Is Yonex done with isometric shape?

[2nd Serve Ace]

Have to say, the new vcores continue a trend of Yonex frames having a rounded, teardrop shape instead of the classic boxy look.

I personally see this as a good move, but I'm sure some Yonex purists may feel differently.

 

[Dartagnan64]

It's a good move because?

I agree that the new Yonex VCORE frames have more egg shape that previous models but does that make them play better or just different? Will it make them more interesting to the buying public or just blend in with a thousand other options and disappear?

Does this mean isometric is a gimmick?

I'm not a Yonex purist but I'm not sure they can offer something unique to the market if they just start going with traditional head shapes.

 

[Keizer]

It's a good move because?

I agree that the new Yonex VCORE frames have more egg shape that previous models but does that make them play better or just different? Will it make them more interesting to the buying public or just blend in with a thousand other options and disappear?

Does this mean isometric is a gimmick?

I'm not a Yonex purist but I'm not sure they can offer something unique to the market if they just start going with traditional head shapes.

Idk, their QC is pretty unique among the big brands

 

[n8dawg6]

i think a majority of folks, not 100% but a majority, would prefer to be hitting with more of a round shape than a square

 

[A_Instead]

If isometric is so profound.. others would offer.... what does that say...

 

[esm]

If isometric is so profound.. others would offer.... what does that say...

That Yonex is unique, together with this high QC... but of course it isn’t for everyone.

 

[5.0 in 3.0 Body Guy]

I’m using Tecnifibre’s right now, but am a huge Yonex fan. I hope they go back to be a little more rectangular. The 2018 red Vcore’s were as far as I would have taken it. The isometric head is a big part of the Yonex identity and I hate to see them lose that.

 

[2nd Serve Ace]

I’m using Tecnifibre’s right now, but am a huge Yonex fan. I hope they go back to be a little more rectangular. The 2018 red Vcore’s were as far as I would have taken it. The isometric head is a big part of the Yonex identity and I hate to see them lose that.

Yonex may have just nipped Head for #3 in American sales last year. (according to the tennisspin guy) This is not due to slick marketing or gimmicks. Folks are liking the racquets!

I would take "isometric" to mean a philosophy of consistent, forgiving stringbeds, which Yonex is definitely committed to, even if the shape is modified.

 

[travlerajm]

I’ve found that the isometric shape makes the frame play about 1/4” longer relative to an oval frame of the same head size and length. I think this is because the tip is squared off, so it plays similar to an oval frame that isn’t squared off but is 1/4” longer due to the rounded tip.

 

[Ronaldo]

Head must bring back, well,

 

[mad dog1]

Head must bring back, well,

Why stop there? How about they bring back the snowshoe shaped Director series?

 

[Ronaldo]

Why stop there? How about they bring back the snowshoe shaped Director series?

Snowshoe?

 

[n8dawg6]

Head must bring back, well,

i remember this device

 

[mad dog1]

Snowshoe?

The original snowshoe was the Chris 5 Star!

 

[BumElbow]

I have always liked the isometric head shape because the middle main strings were more equal in length which increased stability and made for a more consistent sweet spot response. Until recently though, Yonex frames were not spin demons and the company is trying to improve spin generation capabilities because that is where the game is going. The company's technical design enhancements improve aerodynamics and facilitate racquet head speed (especially the new trench at the inner top of the hoop). Hopefully those changes will suffice without the brand having to give up its trademark head shape.

 

[Kemitak]

I saw the isometric head shape fading away about six or seven years ago. It’s a shame to see, not because of nostalgia or brand ID or whatever, but because it actually plays better, more even and predictable. As for spin, I think I get more spin out of my Yonexes, all things being equal.

 

[Ronaldo]

i remember this device

Still use it

 

[1990's Graphite]

Tenx pro is gonna make a 97sq isometric frame apparently this year..

 

[Bobs tennis]

Snowshoe?

I have used the gamma big bubba but after trying this frame it just felt right. Added weight brought to 11.4 ounces 3 pts HL and love the feel. I try to defend it by placing 100sq frame over it indicating frame is not wide just elongated. It gets laughs but when i tried to get another on xxbay noticed they still command decent price

 

[A_Instead]

Yonex do make great racquets with quality as a prioritization..
Regardless of their head shape.. they design and manufacture according to their company strategies.. just like any company..

 

[cortado]

That new Vcore line is almost Gravity-like in its head shape. Roughly oval, wider towards the tip.
Compare to Wawrinka's 95D, which looks like a rectangle.

