Mantis PRO 295

[Tilde of Destruction]

anyone else have any experience with the 295 Pro?

I do. I've had it for probably 7 months now although I've only used it for 3-4 months for high school tennis season. I'll be playing tennis again tomorrow.

Anyways, I absolutely love this racket. I tried out a friend's AeroPro Drive 2013 and in comparison to the Mantis PRO 295, it felt stiff and hollow (basically is at the beam and it felt like there was sand or something in it). Not sure why people like Babolat's Pure Drive and AeroPro Drive. Their new racket might be a bit different but Mantis will stay as my all time favorite. In comparison, the Pro 295 has a very clean feel. The response is really nice and the racquet is really maneuverable.

I wish Mantis could finish restructuring their USA department so they will supply some more stock to TW since I want another Mantis Pro 295 to string with Yonex Poly Tour Spin (currently have Poly Tour Pro that I need to restring since the strings are dead now).

 

[shamaho]

I've just ordered mine... eagerly awaiting for them.

I'm migrating from heavier old-style sticks, and I was looking for a bit more power than what my current and much loved sticks provided (POG Mid, Wilson Tours 90).

I have demoed a few of the new Wilsons, plus the Dunlop M2.0, and decided to settle on the Mantis 295 and customize the racket to my needs.

With this lighter package, I 'm looking for the ability to quicly whip across the ball with fast wrist snap, thing I cannot do easily with the 340+ g rackets I use.

I'll be adding weight that is granted, but NOT to reach my familiar 340g territory.

Review coming up soon...

 

[Tilde of Destruction]

I just received my Pro 295 back today with some new strings (Kevlar mains, synthetic crosses) and it was not very pleasant. Before with my Yonex Poly Tour Pro 1.25mm (65lbs) the racket felt like it had great power. With my new setup I'm starting to realize how underpowered it is (although it's fairly powerful for its weight). I don't have any lead tape on hand, neither can I buy any at the moment so I'm going to see how I play with it for another week. If I can't stand it, I'm probably going to sell it and go for a Mantis 300 or Babolat Pure Drive (they play basically identical but the Mantis is slightly less stiff. Both feel great!).

 

[shamaho]

First impressions (even if strung with lousy string combination and tension):

1 -Surprisingly good at net - manouverable yet solid with good control

2 -Relatively hard to string - it takes some work due to blocked holes and knots in tight places

3 -Maneuverable from baseline, power depends on your ability to whip the racket across the ball - but nonetheless much much less powerfull than say a Pure Drive.

4 - Confortable - even with lousy string combo that acted like a board, the racket was still confortable

5 - not very stable for half-volleys - but that may be due low swing-weight and me being used to higher swing-weight rackets.

Next steps for me:

a) get a better string combination and lower tension

b) increase swingweight a tiny bit - maybe in a polarized setup


BTW, some more data:
Unstrung weight: 303 g
Strung + overgrip: 325 g

 

[Tilde of Destruction]

My new strings are starting to lose a bit of tension now and it's starting to feel nice again. I do need to add some weight if I can though to get a bit more plough-through as my shoulder hurts quite a bit now from constantly taking big cuts (although it makes it really fun).

 

[Tilde of Destruction]

For anybody who's interested, I posted a listing on TW for my Pro 295. I'm on the fence right now as to whether or not I want to switch to another racquet or stay with it.

I'll try to buy some lead/tungsten tape and replace the grip on the racquet. I'll see if adding some weight will make it feel better to me.

 

[shamaho]

I just received my Pro 295 back today with some new strings (Kevlar mains, synthetic crosses) and it was not very pleasant. Before with my Yonex Poly Tour Pro 1.25mm (65lbs) the racket felt like it had great power. ...snip....

Wait a sec! did I read that right ? 65lbs ? 65 !?!? google tells me it's 29,48 Kg !!! Wowza! that's a high tension. of course it will be under-powered.

I strung mine with Pro's Pro hexaspin twist on mains @ 23Kg (50 lbs) and the softest Wilson Reaction 16 @ 22 Kg (48 lbs) - and the end result I found it to be very boady and very low powered...

