Demo Review: Bio 300T, 4D 300T, MG Rad MP, & XFeel Tour

[TripleB]

Received 4 new demos today and had a chance to hit about 2 hours this afternoon. I thought I'd pass along my initial impressions. As the next 7 days go along I'll put updates in this same post.

Specs for the racquets I received:

1) Dunlop Biomimetic 300 Tour, strung with Dunlop Silk 16g, overgrip and rubber band added: 325g/11.45 oz and 6 points headlight

2) Dunlop AeroGel 4D 300 Tour, strung with Dunlop Silk 16g, overgrip and rubber band added: 329g/11.60 oz and 6.5 points headlight

3) Head MicroGel Radical Midplus, strung with Wilson NXT 16g, overgrip and rubber band added: 318g/11.20 oz and 4.5 points headlight

4) Pacific XFeel Tour, strung with what appears to be Pacific Poly Force and appears to be strung under 50 pounds (waaaaay too loose), overgrip and rubber band added: 323g/11.40 oz and 4 points headlight

Racquets I've been playing with lately and what I'm comparing the above racquets to: A) Prince Ozone Tour (333g/11.75 oz 8 pts HL), B) Dunlop AG 4D 300 non-tour (319g/11.25 oz 3 pts HL), C) Head Liquid Metal Radical MP (327g/11.55 oz 4.5 pts HL)...all strung with Turbotwist 1.24mm mains and Forten Synthetic Gut Sweet 16g crosses

What I'm looking for: Spin of the Ozone Tour, Whipability of the Dunlop 4D 300 non-tour, and solid feel of the LM Radical Midplus.

INITIAL IMPRESSIONS:

1) Dunlop Biomimetic 300 Tour: Not as headlight feeling at the 6 points would indicate and swingweight is nowhere near 304 (I would guesstimate around 315 or so), definitely not as manueverable as my 4D 300 non-tour and I really missed that whipability on the forehands I tried to send crosscourt; the difference in flex from my 4D 300 non-tour to this one was easy to feel; this one never felt stiff but it just didn't have a plushness to it like I feel on my 4D 300; serves and groundstrokes lacked some pop...expected that when going to the 18 mains but I was hoping the extra stillness would give me some more pop---just didn't happen during the first time out with this racquet; I really liked the sideline to sideline control of this racquet but found my groundstrokes falling a bit short in the court; sharp angle shots would take some getting used to...not quite the spin potential I get out of the LM Rad with 18 mains...but again, string has part to do with this (Silk vs. my TurboTwist); overall probably my 3rd favorite in the bunch so far

2) Dunlop AeroGel 4D 300 Tour: My hope in demoing this racquet is that it would give a similar, although more solid, feel to my 4D 300 non-tour and maybe a tad more spin than I get out of my LM Radical MP...so far that hasn't been the case; I just haven't been able to find the groove on my groundstrokes with this one so far; the power out of this one is better than the power out of the Bio 300 Tour, the spin potential seems to be a bit higher (especially on slice) compared to the Bio 300 Tour, and control is above average, but I'm missing the power as well as the sideline to sideline control I get with the 4D 300 non-tour version; I'm getting good depth on groundstrokes but I think the extra weight is causing me some timing problems with directional control; serves are better with this version compare to the Bio 300 Tour but lack some pop when compared to my 4D 300, LM Rad MP, or Ozone Tour; overall my 2nd favorite in the group so far

3) Head MicroGel Radical Midplus: So far my favorite out of the group and a pleasant surprise in some categories; with the lightness (318g) and the flex (57) I was expecting a low powered control racquet, especially when compared to my LM Radical MP; but this racquet offers a stiffer flex (to me feels around 62 or 63...just slightly less than the LM Rad - maybe due to its lightness it feels stiffer) and a good amount of power; power is less than I get with my LM Radical, especially with topspin shots, but with the extra mobility they are almost equal; again, when using topspin and slice I would give a slight edge to the LM Radical MP in the power category; as far as spin potential I think this one is pretty equal to the LM Radical Midplus (even with two different types of strings...would love to see with the MG Radical MP could do with my standard string set up), but a notch or two behind my 4D 300; as far as control I would say the LM Radical MP (and my 4D 300 non-tour) has more control than the MG Rad - at times it seems like the ball flies a bit off the racquet face; I had very little success on first serves with this racquet today (everything about 6 inches long) but felt very confident on 2nd serves; going back to the feel of the racquet, it didn't have the touch I was hoping for out of the 57 flex and even with my LM Rad and 4D 300 non-tour having the poly mains, I would say both of them gave me far better touch than this racquet; but again, as a whole, this was my favorite of the four today

