Compare Fischer M-Speed Pro #1 98 vs. Prince O3 Tour MP vs. Volkl Tour 10 V-Engine MP

[BreakPoint]

Can anyone compare the Fischer M-Speed Pro #1 98 vs. Prince O3 Tour MP vs. Volkl Tour 10 V-Engine MP?

I've played with the O3 Tour MP and the T10 VE MP, but not the M-Speed 98. These seem to have somewhat similar specs so I was wondering how similar the M-Speed 98 is to the other two racquets?

I found both the O3 Tour and the T10 VE MP to be a bit too flexy, especially in the hoop, so that control was not exactly very precise and the feel was also a bit too muted. Does the M-Speed 98 feel the same way, considering that it's also supposed to be a pretty flexy stick?

Is there another racquet that you think feels more like the M-Speed 98? How does it compare to that "Wilson ProStaff" feel?

Thanks in advance.

 

[tarkowski]

Can anyone compare the Fischer M-Speed Pro #1 98 vs. Prince O3 Tour MP vs. Volkl Tour 10 V-Engine MP?

I've played with the O3 Tour MP and the T10 VE MP, but not the M-Speed 98. These seem to have somewhat similar specs so I was wondering how similar the M-Speed 98 is to the other two racquets?

I found both the O3 Tour and the T10 VE MP to be a bit too flexy, especially in the hoop, so that control was not exactly very precise and the feel was also a bit too muted. Does the M-Speed 98 feel the same way, considering that it's also supposed to be a pretty flexy stick?

Is there another racquet that you think feels more like the M-Speed 98? How does it compare to that "Wilson ProStaff" feel?

Thanks in advance.

Hi BreakPoint,

I haven't played with the Volkl - but I've played with the O3 MP and own an mSpeed 98.

The mSpeed is a completely different feel from the O3 Tour MP. I really like the Fischer - and I really dislike the O3 Tour MP. Although both are flexy frames, I find them worlds apart in just about every aspect. The weight, tighter string pattern, and smaller head add up to the mSpeed feeling a lot more stable than the O3. It's a heftier frame (though not hefty in absolute terms), so if you like a more substantial weight in your hand, you'll notice this right away.

Again - this is my opinion and preference - the O3 Tour MP is just too light and flexy for it's own good. Combined with the O-ports and open string pattern, it's just not my cup of tea. The Fischer provides a flexible frame, but the entire experience is more control-oriented and crisp. Hard to describe in words, but more stable, substantial, predictable, and yet comfortable, are all words that come to mind.

I play gut in the mSpeed and it provides a fairly crisp, yet flexy response. It's excellent for hitting topspin groundies - from both sides, (1HBH).

Compared to my nCode 95 18x20 (which isn't quite that classic pro-staff feel you're asking about), the Fischer provides more feedback (feel) and is perhaps more comfortable from the baseline at the same time. It's a really sweet feeling stick. However, due to it's larger head, more open string pattern, and flexy throat, I find it less predictable than the nCode when hitting flat (though more controllable than the 16x18 ncode). And I find it a little less effective on serve (either flat or spin) and at net.

I've read quite a few of your postings (thanks for all the great input and help on these threads) and think you would enjoy demoing it.

A few more observations: Two of the felllas I play with use (non ncode) Tour 90 and PS 85's. Both really enjoyed the Fischer but didn't like my ncode 16x18 much. They each liked my ncdoe 18x20 more than the 16x18, but enjoyed the Fischer the most. I'm still liking the ncode 18x20 best. Neither of these folks liked the O3 Tour MP.

 

[BreakPoint]

Thanks tarkowski for the excellent feedback!

That was exactly what I was looking for. I didn't like the O3 Tour MP, either. The O3 Tour MS is a bit better but still not really for me as I think the O-Ports makes the stringbed too "trampoline-like".

I've tried the nCode 95 16x18, but not the 18x20. I thought the 16x18 was a very solid and stable feeling racquet with good amounts of power, so I'm encouraged that you say the M-Speed 98 is even more controllable. How does the swingweight of the M-Speed compare that to the nCode 95? The reason I passed on the nCode 95 was that I thought the swingweight might get to be a bit much for me in a long match. That's also why I never bothered to try the 18x20 as I think the swingweight is supposed to be even a bit higher.

BTW, did your friends say they liked the feel of the M-Speed 98 "more" than the PS Tour 90 and PS 6.0 85?

So I guess you're not switching to the M-Speed 98 and are sticking with your nCode 95 18x20?

 

[DrewRafter8]

BP,

I like the feel of the Fischer M Speed 98 more then the Prostaff 95. I have never hit with an 85 so I can't say there. I just prefer a more flexible racquet, and the M Speed "feels" much more flexy then the Prostaff 6.0 95 that I've played with. Spin generation is much more accessible too!

