Calling all ProKennex Kinetic Pro 7G users

[Ashley D]

Hi All,
I'm going through the painful process of selecting a new racquet.
I was thinking the RQiS 2 Tour, but now I'm thinking the ProKennex Kinetic Pro 7G.
A bit of background. I'm a 4.0-4.5 player. My previous rackets were:
Wilson HyperProstaff 5.1 Surge
ProKennex Kennetic 5g
Wilson nCode nPro
Fischer Mpro #1 98 SL.

I hit with a full western and have a single handed backhand. I like to finish off points at the net.

The problem with the Fischer is I've come to realise it's too low powered. Struggling for power, and pace on the serve. And not enough spin.

So I want something with a larger head size, more power and I'd like to try extended length.

I liked the 5g, but it was a long time ago I had it (when I was about 15-16).
My concerns with the 7g is the 16x20 string pattern. I really want a lot of spin. And maybe the weight, although I'm used to the heavier fischer now.
If anyone can comment (Scotus, etc) on the 7g for me that would be great. Particularly in terms of spin.

Thanks!

 

[diredesire]

The 7g for me is one of the extended length racquets that suffered from the additional swingweight. I've hit with a few extended length racquets in my time (I prefer them), but the 7g was the one that wasn't an easy adjustment out of the box. As far as an overall frame, spin potential isn't a problem, and it's very comfortable. I liked volleying with this frame, good pocketing and direction.

Frame is stable from the baseline, overall well performing... just a little sluggish for my tastes (although this is to be expected).

 

[Kcraig]

The 7g for me is one of the extended length racquets that suffered from the additional swingweight. I've hit with a few extended length racquets in my time (I prefer them), but the 7g was the one that wasn't an easy adjustment out of the box. As far as an overall frame, spin potential isn't a problem, and it's very comfortable. I liked volleying with this frame, good pocketing and direction.

Frame is stable from the baseline, overall well performing... just a little sluggish for my tastes (although this is to be expected).

Tend to agree on all points here. Love the 7g on volleys and 1hb slice, but have some control issues on fh and definitely gets sluggish on longer matches--especially long singles matches! Overall a great comfy frame with lots of pop--jst need to make sure you get early preparation and footwork/spacing.

 

[Ashley D]

Thanks so much for the quick replies and advice. Your comments seem to confirm what I was worried about a bit, and what I didn't like about the Fischer. Maybe I'll give the RQiS 2 Tour a go first. I'd get a PD+, but I need to get two, and don't have the cash at the mo.

 

[jjs891]

The 7g for me is one of the extended length racquets that suffered from the additional swingweight. I've hit with a few extended length racquets in my time (I prefer them), but the 7g was the one that wasn't an easy adjustment out of the box. As far as an overall frame, spin potential isn't a problem, and it's very comfortable. I liked volleying with this frame, good pocketing and direction.

Frame is stable from the baseline, overall well performing... just a little sluggish for my tastes (although this is to be expected).

Diredesire,

I noticed in your signature that you play with Babolat PST+ which has the sw~350 vs ~330 on the 7G. Do you feel that PST+ swings faster than 7G?

 

[mikeler]

Diredesire,

I noticed in your signature that you play with Babolat PST+ which has the sw~350 vs ~330 on the 7G. Do you feel that PST+ swings faster than 7G?

I feel that the PST+ (both GT and non GT) are heavier in the head of the racket. It feels noticeably more sluggish than the 7G IMHO.

 

[mikeler]

I also hit with a full western and have a single handed backhand. If I had to pick one standout feature of the 7G it is net play. My volleys have never been better. The power level of the 7G mirrors the flex rating but the arm comfort is much better due to the kinetic system. I have no problem generating spin with the 7G but I know KCraig feels like he is not getting enough spin from his 7G so it may depend on technique or perhaps KCraig is a tall weakling.

I've been using the stick for a few months now. I'm still trying to dial in my 1 hander. My forehand is better with this than the PST+ but the backhand is not quite as good...yet.

 

[Power Player]

I would agree, IMO the 7G was easier to swing than the PST. But if you like to really whip the racquet for heavy spin, there are better options. Flatter hitting with some nice top - the 7G is about perfect.

 

[Kcraig]

I also hit with a full western and have a single handed backhand. If I had to pick one standout feature of the 7G it is net play. My volleys have never been better. The power level of the 7G mirrors the flex rating but the arm comfort is much better due to the kinetic system. I have no problem generating spin with the 7G but I know KCraig feels like he is not getting enough spin from his 7G so it may depend on technique or perhaps KCraig is a tall weakling.

I've been using the stick for a few months now. I'm still trying to dial in my 1 hander. My forehand is better with this than the PST+ but the backhand is not quite as good...yet.

