Head Lynx Tour - Official Thread

[dave t]

HP bagged out pretty quickly for me on my last hybrid. Starting to shy away from poly-poly hybrids unless the strings are very similar.

 

[notthatgood]

This is a long thread and I am lazy — so pardon the redundancy. Has anybody tried the 18g (which looks like it only comes in gray)? Brainstorming best comfortable, controlled, spin-oriented strings to put in a Regna 98 and so far have narrowed to Tour M8 (my usual baseline string), Toroline O-Toro (have never tried but heard good things), and Lynx Tour champagne. What else would be great? 4.0, aggro-baseliner, spin-forward game.

 

[smithie]

This is a long thread and I am lazy — so pardon the redundancy. Has anybody tried the 18g (which looks like it only comes in gray)? Brainstorming best comfortable, controlled, spin-oriented strings to put in a Regna 98 and so far have narrowed to Tour M8 (my usual baseline string), Toroline O-Toro (have never tried but heard good things), and Lynx Tour champagne. What else would be great? 4.0, aggro-baseliner, spin-forward game.

Best comfort / control string I've used is Toroline K-Pop followed by Mayami Tour Hex (K-Pop with slightly more power than Tour Hex), another shout would be Solinco Hyper-G soft (assuming you don't mind a muted response). Lynx Tour even in 1.20 gauge really doesn't differ that much from the 1.25 variant, so I wouldn't worry too much if availability is an issue.

 

[ebo03]

This is a long thread and I am lazy — so pardon the redundancy. Has anybody tried the 18g (which looks like it only comes in gray)? Brainstorming best comfortable, controlled, spin-oriented strings to put in a Regna 98 and so far have narrowed to Tour M8 (my usual baseline string), Toroline O-Toro (have never tried but heard good things), and Lynx Tour champagne. What else would be great? 4.0, aggro-baseliner, spin-forward game.

Compared to M8, Lynx Tour (particularly in silver and black colors) is less lively and firmer. I was surprised by how much pop M8 offered and the softness of the string. I typically play around 50-52 lbs but had to take M8 up to 55 to make it playable.

 

[wallymann]

...Lynx Tour even in 1.20 gauge really doesn't differ that much from the 1.25 variant, so I wouldn't worry too much if availability is an issue...

except for weight. lynx 1.25 is appreciably heavier than 1.20, which has a material effect on both static and sw.

 

[smithie]

except for weight. lynx 1.25 is appreciably heavier than 1.20, which has a material effect on both static and sw.

My prior testing (quantitative measurements from a Head 3-in-1 machine, and my qualitative hitting assessment) would suggest otherwise.

I've just picked up my rackets from the stringer, the difference between the 1.25 and 1.20 gauge of Lynx Tour aren't as different as I think some may have hoped (raw results below). The strung difference between the 1.25 and 1.20 gauge is only 3.4g in weight and 3 SW points (bare in mind this is in an 18x20 racket so it will likely even have less of a difference in 16x19's). On the positive side, the 1.25 gauges in the different colours appear the same (albeit within the accepted variance of the 3-in-1 machine).

I will be playing with them tomorrow so will report back on my initial thoughts.

https://imgur.com/a/oHd3Tcj

From left to right: Grey 1.25 > Champagne 1.25 > Champagne 1.20

String	Unstrung weight (g)	Strung weight (g)	Difference (g)	Unstrung SW	Strung SW	Difference (SW)
Champagne 1.20	315	331	16	295	331	36​
Champagne 1.25	315.8	335.2	19.4	295	334	39​
Grey 1.25	315	334.5	19.5	295	334.5	39.5​

 

[wallymann]

My prior testing (quantitative measurements from a Head 3-in-1 machine, and my qualitative hitting assessment) would suggest otherwise.

for my money, +4g static *and* +3 sw together are materially different!

 

[ClownCar96]

Compared to M8, Lynx Tour (particularly in silver and black colors) is less lively and firmer. I was surprised by how much pop M8 offered and the softness of the string. I typically play around 50-52 lbs but had to take M8 up to 55 to make it playable.

M8 is a really great cross string with Lynx Tour 1.25 in the mains. I've had some great hits with LT 1.25 Grey crossed with M8 1.25 strung at 50lbs. It's basically round and slick for great spin and gives you a little extra pop to balance out the control of LT

 

[ClownCar96]

LT 1.2 gray is great string, I have two reels. It can sometimes be a tad too powerful for me at times in certain frames as my strokes have improved. So I like to cross it with a low powered 1.25 string like Hawk Touch. It is definitely more comfortable than 1.25... just a great all around string that plays well for a long time.

This is a long thread and I am lazy — so pardon the redundancy. Has anybody tried the 18g (which looks like it only comes in gray)? Brainstorming best comfortable, controlled, spin-oriented strings to put in a Regna 98 and so far have narrowed to Tour M8 (my usual baseline string), Toroline O-Toro (have never tried but heard good things), and Lynx Tour champagne. What else would be great? 4.0, aggro-baseliner, spin-forward game.

