HEAD GRAPHENE TOUCH PRO REVIEW

[MarioRich]

Will review this beautiful raquet in a couple of days. I was a lucky winner on a TW give away. Initial thoughts are :

1) Feels lighter than the 11.6 oz strung weight spec.
2)Raquet cosmetics look great! (much better in person than photos).
3)TW strung it for free with Head Hawk Touch Anthracite. Will look awesome with a Red string.

Will be posting as I play more.

 

[CopolyX]

Congrats, I am touched! enjoy it man and have fun...keep us posted!

 

[MarioRich]

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[MarioRich]

Just finished playing 6 hours of tennis with this Raquet. I played singles and doubles.

I will have to try it again with another string. TW gave me free Head Hawk Touch 18 strings and this string is definitely not my cup of tea.

I prefer firmer or shaped poly than mooshy "soft" polys. A more muted feel than the pasts Speed series( I currently use the first graphene series MP).

Im a sucker for straight beam raquets but this raquet felt different. It is control oriented, normal spin, average power, very stable, average for serves but really lacks feel. I like the raquet but was expecting more to be honest. Thanks TW for giving it to me. I' ll try a different string set up next week. Maybe it will change my mind.




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[Crocodile]

I wonder if Head's new material is similar to what's happening to the new blades.

 

[MarioRich]

I wonder if Head's new material is similar to what's happening to the new blades.

Was thinking the same thing. I think its a fad like the open string patterns couple of years ago. I hope they just stop it with the Graphene, countervail and Touch stuff and bring old straight beam graphite back.


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[Power Player]

If that's what you want, just get the Angell TC97 18x20. Best feel of any modern frame and no gimmicks.

 

[MarioRich]

If that's what you want, just get the Angell TC97 18x20. Best feel of any modern frame and no gimmicks.

I've heard they are pretty good. They are also pricey! Prince graphite 100 is pretty good too. Hope they come up with something similar next year.


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[Power Player]

I've heard they are pretty good. They are also pricey! Prince graphite 100 is pretty good too. Hope they come up with something similar next year.


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It's $215 shipped to the US right now. So not really that pricey.

 

[Muppet]

I'd reserve your opinion on the new racquet, at least until you've installed a second set of strings in it. The first set is a throw-away, useful only for sinking the grommets into their frame holes. I just get the free string put in (at high tension) when I order a racquet.

 

[MarioRich]

I'd reserve your opinion on the new racquet, at least until you've installed a second set of strings in it. The first set is a throw-away, useful only for sinking the grommets into their frame holes. I just get the free string put in (at high tension) when I order a racquet.

Eager to use new strings on this raquet. Will probably use Head Hawk 17, a much firmer string. Still think it has a muted disconnected feel. I like the old ones better.


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[TR3NT]

I am an original GSP user and a mate of mine just picked up a few of these new Touch Speed Pros. I must say they are alot closer to the original GSP then the last XT version. Like you he has noted that it lacks the feel of the previous ones and he can't feel as easy if he hasn't hit it correctly or not.

He has tried a few string setups already and I have hit with them too and our favourite so far would be a hybrid of MSV hex with luxilon element

 

[MarioRich]

I am an original GSP user and a mate of mine just picked up a few of these new Touch Speed Pros. I must say they are alot closer to the original GSP then the last XT version. Like you he has noted that it lacks the feel of the previous ones and he can't feel as easy if he hasn't hit it correctly or not.

He has tried a few string setups already and I have hit with them too and our favourite so far would be a hybrid of MSV hex with luxilon element

Interesting set up... I've always been a fan of full bed polys. Im thinking Razor Code 17 with this raquet.


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[TR3NT]

Yeah I have always been a fan of poly/syn gut hybrids but his setup played really good.

 

[Matthew Lee]

It's $215 shipped to the US right now. So not really that pricey.

Still pretty pricey imo

 

[Power Player]

Still pretty pricey imo

I guess. Many new frames are now going for $220 or more. And they don't offer the quality or customization options, which would all add to the cost.

 

[Matthew Lee]

I guess. Many new frames are now going for $220 or more. And they don't offer the quality or customization options, which would all add to the cost.

Point proven, but it's just that I buy rackets whenever I need to or whenever they are on a good sale.

 

[Power Player]

Point proven, but it's just that I buy rackets whenever I need to or whenever they are on a good sale.

Yeah I do that too. Don't blame you there. If these frames weren't so good, I'd continue to do that, but they are worth the price - at least for me.

 

[Matthew Lee]

Yeah I do that too. Don't blame you there. If these frames weren't so good, I'd continue to do that, but they are worth the price - at least for me.

I would buy the new Pure Strike it weren't $199. I really like the older version.

