Comfortable Replacement Grip: Prince Cushion Fit vs Gamma Hi-Tech Gel Contour

[jaykay]

First, the problem statement: I have 3 RDX500 Mid's (4-3/8 ), which I love dearly (VS Gut in mains and SPPP 1.18 in crosses). I have a Babolat Leather Replacement Grip on each of them, with Yonex Supergrap over it. Lately, I have been having shoulder probs with these frames (esply while serving) and I feel that I need some more shock absorption.

I am thinking of replacing the Leather Grips with something more comfortable and trying it out.

Based on results from the search function, I have seen positive reviews (for comfort) for the Prince Cushion Fit as well as the Gamme Hi-Tech Gel Contour. Can anybody who has used both do a comparo and share their views?

I desire to lower the static wt of the frame and leverage the shock absorption qualities of the replacement grip. I don't mind going up a size (I can play comfortably with 4-1/2 gripsize).

Your advice / opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
jaykay.

 

[jaykay]

bumpity-bump...

 

[GS]

I had wrist trouble with a leather/overgrip combo, but a cushion/overgrip combo fixed that. Any cushion-grip will help you, but ones with a contour grip will feel strange if you're not used to that raised rib section.

 

[jaykay]

I had wrist trouble with a leather/overgrip combo, but a cushion/overgrip combo fixed that. Any cushion-grip will help you, but ones with a contour grip will feel strange if you're not used to that raised rib section.

Thanks for your response, GS. Score 1 for the Prince Cushion Fit.

 

[vkartikv]

Head softtac. Try it and tell me it's not the best you've used!

 

[AmericanTemplar]

As I said in your for sale thread, I had the same problems with the extra weight and lack of shock absorption from leather. The leather also had a particularly negative affect on serves and overheads. I've since tried using 3 layers of Supergrap which felt quite nice but gave an inconsistent ridged pattern from the edges of 3 different grips and I'm currently using the Laserfibre Tourfits. The Tourfits aren't as harsh as leather but they are thin enough to where the bevels are more pronounced than most other synthetics. They have solved the problem for me, and for <$4 a piece they would probably be the best starting point for you, since they weigh about the same as most other synthetics while retaining some of the playing characteristics of leather. I use the Tourfit with Supergrap and it works well and feels great.

The reason that I was suggesting that you try changing the grips on your RDS 001 mids before you get rid of them is because changing the grips to a synthetic will also bring the balance back closer to what it was supposed to be, and you may find that you like them a lot better. I have no plans of changing racquets any time soon and I know that there are several other people on this board that find the RDS 001 mid to be the best racquet out there for their games. Give it a shot!

 

[GS]

Head softtac. Try it and tell me it's not the best you've used!

Yep, my friend uses that Head grip, but with an overgrip as well. Almost all of those cushion-grips feel the same with an overgrip on top. The only exception is one with a contour grip---I don't know anyone who likes em.

 

[jaykay]

As I said in your for sale thread, I had the same problems with the extra weight and lack of shock absorption from leather. The leather also had a particularly negative affect on serves and overheads. I've since tried using 3 layers of Supergrap which felt quite nice but gave an inconsistent ridged pattern from the edges of 3 different grips and I'm currently using the Laserfibre Tourfits. The Tourfits aren't as harsh as leather but they are thin enough to where the bevels are more pronounced than most other synthetics. They have solved the problem for me, and for <$4 a piece they would probably be the best starting point for you, since they weigh about the same as most other synthetics while retaining some of the playing characteristics of leather. I use the Tourfit with Supergrap and it works well and feels great.

The reason that I was suggesting that you try changing the grips on your RDS 001 mids before you get rid of them is because changing the grips to a synthetic will also bring the balance back closer to what it was supposed to be, and you may find that you like them a lot better. I have no plans of changing racquets any time soon and I know that there are several other people on this board that find the RDS 001 mid to be the best racquet out there for their games. Give it a shot!

Thanks A.T. Your suggestion on replacing the leather is great; and I do want to try this. However, I shall do this on the RDX500 Mid and not the RDS001 Mid. I am giving up on the RDS001 Mid. This racquet is absolutely fabulous on serves and is great when I have all the time in the world on groundies but when I am pushed, it is just killing me. My racquet speed has considerably slowed down, esply in a war of groundies. I shall really miss the super-crisp feeling of the RDS001 Mid, the monster serves, laser like volleys and superb slice. It is just not for me though. Perhaps I'll come back to it after 3 months at the gym.