I'll go lower next time and an with softer mains string

 

[shamaho]

My new strings are starting to lose a bit of tension now and it's starting to feel nice again. I do need to add some weight if I can though to get a bit more plough-through as my shoulder hurts quite a bit now from constantly taking big cuts (although it makes it really fun).

IMMHO makes no sense to sell the racket because you did not like your second string job! try to change string bed first.

Also, your shoulder should not be hurting... might mean you're using too much arm strength and no lower body strength to create power... That pain is just your body telling you "hey! that is no way to hit the ball... hear me?"

just my 0.02€

 

[Tilde of Destruction]

Wait a sec! did I read that right ? 65lbs ? 65 !?!? google tells me it's 29,48 Kg !!! Wowza! that's a high tension. of course it will be under-powered.

I strung mine with Pro's Pro hexaspin twist on mains @ 23Kg (50 lbs) and the softest Wilson Reaction 16 @ 22 Kg (48 lbs) - and the end result I found it to be very boady and very low powered...

I'll go lower next time and an with softer mains string

The Yonex strings felt fine at 65lbs. After a couple of days, it dropped to 30-35lbs (according to how much total tension drop TW got in their tests) so control wasn't quite in my favor and power felt effortless, but the power wasn't very welcome because it wasn't all that controllable.

IMHO makes no sense to sell the racket because you did not like your second string job! try to change string bed first.

Also, your shoulder should not be hurting... might mean you're using too much arm strength and no lower body strength to create power... That pain is just your body telling you "hey! that is no way to hit the ball... hear me?"

just my 0.02€

It's not the string job that bothers me anymore. Actually, now that the strings are looser after some hard hitting, they work very well for the racquet. I just still can't generate as much power as I would like. Most of my shots are fairly shallow, only landing near the end of the service box which gives too many opportunities for my opponents to attack and move up. I need to take enormous cuts every time to get it near the baseline which doesn't let me last very long in a match.

As for my shoulder, it hurt after I did a pretty sloppy serve but I'll be sure to pay more attention to my technique.

 

[shamaho]

My second mantis strung with a fullbed of a softer poly, Pro's Pro Red Devil at 22 Kg (48,5 lbs) on Mains and 20,5 Kg (44 lbs) on crosses.

Also, added 2 grams of lead at 12 o'clock.

let's see what's the feedback after tomorrow's training session .

 

[cluckcluck]

I string mine at 44lbs (19,95kg) with a thin poly. 10 grams at 10 & 2 with a Wilson leather grip and TournaGrip overwrap.
There's plenty of power and still extremely comfortable.

 

[shamaho]

Ah yes, should have mentioned as well, leather grip and overgrip here too.

 

[shamaho]

In terms of its feel, for me it reminds me of ProStaff Classic 6.1 - but in lighter and faster package

 

[Tilde of Destruction]

Just got a leather replacement grip and some lead tape.

@luishcorreia: 6g total at 3 + 9 o'clock or 6g at each?

 

[Tilde of Destruction]

6g total
Thats what i would start at

Okay. Thanks!

 

[Tilde of Destruction]

Tried out my friend's AeroPro Drive 2013 (had Pro Hurricane at around 60lbs) against my Mantis. Either I didn't pay attention enough or the two played pretty similar.

The AeroPro felt like a stiffer, more powerful racquet in general. The hurricanes didn't provide much spin, but that would probably change if it had the kevlar and poly hybrid I have in the Mantis. Much more forgiving on shots.

I will probably be able to get the same feeling after leading up the Mantis, although my friend is considering buying it from me because it fits his play style very well (he takes huge cuts and relies on spin. Usually hits it out if he takes a big cut from the baseline).

 

[shamaho]

Ok, here's my impression after adding new string and 2 gram at 12 o'clock.

-Without any additional weight in the handle nor any overgrip to counter the two grams at 12 o'clock, the difference in swing was tremendous, almost requiring too much effort to swing the racket-head in the correct timing. Power was added no doubt, but it was not what I was looking for.

