tennisislife4622
Rookie
Really looking forward to trying this stick, some hyper g in it would look amazing....
I said I'd stay away from Babolat for a while due to my sensitive elbow, but I couldn't help myself being the racquetaholic that I am because spec and pj look so enticing. I snuck out for a quick hit and run last night. Don't know if Babolat's QC has improved or not but mine came in exactly at 10.8 oz unstrung. It's a darn good looking racquet and one of the best pjs out there. Less yellow and more graphite gray, which I prefer over the PA. I'm sick of all the uninspired matte blocks of color from Wilson, so I'm here for the classic shine. There's just something exciting about pulling out a bran new racquet and it sparkles (before use and abuse of course). I've always thought of the VS line as nothing more than a gimmick to increase sales for the PA & PD line. My opinion still holds true for the PDVS, which imo does nothing particularly well. So I was skeptical trying out the latest PAVS. I strung it up with rpm blast 16g at 58 lbs and added some tungsten tape to 3 & 9 o'clock. IMO, the PA lacks torsional stability due to the aerodynamic throat design and needs some weight at 3&9. Total weight came to 11.6 oz strung. Despite being 16x20, It doesn't look or feel any different from a 16x19 because the last cross sits very close to the bottom and unecessary to string to be honest. My first impression is that this is a more refined version of the PA. I think Babolat should just drop the VS and call it a PA 98. Although stiffness rating is the same for both, I find the VS plays softer than the PA. Spin and power is plenty despite being 16x20. Like I said, it's a very open 16x20 and might as well be 16x19. I feel it's less sluggish than the PA due to the smaller headsize so it gets around quicker. Control is better than the PA. I have been playing with the Blade 98 (18x20) and got used to hitting hard and flat with it, so going to the PAVS I had to put a bit more topspin into my shots. Control is definitely there and a few times I thought my balls would sail long but dropped in. Serve is easy to generate pace and placement. Didn't volley too much but overhead was a cake with lots of putaway power. Overall, it's just a very easy racquet to pick up and hit with right out of the gate. This is despite not having played for over a month due to the stay-at-home order. Will need to spend more time with it to get a better idea but first impression is that it's a very good racquet unlike the PDVS. I'd say, it's an improved version of the PA. If you're looking for a bit more control from the PA without sacrificing power and spin, this is it.
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Thank you for the review, how would you compare it to the Pure Strike?¿
I've never liked the PS. Didn't gel with the last gen (project one7) and haven't tried the latest version.
tennisislife4622
Rookie
Not missing out on much, small sweetspot, weird HH balance and stiff and muted which is an awful combo IMO
Lavs
Hall of Fame
Do you describe latest Pure Strike or Pure Aero VS?
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Moveforwardalways
Hall of Fame
The new PAVS is a Babolat. Even though the stiffness is slightly lower and it’s a 98, it is still a Babolat and plays like a Babolat. Whether that is good or bad is up to you.
Lavs
Hall of Fame
As a matter of fact - original Pure Control (very first release) is also Babolat and plays as soft as 59RA. Plush and rock solid feel.
Go figure
Moveforwardalways
Hall of Fame
2005 called, and wants it’s Babolat back
Lavs
Hall of Fame
or even earlier. 2001-2005 is when Babolat produced best sticks in the world. Then it vanished
And then it went to l70RA for the next gen right?
Lavs
Hall of Fame
68RA
marceloriosfan
Rookie
well said. So I'll chime in with pretty much the same sentiments.
I hit one yesterday with gut mains @55 RPM cross @52. Fun to bang from the baseline but not magical enough to switch instantly. I did a side by side test with my PS (both restrung, even went +5 lbs on PS to try and have exact same string conditions), PS had more feel/control and felt like the ball was on the string longer.
RA from TW:
PS16x19: 66
PAVS: 67
I'd love to test a PAVS with an RA in the low 60s
I'll let the string loosen up, but I am not sure that will help a ton. Nice pop, spin, control, but not enough feel in the Pure Aero VS for my current preferences.
If you want a dialed down Pure Aero, you'll love the PAVS. I think that will be the sweet spot, players who grew up or have a long history with Babolat (Drive and Aero) but want a little more control as they get stronger. I played forever with the Pure Drive, Pure Aero, Pure Aero Tour... this would have been an interesting choice with a leather grip and all poly strung around 47-50 if I was still in juniors or college.
Pure Strike, Pure Drive VS, Pure Aero VS... all noticeably different but in the same "world." And I think we get a Pure Strike VS next year, curious if it will be a whole new frame or a paint job of PC mold.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Overgrip and 1g of lead from 10 to 2 so far.
Thinking about adding a bit more lead to the tip.
Hyper G and Tour Sniper.
