Diary of a Racketaholic

tim-ay said:
Yea they are very similar except for spec variances. 7G takes lead well if you get a light one. TB does too really.

I went back and forth a ton as to which I liked better for maybe a year. But I really ended up liking that more raw feeling of the G thang. Crazy, your comment had me looking at buying one again. Still only 127 bucks at TW. Just amazing. My two are 6Gs at 27.25 and are amazing. Why am i not hitting these more??? Ill have to dig them out and maybe get another 7G.
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We're overdue for a PK revival around these parts @tim-ay. Lorenzo's door is always open.
 
tim-ay said:
Yea they are very similar except for spec variances. 7G takes lead well if you get a light one. TB does too really.

I went back and forth a ton as to which I liked better for maybe a year. But I really ended up liking that more raw feeling of the G thang. Crazy, your comment had me looking at buying one again. Still only 127 bucks at TW. Just amazing. My two are 6Gs at 27.25 and are amazing. Why am i not hitting these more??? Ill have to dig them out and maybe get another 7G.
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Yeah, its a great frame to pull out if you are using the Origin. The high SW of the Origin makes adjusting to an XL very very easy. Whereas I can not go from the Origin to a standard length Pure Drive type frame and have the same timing right off the bat. Maybe you will find the same experience, or I'm just a weirdo. Either way, the serves with these XL PKs are a joy.
 
Soundbyte said:
I think the 7G and TB are interchangeable. 7G has higher likelihood of higher SW (based on my lifelong total of 3 TBs and 4 TBs)
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Great, thats what I thought. Yeah I need to do this. The 16x20 pattern, thinner beam, actual ball feel are all bringing me a lot of joy right now. Only the Origin/Rafalito has that raw and connected vibe on the new frames, and that's because it's tech free. The PKs just give my arm a little more protection while my play ramps up to 3-4x a week again.
 
Power Player said:
Yeah, its a great frame to pull out if you are using the Origin. The high SW of the Origin makes adjusting to an XL very very easy. Whereas I can not go from the Origin to a standard length Pure Drive type frame and have the same timing right off the bat. Maybe you will find the same experience, or I'm just a weirdo. Either way, the serves with these XL PKs are a joy.
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I suspect im the same. Ive tried a lot of frames from friends or my stash, and when im hitting the Origin nothing else comes close. Its like 5 minutes and ok, thats enough. But a 27.5 PK might do it. I miss those!
 
Power Player said:
Great, thats what I thought. Yeah I need to do this. The 16x20 pattern, thinner beam, actual ball feel are all bringing me a lot of joy right now. Only the Origin/Rafalito has that raw and connected vibe on the new frames, and that's because it's tech free. The PKs just give my arm a little more protection while my play ramps up to 3-4x a week again.
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I'm Origin/Axis 98/Ezone 98 still. All have their pro/cons. Keeping all of them (....for now lol)
 
SpinToWin said:
I’ve stopped the testing, so may the tennis gods be considerate of me with that in mind
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I still have a ton of grommets for the PT2.0 and PC2.0. I still own 1 and 2 of each, respectively, but doubt I'll ever need to replace the grommets.
Even my most played rackets, I never really chewed through grommets. But I always buy 1 or 2 sets as $15 now is easier than a massive headache years later
 
tim-ay said:
That Axis 98 is super tempting. What are a couple of pros / cons against the Origin? Ball shape a little flatter? What about through court blasts?
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So The Axis 98, to me, feels more of a midway point between the Rafa 290 and the Origin, but closer to the Origin. It doesn't swing as fast at the Rafa, but swings faster than the Origin. It doesn't feel hollow like the Pure Aeri 98 can, and feels quite stable throughout the ENTIRE hoop of the racket. The foam filling likely contributes to this, but also results in mild muteness compared to the Rafa/Origin.
If someone was hesitant to try the Origin, I'd say give the Axis 98 a go.
If someone wanted to taper off from the Origin or other high swing weight frame, I'd say grab the Axis 98.
I try a ton of frames. The Axis is currently bridging the gap of the frames I've liked the most. My match scores have been the best with 2025 Ezone 98, but the stability and feel of the Origin has me wanting to stay with it. The Axis fits nicely in the middle for me as the moment. I haven't modified it, but I'm playing better than with the Origin, and it feels better than the Ezone. Honestly it's the first time in a while I'm holding on to 3 different frames.
Just this year, I've had and moved on from the Pure Drive+, Tec 305S, GT98, and even the Rafa 290. All great rackets. Have just liked other frames better.
Its a strange thing really. If I didn't have the 305S at the same time of the GT98, I probably would have continued with the GT98 for a bit. But I liked the 305S better.
Then the Ezone 98 showed up, and I knew I wouldn't be reaching for the 305S anymore.
But with these 3...I keep them in my bag and could grab any of them and be happy.
 
