Main Features/Differences/Advantages between racquets

[WisconsinPlayer]

Currently I'm using the Head Graphene Speed XT Mp Ltd, and I have been happy with it however I want a racquet that has a more consistent launch angle off the stringbed (I feel like launch angle is more of a variable than I'd like). I see a few different options, perhaps I'd like an 18/20 pattern better, maybe it's just this style of frame, or maybe lead tape adjustments would help. My lead tape adjustment now is 340 strung at a 31.5 or so balance, with around a 340 swingweight.
I am considering demoing some of these racquets; or changing up my lead tape setup. Which 4 would you most recommend for my current problem? Other frame suggestions are welcome too!

Head

• Graphene Touch Speed Pro
• Graphene XT Speed Pro
• Graphene XT Radical Pro

Babolat

• Babolat Pure Strike 98 16x19 (Friend owns this)
• Babolat Pure Strike 98 18x20
• Babolat Pure Strike 100 18x20

Wilson

• Blade 98 18x20 CV
• Blade 98 16x19 CV
• Blade 98 18x20
• Blade 98 16x19

 

[WisconsinPlayer]

Although I've always played with Head, I think I'm leaning towards a Babolat or Wilson.. It seems like they have superior quality control. I hit with the Blade 98 18x16 and it felt pretty good in my hands but I would want a different string pattern; The Babolat 98 16x19 felt good too but I did not have my own strings in it

 

[n8dawg6]

try the graphene rad mp ... original version if you can find it. 8 mains in the throat makes for a more controlled, consistent response. it aint arm friendly or a powerhouse, but its predictable and gives you easier power and spin than a heavy player's racquet.

 

[WisconsinPlayer]

try the graphene rad mp ... original version if you can find it. 8 mains in the throat makes for a more controlled, consistent response. it aint arm friendly or a powerhouse, but its predictable and gives you easier power and spin than a heavy player's racquet.

I dont think I'd like that.. It's too light and I hate the paintjob How do you think the Radical Graphene XT Pro would be

 

[WisconsinPlayer]

The 4 I would demo now if I couldnt get any feedback would be

• Babolat 98 18x20
• Wilson Blade 98 16x19
• Wilson Blade 98 18x20
  
• Head Graphene XT Radical Pro

I have a friend with the Babolat 98 16x19 which is why it didnt make the list.
Is there much of a difference between the regular blade and the new CV? I heard it has a more muted feel.

 

[rlau]

Although I've always played with Head, I think I'm leaning towards a Babolat or Wilson.. It seems like they have superior quality control.

I'm sorry to say that in my experience Babolat's and Wilson's QC is just as terrible as Head's. If QC really matters to you I'd advise you to consider Yonex and Angell.

 

[SpinToWin]

The 4 I would demo now if I couldnt get any feedback would be

• Babolat 98 18x20
• Wilson Blade 98 16x19
• Wilson Blade 98 18x20
  
• Head Graphene XT Radical Pro

I have a friend with the Babolat 98 16x19 which is why it didnt make the list.
Is there much of a difference between the regular blade and the new CV? I heard it has a more muted feel.

I'd say get the Rad Pro out of there. If it needs to be a Head Rad, get the MP. You can get it to your specs with Cap Grommets by the way.

If you can get an Angell somehow, then try the 97.

Otherwise, I'd recommend trying the Yonex DR 98.

 

[CopolyX]

what about strings, you know..the thing that actually hits the ball. string type, gauge, tension ...all with have an affect...
remember in our sport...it can be more that one factor...
so have you tried different stringbed configs?
have your tried to understand your form, are you a flat hitter?

 

[n8dawg6]

I dont think I'd like that.. It's too light and I hate the paintjob How do you think the Radical Graphene XT Pro would be

i think itd be great, i have one.

 

[WisconsinPlayer]

I'm sorry to say that in my experience Babolat's and Wilson's QC is just as terrible as Head's. If QC really matters to you I'd advise you to consider Yonex and Angell.

Ah well thats too bad, my friends must have just been lucky, their wilson and babolat racquets came nearly perfect to what the normal specs are. Which Yonex would you recommend? I've heard the Dr 98 is a good choice.

I'd say get the Rad Pro out of there. If it needs to be a Head Rad, get the MP. You can get it to your specs with Cap Grommets by the way.

If you can get an Angell somehow, then try the 97.

Otherwise, I'd recommend trying the Yonex DR 98.

