Diary of a Racketaholic

Tried to match the 3 Yonex using the swingtool app since I don’t have a briffidi or anything like that. Got them fairly close, all 330g strung with a balance at 32cm, but I am not trusting the swingtool swingweight as an absolute number AT ALL. Surely the strung swingweight isn’t 318 with 4g 10/2 lol It’s either that or Atomos is magically light and I’ve gotten used to lower swingweights while using it idk haha

One day I’ll have a Briffidi or something like it and I can leave these doubts behind
 
Znak said:
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?
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retouch-2025031412301265.jpg


Round 3 of the demo days — this lineup is the Rad Po, EP (again), and Shift Pro. Tying back in with the last review, the Rad Pro feels MUCH better than the MP in stock, alot of the shock and vibrations that the MP had were noticeably less with the Pro version. Having said that they were still there in the off-center shots. This racquet feels more tip-heavy than my blade, but on paper (I believe) they're the same — and I'd want to tailweight this. But being already at 315 leaves very little room for me (and my wimpy arms) to mod. If this was a 305 or 310 I think this would be a much more interesting racquet. The EP I keep coming back to, it just gives me access to more margin over the net without having to work so hard for it. If the RP and the EP had a baby that would be a perfect racquet imo. The EP is really growing on me, the problem being I can't serve for sh*t with it — yet. That'll be the deciding factor, need to take a bucket of balls out and figure this thing out because it feels so different for me on the serve strangely enough. Need to add a few grams to my blade handle too to compare.

The Shift must have had a bad string combo because it felt like I was hitting with a 2x4. A friend of mine had a better string setup in theirs and I found it more useable. In any case, the search continues...
 
Just got the new Rad MP in to test out. This one came in at 297g and 286 SW so a bit underspec but that's fine as it should give me room for customization. This thing is super bright though.
 
SupahMan5000 said:
I still have some left over and will prob ask for a reel or as many sets as I can get my hand on. Tour bite mains and round cross has been very nice
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What gauge for the tour bite mains and tour bite round crosses have you been using?
I’ve been using tour bite 16l but considering if it is worth dropping to a 17 gauge.
 
Vicious49 said:
Just got the new Rad MP in to test out. This one came in at 297g and 286 SW so a bit underspec but that's fine as it should give me room for customization. This thing is super bright though.
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Honestly I’m kinda sad that the non-light model is only coming in at 297g.
 
SupahMan5000 said:
About to be back in with Solinco

Now I’m really torn on what string I’ll stick with. I have like 50 sets of Lynx tour now
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I know it’s like one of the 3 most popular strings in the world but I’ve never tried Lynx Tour and I need to. How does it compare to razor code?
 
Big_Dangerous said:
Is it less stiff than tour bite? I tried tour bite a few years ago and compared to Cyclone it was so stiff I couldn't use it.
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Yes it’s a bit softer than tour bite and more lively. A tad more power than the other Solinco offerings too
TwinCinema said:
I know it’s like one of the 3 most popular strings in the world but I’ve never tried Lynx Tour and I need to. How does it compare to razor code?
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Lynx tour is like a plusher shaped poly. If you string it up you’ll feel the edges aren’t so sharp. You get the shaped poly spin and pocketing but it’s a bit more muted not too dissimilar from like firestorm

Razor code is round firm low powered and dead. More similar to Hawk
 
SupahMan5000 said:
Yes it’s a bit softer than tour bite and more lively. A tad more power than the other Solinco offerings too

Lynx tour is like a plusher shaped poly. If you string it up you’ll feel the edges aren’t so sharp. You get the shaped poly spin and pocketing but it’s a bit more muted not too dissimilar from like firestorm

Razor code is round firm low powered and dead. More similar to Hawk
Click to expand...
Lynx tour plush? :unsure:
 
So how much higher do you think racket prices are going up on the 21st (regarding the TW email on tariffs and racket pricing increasing for Wilson/Head, with other brands following suit?I expect $300-$329 to become their new price for the top-end models
 
I enjoy being a 'Holic and trying different things, but these 2 are the only ones who remain in the bag week in and week out no matter what else gets thrown in there for a flavor of the day kind of thing. Now I am think of re-stringing the other PK's that have been hanging on the wall with an old string job.

eb030e6f9e9d.jpg
 
Alcawrath said:
What from and what do you feel like it's best qualities are?
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I switched from the Elevate V3, which has been my main racquet during the last year and half.
I have been testing the Head Graphene XT Speed MP during the last months too (with different specs, length, strings) but I was always coming back to the Elevate, I have been and Head guy for most part of my life.

The Axis98 perfectly works for my FH, It has good sweetspot, It swings pretty quickly, similar launch angle compared to the Elevate but the racquet Is more stable, I create and heavier ball with It with less effort (i mainly play on clay) keeping the SW and static weight lower (specs on the Elevate 312g, 31,7 cm balance, 296 SW - specs for the Axis 307g, 31,7 cm balance, 292SW).

I have a flat 2HBH and it works with both racquets, slice it's good with both, on defence the Axis Is more responsive, so It helps me a bit more and on serve I Simply serve better than with the Elevate. It's stiffer, but I like the foam filled feeling of Diadem racquets and I can string It with a very stiff string which Is the Dunlop Explosive Spin (at low/normal tension 22/21kg) without any arm problem.