Soundbyte said:
So The Axis 98, to me, feels more of a midway point between the Rafa 290 and the Origin, but closer to the Origin. It doesn't swing as fast at the Rafa, but swings faster than the Origin. It doesn't feel hollow like the Pure Aeri 98 can, and feels quite stable throughout the ENTIRE hoop of the racket. The foam filling likely contributes to this, but also results in mild muteness compared to the Rafa/Origin.
If someone was hesitant to try the Origin, I'd say give the Axis 98 a go.
If someone wanted to taper off from the Origin or other high swing weight frame, I'd say grab the Axis 98.
I try a ton of frames. The Axis is currently bridging the gap of the frames I've liked the most. My match scores have been the best with 2025 Ezone 98, but the stability and feel of the Origin has me wanting to stay with it. The Axis fits nicely in the middle for me as the moment. I haven't modified it, but I'm playing better than with the Origin, and it feels better than the Ezone. Honestly it's the first time in a while I'm holding on to 3 different frames.
Just this year, I've had and moved on from the Pure Drive+, Tec 305S, GT98, and even the Rafa 290. All great rackets. Have just liked other frames better.
Its a strange thing really. If I didn't have the 305S at the same time of the GT98, I probably would have continued with the GT98 for a bit. But I liked the 305S better.
Then the Ezone 98 showed up, and I knew I wouldn't be reaching for the 305S anymore.
But with these 3...I keep them in my bag and could grab any of them and be happy.
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Great input, thanks. I was hoping the new sx300 tour or the Axis 98 would slot in like you describe. That makes the Axis high on my list to try. I think ive had some holic withdrawals … but ive gotten super hesitant on the mainstream releases given what ive hit from friends. I dont know anyone with the Axis. I think its worth a shot for me.
 
Znak said:
retouch-2025030700545956.jpg

Demo round 2 (not sure why post image links aren't working anymore). Rad MP, PS 98 16x19, V9 16x19. Liking these more than my last round but sheesh I don't know how ppl play with the V9 16x19. It's just as awful as I recall the V7 when I demoed it. It's the same feeling as the 18x20, but seemingly everything is dialed down so you have to work that much harder.

Still early days on the rad, def needs weight. Crisper than I'm used to but not in a bad way. Didn't find it stiff despite being bumped up on paper. I would tailweight it and maybe add some either at 3/9 or 10/2. I might demo the outgoing model as I think I prefer that cosmetic more and seems to be a slight bit softer.

The PS is interesting too, never thought I'd like a Babolat ever again. Can't stand these grip shapes though. It's definitely stiff-er but not in a bad way. Compared to the 305s, I found the its stiffness a little jarring after awhile.

My V8 just has more heft and built in comfort. Not sure I'll find a replacement at this rate.

More to come.
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More time with these sticks. The PS I have to eliminate for now — too tough to get a read on, as the strings are bagged out and I really dislike the pallet/butt cap shape (and it's a smaller grip size than I usually play with). Leaving just the rad MP. I'm so torn with this racquet, because on one hand I'm able to rip with the racquet, it really suits my swing style and when you get a ball in that sweet spot it's the most addictive feeling I've experienced in a long time. Having said that, hitting anything outside the sweet spot vibrates every muscle through my entire arm (not being hyperbolic either). At first it was it was doable but near the end of the session my arm just feels so dang beat up. It's a shame because I serve very precise with it, forehand feels great, backhand slice amazing... The ohbh a bit off but that was more me needing to adjust to the lighter weight and swingweight. I may try the pro just for giggles but I have my doubts. And the paint job, while it may be great for some, it's a little too flashy for my personality.

On a side note I'm noticing that the tech in the head racquets have a bit of an artificial feeling to achieve their stability. Minus maybe the gravity/prestige. Not sure what to think about it yet. Anyone else feel the same?
 
Question for y'all. I think a while back we had a few folks here playing the 16x19 Blade Pros - still the case, or have ya moved on? Way back i was curious about trying a 16x19 H22 but that never came to be. Naturally I have also been curious to try the Blade Pros but always held off. Eventually I also settled on my blade reissues too and haven't felt a need to play anything else. As a ~4.0 player I feel like they've helped bring out the best of most of my game.