-I then added an overgrip, offsetting the 2grams a bit (don't know exactly by how much), and the swing changed again to me much more balanced. now I could feel the "heavier" tip of the racket, but it also felt easier to swing. Much closer to my preference.

The red devil string even at those low tensions still produced a hard stringbed - so it's still not this combination.

Finally, this racket still requires an adjustment on my part since I haven't found my range yet, that also I was having an off day.

After my training session, I went for a practice with another person, and was a fraction late in every shot and I felt the racket being pushed around in every shot.

Went back to may POG and immediately felt at home, and clearly was still late in shots but the racket more than compensated.

So I'll need a few more training sessions to get the range right.

On same day, saw a 6.0 player hitting with the 310g version of the Mantis and he clearly said for him the "Red Devil" was clearly not the string for the racket... recommended harder strings with lower tension.

 

[shamaho]

On the 4th string combination...

Ok, so in my 4th string combination, I changed to an even lower tension (Pro's Pro: Nano Vendetta 1.25 @ 20 Kg on mains w/ Operation Twist 1.30 @ 19 Kg on Crosses) and stringbed response is now much better - improved power still with very good control, and very confortable (based on 1 hour session).

However, I found that for a OHBH it ends up being very very demanding stick, more so than 90 sq. rackets. If your timing is not absolutely perfect, the racket does not have sufficient weigth to still carry out the shot. With a 90 sq in. although it had smaller sweet spot the swingweight would compensate small timing issues, with the Mantis the lack of plough-through... (even weighted at 325+ grams) currently does not do any such compensation.

Well yes I do have to further improve my back-hand (which is not as bad as it sounds, it's decent) but I changed rackets because I was looking for some more help from the stick, and it's not looking very good at the moment.

Concerning power, you have to produce it yourself, so far the racket has not helped much on this department, but it might very well be from string choices. I'll give it a few more attempts here.

It's not all bad, I did gain the ability to better carve the serves, or flatten out serves. And at net it also seems a solid performer (more testing needed under pressure conditions).

Compared to say an Aeropro Storm in stock form, the big difference in power (ability to accelerate shots) was very very noticeable, but given the very similar specs, it has to be possible to produce the same level of power.

The biggest difference between the two were:
a) strings, the Aeropro used RPM Blast @ 24 Kg
b) Balance, the Aeropro Storm is 3 pts HL, and one could feel the slight weight in the racket head.
c) Mantis with 2g added 12 o'clock and 2g under butt.

Maybe I need to change that balance on the mantis and use a string with same qualities/properties as RPM Blast.

So, I'll have to keep tweaking to find the right spot for me.

 

[Tilde of Destruction]

Just thought of something; is there any racquet that's still sold in the US @ TW that plays similarly to the Mantis Pro 295? I see TW didn't take measurements before running out of stock.

Wish Mantis was still sold here. Prices were much lower than what Mantis offers at MantisGallery.

 

[counterpuncher]

Just thought of something; is there any racquet that's still sold in the US @ TW that plays similarly to the Mantis Pro 295? I see TW didn't take measurements before running out of stock.

Wish Mantis was still sold here. Prices were much lower than what Mantis offers at MantisGallery.

I had one of these for a while and the closest to this racquet that I hit was the Pure Storm Team, which is no longer at TW but you might be able to pick one up.

Next closest that I've hit with that is currently at TW would be the PK Qtour 295.

 

[Tilde of Destruction]

Spec wise (I know specs aren't everything) the Pro 295 seems a lot like a lighter version of the Pure Strike 16x19 (although this already has more power than I'd ever need, even with a Kevlar + Nylon/Poly setup oddly enough).

 

[KDizzy]

Spec wise (I know specs aren't everything) the Pro 295 seems a lot like a lighter version of the Pure Strike 16x19 (although this already has more power than I'd ever need, even with a Kevlar + Nylon/Poly setup oddly enough).

i would say your quite right with this comment. ive been demoing the pure strike and i couldnt agree more.

 

[Tilde of Destruction]

i would say your quite right with this comment. ive been demoing the pure strike and i couldnt agree more.