 

[blai212]

+1 to isometric head shape. Looks funny but I definitely feel that it has bigger/wider sweetspot compared to teardrop shaped racquets. The vcore pro line still seems to utilize it which is my racquet of choice. Yonex PLEASE STAY ISOMETRIC!!!

 

[Dartagnan64]

If isometric is so profound.. others would offer.... what does that say...

Well no because of patents. If you have to pay Yonex to use their patented isometric shape, then that cuts into your bottom line.

i think a majority of folks, not 100% but a majority, would prefer to be hitting with more of a round shape than a square

Yes but if that majority has 1000 frames to choose from, what makes them go to Yonex?
Whereas if you have a niche market that loves isometric frame shapes, you've got that market cornered.

Kind of like Prince O Ports. There is a niche group of O Port fans that help keep Prince afloat. In fact many Prince offerings are for niche groups. They have Players OS frames, Soft control frame. Not saying that they are the best business model out there but its a way to keep your business going when you're struggling.

Maybe Yonex feels they are in a good enough position financially to take on the big boys.

 

[Ronaldo]

I have used the gamma big bubba but after trying this frame it just felt right. Added weight brought to 11.4 ounces 3 pts HL and love the feel. I try to defend it by placing 100sq frame over it indicating frame is not wide just elongated. It gets laughs but when i tried to get another on xxbay noticed they still command decent price

Not too stiff????????

 

[Ronaldo]

+1 to isometric head shape. Looks funny but I definitely feel that it has bigger/wider sweetspot compared to teardrop shaped racquets. The vcore pro line still seems to utilize it which is my racquet of choice. Yonex PLEASE STAY ISOMETRIC!!!

Teardrop?

 

[Slowtwitcher]

New VCores still have the word Isometric printed at the top of the hoop, so I guess it's still Isometric.

 

[Bobs tennis]

Not too stiff????????

I am very confused about stiffness using this frame. I use a soft multi and string at 50. I have had problems with my elbow in the past so i'm very cautious but have found in about 4 months no problems. I play mostly singles 3 or 4 times a week. The fact that it is stiff may be helping my control and the ability to handle more pace.

 

[A_Instead]

Above it was mentioned that the new VCore head shape resembles the Gravity...my interest just went up a notch...If that is the case...

 

[2nd Serve Ace]

I’ve found that the isometric shape makes the frame play about 1/4” longer relative to an oval frame of the same head size and length. I think this is because the tip is squared off, so it plays similar to an oval frame that isn’t squared off but is 1/4” longer due to the rounded tip.

Factory length is the same, but the classic isometric box shape resists bowing at 3/9 compared to the newer round hoop, so after stringing there can be a difference.

No problem for me as I like a bigger spin window and can easily make up for SW loss with lead.

 

[2nd Serve Ace]

+1 to isometric head shape. Looks funny but I definitely feel that it has bigger/wider sweetspot compared to teardrop shaped racquets. The vcore pro line still seems to utilize it which is my racquet of choice. Yonex PLEASE STAY ISOMETRIC!!!

I would expect it to stay on the Vcore pro as the "legacy" line. But the cat's out of the bag with the others. No going back.

 

[Slowtwitcher]

Above it was mentioned that the new VCore head shape resembles the Gravity...my interest just went up a notch...If that is the case...

VCore100 plays nothing like the Gravity... at least the Gravity Pro.

 

[mtommer]

If isometric is so profound.. others would offer.... what does that say...

Perhaps that for a long time Yonex wasn't a significant competitor for larger brands to pay attention to?

 

[MixedMaster]

Well no because of patents. If you have to pay Yonex to use their patented isometric shape, then that cuts into your bottom line.



Yes but if that majority has 1000 frames to choose from, what makes them go to Yonex?
Whereas if you have a niche market that loves isometric frame shapes, you've got that market cornered.

Kind of like Prince O Ports. There is a niche group of O Port fans that help keep Prince afloat. In fact many Prince offerings are for niche groups. They have Players OS frames, Soft control frame. Not saying that they are the best business model out there but its a way to keep your business going when you're struggling.

Maybe Yonex feels they are in a good enough position financially to take on the big boys.

Yonex does have quite a few of the big name Pro's playing with their racquets! I believe that the quality control they put into their stuff really keeps people coming back! This is the first time that I have ever had three (3) racquets from different places that weighed and balanced the same. No doctoring at all.

 

[A_Instead]

Yonex have the best quality.