With that said, every once in a while that itch to tinker around comes back though.
 
fundrazer said:
Question for y'all. I think a while back we had a few folks here playing the 16x19 Blade Pros - still the case, or have ya moved on? Way back i was curious about trying a 16x19 H22 but that never came to be. Naturally I have also been curious to try the Blade Pros but always held off. Eventually I also settled on my blade reissues too and haven't felt a need to play anything else. As a ~4.0 player I feel like they've helped bring out the best of most of my game.

With that said, every once in a while that itch to tinker around comes back though.
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I moved on. But the Blade Pros are good rackets. Not as spinny or "user friendly" compared to most rackets. But if your strokes fit with it, it's a great racket.
I think the stock balance is too head heavy, and I (and others) felt it played better with tail weighting, even if that was just adding a leather grip.
Blade Pro feel different from the regular Blades tho. I consider them different rackets despite sharing the Blade moniker.
 
fundrazer said:
Question for y'all. I think a while back we had a few folks here playing the 16x19 Blade Pros - still the case, or have ya moved on? Way back i was curious about trying a 16x19 H22 but that never came to be. Naturally I have also been curious to try the Blade Pros but always held off. Eventually I also settled on my blade reissues too and haven't felt a need to play anything else. As a ~4.0 player I feel like they've helped bring out the best of most of my game.

With that said, every once in a while that itch to tinker around comes back though.
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I agree with @Soundbyte ’s take.

For me the Blade Pro was an amazing racquet to go rally with a buddy. The feel and power are addicting. But in match play, the head heavy balance wasn’t great for my game. I was not very consistent serving and the HH balance made quick reflex net play really hard.

But the joy of getting a bunch of blade pros in from Wilson, and measuring them to see how random the specs were was top notch.
 
EggSalad said:
I agree with @Soundbyte ’s take.

For me the Blade Pro was an amazing racquet to go rally with a buddy. The feel and power are addicting. But in match play, the head heavy balance wasn’t great for my game. I was not very consistent serving and the HH balance made quick reflex net play really hard.

But the joy of getting a bunch of blade pros in from Wilson, and measuring them to see how random the specs were was top notch.
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And at @Soundbyte For me it wasn't the non existent net play, but the defending on the BL, especially against hard hitters (hard to prep in time). Same goes for any high SW, say around 340.
 
Power Player said:
Am I insane to want to get a PK 7G again? I had one over 10 years ago and loved it. But I don't remember the specifics of why. It was also the first XL I ever owned, so it was tough to stick with it due to that reason. I just remember liking the feel a lot, and it was pretty easy to swing, and probably a bit lighter than its listed weight.

PK is basically the only OEM racquet builder out there that I can think of. I love the fact that they sold molds and tech to Babolat and others, but when it came to the Magic beans, they said "hell no, this is our tech", and have built their entire line around it. The best part is that all these other major frame makers simply cannot figure out a way to make a stiff frame arm friendly while also having great feel and PK is just sitting in the corner having a latte and chuckling.
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Not insane. 7G has so many positives. I have some in L4 I'm not using (back from my big grip is better for tennis elbow days) if you want one.
 
Nollid said:
Not insane. 7G has so many positives. I have some in L4 I'm not using (back from my big grip is better for tennis elbow days) if you want one.
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Appreciate that offer! I play L2 most of the time unfortunately. But a new one was under $130 shipped, so I have one headed my way. Been meaning to get one of these for quite some time, but it feels like the time is right with the new USTA season starting up.
 
Tried the Prince tour 100 with the O-ports, the one with the good looking cameo paintjob. Specced up to ~335-340g (haven't measured SW but not too low) with Lynx tour mains and RPM rough crosses.
Kinda torn on it, on the upside, it's amazingly stable and wrist-wise, it felt very comfortable.
Large but vague sweet spot, a lot of power (maybe high swingweight), a monstruous amount of spin, so much spin.
Is it an O-ports thing that you get a ton of spin? Launch angle itself wasn't too crazy as the spacing in the center is denser, like a radical MP or prestige 16x19 but daym that snapback.
Stability is top notch for its rather thin beam. Racquet doesn't feel soft but comfortable.
When warming up, it felt rather good from the baseline but when we played a set after I struggled controlling this thing.
Not sure if it's the o-ports, the specs, the strings, the uneven clay court or the balls (always gotta include those nowadays) but I had a difficult time during point play.
Doing a leg day in the gym the day before certainly didn't help, moving like a TiS6 swinging doubles specialist.
Slice returns were floating, missing some easy balls because I tried to hold back on the swing from the fear of hitting out.
If you want to hit mean kick serves though, this racquet delivers. The first 1-2 service games I was hitting the serves short in the box from all the kick I was getting. Not bad for other serves but no mid.
The feel itself I'm torn with, it's kinda muted, kinda stiff-solid feeling but with a decent dwell time. Quite unique in some way.
While likely not a match-frame ('switch') the perceived wrist comfort makes me want to try some other Prince frames to check if it's a twaron thing or an o-ports or whatever thing.
I'll try and measure specs and tinker with it a bit before deciding a final verdict.
Side story, there are two guys at my club who played in one of the highest leagues here back in the day, they are in the their 60s now I think.
One of them uses this frame (or the previous version) with full multi and sang the highest praises for it last summer.
After playing with it in my modified form, I can imagine how this one is great stock with full multi.
 