Interesting. On first glance of the Pure Strike racquets I thought they looked a lot like the Mantis Pro 295 and Pro 310.

Well, looks like I have a good reference now on how the Pro 295 and Pro 310 play in comparison to other racquets.

 

[Tilde of Destruction]

Just added a leather grip (Wilson). It's a bit dry and doesn't have too much grip but hopefully that will change once I play with it next week.

I'll see how this plays without lead at first. The balance should have shifted from 6 to 7-8-ish points HL.

Edit: 32.20 cm for balance, 300-302 grams for swingweight. Does anybody else have measurements? Weight I would assume about 320 (295g + 15g for strings + 20 g for the leather grip).

 

[shamaho]

Measurements for mine (obtained from super-duper Prince "machine") form are the following:
-Unstrung & with leather grip
-Weight: 303 g
-Balance (unstrung): 318 mm
-Swingweight : 276

On my 5th stringing and with no added weights I seem to have found a nice sweet spot for power & control and I'm now much more confortable and have found my range - yet, still some more improvements are expected by tweaking here and there.

Even the difficulty I originally found on the backhand is greatly gone, must've been the results of the stringing adjustments (lower and lower tensions) and swing micro-adjustments.

I have gained quite a bit coming from POG Mid (except that fabulous unmistakeable feel of the POG).

Just added a leather grip (Wilson). It's a bit dry and doesn't have too much grip but hopefully that will change once I play with it next week.

I'll see how this plays without lead at first. The balance should have shifted from 6 to 7-8-ish points HL.

Edit: 32.20 cm for balance, 300-302 grams for swingweight. Does anybody else have measurements? Weight I would assume about 320 (295g + 15g for strings + 20 g for the leather grip).

 

[shamaho]

Oh and concerning leather grips..

I had the option between fairway and a french brand, BDE - I think very hard to find nowadays.

The guy customizing my stick said BDE's were very good and I trusted him to make the best choice.

Leather grips are a very very personal taste issue, but for me, BDE so far has been the best leather grip I have ever tried (I have tried fairway / Wilson, Prince, Volkl, Dunlop).

Just added a leather grip (Wilson). It's a bit dry and doesn't have too much grip but hopefully that will change once I play with it next week.

I'll see how this plays without lead at first. The balance should have shifted from 6 to 7-8-ish points HL.

Edit: 32.20 cm for balance, 300-302 grams for swingweight. Does anybody else have measurements? Weight I would assume about 320 (295g + 15g for strings + 20 g for the leather grip).

 

[shamaho]

Could have been the strings but the Pure Strike frame I tried (granted for 5 minutes) seemed a lot flexier in the upper loop than the Mantis.

impression based on 5 minutes of comparison

Interesting. On first glance of the Pure Strike racquets I thought they looked a lot like the Mantis Pro 295 and Pro 310.

Well, looks like I have a good reference now on how the Pro 295 and Pro 310 play in comparison to other racquets.

 

[Tilde of Destruction]

Could have been the strings but the Pure Strike frame I tried (granted for 5 minutes) seemed a lot flexier in the upper loop than the Mantis.

impression based on 5 minutes of comparison

I might just get a demo for the Pure Strike 16 x 19 to see if it's close to the Pro 295 and 310. Hopefully it is so I know how this stick plays compared to other sticks (without needing actual experience with those racquets).

I don't know if it's just me but this racquet is become absurdly powerful for me. My coach offers free stringing to the high school team and he strings it with a kevlar and copoly hybrid as far as I can tell. I don't know what the kevlar is but I think the copoly is Luxilon Alu Big Banger or some other silver string (Luxilon is the only company I know that makes unshaped silver strings, so definitely not Solinco Tour Bite). It's Kevlar mains, copoly crosses. I don't know what the tension's at but it's lower than I'd like (it's probably around 30-40 from just pressing the string bed. I prefer 50-60).

Anyways, my shots are going just slightly long of the baseline now on a regular hit. Not quite happy about that.

