Blade 93 vs Vcore 89 vs PB 10 mid vs Prestige mid

U

unaffected

New User
hi
i would really apreciate advice in choosing new racket.

I am almost 30 years old, about 71 inches tall and 143 lbs (skinny but pretty athletic).
I think I am about 4.5+ player currently playing wilson ncode six-one team from 2005 (headsize 95', 18x20) - stringing at about 55lbs.

I prefer playing flat FH (but know how to make spin if needed) and single handed BH (slices from BH very often). I like going to the net when possible but I dont play serve and volley style - I am an allrounder with fast surfaces preference.

I want to try heavier racket and probably also want to change the old and used material (2005) to something new.

so after analysing the reviews I am thinking about:

- volkl powerbridge 10 mid
- yonex vcore tour 89
- head youtek prestige ig mid
- wilson blade 93

any advice would be helpful as I have poor demo programs for the rackets in my country.

thanks in advance
 
Vcore 89 all the way. Much more forgiving than the prestige. The pb10 is way too mushy on contact. Wish I had switched from my prestige mid sooner.
 
It's forgiving but also much less solid in my opinion. The Prestige Mid FEELS as good as any racquet I've ever tried. But the headsize is 89.5 and you'll definitely notice it when playing Pure Drive, Radical, and BLX Blade users.
 
I 've played extensively with the Head (Prest IG Mid) and it is awesome. VERY solid from the baseline.

Two months ago I switched from it to the new Blase 93. Boy... I regreted a lot!.

I mean, the Blade is a fine racquet and I am playing ok with it. But I do miss the control and ball weight I got from the IG Mid.

Maybe I will travel to the US soon and I am really thinking of reswitching back.

I tried the Yonie (89) once. It is very easy to play with it (IMO), but it is way less solid than the Head / Wilson, so it's not my cup of tea.

BT
 
And here's the thing: if you've played with a Prestige (Microgel, Flexpoint, Classic 600), you know what you're going to get. Pinpoint accuracy? Check. Tremendous feel and confidence? Check. A bunch more mishits than a tweener? Check plus!
 
All are good options... the PB 10 is going to have the most dwell time and the prestige mid is a lot of fun because it is pretty similar to the PC600.. maybe a bit less thumpy and a bit more feedback but quite similar.

Take a look at the Becker London tour... it is the most beautiful racket to serve with and its slices are epic. I pull it out in warmups and once some Highschool kids went ooooooooooOO when I hit a defensive/offensive stretched backhand slice with it... as it flouted down the line for a laser winner. It's not the best for long topspin backhand exchanges but when you line it up it does drive the ball. Forehands are great, volleys in an old school way.

Another cool option is the Pacific X Feel pro 90 vacuum: http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/reviews/PXFLP/PXFLPReview.html
 
Last edited:
I have played extensively with a number of control oriented player's frames. Head Microgel Prestige Pro, Prince Tour Diablo, Babolat Pure Storm Tour Plus, Prince Graphite Longbody, Wilson kBlade, Wilson BLX Blade Tour, Gamma Tour 340X, Dunlop Aerogel 4d 200, Dunlop Aerogel 4d 200 Tour, Dunlop Biomimetic 200 Lite, Head Youtek Prestige mid, Head Youtek IG Prestige mid, and Prince Exo3 Tour 16x18. Hands down, the best feeling frame in the "buttery" camp was the Youtek IG mid followed by 200 Tour and Microgel Prestige Pro and then Gamma 340x. Blade Tour is in the "firm" camp and was the most solid by a long way. Blade Tour is unique among midsize frames because the width of the frame in the hitting area is the same as a 98 midplus frame. This aspect makes that frame as forgiving for framed shots as a midplus. Power level and sweet spot are indicative of a mid so centering the ball on the strings is slightly more important than a midplus. Prestige mid of any generation is a demanding frame if you play on clay due to irregular bounce. Blade 98, Exo3 Tour, and Pure Storm Tour are much more forgiving with playing characteristics that are very similar to mid frames. If you want buttery, I would recommend Pure Storm Tour as it plays like a Prestige. Exo3 has a unique feel, a lengthy demo period is required and recommended. If you like a firmer beam, go with Blade of either headsize but string low due to string sensitivity.

Good luck.
 
I have a similar short list for the next racquet to buy (in no particular order):
  1. Volkl PB10 mid
  2. IG Prestige Mid
  3. Wilson 90
  4. Dunlop 4d 200 tour
  5. Babolat Pure storm tour

IG prestige gets very good reviews here so will try that after the price drops a little.
 