4) Pacific X-Feel tour: This racquet has a nice solid feel to it when you pick it up; really like the more rounded shape to the head; was disappointed to see the full poly stringing in it...especially with the others having synthetic; during the first few hits, the balls tended to fly quite a bit...again, I would say this racquet is strung somewhere in the 45 to 50 pound range - really low; specs say 56 flex but this demo seemed closer to 65; in fact after about 20 balls I had to put it down because my elbow started to hurt; I'll give it another go in the morning and use it first, but right now I'm really disappointed in this racquet

Again, these are just first impressions after a total of only two hours so take them with a grain of salt. I'll post updates here when I can.

TripleB

 

[Agent Orynge]

Pacific X-Feel tour: This racquet has a nice solid feel to it when you pick it up; really like the more rounded shape to the head; was disappointed to see the full poly stringing in it...especially with the others having synthetic; during the first few hits, the balls tended to fly quite a bit...again, I would say this racquet is strung somewhere in the 45 to 50 pound range - really low; specs say 56 flex but this demo seemed closer to 65; in fact after about 20 balls I had to put it down because my elbow started to hurt; I'll give it another go in the morning and use it first, but right now I'm really disappointed in this racquet.

It has to be the poly. The racquet is crisp, certainly, but it's anything but stiff.

 

[TripleB]

It has to be the poly. The racquet is crisp, certainly, but it's anything but stiff.

May have been. I haven't played with a full poly set up in years. It was a huge :shock: shock when I started hitting with it. I wasn't expecting the power, the low string tension, or the pain in my arm. I'll see how it goes tomorrow!

TripleB

 

[topspin18]

nice reviews looking forward to more info

 

[Agent Orynge]

May have been. I haven't played with a full poly set up in years. It was a huge :shock: shock when I started hitting with it. I wasn't expecting the power, the low string tension, or the pain in my arm. I'll see how it goes tomorrow!

TripleB

If you're genuinely curious about the frame, I would implore you to give it a second demo - next time without polyester.

 

[FedExpress 333]

I have a MG rad MP, and i found that it offers much better spin and power than the LM, but strung at lower tensions (52)

 

[TripleB]

If you're genuinely curious about the frame, I would implore you to give it a second demo - next time without polyester.

I noticed that on some of the newer frame demos it gives you an option of ordering the demo with synthetic or poly...the X-Feel Tour doesn't give you that option. I'm not sure if somebody took it upon themselves to restring it with the poly or if TW put Pacific string in because it was a Pacific racquet.

TripleB

 

[TripleB]

Update Number One:

Played with the racquets for the 2nd time today. 3 hours of singles including 2 sets, about an hour of just hitting groundstrokes, and 20 minutes on serves.

1) Dunlop Biomimetic 300 Tour: again, in my opinion, definitely not a 304 swingweight; my crosscourt forehands just weren't as easy to pull off and lacked any depth compared to my Dunlop 4D 300 non-tour and my LM Rad MP; overall all my groundstrokes lacked depth and I really had to swing with a lot more effort than I'm used to; with the tighter string pattern (compared to my 4D 300 non-Tour) I was hoping for better control but I think I was having to swing so hard to get the pace I wanted that I just couldn't keep the ball heading where I wanted (I guess you would say a lack of swing control); control on serves is awesome with this racquet but again I would have liked more pace, as well as spin; spin potential is obviously nowhere near as great as my 4D 300 non-tour and, with the strings in the demo, not as good as my LM Rad MP; touch at net is incredible and today I felt this racquet offered a little more flex and feel than I thought yesterday; may be the string, the weight, or the balance, but to me this racquet actually feels more flexy than the MicroGel Radical MP I'm also demoing; when comparing this racquet to my 4D 300 non-tour I would say this one doesn't even come close…love the whipability, the spin, the power, and the control of my current Dunlop much better; compared to my LM Radical MP I would say this one doesn't come as close to it either…the LM Rad offers a more solid feel, more spin (again, some probably string related), better control, and more pop; compared to the other racquets in this demo group I would say this is a distant third behind the Head and the Dunlop 4D 300 Tour

