Looking for a nice racket, can have some advice

Veninga

Rookie
Guys,

Already tried loads of rackets. Getting frustated..:)

Bio 300. Too light, no power, great spin.
Bio 300T. Good weight, little low on swingweight, superb control
Bio 400T. Great spin, but way too powerfull, a little light. too stiff.
Bio 500T. Good weight, but no control and could use some more pop.
Bio 200 lite. Not enough power, good control.
Wilson Ktour. Too much power, balancepoint too high.
wilson six one 95 asian version. great stick, but a bit too heavy (weight and
Yonex rqis 1 tour xl lite. ok power, too light.
London. Too powerfull and a bit too high swingweight.
swingweight)
Microgel instinct. a bit too light.
Radical MP. not enough power, less control than 300t

So recap: i want
a racket strung weight 315-325 grams
swingweight 310-320
balance 320/325
flex 63-68
open pattern for spin /a bit power
superb control and enough pop.

I see couple of options.
- 300t and lead it up with some grams at 3/9?
- new exo3 rebel 98. but enough pop?
- new prestige s. looks like the best fit with above?
- yonex 98d with some lead, but enough control?
- yonex rdis 300 with some lead?
- volkl organix 10 295 with some lead
- wilson steam
- wilson six one team with 10 grams xtra (overgrip and 5 grams of lead)

What do you recommand?

A too stiff frame with a too stiff string will hurt my arm. So poly looks like no option. A good multi, yes.

Thanks in advance.
 

RacketFever

New User
The ig prestige S maintains the classic prestige feel, and is still quite low powered. It has more power than the 200 lite. 315 SW, makes it a whippy racket.
 

Anton

Legend
add lead to 300

you say it is too light - adding weight fixes that
You say it is not powerful enough - adding weight fixes that too

;)
 

Teski

Rookie
You say your looking for an open string patter, but you're considering the 300T with lead. The 300 Tour is an 18x20. Might you have meant the 300 with added lead?
 

un6a

Semi-Pro
It is strange that u find 400 tour too powerfull and then 500 Tour could use some pop. It should be other way around.
 

Veninga

Rookie
It is strange that u find 400 tour too powerfull and then 500 Tour could use some pop. It should be other way around.

it should, but it was not..

unless you really hitted exactly on the SW, then it was like a rocket into the fence.

about the 300. Had this one leaded up, but the racket unstrung is still only 305 grams. And add 15 grams.. It made the feel really muted. A no go.
 

Veninga

Rookie
You say your looking for an open string patter, but you're considering the 300T with lead. The 300 Tour is an 18x20. Might you have meant the 300 with added lead?

the 300t, although it is a 18*20 in a 97 inch head, is really spinny. Its because of the low swingweight, so high racket speed and I also guess it is really polarised in stock form.

300 is spinny as well in stock btw.
 

dParis

Hall of Fame
Volkl X10-295 with 6 grams of lead = Amazing

You say you are looking for a nice racquet. You have many nice racquets on your lists, but you'll have at least one negative thing to say about all of them, it seems.
 

Veninga

Rookie
Volkl X10-295 with 6 grams of lead = Amazing

You say you are looking for a nice racquet. You have many nice racquets on your lists, but you'll have at least one negative thing to say about all of them, it seems.

6 grams where? thanks.

And yes no one is perfect:)
 

Anton

Legend
about the 300. Had this one leaded up, but the racket unstrung is still only 305 grams. And add 15 grams.. It made the feel really muted. A no go.

what about higher tension or stiffer string to give you more feedback?
 

Anton

Legend
about the 300. Had this one leaded up, but the racket unstrung is still only 305 grams. And add 15 grams.. It made the feel really muted. A no go.

what about higher tension or stiffer string to give you more feedback?

I mean really now you are being a bit too discerning, if the only thing that you don't like about racket is the feel, I'd say you found yourself a good frame.
 

dParis

Hall of Fame
6 grams where? thanks.

And yes no one is perfect:)
Try:

2grms @ 3&9

2grms in the throat, above the handle

2grms in the handle

Oh, and I have a couple of strips of athletic tape on the 3rd and 7th bevel.

