HEAD Radical MP Auxetic vs 360+

[born_hard]

Hi,

I tried lately the 360+ version of the Radical MP for 10 minutes and was very impressed.
I had great control over the ball, at impact the crisp sensation blew me away and the free power for this lightweight racket was also superb.
Now i have 2 questions. Is this racket considered to be arm friendly? Or better to buy the Auxetic version?
I have a history of arm problems, wrist and shoulder and if the racket has a to stiff material or swingweight is to high, or racket has low power and in have to swing faster, than i habe a problem.
Used prices are not that far off between both models. What you think? Do i lose the crisp sensation at ball conract of the older version but gain a softer arm friendlier racket with the new one?

 

[jdx2112]

Auxetic version is generally accepted to be easier on the arm.

 

[born_hard]

Thanks, somebody wrote this:
"Auxetic offers more stability, less vibrations and a minor increase in power and pop. The main con for me was feel….. UNFORTUNATELY auxetic feel of gravity is kinda semi muted. The ultimate communication of previous gravity’s is gone. It’s still has the classic soft and pillowy response but it became too much mushy…… at least is not as mushy as latest radical mp which has been muted even more."

If its soft but mushy, the crisp feeling went?

 

[Konik_1982]

Well I guess this was a reference to the Gravity line which was originally already very arm friendly - for some even the original version(s) were a little mushy. And now with the Aux tech (which makes all the Head lines a bit more arm friendlier) the Gravity line went even mushier. But this is only the Gravity line. I can compare the Speed Pro 360+ and the current Auxetic Speed Pro. The 360+ version was more crisp but didn´t seem harsh to me at all. Played a lot with it and liked it. The Aux Speed Pro is a little softer but still a great racquet with tons of feel and great response. No mushy feel to me.

The question is how it is with the Radical...I played only the 360+ version and had the same experience as you. No problem with the arm but I don´t had any injuries or tennis elbow (except once when I tried the Pure Drive ).

So we really need someone who has experience with both Radicals. I´m also interested in this comparison.

 

[born_hard]

The reference was to the Gravity line, but he mentioned the Radical Mp with this sentence:
"at least is not as mushy as latest radical mp which has been muted even more."

I tested lots of rackets and strings in the last year and now i have a deeper understanding how things work ( weight, balance, swingweight, mushiness, stiffness, and so on) and are related to each other.
I like nowadays a control racket, 98inch which is stable, is arm friendly and has a good amount of power. Otherwise i have to increase swingweight with lead and then its to hefty for the arm. A good one i found is the Tfight ISO 315 with 1,30mm copoly.

And the radical Mp is kinda similar but with a more satisfiing crispier feel and lots of control over the ball. I have to check out this racket soon.

 

[stronzzi70]

Same racquet
Honestly I didn’t like Auxetic Radical MP
Low launch angle , low power sometimes , big power sometimes .
Very unpredictable frame .

 

[myke232]

Interesting...

I demoed the Racical MP auxetic and thought it felt great. Same as OP, control, crisp and I was surprised at the power. I've never hit with the old version though...

 

[avocadoz]

If you have a history of arm problems, stay as far away from the Radical MP as possible. The auxetic radical is more stable and a bit more dampened contributing to the overal slight increase in comfort, but by no means it's an arm friendly racquet. What's deceiving about the radical MP's stiffness is that it feels fine during hitting and for the first few sessions, then the soreness begins. What's also deceiving is its RA rating. The Rad MP and PA98 both have an RA 65 rating but the PA98 is way more comfortable IMO. If you've only demo'd it for 10 minutes you're not going to get the full picture on its comfort or lack thereof. One of the biggest contributing factors to its stiffness is how small the sweetspot is. It's an unforgiving racquet when you hit outside the sweetspot, and the feedback on your arm is noticeable. As someone who used to play with the 360+ and currently playing with the Auxetic MP, I can attest to this. I'm also experimenting with different hybrid setups to soften the stringbed. I love the radical but it's not something I can play with on a daily basis due to the arm discomfort.

 

[myke232]

If you have a history of arm problems, stay as far away from the Radical MP as possible. The auxetic radical is more stable and a bit more dampened contributing to the overal slight increase in comfort, but by no means it's an arm friendly racquet. What's deceiving about the radical MP's stiffness is that it feels fine during hitting and for the first few sessions, then the soreness begins. What's also deceiving is its RA rating. The Rad MP and PA98 both have an RA 65 rating but the PA98 is way more comfortable IMO. If you've only demo'd it for 10 minutes you're not going to get the full picture on its comfort or lack thereof. One of the biggest contributing factors to its stiffness is how small the sweetspot is. It's an unforgiving racquet when you hit outside the sweetspot, and the feedback on your arm is noticeable. As someone who used to play with the 360+ and currently playing with the Auxetic MP, I can attest to this. I'm also experimenting with different hybrid setups to soften the stringbed. I love the radical but it's not something I can play with on a daily basis due to the arm discomfort.