2) Dunlop AeroGel 4D 300 Tour: like the power level of this racquet much more than the Biomimetic 300…much easier to put the ball away and I found greater depth on my groundstrokes; this racquet feels stiffer than the Biomimetic Tour 300 which gave me better power, noticeable on grounstrokes as well as serves; I found very good success on serves with this racquet…loved the combination of power and control; I didn't serve as good with it as my 300 non-Tour or LM Rad MP but much better than with the Biomimetic 300 Tour; the feel wasn't as flexy as with the Biomimetic Tour 300 with meant if offered less touch at net and seemed a little more dead at the upper hoop area; I was a bit disappointed in this racquet and the Biomimetic 300 Tour when it came to the overall feel - I missed that 'plush' feeling I get with the 4D 300 non-tour - the ball just doesn't seem to sink into the string bed; I also miss the maneuverability of my 4D 300 non-tour when I'm using these two Dunlop 300s - even though both of the 300s in this group of demos have a lower swingweight, I just wasn't able to hold my shots to the last moment and then whip the racquet around hitting the ball down the line or crosscourt; the overall stability of both of the 300s here didn't seem to be as good as I get with my 4D 300 non-tour, even though both are heavier than my current 300, the softer flex of my racquet seemed to add to the stability level; after a second time out, this is my second favorite racquet of the group but still doesn't seem to be giving me what I'm looking for…my 4D 300 non-Tour, LM Rad MP, and Ozone Tour excel over these two Dunlops

3) Head MicroGel Radical Midplus: this racquet is quickly becoming the standout racquet in this group of four demos; this racquet, to me, still feels a bit stiffer than the 57 flex - after today I would say around a flex of 62; it's not an uncomfortable feel, just different from what I was expecting; the extra stiffness overall is a pleasant surprise - really gives me some great pop out of this lighter racquet; I was expecting a low-powered all control racquet but am getting a racquet with good put away power; groundstrokes have outstanding depth shot after shot after shot, whether going crosscourt or down the line; control doesn't seem to suffer with the stiffer feel and I felt comfortable hitting deep groundstrokes down the line or crosscourt; serving with this racquet is probably my favorite shot - the pop on serve is effortless, control is spot on, and spin is adequate…had more service winners with this racquet than any of the others; as far as spin, slice stayed nice and low with good depth but I would say the LM Rad MP offers a little more spin on serves and groundstrokes ('spin' string and more mass coming through the hitting area is probably the main reasons for the more spin with the LM Rad MP); compared to the LM Rad MP (and 4D 300 non-tour), shots hit with extra spin ("more than typical" spin) tended to fall a little shorter; I would love to play with this racquet with my TurboTwist mains…I think it would be a great combination of my LM Rad MP and my 4D 300 non-tour; almost identical weight/balance compared to my 4D 300 but with a 18x20 string pattern like my LM Rad MP, unfortunately it needs the spin of my Ozone Tour; right now I would say I still prefer my 4D 300 and LM Rad MP, but that may change over the next couple of days; by far my favorite racquet in this group of 4

4) Pacific X-Feel Tour: much better day with this racquet today; after warming up with my 4D 300 I used this racquet first today while my arm was fresh; no arm pain today and had much better results; strung the way it is (full poly around 45 pounds) this racquet has a great deal of power; it still feels like the flex is more than 56 (maybe 61 or so) but it seemed much more arm friendly today; this racquet reminds me a lot of the Babolat Pure Storm racquets with its weight and balance; great solid feel for such a light racquet and excellent topspin; it also reminds me of the Pure Storm as far as maneuverability is concerned, I just couldn't whip this racquet around like I can my current racquets and the other racquets in this demo group - I know the specs say a swingweight of 305 but I just don't think this demo is anywhere near that - I honestly would say the MG Rad MP and 4D 300 Tour both have better maneuverability - it feels very similar to my LM Rad MP which is supposed to be around 320; control with this racquet (again, may be due to the low tension) was the worst of the four…balls stayed pretty deep but sideline to sideline control just wasn't very good; I never felt like I could swing out with this racquet either…on every shot I had to think (and I hate doing that) about how I wanted to hit the ball; serves had excellent pop although I didn't get a good amount of them in and the spin offered by this racquet on serve was the best of the group - good kick as well thanks to the heavier swingweight and less headlight balance; at net I would have liked more touch and less power; overall a very solid feeling racquet but the last in this group for me…lack of maneuverability and balls flying made it hard for me to play with this racquet

Plan on playing more singles tomorrow and some doubles on Sunday…I'll put up another update soon.