A little added weight goes a long way in the X10 and a lot of added weight goes well with the X10, also. You may like weight at the poles, or at 10 & 2, or somewhere else. Experiment.
 

Veninga

Rookie
what about higher tension or stiffer string to give you more feedback?

I mean really now you are being a bit too discerning, if the only thing that you don't like about racket is the feel, I'd say you found yourself a good frame.

i had in original string, a dunlop silk, and a full poly, big banger alu power rough. the latter was a much better, but it hurted my shoulder. And my serve was still not wat it could be. I missed the extra weight.

i also sold the racket, so much more experimenting with this one is a bit difficult. I have to buy another one, but I already mentally said NO.

I have got an organix 295 on my way. Some lead and try. But thanks for the suggestions.
 

Veninga

Rookie
Try:

2grms @ 3&9

2grms in the throat, above the handle

2grms in the handle

Oh, and I have a couple of strips of athletic tape on the 3rd and 7th bevel.

A little added weight goes a long way in the X10 and a lot of added weight goes well with the X10, also. You may like weight at the poles, or at 10 & 2, or somewhere else. Experiment.

I will try. An x10 on my way. Keep you posted. Thanks.
 

Veninga

Rookie
will also demo a wilson k blade 98.

according to specs and TWU ratings, this one could be it as well.

anyone who played the k blade 98 and the bio 300T and the yonex 98d/100?
 

Veninga

Rookie
little update.

tried the organix 10 295 in stock and leaded. Nice racket, solid, arm friendly and precise, but lacking pop. also the feel was too soft. need more crispy racket.

tried the aerpro drive gt. very solid, spinny, stiff (but not too), pretty heavy swingweight, but lacking feel imo. really for baseline dashing, what i like, but i want to play a bit as well, with nice slices and dropping balls here and there. call it a spinning and slicing attacking baseline way of playing.

tried the microgel instict. some hollow feeling nice touch, but not enought push. reallys some middle in the road racket.

finally tried the tecnifibre tflash 300. wow, this is really an underrated and forgotten racket in this forum. it is really a great tweener. loads of pop in controllable form, really open stringbed, so loads of spin. thicker beam, so solid in swing (for nice serves and slices). pretty stiff (was strung with a poly, a little soar in the should, but should be more easy with a multi), and nice touch. even able to drop balls one feet behind the net (for me not possible with an aeroprodrive). was really amazed by this racket. so far my number one.

got also a youtek extreme coming up and a bio 300 tour (will lead this a bit on 12). ill keep u posted.

any other rackets i forgot? (als tried bb london, radical mp, prince 03 white, bio 300, bio 200 lite, bio 400, bio 500t).

i think i am to become a rack-a-holic..
 

sansaephanh

Professional
Have you tried the rebel 98? I believe with the right string pattern and some lead, I'd main that racket in a second! But alas, I don't have the money to overhaul my tennis gear. To be honest, I love the Rebel 95's just fine, and should work more on my game instead of my wallet.
 

Veninga

Rookie
Have you tried the rebel 98? I believe with the right string pattern and some lead, I'd main that racket in a second! But alas, I don't have the money to overhaul my tennis gear. To be honest, I love the Rebel 95's just fine, and should work more on my game instead of my wallet.

really interested in this one, but no option to demo. And havent found many reviewing on this one. A bit of gamble to buy one. Did you play it? And can compare you it with a other racket? What is it like?
 

Racer41c

Professional
little update.

tried the organix 10 295 in stock and leaded. Nice racket, solid, arm friendly and precise, but lacking pop. also the feel was too soft. need more crispy racket.

tried the aerpro drive gt. very solid, spinny, stiff (but not too), pretty heavy swingweight, but lacking feel imo. really for baseline dashing, what i like, but i want to play a bit as well, with nice slices and dropping balls here and there. call it a spinning and slicing attacking baseline way of playing.

tried the microgel instict. some hollow feeling nice touch, but not enought push. reallys some middle in the road racket.

finally tried the tecnifibre tflash 300. wow, this is really an underrated and forgotten racket in this forum. it is really a great tweener. loads of pop in controllable form, really open stringbed, so loads of spin. thicker beam, so solid in swing (for nice serves and slices). pretty stiff (was strung with a poly, a little soar in the should, but should be more easy with a multi), and nice touch. even able to drop balls one feet behind the net (for me not possible with an aeroprodrive). was really amazed by this racket. so far my number one.

got also a youtek extreme coming up and a bio 300 tour (will lead this a bit on 12). ill keep u posted.

any other rackets i forgot? (als tried bb london, radical mp, prince 03 white, bio 300, bio 200 lite, bio 400, bio 500t).

i think i am to become a rack-a-holic..