Also tried my mate's PT10 for 10 min at the end, sublime stuff/staff. Potential to be the best feeling frame ever, more testing needed.
He has a kind of Rafa style spec setup, head heavy with 350ish swingweight but not too high on the static weight.
Might get a mid closer to those specs for a trial. I'm gonna burrow one of his frame for testing in the future, need to hit under pressure with it in a match like situation to see how it actually works.
PC2.0 in the shopping basket as well but might hold off on that.
 
Haven't been on for a bit, but wanted to report in on a new (to me) stick. A user from the forum graciously sent me a Heysil 100 for the cost of a shipping label. Man am I blown away by this thing. Feels like the Gravity Pro I would've designed for myself. 100", 21mm beam, ~65RA, 290g stock platform racquet - I put a leather grip and 10g of lead under to get the weight up to ~334g, 32cm balance. It came strung with Yonex PTP 1.25 which I don't usually enjoy, but it works in this frame. The more open pattern gives a nice launch and amazing spin. Love the shape I'm getting on serves, love the easier power, love the raw, un-muted feel of a frame without any tech. This thing is sweet. Anybody else had any experiences with Heysil?
https://imgur.com/a/9e2XkC3
 
gsinko1 said:
Haven't been on for a bit, but wanted to report in on a new (to me) stick. A user from the forum graciously sent me a Heysil 100 for the cost of a shipping label. Man am I blown away by this thing. Feels like the Gravity Pro I would've designed for myself. 100", 21mm beam, ~65RA, 290g stock platform racquet - I put a leather grip and 10g of lead under to get the weight up to ~334g, 32cm balance. It came strung with Yonex PTP 1.25 which I don't usually enjoy, but it works in this frame. The more open pattern gives a nice launch and amazing spin. Love the shape I'm getting on serves, love the easier power, love the raw, un-muted feel of a frame without any tech. This thing is sweet. Anybody else had any experiences with Heysil?
https://imgur.com/a/9e2XkC3
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This sounds like a ton of fun. Heysil is one of those new niche brands that the Nerd did a video on like a year ago right? Or does the brand go back further? seems like there were quite a few niche frame brands trying to do things last year, believe this was one of them.
 
veelium said:
Also tried my mate's PT10 for 10 min at the end, sublime stuff/staff. Potential to be the best feeling frame ever, more testing needed.
He has a kind of Rafa style spec setup, head heavy with 350ish swingweight but not too high on the static weight.
Might get a mid closer to those specs for a trial. I'm gonna burrow one of his frame for testing in the future, need to hit under pressure with it in a match like situation to see how it actually works.
PC2.0 in the shopping basket as well but might hold off on that.
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For me, the lower static, mid 330s sw is the sweet spot for the 312. Also, the skinny Rush continues to impress me, although the ALU 115 still feels a bit better. Sadly.
 
veelium said:
Also tried my mate's PT10 for 10 min at the end, sublime stuff/staff. Potential to be the best feeling frame ever, more testing needed.
He has a kind of Rafa style spec setup, head heavy with 350ish swingweight but not too high on the static weight.
Might get a mid closer to those specs for a trial. I'm gonna burrow one of his frame for testing in the future, need to hit under pressure with it in a match like situation to see how it actually works.
PC2.0 in the shopping basket as well but might hold off on that.
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PC2.0 should be in everyone's bag! Fantastic frame!
 