Any comparison to the Extreme Tour in terms of comfort? Or otherwise...

 

[Circa 1762]

If you have a history of arm problems, stay as far away from the Radical MP as possible. The auxetic radical is more stable and a bit more dampened contributing to the overal slight increase in comfort, but by no means it's an arm friendly racquet. What's deceiving about the radical MP's stiffness is that it feels fine during hitting and for the first few sessions, then the soreness begins. What's also deceiving is its RA rating. The Rad MP and PA98 both have an RA 65 rating but the PA98 is way more comfortable IMO. If you've only demo'd it for 10 minutes you're not going to get the full picture on its comfort or lack thereof. One of the biggest contributing factors to its stiffness is how small the sweetspot is. It's an unforgiving racquet when you hit outside the sweetspot, and the feedback on your arm is noticeable. As someone who used to play with the 360+ and currently playing with the Auxetic MP, I can attest to this. I'm also experimenting with different hybrid setups to soften the stringbed. I love the radical but it's not something I can play with on a daily basis due to the arm discomfort.

I used to play with the Pure Aero VS and now play with the Aux Rad MP, and I agree that the PAVS felt more comfortable despite its higher stiffness. But I would say this is more about the PAVS playing way more comfortable than it should given its stiffness than about the Rad playing less comfortable than it should, if that makes sense. I find the Rad to be a goldilocks frame - middle of the road on power, control, spin, etc. - and that applies to comfort too. It isn’t immediately going to wreck your arm, but it probably doesn’t qualify as “arm friendly” either if that’s a concern. To me it feels like it’s on the cusp of being too stiff, but never quite there as long as I’m pretty diligent about restringing when the poly goes dead. For reference I’m stringing Grapplesnake Tour M8 right now.

 

[born_hard]

These were good infos. I will stay away from the Radical MP.
Now i play the TFight 315 ISO and the sweetspot is huge and its a damn good racket in every aspect. Even with 1g lead at 12 clock i dont have any arm problems.
And when its time to test some newwr rackets, i will come back to your suggestions PA98 or PAVS

 

[ttlapointe]

All in all, from what I read, If I quickly developed pain in wrist and elbow from playing just a couple hours with the 360+ version, I should stay away from the Auxetic version even if it's considered a tad softer? Thanks!

 

[Wolfessis]

String setup on radical requires crosses to be 4-5lb looser than the mains.

Haven't done with MP only the pro version, but it transformed the frame immensely. Way bigger sweet spot, way less harsh, better pocketing, better control due to better pocketing. Just better in every way

 

[Ryebread]

The new version is not much better on the arm than the old. It’s only a smidge better. If you are concerned, and you use poly…. you should try something else.

 

[jdx2112]

The new version is not much better on the arm than the old. It’s only a smidge better. If you are concerned, and you use poly…. you should try something else.

I've played with it and have had no issues. the 360+ was very brassy on the arm. I didn't get sore, but I was very aware of the vibrations. Much less so with the auxetic. I do suggest, however, crossing the poly with a soft poly and lowering the tension. I use ghostwire in the crosses and string no higher than 48. Pretty comfortable.

 

[Ryebread]

I've played with it and have had no issues. the 360+ was very brassy on the arm. I didn't get sore, but I was very aware of the vibrations. Much less so with the auxetic. I do suggest, however, crossing the poly with a soft poly and lowering the tension. I use ghostwire in the crosses and string no higher than 48. Pretty comfortable.

No higher than 48 and yeah you should be OK, most people will be OK.

I’m up at 51/48 and it’s still feels a little harsh on off-center shots. Also, the sweet spot is very small, so that lower tension is beneficial there as well.

radicals are very good control frames for a ball basher 4.0-5.0.

I see a lot of people that do not hit very hard using this frame, and it does not make sense to me.

 

[jdx2112]

No higher than 48 and yeah you should be OK, most people will be OK.

I’m up at 51/48 and it’s still feels a little harsh on off-center shots. Also, the sweet spot is very small, so that lower tension is beneficial there as well.

radicals are very good control frames for a ball basher 4.0-5.0.

I see a lot of people that do not hit very hard using this frame, and it does not make sense to me.

Yes, small but about the same as the Blade, which is what i was using before. Radical MP auxetic is a nice option for a blade user looking for a little more pop, but still wants the quick maneuverability

 

[Ryebread]

Yes, small but about the same as the Blade, which is what i was using before. Radical MP auxetic is a nice option for a blade user looking for a little more pop, but still wants the quick maneuverability

I agree with all of that, well said.

blade and radical are both control frames
you bring the power
blade being plush and comfy
radical being more crisp and borderline stiff for some folks.