If the t-flash is a WOW, then your search is over. One racquet you should try would be a Bab Pure Storm gt.
 

Veninga

Rookie
If the t-flash is a WOW, then your search is over. One racquet you should try would be a Bab Pure Storm gt.

Why this one, is it like a Tflash300? Is it as powerfull? Can you please explain, I had it in my hands. TWU specs are a little low on power, so really interested in your why.
 

Veninga

Rookie
Youtek Extreme MP and Wilson JUICE 100

Just came back of a training session. Tried both.

Youtek Extreme. Powerfull, spinny, nice touch. A bit light.

Juice. Very solid, feels like a stiffnes of 63 (instead of 72), very good for flat balls, but definitely not for my spinning game.

One racket to go: 300Tour with lead. Coming in this week.
 

Jenga 1

New User
My best bet would be, with what you have listed, would either be the new Rebel 98 or the Biomemetic 300, but weighted up. I haven't played with the new Rebel, but I hear it has plenty of power for a player's frame. Personally, I would go with the Biomemetic 300, but with a little bit of weight (1.5 oz) in the handle. By making it head light, it's "whippier" if that makes sense, so you get more plow through, which really helps generating your own power. Lastly, if you want my TRUE advice, get a Donnay with the customization kit, as I play with them and LOVE them. It seems like you prefer rackets in the 11 oz range, so something like an X Orange or X Red would benefit, and you can change the weight with the customization if you buy it. Hope this helped!
 

sansaephanh

Professional
really interested in this one, but no option to demo. And havent found many reviewing on this one. A bit of gamble to buy one. Did you play it? And can compare you it with a other racket? What is it like?

I played it for three days, about 6-8 hours or so. Then the rain came in =[. It's a really nice racket if you're looking for spin and consistency. I loved everything about the racket except I couldn't dial in my groundstrokes until the last minute. My racket head speed was up on my serve and i was Kicking it pretty well (for me anyways). But it does lack quite a bit of depth for my ground strokes, but at the end of my playtest I was really taking on the ball more confidently. It's a little hard to really hit a flatter shot on the ball, but honestly I think all i need is some lead and a poly or something.

The racket has the Exo3 muted/flex feel with a nice sensation from the ports. I did send quite a few balls long trying to hit my flat penetrating, but it really is a great racket if you are one to carve out angles and play consistently. Decent power and plowtyhrough though. I'd probably weight it up to about 340-350 SW and try to make it a tad more headlight.

Its definitely not a crisp racket like what you're looking for though. Maybe a high strung stiff poly that no one else uses might suit this racket for you, but I recommend Wilson for crisp. Like the first [K]Blade was butter in my 3.5 hands lol. My friend say i have 4.0+ ground strokes, but I'm stuck at 3.5 cause i cant volley if my life depended on it lol. I more then believe them too =D.

All in all, I want this racket because its has great control, comfort and it makes me play a overall more consistent game. It gave me more spin on my serves and grounstrokes, while still giving me a good amount of power and penetration when I was playing well enough. It has decent plowthrough and is agile despite the head size. This racket would be great for a topspin based ball striker looking for more spin and comfort.
 
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I played it for three days, about 6-8 hours or so. Then the rain came in =[. It's a really nice racket if you're looking for spin and consistency. I loved everything about the racket except I couldn't dial in my groundstrokes until the last minute. My racket head speed was up on my serve and i was Kicking it pretty well (for me anyways). But it does lack quite a bit of depth for my ground strokes, but at the end of my playtest I was really taking on the ball more confidently. It's a little hard to really hit a flatter shot on the ball, but honestly I think all i need is some lead and a poly or something.

