IG Instinct vs V1 Classic vs Becker Pro
- Thread starter JackB1
- Start date
I'm getting more confused about which racquet to use. As a 3.5-4.0 "all court" player, I thought I was going to order the PB V1. Then there was a lot of talk about the Classic V1. This was followed by talk/recommendations for the PB 7 ( I guess I'm one of those aging types at 50 yo, but still move pretty darn well around the court, and hit the ball fairly hard), and now a lot of talk about the Organix 6. Help!!!! Could Tennis Mav or anyone else try to put these racquets in some sort of preference or recommended order for a player as myself. Much appreciated!!!
Are you able to demo the racquets before buying?
TennisMaverick
Banned
What planet are you guys from? Did you all marry the first woman your mother set you up with?! Never been to LA? Jeez!
MAW: Model, Actress, Whatever!
MAW: Model, Actress, Whatever!
TennisMaverick
Banned
If you're over 50 and you are a 3.5-4.0 player, I would tell you to look at the PB 7 and any V1 first, before the X6, which is a more advanced frame, even though it has a lower number than the PB 7. The V1s are the most plush, yet allow you to hit any shot; the PB 7 can have many player-type uses, including at my level, because you can drive the ball as if the head was much smaller, and also use the generously large sweet-spot to hit all of the shots necessary when you are not in your pre-25 year old positions, especially short-hopped groundies and half-volleys; and the X6, is the most precise, with its crisper response, smaller head, lighter weight, and crazy bite.
TennisMaverick
Banned
You're a really funny guy! That's why I have tried VERY HARD to help you, many times, but to no avail. According to you, what I say to you never makes sense, but because you make me laugh, I'll keep trying.
BTW: We obviously live in two different cultural environments. My prose, is at least par for the course, and you know that; you told me that you're from the same cultural environment, in one of your many emails asking for advice. So, how I write, is what it is, and how it will be. That's life in the big city, and that's a fact, jack. And forget about how we talk in the competitive tennis world--you'd be really, really, unhappy.
Sorry if my post came across the wrong way - some of the posters here live outside the US and can't demo from TW. I was going to recommend that you take all of them for a spin, since TW's demo program is pretty good.
Let us know your thoughts after you test them out!
Hominator- no problem at all. I didn't interpret your post in any negative way. I've tried the PB V1 and really liked it. I was ready to purchase it, and then there was such a flurry of posts about all the others mentioned( Classic V1, PB 7, Organix 6, etc..) Being somewhat compulsive, I'll definitely try the Classic and the PB 7 for the reasons mentioned by TM. Since I played well and enjoyed the PB V1, maybe I should just go ahead with the purchase. I'll keep you posted. Really glad that I started reading the message boards, as I probably never would have tried a Volkyl. They really are quite unique.
JackB1
G.O.A.T.
Well I played 3 sets tonite with the Becker Pro and I have improved my opinion on it quite a bit. Its such a solid baseliners stick. Also I was hitting some really nice good paced serves...hitting a few aces out wide or down the T. REALLY enjoy serving with this thing. Hard grounstrokes are just addicting. The power you have at the baseline is awesome. Reminds me of the Pure Drive in that regard. Its still my least favorite of these 3, but it does have some appeal and playing with it didn't hinder my game at all. Someone else said its a little "club-like" and I can see that description fitting. The DCPro doesn't have a lot of finesse. It doesn't pretend to. But if it fits your game it can be an awesome weapon.
JackB1
G.O.A.T.
I think the V1 or the X6 would be great choices that would be easy to fit into. My qualms with the PB7 is its HUUUGE headline and extended length. I tend to get jammed more than the other way around, so ext. length isn't a good idea at least for me. The headsize is just too big. 102-105 max, but 107! That's just too hard for me to get used to.
nickarnold2000
Hall of Fame
I play all court with the DC Pro and have no problem hitting finesse shots. IMO, it's too light stock so I added 8g and now it's a lethal weapon.
TennisMaverick
Banned
In general, yes. The lighter weight makes it easier for a less accomplished player to wield, but that lower weight also dictates solid contact in the center of the racquet, which few players below 4.0, if even that, can accomplish.
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JackB1
G.O.A.T.
I play all court with the DC Pro and have no problem hitting finesse shots. IMO, it's too light stock so I added 8g and now it's a lethal weapon.
That's a good way to describe it!
Personally I don't think it's too light stock at all. It has a swingweight around 325 and that's plenty for my level of play (3.5). I played somebody last night who could put some good pace on the ball and the BDCP is great at using his pace to send the ball back with just as much pace. It didn't get pushed around at all.
I agree that you can play an "all court" style with it. I did hit some drop shots and they were pretty good. This racquet just seems designed for hanging at the baseline and hitting away. It reminds me of the Radical Pro in that regard.