Dang--you got me fo sho there!! With the way i've been playing lately don't think it matters a whole lot what I use--may even try out a BIG BUBBA! :shock:

As stated earlier--the 7g is one of the best volleying sticks out there--especially when receiving hard/heavy balls--just very stable! I suffered more on the FH side when tired or shall I say "weak"

 

[mikeler]

I would agree, IMO the 7G was easier to swing than the PST. But if you like to really whip the racquet for heavy spin, there are better options. Flatter hitting with some nice top - the 7G is about perfect.

Agreed, this is one of the best rackets I've tried for flattening out my shots too.

Dang--you got me fo sho there!! With the way i've been playing lately don't think it matters a whole lot what I use--may even try out a BIG BUBBA! :shock:

As stated earlier--the 7g is one of the best volleying sticks out there--especially when receiving hard/heavy balls--just very stable! I suffered more on the FH side when tired or shall I say "weak"

You haven't played singles in a few months. Don't beat yourself up, let me do that.

 

[diredesire]

Diredesire,

I noticed in your signature that you play with Babolat PST+ which has the sw~350 vs ~330 on the 7G. Do you feel that PST+ swings faster than 7G?

I feel that the PST+ (both GT and non GT) are heavier in the head of the racket. It feels noticeably more sluggish than the 7G IMHO.

I'd actually go against the grain a little here, but my experience isn't a normal one.

I felt that the PST did swing a little slower, but it didn't feel more sluggish. I felt that I was really trying to muscle the 7G through the contact point, but the PST was much more smooth swinging. I also had a 1/2 grip size in the PST, and I ended up shaving it down with a milling machine to a little less than 3/8. So in the end, the frame does feel a little more head heavy than the 7g, but it swings a little more under control, IMO.

I'm currently hitting with PD+ Cortexes, and it's reminiscent of the 7G. Hard to get going, but once it does, it comes through the strike zone pretty quickly. I think overall I like the PST+ best, as they have the most predictable response, but I'm trying out the PD+ for an extended playtest.

 

[mikeler]

I'd actually go against the grain a little here, but my experience isn't a normal one.

I felt that the PST did swing a little slower, but it didn't feel more sluggish. I felt that I was really trying to muscle the 7G through the contact point, but the PST was much more smooth swinging. I also had a 1/2 grip size in the PST, and I ended up shaving it down with a milling machine to a little less than 3/8. So in the end, the frame does feel a little more head heavy than the 7g, but it swings a little more under control, IMO.

I'm currently hitting with PD+ Cortexes, and it's reminiscent of the 7G. Hard to get going, but once it does, it comes through the strike zone pretty quickly. I think overall I like the PST+ best, as they have the most predictable response, but I'm trying out the PD+ for an extended playtest.

The extra weight on the PST+ really helped on my backhand. Just kept my 1 hander nice and stable. I still don't have the same confidence in my backhand yet with the 7G. Hoping that starts clicking soon.

 

[Ashley D]

Ok, the more I read, the more I'm interested in the 7g. I think the RQiS 2 Tour is just going to be a bit light.
But as I've said, my ONLY concern is the spin potenial of the
16x20. I hit a full western with lots of top. Can some of those with experience let me know specifically how they find spin production with this racquet? I'd love to demo, but live in Australia and they're hard to come by here.
Thanks!

 

[Fuji]

Ok, the more I read, the more I'm interested in the 7g. I think the RQiS 2 Tour is just going to be a bit light.
But as I've said, my ONLY concern is the spin potenial of the
16x20. I hit a full western with lots of top. Can some of those with experience let me know specifically how they find spin production with this racquet? I'd love to demo, but live in Australia and they're hard to come by here.
Thanks!

Spin comes mostly from technique, but if you just want a pure spin machine, get an APD/C/GT! That's the one frame that I can really just dominate spin with. It's a bit rough on the arm outside the sweet spot for me though. (It's one of the few frames that I can hit my normal forehand that jumps to just around shoulder height! I'm 6'0!)

I actually also played with the 7G, and it wasn't for me! Ultra comfortable, and great for serving, but I just can't get used to extra length frames. Too hard on my wrist. I just don't bend that way! I have a PDRGT+ that's just a total monster, that I can serve bombs with, but the rest of my game suffers from the extra length, it's just not worth it!

If you like XL frames, it might be a perfect frame for you!

-Fuji

 

[mikeler]

Ok, the more I read, the more I'm interested in the 7g. I think the RQiS 2 Tour is just going to be a bit light.
But as I've said, my ONLY concern is the spin potenial of the
16x20. I hit a full western with lots of top. Can some of those with experience let me know specifically how they find spin production with this racquet? I'd love to demo, but live in Australia and they're hard to come by here.
Thanks!

I use a poly/multi hybrid in the 7G and some of my opponents complain about how weird some of my shots spin off the court.