Hyper G vs. Head Lynx

SinneGOAT

Hall of Fame
Hi guys, how does hyper g and head lynx compare? Is lynx a little softer? Also how does control and feel compare? Just want some thoughts on how they feel. Thank you!
 

HitMoreBHs

Professional
Hyper G Soft is comparable to Lynx.
Hyper G is comparable to Lynx Tour, though I’d say Confidential is even closer.

The main difference to me is that the Solinco versions are crisper in feel and bite harder into the ball due to more prominent edges. Slightly better tension maintenance too with Solinco, but I cut out full bed poly at 8-10hrs anyway.

Tension maintenance isn’t a strong suit with Lynx, but it’s a very comfortable, relatively lively poly; and great for players with sensitive elbows who still want to use full bed.

For elbow comfort, Lynx works great as a hybrid with Isospeed Cream or Velocity MLT since it’s round and won’t lock-up unlike Solinco Hyper G Soft that is square and sharp edged.

Lynx Tour is a six sided poly but the edges are almost impalpable. It doesn’t lock up in hybrid either.

If you like Lynx, I find green and yellow are better for tension maintenance than anthracite. I like Lynx green the best for a soft poly.

In short, I’d choose the Solinco versions over HEAD’s in full bed since they have the edge for bite and spin. For hybrid, I’d use Lynx or Lynx Tour since they’re softer without sharp edges. Hope this helps.
 

SinneGOAT

Hall of Fame
Hyper G Soft is comparable to Lynx.
Hyper G is comparable to Lynx Tour, though I’d say Confidential is even closer.

The main difference to me is that the Solinco versions are crisper in feel and bite harder into the ball due to more prominent edges. Slightly better tension maintenance too with Solinco, but I cut out full bed poly at 8-10hrs anyway.

Tension maintenance isn’t a strong suit with Lynx, but it’s a very comfortable, relatively lively poly; and great for players with sensitive elbows who still want to use full bed.

For elbow comfort, Lynx works great as a hybrid with Isospeed Cream or Velocity MLT since it’s round and won’t lock-up unlike Solinco Hyper G Soft that is square and sharp edged.

Lynx Tour is a six sided poly but the edges are almost impalpable. It doesn’t lock up in hybrid either.

If you like Lynx, I find green and yellow are better for tension maintenance than anthracite.

In short, I’d choose the Solinco versions over HEAD’s in full bed since they have the edge for bite and spin. For hybrid, I’d use Lynx or Lynx Tour since they’re softer. Hope this helps.
Thank you, I was hoping lynx was softer as hyper g like others have said can be stiff. Then again, tension and restringing often with polys plays a role.
 

HitMoreBHs

Professional
Thank you, I was hoping lynx was softer as hyper g like others have said can be stiff. Then again, tension and restringing often with polys plays a role.

I’ve heard comments that Hyper G Soft can feel uncomfortable, but I’ve not experienced that. It feels nicely comfortable to me. Maybe it’s because I string at 45lbs and use a Gravity Tour (soft racquet, soft string setup). It’s not as soft as Lynx, but the better bite is noticeable.

I’ve started to hybrid more as I’ve become more concerned with long term elbow health.
 

SinneGOAT

Hall of Fame
I’ve heard comments that Hyper G Soft can feel uncomfortable, but I’ve not experienced that. It feels nicely comfortable to me. Maybe it’s because I string at 45lbs and use a Gravity Tour (soft racquet, soft string setup). It’s not as soft as Lynx, but the better bite is noticeable.

I’ve started to hybrid more as I’ve become more concerned with long term elbow health.
What multis do you like to hybrid? Personally Triax has been the best multi I’ve ever used for spin and control, but velocity is so much cheaper and still relatively controlled and spin friendly.
 

HitMoreBHs

Professional
What multis do you like to hybrid? Personally Triax has been the best multi I’ve ever used for spin and control, but velocity is so much cheaper and still relatively controlled and spin friendly.

I’ve been using Lynx Green (1.25) mains with Velocity MLT (1.3) natural crosses strung at 45/43lbs. It‘s not as spin capable than full bed poly, but elbow comfort is great. It’s a good compromise. Currently trying Isospeed Cream in crosses instead of Velocity. It’s a nice, soft hybrid too. Haven’t settled on which one I prefer yet. We’ve only just been allowed to restart outdoor tennis in the UK and it’s been a bit too windy to get a good comparison.