JackB1
G.O.A.T.
It IS light at 10.2 oz strung, but it's evenly balanced to give some mass behind the ball. It's got a 306 swingweight (per TW) so that's not too bad, but would you think adding some weight to get it up around 11 oz would be a good idea? Since it's 0 pts HL stock, you could add all the weight to the handle and get it to around 2-3 pts HL. Or do u think that would mess with the frame's inherent characteristics? If the main negative of this lower stock weight is off-center contact problems, then you would need to add weight at 3/9 to stabilize it and that would make it even more head heavy. Maybe a little lead at both ends would be best? I will try my demo stock first and see how it plays like that.
dParis
Hall of Fame
Jack, if this is the road you are going down, you owe yourself a swing with the Prince O3 Shark Hybrid MP, if you haven't already . A friend of mine was demoing it and I only chose to hit with it to give him additional feedback, but I ended up very impressed with it. Very stable and comfortable while feeling solid - not that mushy comfort of so many Prince O frames. It was very powerful but it was a power I felt I could adjust to because it was predictable and consistent. I was testing the PSGT and BLX Blade at the same time and I ranked them 1.)O3 Shark Hy, close behind was the BLXB and last, not bad - just so-so, PSGT .
JackB1
G.O.A.T.
funny thing dP...While I was checking the specs of the Becker DC Pro I noticed the Shark listed below under "similar racquets". The specs look very close to the DC Pro, in fact, so similar, it looks like one was made to copy the other!
I am just wondering if there would be a point to trying the Shark since the DC Pro or the V1 Classic are probably just as good? Probably cant find a demo of it around, but at $79 new, it might be worth a try. It does have those damn O-ports though on the sides and top which make it a pain to string.
I wonder why that Shark doesn't get more attention? Seems like a perfect tweener for a 3.0-4.0 player
TennisMaverick
Banned
I'll lend you mine. We'll hook-up next week when I give you your other stick.
TennisMaverick
Banned
It plays well stock. You need to read the info about it in the X Club thread. It was the standout spring upgrade this year, no doubt about it.
dParis
Hall of Fame
At $79, it's a no-brainer. I'm not saying you'll love it for sure, but I think you will be impressed. I wish I hit with it more. It has a more solid feel and greater comfort than the IGI, but I think the Head has more control with a generally lower launch angle.
Sounds good. BTW, I'll be coming back into the city next Saturday for a doctor's appointment - maybe we could meet up/hit then.
...or we could just go out to eat, instead
TennisMaverick
Banned
Sounds good. BTW, I'll be coming back into the city next Saturday for a doctor's appointment - maybe we could meet up/hit then.
...or we could just go out to eat, instead
8th or 15th?
15th.
Can't wait to tell you what kind of "doctor" I'm seeing
Sports psychologist to help you get into the ATP main draw
JackB1
G.O.A.T.
Well a funny thing happened the last couple of days. The DC Pro has emerged as my favorite. I even like it more than the IG Instinct lately. It serves great. Groundstrokes are effortless and its just a great baseline stick. Feels more solid and substantial than the Instinct. Not really feeling the V1 Classic either. The DC Pro just plays the best for me right now so I am going to give it a long hard look.
The price is right, too...
Murray_fan1
Professional
Yeah I have been tempted to give this stick a trial as well. However I am really enjoying the X295 and the X8 315 so much that I am not sure if I will bother.
JackB1
G.O.A.T.
I found those 2 racquets completely different. I loved the X8. Hated the X295.
dParis
Hall of Fame
What happened? I thought you were getting along with the V1 Classic swimmingly. Now it has dropped completely off the radar?
TennisMaverick
Banned
What you guys need to do when testing frames is to take yourself, and especially your emotions, out of the evaluation. Test the frame and evaluate its inherent qualities alone.
-What can it do?
-What can't it do?
-What does it do well?
-In what situations does it work or not work?
-What style of play does it work for, and is it grip dependent or wrist position dependent, i.e., can I drop my wrist alla Mac with a continental grip to hit topspin or do I need a semi-western or more to make the spin work?
-Does it work at the net and is it technique dependent at net?
-How stable does it half-volley?
-How stable is the frame when the ball is contacted dead-center; does the frame wobble, or is it solid?
-What type(s) of serves work or don't work?
-How good is its torsional stability?
-Etc, etc., etc., etc., etc., etc., etc., etc., etc., etc., etc.....
And if the string job bites and/or the string is not in harmony with you, all bets are off.
-What can it do?
-What can't it do?
-What does it do well?
-In what situations does it work or not work?
