Hannah, maybe others 2013 APD vs DR98 vs Ezone 98 (or 100)

[pfrischmann]

Hi,
I'm directing this towards Hannah just because she used to be a long time APD user but I'd bet one of the others has hit with all three of these as well. After another frustrating outing with a Pure strike 16X19. I went back to my 2013 APD. The slightly raised sweetspot on the new Babolats may be what is giving me trouble as I remember having similar control issues with the Pure Aero. FSI may not be for me I feel I give up too much control and have to go for bigger targets. BUT, in stock form, I find the APD a little board like and unstable at times for volleys etc..

So, I tried the DR98, plush and stable but a little to muted feeling and I felt like a lost a little too much pop on my shots. I actually liked the 100 a but more.

If I could build a racquet, It would be between the DR-98 and the 2013 APD. Same pop ad Spin as the APD but a little more forgiving on the arm and more stable.

Do the new Yonex sticks fit that bill, Or an racquet for that matter?

Thanks again for all of your help.

Paul

 

[TW Staff]

Hi Paul,

I know you have talked about this issue with the Pure Strike before and I'm sorry that is a bummer! I definitely can confirm that the Pure Strike 16X19 is a different feel from the APD and does offer slightly less control at times.

Unfortunately, although the new Yonex's offer great power, I don't think that they will provide that extra control you are craving or feel easier on your arm. We all found them to feel stiffer in the upper hoop and are missing that magical DR feel. Some racquets that fit your request and could be worth a try include the Prince Textreme Tour 100P and the Volkl V Sense 8 300. If you liked the feel of the Yonex DR 100 it could be worth testing out a bit more as well.

Thanks
Hannah, TW

 

[prjacobs]

Hi,
I'm directing this towards Hannah just because she used to be a long time APD user but I'd bet one of the others has hit with all three of these as well. After another frustrating outing with a Pure strike 16X19. I went back to my 2013 APD. The slightly raised sweetspot on the new Babolats may be what is giving me trouble as I remember having similar control issues with the Pure Aero. FSI may not be for me I feel I give up too much control and have to go for bigger targets. BUT, in stock form, I find the APD a little board like and unstable at times for volleys etc..

So, I tried the DR98, plush and stable but a little to muted feeling and I felt like a lost a little too much pop on my shots. I actually liked the 100 a but more.

If I could build a racquet, It would be between the DR-98 and the 2013 APD. Same pop ad Spin as the APD but a little more forgiving on the arm and more stable.

Do the new Yonex sticks fit that bill, Or an racquet for that matter?

Thanks again for all of your help.

Paul

I have Wilson Shock Shield grips on my 2013 APDs. Plus 5 grams of tungsten under the grip, right at the butt end of the frame. My APDs weigh in at around 11.75 ounces. I also string with gut/poly @ 43/41, so the comfort is probably about as good as an APD can get.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[pfrischmann]

Thanks Hannah and PRjacobs. It wasn't until I hit with the 2013 APD back to back that I realized it was the raised sweet spot that was confounding me. I had a similar issue with the Pure Aero when it came out. I pulled the APD out mid match after not playing with it for 6 month's...risky I know. After a few Swings, I just felt more confident where the ball was going.

 

[pfrischmann]

To clarify, I think I'm not a fan of the raised sweetspot that accompanies the FSI spin racquets. I had a similar problem with a hot spot a little in the high side when I started playing with the Pure Aero.
Mid match, I put down the Pure Strike and Picked up the 2013 APD, a racquet I hadn't touched in 6 months. Not an ideal thing to do going into the 2nd set after losing the first.. The "boing" was gone through. No, defensive half volleys flying on me or drop shots hitting the back of the service box..

I always wanted to try the textreme stuff.

 

[Altav]

Hi Paul,

I know you have talked about this issue with the Pure Strike before and I'm sorry that is a bummer! I definitely can confirm that the Pure Strike 16X19 is a different feel from the APD and does offer slightly less control at times.

Unfortunately, although the new Yonex's offer great power, I don't think that they will provide that extra control you are craving or feel easier on your arm. We all found them to feel stiffer in the upper hoop and are missing that magical DR feel. Some racquets that fit your request and could be worth a try include the Prince Textreme Tour 100P and the Volkl V Sense 8 300. If you liked the feel of the Yonex DR 100 it could be worth testing out a bit more as well.

Thanks
Hannah, TW

Hi Hanna,

I am looking to switch from the Babolat PureAero, looking for more control without losing power. I was thinking the PureStrike 16x19 ProjectOne could be a good option, since I noticed that Jason switched from Yonex DR100 and you switched from the PA to this frame.

But you are confirming that the PS 16x19, offers less control than the APD, so I am kind of confused.

Now that you have played with this raqcuet for a while, could you share the pros/cons? Could you advice other better alternatives or is this the racquet I should try?

 

[TW Staff]

Altav,

Hannah is out of the office for the week. When she returns, I will pass along your question.

Thanks,
Brittany, TW

 

[MisterP]

Hi Hanna,

I am looking to switch from the Babolat PureAero, looking for more control without losing power. I was thinking the PureStrike 16x19 ProjectOne could be a good option, since I noticed that Jason switched from Yonex DR100 and you switched from the PA to this frame.

But you are confirming that the PS 16x19, offers less control than the APD, so I am kind of confused.