Ive been tempted to give Triax a go sometime, but I’m more of a long term testing type than a string junkie! Got to agree that for the price point, Velocity is hard to pass.
 

Ares2323

Rookie
For me lynx in full bed is very comfortable string. Hyper G soft is less comfortable but has better spin and play durability
 

happyandbob

Legend
Hi guys, how does hyper g and head lynx compare? Is lynx a little softer? Also how does control and feel compare? Just want some thoughts on how they feel. Thank you!

I have played both Hyper-Gs and own a pack of Lynx Tour that I haven't yet tried. FWIW, here is what the TWU db says. Looks like Lynx Tour is considerably stiffer than Hyper-G

StringGaugeStiffnessTension Loss PctEnergy Return PctSpin Potential
Solinco Hyper-G 17 (1.20)1.2194.925.788.46.1
Solinco Hyper-G-Soft 16L (1.25)1.2517228.7885.2
Head Lynx 17 (1.25)1.25179.54784.65.7
Head Lynx Tour 17 (1.25)1.25217.724.689.77.1
 

HitMoreBHs

Professional
I have played both Hyper-Gs and own a pack of Lynx Tour that I haven't yet tried. FWIW, here is what the TWU db says. Looks like Lynx Tour is considerably stiffer than Hyper-G

StringGaugeStiffnessTension Loss PctEnergy Return PctSpin Potential
Solinco Hyper-G 17 (1.20)1.2194.925.788.46.1
Solinco Hyper-G-Soft 16L (1.25)1.2517228.7885.2
Head Lynx 17 (1.25)1.25179.54784.65.7
Head Lynx Tour 17 (1.25)1.25217.724.689.77.1

You get a more accurate comparison if you pick the string by diameter rather than gauge. HEAD tends to run thicker in real terms for stated gauge. Lynx Tour 1.25 feels and looks more like a 1.28; even if they claim 17G. It’s six-sided, so we probably perceive the widest part of the hexagon whilst they measure the narrowest part.

Despite the “spin potential” number being higher for Lynx Tour, I find Hyper G bites and spins better. I also find Solinco strings feel crisper/firmer than HEAD. YMMV.

09y1KIL_d.webp
 
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avocadoz

Professional
To me Hyper G is stiffer than Lynx Tour once Hyper G goes dead, which is like after a couple of sets. Lynx Tour has a longer playability window. Hyper G feels board-like and stiff after a few sets.
 

happyandbob

Legend
You get a more accurate comparison if you pick the string by diameter rather than gauge. HEAD tends to run thicker in real terms for stated gauge. Lynx Tour 1.25 feels and looks more like a 1.28; even if they claim 17G.

Good catch, thanks. Gere is the update, they look very similar, I'm surprised at the stiffness increase for Hyper-G from 17 to 16L

StringGaugeStiffnessTension Loss PctEnergy Return PctSpin Potential
Solinco Hyper-G 16L (1.25)1.25218.324.789.56.1
Solinco Hyper-G-Soft 16L (1.25)1.2517228.7885.2
Head Lynx 17 (1.25)1.25179.54784.65.7
Head Lynx Tour 17 (1.25)1.25217.724.689.77.1
 

HitMoreBHs

Professional
When you go thicker, it gets stiffer, stays tighter and lasts longer. I thought every grown up knows this? :p

HEAD’s director of strings and accessories himself admitted in interview that they were chasing Solinco in terms of matching their string playability characteristics. It’s no wonder the numbers are that close.
 

happyandbob

Legend
When you go thicker, it gets stiffer, stays tighter and lasts longer. I thought every grown up knows this? :p

Haha! I was surprised by the amount of stiffness increase. Before looking, I was expecting it to jump up like 10 points of stiffness rather than 20+ moving from 1.2 to 1.25
 

HitMoreBHs

Professional
It does, but being that soft, remains playable in terms of comfort. It never really feels board-like even when sagged out. Control suffers though. Just as well, given the number of rec players who will only restring when they snap.
 
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SinneGOAT

Hall of Fame
Just a question for those but how much quicker does the black lose tension to the other colors? I think I like black the most but I don’t want to have to deal with it losing insanely fast.
 