The racket has the Exo3 muted/flex feel with a nice sensation from the ports. I did send quite a few balls long trying to hit my flat penetrating, but it really is a great racket if you are one to carve out angles and play consistently. Decent power and plowtyhrough though. I'd probably weight it up to about 340-350 SW and try to make it a tad more headlight.

Its definitely not a crisp racket like what you're looking for though. Maybe a high strung stiff poly that no one else uses might suit this racket for you, but I recommend Wilson for crisp. Like the first [K]Blade was butter in my 3.5 hands lol. My friend say i have 4.0+ ground strokes, but I'm stuck at 3.5 cause i cant volley if my life depended on it lol. I more then believe them too =D.

All in all, I want this racket because its has great control, comfort and it makes me play a overall more consistent game. It gave me more spin on my serves and grounstrokes, while still giving me a good amount of power and penetration when I was playing well enough. It has decent plowthrough and is agile despite the head size. This racket would be great for a topspin based ball striker looking for more spin and comfort.

So you want the [K]Blade have you tried the BLXBlade? I hear it's got really good reviews from the TW Playtester Team.

-Tezuka
 

Veninga

Rookie
I played it for three days, about 6-8 hours or so. Then the rain came in =[. It's a really nice racket if you're looking for spin and consistency. I loved everything about the racket except I couldn't dial in my groundstrokes until the last minute. My racket head speed was up on my serve and i was Kicking it pretty well (for me anyways). But it does lack quite a bit of depth for my ground strokes, but at the end of my playtest I was really taking on the ball more confidently. It's a little hard to really hit a flatter shot on the ball, but honestly I think all i need is some lead and a poly or something.

The racket has the Exo3 muted/flex feel with a nice sensation from the ports. I did send quite a few balls long trying to hit my flat penetrating, but it really is a great racket if you are one to carve out angles and play consistently. Decent power and plowtyhrough though. I'd probably weight it up to about 340-350 SW and try to make it a tad more headlight.

Its definitely not a crisp racket like what you're looking for though. Maybe a high strung stiff poly that no one else uses might suit this racket for you, but I recommend Wilson for crisp. Like the first [K]Blade was butter in my 3.5 hands lol. My friend say i have 4.0+ ground strokes, but I'm stuck at 3.5 cause i cant volley if my life depended on it lol. I more then believe them too =D.

All in all, I want this racket because its has great control, comfort and it makes me play a overall more consistent game. It gave me more spin on my serves and grounstrokes, while still giving me a good amount of power and penetration when I was playing well enough. It has decent plowthrough and is agile despite the head size. This racket would be great for a topspin based ball striker looking for more spin and comfort.

thanks for the good review. I think the same will apply to me as well. If I can demo it, Ill try.

Found another option: an aeropro storm cortex (300grams), anyone some hitting experience with this one?
 

Fuji

Legend
thanks for the good review. I think the same will apply to me as well. If I can demo it, Ill try.

Found another option: an aeropro storm cortex (300grams), anyone some hitting experience with this one?

I use the Aero storm cortex's as my main sticks.

Very pleasant to hit with off the bat. Stock they are quite comfortable, but they do lack a bit of mass. Mine are heavily modded to my specs which I've used for a while now, so unless you try my exact set up it really wouldn't feel the same. (13.0oz strung, added lead at 3/9 and handle until I got to 6 points HL.)

With my specs it's very solid and ultra comfortable. Has a nice stiffness of 65, not too harsh like the APD's, and not too soft like any "classic" frames. It's a pretty moderate frame in all regards and begs to be modified. :)

If you have any specific questions on it, I will do my best to answer.

-Fuji
 

Veninga

Rookie
I use the Aero storm cortex's as my main sticks.

Very pleasant to hit with off the bat. Stock they are quite comfortable, but they do lack a bit of mass. Mine are heavily modded to my specs which I've used for a while now, so unless you try my exact set up it really wouldn't feel the same. (13.0oz strung, added lead at 3/9 and handle until I got to 6 points HL.)

With my specs it's very solid and ultra comfortable. Has a nice stiffness of 65, not too harsh like the APD's, and not too soft like any "classic" frames. It's a pretty moderate frame in all regards and begs to be modified. :)

If you have any specific questions on it, I will do my best to answer.

