Between Ezone 98, Speed MP 2022, Vcore 98

[curlybridger]

I'm 25M been playing for 6 months or so now (played college baseball but never touched a racquet until may) and am around a 4.0. I started playing with a pure strike 98 16/19 and Liked it alright but demoed an ezone and liked the sweet spot and felt like I just hit cleaner with it than my Strike.

I then bought 2 beat up Vcore pro 97 310s and have been playing with them for a couple months. I like them, but they are on their last legs and are lacking in the power dept. Not to mention the 97 head size does give me trouble when playing against people on clay who hit a heavy ball. I have a big serve for my level, good spin on forehand, a flat 2 hander, and I've never been to the net but I've heard it's nice.

Now I want the ezone 98, or even vcore 98. But the speed MP 2022 is on clearance right now and people really seem to love it. I'm I bit conflicted because I love the yonex shape and sweet spot, but if a Speed is gonna give me just as much power, spin, not hurt my serve, and more forgiving while being abused on clay, maybe it's good option for me. Plus 150 sounds a lot better than 270. And used ezones are not easy to find for a good deal.
Any advice?

Note- I have vcore 98, ezone 98, and radical mp demos right now. Unfortunately the tension on them is probably 15 lbs so it's hard to tell how I really feel.

 

[thenewbig3]

Do not compromise - get the racket that give you maximum confidence.
There are ways to get an Ezone 98 or VCore 98 cheaper than 270 + tax if that what you are going with.

 

[TwinCinema]

For someone with a flat backhand you’ll definitely prefer the EZone to the VCore 98. I’ve seen good deals in the classifieds here for EZones and in the long run (over years, with dozens of new string jobs, etc) a little extra money will be worth it. The Speed is notably a bit more erratic than the EZone and if you haven’t tried it you shouldn’t pull the trigger on one just because it’s on sale. (IMO)

If you like the EZone 98 demo you have (and it seems like you do) then get one, put some fresh strings of your choice in it, and enjoy.

 

[curlybridger]

Do not compromise - get the racket that give you maximum confidence.
There are ways to get an Ezone 98 or VCore 98 cheaper than 270 + tax if that what you are going with.

Good advice. We will see I may try to get my hands on a Speed to demo

 

[curlybridger]

For someone with a flat backhand you’ll definitely prefer the EZone to the VCore 98. I’ve seen good deals in the classifieds here for EZones and in the long run (over years, with dozens of new string jobs, etc) a little extra money will be worth it. The Speed is notably a bit more erratic than the EZone and if you haven’t tried it you shouldn’t pull the trigger on one just because it’s on sale. (IMO)

If you like the EZone 98 demo you have (and it seems like you do) then get one, put some fresh strings of your choice in it, and enjoy.

I imagine I will end up getting ezone regardless, but I do have this radical demo. How similarly does the radical feel to the speed in your opinion. If you have one that is

 

[TwinCinema]

I imagine I will end up getting ezone regardless, but I do have this radical demo. How similarly does the radical feel to the speed in your opinion. If you have one that is

I bought a radical MP earlier this year and promptly got rid of it. Hated the feel on contact, didn’t find much free power at all, and it did nothing that plenty of other rackets do much better. It also hurt my wrist. Speed will give you more power and better spin, maybe a little less control. But it’s less maneuverable being a 100” vs the Rad’s 98” and its beam is thicker which I didn’t like.

 

[Flying_Axe]

Speed since 360+ is the most comfortable out of all. I am not a fan of modern yonex feeling(perhaps VDM). I think Speed MP is relatively weaker in serve area. Won't lose anything else compared to those yonex 98s

 

[am1899]

I switched to the Ezone 98 a few months ago. OHBH. Zero regrets, absolutely fantastic frame.

 

[TF40]

I owned all above rackets. IMO, Radical MP aux has best control over others, it’s especially good for flat hitters. Power is very decent, although not as much as Ezone or Pure Drive, but definitely offering more pop than Pure Aero 98, Blade, or Gravity Pro. If you put 2-3 g lead at 3 and 9, this racket turns into a beast.

 

[heavyD]

Radical MP is kind of an underrated racquet. Much better than the Blade for most mid level recreational players.

 

[thenewbig3]

I just bought a pair of Ezone 98 Aqua Night + 2 sets of PTP 1.25 Yellow from Europe.

 

[Dadof2wildmonkeys]

Speed since 360+ is the most comfortable out of all. I am not a fan of modern yonex feeling(perhaps VDM). I think Speed MP is relatively weaker in serve area. Won't lose anything else compared to those yonex 98s

So the 360+ versions are comfortable? I have the 360+ speed pro…

 

[thenewbig3]

So the 360+ versions are comfortable? I have the 360+ speed pro…

The Speed Pros (360 and up) are so comfortable feeling it almost feels like it is not possible that something this comfortable can be that powerful...

 

[am1899]

I just bought a pair of Ezone 98 Aqua Night + 2 sets of PTP 1.25 Yellow from Europe.

Have the same stick and a set of yellow ptp 1.20 waiting to go in to try.

 

[heavyD]

The Speed Pros (360 and up) are so comfortable feeling it almost feels like it is not possible that something this comfortable can be that powerful...

I feel Auxetic is the best dampening technology right now. Auxetic 2 in particular is amazing. It's hard to believe a frame like the Extreme Pro could have a 64 RA and feel so comfortable. I don't even have to use a sleeve with it and I used a sleeve with the Blade 100 V9 and all the frames before that.

 

[Orezap]

I feel Auxetic is the best dampening technology right now. Auxetic 2 in particular is amazing. It's hard to believe a frame like the Extreme Pro could have a 64 RA and feel so comfortable. I don't even have to use a sleeve with it and I used a sleeve with the Blade 100 V9 and all the frames before that.

Auxetic 2.0 vs 1.0 tho took away the feeling immensely but improved stability massively. E.g. Speed MP 2022 vs Speed MP Legend 2024.

22 --> feel, unstable
Legend -->no feel, very dampened/muted, very stable