MY POLY REVIEWS

[Murray_fan1]

@Mareqnyc

I noticed that Revolution rates very highly on your reviews in 18g. I recently had my Ultra Tour strung with 18g Tour Bite and have found it to work very well with the closed 18x20 string pattern. Just wondering if you have had a chance to play with 18g Tour Bite in the past and if you could compare with Revolution? As a reference I have tried Hyper G in the same gauge and much prefer Tour Bite. Thanks in advance!

 

[tegg96]

Just looked at some reviews of Hawk Touch on TW website... Couple of guys call this the worst string ever and "pointless" with no control. Hahahaha damn we must be playing a different sport!

The "companys" must hate these unfounded negative reviews. Only a few reviews in and a couple of bad reviews can taint a product forever. Hawk Touch is a brilliant poly with a multi like feel and poly like spin. One of the best strings ever for me. Too bad Head charge a premium for it though.

 

[Nostradamus]

The "companys" must hate these unfounded negative reviews. Only a few reviews in and a couple of bad reviews can taint a product forever. Hawk Touch is a brilliant poly with a multi like feel and poly like spin. One of the best strings ever for me. Too bad Head charge a premium for it though.

Companies hate negative review period..... just tell them,,,i want' some free samples of the strings...or I just may write a not so much esthetically pleasing review...

 

[tegg96]

S

Companies hate negative review period..... just tell them,,,i want' some free samples of the strings...or I just may write a not so much esthetically pleasing review...

So blackmail is the way to get free stuff in this world ehh.
Some negative reviews are ok amounst tons of reviews but when you get a few negs at the start its hard to recover. People that are thinking of spending $29 for packet of Hawk Touch in Aus are reading TW reviews. They see the word pointless and pull back and just want RPM.

 

[Nostradamus]

S

So blackmail is the way to get free stuff in this world ehh.
Some negative reviews are ok amounst tons of reviews but when you get a few negs at the start its hard to recover. People that are thinking of spending $29 for packet of Hawk Touch in Aus are reading TW reviews. They see the word pointless and pull back and just want RPM.

what is best new poly out there for spin, and power ?

 

[tegg96]

what is best new poly out there for spin, and power ?

Well I've said what mine is, HHT 17. New strings coming out all the time so threads like this help.

 

[topspn]

what is best new poly out there for spin, and power ?

Most powerful poly I’ve played with to date was firewire and massive spin. Plays with as much power as a multi with soft feel but huge spin. And that is exactly what i didn’t like about it. Way to much power and erratic response, I’d have to go way up in tension and no desire to do that. Probably a great choice for a multi user wanting to transition to poly

 

[Nostradamus]

Most powerful poly I’ve played with to date was firewire and massive spin. Plays with as much power as a multi with soft feel but huge spin. And that is exactly what i didn’t like about it. Way to much power and erratic response, I’d have to go way up in tension and no desire to do that. Probably a great choice for a multi user wanting to transition to poly

I love Solinco Tourbite but want little bit softer for my arm pain,,, Love the RPM blast rough but want more spin and grab. so Which string do you think provide these properties I desire ?

 

[topspn]

I love Solinco Tourbite but want little bit softer for my arm pain,,, Love the RPM blast rough but want more spin and grab. so Which string do you think provide these properties I desire ?

Try YTEX square-x. Good power for a poly but also very good control. Spin is great with even launch angle

 

[Nostradamus]

Try YTEX square-x. Good power for a poly but also very good control. Spin is great with even launch angle

somebody in this forum said Ytex feels like crappy paper and is very very bad poly

 

[topspn]

somebody in this forum said Ytex feels like crappy paper and is very very bad poly

Opinions are like assh0les, everyone has one. Square-x is a really good string.

 

[Nostradamus]

Opinions are like assh0les, everyone has one. Square-x is a really good string.

LOL, I agree with you. you are a wise man. I think Ghandi in the past had said the same thing,,,or something similar. what does Square X feel like compared to Solinco tourbite, or tourbite soft ? or Rpm blast ? Does Ytex really feel mostly like Plastic like some people mentioned here ?

 

[scf]

I love Solinco Tourbite but want little bit softer for my arm pain,,, Love the RPM blast rough but want more spin and grab. so Which string do you think provide these properties I desire ?