Try the organix 10 mid. Very forgiving mid with good pop, maneuverable for it's weight, and still has stability. Would be a good transition IMO. I almost bought one.
 
thats it? just a couple of opinions?
come on guys..

thanks anyway. i guess the best way would be to demo those 4 racquets but i have little and poor options here in Poland..
 
Big Tigger said:
I 've played extensively with the Head (Prest IG Mid) and it is awesome...But I do miss the control and ball weight I got from the IG Mid...Maybe I will travel to the US soon and I am really thinking of reswitching back.
Click to expand...
Very true. If you can create your own power, the Prestige Mids are awesome.

FYI - Graphene version of the Prestige is supposed to be out in the last quarter according to my shop...
 
unaffected said:
hi
i would really apreciate advice in choosing new racket.

I am almost 30 years old, about 71 inches tall and 143 lbs (skinny but pretty athletic).
I think I am about 4.5+ player currently playing wilson ncode six-one team from 2005 (headsize 95', 18x20) - stringing at about 55lbs.

I prefer playing flat FH (but know how to make spin if needed) and single handed BH (slices from BH very often). I like going to the net when possible but I dont play serve and volley style - I am an allrounder with fast surfaces preference.

I want to try heavier racket and probably also want to change the old and used material (2005) to something new.

so after analysing the reviews I am thinking about:

- volkl powerbridge 10 mid
- yonex vcore tour 89
- head youtek prestige ig mid
- wilson blade 93

any advice would be helpful as I have poor demo programs for the rackets in my country.

thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Going from a less than 11oz mid+ to a 12oz+ midsize is quite the jump.
I would stick with Mid+ and try:
Head Prestige Pro, Wilson 6.1 95 16x18, Head Extreme Pro.
 
I've only played with two of the sticks (Prestige Mid and VCORE 89).

Of the two, I liked the Prestige better. Mainly because I liked the maneuverability much better. The VCORE was just a little sluggish feeling for me. But, my experience with them is limited as I knew I wasn't buying so I didn't play as much with them.

The VCORE has a little more pop, I thought. The Prestige Mid is probably the lowest powered racquet I've used.
 
I wouldn't personally recommend the PB10, worst frame I've ever used. Don't know why but couldn't hit a heavy ball with it stock, compared to similar frames just didn't do anything as well. It is easy to whip around so depends on what your after, and given all the positive reviews maybe it's just me.

Personally Prestige tour with the suspension grip works better for me than any other frame, comfortable, can swing as hard as you want and it all goes in with pinpoint control and goes in. Plus the heavy of the ball makes it very hard to block. First serves are amazing, second serves take a bit of effort tho
 
unaffected said:
hi
i would really apreciate advice in choosing new racket.

I am almost 30 years old, about 71 inches tall and 143 lbs (skinny but pretty athletic).
I think I am about 4.5+ player currently playing wilson ncode six-one team from 2005 (headsize 95', 18x20) - stringing at about 55lbs.

I prefer playing flat FH (but know how to make spin if needed) and single handed BH (slices from BH very often). I like going to the net when possible but I dont play serve and volley style - I am an allrounder with fast surfaces preference.

I want to try heavier racket and probably also want to change the old and used material (2005) to something new.

so after analysing the reviews I am thinking about:

- volkl powerbridge 10 mid
- yonex vcore tour 89
- head youtek prestige ig mid
- wilson blade 93

any advice would be helpful as I have poor demo programs for the rackets in my country.

thanks in advance
Click to expand...


If you get a hold of an old prestige, go for it. Nothing after the iPrestige (IMO that was the last good Prestige, still made in Austria too).

Otherwise, Yonex Vcore Tour 89. This one, is a future classic!
 
West Coast Ace said:
FYI - Graphene version of the Prestige is supposed to be out in the last quarter according to my shop...
Click to expand...

NOOOO!! Boy… I will be in the States in mid September – so no Graphene Prestiges yet.

But the IG is sooo gooood! Will the Graphene be even better??

Help me MIGHTY MOUSE!!!
 
Answer from TW:

"The Volkl Power Bridge 10 Mid and the Head Youtek IG Prestige Mid racquets are going to be very similar to one another. The main differnece between these two super control-oriented racquets is that the Power Bridge will provide a bit more power and depth on the ball than the Prestige due to the more open string pattern. In addition, the Power Bride 10 also will provide more access to spin. The Yonex VCore 89 racquet is going to be the most control oriented of the racquets you have listed, but still has a similar sweet spot to the Power Bridge 10 and Prestige due to the isometric head shape. Considering that you have used a 95, you will be making a big jump by moving to a racquet with a 90 or smaller head size. The Wilson Blade 93 will be the lightest of the four and the stiffest. Thus, even though it is also a very control oriented racquet, it will generate the most power and feel from the four racquets you have listed.