 

[Tilde of Destruction]

Finally to feel the consequences of this racquet being so light today. I'll try to figure out where to put some lead tape this weekend. Main problem seems to be torsional stability on returning big hits.

 

[lgbalfa]

My concern with 305 is that it will be too powerful, once I weight it up.

I'm basically looking for something like ProStaff 85, at 12oz+ but with around 95-98 racket head size

Can you comment on loop response on 295? Is it soft or firm?

how about the pacific x-feel pro 95?

 

[shamaho]

Finally to feel the consequences of this racquet being so light today. I'll try to figure out where to put some lead tape this weekend. Main problem seems to be torsional stability on returning big hits.

No need for that.

What I found is, if I hold the racket just a tiny bit up from my regular position (i.e away from the butcap), I greatly increase control on those heavy shots, and find much better ability to return those with interest.

Experiment with that and you'll see no need for lead tape.

 

[Tilde of Destruction]

No need for that.

What I found is, if I hold the racket just a tiny bit up from my regular position (i.e away from the butcap), I greatly increase control on those heavy shots, and find much better ability to return those with interest.

Experiment with that and you'll see no need for lead tape.

Will try it out.

 

[Tilde of Destruction]

Just added 4g total at 3 and 9 (2 at each). Needed more mass at the hoop for returning more powerful shots because this thing would shake pretty hard when hitting unless I tried to take a huge cut at it.

Next step may be 2g at 6 if I don't find it stable enough.

 

[shamaho]

I have now adjusted to it quite well, and don't feel the need for any additional weight on it - so far.

Regarding heavy shots, I've just played doubles against a 6.0 or 6.5 player, so believe me I've seen them heavy shots.

For me it's now finding the right string combination, I'm getting there ever so slowly - won't cut current strings just to tweak it a bit more - I'll wait until they're dead on me.

And the racket is growing on me every day I play with it.

cheers

 

[Tilde of Destruction]

Love this racquet now. Feels great. I still need to adjust my timing since I'm still swinging a bit late but otherwise the racquet is really nice right now.

Something that's always concerning me though is how much vibration this racquet has compared to the other ones I've used. Hopefully I haven't broken it.

A friend tried it out and really wants mine now. Not quite sure what to do.

 

[shamaho]

Something that's always concerning me though is how much vibration this racquet has compared to the other ones I've used. Hopefully I haven't broken it.

That is very strange but in a sort of way, familiar.

I find this racket to have very minimal vibration, very minimal indeed given the weight, sometimes in fact I get surprised how some heavy shots are dealt with so cleanly and vibration free.

Now, having said that, the other day in one of my rackets I did have a very very weird sound on the racket when bumping the ball on the ground with it (say when you're preparing to serve?).

That sound was being made on one side of the racket, say at 2:00

The racket sounded broken ! though it played normally in every sense, but made that distinctive broken sound when bumping the ball.

I gave it to my coach the analyse, and after some playing and some testing he traced it to one of the knots on the string job to be making this effect (I don't recall his explanation).

I have played with the racket some more, and the effect is somewhat gone, but I attribute it to the string job (I string them myself and not very experienced so...)

The best test here would be to set the racket on the stringing machine as if to string it, then drop a tennis ball on various sections of the string bed to determine exactly where it sound comes from.

I should post a help request to the stringing gurus on the stringing forum.

 

[Tilde of Destruction]

The vibration seems to be at random spots for me too, so it might be the stringing. Most of the time it hits very clean shots with almost no vibration and only the pop sound, not that broken frame sound. I'll try to check later today.

 

[shamaho]

Actually I found the reason for the strange vibration, it is now gone !!

err it was the 2g lead fishing weight I had placed inside the handle/grip through the butcap, wrapped in thick layer of cotton.

The lead weight had gone through the cotton layer and was making direct contact with the frame...

I removed it and vibration is gone

duuhh...

That is very strange but in a sort of way, familiar.

I find this racket to have very minimal vibration, very minimal indeed given the weight, sometimes in fact I get surprised how some heavy shots are dealt with so cleanly and vibration free.

