Dunlop Racquet Recommendation

[gvsbdisco]

Hi
I am looking for recommendations for a new racquet. 48 years old and probably a 4-4.5 player. I currently play with a Dunlop AG 200 18 x 20 and a Dunlop AG 4D 300 16 x19. Things I like about the AG 200 are its stability especially against big hitters. I do find however that if I am not on my game and swinging ‘strongly’ I can’t get necessary pace on the ball and in this situation the 300 is preferable. I like the 300 for the lighter weight and the increase in power. I hit with a lot of topspin on my forehand but my two hand backhand is relatively flat. I can generate spin with either racquet quite easily. So in summary when I am playing well and with confidence I prefer the 200 but since that’s only about half the time both racquets get a lot of play. I would like to stay with Dunlop and I don’t have an easy option to demo. I did see a biomimetic 100 that I thought was a beautiful racquet although I am not sure about 90 sq inch head. I don’t keep on top of racquet releases but from I can tell there are now two generations of Dunlops released: the original biomimetics and the F, M, S series business (which I find highly confusing). I am open to either generation of racquet. My final question is whether players who have used these racquets are finding improvements over the previous generation of AG racquets?

Thanks in advance for any responses.

 

[SpinToWin]

I'd say the AG racquets were the best, followed by the Biomimetic and the S, M and F bogus being by far the worst. You will not get the feel the old Dunlop sticks had with the newer iterations.

You could try getting a Biomimetic 200 Lite and modding it up with lead. That would likely be the closest thing to a combination of the two racquets you like...

 

[WhereIsMacMac]

The MW200G and HM300G are pretty cheap now

 

[Power Player]

If you stay with Dunlop you will be very disappointed in their new models.

Id try the classic line, or some 4D versions, which were awesome.

 

[steve260z]

The Bio 200 is great. Has more pop than the AG200 but is low powered in the grand scheme of things.

 

[Muppet]

The MW200G and HM300G are pretty cheap now

+1 for MW200G, my all time favorite. And marked down to $69.95. Wow!

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Dunlop_Muscle_Weave_200G_Racquet/descpageRCDUNLOP-DMW200G.html

 

[JackB1]

If you stay with Dunlop you will be very disappointed in their new models.

Id try the classic line, or some 4D versions, which were awesome.

^^^ this.

the newer (last 3 generations) models and NOTHING like anything that prededed them. Best bet would be to try other lines besides Dunlop and find something that has the characteristics you like in the 4D 300 and 200.

sounds like you want something with the stability of the 200, but with the pop and playability of the 300? If u are willing to go away from Dunlop, there are many I could recommend, so let me know if that's an option.

 

[Rozroz]

or you could try customizing the 300 a bit,
bringing it to your preference.
the 300 16X19 in stock wasn't good for me,
however after some tweaking, it's perfect.

 

[Big Tigger]

Go with the MW 200G and you'll be fine.

Terrific frame at an incredible price!!

 

[gvsbdisco]

Ok, I will bite...I am open to recommendations of other brands

A few other things I have liked about Dunlop (not that these good reasons) racquets:

- not many people play them in my parts
- i think they are among the most aesthetically pleasing of all racquets

Thanks to everyone who has and will reply.

^^^ this.

the newer (last 3 generations) models and NOTHING like anything that prededed them. Best bet would be to try other lines besides Dunlop and find something that has the characteristics you like in the 4D 300 and 200.

sounds like you want something with the stability of the 200, but with the pop and playability of the 300? If u are willing to go away from Dunlop, there are many I could recommend, so let me know if that's an option.

 

[Timbo's hopeless slice]

I love my bio 400 tours. I rather think they would suit you.
The f2.0 tours are also excellent, but not as 'dunlop like', if you will...

 

[JLyon]

I have enjoyed the Bio 200 MaxG in the little time I have had it, RA 66 seems stiff but I have not had any issues moving from softer frame

 

[JackB1]

Ok, I will bite...I am open to recommendations of other brands

A few other things I have liked about Dunlop (not that these good reasons) racquets:

- not many people play them in my parts
- i think they are among the most aesthetically pleasing of all racquets

Thanks to everyone who has and will reply.

Just give me a little more info about what you are looking for in a racquet. Be as specific as possible.

Right off the bat, I would recommend:

The Pure Strike 16x19
Wilson Blade 16x19
Ezone AI 98
Pacific XFeel Tour

all of these have similar specs to the Dunlops and also have a nice feel on impact...not too stiff

 

[gvsbdisco]

Well, first and foremost the racquet has to have good control and stability. Second, I would say it has to relatively easy to set up quickly, ie getting the racquet in position to swing (maneuverability?). I'm almost 50 and probably of average strength. Don't get me wrong i'm not adverse to getting more power from the racquet but I don't want too much. I guess the best way to put it is that if I want to unload on a ball i want to be able to keep it in play. Also, 98 inches or smaller. I play an all court game hitting top spin forehand primarily and relatively flat two hand back hand and one hand slice backhand. I do like to place the ball.

