I have played with both and I'm currently using the 100. Previously strung with VS Team which felt great but had just a tad too much power for me to control at times. Just restrung with Tecnifibre Biphase 17 which lowered the power but gave up a slight bit of feel. I'm thinking about trying the 98 again, maybe with VS Team which might be the sweat spot. I'm a 4.5 singles and doubles players. Really like both frames and am curious to hear from others who have extensive hitting experience with both frames.
EZONE 98 VS EZONE 100
- Thread starter willg1961
- Start date
torpantennis
Legend
I like Babolat Origin on my Ezone DR 100. Origin is nice in that since it has low string-to-string friction, the strings don't grab together and keep moving for as long as the stringjob lasts. That gives long playability duration. I also like the feel of it.
Gut-M/poly-X is also a nice setup. I've used that a lot previouly in other racquets. I recommend Kirschbaum Max Power crosses since that's just about only slick poly that has almost as good tension maintenance as natgut, again giving constant playability through the life of the stringjob.
Gut-M/poly-X is also a nice setup. I've used that a lot previouly in other racquets. I recommend Kirschbaum Max Power crosses since that's just about only slick poly that has almost as good tension maintenance as natgut, again giving constant playability through the life of the stringjob.
That's what I discovered as well. I'm now experimenting with strings/tension on the 100. I really like it with VS Team although slightly too powerful at 55lbs. Going to try it at 60. Played with Biphase at 55 and the power is about right.
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Deleted member 763366
Guest
Hey, sorry to post in a year old thread. Is there any update on your thoughts? What I got from what you guys said is basically: beginners are going to prefer the 100 because a more forgiving sweet spot is everything, and for the other the 98 will almost always be a better option unless you really lack power. Is that it?
Fireball
Rookie
No. A generalization as this is meaningful or valid for anyone looking to buy a racket. These are two different models with different characteristics that may appeal to different players no matter which level you look at.
Some high level player will prefer the 98 and some will prefer the 100 ... and just the same for beginners.
Due to difference in thickness, stiffness and string spacing the feel, launch angle and spin potenial are very different on these two models.
You have to try which one that suits your game.
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Deleted member 763366
Guest
I wish I could, but to be able to really compare both rackets I would have to test them with the exact same grip size, string and tension. Which is basically impossible, at least where I live.
Do you agree that for a beginner the 98 seems unreasonable since I probably hit a lot of off center shots(I guess, I don't really know..)
Do you agree that for a beginner the 98 seems unreasonable since I probably hit a lot of off center shots(I guess, I don't really know..)
No. 2 sq inches = 2% difference in head size. Beginners are not at a level where 2% matters. If you are hitting a shot off-centre in a 98 sq in racquet, you would hit it off-centre in a 100 sq in racquet too.
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Deleted member 763366
Guest
So for these two rackets, at least for a beginner, it comes to the preference of stiffness?
Fireball
Rookie
Seems strange that a beginner should have a preference of stiffness
...If a beginner just limit his or hers selection one of these two rackets I would say go with the 98 since it's more arm friendly.
If anyone ask me what racket to buy for a totally beginner I would suggest to buy second hand, any well known brand/model around 300 gram, 95" - 110" with a "normal" (16x18,16x19,18x20) string pattern and preferably not to stiff.
Good luck!
Definitely. Look at previous years' models and buy used. Minimise your initial outlay until you know what you want.Seems strange that a beginner should have a preference of stiffness
If a beginner just limit his or hers selection one of these two rackets I would say go with the 98 since it's more arm friendly.
If anyone ask me what racket to buy for a totally beginner I would suggest to buy second hand, any well known brand/model around 300 gram, 95" - 110" with a "normal" (16x18,16x19,18x20) string pattern and preferably not to stiff.
Good luck!
D
Deleted member 763366
Guest
All right thanks
smalahove
Hall of Fame
You clearly haven’t played with them.
If you had, you’d know the Ezone 100 is a much, much more forgiving frame than the 98. Those 2 sq inches also come with a more open string pattern, a bigger sweetzone and are paired with a thicker and stiffer beam, both giving you access to easier power.
You give a beginner an Ezone 98, strung with a stiff poly at 25+ kg, they’ll barely get the ball over the net.
Fireball
Rookie
Beginers should really stay away from polys. It would be especially bad to play with poly in a stiff racket ...
You're quite right I haven't played with them specifically. I've played with a variety of 97/98/100 sq in racquets of other models and personally didn't find the 100s significantly more forgiving than 98s in terms of sweet spots and shank rates, hence my opinion above.
But yes, agree that beginners shouldn't be using poly anyway.
smalahove
Hall of Fame
If you have to choose between the Ezone 98 and 100, beginners should try the 285g Ezone 100 first.
Beginners with good movement, strong legs and athletic abilities incl. proper weight transfer and dynamic balance (these players are most often well versed in one or several other sports), can try out the 300g Ezone 100.
The Ezone 98 is intended for players who can load up on the back foot, hit through the ball low to high, contact point well in front, extend through the shot with a proper weight transfer. Something I have never seen a beginner do.
Beginners with good movement, strong legs and athletic abilities incl. proper weight transfer and dynamic balance (these players are most often well versed in one or several other sports), can try out the 300g Ezone 100.
The Ezone 98 is intended for players who can load up on the back foot, hit through the ball low to high, contact point well in front, extend through the shot with a proper weight transfer. Something I have never seen a beginner do.