Folsom_Stringer_Musa

Professional
To me Hyper G is stiffer than Lynx Tour once Hyper G goes dead, which is like after a couple of sets. Lynx Tour has a longer playability window. Hyper G feels board-like and stiff after a few sets.
HG going dead after 2 sets? That is $14 string + cost of labor for every 3rd/4th set!
Which gauge are you using, just wondering?
 
I’ve heard comments that Hyper G Soft can feel uncomfortable, but I’ve not experienced that. It feels nicely comfortable to me. Maybe it’s because I string at 45lbs and use a Gravity Tour (soft racquet, soft string setup). It’s not as soft as Lynx, but the better bite is noticeable.

I’ve started to hybrid more as I’ve become more concerned with long term elbow health.
I tried hyper g soft month ago.
I found it stiff, i felt soreness on my elbow after. ( at 50 lbs )
I switched on luxilon element (50 lbs) after that : no pain at all
If you use a lot of spin like me, not a good idea to hybrid multi and poly ( it will last 3 hours max. - nat gut and poly can last 7/8 hours in comparison)

- at 45 yrs old, i try to protect my elbow, already did shockwave and recently prolotherapy, so i don’t recommend any poly string from Solinco -
 

HitMoreBHs

Professional
Just a question for those but how much quicker does the black lose tension to the other colors? I think I like black the most but I don’t want to have to deal with it losing insanely fast.

Hard to put this in numbers since I cut out full bed poly at 8-10hrs anyway. Not suggesting that Lynx black is going to suddenly sag on you since I've always found it relatively playable, even in the racquets which my playing partners haven't restrung in months. It's more the case that during the 8-10hrs play for me, I find that control remains more consistent with yellow and green. It might be subjective and my sample comparative experience for black is small, so it might just be in my head.

I also prefer the slightly livelier response in the lighter colour versions. This is based on a comparative playtest of Lynx green vs black with a matched pair of racquets. Again that was just one time, but since I have no string colour preference in cosmetic terms, I just stick with green.

If you're asking whether I like Lynx enough that if black was all I could get, would I still use it, then the answer is a resounding yes. I like it a lot for comfort.
 

Yamin

Hall of Fame
HitMore's assessment of these strings are in line with my experience. I've been using Hyper G Soft, Hyper G, and Head Lynx in a Wilson Blade 18x20 frequently this year.

For 17 Gauge,

Softness: Lynx -> Hyper G Soft -> Hyper G
Spin: Hyper G -> Lynx -> Hyper G Soft (With exception of serve swap Lynx and Hyper G Soft)
Control: Equal while tension is maintained....
Tension Maintenance : Hyper G Soft -> Hyper G -> Lynx
Feel: I see you use Hyper G.. compared to that.. Lynx is less plastic feeling and more soft. Hyper G Soft is less plastic feeling but crisper.

Performance -> Hyper G
Comfort or desire for round string -> Lynx
All Around and for multiple frames -> Hyper G Soft

What is your goal and what is your main racket?

If you need something as performant as Hyper G, use thinner hyper g. 18 Gauge in 18x20 blade is probably my favorite string combo at the moment but I don't mind the "feel" or lack of.

If lynx had better tension maintenance it would be my go to string.
 
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SinneGOAT

Hall of Fame
HitMore's assessment of these strings are in line with my experience. I've been using Hyper G Soft, Hyper G, and Head Lynx in a Wilson Blade 18x20 frequently this year.

For 17 Gauge,

Softness: Lynx -> Hyper G Soft -> Hyper G
Spin: Hyper G -> Lynx -> Hyper G Soft (With exception of serve swap Lynx and Hyper G Soft)
Control: Even while tension is maintained....
Tension Maintenance : Hyper G Soft -> Hyper G -> Lynx
Feel: I see you use Hyper G.. compared to that.. Lynx is less plastic feeling and more soft. Hyper G Soft is less plastic feeling but crisper.

Performance -> Hyper G
Comfort or desire for round string -> Lynx
All Around and for multiple frames -> Hyper G Soft

What is your goal and what is your main racket?

If you need something as performant as Hyper G, use thinner hyper g. 18 Gauge in 18x20 blade is probably my favorite string combo at the moment but I don't mind the "feel" or lack of.

If lynx had better tension maintenance it would be my go to string.
My goal is just to have the softest string for my elbow, I use a blade. Planning on using it in a hybrid with some syn gut.
 