-What style of play does it work for, and is it grip dependent or wrist position dependent, i.e., can I drop my wrist alla Mac with a continental grip to hit topspin or do I need a semi-western or more to make the spin work?
-Does it work at the net and is it technique dependent at net?
-How stable does it half-volley?
-How stable is the frame when the ball is contacted dead-center; does the frame wobble, or is it solid?
-What type(s) of serves work or don't work?
-How good is its torsional stability?
-Etc, etc., etc., etc., etc., etc., etc., etc., etc., etc., etc.....
And if the string job bites and/or the string is not in harmony with you, all bets are off.
JackB1
G.O.A.T.
I definitely jumped the proverbial gun with the V1. Its a nice racquet for a relaxed playing style where you just knock everything back over the net and wait for your opponent to error. But I like to play more aggressively than that and swing out when there is an opening. The V1 doesn't work for me in that style. I cannot get the required topspin with it to get the ball in. It seems to hit a much flatter ball than any other racquet I have recently tried. Not sure if its still an "adjustment" thing, but I don't have that issue with the Instinct or the DC Pro or even the X6. Consequently I now have 2 nice V1 Classics looking for a home
Each time I hit with my X10, I can't believe how stable the racquet is on returns of serves and volleys. For whatever reason, I can get away with a lot more when I'm pressed and need to react quickly. I can do more with the Organix 10 325 than with my Speed 315 or Yonex 95D.
I definitely jumped the proverbial gun with the V1. Its a nice racquet for a relaxed playing style where you just knock everything back over the net and wait for your opponent to error. But I like to play more aggressively than that and swing out when there is an opening. The V1 doesn't work for me in that style. I cannot get the required topspin with it to get the ball in. It seems to hit a much flatter ball than any other racquet I have recently tried. Not sure if its still an "adjustment" thing, but I don't have that issue with the Instinct or the DC Pro or even the X6. Consequently I now have 2 nice V1 Classics looking for a home
why not try the obvious ,
wilson blx pro open. ( TW best seller)
I hit with it before and consider it to have all the strengths of the pure drive gt or apd , big sweet spot, good power, spin , stability , but without any of the weaknesses! the blx open is softer, yet still firm, has a very refined feel as far as control goes. you can hit flat with the blx unlike the pdgt and apd . you can even volley pretty decent with the blx open.
whats not to like about the blx open except the price?
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Fedace
Banned
hey your avatar is offensive to lots of people here. Are you american ?
Murray_fan1
Professional
Yeah they are very different racquets but I can appreciate what they both bring to the table. The Organix 8 makes my game a little easier but the X10 is just so precise that I find myself torn.
I have modded my X10 295 to give it a little more plow to go along with it's incredible stability, and will give this a go tomorrow night. Will post some results on the Organix thread.
JackB1
G.O.A.T.
Homi, you like to play with and try lots of different racquets like me. How come nobody ever gets all over your case like they do me?
JackB1
G.O.A.T.
Fedace
Banned
i think V1 classic. it is a very nice racket for flat hitter with very stable feel. Sold of like old wooden rackets.
Lol. Don't know.
For me, being able to try different racquets lets me compensate for when I was younger, I think. Before I was part of Head's college pro program, I think I only had one racquet that I never re-strung. Money was tight and I remember scavenging through the woods to find old tennis balls that people had hit over the fence, which is why I also only hit with new cans of balls now, too.
Cheaper than therapy, I guess
JackB1
G.O.A.T.
Easy answer... V1 Classic.
Thanks Jack. Have you tried the Volkyl PB V1 MP? If you have, just wanted to know your thoughts. I recently demo'd the PB V1 and it felt like a really solid "tweener." I'm a 3.5-4.0, one hand bh, eastern forehand. Trying to decide if I should demo the V1 Classic. As an aside, the soon to be release Dunlop Biomimetic 400 looks to be fairly close in specs to the Head Instinct MP you've been playing with.
Fedace
Banned
I dont' think bio 400 can come close to instict MP. i am pretty advanced player at 4.5-5.0 and i ccould right away see the special quality of this head racket. Power was there but it was controlled with major spin. Not too many Tweeners can claim this
JackB1
G.O.A.T.
Yes I tried the PB V1 and liked the V1 Classic better, but they were very similar. I have a V1 Classic I could sell you for cheap and you can playlist it for as long as you like. Don't like it then just resell it for same or more?
The Dunlop 300, 400 and 500 are all Players racquets. I am trying to stay with something that is for my level, not over my head.
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Fedace
Banned
I do have concerns about 400. Its very light SW may produce some light balls. It maybe speedy but light. you can use the Head IG instinct and produce heavy balls and yet the weight of the frame is very manageble.
also You can pump some iron and you will feel like IG instict is featherly light too.