TripleB

 

[TripleB]

Update Number Two:

Played 2.5 hours of singles today so here are how the racquets fall in each category after 3 days (7.5 hours) of singles. The racquets are listed best (IMO) to worst. I will be playing doubles tomorrow and Monday so I can compare them as far as doubles is concerned after that.

Volleys: Biomimetic 300 Tour, 4D 300 Tour, Head MG Rad MP, Pacific X-Feel
Topspin: Pacific X-Feel, Head MG Rad MP, 4D 300 Tour, Biomimetic 300 Tour
Slice: Pacific X-Feel, 4D 300 Tour, Head MG Rad MP, Biomimetic 300 Tour
Returns: Head MG Rad, Pacific X-Feel, 4D 300 Tour, Biomimetic 300 Tour
Groundstrokes: Head MG Rad MP, 4D 300 Tour, Biomimetic 300 Tour, Pacific X-Feel
Serves: Head MG Rad MP, 4D 300 Tour, Pacific X-Feel, Biomimetic 300 Tour
Touch/Feel: Biomimetic 300 Tour, 4D 300 Tour, Pacific X-Feel, Head MG Rad MP
Comfort: Biomimetic 300 Tour, 4D 300 Tour, Pacific X-Feel, Head MG Rad MP
Stability: Head MG Rad MP, Pacific X-Feel, 4D 300 Tour, Biomimetic 300 Tour
Maneuverability: Head MG Rad MP, 4D 300 Tour, Biomimetic 300 Tour, Pacific X-Feel
Control: 4D 300 Tour, Head MG Rad MP, Biomimetic 300 Tour, Pacific X-Feel
Power: Pacific X-Feel, Head MG Rad MP, 4D 300 Tour, Biomimetic 300 Tour
Overall: Head MG Rad MP, 4D 300 Tour, Pacific X-Feel, Biomimetic 300 Tour

I think what really makes me prefer the Head MG Radical Mid+ over the rest right now is the success it gives me on my first serve. My first serve is probably one of my weakest shots and I seldom get any free points off of it...which puts me on the defense very quickly and kills my confidence. If I could hold my serve easier I think that would make me play a little more relaxed. The Head really gives an amazing combination of control and power. I'm not hitting a lot of aces but I am hitting my spots and my first serve percentage has really gone up with this racquet which leads to some weaker returns. My kick serves aren't quite as good as with my Dunlop 4D 300 or Prince Ozone Tour, but overall I prefer this racquet over both of them when serving. I thinking going from the NXT strings in the demo to my standard TurboTwist (or SP Tornado) mains / Forten Sweet Syn Gut crosses would add some of the spin I'm looking for on my second serves. The fact that this racquet excels (compared to the other three racquets) in the areas of stability, returns, and groundstrokes doesn't hurt either .

I'll update again after I have had a chance to play some competitive doubles.

TripleB

 

[ptr]

I like such ordinary people test! Thanks a lot!

 

[hunter121]

Thank you man.

 

[Torres]

I missed that 'plush' feeling I get with the 4D 300 non-tour - the ball just doesn't seem to sink into the string bed;

That's nothing to do with the racquets - the construction is exactly the same - its the difference in stringbed pattern which you're noticing. A ball is always going to "sink in" to a 16x19 stringbed more than a 18x20 at the same tension.

It's also not ideal to compare racquets when you're using different strings.

The 4D 300 Tour works so much better with some added weight. In stock form it feels a bit too light. It's a very, very nice racquet to be hitting with when its brought up to around 335g. Stable, solid, and with good control.

 

[TripleB]

That's nothing to do with the racquets - the construction is exactly the same - its the difference in stringbed pattern which you're noticing. A ball is always going to "sink in" to a 16x19 stringbed more than a 18x20 at the same tension.