-Fuji

Fuji, which racket comes closest to the APS in stockform? And has it power enough? I bring my own racket speed, but really like to do some baseline bashing (but swingweight shouldnt go higher than 325). Thanks.
 

Veninga

Rookie
My best bet would be, with what you have listed, would either be the new Rebel 98 or the Biomemetic 300, but weighted up. I haven't played with the new Rebel, but I hear it has plenty of power for a player's frame. Personally, I would go with the Biomemetic 300, but with a little bit of weight (1.5 oz) in the handle. By making it head light, it's "whippier" if that makes sense, so you get more plow through, which really helps generating your own power. Lastly, if you want my TRUE advice, get a Donnay with the customization kit, as I play with them and LOVE them. It seems like you prefer rackets in the 11 oz range, so something like an X Orange or X Red would benefit, and you can change the weight with the customization if you buy it. Hope this helped!

This definitely helps. Ill try the Bio 300T next week.

About the Donnay's, really interested, but cant find these in Europe...
 

Fuji

Legend
Fuji, which racket comes closest to the APS in stockform? And has it power enough? I bring my own racket speed, but really like to do some baseline bashing (but swingweight shouldnt go higher than 325). Thanks.

The APS is very very unique in the sense that it's a sort of hybrid of the Babolats, It SWINGS like an APD to some extent, because of the Aero Throat, but then the head hits like a Pure Storm. The string pattern is 16x20, so it's a really solid, and balanced pattern. I haven't been able to find any "hot spots" or dead zones on it, which is surprising because with the APD I had found plenty of hot spots and dead zones in the bed.

The swing weight on it stock is very low, (305-310 range,) while with my mods I'd imagine it would be somewhere around 350-360.

Stock it does whip around pretty fast though. The Aero Throat is one of the few technologies I actually believe works, and the APS gets some monster RHS, with controllable power which is very nice.

Slice is pretty good with it as well, it slices stock very similar to a racket with a lot more weight.

Also, do you hit with 1HBH or 2HBH? A lot of people with one handers have said it's low powered, I personally hit with a 1HBH and haven't noticed it really, but people with 2HBH do find it to be comfortable.

-Fuji
 

Veninga

Rookie
The APS is very very unique in the sense that it's a sort of hybrid of the Babolats, It SWINGS like an APD to some extent, because of the Aero Throat, but then the head hits like a Pure Storm. The string pattern is 16x20, so it's a really solid, and balanced pattern. I haven't been able to find any "hot spots" or dead zones on it, which is surprising because with the APD I had found plenty of hot spots and dead zones in the bed.

The swing weight on it stock is very low, (305-310 range,) while with my mods I'd imagine it would be somewhere around 350-360.

Stock it does whip around pretty fast though. The Aero Throat is one of the few technologies I actually believe works, and the APS gets some monster RHS, with controllable power which is very nice.

Slice is pretty good with it as well, it slices stock very similar to a racket with a lot more weight.

Also, do you hit with 1HBH or 2HBH? A lot of people with one handers have said it's low powered, I personally hit with a 1HBH and haven't noticed it really, but people with 2HBH do find it to be comfortable.

-Fuji

Fuji, thanks for your reply. Two more questions:

- you are stating swingweight in stock around 310. But on the internet I find 325 everywhere. Which indicates the swingweight of the APS is just a couple of points below the APD. Does that familiar to you (or any other thread reader).

- the head hits like a Pure Storm". Never played with a Pure Storm. So what does this mean? Im comparison with a APD? More or less plowthrough?

In my view the APD is beauty baseline dasher, but a bit too heavy swingweight and a bit too stiff. A frame with some more control and still enough pop would be ideal. Do you think this one is a good option? Could also look at an APD cortex. This is one is a few lighter and less stiff.

Hope to hear from you readers.
 

Veninga

Rookie
For those who are interested.

I play 2bh and its solid and a bit of spin.

My forehand is my wapon or my achilles heel. I try to push my opponents with hard spinny crosscourt balls, followed by angled soft touch shots.

Love to vary in my shots. So droppers and inside-out slices are part of my game as well.

Less developed part of my game is my service.

Ciao.
 

Veninga

Rookie
New leader in my race to favourite racket

For a while I was looking at the Cobra series by Wilson.