 

[smithie]

for my money, +4g static *and* +3 sw together are materially different!

Materially different yes, but “appreciably heavier”, no. This variance is no different than any other poly at 1.20 and 1.25. Lynx tour is just a heavier string compared to most polys.

 

[wallymann]

Materially different yes, but “appreciably heavier”, no. This variance is no different than any other poly at 1.20 and 1.25. Lynx tour is just a heavier string compared to most polys.

fair point. i had to go as light as possible with lynx tour to get my racquets back to my normal specs.

 

[dmtree]

This is a long thread and I am lazy — so pardon the redundancy. Has anybody tried the 18g (which looks like it only comes in gray)? Brainstorming best comfortable, controlled, spin-oriented strings to put in a Regna 98 and so far have narrowed to Tour M8 (my usual baseline string), Toroline O-Toro (have never tried but heard good things), and Lynx Tour champagne. What else would be great? 4.0, aggro-baseliner, spin-forward game.

1.20mm Lynx Tour (gray) is a nice string. Very predictable, decent grab, medium launch angle, and a perfect mix of control and power for my 18x20 Prestige 98. I've pulled off many circus shots with this string. It threads the needle, every time.
I would say it's comfortable for being on the stiffer side of the spectrum. It's softer than Confidential, a bit stiffer than Tour Hex or Poly Tour Rev.

 

[SpheresAreNeato]

1.20mm Lynx Tour (gray) is a nice string. Very predictable, decent grab, medium launch angle, and a perfect mix of control and power for my 18x20 Prestige 98. I've pulled off many circus shots with this string. It threads the needle, every time.
I would say it's comfortable for being on the stiffer side of the spectrum. It's softer than Confidential, a bit stiffer than Tour Hex or Poly Tour Rev.Jus

Just bought two 18x20 Whiteouts and am really liking the 120mm Hyper G that was a great deal with the racquets from TW,, but definitely want to try others. This is one of them.

 

[DG21]

Hawk touch, alu power, pt strike etc in 1.25

Thanks, very interesting, your suggestion differs a lot compared to others who claim that shaped strings like Lynx Tour, Confidential, Hyper-G, Cyclone etc work better in this frame. You suggest the round strings instead.

 

[Federerkblade]

Guessing Lynx your champagne or grey 1.20 is impossible to get in uk or europe moving forward ? Does head make it still ?

 

[K1Y]

Guessing Lynx your champagne or grey 1.20 is impossible to get in uk or europe moving forward ? Does head make it still ?

easy to get in the netherlands.

 

[Federerkblade]

Really where from ?

 

[Orezap]

can someone indicate whether there is noticeable playability difference between Lynx Tour Champagne 1.25 vs Grey and Orange? which color is most frequently used in Tour?

 

[smithie]

can someone indicate whether there is noticeable playability difference between Lynx Tour Champagne 1.25 vs Grey and Orange? which color is most frequently used in Tour?

Very subtle differences. Champagne is the most balanced of all the attributes, silver is slightly more crisp, and orange slightly more powerful. But again all very slight differences.

I’ve only ever seen champagne on tour but that doesn’t mean other colours aren’t used too.

 

[vdsp]

can someone indicate whether there is noticeable playability difference between Lynx Tour Champagne 1.25 vs Grey and Orange? which color is most frequently used in Tour?

I have found Orange to be a lot less controlled than Silver

 

[Federerkblade]

Champagne is the best version having tested both in same frames

 

[handsomeladjohnny]

Struggling to find a reel for 1.20 LT in the US and can only find sets. Any suggestions of alternatives for 1.20LT I can buy a reel of?

Much appreciated!

 

[ulunxtns]

I have a reel of 1.20 Orange for sale, if anyone interested let me know.

 

[RF2017]

How much does lynx tour 1.25 raise swingweight compared to usual 1.25 polys?

 

[smithie]

It will depend on what your normal string is as all vary but champagne and grey in 1.25 added 39 & 39.5 points of swing weight respectively. And 1.20 champagne added 36 (info below). This was in a Speed Pro fyi so smaller heads and more open string patterns would result in lower numbers than this.

String	Unstrung weight (g)	Strung weight (g)	Difference (g)	Unstrung SW	Strung SW	Difference (SW)
Champagne 1.20	315	331	16	295	331	36
Champagne 1.25	315.8	335.2	19.4	295	334	39
Grey 1.25	315	334.5	19.5	295	334.5	39.5

 

[RF2017]

It would be in the gravity pro, and I typically alternate between m8 and tour sniper 1.25

 

[smithie]

It would be in the gravity pro, and I typically alternate between m8 and tour sniper 1.25

You should see pretty equal SW increases then. I've never used Grapplesnake offerings so I don't know of their SW's, it might be worth asking in the Grapplesnake thread as the owner is incredibly responsive to questions.

