Horrible experience going from VCore Pro 97D to Percept 97D

[hardrain62]

I bought two VCore Pro 97D's back in January and have really been loving hitting with them. Huge power on serves and the ability to take big swings from the baseline and keep the ball in. For the first time in a while, I've felt like maybe I finally found "my racquet." To keep current (dumb reason, I know), I thought I would make the switch to the Percept 97D. From everything I've read online, the differences between the VCP and Percept relate more to feel due to different materials on the inside, but generally, the static weights and swingweights stayed mainly the same. And hey, the paint job is super cool. I bought a Percept 97D today from my local dealer and the second he handed it to me after taking it off the stringer, my heart sank. This racquet did NOT feel the same as either of my VCP's. Sure enough, I took it home, and it weighs >4g less than both of my VCP's. My VCP's are both 342g strung, and my Percept weighs in at 337/338 (it teeters on the scale). For someone who is particularly sensitive to the tactile response and feel of racquets, 4.5ish grams is a HUGE difference to me. I tried to keep an open mind about it (especially since I just shelled out almost $300 for it) and took it out for a spin with one of my local tennis friends. Not good. In addition to the static weight being >4g lighter, the SW felt considerably lighter than my VCP's. I was spraying balls out of the court nonstop. I shoved it back in my back after five minutes. I'm so gutted about this. Did I just get lucky getting two VCP's that are nearly perfectly matched accidentally? From that experience, I was expecting a seamless transition into the Percept. The Percept I have feels like a featherweight Walmart racquet. I know I can add lead tape and all that, but it's just too bad because my stock VCP's just work so well for me. Sorry for complaining; just need to vent to people who understand!

 

[tele]

First of all, sorry to hear the specs were off from what you expected - never a fun experience. If I were you, I would have a shop measure the specs, including swingweight and balance, for your specific VCPs. Then, try a percept that has matching specs, either by getting your dealer or TW to find one that already has them, or by customizing the one you have. Otherwise, it will be difficult to know if the difference you are experiencing is due to inherent differences between the layups of the two models or just spec variance that would create the same problems within the same generation.

Also, did you use the same strings/gauge?

 

[pow]

Lucky for you, you noted static and swing weight were too low for the percepts. It's a lot easier to add weight than to reduce.

 

[Gasquet1HBH]

You’re crazy! The second I saw what the Percept was going to be with the added stiffness and toy looking PJ I knew I had to gobble up some VCP D at a discount. IMO one of the best looking sticks ever.

 

[TennisHound]

I bought two VCore Pro 97D's back in January and have really been loving hitting with them. Huge power on serves and the ability to take big swings from the baseline and keep the ball in. For the first time in a while, I've felt like maybe I finally found "my racquet." To keep current (dumb reason, I know), I thought I would make the switch to the Percept 97D. From everything I've read online, the differences between the VCP and Percept relate more to feel due to different materials on the inside, but generally, the static weights and swingweights stayed mainly the same. And hey, the paint job is super cool. I bought a Percept 97D today from my local dealer and the second he handed it to me after taking it off the stringer, my heart sank. This racquet did NOT feel the same as either of my VCP's. Sure enough, I took it home, and it weighs >4g less than both of my VCP's. My VCP's are both 342g strung, and my Percept weighs in at 337/338 (it teeters on the scale). For someone who is particularly sensitive to the tactile response and feel of racquets, 4.5ish grams is a HUGE difference to me. I tried to keep an open mind about it (especially since I just shelled out almost $300 for it) and took it out for a spin with one of my local tennis friends. Not good. In addition to the static weight being >4g lighter, the SW felt considerably lighter than my VCP's. I was spraying balls out of the court nonstop. I shoved it back in my back after five minutes. I'm so gutted about this. Did I just get lucky getting two VCP's that are nearly perfectly matched accidentally? From that experience, I was expecting a seamless transition into the Percept. The Percept I have feels like a featherweight Walmart racquet. I know I can add lead tape and all that, but it's just too bad because my stock VCP's just work so well for me. Sorry for complaining; just need to vent to people who understand!

Tough one. You just got a raw deal

 

[bogdan101]

337g is the weight on TW for this racquet, so it looks like you got one right on spec, at least for static weight. Put 4g in the hoop, see how it feels. All my racquets (even the Rafa Origin!) have some added weight, no big deal.

 

[Cesarini77]

Just by holding the VCP and Percept on my hands unstrung at my local shop, I could tell they were 2 very different racquets. VCP felt massively solid, specially at the throat, while the percept felt like any other racquet.

Right now i looking at the specs of the percept 97D and the blade v9 18x20. The percept is heavier but head lighther by almost 4 points. Swingweight is basically the same. Anybody has ever tried both and share their thoughts? Or maybe even the VCP D? Thanks.

 

[geniusuguru]

Just by holding the VCP and Percept on my hands unstrung at my local shop, I could tell they were 2 very different racquets. VCP felt massively solid, specially at the throat, while the percept felt like any other racquet.

Right now i looking at the specs of the percept 97D and the blade v9 18x20. The percept is heavier but head lighther by almost 4 points. Swingweight is basically the same. Anybody has ever tried both and share their thoughts? Or maybe even the VCP D? Thanks.

Did you finally make a pick? I am deciding between the two.

 

[JFrijhoff]

Just by holding the VCP and Percept on my hands unstrung at my local shop, I could tell they were 2 very different racquets. VCP felt massively solid, specially at the throat, while the percept felt like any other racquet.

Right now i looking at the specs of the percept 97D and the blade v9 18x20. The percept is heavier but head lighther by almost 4 points. Swingweight is basically the same. Anybody has ever tried both and share their thoughts? Or maybe even the VCP D? Thanks.

I’ve only played the blade v9 16x19, and the percept 97D. The blade feels really nice with 4G soft, but I needed to add 2gr at both 10 and 2, and 4gr in the handle, then it was stable enough with enough plough for me. The 18x20 may be a bit better already in stock form. The percept 97D felt already good in stock form. Mine does seem a bit heavier than advertised, with strung weight 343, but balance is 31.8 so nice and whippy. I haven’t played a lot with it yet, but it gives me good power and stability and I can direct the ball very well.

 

[Cesarini77]

Did you finally make a pick? I am deciding between the two.

Sorry for the late response. No, im still playing with a customized blade team.