Considering switching from Yonex Ezone Dr 98+ to an Angell racquet

[landcookie]

Hi guys,

First time poster here. This forum's been great for me for a long time to get opinions, so I thought I'd finally bite the bullet and post something.

I currently play with the Yonex Ezone Dr 98+, and my game revolves around heavy lefty topspin and serves.
I'm not that tall (around 5'10") but hit fairly big for my height, so the additional length on the racquet is great. Plus, it gives me a nice hefty swing weight (which I like) while still having a relatively low static weight. My DRs are around 245 grams strung, with a tad bit of lead at 12 o'clock. SW would be around 340.

I've had my DR for about a year now, and while I do enjoy most aspects of it, the racquet hoop feels too flexible at contact. As a result, I struggle with placement and particularly, my slice backhand. I personally prefer a more crisp response from a racquet (played with a PS97 before discovering the magic of extended lengths). I've contemplated leading up at 10/12 or 3/9 o'clock but from past experience, do not like this setup - I find it makes the racquet too sluggish to 'whip'.

I also wonder if I can get more spin from a more open 16x19 pattern, given the DR 98+ has 8 mains in the throat.

I have tried the Ezone 98+ but do not like it at all (feels like cardboard); the Vcore SV 100+ and Pure Drive+ are too stiff (the Pure Drive destroys my elbow). I've contemplated the Vcore 98+ but they are hard to get here in Australia.

So I turn my attention to Angell racquets, which seem to get a lot of praise around here. The key selling point for me is that they all come in extended length, are built well, seem to be spin machines, and comfortable.

My criteria for picking a racquet is:
- extended length
- spin potential
- power
- slightly crisp response

Based on this I think the TC95 or TC100 RA70 would suit me. However, even with the lowered stiffness after stringing, I wonder if it will affect my elbow. I've also contemplated the 63 RA but with a final RA in the high 50s, I am not sure how I will like it.

Whilst Paul has told me that the spin potential of the 16x19 TC97 is no different to the TC95, I've read on the forums somewhere that the TC97 is more flexible at the hoop (similar to my DR), so I'm staying away from the TC97 - if you've experienced otherwise, do tell!

Would love to hear opinions on people who own either of these racquets and some feedback on how they play, even better if a comparison to the DR 98+ can be made.

Thanks!

 

[AMGF]

For Angell, based on you criteria I’d think TC100 70ra. It will not feel harsh because of the foam filled core, but the extra stiffness will fit your stiffer than DR desire. Tc95 are not as powerful as the tc100. That’s why I’d say TC100. But if you weren’t sensitive to flexible head I’d say TC97 for sure. But my own experience was that the DR+ had a flexible throat.

However, I think the VC98+ fits all your criteria as well. I went from DR98+ to VC98+ and it is pretty all you ask for. More linear flex. More power, more spin, slightly crisper but still comfortable. But it will have more control than the tc100, though if it wasn’t part of your criteria.

You can’t go wrong here, Angell can be customized to your desired specs, Yonex QC means you will get the advertised specs.

 

[Hansen]

Would love to hear opinions on people who own either of these racquets and some feedback on how they play, even better if a comparison to the DR 98+ can be made.

i own a dr98 and played with tc97, tc95 and k7.
main points:
- if you like a crisp response the k7 is out
- the tc95 16x19 63ra has more spin potential than the tc97. if you like the easy access to spin of the dr98 i doubt that you would like the tc97.
- the tc 95 63ra is powerful enough (more powerful than the dr98 in standard lenght), no need to choose the 70ra version
- i wouldn´t recommend a 100sq. in head, especially not if you want a extended lenght frame (too much power)
- if you buy a extended length angell racquet ,make sure that the swingweight stays in a range that you can handle (contact angell directly because of that)

 

[Nick777]

I tried most of the Angells but went back to dr98 (standard length). Too much sw, great frames though but i like fast swings

 

[Crocodile]

This is a hard because I also think the DR 98 plus is a great racquet, especially feel and comfort wise. In the Angell line I'be used the TC 97 330/305 in the 66 RA and it's a very solid playing frame in an old school kind of way so it's going to feel quite raw compared to the Yonex. I'f you like the extra long frames I 'd be inclined to try the new Dunlop CX 200 in the extended length or the PK Qi 5 in the extended length as well and see how you go and don't forget the newer EZones and V Core's (red racquets) in extended length.