Last week I couldnt resist to try it and bought a kobra team fx brandnew on the internet. Just got back from my second round of hitting.

Because the swingweight is really low I got my first hit with 8 grams of lead at the bumper. The racket was a spin machine. But so spinny that al my shots landed short.

Tonight I went for a depolarised set up on this polarised racket from nature. So 4 grams of lead at 3 and 9... I hit a great match.

My serves became powerfull and with some nice effects. My slices were strong with so much back or sidespin, it became a real point winning shot and forehand went deep all the time. Droppers were good. Only thing, my flat shots went into the ballpark regularly, so 2 much power.

Next time will transfer the lead a bit up to 2 and 10. And will put a gram or two at 12, to hold the power but make it a bit more spinny.

Little nervous, it looks like this one could be wapon of choice for this season. Although I had to admit a APDC and BIO300T are still on their way. Ill guess the APDC will be more solid and powerfull in baseline dashing games and the BIO300T will make me a spinny and slicy Santoro dude...

But I am getting there.

Also cant believe that this 4 year old model, could be it..

Anyways, keep you posted.
 

Fuji

Legend
Fuji, thanks for your reply. Two more questions:

- you are stating swingweight in stock around 310. But on the internet I find 325 everywhere. Which indicates the swingweight of the APS is just a couple of points below the APD. Does that familiar to you (or any other thread reader).

- the head hits like a Pure Storm". Never played with a Pure Storm. So what does this mean? Im comparison with a APD? More or less plowthrough?

In my view the APD is beauty baseline dasher, but a bit too heavy swingweight and a bit too stiff. A frame with some more control and still enough pop would be ideal. Do you think this one is a good option? Could also look at an APD cortex. This is one is a few lighter and less stiff.

Hope to hear from you readers.

Hey bud!

Yeah, it swings pretty similar to an APD with a tiny bit more "omph" and plowthrough!

More plowthrough in my experience then the APD. You can really drive the ball and volley well with it.

Plus Much less stiff then the APD! I found it plush and comfortable while the APD was stiff and unforgiving.

Any more questions just ask! :)

-Fuji
 

Fuji

Legend
ALSO BTW!

My girlfriend uses Kobra FX. It's a sweet stick and so comfortable!

I found it way too underpowered though and I've never bothered leading it up to my specs!

-Fuji
 

flashfire276

Hall of Fame
I use the Aero storm cortex's as my main sticks.

Very pleasant to hit with off the bat. Stock they are quite comfortable, but they do lack a bit of mass. Mine are heavily modded to my specs which I've used for a while now, so unless you try my exact set up it really wouldn't feel the same. (13.0oz strung, added lead at 3/9 and handle until I got to 6 points HL.)

With my specs it's very solid and ultra comfortable. Has a nice stiffness of 65, not too harsh like the APD's, and not too soft like any "classic" frames. It's a pretty moderate frame in all regards and begs to be modified. :)

If you have any specific questions on it, I will do my best to answer.

-Fuji

How's the Aero Storm Prototype doing for you Fuji?
 

Veninga

Rookie
so back again. some rackets tested.

by accident i got a wilson pro tour in my hands. terrific racket, little bit heavy, but got arm problems with this one. the stringbed was too dense, so the combination of racket and stringbed, hurted me a bit.

played vcore 98d. nice weight (much more heavier than advertised), but no plowthrough there. Also really not a spinner, the d of drive is actually correct.

and than, exo3 16*18. so soft, but powerfull enough. sweet sweetspot and solid and quick by striking the ball. made my game extremely solid and spinny. as a result i won vs one of my hitting buddies with 6061 (normally 6463). i must admit this one goes in my bag for sure. really nice for shoulder as well. but so soft.

wondering of the 18*20 or O3 version might be more stiff. can anyone help?

i really getting there, my favourite specs. 330 grams strung, swingweight around 323, flex around 63/ anyone a suggestion left?
 

Veninga

Rookie
ps also played an apdc. nice frame, spinny but not as much as the apdgt or exo3t. but less plowthrough. so many balls landed short. more comfortable than the apdgt and also more control. but not my racket.
 

Veninga

Rookie
ps my 300t hasnt arrived yet.. will try that one as well. with some lead.

also thinking of the speed 16*19.
 
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