 

[PrinceYonex]

I’ve found that the isometric shape makes the frame play about 1/4” longer relative to an oval frame of the same head size and length. I think this is because the tip is squared off, so it plays similar to an oval frame that isn’t squared off but is 1/4” longer due to the rounded tip.

This is really interesting. I played with the VCore Pro for a while. I then switched over to the Head Pro Tour 2, and it felt like I was playing with a shorter racquet. Both are 27in, but the Yonex feels longer. I always thought I was a bit crazy, to the point where I actually measured the racquets.
I agree that it’s probably because the top of the hoop on the VCP doesn’t round down as quickly as it does on the oval PT. The only part of the PT that is 27 inches is the very tip, whereas 3-4 mains on each side of center are at or close to 27 inches on the Yonex.

 

[ollinger]

If isometric is so profound.. others would offer.... what does that say...

Well no because of patents. If you have to pay Yonex to use their patented isometric shape, then that cuts into your bottom line.

Patent would have expired long ago. Patent duration in USA is something like 20 years, the isometric shape goes back to Navratilova's days in the 1970s

 

[ollinger]

(Addendum: Yonex website dates isometric to 1980, patent protection would have expired decades ago)

 

[Ronaldo]

How can anyone hit a round ball with just four corners?

 

[cortado]

Yonex have obviously widened the hoop further out towards the tip on the new Vcores compared to the previous ones. Why bother though? Most Yonex head shapes are wider out at the tip anyway if you lay them over an oval frame?

 

[ollinger]

How can anyone hit a round ball with just four corners?

Exactly! Mathematicians tell us the WIlson T-2000 had an infinite number of corners

 

[Ronaldo]

Exactly! Mathematicians tell us the WIlson T-2000 had an infinite number of corners

Even Dr. J computed this and joined the new revolution,

 

[ollinger]

^^^ I've wondered at times why Yonex never came out with a truly isometric -- i.e. square head -- frame with a super-wide throat like the one on the Spalding

 

[blai212]

^^^ I've wondered at times why Yonex never came out with a truly isometric -- i.e. square head -- frame with a super-wide throat like the one on the Spalding

That looks like the clash
In any case, if any other companies tried to copy yonex’s isometric shape, they still would not be able to replicate the quality control.

 

[moon shot]

This is really interesting. I played with the VCore Pro for a while. I then switched over to the Head Pro Tour 2, and it felt like I was playing with a shorter racquet. Both are 27in, but the Yonex feels longer. I always thought I was a bit crazy, to the point where I actually measured the racquets.
I agree that it’s probably because the top of the hoop on the VCP doesn’t round down as quickly as it does on the oval PT. The only part of the PT that is 27 inches is the very tip, whereas 3-4 mains on each side of center are at or close to 27 inches on the Yonex.

The mains are also quite shorter / higher bridge than similar and smaller head size frames which moves the sweet spot higher.

pro staff 90 vs vcore pro 97

Vcore pro 97hd vs pro tour 2.0

 

[PrinceYonex]

The mains are also quite shorter / higher bridge than similar and smaller head size frames which moves the sweet spot higher.

pro staff 90 vs vcore pro 97

Vcore pro 97hd vs pro tour 2.0

These are amazing images. What is going on with the grips on the HD and PT2?

 

[moon shot]

These are amazing images. What is going on with the grips on the HD and PT2?

thanks, I set up a tripod with the camera pointed down and took photos of all the racquets at the same location so they are 1:1 in size.

The grip ... well I’m a odd fellow. I like the firmness of leather but not the ridges of an overlapped over grip so on several frames I installed a head shrink sleeve which is at the top of the grip and use a overgrip with 50% overlap so there are no ridges. The surface feels about like a well applied synthetic grip but is firm like leather and overgrip. Two hand backhands not welcome.

Edit: I do put a few wraps of jiu jitsu finger tape around the bottom of the buttcap to build it up slightly and soften the edge.

 

[mad dog1]

... well I’m an odd fellow.

You are not alone here...

 

[moon shot]

, fair enough!

Here are more of those comparison photos https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/stringbed-comparisons.600183/#post-11645854

And here is where the most recent batch begins #36

 

[WYK]

Why stop there? How about they bring back the snowshoe shaped Director series?

I thought that's nearly what they did with the new Extreme's. The first thing that came to mind was it looked more like a director.

 

[avocadoz]

Good riddance. I could never get used to the isometric head shape. I also don’t think it added anything special to the racquet, more like take away. Also, the squarish racquet just looks ugly.