 

[CosmosMpower]

I went the other way, TC95 and TC97 18x20 to Ezone 98 and Vcore Pro 97 310. No regrets at all.

My first Angell was a TC95 extended 27.5 and the swingweight was ridiculous like 375 with 1.30mm poly, it was like swinging a 2X4.

Yonex frames have more pop and spin and feel more solid overall plus the buttcap doesn't try and fall off every other day.

If you don't like the Ezone 98+ try the Vcore 98+ should work well for your spin game.

 

[landcookie]

Thanks for all the replies guys. So far it seems that the Vcore 98+ may be a great option, the trouble is I can only find 1 left in Australia, and it's in the wrong grip size. The Dunlop CX200 does not come in an extended length in Australia either it seems (at least in Melbourne anyway). So looks like it's back to the Angells.

How would the TC 95 (63 and 70 RA), TC 100 (70RA) and Ezone DR 98+ rank in terms of:
- spin potential
- volleys
- control

While I'm not too concerned about control or overwhelming power, as I get my 'control' primarily from topspin, it would be a nice added bonus to have - particularly when I decide to flatten out my shots.

Based on some previous posts I've read, there isn't much difference in power between the 63 and 70 RA due to the difference in layup. And if the 70RA is comfortable, I am currently leaning toward the TC 95 or 100 at RA70 @ 27.5 inches. I am looking at a static weight of 310g, which Paul has advised me comes in SW of around 312 at 63RA.

 

[kailash]

Thanks for all the replies guys. So far it seems that the Vcore 98+ may be a great option, the trouble is I can only find 1 left in Australia, and it's in the wrong grip size. The Dunlop CX200 does not come in an extended length in Australia either it seems (at least in Melbourne anyway). So looks like it's back to the Angells.

How would the TC 95 (63 and 70 RA), TC 100 (70RA) and Ezone DR 98+ rank in terms of:
- spin potential
- volleys
- control

While I'm not too concerned about control or overwhelming power, as I get my 'control' primarily from topspin, it would be a nice added bonus to have - particularly when I decide to flatten out my shots.

Based on some previous posts I've read, there isn't much difference in power between the 63 and 70 RA due to the difference in layup. And if the 70RA is comfortable, I am currently leaning toward the TC 95 or 100 at RA70 @ 27.5 inches. I am looking at a static weight of 310g, which Paul has advised me comes in SW of around 312 at 63RA.

I had DR98 & DR98+ before. Very good frames; very plush. Standard length didn't have enough power for my game at that time; the plus version solved that, but was not manuerable. Sold all those. Played with some other racquets and Pure Aero for some time, and now with v2 TC100 70RA version. It has lot of power, but is much more controllable than, say Pure Drive type of frames. It is very good in all areas; the two qualities that stand out for me are stability and directional control! Excellent! What it lacks is the control of, say, 95 sq inch frames; which is expected. It feels firmer than DR98, but very comfortable; the feel is also much more direct; DR98 feel was muted.

I haven't played with a 63 RA version yet. I also have a TC97, but not like it that much compared to TC100 and my other frames like PK Q+5 pro. Bottom line for me is that, if I have a match on the line, TC100 is the go to frame.

 

[landcookie]

Alright, so I ended up going with the TC100 70 RA at 310g. Paul mentioned that the innate swing weight of the 27.5inches is about 340+, but he mentioned that he could match the swing weight of my DR+ which is listed as 335.

First impressions: the Angell, while 12 grams lighter than my DR strung, feels a LOT heftier and solid just by holding it. The stringbed also felt more tight at the same tension (48/46) compared to the DR+, which is interesting because I felt like a had a lot more control with the Angell than my DR despite the wider 16x19 setup of the Tc100. I also got what I wanted out of the 70RA, a stiffer (and to me, more predictable) response.

My backhand felt great, and I definitely noticed that I could control my slices much better with the Angell. It definitely has a slick buttery feeling everytime I strike the ball. I never felt like I could control spin as well with my DR+. Whereas I feel very connected to the Angell. It feels a lot like a stiffer, more well built blx Blade.

All in all, very happy with the purchase. I'll look to ride out the honeymoon phase before getting a couple more spares!