I was edging away from the MP head racquets because I heard that they cause more vibration due to the extra holes

what about strings, you know..the thing that actually hits the ball. string type, gauge, tension ...all with have an affect...
remember in our sport...it can be more that one factor...
so have you tried different stringbed configs?
have your tried to understand your form, are you a flat hitter?

Ive hit with my strings in different frames and I prefer other's to my own, I have tried many different string setups

 

[WisconsinPlayer]

So does this look like a good demo list?

• Babolat 98 18x20
• Wilson Blade 98 16x19
• Wilson Blade 98 18x20
• Yonex Ezone Dr 98

 

[n8dawg6]

I was edging away from the MP head racquets because I heard that they cause more vibration due to the extra holes

nah. youre thinking about the MPAs. the touch speeds really have a good feel (IMO). the MP is a little light in SW, though.

your demo list looks good. the blade 18x20 is looooowwww powered. if the 16x19 pure strikes ever come back in stock id definitely give one a whirl.

 

[WisconsinPlayer]

nah. youre thinking about the MPAs. the touch speeds really have a good feel (IMO). the MP is a little light in SW, though.

your demo list looks good. the blade 18x20 is looooowwww powered. if the 16x19 pure strikes ever come back in stock id definitely give one a whirl.

All the new Mp racquets have the adaptive tech (unless you buy an ltd which is just 16x19)

Have you hit with the regular blade and the new CV? Are they both pretty similar

 

[n8dawg6]

All the new Mp racquets have the adaptive tech (unless you buy an ltd which is just 16x19)

Have you hit with the regular blade and the new CV? Are they both pretty similar

the touch speed mp has less vibration than any speed mp since graphene started, and i have all of them (sad but true). if youre gonna have an issue with it itll be the light SW or the pattern being too open. trust me.

ive hit a lot with the past gen 18x20 blade. it is a frame i like but ultimately takes a lot of RHS to use effectively and power drops off a lot on off-center hits. have a CV 16x19 blade in the box that i havent gotten around to yet.

 

[WisconsinPlayer]

the touch speed mp has less vibration than any speed mp since graphene started, and i have all of them (sad but true). if youre gonna have an issue with it itll be the light SW or the pattern being too open. trust me.

ive hit a lot with the past gen 18x20 blade. it is a frame i like but ultimately takes a lot of RHS to use effectively and power drops off a lot on off-center hits. have a CV 16x19 blade in the box that i havent gotten around to yet.

Interesting, from the specs it looks like the blade would be a solid average power racquet

 

[CopolyX]

Ah well thats too bad, my friends must have just been lucky, their wilson and babolat racquets came nearly perfect to what the normal specs are. Which Yonex would you recommend? I've heard the Dr 98 is a good choice.

I was edging away from the MP head racquets because I heard that they cause more vibration due to the extra holes

Ive hit with my strings in different frames and I prefer other's to my own, I have tried many different string setups

that was not my point, but whatever..
decreasing the stringbed's stiffness (say, by dropping the strings' tension) will increase ball velocity and depth, not only because looser strings return more energy to the ball upon contact, but also because they increase the ball’s vertical launch angle off the stringbed.
also..
control the angle of the face, you can control the angle of the shot.
good luck with your hunt..

 

[WisconsinPlayer]

that was not my point, but whatever..
decreasing the stringbed's stiffness (say, by dropping the strings' tension) will increase ball velocity and depth, not only because looser strings return more energy to the ball upon contact, but also because they increase the ball’s vertical launch angle off the stringbed.
also..
control the angle of the face, you can control the angle of the shot.
good luck with your hunt..

my main issue was that the launch is inconsistent when hitting the same shot with the same stroke multiple times

 

[ZirkusAffe]

Although I've always played with Head, I think I'm leaning towards a Babolat or Wilson.. It seems like they have superior quality control. I hit with the Blade 98 18x16 and it felt pretty good in my hands but I would want a different string pattern; The Babolat 98 16x19 felt good too but I did not have my own strings in it

don't underestimate the PS 97 I've slept on that racquet but again played with it last night, man it hits like a dream I think my buddy has it around 8 pts HL it's fast and stable in my opinion, but I like the launch angle of the pure strike 16x19 especially but not exclusively with hybrid poly mains/synth crosses. DR98 is also good but slightly higher launch imo although the 'easy access' to spin reigns it in just a pleasure to hit with full poly no dampener needed.

 

[CopolyX]

my main issue was that the launch is inconsistent when hitting the same shot with the same stroke multiple times

ok, my main concern is that it could be:
The strings, the string job (inconsistent tension/ string bed).
Gromments: defective, bad , worn, cracks..

