3 of those 5 racquets.
The prestige mid, although not the Youtek IG one, i'm still with MGs.
Also with the pacific Xfeel pro 90 (which I guess is the one you mean), and the Yonex.
I've been playing Prestige mid pretty much since i was able to lift it and still love it. There is no other racquet i know that automatically makes you a better player technique-wise, just because the feedback is so strong. This unforgiveness ofcourse also has the downside that it can be very frustrating.


As a baseliner who hits with lots of spin i'd definitely give the vcore 89 a try, for that small of a headsize the spinpotential is fantastic, with spin being the biggest downside to the prestige. I liked that racquet very much and might ineed have switched to it, but didn't feel like buying 3 new racquets.

Pacific got a unique feel, like the fischerracquets did. But it played very solid and I liked it. Also easier to get spin with than with the prestige.

I don't think you can go with any of those racquets. The prestige is a classic that everyone who likes midracquets should have hit with. Vcore is by far the most spinfrindly <93 in² racquet i've ever hit with, and the Vacuum 90 is a classic for a reason aswell.


Keep in mind that the other 2 racquets are about 3 in² bigger in headsize than prestige, vcore and xfeel. Those really make a difference from my experience, when it comes to midsized racquets. They'll definitely be more
 

Blitzball

Professional
Honestly these racquets are all extremely solid and a joy to play with. My personal preference would be the Blade because it's the one I've played with the most, but by no means am I saying it's a better racquet than any of the others listed in the poll.

I suppose you could draw straws or just shoose the one with the best paintjob.
 

El Zed

Banned
Can you describe your style?

Right off the top, I believe you might have some issues with the Pacific if you wish to employ a more modern style. This is presuming that the racquet is at all comparable to the Pro Vacuum 90 - which to me, rendered it more difficult to access spin compared to some other (less modern) classics (such as the Prestige Pros, etc.). I'm actually demoing this particular frame, and hope to be proven wrong as the Fischer was an otherwise stellar frame (and still is if you hit flat and/or use a 1HBH).

Ok, demo'd the Pacific and it's a terrific racquet. In comparison to my recollection of the Vacuum Pro 90 (of which I had two early "Made in Austria" versions), the Fischer had slightly more power and seemed more willing to allow for topspin. Further, the "upper hoop" issue wasn't as pronounced. That being said, you REALLY need to bring your own power with this racquet - almost impossible to hit out, but rather easy to leave a short ball unless every stroke is on. Feel was terrific, but this is just too much of a relic for me. The Prestige is far more relevant to today's game.
 
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