So, control oriented that has good stability and maneuverability and I'll take as much power as the frame can provide without sacrificing too much on the first two dimensions.

Hope that helps and thanks.

Just give me a little more info about what you are looking for in a racquet. Be as specific as possible.

Right off the bat, I would recommend:

The Pure Strike 16x19
Wilson Blade 16x19
Ezone AI 98
Pacific XFeel Tour

all of these have similar specs to the Dunlops and also have a nice feel on impact...not too stiff

 

[Edgewood]

I played with the old Dunlop Max G Graphite as a kid. When I got back into Tennis as an adult I bought the Dunlop 200 (black/yellow), then the orange Dunlop 300, then Wilson 6.1 95 (18x20).
I have been playing with the Dunlop 4d 200s for the last 4-5 years and although I love them wanted something more maneuverable and more pop on my serve. I have been demoing like crazy for the last six months. I almost settled on the Wilson Blade but had some discomfort in my arm. So was about to buy the Wilson Prostaff 95 which I really liked but wish it had more pop especially on my serve.
I decided to give Dunlop one more try and demoed the F3.0 Tour. I never played the previous Dunlop line but I loved this racquet. My serves were the best in years and even with the synthetic gut the demo had I was getting crazy topspin. It is definitely a little stiffer than my 4d 200s but I really liked the ease of playing with them. I ordered two this morning. My demoing days are finally over for a few years. I highly recommend giving it a demo.

 

[JackB1]

Well, first and foremost the racquet has to have good control and stability. Second, I would say it has to relatively easy to set up quickly, ie getting the racquet in position to swing (maneuverability?). I'm almost 50 and probably of average strength. Don't get me wrong i'm not adverse to getting more power from the racquet but I don't want too much. I guess the best way to put it is that if I want to unload on a ball i want to be able to keep it in play. Also, 98 inches or smaller. I play an all court game hitting top spin forehand primarily and relatively flat two hand back hand and one hand slice backhand. I do like to place the ball.

So, control oriented that has good stability and maneuverability and I'll take as much power as the frame can provide without sacrificing too much on the first two dimensions.

Hope that helps and thanks.

Well all 4 of my prior suggestions hold true. Check em out!

 

[gvsbdisco]

Okay thank you. When looking, should I only focus on 'this year's model' or do previous generations play similar?
thanks again.

Well all 4 of my prior suggestions hold true. Check em out!

 

[JackB1]

Okay thank you. When looking, should I only focus on 'this year's model' or do previous generations play similar?
thanks again.

If the one's I noted, I was referring to the latest models.

 

[bharat]

i use the 4d 300t that I bought off of jackb1 few years ago i love the racket but got kind of bored with it and trying something new. the local store stopped carrying dunlop for some reason so cant demo the latest one.

i did demo pure strike 18x20 and head graphene radical pro, i really liked the way pure strike felt, so thinking of taking that out again for another hit

 

[OnTheBall]

I agree with trying the Bio Max200G if you want to stay with Dunlop. Or the Yonex Ai98 if you're open to something else.

 

[SpinToWin]

Well, first and foremost the racquet has to have good control and stability. Second, I would say it has to relatively easy to set up quickly, ie getting the racquet in position to swing (maneuverability?). I'm almost 50 and probably of average strength. Don't get me wrong i'm not adverse to getting more power from the racquet but I don't want too much. I guess the best way to put it is that if I want to unload on a ball i want to be able to keep it in play. Also, 98 inches or smaller. I play an all court game hitting top spin forehand primarily and relatively flat two hand back hand and one hand slice backhand. I do like to place the ball.

So, control oriented that has good stability and maneuverability and I'll take as much power as the frame can provide without sacrificing too much on the first two dimensions.

Hope that helps and thanks.

Head Youtek IG Prestige Pro ticks all the boxes in my book. It is a frame that really is worth a demo, all around great performance.

 

[blackpearl2007]

I have played with Dunlop racquets most of my playing 'career' and as such I hold them in high regard. I think the grip shape is the best in the market and one of the few grip shapes where I can really feel my forehand and my one handed backhand. The 200 and 300 series are some of the best frames in the market in my opinion. The new line isn't bad but it is drastically different than their previous lines. I have tried the F2.0 and the M2.0 racquets. I haven't switched to either one of them just because I like the 4d line so much. I have a couple of friends who play with the F2.0 and love it. To me, it just felt too different to make the switch. Plus, I am looking for something a little more user friendly from my 4d 200. If I were to switch to a Dunlop new line racquet, it would be the M2.0. I found good stability and nice spin and held up well in my 4.5 USTA matches. However, the stiffness started to impact my arm and would need to experiment with string choices. I am a little surprised that the M2.0 isn't more popular as it has good specs (maybe with the exception of stiffness). I am real interested in what Dunlop does next and I guess a new 200 may be soon? Don't recall when the F2.0 came out.