Now, having said that, the other day in one of my rackets I did have a very very weird sound on the racket when bumping the ball on the ground with it (say when you're preparing to serve?).

That sound was being made on one side of the racket, say at 2:00

The racket sounded broken ! though it played normally in every sense, but made that distinctive broken sound when bumping the ball.

I gave it to my coach the analyse, and after some playing and some testing he traced it to one of the knots on the string job to be making this effect (I don't recall his explanation).

I have played with the racket some more, and the effect is somewhat gone, but I attribute it to the string job (I string them myself and not very experienced so...)

The best test here would be to set the racket on the stringing machine as if to string it, then drop a tennis ball on various sections of the string bed to determine exactly where it sound comes from.

I should post a help request to the stringing gurus on the stringing forum.

 

[TeamHumphrey]

Hi all, I just wanted to see if anyone else is still loving their Mantis Pro 295. I have been loving the racquet and am currently platooning 4 of them in a heavily polarized config around 350g strung.

Has anyone tried modifying the newer heavier version? I am curious as to whether it is the same frame with just a heavier grip and/or something already in the handle.

 

[shamaho]

Hi all, I just wanted to see if anyone else is still loving their Mantis Pro 295. I have been loving the racquet and am currently platooning 4 of them in a heavily polarized config around 350g strung.

Has anyone tried modifying the newer heavier version? I am curious as to whether it is the same frame with just a heavier grip and/or something already in the handle.

eheh platooning 4 of them ? wow...

Well, I'm still playing with them (when I do find the time to play) and no reason to change weapons, not looking over other models nor brands, not even the RF97.

After long experimentations with the the customization I seem to finally have found my preferred setup, which is very little added weight to 3 and 9 o'clock - something like 2 or 3 g total, then adding 4 to 5g a little below the top of the grip something like 1,5 inch or so - also the grip has been replaced with a leather one.

Add to that a really good multi to the mains (crossed with even a cheap poli) and I got a near perfect setup in terms of maneuvarability, power, control and feel, fits really nice with my all-court style of play.

I really enjoyed playing with that setup.

 

[shamaho]

I'm interested in hearing stringuing feedback and string recommendations from Mantis 295 users out there.

Do you feel (like I do) that with monofilament strings one has to string them way lower than comparable 16x19 98 sq inch rackets ? ie with comparable tensions the stringbed feels stiffer...

hoping to hear from you.

 

[SCRAP IRON]

I'm interested in hearing stringuing feedback and string recommendations from Mantis 295 users out there.

Do you feel (like I do) that with monofilament strings one has to string them way lower than comparable 16x19 98 sq inch rackets ? ie with comparable tensions the stringbed feels stiffer...

hoping to hear from you.

Due to the lack of weight in that frame, you should go with a lower tension assuming they are polyester strings. I had played with that Mantis racket, but I definitely added weight. I put on a leather grip and placed 8 grams at the top of the frame. It is a very customizable racket. I remember using Solinco Tour Bite Soft in the Mantis strung around 50lbs. It performed very well. You have a good frame, it just needs more weight to stand up to some heavier hitters.

 

[shamaho]

Hi, thanks for your reply and feedback.

However My question was of a different nature. That if others also feel like I do, that stringbed stiffness is somehow higher in this racket than in other comparable rackets 16x19, 98 sq inch. Thus the need to string at lower tensions.

Anyway, I got that stick because it was highly customizable (and because of its quality, confort, price oh and aesthetics).

As such I did replace the grip for a leather one, and added 4 g near top of grip, plus 2g at 3 and 9 - I might fiddle a bit more with them.

Concerning stringuing:

If using polis I string it at 18Kg (thats 39 lbs) only because I can't go lower with my stringer.

If using a multi/poli hybrid I generally go to 20/18Kg (44/39 lbs)

If using gut/hybrid I generally go to 22/19 Kb (48/41 lbs)


Lets hear it from the other Mantis 296 users shall we ?

