Is RPM Blast really Pro Hurricane?

Tennis_Monk

Hall of Fame
I just asked my stringer to use RPM blast and he told me that RPM blast is the new name for Pro Hurricane and they play the same.

true?
 

Tennis_Monk

Hall of Fame
Good thing is that I usually carry my own strings and ask him to just string 'em. So i have the RPM blast with me and he just had to string it.

I wouldnt call him a friend but we both have good rapport and once in a while he throws a few freebie's on me . So i dont think he needs to sell Pro hurricane to me.

or may be i misunderstood him. he might be saying RPM blast and Pro-Hurricane play similar.
 

chrisplchs

Professional
RPM blast and Pro Hurricane Tour have the same shape as they are extruded from the same shaped mold. They are just made up of different materials
 

Tennis_Crazed

Semi-Pro
I have been told from several people that RPM Blast is the same as Pro Hurricane, just in black. Nothing more than a marketing ploy...that has been quite effective to say the least.

The babolat rep even told one of the coaches who runs the pro shop.
 

surfsb

Rookie
or may be i misunderstood him. he might be saying RPM blast and Pro-Hurricane play similar.

I haven't played RPM yet but used a similar square poly with the Technifibre Black Code and they play noticeably different than Pro-Hurricane.

Maybe he got Pro-Hurricane confused with the Revenge because they are similar.
 
D

decades

Guest
my guess is they are the same string. I think there are a lot of "same" strings out there that we don't even realize.
 
T

TennisandMusic

Guest
They are the same string with different colors. Nothing more.

Hmm, are you positive? They aren't the same according to a lot of people. Seems like different information going around.

Plus, why would Roddick "go back" to PHT? I know dyes can make a difference in how a string plays, but it just seems too different.
 

drakulie

Talk Tennis Guru
From stringing it, playing with it, and talking to several bab reps, it is basically the same string.

From what I understand, Bab was going to release the PHT in black, but then decided to rename it RPM Blast to make money. It definitely plays different, but it is essentially the same string. I actually prefer the PHT (yellow), which I happen to not like.
 
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TennisandMusic

Guest
Haha..."I happen to like it less, than a string I do not like." I'd call that a ringing endorsement.

Kinda funny that our string preferences seem to pretty much be 180 from each other.

At least we both like Yoda.
 

Lsmkenpo

Hall of Fame
As far as i know, PHT does not have a coating of silicon am I right?
RPM blast does

No,PHT is marketed as having a coating of silicone also.

TW biggest competitors description of PHT from their site.

Polyester material with an Innovative Structure: Octagonal shape providing more spin than other polyester strings. * 10% More Power * 5% More Durable * Same Spin * Better Tension Maintenance Pro Hurricane Tour holds tension better* than Big Banger Alu Power and Pro Hurricane. PH Tour Benefit: Easier to string * Very enojoyable during the stringing operation thanks to its flexibility compared to standard polyester strings. * Very comfortable during the stringing operation, it does not burn the fingers like standard polyester strings. * Very easy to string thanks to the silicone coating which enhances sliding. The Pro Hurricane Tour Story * Highly innovative structure in the Polyester market (octogonal shape) * Increased Power and Spin versus PH and superior Power and Durability vs Alu Power * Best Tension Maintenance in polyester market * Easiest polyester to string in the market
 
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TennisandMusic

Guest
Grimmbomb, check out the reviews, it's worth stringing up.
 

drakulie

Talk Tennis Guru
they feel nothing alike when stringing and play nothing alike.


agreed. Stringing them, and playing with them are very different. Kind of like Prince Synthetic Duraflex (white vs black),,,,,,,,, stringing them, and playing with them are totally different, even though they are the same string.
 

chrisplchs

Professional
Having strung both PHT and 432-C, they are different. PHT is slicker coating while the 432-C doesn't give me that slick feeling. Also PHT seems more easily bendable then 432-C.

I have yet to string a retail RPM blast so I am not sure.

Maybe I'm just crazy
 

grimmbomb21

Professional
Grimmbomb, check out the reviews, it's worth stringing up.

I will. I think you have to take most of the advise and opinions on this forum with a grain of salt anyway. Otherwise we would all be playing with the kps 88 strung with some poly at 30 lbs. :lol:

I have been using alu power @ 60 lbs. though. Should I be okay with rpm at the same tension?
 
I will. I think you have to take most of the advise and opinions on this forum with a grain of salt anyway. Otherwise we would all be playing with the kps 88 strung with some poly at 30 lbs. :lol:

I have been using alu power @ 60 lbs. though. Should I be okay with rpm at the same tension?

Yep. I have RPM at 60 and it works perfectly.
 