Now that you have played with this raqcuet for a while, could you share the pros/cons? Could you advice other better alternatives or is this the racquet I should try?

You should try the Prince Textreme Warrior 100. Spec-wise it's right there with all the racquets you listed. It plays like a more comfortable Pure Drive/Aero Pro Drive. It's also very similar to the DR100, but where the DR100 has a very stiff, jarring feeling in the upper hoop, the Warrior 100 is more forgiving while still having a crisp feel. I have pretty much gone through all the same racquets you have:

APD (too stiff)
Pure Drive (too stiff)
Pure Aero (rocket launcher)
Pure Strike 16x19 Project One 7 (not bad, but had to work too hard to be effective)
DR98 (too low powered)
DR100 (jarring feel on off center shots).

The Textreme Warrior offers the best blend of power, spin, control and comfort.

The Textreme 100P has an 18x20 pattern, so that would be a pretty big departure from the other racquets in this list.

 

[Altav]

You should try the Prince Textreme Warrior 100. Spec-wise it's right there with all the racquets you listed. It plays like a more comfortable Pure Drive/Aero Pro Drive. It's also very similar to the DR100, but where the DR100 has a very stiff, jarring feeling in the upper hoop, the Warrior 100 is more forgiving while still having a crisp feel. I have pretty much gone through all the same racquets you have:

APD (too stiff)
Pure Drive (too stiff)
Pure Aero (rocket launcher)
Pure Strike 16x19 Project One 7 (not bad, but had to work too hard to be effective)
DR98 (too low powered)
DR100 (jarring feel on off center shots).

The Textreme Warrior offers the best blend of power, spin, control and comfort.

The Textreme 100P has an 18x20 pattern, so that would be a pretty big departure from the other racquets in this list.

Thanks for the advice. Why you had to work too hard with the PS16x19 ProjectOne7 to be effective?

 

[TW Staff]

Hi Altav,

Sorry for the delay! I think that you should definitely give the Pure Strike 16X19 a chance if you like the power of the Pure Aero. All in all, the Pure Strike will grant you more control that the Pure Aero. In my case and I think a lot of Babolat users, I was so used to the APD feel and the options that it offered that the Pure Aero came up short in terms of providing a satisfying balance between power, control and comfortable feel. Switching to the Pure Strike, I achieved this balance.

As far as my previous comments about the Pure Strike's control, it really is specific to the comparison of the APD and not inherent. I think this can be attributed to the additional power, stability and slightly muted feel of the Pure Strike that allows me on average to hit a bigger ball. As a small trade off I would say sometimes I am more conscious when it comes to control. But, the frame's open string pattern offers access to loads of spin and the maneuverability makes it super comfortable and easy to manipulate from all areas of the court. I have also learned that my preferred set up with this frame is an low powered poly, because I can reign in some of the power and take fuller swings.

Lastly, I think that unless you are really attached to 16X19 string patterns, the Pure Strike 18X20 could also be worth a try. It offers the same great feel and weapons with even more control and precision.

Thanks,
Hannah, TW

 

[Altav]

Hi Altav,

Sorry for the delay! I think that you should definitely give the Pure Strike 16X19 a chance if you like the power of the Pure Aero. All in all, the Pure Strike will grant you more control that the Pure Aero. In my case and I think a lot of Babolat users, I was so used to the APD feel and the options that it offered that the Pure Aero came up short in terms of providing a satisfying balance between power, control and comfortable feel. Switching to the Pure Strike, I achieved this balance.

As far as my previous comments about the Pure Strike's control, it really is specific to the comparison of the APD and not inherent. I think this can be attributed to the additional power, stability and slightly muted feel of the Pure Strike that allows me on average to hit a bigger ball. As a small trade off I would say sometimes I am more conscious when it comes to control. But, the frame's open string pattern offers access to loads of spin and the maneuverability makes it super comfortable and easy to manipulate from all areas of the court. I have also learned that my preferred set up with this frame is an low powered poly, because I can reign in some of the power and take fuller swings.

Lastly, I think that unless you are really attached to 16X19 string patterns, the Pure Strike 18X20 could also be worth a try. It offers the same great feel and weapons with even more control and precision.

Thanks,
Hannah, TW

Thanks Hanna,

What string setup would you recommend for this racquet and how long does it last?

 

[TW Staff]

Of course! Right now my favorite setups are Luxilon Big Banger Original and Rough 16 and Solinco Hyper-G 16 all strung around 52 lbs. The Luxilon gives a slightly firmer and more connected feel, while the Solinco is a little bit more muted. Both offer great control, spin and durability. I am only hitting about 3 times a week right now so I opt to restring about every 4 or 5 weeks.

Hannah, TW

 

[Altav]

Of course! Right now my favorite setups are Luxilon Big Banger Original and Rough 16 and Solinco Hyper-G 16 all strung around 52 lbs. The Luxilon gives a slightly firmer and more connected feel, while the Solinco is a little bit more muted. Both offer great control, spin and durability. I am only hitting about 3 times a week right now so I opt to restring about every 4 or 5 weeks.

Hannah, TW

Thanks Hanna for the advice,

I ordered the PureStrike 16x19 from TW and I am really enjoying it. I’ve tried the DR98 as well, but for me the PS16x19 has the right blend of power and control. I am using Babolat RPM17@52 lbs., so far so good. I will try Volkl Cyclone and the ones you mentioned.

Best,