This is really strange to me, but the Blade v7 despite being softer gives me elbow pain but when I switched to the PAVS it goes away. The new Blade is deceptively stiff. It flexes and you can feel it but its flex does not equate to a softer racquet. It stiffens up quite a bit when you swing faster and harder.
i'm assuming you're using the 18x20 based on your signature...but 18x20 patterns tend to give me more issues than open patterns regardless of stiffness. i've never had issues with APDs, PDs, etc. but certain 18x20 sticks with lower RA just don't feel comfortable regardless of string and tension. i'm guessing it has to do with the stringbed being firmer
i think this is a great followup to the APD. better control and more solid feel while still retaining much of the pop. It actually may have more spin
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
More information needed...
tsamo
Semi-Pro
Sorry, you're right. It was not the racket's fault from what I could tell. Just that the string was one of the worst ones I've tried to date.
I bought it second hand and it came strung with that, so even if I had not heard good things about it I gave it a chance but...
Anyway I'll string it with something else and try again.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Why was it awful? I only use revolve as a cross. Too soft with not enough feedback in a full bed.
tsamo
Semi-Pro
Personally it was way, way too harsh and gave constant vibrations. It was like the racket was strung with metallic wire or something.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
52# would be too high for me personally. I’m currently at 44/42.
tsamo
Semi-Pro
Maybe that was the problem. Came strung with it though so nothing I could do about it.
Now wondering if the person sold it because it felt so awful without realizing the string at that tension was the problem and never tried anything else...
I think the higher tension makes it feel more unstable in the upper hoop. I had mine strung with ice code 1.25 at 50# and stock form wasnt as solid. Added 1g each at 11 and 1 and it's pretty awesome. Ice code is also a pretty slick string, so i think most other polys woukd be better strung lower
JEDI MASTER
Professional
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
no experience w/ hyper g in this frame yet so no comment...
absolutely agree with adding a smidge of lead somewhere between 10 to 2.
tsamo
Semi-Pro
Will add some propably later, but first I need to play it with a better string/tension to get a feel for what it needs.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
@tsamo
my 44/42# is done using my modified JC method which yields a string job that's closer to 47/45# when strung conventionally. also i string on a babolat sensor machine and snoflewis strings on an alpha w/ wise tensioner. both are constant pull, but the babolat turntable and supports are alot more rigid which also yields a string job that's firmer. when it's all said and done, i think my string job only feels ~3#s less than snoflewis' string job.
BabPlayer-JohnnyG
Rookie
I totally agree with Snoflewis. This racquet is a fantastic follow-up to the APD 2013. Let us know what you think!
gutfeeling
Hall of Fame
I can validate this. 40-44 lb on my Babolat Sensor yields a firm stringbed using stiff poly. Combine that with a stiff frame and no need to go higher. Otherwise you will get the "frying pan" experience and actually decrease spin.
David Le
Hall of Fame
I’m testing one soon when it arrives. I’ve been playing on and off with the OG APD since I was 11. I do love the 16x20 pattern since one of the racquets I had in high school had it. Overall, how does it compare to the OG APD? Does it have the ‘raw’ feel that the OG APD has?
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I prefer this one to the APD original, this one has more control, similar power and the feeling is better in my opinion. With the APD OG I had some stability and jarring issues when the ball was hitting the tip of the racquet, I don´t have this issue on this racquet which is more solid and stable.
David Le
Hall of Fame
Interesting. I would agree with the better feel because of the beam width. The OG APD wasn’t the best in the feel/touch department. How does the stiffness compare? Obviously it’s due to the tension of your strings, but give or take.
Lavs
Hall of Fame
Sorry, but I would not agree. APD Original has the best feel among all APD releases. It is raw and honest. It does not dump which allows to hit with some good top spin as long as to flat the shots out.
You actually "feel" the ball upon contact, in contrast to all Cortex versions or Pure Aeros, which totally dump the feel. OG APD is most flexible too (not saying it is soft but it's highest comfort comparing to other APDs/PAs)
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Completely agree. And the PA VS has better stability than the APDO with a much lighter swingweight.
David Le
Hall of Fame
I’m sorry if my wording wasn’t understanding, but of course the OG APD has the best feel/raw power out of all APD. I wouldn’t consider the PA as part of the main APD family but a branch or distant cousin. I would’ve thought that racquets that have a thinner beam would have a better feel/touch?
Lavs
Hall of Fame
That's for sure!
gutfeeling
Hall of Fame
I have not played the PAVS. But as a long time APDO user, I think its greatest strength was also its greatest flaw. Stiff poly in this frame transmitted nasty vibes to my arms. Otherwise I loved the performance of the frame.
Lavs
Hall of Fame
The only thing you should have been done to avoid any vibes on your arms is to put some Silicone into the handle. Issue solved.
gutfeeling
Hall of Fame
I actually developed chronic pain in my right shoulder and left wrist (2 handed backhand). Silicone may have helped with the bottom hand but not sure how much it would have done for the top hand. After a few years with the APDO I understood the concept of the cortex dampening tech. I could have also played a softer poly or a hybrid with a softer string.