T

TennisandMusic

Guest
I will. I think you have to take most of the advise and opinions on this forum with a grain of salt anyway. Otherwise we would all be playing with the kps 88 strung with some poly at 30 lbs. :lol:

I have been using alu power @ 60 lbs. though. Should I be okay with rpm at the same tension?

Yeah I'm sure you're ok. I agree on the grain of salt thing. Not because anyone is not trustworthy or wrong, but because we all perceive things quite differently.
 

grimmbomb21

Professional
Yeah I'm sure you're ok. I agree on the grain of salt thing. Not because anyone is not trustworthy or wrong, but because we all perceive things quite differently.

I was just talking to my local stringer about this today. He was saying that he has had many customers come in saying that a particular string has given them a serious case of tennis elbow. Someone else will come in and say that after switching to the very same string, their tennis elbow has miraculously disappeared. Go figure.:)

On a side note, nice serve! (youtube)
 

Keifers

Legend
Having strung both PHT and 432-C, they are different. PHT is slicker coating while the 432-C doesn't give me that slick feeling. Also PHT seems more easily bendable then 432-C.

I have yet to string a retail RPM blast so I am not sure.

...
Has anyone played with both the B432-C (playtest string) and the production RPM Blast?

Did you notice any differences?

I looked at a package of RPM in a local tennis shop the other day and the RPM looked a lighter shade of gray than the 432-C. Didn't check out the RPM's texture or flex..
 
Has anyone played with both the B432-C (playtest string) and the production RPM Blast?

Did you notice any differences?

I looked at a package of RPM in a local tennis shop the other day and the RPM looked a lighter shade of gray than the 432-C. Didn't check out the RPM's texture or flex..

Really? This goes back to the perception thing, but I thought the 432-C was lighter. The 432-C broke when I was stringing it (my fault) so I had half a set. RPM broke in the crosses while stringing (my fault again). Therefore I had RPM mains and 432-C crosses and I think the crosses looked slightly greyer. Other than that though, I could tell no distinct differences between the two in texture or flex, I personally believe they are one in the same.
 

TDoan

New User
My Babolat rep at the pro shop told me that RPM Blast was basically Pro Hurricane Tour Black.

Might have been placebo, but one of the stringers and I playtested the strings and felt that the RPM Blast was a touch softer and more playable. We asked the rep and he said it was probably due to the dying process of the strings.
 

TearSNFX

Rookie
Okay what's the point of this thread? Anyone that's actually played with a set of RPM Blast and PHT will tell you they feel completely different.

As someone stated it might be due to the different dying process, BUT did you ever think since it looks different, feels different, and plays different you could open up your narrow mind and consider it a different string?

I have tried 5 sets of RPM Blast along with PHT and Rough before the actual release of the string, courtesy of a friendly rep. I can tell you from trying 10 racquets of RPM Blast ( Hybrids ) that they are in NO WAY close to PHT in terms of feel, performance, and everything else.

#1 PHT is stiff... VERY stiff but RPM is very rubbery.
#2 RPM gets better response then PHT

Let's say that PHT was dyed black and Babolat called it RPM Blast, what's the big deal? Us idiots ( including myself ) have been purchasing Cars made in this fashion for the past 30 years. Hmmm.... Toyota and Lexus ? Nissan and Infiniti ? Honda and Acura ? They are the same thing minus couple aesthetic differences. We still decide to purchase 1 brand over the other because of preference. Drop this topic already this is like the 5th topic, use the search function if you want to see the past comments regarding the two.
 
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1540tennis

Guest
Grimmbomb, check out the reviews, it's worth stringing up.

The RPM Blast has a coating on it that allows it to move at impact and return to its original spot. Similar to Recoil, only good.

babolat was going to release PHT in Black, but decided to cancel all shipments of that and replace it w/ RPM Blast.

I feel like they do play differently, and the coating makes RPM much easier to string...
 

arche3

Banned
PHT plays very different than RPM blast. I had them both strung up at the same time and played different sets with them. I prefer RPM.

I also had the test string and while I didn't have a racket with PHT while I was testing the 432-C string my feeling is that the test string is in fact retail RPM blast as they play the same.

I can see similarities between PHT and RPM but they do play very different. Maybe it is the color? who knows.......
 

Lsmkenpo

Hall of Fame
The RPM Blast has a coating on it that allows it to move at impact and return to its original spot. Similar to Recoil, only good.

babolat was going to release PHT in Black, but decided to cancel all shipments of that and replace it w/ RPM Blast.

I feel like they do play differently, and the coating makes RPM much easier to string...

PHT has a silicone coating just like RPM Blast.
 

drakulie

Talk Tennis Guru
Okay what's the point of this thread? Anyone that's actually played with a set of RPM Blast and PHT will tell you they feel completely different.