 

[MikhailT]

How much does lynx tour 1.25 raise swingweight compared to usual 1.25 polys?

2-2.5g of static weight and 2-3 pts SW, nothing really game changing. If you play with a dampener, can compensate by a lighter dampener

 

[wingedeagle]

seems more than 3 sw added with lynx tour 1.25 from the data above, more like 7-9 sw pts added extra

 

[_FrankTheTank_]

How much SW PTS does the 1.30mm add in a 98 16x19 frame? Anyone measured and got some numbers

 

[wingedeagle]

How much does lynx tour 1.25 raise swingweight compared to usual 1.25 polys?

did you prefer the 1.20 mm over the 1.25mm and what coliur dd you try the 1.20mm ?

in the speed pro what tension was best for you on the 1.20mm ?

Thanks in advance

 

[wingedeagle]

You should see pretty equal SW increases then. I've never used Grapplesnake offerings so I don't know of their SW's, it might be worth asking in the Grapplesnake thread as the owner is incredibly responsive to questions.

sorry should have asked this to @smithie

did you prefer the 1.20 mm lynx tour over the 1.25mm lynx tour and what coliur dd you try the 1.20mm ?

in the speed pro what tension was best for you on the 1.20mm ?

Thanks in advance

 

[smithie]

sorry should have asked this to @smithie

did you prefer the 1.20 mm lynx tour over the 1.25mm lynx tour and what coliur dd you try the 1.20mm ?

in the speed pro what tension was best for you on the 1.20mm ?

Thanks in advance

See below for what I said about the two gauges when I tested them at the time - that should give a good idea about the difference between the two gauges.

Specifically with your other questions:
1. At the time of testing I preferred the 1.20 gauge but ended up moving back to the 1.25 as I just found it more consistent and reliable.
2. Both 1.25 & 1.20 where tested in the champagne colour way - this to me is the best colour of Lynx Tour as its the most balanced.
3. I can't remember what they were strung up during testing but I would assume that both were 48/46 lb as this was my reference tension. I thought the Lynx Tour at this tension played great so I never deviated from it.

Right so I've now got about 8 hours in on both the 1.25 and 1.20 champagne versions so I now feel comfortable in providing a review. The first thing to say is that these gauges play very similar to each other and are virtually interchangeable between points, so if you're expecting a huge increase in spin you will be disappointed (I.e Hyper-G 1.25 and 1.20 play very differently from each other whereas Lynx Tour does not). Further, although there is a slight difference in swing speed, with the 1.20 gauge feeling slightly quicker than the 1.25, this difference is small and likely not as much as others would have hoped (I could switch between both gauges happily and feel dialled in after only a couple of strokes). I don't know if the lack of difference in their playability is due to the fact that I'm playing with an 18x20, so it will be interesting to see if others with more open string patterns will see more differences than me.

That being said, there are a couple of differences which are worth noting albeit still subtle:
Break in period - noticeably quicker in the 1.20 (the initial stiffness drops within the first 15 minutes of hitting rather than 30 mins+ in the 1.25 gauge. Once both settle there isn’t a real noticeable difference in stiffness)
Spin - marginally better in the 1.20 gauge but its only really noticeable in shots where you are trying to impart a lot of spin to gain a greater margin of error
Power - marginally more powerful in the 1.20 (the spin kind of offsets this nicely so I never felt out of control)
Slice - better in the 1.25 - this is the shot that was the most different, it was more floaty/less penetrating with the 1.20
Approach shots - better in the 1.20 (the slightly increase in spin helped to bring the balls down quicker giving a greater margin for error - see spin above)
2nd serves - better in the 1.20 (as above, the slightly increased spin helped to bring the ball down quicker and kick higher)
All other characterises/shots I found to have no/very little difference that it isn't worth noting.

After playing with both I would say I prefer the 1.20 more because I was finding my approach shots and 2nd serves were more consistent (only just) but I think I would add a gram at 12 to increase the SW back to the 1.25 levels.

*edit* I just had a thought of how the summarise this string. If you didn’t like 1.25, then the 1.20 won’t be for you either.

 

[wingedeagle]

See below for what I said about the two gauges when I tested them at the time - that should give a good idea about the difference between the two gauges.

Specifically with your other questions:
1. At the time of testing I preferred the 1.20 gauge but ended up moving back to the 1.25 as I just found it more consistent and reliable.
2. Both 1.25 & 1.20 where tested in the champagne colour way - this to me is the best colour of Lynx Tour as its the most balanced.
3. I can't remember what they were strung up during testing but I would assume that both were 48/46 lb as this was my reference tension. I thought the Lynx Tour at this tension played great so I never deviated from it.

