Mike Werblin
Rookie
Can anyone compare the new Dunlop 4D 200-95(18x20) and the new Prince EX03 Rebel 95.
Which one feels softer/flexier??
Which one feels softer/flexier??
Had the 200 and I have the Rebel and I think the Rebel is superior in every respect. This was really a surprise to me as I have really hated all of the recent offerings from Prince. The Rebel, however, is great and is now my regular stick.
Had the 200 and I have the Rebel and I think the Rebel is superior in every respect. This was really a surprise to me as I have really hated all of the recent offerings from Prince. The Rebel, however, is great and is now my regular stick.
200 > rebel for me.
200 feels more solid, has a better balance and is more suited to my game. I also get very heavy spin with it. So far after over a month with it, I have 0 complaints at all. It also has a far better paint job if you want to get superficial.
Which hits a spinnier ball? Which hits a heavier ball (specially as re 2hbh)?
Opinions. I personally hated the Rebel, which was strung at the upper end of the tension range with a multi and just had too much dwell time/trampoline, even with the string hole grommets.
I just picked up some M-Fil 200s, the predecessor to the AG200, and the feel is much crisper and more solid, even at the bottom of the tension range.
I agree with the people who recommend demoing the racquets. I didn't demo my M-Fils, but having played with two earlier generations of Dunlop racquets and knowing the specs, I pretty much knew what to expect. Got lucky.
The M-fil swings a little lighter to me then the 4d, but I can switch between the 2 if need be.
I have it in a hybrid at 62#s and it crushes really hard. I hate full poly in the Dunlop personally. I think the 18x20 pattern begs for it to be a hybrid or full multi/SGut setup.
I really like the M-Fil 200 18x20. At first I hated it, because I strung it with full poly at 59 lbs. But, when I lowered my tension to 52 and used a softer sting, it made a big difference. The control and feel that I can get is quite outstanding. I mean, I used to play with Aerogel 300 16x18 and I like that stick. But, when I made the adjustment to the M-Fil 200 18x20, I think I've found the one that I'm going to be sticking for a while.
By the way, I really had to work hard (meaning pump irons) to be comfortable with the 12.0 oz M-Fil 200 18x20.
The M-fil swings a little lighter to me then the 4d, but I can switch between the 2 if need be.
I have it in a hybrid at 62#s and it crushes really hard. I hate full poly in the Dunlop personally. I think the 18x20 pattern begs for it to be a hybrid or full multi/SGut setup.
PP, Jack, others,
Would like to hear a bit more detail re the 4D 200 and how it performs on serve, and quite what the topspin is like on groundies...
Having said "goodbye" to the Rad Pro, I'm kind of on the look out again and this frame appeals in lots ways. My concern is I presently like a topspin friendly frame for groundies (surely that closed pattern isn't going to generate anything like the topspin a Rad Pro, or a PST, or TF 320 can all generate?) And secondly, how much flat power is accessible re serve?... anything like the Reb (which I personally found very powerful to serve with)?
Thanks,
R.
BTW, Yes, I know it's the player who generates the topspin and not the racket, but still...:roll:
PP and Jack,
Cheers for that ^^^
I suppose I'm really more inclined to look at open patterns. Re close patterns there's a lot of frames in contention (PT 630, Rad Tour Twin Tube, Reb, etc), but I am more into the added topspin, oomph and even unpredicability of open patterns really (this has tended to be the way for me over the years.) That said, these rave reviews of the 4D 200 has made me sit up and take notice!
This week though I'm checking out the TF 320 V02 Max. I've recently been playing with my old PST again (and really liking it.) And there's the N95 that I've always liked and played well with...
Regards to all,
R.
BTW, Is this a good time to start that 'Ex-users of the YT Rad Pro Club'?!:smile:
Ross, why not get the 16x19 AG 4D200 and just add some lead if its too light? Another great open pattern stick is the Yonex RDS 002 Tour and it's on sale everywhere. Another good one would be the BLX 95.
Weird, but this is why everyone hits the ball different and has different needs. It would be lame if we all liked the same racquet.
I liked the Rebel, in fact was planning on switching to it, but the Dunlop blew it away for my game. They have a different balance, power level and feel and all those things are big factors in deciding a stick. I would not cry if I had to play with a Rebel though, it's a great stick for sure.
The RDS 002 Tour has long interested me - but it doesn't seem to be so easy to get 1 here second-hand in the UK... as demoing doesn't really happen here, if I have to buy but I'm a bit unsure I prefer to buy used for a cheaper price.
I have been following feedback on the 4D 200 AG Tour... the early reports I recall though mentioned it was very hefty (ie, log-like)... hmm... maybe I should check out a few more posts on it?...
As it stands though, I've kind of got my hands full comparing the TF 320 Vo2 Max, PST, N95 and C10 Pro (had it restrung recently)... maybe I should just stop there!?:roll:
PP,
I have a feeling I'll like the TF on serve (well, I hope so) and on groundies (I'm hoping I'll find it a bit like the YT Rad Pro - but better suited to me with that 95" h/size)... how I'll find it in other areas though (stiffness, frame build quality, maneuverability) remains to be seen.
ryushen,
I've said it before - if there was an open-pattern Reb I'd be all over it!
R.
Wouldn't the Prince Graphite 100 be somewhat like the Rebel with an open pattern?
Wouldn't the Prince Graphite 100 be somewhat like the Rebel with an open pattern?
Jack,
^^^ Yeah, maybe... I did hear it was another very hefty frame though (albeit a big topspin machine)... what would clinch it for me is the head-size... 100" is too big for me... I've got to stay within 93-98".
ryushen,
Tried for over a month but it just didn't work out with the YT Rad Pro... 'variable' YT feel and head-heavy balance actually gave me arm soreness... couldn't really get happy on serve... found it a bit unwieldly with its 100" head-size... still, it was pure effortless power on groundstrokes with masses of topspin (2hbh was amazing)... all in all though, too many issues... and my fears were confirmed when I picked up my old PST on 2 occasions and suddenly my faltering form of the previous 4 weeks was totally and instantaneously reversed.
Back to square 1 then, but I don't have the patience to go on another 2/3 months of tests and comparisons... as I mentioned earlier, the PST, 320 Vo2 Max, C10 Pro and N95... I'm pretty sure I'll be using 1 of them as my primary frame shortly.
BTW, I actually think a lot of ppl would like an open-pattern Reb.
R.
I have a rebel (not team) because its very HLight and good on my mild TE elbow, it plays great, I really like it, have no plans to demo other rackets or change it, play with syn gut at 50lbs, very soft and flexy feel, good for all court play, good power (with a full stoke motion) and good spin too, good control. If you find a racket that is ok for you, i feel i should just stick to it until and if i get unhappy with it, otherwise would just confuse myself with all the options.