 

[WisconsinPlayer]

I just ordered these to demo, I'm mostly looking forward to the Dr 98 and the Prestige

• Yonex Vcore Duel G 97 (330g)
• Wilson Blade 98 16x19
• Head Graphene Prestige Xt Pro
• Yonex Ezone Dr 98

 

[mnttlrg]

Currently I'm using the Head Graphene Speed XT Mp Ltd, and I have been happy with it however I want a racquet that has a more consistent launch angle off the stringbed (I feel like launch angle is more of a variable than I'd like).

Lead is not going to fix your problem. Getting a denser string pattern will make the launch more predictable / lower. I also think going with a slightly smaller head size makes the racket hit less loopy and more line-drivey.

So that would be my starting point. I would suggest hitting an 18x20 Blade, given how similar it is to your frame. Otherwise, you could try being really slick and buying that old IG Speed MP that was sold in an 18x20.

 

[WisconsinPlayer]

Lead is not going to fix your problem. Getting a denser string pattern will make the launch more predictable / lower. I also think going with a slightly smaller head size makes the racket hit less loopy and more line-drivey.

So that would be my starting point. I would suggest hitting an 18x20 Blade, given how similar it is to your frame. Otherwise, you could try being really slick and buying that old IG Speed MP that was sold in an 18x20.

I actually used to use those when they came out, I have 2 of them but they're my dad's now I tried hitting with it the other day and it seemed very unstable. I'm not sure why but it could just be that the racquet has lost it's original stiffness due to many many restringings and age. I could have tried adding lead tape to try and fix the problem.

 

[xFullCourtTenniSx]

Although I've always played with Head, I think I'm leaning towards a Babolat or Wilson.. It seems like they have superior quality control. I hit with the Blade 98 18x16 and it felt pretty good in my hands but I would want a different string pattern; The Babolat 98 16x19 felt good too but I did not have my own strings in it

I'm sorry to say that in my experience Babolat's and Wilson's QC is just as terrible as Head's. If QC really matters to you I'd advise you to consider Yonex and Angell.

I can confirm. Wilson QC is absolute ass. Yonex is significantly better. Aren't they supposed to be accurate to within a gram (as well as hitting other specs)? Wilson can go +/- 5 (maybe even up to 7) grams with balance off up to a quarter of an inch and swingweights up to 20 kg*cm^2 off.

 

[WisconsinPlayer]

I can confirm. Wilson QC is absolute ass. Yonex is significantly better. Aren't they supposed to be accurate to within a gram (as well as hitting other specs)? Wilson can go +/- 5 (maybe even up to 7) grams with balance off up to a quarter of an inch and swingweights up to 20 kg*cm^2 off.

Well I'm going to be demoing the Yonex Dr 98 next week First time ever with the brand

 

[mnttlrg]

I could have tried adding lead tape to try and fix the problem.

Adding lead tape to a crappy frame is like adding a knee brace to a fat guy.

 

[mnttlrg]

If I could see some video of you hitting, I might have a better idea of what racket would actually help you.

I liked the DR 100 better than the 98, by the way. It's a different category of racket from what you say you want, but just between the two, I felt like I hit a bigger, better ball with the 100. Some of the glowing reviews on the 98 were after customizing it to 12-plus ounces.

 

[WisconsinPlayer]

Adding lead tape to a crappy frame is like adding a knee brace to a fat guy.

I don't think it's a crappy frame really, just maybe not the right frame for me..

If I could see some video of you hitting, I might have a better idea of what racket would actually help you.

I liked the DR 100 better than the 98, by the way. It's a different category of racket from what you say you want, but just between the two, I felt like I hit a bigger, better ball with the 100. Some of the glowing reviews on the 98 were after customizing it to 12-plus ounces.

Sadly I have terrible internet and my editing software has been glitching I might upload something within a week or two if I remember

 

[Backhanded Compliment]

ill be in 'sconsin this summer... ill bring an angell tc95 maybe ill be in your neck of the woods... my old tennis guru still lives and plays there... hes like 92 years old!


ill contact you privately when abouts

 

[WisconsinPlayer]

ill be in 'sconsin this summer... ill bring an angell tc95 maybe ill be in your neck of the woods... my old tennis guru still lives and plays there... hes like 92 years old!


ill contact you privately when abouts

Jon Powless? I love that guy

 

[Backhanded Compliment]

Jon Powless? I love that guy

not him but i know that guy too