Calling Pure Drive Experts!

Is there any difference between the 2013 PD “Play” and the current version?

If so, what are the differences and how do they affect performance and play?

Thank you!!




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Deleted member 768841

Guest
Do they still sell the play racquets? At my local racquet shop they were selling 2 pure drive 2015 plays, but does babolat still make them?
 

haqq777

Legend
Is there any difference between the 2013 PD “Play” and the current version?

If so, what are the differences and how do they affect performance and play?

Thank you!!




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
No differences in Play version tech, BHBH. But yeah, 2012 PD and 2015 PD do have differences in how the two racquets play.
 
No differences in Play version tech, BHBH. But yeah, 2012 PD and 2015 PD do have differences in how the two racquets play.

I was most curious about the differences in how to 2013 "Play" Pure Drives actually performs on the court in contrast to the most recent version. Any comments/insights there? Thanks for your response! BHBH :)
 

haqq777

Legend
I was most curious about the differences in how to 2013 "Play" Pure Drives actually performs on the court in contrast to the most recent version. Any comments/insights there? Thanks for your response! BHBH :)
Both of them are the same spec as their respective non Play version counterpart. On court, the 2013 PD Play (which is essentially the 2012 PD because that is when they updated the PD line) is easier to swing than the 2015 PD Play. The swingweight on the 2015 PD Play is higher and you can feel more mass in hoop as well. I have two of the 2013 PD Play in my collection and have one 2015 PD Play. Much prefer how 2013 plays, but in the end, matter of personal preference really.

Edit:
Also, just a side note, both play versions relay the same info to the app (I don't think Babolat is updating or providing support for the app anymore though since they discontinued Play) so in terms of technology, there is no difference.
 
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Both of them are the same spec as their respective non Play version counterpart. On court, the 2013 PD Play (which is essentially the 2012 PD because that is when they updated the PD line) is easier to swing than the 2015 PD Play. The swingweight on the 2015 PD Play is higher and you can feel more mass in hoop as well. I have two of the 2013 PD Play in my collection and have one 2015 PD Play. Much prefer how 2013 plays, but in the end, matter of personal preference really.

Edit:
Also, just a side note, both play versions relay the same info to the app (I don't think Babolat is updating or providing support for the app anymore though since they discontinued Play) so in terms of technology, there is no difference.

Thank you! I'm sorry if this wasn't clear, but do you have any insights comparing the 2013 "Play" on court to the current "non-Play" version of the 'standard' Pure Drive??
 

haqq777

Legend
Thank you! I'm sorry if this wasn't clear, but do you have any insights comparing the 2013 "Play" on court to the current "non-Play" version of the 'standard' Pure Drive??
I'm so sorry. I misread, my bad. You were asking about 2013 versus recent and I kept harping about 2015, lol. The latest smurf blue version is more open patterned than both previous PD Play versions. I found it to hit a more heavier, loopier spinny ball. Also felt more powerful and a bit disconnected to me. The touch and feel were better for the previous two gens. It also lacks control a bit compared to last two gens.
 

n8dawg6

Legend
I'm so sorry. I misread, my bad. You were asking about 2013 versus recent and I kept harping about 2015, lol. The latest smurf blue version is more open patterned than both previous PD Play versions. I found it to hit a more heavier, loopier spinny ball. Also felt more powerful and a bit disconnected to me. The touch and feel were better for the previous two gens. It also lacks control a bit compared to last two gens.
completely agree. would add that it has a little more swingweight, although still not as high as a stock pure aero. it is more muted and feels a little “disconnected” as a result.
 

J D

Semi-Pro
I guess there has been so much discussion about PD’s that people are talked out.

The 2012/2013 play frames are maneuverable and have above average spin. They feel pretty solid for their weight class. They are crisp without being harsh. They are on the lower side of the power spectrum of PD’s, but still have plenty of pop. They are surprisingly versatile for a PD. They take weight well and are easily customizable.

The 2018 is a whole different animal in many ways. It is a club by comparison. The higher swing weight is very noticeable. It has a lot less control and feel. Touch shots are much harder.

On the plus side, it does have a lot of power. It’s certainly at the top of the standard PD line in power. The open string pattern produces some serious spin that, accompanied with the higher swingweight, can hit a very heavy, deep ball that really explodes off the court. Volleys are more solid. It just crushes serves with pace and accuracy. In fact, it’s my top serving stick of all-time among standard length racquets.

I would say the two frames are at opposite ends of the PD spectrum, so play testing is a must. They don’t perform or feel like the same racquet.
 

sanister

Professional
Are you certain?

I have a 2015 and that has GT and FSI on it.
You are absolutely right. I went back and rechecked. My bad. They didn't replace GT technology, they simply added the FSI tech. Here is a screen shot from old TW page showing technologies used in the 2015 PD

 
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