EXO3 Graphite...

[darkwing_duck]

Was it ahead of its time? I compared its swingweight, frame, and TW review...about 99 percent the same as the "new" Prince 100T ESP. The EXO3 Graphite has the EXO ports AND a 16x18 pattern....

Has anyone hit with both the EXO3 Graphite and the 100T ESP?

Comparisons?

 

[WhiteStripes]

Not really ahead of its time. Prince already had their O3 racquets in the market already, and the 16x18 pattern in a number of their other 100 inch heads (e.g., the original O3 Tour 100). I used both the original O3 Tour, as well as the EXO3 Graphite 100 and EXO3 Tour 100 (16x18) -- the longest with the EXO3 Tour for a little less than a year. The only thing usual about the EXO3 Graphite was Prince deciding to incorporate its port technology into the Graphite line.

A number of my friends who were/are Graphite users absolutely hated the stick, and basically felt it was blasphemous what Prince did. To be honest, the EXO3 Graphite was hit or miss for me, but I initially played very well with it. The (to me) awkward balance and high swingweight paired with the 16x18 pattern was great for hitting heavy balls. I absolutely detested the feel though, like I do with the port frames, but I just dealt with it because I liked the results I was getting with it initially. Eventually, I was struggling with flattening out balls and control to me was a bit lacking, and I moved on from the stick after the honeymoon period wore off quick. Actually, aside from hitting topspin groundies, I struggled basically to hit anything else with the Graphite.

I've also tried the 100T (including the ESP version, as well as a number of the new Prince frames), and frankly I did not like it. Too weak/wimpy and unstable for me, but I honestly felt the same way about the original EXO3 Tour Team. I obviously liked the Tour 100 (16x18) much more since it's very similar to the EXO3 Tour I used to hit with, and I honestly don't think there's all that much difference between those sticks.

There's absolutely no comparison between the 100T and EXO3 Graphite. The Graphite is way more stable and solid, has more plow, and hits a much, much bigger ball, but it's also way more sluggish to get around. I believe the swingweight was in the 330s.

 

[darkwing_duck]

Great feedback. I have been using the EXO3 graphite for around 4 years. I just feel it is time for a change.

I am so hesitant to jump on the ESP bandwagon, but I am most interested in the 100T ESP and the Warrior 100 ( the non ESP non Pro one).

I still like my racquet, but I hit with the old Tour ( as in a 2012 version) and was hitting WAY better so I knew it was time to move on.

 

[WhiteStripes]

Definitely worth a demo and see for yourself. Although I've hit with open patterns for the majority of my tennis playing years, the wide open SET and ESP patterns by Wilson and Prince are just a bit too much for my taste, especially since I hit much flatter these days. I definitely had issues with the 16x18 pattern launching balls at times when I played with the EXO3 Tour, but I just dealt with it since I enjoyed grinding from the baseline and returning serves with the stick. When I tried out some of the SET sticks like the Steam 99S and more recently a few of the Prince ESP sticks, the problem was magnified ten fold. But everyone is different, and I know a couple guys who play with and love those super open patterns.

If you hit well with the 2012 Tour (I assume you mean the EXO3 Tour 100), why not consider that stick or the new Tour 100 16x18, which isn't that much different? It's the same pattern as your Graphite, and probably the closest current EXO3 stick to your Graphite (although not exactly that similar in my opinion). Although the EXO3 Tour 100 (and now the Tour 100 16x18) doesn't hit anywhere close to as big or heavy a ball as the EXO3 Graphite off the ground, I think (at least for me) it's a much more well-rounded stick with better control than the Graphite. It is also a LOT easier to play with than the Graphite, which is a big plus for me.

I'd definitely demo the regular 16x18 pattern alongside the ESP pattern to see if the wide open pattern version suits your liking. You may like it, you may not. I haven't hit with any of the new Warriors, so I can't comment on those.

 

[MikeHitsHard93]

If you can handle the odd weight/balance ratio, the exo3 graphite is a spin monster! It also can pack a huge punch on flat shots too. I have not yet hit with a ESP frame, but I probably will soon just to see what the fuss is about. That being said, the graphite is a full ounce heavier than the 100T and WILL hit a heavier ball if they are both stock when comparing.

 

[ricki]

yes, EXO Graphite 100 has best spin of many racquet that I tried, sometimes even too much. Needs some skill to hit the ball in right time tho, as its really weighted like a pro-stick...

 

[darkwing_duck]

I agree. It has the most potential for spin. If you can handle the swing weight, with a full set of poly at around 55 pounds it has to be one of the best combos out there.