Haven't tried TB or RPM, but the strings I tried recently all are relatively soft (to my feel): YPTP, YPTS, RS Lyon, Silverstring. All were thinner gauge (1.25 or 1.2). YPTS is my fav of those.

 

[Nostradamus]

Haven't tried TB or RPM, but the strings I tried recently all are relatively soft (to my feel): YPTP, YPTS, RS Lyon, Silverstring. All were thinner gauge (1.25 or 1.2). YPTS is my fav of those.

what is YPTP ??

 

[scf]

what is YPTP ??

Yonex Poly Tour Pro. YPTS is Poly Tour Spin.

 

[topspn]

LOL, I agree with you. you are a wise man. I think Ghandi in the past had said the same thing,,,or something similar. what does Square X feel like compared to Solinco tourbite, or tourbite soft ? or Rpm blast ? Does Ytex really feel mostly like Plastic like some people mentioned here ?

I never played tourbite soft and been a really long time since i tried tourbite so I’ll stick to RPM which is a string I know ver y well. It is certainly more comfort oriented with better feed back. It is not plasticky at all. When I think plasticky, I think of head pro sonic pro which has comfort and pop due to its platicky stretching and catapult. Square-x is not like that and has a crisp comfortable response with pretty good feedback and feel. You have really good control over spin height so where you target is what you will get. The spin is excellent and moves the ball through the court with authority. If there is any shortcoming, it is life of the string. Keeping the tension lowish helps and you could get a good 10hrs. Oh yeah, and massive serves with genuinely good kick.

 

[topspn]

Yonex Poly Tour Pro. YPTS is Poly Tour Spin.

I would certainly give a high recommendation to YPTS my current string of choice in my TC100. However, it is not for everyone due to the low power but that is what I’m looking for to temper my TC100 power

 

[Nostradamus]

I never played tourbite soft and been a really long time since i tried tourbite so I’ll stick to RPM which is a string I know ver y well. It is certainly more comfort oriented with better feed back. It is not plasticky at all. When I think plasticky, I think of head pro sonic pro which has comfort and pop due to its platicky stretching and catapult. Square-x is not like that and has a crisp comfortable response with pretty good feedback and feel. You have really good control over spin height so where you target is what you will get. The spin is excellent and moves the ball through the court with authority. If there is any shortcoming, it is life of the string. Keeping the tension lowish helps and you could get a good 10hrs. Oh yeah, and massive serves with genuinely good kick.

WOW,, then I must try the Ytex string. I was going to but dumped it cause some people in here totally trashed the string...

 

[Jorge Reis]

I love Solinco Tourbite but want little bit softer for my arm pain,,, Love the RPM blast rough but want more spin and grab. so Which string do you think provide these properties I desire ?

Volk Cyclone Tour.
More powerful than hyper g (I believe also than Tour Bite) and spin is quite similar to HyperG.
Also comfortable feeling.

Sent from my MI 5 using Tapatalk

 

[Nostradamus]

Volk Cyclone Tour.
More powerful than hyper g (I believe also than Tour Bite) and spin is quite similar to HyperG.
Also comfortable feeling.

Sent from my MI 5 using Tapatalk

Yes I heard about this string. but I also saw Cyclone Tour being trashed big time in this forum... even from people who love the cyclone and yet they trashed the cyclone tour. .. what about that brand new string from Vokle ??

 

[Jorge Reis]

Yes I heard about this string. but I also saw Cyclone Tour being trashed big time in this forum... even from people who love the cyclone and yet they trashed the cyclone tour. .. what about that brand new string from Vokle ??

Never tried the new one.
I didn't like to play with Cyclone but Cyclone Tour was ok.
I advise you to try both so you can decide what is better for you.

Sent from my MI 5 using Tapatalk

 

[Pablo55]

I love Solinco Tourbite but want little bit softer for my arm pain,,, Love the RPM blast rough but want more spin and grab. so Which string do you think provide these properties I desire ?

Have you tried Diadem Solstice Power? I haven't tried it yet (it's next on my list) but it sounds like it could fit (soft + spinny).

 

[Kalin]

...but I also saw Cyclone Tour being trashed big time in this forum... even from people who love the cyclone and yet they trashed the cyclone tour. ..