JGads said:
This sounds like a ton of fun. Heysil is one of those new niche brands that the Nerd did a video on like a year ago right? Or does the brand go back further? seems like there were quite a few niche frame brands trying to do things last year, believe this was one of them.
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I think Tnerd has done a couple videos on them. His recent one about the new 98 16x19 is what got me looking into them. That one seems more like a Blade competitor, but this 100 just feels like an easier Gravity to me. My stringing machine has been out of commission for the last 2 weeks but I’ve got a new machine incoming tomorrow. Can’t wait to test out some more strings in this this and my GPros
 
gsinko1 said:
Haven't been on for a bit, but wanted to report in on a new (to me) stick. A user from the forum graciously sent me a Heysil 100 for the cost of a shipping label. Man am I blown away by this thing. Feels like the Gravity Pro I would've designed for myself. 100", 21mm beam, ~65RA, 290g stock platform racquet - I put a leather grip and 10g of lead under to get the weight up to ~334g, 32cm balance. It came strung with Yonex PTP 1.25 which I don't usually enjoy, but it works in this frame. The more open pattern gives a nice launch and amazing spin. Love the shape I'm getting on serves, love the easier power, love the raw, un-muted feel of a frame without any tech. This thing is sweet. Anybody else had any experiences with Heysil?
https://imgur.com/a/9e2XkC3
Click to expand...
Kinda cool.

JGads said:
For me, the lower static, mid 330s sw is the sweet spot for the 312. Also, the skinny Rush continues to impress me, although the ALU 115 still feels a bit better. Sadly.
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How low are you on the static? I'm kinda going back and forth in the 330-345 SW range on the mids.

jimdontcare said:
Which one is this?


Having tried four Prince Tours I’m convinced it’s the original players’ spin racquet
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prince-textreme-o3-tour-100-290-g-2019-46e6bf02-1838-4ffd-a745-c70818e0c8ea.jpg
 
Measured the Princes,
Specced up o3 tour sitting at 333g, 32.6cm, 332SW and 14.4 TW.
Ripstick at monstruous 330g, 33cm, 338.7SW and 16.1TW (!!!!!) stock with a bit of putty in the handle but strung with 1.35/1.30 poly. Origin TW numbers.
Exo rebel team 333g, 32.8cm, 324.3SW and 13.3TW. With 1.25PTP, leather grip and some lead at the top of the handle. Very pro stock-y.
 
ddonk said:
Does anybody know the specs of the 2003 Pure Drive Team?
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Listed here:

www.prostocktennis.com

Babolat Pure Drive Team

One racket available. Racket is new but has minor blemishes from storage. The Pure Drive isn't what most people would consider a true player's racquet. It fits better in the 'tweener racquet category, which means it's stiffer, lighter, and more powerful than a traditional player's racquet. It...
www.prostocktennis.com www.prostocktennis.com
 
fundrazer said:
Question for y'all. I think a while back we had a few folks here playing the 16x19 Blade Pros - still the case, or have ya moved on? Way back i was curious about trying a 16x19 H22 but that never came to be. Naturally I have also been curious to try the Blade Pros but always held off. Eventually I also settled on my blade reissues too and haven't felt a need to play anything else. As a ~4.0 player I feel like they've helped bring out the best of most of my game.

With that said, every once in a while that itch to tinker around comes back though.
Click to expand...
I'm still maining by BP16. It's just been such a good frame for me. The key with the BP is finding one that is the right spec for how you play. I got extremely lucky and got 3 that are nearly perfectly matched with a slightly lower static weight and SW.
 
veelium said:
How low are you on the static? I'm kinda going back and forth in the 330-345 SW range on the mids.
Click to expand...
With the heavy Gamma supreme OG mine at 333g static and either a 334 (ALU) or 336 (Pure Rush) sw. But they are extremely playable and fun in a different way at even 324 grams, but recently have gone back to the heavier grip setup.
 
Soundbyte said:
Your gravity tours...because they be eating strings like a fat kid eat cake!

(Is this joke still PC? Wait is it acceptable to say PC?)
Click to expand...
Well I do like one more than the others to be frank haha good thing they’re not labeled so I won’t know what the specs were on it
 
Tried the Ripstick monster (338SW, 16TW) yesterday, some hand-fed singles points and 2 sets of doubles. Fun racquet, comfortable power tweener with good control.
Good from the baseline as expected, for a thick beam power racquet I found the response to be very predictable, maybe something about the 1.35mm mains as well.
Bit hard to wrist flick certain shot due to the high SW & TW but otherwise good performer from the baseline. Slice, drop shot etc also worked quite well.
Only thing I struggled with were drop volleys, and any type of short dinky balls in the front court. The ball would just go farther/bounce more and small adjustments were hard to do.
Overall a cool frame by Prince, I could see this appeal to a broad audience if the SW would be closer to the 325 target swingweight (i'd guess mine is around 330 with 1.25 poly).
O-ports and the banging paintjob might not be for everyone though. Looks cool in my opinion.
 
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