I am going to try a full set of Prince XS (the triangle shaped poly) whenever TW gets it!

I jsut feel the EXO3 Graphite was thrown under bus by people who were thinking it was trying to be the original graphite. It never was.

 

[WhiteStripes]

The racquet wasn't just thrown under the bus by traditionalist/original Graphite users, it was thrown under the bus by the majority of folks out there. Don't think it ever got that big of a following. When I would let my friends try out my EXO3 Graphite, there were just complaints all around about anything and everything, from the ports to the muted feel to the balance to even the quality of the leather grip. Hell, they even criticized the paint job. I'm surprised it wasn't more widely accepted since it hit such a big, heavy ball. Great baseline stick.

 

[OTMPut]

Exo3 graphite gave arm issues. It felt pretty stiff too.
I much prefer exo3 tour 18x20.

 

[Tennis Fanatic 070]

Exo3 graphite gave arm issues. It felt pretty stiff too.
I much prefer exo3 tour 18x20.

Then you have outrageously sensitive arms, cause the Exo3 graphite is a very very comfortable racket.

 

[OTMPut]

Then you have outrageously sensitive arms, cause the Exo3 graphite is a very very comfortable racket.

Not really. I never had issues with ps88 or ps85.
I saw the graphite label and was lured for a demo. I usually play low tension and I had the frame strung with lux 4g at 48lbs. It certainly gave me issues. May be it was an outlier with higher stiffness rating.

 

[Don't Let It Bounce]

I found it comfortable, but it was still a little rough on my own outrageously sensitive arm – the two are not mutually exclusive. And unlike so many other longtime 4-stripe Graphite users, I did like the feel of the EXO3, and I appreciated Prince making something with enough swing weight that it needed no lead to be a rock. However, at the time I remember liking the Ozone Tour even better for letting me swing out a little more. Between that, the Graphite Tour, and the Tour Diablo, the EXO3 Graphite had tough competition within its own brand.

I also seemed to be one of the few on the planet who loved that Jackson Pollock paint job. I loved it on the Ignite, too, but on the Rebel... not so much.

 

[darkwing_duck]

Thanks for the comments. I also love the paint job as well. I never had to add lead either, a big plus since I didn't have to worry about getting it placed correctly or having it fall off.

About the leather grip.... great feature! Perfect for a base layer grip to put a over grip on top of. Alot of pros use a leather grip as a base one for feal.

You cannot buy the prince leather grip in USA they use on the graphite, I have looked. I got one **** to keep in case I get a different racquet to use.

What pros used the EXO3 Graphite? Monfils?

 

[Tamiya]

What pros used the EXO3 Graphite? Monfils?

Michael Chang used it in the Prince of Tennis Taiwanese TV serial season 2 :twisted:


Not a huge fan of the green goblin, weight is good but not as comfy
as it promises... POG feels more stable & plush whilst I'd choose
Black100 for agility or TT Diablo for feel & stability.

But the EXO3 Graphite does come in 2 lengths which is nice if you like XL.

 

[mhkeuns]

Out of the EXO3's, which I really liked the technology and feel, I thought the Rebel 95 was the nicest. I briefly played with the EXO3 Graphite 93, and I didn't like it at all. It felt too head heavy and uncomfortable to play. All in all, though, EXO3 racquets were very spin friendly. If you are looking at a new Prince stick, I'd suggest the updated Rebel for all-around playability. I'm interested in the Tour 98 ESP right now.

 

[WhiteStripes]

Monfils endorsed the EXO3 Rebel. Don't recall any pros hitting with the Graphite, although I saw a few among high D1 college players. The complaint about the leather grip was that it was excessively slick. But assuming the overwhelming majority of players use an overgrip, this shouldn't be an issue.

I don't think the stick was stiff or an arm killer or anything, but I thought it played on the firm side, especially for a player's racquet with ports, which Prince has always made very flexible (e.g., compare to the O3/Ozone/EXO3 Tour 100 and Rebel lines, all of which felt and played more flexible than the Graphite).

 

[mhkeuns]

Should have tried the EXO3 Graphite 100. The 93 turned me off so badly..., I just moved away from the EXO3 Graphite. I still have the 4 stripe midsize version of the POG. It will be tough for Prince to come up with a midsize racquet better than it. The Rebel 95 was probably one of the best sticks to come out in both 2009 and 2012. I wonder which EXO3 stick the Prince sold the most out of their line up.