Considering that you like to play at the net when possible and have an all around court game, I feel that the Prestige and the Blade 93 might be the most suitable racquet because the complement a flat shots and provide great maneuverability. Between the two, if you do not mind the high weight of the Prestige, then I would suggest to consider the Prestige over the Blade 93."

What do you think?

My concern about Blade 93 - the more I read about it the more people are complaining.

My concern about the Prestige - the extra power that you have to put into a hit (power potential about 40% vs 42% in yonex).

My concern about Yonex - big difference in head size between current 95 and 89 in Yonex.

I think I give up on the Volkl as I have NO chance to demo it.
 
My vote would be for the prestige, quality racquets, pinpoint, come through nice, I find to not too hard to get decent RHS, and not so heavy that you could always mess about with a touch of lead if you needed.
 
unaffected said:
Answer from TW:

"The Volkl Power Bridge 10 Mid and the Head Youtek IG Prestige Mid racquets are going to be very similar to one another. The main differnece between these two super control-oriented racquets is that the Power Bridge will provide a bit more power and depth on the ball than the Prestige due to the more open string pattern. In addition, the Power Bride 10 also will provide more access to spin. The Yonex VCore 89 racquet is going to be the most control oriented of the racquets you have listed, but still has a similar sweet spot to the Power Bridge 10 and Prestige due to the isometric head shape. Considering that you have used a 95, you will be making a big jump by moving to a racquet with a 90 or smaller head size. The Wilson Blade 93 will be the lightest of the four and the stiffest. Thus, even though it is also a very control oriented racquet, it will generate the most power and feel from the four racquets you have listed.

Considering that you like to play at the net when possible and have an all around court game, I feel that the Prestige and the Blade 93 might be the most suitable racquet because the complement a flat shots and provide great maneuverability. Between the two, if you do not mind the high weight of the Prestige, then I would suggest to consider the Prestige over the Blade 93."

What do you think?

My concern about Blade 93 - the more I read about it the more people are complaining.

My concern about the Prestige - the extra power that you have to put into a hit (power potential about 40% vs 42% in yonex).

My concern about Yonex - big difference in head size between current 95 and 89 in Yonex.

I think I give up on the Volkl as I have NO chance to demo it.
Click to expand...

it is the yonex then because it plays like a 95. that is true
 
I've played with all except for the Vcore.

Prestige feels smaller but has the best flat hitting accuracy of any of the mids IMO. Since I came from Prestige Mid, that is my reference for Mid size rackets.

The Blade 93 and PB10 are larger Mids than the Prestige Mid.
I wanted to really like the Blade 93 but the weight distribution didn't agree with me.

I had a PB10 Mid for a short time. It felt more stiff and played much larger. I couldn't really dial in the accuracy of my shots. It always felt like I was hitting to an area no matter what string setup I tried.
 
KYHacker said:
I have played extensively with a number of control oriented player's frames. Head Microgel Prestige Pro, Prince Tour Diablo, Babolat Pure Storm Tour Plus, Prince Graphite Longbody, Wilson kBlade, Wilson BLX Blade Tour, Gamma Tour 340X, Dunlop Aerogel 4d 200, Dunlop Aerogel 4d 200 Tour, Dunlop Biomimetic 200 Lite, Head Youtek Prestige mid, Head Youtek IG Prestige mid, and Prince Exo3 Tour 16x18. Hands down, the best feeling frame in the "buttery" camp was the Youtek IG mid followed by 200 Tour and Microgel Prestige Pro and then Gamma 340x. Blade Tour is in the "firm" camp and was the most solid by a long way. Blade Tour is unique among midsize frames because the width of the frame in the hitting area is the same as a 98 midplus frame. This aspect makes that frame as forgiving for framed shots as a midplus. Power level and sweet spot are indicative of a mid so centering the ball on the strings is slightly more important than a midplus. Prestige mid of any generation is a demanding frame if you play on clay due to irregular bounce. Blade 98, Exo3 Tour, and Pure Storm Tour are much more forgiving with playing characteristics that are very similar to mid frames. If you want buttery, I would recommend Pure Storm Tour as it plays like a Prestige. Exo3 has a unique feel, a lengthy demo period is required and recommended. If you like a firmer beam, go with Blade of either headsize but string low due to string sensitivity.

Good luck.
Click to expand...

Very good points. I have the 4D200Tour and it is sweet but a load.

As for the OP, if you want to win, demo a PDR and Pure Storm Tour. They crush any of the frames you've listed.
 
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