They are quite different despite the name. Cyclone is more muted and less powerful, Tour is springier, more powerful and with a different feel. So it makes sense that many people who like one of them would often dislike the other.

Try the Volkl V-Torque. I found it pretty arm-friendly (for a poly), very spinny and with a good enough feel. I preferred it to the Tour.

 

[Nostradamus]

Have you tried Diadem Solstice Power? I haven't tried it yet (it's next on my list) but it sounds like it could fit (soft + spinny).

Diadem really feel like plastic. paper mesh, it doesn't feel like string at all

 

[Mareqnyc]

Did you try FireWire Boost? Lots of love for this string on Mikelers thread.

Hey sorry just noticed this. Yes I tried Firewire in full bed and the Boost hybrid. Full bed had control issues; I was hoping the smooth poly cross that the hybrid provides would fix that but it didn't in my opinion. I mean both setups hit a penetrating spinny ball but I wasn't confident with it under pressure and with approach shots. Launch angle with the BOOST hybrid was often unpredictable. I suppose it could be figured out in time and adjusted with tension.

@Mareqnyc

I noticed that Revolution rates very highly on your reviews in 18g. I recently had my Ultra Tour strung with 18g Tour Bite and have found it to work very well with the closed 18x20 string pattern. Just wondering if you have had a chance to play with 18g Tour Bite in the past and if you could compare with Revolution? As a reference I have tried Hyper G in the same gauge and much prefer Tour Bite. Thanks in advance!

Yes I tried TB in 18g in a Head Youtek IG Prestige MP. This version of Prestige had a nice plush feel and TB worked out quite well in it. Still it remains one of the stiffest feeling strings at impact. Revolution performs similarly with much better feel IMO.

 

[Murray_fan1]

Hey sorry just noticed this. Yes I tried Firewire in full bed and the Boost hybrid. Full bed had control issues; I was hoping the smooth poly cross that the hybrid provides would fix that but it didn't in my opinion. I mean both setups hit a penetrating spinny ball but I wasn't confident with it under pressure and with approach shots. Launch angle with the BOOST hybrid was often unpredictable. I suppose it could be figured out in time and adjusted with tension.


Yes I tried TB in 18g in a Head Youtek IG Prestige MP. This version of Prestige had a nice plush feel and TB worked out quite well in it. Still it remains one of the stiffest feeling strings at impact. Revolution performs similarly with much better feel IMO.

Would you say Revolution is closer in performance to TB or Hyper G in 18g?

 

[Mareqnyc]

Would you say Revolution is closer in performance to TB or Hyper G in 18g?

Revolution will be closer to Hyper G. It is really apples and oranges between all. They are all very effective strings.

 

[mikeeeee]

Replaced Hyper G with Tour Bite 16L in my TT95 (felt as though they would be great to compare back to back as they are both square shaped).

This has jumped into my top 3 without question. Previously I has only used it in a hybrid but this time went full bed. The control is amazing, the spin is as good as any and the power is not lacking for how dead it feels. Hyper G was pretty good, but this feels more crisp (I guess) and just something about it is better.

Much like RPM it goes down hill pretty quick which is really a shame. Been about 4 hours and it's not the same as when fresh. Luckily it costs 30-40% less depending on when you get it.

 

[Mareqnyc]

Replaced Hyper G with Tour Bite 16L in my TT95 (felt as though they would be great to compare back to back as they are both square shaped).

This has jumped into my top 3 without question. Previously I has only used it in a hybrid but this time went full bed. The control is amazing, the spin is as good as any and the power is not lacking for how dead it feels. Hyper G was pretty good, but this feels more crisp (I guess) and just something about it is better.

Much like RPM it goes down hill pretty quick which is really a shame. Been about 4 hours and it's not the same as when fresh. Luckily it costs 30-40% less depending on when you get it.

What tension did you use? 1.25mm in a 95q head.. I wouldn't go more than 50lbs otherwise it would feel like a frying pan.

 

[Mareqnyc]

Final thoughts on Ytex Square X:

This is a string I could use any day. Spinny, soft at impact, excellent control directional and trajectory. It does take some time to adjust to the power level and I was thrown off by the high launch angle initially; once dialed in it produces a heavy, penetrating ball that wreaks havoc on the opposite side of the court and drops like a sack of lead. It died around 8 hr mark but didn't just drop off the cliff like some strings. Tension was dropping gradually.
I tend to gravitate towards stiffer strings but this one performs very very well. I have tried a lot of strings by now and it is not easy to find a string that wows me but this one definitely raised an eyebrow. Thumbs up and will use again!