It's also not ideal to compare racquets when you're using different strings.

The 4D 300 Tour works so much better with some added weight. In stock form it feels a bit too light. It's a very, very nice racquet to be hitting with when its brought up to around 335g. Stable, solid, and with good control.

I agree probably more to do with the string pattern and the strings in each...although I figured the Dunlop Silk would have given a softer feel than my WeissCannon Turbo Twist Poly.

Also, the flex of the 4D 300 Tour is 63 while my 4D 300 is 60...I believe these numbers are probably right because I feel the Tour version is a little stiffer. Again though, the tighter string pattern will make the Tour version feel stiffer...that and the higher flex makes it feel a little stiffer than I'm looking for in a racquet now.

I've gone the lead tape route with several racquets and decided to never go that route again...just gives me one more thing in tennis to be anal about :grin:

I appreciate everyone's input.

TripleB

 

[Agent Orynge]

I just hit with the X Force Pro today, and it felt more like a heavier version of the X Feel Tour than the X Force! That's definitely a good thing, because I didn't really like the X Force. It's a very comfortable frame, with sterling control and relatively easy depth on groundstrokes.

I don't know what it is about these Pacific frames, but I've never gotten more spin out of a racquet in my life. It really seems as though it's gripping the ball when I make contact. I just can't say enough good things about these frames.

 

[TripleB]

LASTING IMPRESSIONS after 5 days of tennis including 8.5 hours of singles and 5 hours of doubles

Dunlop Biomimetic 300 Tour: a very solid feeling racquet with a nice flexy feel; didn't have enough power for me and control wasn't nearly as good as what I get with my LM Radical MP or my 4D 300

Dunlop 4D 300 Tour: excellent control with a bit more pop than the Bio 300 Tour; still not enough power and the lack of spin potential made it difficult for me to have success with this racquet compared to my normal racquets

Head MicroGel Radical Midplus: amazing racquet on serves with excellent power and superb control from all over the court; racquet played stiffer than it's flex rating so it didn't give me the nice cushion/flexy feel I get with my LM Rad MP or my 4D 300, although good power and sideline to sideline control, at times I struggled with keeping the ball deep

Pacific X-Feel Tour: above average spin and a good amount of power for such a flexy racquet; maybe with a different string set up than what came in this demo (all poly at <50 pounds) I would have had better success, but I just couldn't get used to the extra power (balls flying) with this racquet, I always felt like I had to hold back something on my groundstrokes, control not as good as I was hoping

In the end I prefer my Dunlop 4D 300, Head LM Radical MP, and Prince Ozone Tour over all four of these demos.

I'm really starting to love my Dunlop 4D 300 right now. My serve has picked up some MPH (thanks to the confidence the MG Radical MP demo gave me) and I'm starting to really go after my shots. I typically try to keep the ball in play and wait for my opponent to make mistakes but with this racquet I feel I can really go after my groundstrokes (which is something entirely new for me). I'm going to take some beatings to start with (like a 6-2 whooping I took last night) but once I get comfortable going after my shots I think my game will improve with the 4D 300 in my hand.

Thanks for reading...hopefully my comments will help someone along the way.

TripleB

 

[Pneumated1]

LASTING IMPRESSIONS after 5 days of tennis including 8.5 hours of singles and 5 hours of doubles

Dunlop Biomimetic 300 Tour: a very solid feeling racquet with a nice flexy feel; didn't have enough power for me and control wasn't nearly as good as what I get with my LM Radical MP or my 4D 300

Dunlop 4D 300 Tour: excellent control with a bit more pop than the Bio 300 Tour; still not enough power and the lack of spin potential made it difficult for me to have success with this racquet compared to my normal racquets . . . .

In the end I prefer my Dunlop 4D 300, Head LM Radical MP, and Prince Ozone Tour over all four of these demos.

I'm really starting to love my Dunlop 4D 300 right now. My serve has picked up some MPH (thanks to the confidence the MG Radical MP demo gave me) and I'm starting to really go after my shots. I typically try to keep the ball in play and wait for my opponent to make mistakes but with this racquet I feel I can really go after my groundstrokes (which is something entirely new for me). I'm going to take some beatings to start with (like a 6-2 whooping I took last night) but once I get comfortable going after my shots I think my game will improve with the 4D 300 in my hand.