 

[BreakPoint]

Thanks DrewRafter!

How did you find the M-Speed 98 on serves and on volleys compared to the PS 6.0 95?

So are you using the M-Speed 98 as your main racquet now? If not, why not?

Thanks.

 

[Jesse K.]

*watches with anticipation* I'd love to see some more feedback on the m-speed too, as it is a racquet I have been seriously considering.

 

[DrewRafter8]

BP,

I just got the M Speed on Saturday, only played with it for a few hours on Sat. and yesterday. Yes, I think it will be my main racquet. The spin potential on the serve is better on the M Speed then on the PS 6.0 95. However, I have not been able to turn up the heat on my flat serve just yet. I attribute that more to me having some off days serving.

I have hit wquite a few volley's already b/c I played doubles on Sat. The word that I think most describes the M Speed is comfortable. They just "feel" better. It's more manuverable I feel at net then the PS just b/c of the lower swingweight and lower static weight. I really like the flex especially on lower half volleys that I picked up off of my feet.

I was a MW 200G user last week, but the increased spin potential plus the comfort level and the weight have really got me excited to go out tomorrow night and hit again. A Caution, the M Speed "feels" extremely light to me compared to my Volkl Tour 10's and my MW 200G. Feels like a Pure Control static weight wise with a better balance. I just LOVE the weight distribution, and that's stock.

Hope that helps! BTW, I never demoed the stick, too hard to get one. I just bought mine from Louis Netman, and am finally at peace with my racquet selection. I don't think I'll be looking to demo again for a LONG time.

 

[BreakPoint]

Thanks again DrewRafter!

It's interesting that you say the M-Speed 98 has a lower swingweight than the PS 6.0 95 because, according to TW, the swingweight of the M-Speed 98 a quite a bit higher at 323 versus 317 for the PS 6.0 95.

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/descpageRCFISCHER-FMSR.html

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/descpageRCWILSON-60.html

Yeah, I know what you mean about getting a demo as I've been waiting for a looooooong time, so I'm also starting to think about just pulling the trigger and just buying one.

 

[DrewRafter8]

BP,

My 200G was rated at 315 and the M Speed feels like it swings lighter. But I think swingweight is sometimes subjective to the person.

Good luck finding one!

 

[Jesse K.]

I think I'm with you on just buying one BP...no Fischer dealers in my area and the ones on TW are always out. I don't think I've really read any negative reviews on it yet. I'm cautiously excited about this one.

 

[tarkowski]

Thanks tarkowski for the excellent feedback!

That was exactly what I was looking for. I didn't like the O3 Tour MP, either. The O3 Tour MS is a bit better but still not really for me as I think the O-Ports makes the stringbed too "trampoline-like".

I've tried the nCode 95 16x18, but not the 18x20. I thought the 16x18 was a very solid and stable feeling racquet with good amounts of power, so I'm encouraged that you say the M-Speed 98 is even more controllable. How does the swingweight of the M-Speed compare that to the nCode 95? The reason I passed on the nCode 95 was that I thought the swingweight might get to be a bit much for me in a long match. That's also why I never bothered to try the 18x20 as I think the swingweight is supposed to be even a bit higher.

BTW, did your friends say they liked the feel of the M-Speed 98 "more" than the PS Tour 90 and PS 6.0 85?

So I guess you're not switching to the M-Speed 98 and are sticking with your nCode 95 18x20?

Hey BP,

The posted swingweight of 323 seems accurate to me. It's right in my comfort zone. With a Wilson pro-overgrip and the stock dampener (which I really like), I'm thinking it's right around 325. It seems 325-330 is my 'zone'. The lesser swingweight and lighter overall weight of the Fischer does make it noticeably easier to deal with over the course of a match. If you found the nCode 95 just a tad too heavy, this will be very comfortable for you. With one of my 'heavier' 18x20's (get to that in a second), I can be pretty fatigued and perhaps a little slow. I never feel that way with the Fischer or my slightly lighter 18x20s.

I have 3 18x20's, one of which is heavier than the rest - not by much (12.7-12.8 vs. 12.5-12.6 for the other 2), but I think all of it is in the head, as the swingweight is noticeably heavier. Haven't yet measured it, but if the others are around 330-332 (I'm guessing), this one feels about 340+. Although it feels great at the onset, it's too much for me to deal with later in the set.

I have found great success with the lighter 18x20's I own, and I also really enjoy the Fischer - so for now, I'm keeping both. On game day I always grab the 18x20 because I've been playing with it for a couple of years now and am my game is dialed in with it.