 

[parasailing]

If you like the old one, you are set as they are discontinuing them and you can definitely find a good deal on them. As far as the price, I think they are following Wilson's footsteps of trying to increase the price. If you look at how everything else has gone up with the exception of electronics, tennis has for the most part stay relatively the same in cost for racquets and given how much they cost during the 80s, it's still a good price.

The only issue is that strings and shoes, have really gone up in price.

 

[Imago]

I guess. Many new frames are now going for $220 or more. And they don't offer the quality or customization options, which would all add to the cost.

What adds to the cost is the ridiculous discount given to dealers, so that they could give even more ridiculous discount to coaches. The latter here is about 40%. Which means that dealers get 50% and distributors - up to 60%. Consider also 10% for ads and promotion, another 10% for players contracts, so what remains is 20% of the price, half of which is the manufacturing cost. And you have also R&D expences to calculate.

 

[Imago]

I wonder if Head's new material is similar to what's happening to the new blades.

There is some lagging behind. New blades are around 350 Euro

http://www.tabletennis11.com/other_eng/butterfly-jun-mizutani-super-zlc

Which proves to my point above. You can buy the same blade directly from manufacturer at 5% of the retail price.

 

[MarioRich]

Curious to me all Dunlops and Pro Kennex remain cheaper than other brands.


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[Power Player]

Pro Kennex 7G is an amazing racquet :

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/ProKennex_Kinetic_Pro_7G/descpageRCPK-P7G.html

 

[bkr]

Interested try to the extended versions as these Pro Kennex models have great reviews.

Can anyone compare the models?.

Pro Kennex 7G vs Pro Kennex K 5x vs Pro Kennex Q5x

 

[JGads]

Interested try to the extended versions as these Pro Kennex models have great reviews.

Can anyone compare the models?.

Pro Kennex 7G vs Pro Kennex K 5x vs Pro Kennex Q5x

If comfortable with extended length, the 7G is a dynamite frame that does everything well. Haven't tried the subsequent versions because many ProKennex users seemed to indicate they weren't really improvements.

 

[MarioRich]

If comfortable with extended length, the 7G is a dynamite frame that does everything well. Haven't tried the subsequent versions because many ProKennex users seemed to indicate they weren't really improvements.

Afraid of trying extended length...what do you think about the 5G? 5G has intrigued me for a while. Cosmetics and 16X20 pattern are my doubts (pattern more than cosmetics).


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[JGads]

Afraid of trying extended length...what do you think about the 5G? 5G has intrigued me for a while. Cosmetics and 16X20 pattern are my doubts (pattern more than cosmetics).


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Haven't tried it, always wanted to. Probably a very solid frame but I cannot say for sure.

 

[bkr]

Pro Kennex 7G is an amazing racquet :

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/ProKennex_Kinetic_Pro_7G/descpageRCPK-P7G.html

Hello PP,

Remember reading about your 7G customization to Roddick specs and I also know you are at around same specs with Yonex XI 98.Any thoughts on how they compare and contrast?.

I'm debating to get 7G/K5X to get relief from my wrist tendinitis.I also like my old Liquidmetal 4 extended length racquet so hoping that extended length would fit my game.

Also surprised to see someone mentioned 40% of the pros used extended length racquets from the stats taken around 2005.

