Comparison of Dunlop 4D AG 200, 4D AG 300, & 4D AG 300 Tour

[bradsm01]

Well folks please provide your comments on the comparison among Dunlop's
4D Aerogel 200, the 4D Aerogel 300, and 4D Aerogel 300 Tour. I am USTA verified 4.5 court player with a strong moderate topspin fh and atomic flat one handed backhand - my favorite shot. Any thoughts will be greatly appreciated. Thanks bradsm01

 

[DaveM517]

I don't think there's much to say that the specs wouldn't indicate. The 200 is a traditionally hefty, head-light and flexible player's racquet with a 95 square-inch head vs. 98 for the 300 series; the 300 is technically a little stiffer and a full ounce lighter, with a balance close to even, making it easy to customize; and the 300 Tour is between the two in terms of weight and balance, but has the tighter string pattern. You'll get a range of opinions on which is the best, but the choice boils down to your preference for weight, head size and string pattern.

I personally play with the 300 Tour, because I like the tight pattern, and with a leather grip and some lead tape I can easily achieve my preferred weight and balance of around 12 oz. and 6-7 pts. HL. I tried the pre-4D 300 (no significant difference between that and the 4D) but found it too light. But that was a personal preference, and there's nothing wrong with the frame per se.

 

[adizzy]

I don't think there's much to say that the specs wouldn't indicate. The 200 is a traditionally hefty, head-light and flexible player's racquet with a 95 square-inch head vs. 98 for the 300 series; the 300 is technically a little stiffer and a full ounce lighter, with a balance close to even, making it easy to customize; and the 300 Tour is between the two in terms of weight and balance, but has the tighter string pattern. You'll get a range of opinions on which is the best, but the choice boils down to your preference for weight, head size and string pattern.

I personally play with the 300 Tour, because I like the tight pattern, and with a leather grip and some lead tape I can easily achieve my preferred weight and balance of around 12 oz. and 6-7 pts. HL. I tried the pre-4D 300 (no significant difference between that and the 4D) but found it too light. But that was a personal preference, and there's nothing wrong with the frame per se.

DAVE M517 when you added lead tape to the 300 tour did the feel of the racket change? I am very very interested in getting the 300 tour.

 

[adizzy]

Well folks please provide your comments on the comparison among Dunlop's
4D Aerogel 200, the 4D Aerogel 300, and 4D Aerogel 300 Tour. I am USTA verified 4.5 court player with a strong moderate topspin fh and atomic flat one handed backhand - my favorite shot. Any thoughts will be greatly appreciated. Thanks bradsm01

Played with all three. I agree with Dave M. The 300 tour, is the stiffest, thus, has the least amount of vibration. You might be able to get slightly more spin with the 4d 300.

The 4d 200 is the most hefty obviously. Disappointingly, it has the most amount of power out the three. I really really wanted to like this racket but I prefer the 4d 300 tour. I hit with it once and plan on demoing it again. Based on the reviews it seems the TW guys especially like this one too.

 

[DaveM517]

DAVE M517 when you added lead tape to the 300 tour did the feel of the racket change? I am very very interested in getting the 300 tour.

Yes, but in a good way. I added a fair amount of weight, 10 grams including a strip of head tape, to counterbalance the added weight of leather/overgrip on the handle. The result is a racquet with about the same balance as in stock form, but 0.7 oz heavier. Now it has a noticeably more solid feel, and I especially like the added weight on serve. It gives me a heavier ball and much better timing. (My muscle memory on serve is really dialed in to a 12 oz frame - more or less throws me off.) The added weight doesn't affect my racquet head speed on groundstrokes, so I'm able to consistently hit deep even though I don't use much topspin by modern standards.

 

[CollegeBound]

The 300 tour, is the stiffest, thus, has the least amount of vibration.

Vibration isn't diminished by increased stiffness, not at all. In reality, you're more likely to feel the vibration in a stiff racquet than in a more flexible one.

 

[Power Player]

I think the 200 is the best stick if you have the strokes. It is extremely rewarding to good technique. Sounds like you could wield it, and it would be a little easier for a 1 hander, since it is a 95.

 

[JackB1]

Vibration isn't diminished by increased stiffness, not at all. In reality, you're more likely to feel the vibration in a stiff racquet than in a more flexible one.

exactly. stiffer frame = less vibration absorbed by the frame and more going to your arm.

 

[JackB1]

Well folks please provide your comments on the comparison among Dunlop's
4D Aerogel 200, the 4D Aerogel 300, and 4D Aerogel 300 Tour. I am USTA verified 4.5 court player with a strong moderate topspin fh and atomic flat one handed backhand - my favorite shot. Any thoughts will be greatly appreciated. Thanks bradsm01

Personally, I don't see the 300 besting the 200 in any category except being lighter. The AG 4D200 is the ace here, but take the Tour if you need heavier.

 

[LeeD]

I prefer the 18x20 system, so I'd avoid the heavier 16x19 tour. But I'm old and skinny, weak and injured.
Dif in head shape is that 300 is slightly longer down by the throat, and 200 is sweetspot more above the throat, so a tossup, besides the 3 squares.
Stiffer or softer, it's just feel. The ball goes big with the 200's, so don't avoid it if you're after big shots.
Some people say flat shots are better with more strings. I like the extra durability and the fact I can string looser and avoid string movement...looser for softer impact and longer dwell time.

 

[kfrog12]

4D200 is pretty awesome with some lead, can't really beat it.

 

[Matchball]

My experience with the 300 Tour version has been very nice.

That said, I unfortunately cannot compare it to the others. It's a good racquet for flat strokes and touch/feel shots. I think there is simply no greater racquet to serve as a "transition frame" to a heavier racquet, unless of course you customize it a bit...

I love it with a leather grip and some lead on. Especially the leather grip, since I do want to feel the bevels and I also like my frames a tad more HL.

I hope this helps. At least for the 300 4D Tour. I 've just put one on sale and I am waiting for the moderators to filter it and let it appear.

 

[DaveM517]

My experience with the 300 Tour version has been very nice.

That said, I unfortunately cannot compare it to the others. It's a good racquet for flat strokes and touch/feel shots. I think there is simply no greater racquet to serve as a "transition frame" to a heavier racquet, unless of course you customize it a bit...

I love it with a leather grip and some lead on. Especially the leather grip, since I do want to feel the bevels and I also like my frames a tad more HL. QUOTE]

My thoughts exactly. I'm a leather grip snob and like a moderately heavy, 12 oz racquet without having to slap lead tape all over the place or change the stock balance dramatically. With leather/overgrip, 5-6 grams of lead at 3 & 9, plus head tape and a dampener, I have a solid 12 oz frame, nicely balance at 6-7 pts. HL.