MSV review/rundown

[schap02]

Ok so I've tried just about every string MSV offers, not every gauge but most of their options, will continually try to include some input here....As a quick reminder with polys - if you or your stringer are using an electronic machine, it is recommended that you adjust pulling speed to the slowest setting...I noticed a huge difference in the MSV lines performance once making this adjustment...

Here's what I have tried:
Focus Hex 1.10, 1.18, 1.23
Co-focus 1.18
Heptatwist 1.15 and 1.20
Hex-Evo 1.25
focus Evo 1.25
Hex-Soft - 1.15 playtest going on now
soft control 1.25
soft touch 1.25

Focus Hex -
My go-to string for mains - I prefer the 1.18 gauge and I've heard it is their most popular gauge...so I've strung this at every tension known to man and full bed, hybrid w/syn gut/multi/copoly....
I currently use the 1.18 in mains in a prestige MP - mains at 50 lbs. I feel the rec tension for this string is between 50-55 lbs depending on frame/likes/dislikes. tension maintenance is better than average, feel is crisp and solid, stiffness is probably somewhere in between the stiffer polys (rpm/revenge/kirschbaum) and the softer co-polys (black code/pro hurricane 18 )
Cross string really depends on player/needs, I prefer it with co-focus 1.18 but it also plays very well with a copoly like Genesis Black magic. If you choose the hybrid option, I would stay away from multi crosses as this string tends to cut through the cross easily and multis seemed too mushy, plays comfortable with stiffer syn guts like duraflex and gosen
Still a solid option full bed but for some reason I like it better just in mains.
spin is above average in my opinion....and last thing, as the string loses tension, I feel it maintains playability better than most polys, very predictable string.

 

[schap02]

Co-Focus

Tried the 1.18 gauge - my preferred cross with Focus hex 1.18 in mains
full bed is manageable but see my first post on Focus Hex for my setup. tried this string with a variety of crosses and it was adequate but didn't wow me. touch, spin, comfort and tension maintenance were all good. as with the rest of MSV offerings you get a terrific string for the money.
My only dislike would probably be when I string this in the mains I seemed to get more string movement than I would prefer.

 

[schap02]

Heptatwist 1.20 and 1.15

This is probably my second favorite in the mains behind Focus Hex
preferred this string in the 53-58 lb range. Spin monster, provides adequate tough, durability was above average...this one plays well full bed as well but I tend to string it for a ton of clients with either Babolat addiction/excel crosses or Duraflex crosses....
Careful with the softer crosses as the coating on this twister will shred crosses quicker than other polys.
I tend to favor the 1.20 over the 1.15 but obviously its a personal preference. Some of my clients use the 1.25 option - they say its stiffer than 1.20 but it provides less spin potential (just their opinions) once again a solid affordable option from MSV

 

[schap02]

EVO - hex and co-focus

Only tried these options a few times and decided immediately they weren't for me. Follows along with MSV's solid durability and spin potential, affordable strings....the thing I didn't like was a softer "gummy" feeling. I felt this set didn't have the same crisp feeling that the other MSV options did, hard to describe but the gummy softer feeling just wasn't for me, could be a nice option for someone whos looking for that sticky feeling as opposed to that firmer crisp feeling

I had the same sort of feeling when I tried Black Code for whatever reason it just felt too mushy for me

 

[schap02]

Soft-Control and Soft Touch

MSV's multi options - once again only tried these briefly but I think the name says it all, the Control version is a little bit stiffer and most similar to like NXT Control - for what its worth, I enjoyed this string more than NXT Control - I felt like it was probably in the middle of NXT Control and NXT in terms of stiffness, durability was adequate and it was super arm friendly.

Soft touch was softer than Control and once again probably falls between NXT and some softer multi like Prince Premier or Pro Supex Maxim Touch. I didn't find this version as durable as the Control but it was arm friendly and overall a pleasant string, jsut too soft for me to use. I would compare it to a string similar to Gamma Professional in terms of durability.

Once again these are both solid options fom a pricing perspective like most of MSV's other offerings

 

[schap02]

Hex Soft-

Hex Soft -
Just finished up with the 1.15 gauge playtest
Tried it as a hybrid w/ Gosen 17 and Gosen 18
Also tried it as a full bed setup....

So I must say, I don't typically enjoy any of the hex products in full bed. I can honestly say I loved this string in a full bed setup. Felt softer than the co-focus line but not too soft, it was more of a softer - give - feeling in the string bed....Powerful was above average, spin was terrific, tm was adequate for poly users, maybe even above average...

DIdn't enjoy this as a hybrid as much as a typical hybrid with Focus-hex, I think the stringbed felt a little too soft for me...

Anyways, will provide more feedback later on

 

[schap02]

Its late and Im sure I forgot to add some stuff,if anyone has any questions regarding MSV offerings please feel free to ask away and I will try to answer any questions I can.

MSV continues to impress me. Terrific strings at a better than average price point, especially in reel form.