As someone stated it might be due to the different dying process, BUT did you ever think since it looks different, feels different, and plays different you could open up your narrow mind and consider it a different string?

I have tried 5 sets of RPM Blast along with PHT and Rough before the actual release of the string, courtesy of a friendly rep. I can tell you from trying 10 racquets of RPM Blast ( Hybrids ) that they are in NO WAY close to PHT in terms of feel, performance, and everything else.

#1 PHT is stiff... VERY stiff but RPM is very rubbery.
#2 RPM gets better response then PHT

Let's say that PHT was dyed black and Babolat called it RPM Blast, what's the big deal? Us idiots ( including myself ) have been purchasing Cars made in this fashion for the past 30 years. Hmmm.... Toyota and Lexus ? Nissan and Infiniti ? Honda and Acura ? They are the same thing minus couple aesthetic differences. We still decide to purchase 1 brand over the other because of preference. Drop this topic already this is like the 5th topic, use the search function if you want to see the past comments regarding the two.

Many times when strings are painted/dyed different colors the feel changes.

In fact, even when you take it out of the package, it "uncoils" exactly the same as PHT. For those who have strung PHT, you know what I'm talking about,,,,,, it doesn't uncoil in circles, rather has a distinct way of stretching out all over the place with no ryhme of reason.
 

jrod

Hall of Fame
I've been following this debate, strictly out of curiosity. I have absolutely no desire or intention to use PHT or RPM. What I find fascinating is that NO ONE has posted anything compelling enough to convince me one way or the other as to whether these two strings are the same or different.

There are some persuasive anecdotal arguments for and against, but nothing constituting irrefutable proof. I suppose if I were interested in the string and tried it and liked it, I wouldn't really care one way or the other. That's what makes this thread so fascinating....the fact some people actually care.

Carry on boys...
 

drakulie

Talk Tennis Guru
^^LOL.

true about liking/disliking the Blast or not and whether it is the same string or not.

Personally, I prefer the PHT (yellow) although I don't play with the stuff.
 

jmverdugo

Hall of Fame
I am also not so interested on the whether they are the same or not, but I wonder why Nadal did not change to PHT and did change to RPM (at least to something with similar shape and color)
 

Lsmkenpo

Hall of Fame
I am also not so interested on the whether they are the same or not, but I wonder why Nadal did not change to PHT and did change to RPM (at least to something with similar shape and color)

Here is my speculation on why he didn't change earlier, when PHT came out Nadal
was #1 in the world and winning half the tournaments he played, changing something when you are playing well is not a good idea.
 

TennezSport

Hall of Fame
Blast<>PHT

While it is true that Blast is extruded from the same form as PHT, Blast is not the same co-poly chemical mixture as PHT. The differences are in the chemical percentages and the amount of the silicon in the coating. This makes Blast more elastic/softer than PHT in tensile stiffness and playability. The other problem that we noticed is that Blast does not hold tension as well and dies even faster than PHT does. However it did deliver more power and spin for the first 4-6hrs of play and then dies.

Cheers, TennezSport :cool:
 

bsandy

Hall of Fame
While it is true that Blast is extruded from the same form as PHT, Blast is not the same co-poly chemical mixture as PHT. The differences are in the chemical percentages and the amount of the silicon in the coating. This makes Blast more elastic/softer than PHT in tensile stiffness and playability.

I do not believe in the theory that RPM is PHT but black.

Primarily because composition is different

Are are the "chemical mixture", "chemical percentages and the amount of the silicon in the coating" and "composition"?

Facts not speculation . . . or are you pulling this out of you butt?
 

mrmo1115

Hall of Fame
I have come to believe that because I have been following this thread closely and have heard many different speculations.

IMHO, I believe the ones who believe that these two strings are not the same, provided reasons in which I, personally, believe to be true

And one of the reasons was the different composition and chemical percentages, etc.
 

Lsmkenpo

Hall of Fame
I have come to believe that because I have been following this thread closely and have heard many different speculations.

IMHO, I believe the ones who believe that these two strings are not the same, provided reasons in which I, personally, believe to be true

And one of the reasons was the different composition and chemical percentages, etc.

Yeah, but the poster that mentioned that is just speculating he has no idea what the exact chemical composition or percentages are, unless he is a chemist who works for Babolat. Babolat is not going to divulge that information to anyone outside of their company.
 
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mrmo1115

Hall of Fame
^ Okay, I tried out the string for myself finally today and I am more convinced than ever that they are 2 different strings.

The RPM definitely gives me more of a "co-poly" feel.

Much less stiff, softer feeling. A bit more power.

Some attributes are still the same IMHO
 
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