gutfeeling
Hall of Fame
That loveseat though
. CB2?
Diary of a Racketaholic
- Thread starter Ross K
- Start date
. CB2?
ryushen21
Legend
Yeah, all eyes are on that EZone for me....
Haha i wish i knew.. i just live here and pay the creit card bills.. all wifes shenanigans.That loveseat though
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Awesome man. This will be a great comp.
danbrenner
Legend
Ménage a trois Very nice
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Is the power level between iga and ezone 100 the same? I suspect the ezone should be bigger but who the hell knows anymore.
JOSHL
Hall of Fame
Hard to tell with that tight sensation string bed in the ezone but I can compare it to the PD and the new extreme mp. Iga has less power than both of those. Has more power than the Gravity MP. But again for me it swings faster than all of those as well. Also felt like it swung faster than the ezone 100. Could be the thinner beam. The string bed on the Iga is just so nice and uniform. Also a big fan of the shape of the head, elongated. Ever since my old Dunlop m-fil 200 I’ve always liked that shape.
danbrenner
Legend
Are you adding weight to the Iga. When comparing to the PD Amd g mp ?? Make sore to bump her up to at lease 11 oz. just to get her up to the gravity np. And that would still be lighter than the PD. Just to compare apples to apples.
danbrenner
Legend
I have. It’s a Goldilocks frame. I don’t have a knock on it. Just the head grip shape is a bit challenging for me. But that is my own idiosyncrasy. I would recommend this stick to anyone. As the super sleeper of 2020
JOSHL
Hall of Fame
Mine is on the way. Should hit it next week.
JOSHL
Hall of Fame
To me Iga doesn’t need the weight. It plays great stock and I don’t need/miss the power of the PD or extreme.
danbrenner
Legend
That’s cool. I can respect 3 point head light frame even with a low static weight. That sounds like the perfect recipe for good performance at the lightest possible weight. In fact it challenges all the norms of the popular sticks out there.
We just got a 10-inch dump a couple of days ago, but true to Colorado style, it's been sunny and nice a day or two later. Indoors is often the need when weather hits but I've literally played outside in the 30's, when the courts are dry and as long as sun is out and no real wind, in not much more than decent running-type sweat pants and a long-sleeve dry fit type shirt as Tim-ay says. Usually a warm-up jacket of some kind to warm up but not long before that goes. Supposed to be sunny, calm, and in the upper 40's and low 50's the next few days; perfect!
Knowing 310 quite well, i'd say ezone100 definitely has more power.
Definitely. Agreed. Not to muddy the waters but beast 98 is for even more power in 16x20 pattern. I have one of those sitting around just couldn't get enough play time yet. I just snatched it as it was like 110 bucks and its almost getting discontinued soon and has a really high praise and being already impressed with tours at the time.
ryushen21
Legend
Just got my hands on the Extreme Tour from @gutfeeling and I'm anxious to get this thing on the court. Not as chunky of a beam as the Ezone and little more plowy swing feel. This is going to make for an interesting comparison.
haqq777
Legend
360+ Extreme Tour is a fantastic frame IMO. When set up right it holds its own versus 2020 PAVS which is saying something. I know how @gutfeeling likes it (Blade spec) and if you got it like that you are in for a treat. Look forward to your feedback.
pyrokid
Hall of Fame
How would you say it compares to the strike?
ryushen21
Legend
Works out well. I've got a hit/lesson tonight with my coach.
JGads
G.O.A.T.
If I ever see her (she lives/trains where I'm living), I will let her know. Surely this would mean everything to her.