It's a perfect racquet? No, but It works for my game, if you like Pure Aero VS/98 give It a try (if you like foam filled sticks too) otherwise, look somewhere else.

I also played 2 hrs with a friend which has been 1300ATP, testing different frames, and even if I have no chance of competing against him, he agrees with my decision.

I would say "Easier Life"
 
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taylor15 said:
I just saw that this racquet is also $259. Does diadem have the market to charge the same as a racquet as the big manufacturers? Why would I pick this one over a Dunlop or Technifibre for example?
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I honestly have no idea, tested the Yellow Dunlop Sx300 Tour before the Elevate V3 but was too sluggish, I don't like the CX200 and here I can get a small Dunlop contract, never used a Tecnifibre.
I have honestly never seen a racquet sold at the official price in many years. I saw there are many 15% discount codes from the yutubers on Diadem stuff.

If you think about reselling, of course other brands keep the valute better
 
Been stringing on a Tourna 300 crank + wise 2086 for the past couple years, but I’ve been wanting something I could use on a tabletop or travel with if needed. Went off the deep end and wound up with a Tourna 850-es and I’m in love. Already strung up 6 racquets since it showed up yesterday evening. Got my GPros strung with 17&18g Mach-10 to test out and the Heysil strung with my Tour Bite 17g reference setup to really put it through its paces. Also - how good does the Mach-10 look in these GPros??

https://imgur.com/a/9kAzoLA
 
veelium said:
Bought a Prince ATS tour 95. Very curious of how this will play, roundest 95 I've held in hand so far. Mains are short (like the mid exactly) but wider head than the head 95 sticks. Might pair excellently with gut/poly.


2025 is the year of Prince.
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Favorite Prince Frame I've used in awhile is the original Textreme 95 (circa 2015 maybe?). They make good frames. ATS 98 is my favorite of the current bunch. Phantoms have their place but I dont think they're what most people are after these days.
 
gsinko1 said:
Been stringing on a Tourna 300 crank + wise 2086 for the past couple years, but I’ve been wanting something I could use on a tabletop or travel with if needed. Went off the deep end and wound up with a Tourna 850-es and I’m in love. Already strung up 6 racquets since it showed up yesterday evening. Got my GPros strung with 17&18g Mach-10 to test out and the Heysil strung with my Tour Bite 17g reference setup to really put it through its paces. Also - how good does the Mach-10 look in these GPros??

https://imgur.com/a/9kAzoLA
Click to expand...
Love my Tourna 700. Put it on casters so I can wheel it out of the way in my office when not in use. I'm the only one using it so don't need the electronic height adjustment. Love the push down clamps!
 
Soundbyte said:
Love my Tourna 700. Put it on casters so I can wheel it out of the way in my office when not in use. I'm the only one using it so don't need the electronic height adjustment. Love the push down clamps!
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The gravity release and down press clamps are phenomenal. Didn’t know what I was missing! The glide to activate gripper is also amazing on this. I want to do casters but the base on this one is weird and has 5 feet so I’m going to try to workshop that
 
Soundbyte said:
Favorite Prince Frame I've used in awhile is the original Textreme 95 (circa 2015 maybe?). They make good frames. ATS 98 is my favorite of the current bunch. Phantoms have their place but I dont think they're what most people are after these days.
Click to expand...
Sadly never got to try the 2015 version. Impossible to find nowadays but the 2015 version has many fans it seems. The ATS 95 was a lucky find on the local bay, guy living 15 min from my was selling it for 100 euros and it's essentially brand new. We also chatted a bit and plan to play in 2 weeks, so good transaction in every way.

Agree on the phantoms, too soft. I would like to try the 93 though for fun.
 
One of those days when everything clicked, especially control and movement, dealing with a hard hitting opponent.
No report on racquets, as I've settled, but I might know someone who is eager to part with a flawless 293.2 :)
 
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gsinko1 said:
Been stringing on a Tourna 300 crank + wise 2086 for the past couple years, but I’ve been wanting something I could use on a tabletop or travel with if needed. Went off the deep end and wound up with a Tourna 850-es and I’m in love. Already strung up 6 racquets since it showed up yesterday evening. Got my GPros strung with 17&18g Mach-10 to test out and the Heysil strung with my Tour Bite 17g reference setup to really put it through its paces. Also - how good does the Mach-10 look in these GPros??

https://imgur.com/a/9kAzoLA
Click to expand...
It’s…beautiful
 
Bxb said:
Just watched this video and came here to see if there's any discussion.

Click to expand...
Looks like Tim knows what he wants and what he is doing, for now.
Used a Mantis Tour 315 above 15 years or so ago and was a big fan. Still have two of them.
Good to see two active UK brands!
 
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In another news, setup one of the 2019 GPros last night to match the current (tinkered) PAVS. Had a quick hit on the topspin pro and back wall…. Felt good.
Will see how it goes in the court tomorrow/next couple of days. The thin beam felt so good and what so reason, it just doesn’t look 100 sq inch, like the PA23… which is a very good thing. lol.
 
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