Thanks for reading...hopefully my comments will help someone along the way.

TripleB

Thanks for your thoughts. I'm currently demoing the Bio 300 Tour and the Bio 300 (for the second time). I hit the 300G for over four years and the 4D 300 Tour for two years. The Bio 300 is definitely out of the old 300G mold, but it does everything better than the latter. I serve better with the regular Bio 300 and hit better backhands (1hbh--my strength) than with the Bio 300 Tour, but I find this new Tour to be more solid, more powerful, and have better "feel" than the 4D version. I had more fun hitting the new 300 Tour last night than any racquet that I've hit in a long time. I've strayed from the Dunlop 300 line in the past half a year or so, but I find myself desiring to repent. I love the grip shape, the head shape, the muted response, and the insane control that any of the 300's provide. I simply play my most comfortable brand of tennis with these sticks, perhaps because I hit the ball hard and love to attack. Not that this brand can't be played with other sticks, but it just works out best for me.

Of interest to me in your reviews is your love for the regular 4D 300. I never hit it and just may have to do one more demo order for the 4D 300 Tour, 4D 300, Bio 300 Tour, and Bio 300. I sense that my preferred Dunlop 300 will come out of the Bio lines, with just a touch of added stiffness, but if I prefer one of the 4D's, I could save a lot of money. Have you by any chance hit the Bio 300, just to compare to the 4D? Take care.

 

[TripleB]

Thanks for your thoughts.
Of interest to me in your reviews is your love for the regular 4D 300. I never hit it and just may have to do one more demo order for the 4D 300 Tour, 4D 300, Bio 300 Tour, and Bio 300. Have you by any chance hit the Bio 300, just to compare to the 4D?

You're welcome.

I haven't tried the Bio 300. One of the things I love about my 4D 300 is the flexy feel it has. In looking at the specs for the Bio 300 the 66 stiffness worried me a bit. It seems lately any racquet with a flex over 66 is giving my arm problems. The 66 stiffness combined with the 10.9 ounce weight made me think that this racquet might not be too good on my arm.

TripleB

 

[meowmix]

Interesting that you've stuck with the Ozone Tour. I enjoyed it for a while... and then promptly ditched it after trying the MG Rad MP. Completely, and boy, I mean completely!, different sticks... but I much prefer the MG Rad. If you're looking for another Ozone, hit me up.

On a separate note... I really do need to get my hands on a LM Rad. It's been several years since I hit with one, and then, it was only a brief 30 minute hit. Then again... maybe it's a better idea not to hit with a LM Rad?... (too tempting?!!!)

 

[TripleB]

Interesting that you've stuck with the Ozone Tour. If you're looking for another Ozone, hit me up.

On a separate note... I really do need to get my hands on a LM Rad. It's been several years since I hit with one, and then, it was only a brief 30 minute hit. Then again... maybe it's a better idea not to hit with a LM Rad?... (too tempting?!!!)

The more I play with the Dunlop 4D 300 the higher the chances that the Prince Ozone Tour will stay in the bag...or at home on my 'Wall of Frames'. For a slight reduction in spin I get more control, better maneuverability, higher quality serves, and better touch with the Dunlop.

If the LM Rad MP was a tad lighter or had more spin potential I'd probably use it over the Dunlop. It has a more solid feel but over all I prefer the Dunlop.

Obviously I just demoed the MG Rad MP and it's a different racquet from the LM Radical MP. IMO doesn't feel as flexy as the LM Rad and doesn't have quite the control of the LM Rad, but offers better maneuverability and gave me greater success on my serves.

TripleB

 

[meowmix]

Oi, you nailed the reason I sold/am selling my Ozones... too little feel. At first, I really enjoyed it. Then... I wasn't able to feel ANYTHING!!!! Couldn't complain too much about the maneuverability (and that spin potential... ridiculous!), but my problems stemmed from the fact that I just couldn't feel the ball. Really felt disconnected from the ball, which is something I've always liked. That was really brought home to me when I tried out a MG Radical. Bought 2 the next day and haven't looked back.

Have you considered adding a little lead/a leather grip to the Radical? I did it to my MG's and it greatly improved how they play and also made them even more maneuverable.