Due to the lack of weight in that frame, you should go with a lower tension assuming they are polyester strings. I had played with that Mantis racket, but I definitely added weight. I put on a leather grip and placed 8 grams at the top of the frame. It is a very customizable racket. I remember using Solinco Tour Bite Soft in the Mantis strung around 50lbs. It performed very well. You have a good frame, it just needs more weight to stand up to some heavier hitters.

 

[robbo1970]

I have been looking at these racquets and I think I am settled on going for the Pro 295.

Or am I......

I keep thinking about the 310 and I really can't decide.

The 295 comes in stock with specs very similar to my Bio 300. The Pro 310 comes in with a static weight of 325g and a SW of 315.

I play mostly doubles so I'm leaning towards the lighter manoevrability of the 295 but I'd really appreciate it if anyone had used both in stock form and could give me some idea of any core differences in feel. I can't demo them so it's a case of buying to find out if I like it.

 

[eugenius]

Has anyone play tested the pro 310 or 310II?
I currently use the tour 305 leaded up and silicone in handle to 335 g.
Really excellent racket but better for my FH than 1hbh( still a bit unstable)
Can't decide whether I should go the above route or the head graphene prestige pro route?any suggestions or experiences of these two rackets head to head
Thanks

 

[TfReAk]

Just got two Mantis Pro 295 from the used section at TWE (€50,- each). From what I know the 310 is a 295 with a leather grip (more or less). The headsize of the 295/310 is slightly larger than the 305 and the 295 is a good racket to customize.

The 295 (in stock form) is very to swing. I haven't played with Graphene PP, but older versions of the PP had a high SW which didn't help my ohbh. Though if you prepare in time, this shouldn't be an issue If you like to tinker with your rackets, than I suggest the Mantis.

 

[robbo1970]

Just got two Mantis Pro 295 from the used section at TWE (€50,- each). From what I know the 310 is a 295 with a leather grip (more or less). The headsize of the 295/310 is slightly larger than the 305 and the 295 is a good racket to customize.

The 295 (in stock form) is very to swing. I haven't played with Graphene PP, but older versions of the PP had a high SW which didn't help my ohbh. Though if you prepare in time, this shouldn't be an issue If you like to tinker with your rackets, than I suggest the Mantis.

I generally don't tend to tinker with my frames. I try and get one in the stock form I like and stick with it.

I have tinkered in the past but found that adding weight to certain areas of the head just pulled the sweetspot around and messed with the balance and feel.

I do know the specs of the 295 and 310, both 98's. The 295 is 310g strung with a SW of 302. The 310 is 325g strung with a SW of 315. They look like an identical mold, just one slightly heavier.

The 305 is a 95 with a strung weight of 320g and a SW of about 304. That sounds nice but I think I prefer a 98.

Even though the swingweights are relatively low, they are reported to be very solid feeling for their weight category, which interests me a lot. I do like the specs of my stock Bio300, although I do know it doesn't always feel very stable but I don't want to add weight to combat this.

Ideally I'd want to test the 295 and 310 side by side in stock form, but there's nowhere I can find in the UK that offers these two as a demo.

 

[TfReAk]

I think there is still one mantis 295 left in the used section of TWE for €50,-...

 

[eugenius]

I hope the 310 isn't just a 295 plus leather grip!!
I hope someone has tried or owns a 310 and can compare it to .... Well anything!!!
I looks like it was released on another planet as there's not ONE play test review or feedback comment that I couldn find on the 310!

 

[robbo1970]

I hope the 310 isn't just a 295 plus leather grip!!
I hope someone has tried or owns a 310 and can compare it to .... Well anything!!!
I looks like it was released on another planet as there's not ONE play test review or feedback comment that I couldn find on the 310!

I can't find a review for the 310 either.

The 310 looks like an identical mold to the 295, but is definitely weighted differently.

The grip on the 310 is a leather coloured synth grip. It's 15g heavier unstrung and has a strung SW of 315 (Mantis told me this directly).

So they will look the same but the weight is different. Both appear to be good platform racquets, depending on how much weight anyone would want to add.

However, the 295 gets good reviews in stock form and the reviewers I have seen have said that it feels surprisingly solid and stable for it's low SW. Which is good for me because I do like a low SW most of the time.