Player grip size weight(unstrung) balance(unstrung) Lengthcm String brand String type diameter Tension
Gaudio, Gaston (ARG ) 4 363 30.8 68.7 KIRSCHBAUM SUPER SMASH 1.30 27/27
Nadal, Rafael (ESP ) 2 321 32.2 68.5
BABOLAT TOUR DURALAST 1.35 25/24
Agassi, Andre (USA ) 343 32 68.5
LUXILON BB ALU POWER 1.25 27/27
Moya, Carlos (ESP ) 3 307 36.6 68.5
LUXILON ORIGINAL 1.30 28/28
Canas, Guillermo (ARG ) 3 355 30.9 70.8 KIRSCHBAUM SUPER SMASH 1.30 24/24
Robredo, Tommy (ESP ) 3 339 32 69.8 25/24
Davydenko, Nikolay (RUS ) 3 317 32.1 69.7
POLYSTAR ENERGY 24/23
Stepanek, Radek (CZE ) 3 348 30.1 68.6
PACIFIC PRIME GUT 16 28/26
Johansson, Thomas (SWE ) 3 333 30.9 68.4 LUX / BAB ALU POWER/VS TEAM 1.25/1.30 27/27
Ancic, Mario (CRO ) 2 350 30.3 68.5 BAB / LUX VS/ALU POWER 1.30/1.25 26/25
Gonzalez, Fernando (CHI ) 3 346 30.2 70.3 LUXILON ALU POWER 1.25 27/27
Massu, Nicolas (CHI ) 3 345 31.1 69.9 LUXILON ALU POWER 1.25 23.5/23.5
Ferrer, David (ESP ) 2 332 32.1 70.7 LUXILON ORIGINAL 1.30 22/22
Grosjean, Sebastien (FRA ) 3 348 31.5 70.5 BAB / LUX VS / ALU POWER 1.30/1.25 22/21
Kiefer, Nicolas (GER ) 3 343 32.6 69.1 BABOLAT VS TEAM / Ballistic PM 1.27/1.25 28/27
Volandri, Filippo (ITA ) 3 343 30.8 68.4 LUXILON ORIGINAL 1.30 20/20
Spadea, Vincent (USA ) 3 349 30 68.3 PRINCE / LUX Natural gut/BB alu power 1.35/1.25 34/34
Rochus, Olivier (BEL ) 3 325 31.1 69.9 LUXILON BIG BANG ALU POWER 1.25 23/22
Srichaphan, Paradorn (THA ) 4 336 30.2 68.5 LUX / BAB Alu power / VS TOUCH 1.25/1.30 24.5/23.5
Melzer, Jurgen (AUT ) 4 316 31 70.8 Muster/ISP TVP 1-39/professionnal 1.30/1.20 30/30
Malisse, Xavier (BEL ) 3 315 31.4 71.5 BABOLAT FIBERTOUR 1.30 29/29
Andreev, Igor (RUS ) 3 323 32.3 69.9 BABOLAT 25/24
Soderling, Robin (SWE ) 4 364 31.3 68.9 LUXILON BB ALU POWER ROUGH 1.25 27/27
Mirnyi, Max (BLR ) 4 352 30.4 68.3 WIL / LUX Natural 16/alu power 1.30/1.25 21/21
Beck, Karol (SVK ) 3 336 30.8 68.2 BABOLAT VS TOUCH 1.30 28/27
Rusedski, Greg (GBR ) 4 350 30.8 68.5 BABOLAT VS 1.30 24.5/24.5
Saulnier, Cyril (FRA ) 3 340 31.2 70.2 HEAD NAURAL GUT 26/25
Llodra, Michael (FRA ) 2 326 31 6.7 LUX / WIL Alu Power/Natural Gut 1.25/1.30 21/23
Horna, Luis (PER ) 3 339 30.7 68.6 LUXILON BB ALU POWER ROUGH 1.25 25/25
Carlsen, Kenneth (DEN ) 3 342 31 68.8 BABOLAT VS TEAM 1.30 32/31
Martin, Alberto (ESP ) 3 316 31.8 69.9 LUXILON ORIGINAL 1.30 23.5/21.5
Schuettler, Rainer (GER ) 3 339 30.9 BDE POLYSTAR 1.30? 26/25
Karlovic, Ivo (CRO )
5 350 31 68.4 LUX / BAB ALU POWER/VS TEAM 1.25/1.30 25/25
Acasuso, Jose (ARG ) 4 332 31.1 68.4 HEAD FXP 17 25/26
Ginepri, Robby (USA ) 3 342 31.6 69.8 BABOLAT Ballistic PM / VS TEAM 1.30/1.30 28/28
Ventura, Santiago (ESP ) 3 318 33 69.5 LUXILON BIG BANGER ORIGINAL 1.30 27/27
Monaco, Juan (ARG ) 3 346 31.2 68.5 YONEX TG TOUGH ERID 1.30 25/25
Mathieu, Paul-Henri (FRA ) 4 332 32 68.4 LUXILON ALU POWER 1.25 28/27
Koubek, Stefan (AUT ) 3 330 32.8 69.5 ?SYNT ? 23/23
Wessels, Peter (NED ) 4 339 30.5 68.5 BABOLAT VS TEAM 1.30 26/26
Mantilla, Felix (ESP ) 3 318 33.7 69.9 LUXILON BIG BANGER ORIGINAL 1.30 23/21
Garcia-Lopez Guillermo 4 332 31.5 68.8 HEAD ULTRA TOUR 16L 1.27 24/23