[also it's very likely she will be lured into switching with a big contract offer, which is fine, but there will only ever be one Iga]
gutfeeling
Hall of Fame
When this Ezone binge is over the 98L (+3 grams at the tip and +10 grams in the butt) is coming your way so you can do a H2H with the APD and the ET. Will be ~ 300 gram, 32 cm, 295 SW unstrung. Haven’t hit it yet but seems promising.
ryushen21
Legend
So is this sticker on the ET correct? 304/31.5/285? No way this thing has a 285 SW....
gutfeeling
Hall of Fame
Those are all unstrung. Strung should be roughly 320/32.5/315 (without overgrip).
ryushen21
Legend
That makes sense. That balance would explain why the swing feels the way that it does.
Chezbeeno
Professional
Is the general consensus that the Extreme Tour is better than the Extreme MP? Or are people pretty split?
I might have a chance to get some cheap Head frames soon and I'm trying to assess my options. The new Radical Pro would be my first choice, but I'm not sure what the timeline will be on these frames.
I might have a chance to get some cheap Head frames soon and I'm trying to assess my options. The new Radical Pro would be my first choice, but I'm not sure what the timeline will be on these frames.
haqq777
Legend
Sweet specs. Definitely up for it. I might be calling it a season unfortunately if I find out that I have work travel coming up and then have some travel with the family planned. But if not, I'm game!
Pneumated1
Hall of Fame
ryushen21
Legend
I just hope your Polish is up to snuff.
danbrenner
Legend
So the smp is basically a morph of a gravity and a strike. It’s got a really clean 23mm straight beam that feels amazing to the hands. But yet the beam has that modern babolat constructed feel to it. Unlike the gravity which is more blade ish. So if you’re a fan of the babolat / strikes. You will love the smp. If you are more of a blade fan then I would recommend the gravity over the smp.
the head has nice heft and plow without needing a gram of lead. This is a pick up and play stick. Again. Not one gram of lead is needed in this frame. The flex is Goldilocks I think it’s like 65. String spacing is what I would call a standard progressive Perfect
A little more open than a strike. With 6 mains a j the throat. But not like a PA. More like the apd. Power is there in spades. My only gripe with any head racquet is the grip shape.
But that is my own issue and shouldn’t matter to anyone but me. And just for fun I have one coming to me next week. In a 4 1/2. Just to see if the larger size can help my issue. Because I have gone up a size in all of my sticks. In no longer using 3/8. Too small for me. So all in all this to me is the best head racquet I have ever tried.
JOSHL
Hall of Fame
So glad I picked one up! Also to make things interesting I now have a demo of the VCore 100 that looks like it’s strung with hyper g.
Wall Ball Wizard
Rookie
in Borat voice..
t_pac
Semi-Pro
I know this is heresy in this thread but I think my holic'ing days are over. Played a friendly match today, used the TT310 throughout, not even tempted to touch the Gravity.
Frame did not miss a beat, serving absolute bombs down the t and some nasty kickers (about a dozen aces over the two sets), knifing slices, big groundies and some ridiculous defensive squash shots, one of them an outright winner which just had my opponent shaking his head in disbelief lol.
So glad I went back to this frame, question now is do I stock up on the current iteration or keep my fingers crossed the updates get released outside of Japan...
Frame did not miss a beat, serving absolute bombs down the t and some nasty kickers (about a dozen aces over the two sets), knifing slices, big groundies and some ridiculous defensive squash shots, one of them an outright winner which just had my opponent shaking his head in disbelief lol.
So glad I went back to this frame, question now is do I stock up on the current iteration or keep my fingers crossed the updates get released outside of Japan...
gutfeeling
Hall of Fame
Tbh I don't know. I have only hit the Tour and it strikes me as a pretty significant departure from the rest of the Extreme line across all generations and closer to a slightly firmer Radical. To me the Extreme line has historically been an APD/PD emulator - thick beams and stiff throats. Recently it seems like Head has been cute with us by releasing Extremes with more flexible throats (62-64 RA for the 360 series, and now 64-66 for the 360+ series I believe) but keeping the hoops stiff. I can't speak for prior generations but to me it comes as no surprise that the feedback I have seen is that they play and feel stiffer than their RA indicates.