 

[Mareqnyc]

Pro's Pro Concept 1.28mm

Welcome to Erratic Town. This string does what you expect about half the time. Not complete garbage but definitely not effective. It has some sort of pearl coating and is surprisingly spinny for a round relatively thick gauge. Control is lacking and life is very short. It is one of those strings that starts mediocre and goes south from there. There was hope that it would "open up" after the first couple of hours but things just got worse.
Above average power and spin, hits a good ball from the back of the court and solid powerful serves but falls short in the control department. Volleys were springy. Not coming back to it for sure.

 

[Mareqnyc]

Genesis Hexonic 1.27

Average string. Seriously, everything about it is simply average, nothing great, right in the middle. Reminded me of MSV Focus Hex. Fell is rather firm, plays with ok control, ok spin.... could't wait till it breaks or dies so I could move on to something else. Very uneventful but had decent life.

 

[Mareqnyc]

I have about 5 hrs on the Black Knight by Tier One (called Neos-3 in the sample pack I had). I have used the Firewire and was tons of fun but lacked control. This one offers firmer response, less power, somewhat better control but it doesn't offer the massive spin Firewire had. Therefore it makes it just an average, perhaps above average poly that doesn't shine in any specific area. It plays well but doesn't blow away in any category. I am playing a 3 setter tomorrow against a junior who plays massive spin, I will report how it works out and some final thoughts soon.

 

[Mareqnyc]

Planning to string Tier One Durafluxx and Tour Status for next week and test them side by side.

 

[Mareqnyc]

The jury is still out on the Black Knight. I put 8hrs on it already and it holds up surprisingly well. Performance dropped but it is still quite playable. It is very consistent and holds tension very well. Comfort is not the best; I can feel my wrist after 2 days of using it.

 

[mikeeeee]

What tension did you use? 1.25mm in a 95q head.. I wouldn't go more than 50lbs otherwise it would feel like a frying pan.

I pretty much string exclusively at 55/53 except in the DR or Rev Pro which need slightly lower tensions for me.

It really wasn't that bad and I was surprised that it didn't feel very stiff. I like a crisp feeling string that has good movement (RPM). I think it was mostly because the TT95 is very forgiving and comfortable. If this was in the Rev Pro it probably would have broken my elbow. I pretty much only hybrid in that frame, with the exception of soft poly like Black Widow.

 

[Nostradamus]

This is Weird but this Solinco Tourbite Soft is now hurting my wrist. this was my go to string for tournaments. I love the Spin and power, especially on serves. i maybe forced to switch. What string should i switch to if most important elements is Spin and power ?

 

[Mareqnyc]

This is Weird but this Solinco Tourbite Soft is now hurting my wrist. this was my go to string for tournaments. I love the Spin and power, especially on serves. i maybe forced to switch. What string should i switch to if most important elements is Spin and power ?

TB Soft is low powered and still feels quite firm. If you are looking for power and spin (and comfort from what it seems) look into Tourna BHB7 (I personally didn't like it but gets a lot of love from a lot of folks I know), Dunlop Black Widow, Ytex Square X, Diadem Solstice Power, Pro Supex Big Ace. Or simply string your sticks in mid 40's.

 

[Ft.S]

This is Weird but this Solinco Tourbite Soft is now hurting my wrist. this was my go to string for tournaments. I love the Spin and power, especially on serves. i maybe forced to switch. What string should i switch to if most important elements is Spin and power ?

It is tough when you're favorite string gives you trouble this way, isn't it. I have the same experience now with Kirschbaum Max Power, love the strings for the same reasons you cite, but about two weeks ago I started having medium to high levels of wrist pain. So, I strung one of my racquets with natural gut mains and Max Power crosses with a little higher tension. Played three matches with this setup, and I am very pleased with the results. I can still generate enough spin, and did have to modify most of my shots, with the exception of my FH, actually my OHB has been better even. Most importantly, wrist pain is completely gone away.