 

[Don't Let It Bounce]

What pros used the EXO3 Graphite?

I've seen a frame of Xavier Malisse's, with EXO3 Graphite paint at least, on the big auction site. I never saw him using it, paint or otherwise, in a match, but then I only saw him play a few times.

 

[robbo1970]

I have used the 93 on and off and found it to be a very nice racket. Maybe it was the shape of the head or the ports, but the sweet spot felt larger than its 93 size and feels larger that the Bio300's 98 for sure.

Its very headlight too, so I switched the leather off for a Bab Skin Feel and it still remained nicely headlight, but actually made it feel a lot more manouvrable for a racket with a 330sw.

I had mine strung with PSG and it always felt very comfortable to use. My only issue was me really and finding it a touch heavy. These days I'm am after another Prince but one a few grams lighter.

 

[Tamiya]

I wonder which EXO3 stick the Prince sold the most out of their line up.

going by usedees I'd say most popular were the orange Tour and White

wasn't too easy to find my Black100 nor the green Graphite

 

[dman72]

Bad raquet. Way too heavy in relation to how much you could get out of it with a full swing. A 16X18 with that balance should have had more power.

 

[shamaho]

The racquet wasn't just thrown under the bus by traditionalist/original Graphite users, it was thrown under the bus by the majority of folks out there. Don't think it ever got that big of a following. When I would let my friends try out my EXO3 Graphite, there were just complaints all around about anything and everything, from the ports to the muted feel to the balance to even the quality of the leather grip. Hell, they even criticized the paint job. I'm surprised it wasn't more widely accepted since it hit such a big, heavy ball. Great baseline stick.

Yes that's unfortunate. I also gave it a very decent try, and I did not mind anything about the racket even enjoyed it very much, except for one single thing, that weird balance thing. it gives me a hell of a time getting the swing right.

Believe me, it's great to finally read that I am not alone.

On some shots it's fine, then out of nowhere I make stupid unforced errors due to that weird balance, can't put my finger on what or why exactly tat is happening... but after six months of frustration and a lot of lost matches, I put them aside.

Now I'm yielding the POG Mid, and everything is falling back to place again, which is great!

But I suspect I won't stay "here" for long. As much as I love that stick, I need more help from the racket :-/ and every body else in my age bracket are getting plenty of help from their sticks...

 

[leroy_sunset]

I have played the EXO3 Graphite 93 for a few years now. I love the stick, but I hit a 2-handed backhand and it can be rough sometimes. Huge forehand, good kick on the serve, nice spin overall. I chose it over the 100 because I felt my forehand was better with it (biggest weapon), but the 100 was great for my backhand. I like just about everything on the 93 - maneuverability, balance, feel, spin, ports, and color. I'm interested in trying the Rebel ESP. I hit with a Wilson 99S the other day and it was fun, but too powerful. I'm thinking more spin and the feel of ports would be cool.

 

[topspinlob]

I came from back in 2010 from a good 3-4 year layoff of not playing...I had played with POGOS 4-stripe...before but got my rackets stolen which prompted me to come back and play and try out a new racket..EXO3 Graphite 100... I'm playing the best tennis of my life with it right now... I customize them to 12.1 oz at around 6 pt HL with string ports and overgrip..

When I first got the racket. I didnt pay too much attention to weight, balance and swingweight.. I just knew the "feel" I liked. So I customized them by adding weight to the top of the handle to specs of the POGOS Tour ( I didn't know that the 4- stripes were a little bit different).. I have tried many rackets since then ( PK 5G, PSGT,MG Rad Pro, Vantage 100) but I keep coming back to the EXO3 Graphites. Even though the SW is high to some having the holes in the racket makes it feel like it swings lighter. I"m a baseliner (1-ohbh) who likes to stay closer to the baseline as possible.

I really have the urge to get the PCG 100 because I have always wanted that headsize back then but I feel why change since I am playing best tennis of my life with EXO3's

 

[shamaho]

Well after trying this stick a couple of years back -since the specs seemed perfect - but struggling with the odd balance, I'm very close to getting back to playing with it, after making a very minor tweak that changed it for the better - I swapped grips with the Response 97, it now has the Resipro - and the odd balance is clearly improved (for me at least), and there's simply nothing quite that classic beam box feel (unless you go the POG route).

In playing terms I can swing out as much as I can and the ball trajectory is predictable and feedback from the frame is true - which is something I can't really say for most new modern sticks where I can barely feel the ball. Power is on the low side but maybe that can be improved with proper string combination.