Sanguinetti, Davide (ITA ) 3 327 32.2 71.1 KIRSHBAUM COMPETITION 1.30 20/20
Sargsian, Sargis (ARM ) 4 352 31.1 69.7 LUX / WIL Alu power/natural GUT 1.25/1.30 25/25
Schalken, Sjeng (NED ) 5 360 28.5 68.7 BABOLAT VS TOUCH 1.30 27/27
Kuerten, Gustavo (BRA ) 3 347 32.2 68.5 LUXILON ALU POWER 1.25 21/23
Haehnel, Jerome (FRA ) 4 338 31.1 68.1 TECNIFIBRE SPINFIRE MAXI POWER 1.25 24/23
Arthurs, Wayne (AUS ) 3 308 32 69.9 BAB / LUX VS TEAM/BB TIMO 1.27/1.10 25/25
Tipsarevic, Janko (SCG ) 4 326 31 68.4 TECNIFIBRE X3 TDI 1.33 24/23
Burgsmuller, Lars (GER ) 3 346 30.6 70 LUXILON ORIGINAL 1.30 25/24
Wawrinka, Stanislas (SUI ) 3 348 31.3 68.4 LUXILON ALU POWER 1.25 31/29
Benneteau, Julien (FRA ) 3 338 32.6 69.8 BABOLAT Ballistic PM / VS team 1.25/1.30 28/27
Sluiter, Raemon (NED ) 3 335 32 69.9 PACIFIC POWER 1.35? 24/24
Vliegen, Kristof (BEL ) 3 335 31.5 69.8 TECNIFIBRE Spinfire MP/ X-one biphase 1.25/1.24 25/24
Bjorkman, Jonas (SWE ) 4 349 30.6 70 LUX / BAB ALU POWER/VS TEAM 1.25/1.30 23/23
Behrend, Tomas (GER ) 3 338 29.7 68.4 LUXILON BB ALU POWER 1.25 23/22
Saretta, Flavio (BRA ) 3 329 31.9 70 BABOLAT Ballistic PM / VS TEAM 1.30 29/29
Sanchez, David (ESP ) 3 340 31.5 68.6 LUXILON ORIGINAL 24/23
Mahut, Nicolas (FRA ) 4 339 31 68.5 WILSON/TF Natural16/Spinfire Maxi Power 1.30/1.25 23/23
Nieminen, Jarkko (FIN ) 3 350 30.4 70.7 LUXILON BB ALU POWER 1.25 25/25
Luczak, Peter (AUS ) 4 355 30.6 70.1 BABOLAT POLYMONO/VS 1.30/1.30 20/20
Serra, Florent (FRA ) 3 336 31.5 70.1 LUXILON ALU POWER 1.25 27/26
Tsonga, Jo-Wilfried (FRA ) 5 347 30 69.5 LUX / TF ALU POWER / X-ONE 1.25/1.24 24/24
Djokovic, Novak (SCG ) 3 324 31.1 68.2 TECNIFIBRE X ONE 1.24 25/24
Tursunov, Dmitry (RUS ) 4 343 30.5 68.3 LUXILON MonotecSupersense 1.12
Patience, Olivier (FRA ) 3 324 33.3 68.3 LUXILON BIG BANGER ORIGINAL 1.30 26/26
Blake, James (USA) 4 364 30.2 68.5 LUXILON ALU POWER 1.25 31/31
BHUPATHI MAHESH 4 348 31 68.9 WILSON NATURAL 1.30 27/27
ROGER-VASSELIN Edouard 3 322 31.9 69.7 BABOLAT Pro hurricane/ VS PLUS 1.25/1.25 29/29
BLACK WAYNE 3 336 30 68.4 BABOLAT Tour duralast/ XCEL Premium 1.25/1.30 29/29
BRIAN MIKE 4 354 29.7 69.8 TECNIFIBRE NRG 2 1.24 23/24
BRIAN BOB 5 354 29.8 69.8 LUX / TF ALU POWER / NRG 2 1.25/1.24 24/25
DI PASQUALE ARNAUD 4 329 30.6 68.5 LUXILON ALU POWER 1.25 25/24
SQUILLARI FRANCO 4 337 31 68.5 LUXILON ALU POWER 1.25 25/25
DEVILDER NICOLAS 3 340 30.5 68.4 LUXILON BB ALU POWER 1.25 23/23
KNOWLE JULIAN 3 337 32.7 68.8 LUXILON BB ALU POWER 1.25 17/17
WOODBRIDGE TODD 3 353 30.7 69.8 WILSON NATURAL 1.25 24/24
NESTOR DAVID 5 375 29.5 69.3 BAB / LUX VS Team thermogut/alu powerBB 1.25 26/26
ZIMONJIC NENAD 4 338 30.1 69.6 BAB / LUX vs team/BBaluPowerOD2 12 1.27/?
ULLYETT KEVIN 4 357 29.5 69.5 WILSON NATURAL 1.30 21/21
Clément, Arnaud (FRA) 4 312 31.3 69.9 BABOLAT VS TEAM 1.30 24/24

 

[Power Player]

I got the 7g for my wrist too. It works. Truly a great frame. As for the roddick specs i liked it but if had to do it over id just add 4 grams at 3 and 9 and get the sw to 340 and stop there. High sw xl frames are tough.