The Tour on the other hand has moderate throat flex (65 RA) but to me the beauty of the frame is that the hoop is relatively softer. So combined with a relatively dense 16x19 it has a nice controlled, linear response which many reviewers have described as "low powered." I agree and I also think it gives me tremendous confidence to swing out without launching while also getting the maneuverability and stability benefits of an overall light and moderately firm modern frame. In my mind it's a great gateway into the word of tween for folks who love classic soft, heavy frames but want to get some added playability without the heft. Not the sweetest feeling frame I have hit but it's a nice "in be-tweener"
. I think the new 360+ Radicals will play and feel similar with the main difference being a softer throat and a firmer hoop if I had to guess. I think it says a lot when you have APD diehards like @haqq777 and @sanister saying the ET is a solid frame. I'm sampling the market right now but I'm holding on to 2-3 of them because I have a feeling I would eventually regret selling them.Disclaimer: I've measured a couple with 280ish unstrung SW which means roughly 310ish strung. They respond well to weight added to the hoop though.
JOSHL
Hall of Fame
Sounds very similar to the TT310 and 290.Tbh I don't know. I have only hit the Tour and it strikes me as a pretty significant departure from the rest of the Extreme line across all generations and closer to a slightly firmer Radical. To me the Extreme line has historically been an APD/PD emulator - thick beams and stiff throats. Recently it seems like Head has been cute with us by releasing Extremes with more flexible throats (62-64 RA for the 360 series, and now 64-66 for the 360+ series I believe) but keeping the hoops stiff. I can't speak for prior generations but to me it comes as no surprise that the feedback I have seen is that they play and feel stiffer than their RA indicates.
The Tour on the other hand has moderate throat flex (65 RA) but to me the beauty of the frame is that the hoop is relatively softer. So combined with a relatively dense 16x19 it has a nice controlled, linear response which many reviewers have described as "low powered." I agree and I also think it gives me tremendous confidence to swing out without launching while also getting the maneuverability and stability benefits of an overall light and moderately firm modern frame. In my mind it's a great gateway into the word of tween for folks who love classic soft, heavy frames but want to get some added playability without the heft. Not the sweetest feeling frame I have hit but it's a nice "in be-tweener"
Disclaimer: I've measured a couple with 280ish unstrung SW which means roughly 310ish strung. They respond well to weight added to the hoop though.
gutfeeling
Hall of Fame
I LOVE the TWU data on the 290. Not surprised so many people here groove with it
.how? where?
It's only in Japan... they didn't launch the new tours here in US or Europe... they are busy launching 56th phantom...
t_pac
Semi-Pro
He's talking about the Heritage edition of the current frame
Prince O3 Tour 100 Heritage (290g) Racket - Tennis Warehouse Europe
www.tenniswarehouse-europe.com
danbrenner
Legend
So i just wanted to update my own journey.
so last night i played my toughest. opponent. and last week against weaker players was able to use the strike 98 effectively and had alot of fun winning with placement.
so after a nice 20 min warm up with the strike. i started the first set with it.
i quickly got broken on my first service game. the power of my first serve with the strike just wasnt doint it. my opponent would wither tee off on it, or just place it back in one of the corners.
i got behind the count. and that was it. gave up the first set. 6-3,. and had to play my ass off just to get those 3.
not happy with those results. i broke out the PA L4 .
started the second set. and immediately gained about 10mph on serve. this immediately threw my opponent off . and i was able to win this service game comfortably.
on his serve.. which is his weakest stroke. i was able to also generate more pace on returns. and had a 2-0 lead .
to make a long story shot. i took it to him second. set. won it 6-2. which may be the biggest set victory i have ever had over him.
so all roads take me back to my PA. the power and spin i get from this thing is second to none. and the larger grip size has just made it that much more confidence boosting.
and i want to be really candid with you guys. on my L4 PA. i use a skin feel base grip. so with one over grip it still felt a littlle small. to much like a 3/8.