Yamin

Hall of Fame
My goal is just to have the softest string for my elbow, I use a blade. Planning on using it in a hybrid with some syn gut.

Definitely give Lynx a try then. Works great with the blade and will work well with synthetic gut as lynx is round. I used Lynx at low tension for a few months recovering from shoulder surgery and and was very impressed with how soft it was and how good the spin was.
 

SinneGOAT

Hall of Fame
Definitely give Lynx a try then. Works great with the blade and will work well with synthetic gut as lynx is round. I used Lynx at low tension for a few months recovering from shoulder surgery and and was very impressed with how soft it was and how good the spin was.
Sorry if you’ve never used a syn gut or a multi but do you have any suggestions for one as a hybrid?
 

Yamin

Hall of Fame
Sorry if you’ve never used a syn gut or a multi but do you have any suggestions for one as a hybrid?

Hadn't really played with multi in a while but tried Head Velocity in full beds (on other rackets) and in a hybrid with head lynx on the blade. Also tried the prince control multi everyone recommends here but it was too crispy/crunchy yet had a lot of string movement (can't remember the name).

I really liked the Velocity/Lynx combo though it died pretty early on me. Was comfortable, powerful, good spin, and controllable but it doesn't last long.

I have full bed Velocity (black color) in a lot of my older frames that have higher RA and I wouldn't consider any other multi at this point. Very good performance/spin and low power for a multi with no real flaws. The coating between the colors of Velocity are very different though with black being the best. I hadn't been playing for a while and saw how hyped this string was and can definitely agree it's one of the best multis I can recall.
 

TennisJC

New User
You get a more accurate comparison if you pick the string by diameter rather than gauge. HEAD tends to run thicker in real terms for stated gauge. Lynx Tour 1.25 feels and looks more like a 1.28; even if they claim 17G. It’s six-sided, so we probably perceive the widest part of the hexagon whilst they measure the narrowest part.

Despite the “spin potential” number being higher for Lynx Tour, I find Hyper G bites and spins better. I also find Solinco strings feel crisper/firmer than HEAD. YMMV.

09y1KIL_d.webp

I ran this test for 1 month on brand new Head Gravity Pro rackets.
Both at 1.25mm, Hyper G vs Lynx Tour @ 52 lbs

I found that the Lynx returned power better. The Hyper G while fresh had more bite (for 3-4 sets).
The tension loss on the Lynx was higher but definitely felt more comfortable too. Perhaps a bit more ball pocketing with the Lynx.
Been using Solico and Diadem Solistic Power for years. Never had any arm problems with the 16L, 17G, 18G's

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As a mid 40s beginner-intermediate recreational player, I am looking for arm friendly setup on my Babolat Pure Drive Lite 2015. Has anyone tried Hyper G Soft 18 with Babolat SG Spiraltek 17? What tension should I use?
 

HitMoreBHs

Professional
As a mid 40s beginner-intermediate recreational player, I am looking for arm friendly setup on my Babolat Pure Drive Lite 2015. Has anyone tried Hyper G Soft 18 with Babolat SG Spiraltek 17? What tension should I use?

That’s a comfy string combo. For arm friendliness, I’d suggest 48lbs in the mains as a reasonable starting point. If your launch angle tends to be high (ie: more often sail the baseline than net your errors), then perhaps 50lbs instead. From there, you can adjust up or down in 2lb steps for fine tuning.

As to the corresponding cross tension, that’s a minefield and everyone seems to have their own ideas of what’s ideal! I’ve always used same tension as mains or -2lbs. I have never tried crosses tensioned higher than my mains. Maybe I should, but I don’t generally like meddling once I’ve found a set up that works.

Tension maintenance is probably a non-issue for this combo. 18G shaped poly in hybrid with 17G syngut is around 6hrs playtime for me before the syngut shreds through. This will obviously depend on your stroke style.
 
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That’s a comfy string combo. For arm friendliness, I’d suggest 48lbs in the mains as a reasonable starting point. If your launch angle tends to be high (ie: more often sail the baseline than net your errors), then perhaps 50lbs instead. From there, you can adjust up or down in 2lb steps for fine tuning.

As to the corresponding cross tension, that’s a minefield and everyone seems to have their own ideas of what’s ideal! I’ve always used same tension as mains or -2lbs. I have never tried crosses tensioned higher than my mains. Maybe I should, but I don’t generally like meddling once I’ve found a set up that works.