 

[hebrewhammer]

This is good stuff man, thanks

 

[GarryClarke]

Great reviews and I will at some point be trying MSV strings


Cheers Garry

 

[smirker]

Its late and Im sure I forgot to add some stuff,if anyone has any questions regarding MSV offerings please feel free to ask away and I will try to answer any questions I can.

MSV continues to impress me. Terrific strings at a better than average price point, especially in reel form.

Schap,

Great reviews on MSV. What is your take on the 1.10 Hex? I have a reel of it but it's applications seem limited to 18x20 frames. A good cross string?

Also have 1.23 Hex and 1.25 Heptatwist and will get round to trying them eventually.

 

[schap02]

Schap,

Great reviews on MSV. What is your take on the 1.10 Hex? I have a reel of it but it's applications seem limited to 18x20 frames. A good cross string?

Also have 1.23 Hex and 1.25 Heptatwist and will get round to trying them eventually.

Have several teaching pros I string for using the 1.10 in an open pattern frame...but they string full bed at LOW tensions (40, and 44) They prefer the 1.10 due to it's softer feel, softest in that Focus Hex line, and they also claim to have better touch/spin potential....I think it's a little overkill in an open pattern frame but just my two cents....

Yes - 18 x 20 frames the string performs very very well. In my opinion most thin gauge strings tend to lose tension quicker than thicker gauges but the MSV line holds tension well and as I noted earlier, continues playing well after initial tension loss.

I am not a fan of hex as a cross...however have plenty of clients who like it full bed. for the 1.23 - it plays well with a simple cross like Gosen 17...or if you're looking for a full poly route, Genesis black magic 17

 

[smirker]

Have several teaching pros I string for using the 1.10 in an open pattern frame...but they string full bed at LOW tensions (40, and 44) They prefer the 1.10 due to it's softer feel, softest in that Focus Hex line, and they also claim to have better touch/spin potential....I think it's a little overkill in an open pattern frame but just my two cents....

Yes - 18 x 20 frames the string performs very very well. In my opinion most thin gauge strings tend to lose tension quicker than thicker gauges but the MSV line holds tension well and as I noted earlier, continues playing well after initial tension loss.

I am not a fan of hex as a cross...however have plenty of clients who like it full bed. for the 1.23 - it plays well with a simple cross like Gosen 17...or if you're looking for a full poly route, Genesis black magic 17

Thanks, that's useful info. i will have to re-visit the 1.10 at some point either hybrid or full bed in my PD. Have BHBR in there currently which I have been impressed with so far.

 

[finalfantasy7]

will you try these with nat gut, up to you if you wanna use gut as main/cross.
Im just waiting for ramadan to finish then i'll waiting to test gut/co-focus 52/48, got 2 weeks left,but thinking to string it next week

 

[chenqs99]

Any differences between black and white MSV Focus Hex 110?

Thanks a lot!

 

[sundaypunch]

Reserved for review once I complete playtest

Looking forward to a review of this Hex Soft. It will be interesting to see if it has the performance and tension maintenance of the regular Hex.

 

[schap02]

will you try these with nat gut, up to you if you wanna use gut as main/cross.
Im just waiting for ramadan to finish then i'll waiting to test gut/co-focus 52/48, got 2 weeks left,but thinking to string it next week

Funny you should ask, I was thinking Gut mains at 54 and co focus crosses at 51...

Have an extra set of VS touch so it is my next playtest after the hex soft, I usually keep one playtest frame and my others are my usual setup, will report my findings

 

[schap02]

Any differences between black and white MSV Focus Hex 110?

Thanks a lot!

Another interesting question, I haven't noticed any differences in Black or white but for some reason, every time I get a RED reel it feels softer and a little more powerful than the other colors. Weird I know but just my two cents

 

[finalfantasy7]

Funny you should ask, I was thinking Gut mains at 54 and co focus crosses at 51...

Have a soare set of VS touch so it is my next playtest after the hex soft, I usually keep one playtest frame and my others are my usual setup, will report my findings

That be good to read ur review, many people here love the setup.
Giving my racket in- waiting for months 2 try this out, hope my 2yr old gut is ok

 

[schap02]

Hex-Soft

Against my usual rec...strung it up full bed and it is delightful....less harsh than regular Hex, solid tension maintenance, a little better spin and a touch softer....so far this is the best offering yet by MSV, for me at least.

Stringing the Hex/NG setup today and also strung up the lux playtest yesterday....will provide complete review of Lux on playtest page and hex/NG setup on this page....

Still contemplating whether to use NG in mains or crosses, if NG in mains, will us co-focus crosses, NG crosses - will use Hex mains - tension requests?

 

[Cfidave]

I found the new Focus Hex Soft in 17L to be a great string in a full bed.
I did a short review in another thread dedicated to Focus Hex Soft.

 

[Sweet-Spot]

have you tried MSV Multi Q10? How does it compare to other MSV Multis? or MSV Rebound? Got a couple of reels of each but havent tried them yet...