 

[SpinToWin]

I have played with Dunlop racquets most of my playing 'career' and as such I hold them in high regard. I think the grip shape is the best in the market and one of the few grip shapes where I can really feel my forehand and my one handed backhand. The 200 and 300 series are some of the best frames in the market in my opinion. The new line isn't bad but it is drastically different than their previous lines. I have tried the F2.0 and the M2.0 racquets. I haven't switched to either one of them just because I like the 4d line so much. I have a couple of friends who play with the F2.0 and love it. To me, it just felt too different to make the switch. Plus, I am looking for something a little more user friendly from my 4d 200. If I were to switch to a Dunlop new line racquet, it would be the M2.0. I found good stability and nice spin and held up well in my 4.5 USTA matches. However, the stiffness started to impact my arm and would need to experiment with string choices. I am a little surprised that the M2.0 isn't more popular as it has good specs (maybe with the exception of stiffness). I am real interested in what Dunlop does next and I guess a new 200 may be soon? Don't recall when the F2.0 came out.

You could give a customized Biomimetic 200 Lite a try... The specs, other than weight, are pretty awesome. I've been wanting to do it for ages, I'm just waiting for a very good offer, as money is kinda scarce for me nowadays

 

[blackpearl2007]

You could give a customized Biomimetic 200 Lite a try... The specs, other than weight, are pretty awesome. I've been wanting to do it for ages, I'm just waiting for a very good offer, as money is kinda scarce for me nowadays

Good point. Would be a good experiment. The specs sort of look like the PS 95. I would want to get the swing weight up in the mid 320's or so. Probably wouldn't require too much lead.

 

[lgbalfa]

try the biomimetic max 200g.

 

[LeeD]

Just add hoop weight to the 4D300's.
Makes it a green McEnroe racket, and you already have it. I add 6" total of 1/4" lead to 3-9, and SW is around 330, splitting the difference between my 200's and my 300's.
I do add 17" of lead to my Bio300T's, which are lighter in SW than the 4D's.

 

[robbo1970]

Like others, I'd say try a 300 Tour or 400 Tour. Or maybe try a bit of lead on the 300 you have to see what spec you end up with that you like.

 

[JackB1]

try the biomimetic max 200g.

^^^^^

great and very overlooked and underrated racquet.

 

[stingstang]

Thought about strings? I remember using a hybrid setup in my AG200's and it played really well, I'm not sure I have managed to make another modern racket feel quite as sweet as I had it. You could also try full poly at low tension 30>50lbs. The AG200 was a very underrated racket, I can understand why you want to keep it.

I never liked the 300's, no stiffness or weight so you have to swing stupidly hard to get power.

 

[gvsbdisco]

Thanks for all who have replied.

I am curious about the full poly at low tension in the AG200. I have been stringing it with poly mains and multi crosses at 55/53 but i certainly could use some more power. The lower end of the recommended range is 55. I have a couple sets of big ace or typhoon i could try. How low would people recommend trying?

thanks

on a different note, I really love the looks of that Pacific x feel tour that Jack recommended. Have any of you hit it and would be willing to share their thoughts?

Thought about strings? I remember using a hybrid setup in my AG200's and it played really well, I'm not sure I have managed to make another modern racket feel quite as sweet as I had it. You could also try full poly at low tension 30>50lbs. The AG200 was a very underrated racket, I can understand why you want to keep it.

I never liked the 300's, no stiffness or weight so you have to swing stupidly hard to get power.

 

[Edgewood]

Thanks for all who have replied.

I am curious about the full poly at low tension in the AG200. I have been stringing it with poly mains and multi crosses at 55/53 but i certainly could use some more power. The lower end of the recommended range is 55. I have a couple sets of big ace or typhoon i could try. How low would people recommend trying?

thanks

My favorite strings and tension were Volkl Cyclone 18g at 30 lbs and Solinco Tour Bite 16g at 30 lbs. Those two strings work great at low tension in this racquet. Tons of topspin and control. You have to swing out like you normally do and you will be pleasantly surprised. I also tried these strings in increments of 5 lbs up to 55lbs and 30lbs was my favorite. It didn't work with softer polys like tour bite soft or Yonex poly tour pro. Those were trampolines and played better around 55lbs.