 

[Mareqnyc]

I pretty much string exclusively at 55/53 except in the DR or Rev Pro which need slightly lower tensions for me.

It really wasn't that bad and I was surprised that it didn't feel very stiff. I like a crisp feeling string that has good movement (RPM). I think it was mostly because the TT95 is very forgiving and comfortable. If this was in the Rev Pro it probably would have broken my elbow. I pretty much only hybrid in that frame, with the exception of soft poly like Black Widow.

Can you compare REV Pro to DR98?

 

[Nostradamus]

TB Soft is low powered and still feels quite firm. If you are looking for power and spin (and comfort from what it seems) look into Tourna BHB7 (I personally didn't like it but gets a lot of love from a lot of folks I know), Dunlop Black Widow, Ytex Square X, Diadem Solstice Power, Pro Supex Big Ace. Or simply string your sticks in mid 40's.

why didn't you like the BHB7 ?? i will try the Ytex and BHB7. Diamdem string i tried felt like it was made out of clay or cheap plastic...i didn't like that one.

 

[Mareqnyc]

why didn't you like the BHB7 ?? i will try the Ytex and BHB7. Diamdem string i tried felt like it was made out of clay or cheap plastic...i didn't like that one.

Erratic response. BHB7 has very sharp edges is very slick and grabs the ball funny; I found it hard to control depth with that string.

 

[Nostradamus]

It is tough when you're favorite string gives you trouble this way, isn't it. I have the same experience now with Kirschbaum Max Power, love the strings for the same reasons you cite, but about two weeks ago I started having medium to high levels of wrist pain. So, I strung one of my racquets with natural gut mains and Max Power crosses with a little higher tension. Played three matches with this setup, and I am very pleased with the results. I can still generate enough spin, and did have to modify most of my shots, with the exception of my FH, actually my OHB has been better even. Most importantly, wrist pain is completely gone away.

Yes yes i agree, natty gut will Add tremendous qualities. i tried it myself and i had 15 % increase in my power in the serves and comfort was much better too. BUT, i can't afford the Gut setup all the time. i restring my racket every 10 days,, and Gut gets expensive really fast. Babolat Tonic increased their price lately, i used to love that string. Also like Pacific Classic but they also increased the price and is now ripping people off.

 

[Nostradamus]

Erratic response. BHB7 has very sharp edges is very slick and grabs the ball funny; I found it hard to control depth with that string.

if i do a Hybrid with Multi like X-1 biphase,,, would the control improve ? you think?

 

[Nostradamus]

These are some stellar scores for a poly

Tourna Big Hitter Black 7 17 String Scores
Power 74
Spin 93
Comfort 83
Control 79
Touch 82
String Movement 87
Playability Duration 60
Durability 88
Overall 82

 

[Mareqnyc]

These are some stellar scores for a poly

Tourna Big Hitter Black 7 17 String Scores
Power 74
Spin 93
Comfort 83
Control 79
Touch 82
String Movement 87
Playability Duration 60
Durability 88
Overall 82

Heh looks exactly like what I experienced: tons of spin but control so so

 

[Mareqnyc]

if i do a Hybrid with Multi like X-1 biphase,,, would the control improve ? you think?

I use full poly beds almost exclusively, perhaps someone else could chime in

 

[Nostradamus]

Heh looks exactly like what I experienced: tons of spin but control so so

i don't like the fact that BHb7 doesn't come in 18 gauge. and Ytex doesn't either. but BHB7 seem like it maybe worth trying so i will try it. But Why does so many Pros and college guys use the Solinco but not Tourna strings like BHB7 ?

 

[Mareqnyc]

i don't like the fact that BHb7 doesn't come in 18 gauge. and Ytex doesn't either. but BHB7 seem like it maybe worth trying so i will try it. But Why does so many Pros and college guys use the Solinco but not Tourna strings like BHB7 ?

Solinco makes much better strings and is much more involved in sponsoring juniors. Besides the blue overgrip I do not think Tourna exists on the tour

 

[Nostradamus]

Solinco makes much better strings and is much more involved in sponsoring juniors. Besides the blue overgrip I do not think Tourna exists on the tour

so like then is Tourbite soft that much more superior than BHB7 ?? Scores seem to suggest BHB7 is little better even from TW ??? you said Solinco makes much better string..