so instead i went with 2 super graps. and then it felt amazing.
so i went ahead and ordered a L5 4 5/8. which will be in nest week. this way i wont need the two over grips.
i never thought i would entertain an L5. but here we are. the beefier grip really inspires confidence for me. love it.
well see it the L5 or theL4 with 2 og work better for me.
so last night i played my toughest. opponent. and last week against weaker players was able to use the strike 98 effectively and had alot of fun winning with placement.
so after a nice 20 min warm up with the strike. i started the first set with it.
i quickly got broken on my first service game. the power of my first serve with the strike just wasnt doint it. my opponent would wither tee off on it, or just place it back in one of the corners.
i got behind the count. and that was it. gave up the first set. 6-3,. and had to play my ass off just to get those 3.
not happy with those results. i broke out the PA L4 .
started the second set. and immediately gained about 10mph on serve. this immediately threw my opponent off . and i was able to win this service game comfortably.
on his serve.. which is his weakest stroke. i was able to also generate more pace on returns. and had a 2-0 lead .
to make a long story shot. i took it to him second. set. won it 6-2. which may be the biggest set victory i have ever had over him.
so all roads take me back to my PA. the power and spin i get from this thing is second to none. and the larger grip size has just made it that much more confidence boosting.
and i want to be really candid with you guys. on my L4 PA. i use a skin feel base grip. so with one over grip it still felt a littlle small. to much like a 3/8.
so instead i went with 2 super graps. and then it felt amazing.
so i went ahead and ordered a L5 4 5/8. which will be in nest week. this way i wont need the two over grips.
i never thought i would entertain an L5. but here we are. the beefier grip really inspires confidence for me. love it.
well see it the L5 or theL4 with 2 og work better for me.
ahhh.. nice one. got it.He's talking about the Heritage edition of the current frame
Prince O3 Tour 100 Heritage (290g) Racket - Tennis Warehouse Europe
JGads
G.O.A.T.
Gents, there's a pair of 16m Ultra Pros now heading my way across the pond - one new, one used, each on spec at 305g. Props to my man @Pneumated1 for putting out the bat signal yesterday.
Pneumated1
Hall of Fame
You'll be glad you picked up the pair; glad it worked out!
I'm feverishly devising and scheming a plan for another.
Chezbeeno
Professional
This assessment of the Tour sounds pretty consistent with what I've heard, and I'm traditionally a Blade user, so I'm guessing the Tour would be more my cup of tea than the MP (even though I did very much enjoy the new PD). I'm also guessing I would like the Radical Pro even more, I guess we'll see what happens.Tbh I don't know. I have only hit the Tour and it strikes me as a pretty significant departure from the rest of the Extreme line across all generations and closer to a slightly firmer Radical. To me the Extreme line has historically been an APD/PD emulator - thick beams and stiff throats. Recently it seems like Head has been cute with us by releasing Extremes with more flexible throats (62-64 RA for the 360 series, and now 64-66 for the 360+ series I believe) but keeping the hoops stiff. I can't speak for prior generations but to me it comes as no surprise that the feedback I have seen is that they play and feel stiffer than their RA indicates.
The Tour on the other hand has moderate throat flex (65 RA) but to me the beauty of the frame is that the hoop is relatively softer. So combined with a relatively dense 16x19 it has a nice controlled, linear response which many reviewers have described as "low powered." I agree and I also think it gives me tremendous confidence to swing out without launching while also getting the maneuverability and stability benefits of an overall light and moderately firm modern frame. In my mind it's a great gateway into the word of tween for folks who love classic soft, heavy frames but want to get some added playability without the heft. Not the sweetest feeling frame I have hit but it's a nice "in be-tweener"
Disclaimer: I've measured a couple with 280ish unstrung SW which means roughly 310ish strung. They respond well to weight added to the hoop though.
Thanks for the feedback!