I don't have the luxury of time to experiment on the RDS001 Mid before giving up on it, since I am relo-ing (to Down Under --- you'll see me in the audience screaming myself hoarse at the Grand Slam of the Asia-Pacific next year!) and would like to do all my purchases, sales, trades etc before I head out from the US in the next few wks.

For now, I am going to try your suggestion (viz. replace the leather grip with a comfortable synthetic) on my RDX500 mid's, which also have leather grips on them. While they are not punishing as the RDS001 Mid, I still feel a lot of shock esply on serves/overheads and adversely altered balance (super head light now) on groundies.

Why are you in favor of the Laserfiber Tourfits and not something more comfortable (atleast in theory), such as the Prince Cushion Fits? They cost the same.

 

[AmericanTemplar]

Why are you in favor of the Laserfiber Tourfits and not something more comfortable (at least in theory), such as the Prince Cushion Fits? They cost the same.

Like I said, for me I want to maximize bevel feel while minimizing weight. The Laserfibre is the thinnest grip out there besides possibly the **** synthetic leather which cost about $20 a piece. The thicker you go, the more the bevels disappear. The Tour Fits would be the least drastic change from leather. I'm guessing that your injuries are from a combination of the weight and the harshness of leather. The Laserfibre's would bring down the weight to that of most other synthetics, but it still would be somewhat harsh, although much less so than leather.

 

[jaykay]

Thanks AT. This is very helpful.

 

[AmericanTemplar]

My pleasure!

 

[ohplease]

First, the problem statement: I have 3 RDX500 Mid's (4-3/8 ), which I love dearly (VS Gut in mains and SPPP 1.18 in crosses). I have a Babolat Leather Replacement Grip on each of them, with Yonex Supergrap over it. Lately, I have been having shoulder probs with these frames (esply while serving) and I feel that I need some more shock absorption.

I am thinking of replacing the Leather Grips with something more comfortable and trying it out.

Based on results from the search function, I have seen positive reviews (for comfort) for the Prince Cushion Fit as well as the Gamme Hi-Tech Gel Contour. Can anybody who has used both do a comparo and share their views?

I desire to lower the static wt of the frame and leverage the shock absorption qualities of the replacement grip. I don't mind going up a size (I can play comfortably with 4-1/2 gripsize).

Your advice / opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
jaykay.

First, I'm not sure how much a grip will do for your shoulder. That said, the Hi-Tech Gel Contour is very heavy. It will easily add 1/2 an ounce to your racket, and significantly alter the balance (compared to typical synthetics, maybe even compared to leather). The Hi-Tech Gel (no contour) is only marginally heavier than your typical synthetic cushion grip, and does noticeably increase comfort, though it does round the bevels some. Weighs about the same as Hi-Tech without the gel - both gel and no gel might be slightly heavier than your average synthetic.

Compared to leather, everything will feel more cushioned, and everything will round the bevels more. It really depends on the trade-offs you can live with.

 

[jaykay]

First, I'm not sure how much a grip will do for your shoulder. That said, the Hi-Tech Gel Contour is very heavy. It will easily add 1/2 an ounce to your racket, and significantly alter the balance (compared to typical synthetics, maybe even compared to leather). The Hi-Tech Gel (no contour) is only marginally heavier than your typical synthetic cushion grip, and does noticeably increase comfort, though it does round the bevels some. Weighs about the same as Hi-Tech without the gel - both gel and no gel might be slightly heavier than your average synthetic.

Compared to leather, everything will feel more cushioned, and everything will round the bevels more. It really depends on the trade-offs you can live with.

Thanks Ohplease. I am reading between the lines of your description and I am liking what I hear about the Hi-Tech Gel No Contour. Have you ever used the Prince Cushion Fit? --- would this be as comfortable as the Hi-Tech Gel No Contour with a lower static wt?

 

[JackB1]

Thanks Ohplease. I am reading between the lines of your description and I am liking what I hear about the Hi-Tech Gel No Contour. Have you ever used the Prince Cushion Fit? --- would this be as comfortable as the Hi-Tech Gel No Contour with a lower static wt?

can anyone answer the above question?

 

[JackB1]

.... the Hi-Tech Gel Contour is very heavy. It will easily add 1/2 an ounce to your racket, and significantly alter the balance. The Hi-Tech Gel (no contour) is only marginally heavier than your typical synthetic cushion grip.....

can anyone confirm that the gel contour is heavier than the non contour gel model? I was hoping they were the same, as I need a neavier grip, but I dont like the contour ridges.