Than you was there much in it for the 1.20 and 1.25mm was it marginal or some balls just flying for the 1.20 vs 1.25 ?

 

[smithie]

Than you was there much in it for the 1.20 and 1.25mm was it marginal or some balls just flying for the 1.20 vs 1.25 ?

All incredibly marginal for me and could have happily played with either.
Neither string produced flyers for me, both gauges were very predictable and consistent.

 

[Federerkblade]

See below for what I said about the two gauges when I tested them at the time - that should give a good idea about the difference between the two gauges.

Specifically with your other questions:
1. At the time of testing I preferred the 1.20 gauge but ended up moving back to the 1.25 as I just found it more consistent and reliable.
2. Both 1.25 & 1.20 where tested in the champagne colour way - this to me is the best colour of Lynx Tour as its the most balanced.
3. I can't remember what they were strung up during testing but I would assume that both were 48/46 lb as this was my reference tension. I thought the Lynx Tour at this tension played great so I never deviated from it.

I’m intrigued how a 1.25 mains and 1.20 would have worked out . For a 98 inch . I might try it

The 1.20 being the cross and 1.5 lbs lower perhaps

 

[smithie]

I’m intrigued how a 1.25 mains and 1.20 would have worked out . For a 98 inch . I might try it

The 1.20 being the cross and 1.5 lbs lower perhaps

In all honesty, as I found hardly any difference between the 1.25 and 1.20, I doubt it would feel any different to FB 1.25 given how much the mains influence a hybrid.
I did try it crossed with head hawk which I preferred over FB LT - essentially even more control and better spin.

 

[Federerkblade]

In all honesty, as I found hardly any difference between the 1.25 and 1.20, I doubt it would feel any different to FB 1.25 given how much the mains influence a hybrid.
I did try it crossed with head hawk which I preferred over FB LT - essentially even more control and better spin.

Oh really just standard head hawk 1.25 and what tension was the cross ? For head hawk

 

[smithie]

Ye the 1.25 gauge, I wanted 1.20 but it was out of stock. Tension was 48/46

 

[Federerkblade]

Thanks I will try hawk 1.20 cross white colour with the mains being Lynx tour 1.20 in my synergy at 52.5 lbs all round

 

[ClownCar96]

If you are a big swinger the 1.25 is easier to control, it’s hard to miss. 1.2 is great in low power frames but I’ve found it to be just a touch too powerful at times.

 

[wingedeagle]

If you are a big swinger the 1.25 is easier to control, it’s hard to miss. 1.2 is great in low power frames but I’ve found it to be just a touch too powerful at times.

what tension do you use it in lower power frames ( which ones) and whats your tension and is it full bed ?

 

[rizoto]

what tension do you use it in lower power frames ( which ones) and whats your tension and is it full bed ?

20 kg in Clash 98.

 

[pelusi]

Has anyone tried the lynx tour hybrid with head hawk both in 1.25 in gray???

 

[ClownCar96]

what tension do you use it in lower power frames ( which ones) and whats your tension and is it full bed ?

Sorry for delay. I use 50lb with 1.25 and go up to 52 or 53 with 1.2. Blade 98, v8 noir is my main. I most often play with a hybrid, cross: hawk touch or M8

 

[wingedeagle]

Sorry for delay. I use 50lb with 1.25 and go up to 52 or 53 with 1.2. Blade 98, v8 noir is my main. I most often play with a hybrid, cross: hawk touch or M8

thanks when you cross it with hawk touch or m8 do you go lower on the cross

 

[ClownCar96]

I do not reduce tension on the cross. I used to do that with Yonex racquets but have since decided it doesn’t matter or it may increase power too much so I keep things simple and keep it the same. But that’s just me. If someone can convince me otherwise, I’m all ears.

 

[smithie]

I do not reduce tension on the cross. I used to do that with Yonex racquets but have since decided it doesn’t matter or it may increase power too much so I keep things simple and keep it the same. But that’s just me. If someone can convince me otherwise, I’m all ears.

I always lowers the crosses by 2 lbs (Normally 48/46) as to me it feels slightly comfier without it impacting any other aspect. Even if it’s placebo, to me it’s still a win win.

 

[rizoto]

I always lowers the crosses by 2 lbs (Normally 48/46) as to me it feels slightly comfier without it impacting any other aspect. Even if it’s placebo, to me it’s still a win win.

even with hybrid cross?

 

[smithie]

even with hybrid cross?

No, that would depend on the inherent string characteristics i.e. when I used Gut/Poly I would string the gut mains higher (and with a 10% pre-stretch) than the poly crosses). When I've done Poly/Poly hybrids, I tend to keep the same tension throughout as I always use one gauge less in the crosses i.e. 1.25 mains and 1.20 crosses. Doing this offsets any potential increased power.