Tension maintenance is probably a non-issue for this combo. 18G shaped poly in hybrid with 17G syngut is around 6hrs playtime for me before the syngut shreds through. This will obviously depend on your stroke style.
Will poly/multi (e.g.,, HGS/ SG Spiraltek) combo be better (for comfort and easy power) than multi/poly ?
 

HitMoreBHs

Professional
Will poly/multi (e.g.,, HGS/ SG Spiraltek) combo be better (for comfort and easy power) than multi/poly ?

The main string is the principle determinant of how the stringbed performs. General guide for poly-multi hybrid:
Poly main-multi cross: firmer stringbed, better spin, better durability
Multi main-poly cross: softer stringbed, less spin, less durability

I can't use multi main-poly cross in hybrid since the multi will snap inside 3hrs with this set up for me. I'm neither a pro or rich enough to afford that!

Unless you have an ultra-sensitive elbow, I would suggest poly main-multi cross as a starting point. Hyper G Soft (mains) with Spiraltek (crosses) is about as comfortable a hybrid as one can get.
 
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smithie

Semi-Pro
I ran this test for 1 month on brand new Head Gravity Pro rackets.
Both at 1.25mm, Hyper G vs Lynx Tour @ 52 lbs

I found that the Lynx returned power better. The Hyper G while fresh had more bite (for 3-4 sets).
The tension loss on the Lynx was higher but definitely felt more comfortable too. Perhaps a bit more ball pocketing with the Lynx.
Been using Solico and Diadem Solistic Power for years. Never had any arm problems with the 16L, 17G, 18G's

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FOag0o85xVMWgyy6OOQByF8UhabRNAOvJA7jNjB5TyG5IIfiWLdiRVhojeSdJH-k_m3xJmT8thEidoI2DyKR31mk6O7i5qxb-EnRjk6656jc2l6ZyeTv_OBZ-5NdntB941iJR73y0J6T4B-rIJVgvaFiCiCNNEWi8BcAKaFlcCbNX2s8FLRQsyD_qkqEXLSLdh-njwiabcxqmCxIULs-Aj2v3nCJzHBTXgxxac9awCLhCPkHgGSIVLomy8XV_P3iAVBMHrfIlMqbTWu3BkSmYXx4zabgQZf4FxweQctu3JtaTSE4el0kekUoC_McemnE8ieMn6TitmYenYu-eXU1tODKucFNUQ4Np70Xjgd6_2B_PurHfHEQXVvrmlf2eUZzGzqFWmalEZpNAOMgyUV8jcQdD2ovAMmbY5h4R5V1XqjeHNOPowWOG3bk_eE0p-fgf0gRbpi4tu1972iDHCWRySPgk2r1EzV2hKox6Hsm091TErlbhv2B8tdXPe333jArVOqQFNnbsvk8RVzF6JhpQdi-EKr4WSi7M_EziQSQ_txrqPKvYCK48lmoXJFtnw5FcOkRW4unuFgp1I0OudldJCn1TtjtP2ZrlsQeU2tGKGrU3FC7dtB0kL9L-ep8N2SQU3Lf7hAv9qZV71fQxHgNiRr-LMtagF0LWdn5Bxfrs7gXBSPzXGK-wk6vIylUWJVy8unEhkXDRICxXJK_lyh31nlrzg=s1744-no
Did you play with Diadem Solstice Power in your Gravity's? I'm interested to hear how it plays as it could be a good match on paper.
 
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The main string is the principle determinant of how the stringbed performs. General guide for poly-multi hybrid:
Poly main-multi cross: firmer stringbed, better spin, better durability
Multi main-poly cross: softer stringbed, less spin, less durability

I can't use multi main-poly cross in hybrid since the multi will snap inside 3hrs with this set up for me. I'm neither a pro or rich enough to afford that!

Unless you have an ultra-sensitive elbow, I would suggest poly main-multi cross as a starting point. Hyper G Soft (mains) with Spiraltek (crosses) is about as comfortable a hybrid as one can get.
At what tension should I put Hyper G soft 18 as mains? My Pure Drive Lite 2015 recommends 50 lbs as the lowest tension? Can I go lower than that?
 

HitMoreBHs

Professional
Yes, it’s fine to go lower than 50 and lots of players use mid-high 40s when poly is involved. See my post #30 above for a suggested approach to tensions.
 
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