new prestige release?
- Thread starter prestigeww
- Start date
Tangi
Rookie
I don't know if he is obliged to say only positive stuff but judging by what he says it seems like the racquet will be, at least a slight improvement over the current one. He said "plenty of feel" (whatever that means), but yeah the only sad thing is the even more polarised setup...
Zodd
Hall of Fame
Yeah, while they generally seem to be pretty fair and honest in their reviews It'd be hard to think they would knock on any racket in a sneak peek teaser. They are after all a company in the business of selling rackets
I stilll don't understand HEAD's thinking here - this as far away from the classic player's frame feel you can go (at least w reg to weight distribution) and besides, polarizing a frame yourself if you prefer that feel is very easy to do. I actually think Wilson got it just right with the Pro Staff line - offer the better players all of the classic beam thickness, feel and balance just in overall lighter frames that are dead easy to mod for a higher SW.
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n8dawg6
Legend
lemme hold that rev pro!
n8dawg6
Legend
I have had at one point or another the IG Mid, flexpoint mid, and the youtek mid. of those I liked the IG best. the rev pro is a degree of magnitude more svelte than any of them, but i think in terms of usefulness the old mid takes the cake ... but only when used by an advanced player who can consistently find the sweet spot.
Zodd
Hall of Fame
Alright, seeing that you liked the IG best, If you get the chance to hit one (pref the tour due to the lower SW) it would be fun to hear your thoughts. It might just subdue your raving graphene praise
n8dawg6
Legend
Alright, seeing that you liked the IG best, If you get the chance to hit one (pref the tour due to the lower SW) it would be fun to hear your thoughts. It might just subdue your raving graphene praise
you gotta take my graphene ravings with a snippet of sarcasm. i do still own and occasionally use an IG prestige MP, which is my favorite of the pre-graphenes. would love to see head re-release a classic prestige MP.
TennisHound
Legend
Okay, I'm a little excited to try those new XTs. I guess that answers my question about the Prestige Rev Pro.
SpinToWin
Talk Tennis Guru
I've given them up.
I'll never understand the mould change of the Prestige Pro and Mid, rather than just changing the string patterns to make them more open. The latter would have made much more sense and might have tempted me to move back… A shame.
Mareqnyc
Hall of Fame
Wanna do the same to me Prestige Pro. Did head make black cap grommets for the Graphene version along with red or do you use the one from Youtek line? thanksMeanwhile...
TennisHound
Legend
Yeah, me too really. Its just the new pjs you know. These racquets are basically trash. Everyone knows it but we always gravitate to pretty pjs, even if it is the old brokendown VW in the yard with grass growing over it.
These are MG/YT grommets. Seems like the new YT GrapheneXT grommets will be the same as the YTIG/YT Graphene grommets, only they're black again. - I don't like these because they're not as "solid" as the MG/YT ones. But I'd actually prefer even older ones to those as well, such as LM generation, for instance.
Joonas
Semi-Pro
I do understand Head thinking here. These days most of pros and also rec players go for polarized setup. Now, you are right, players can do it by themselves. But I wish you good luck polarizing IG, YT or MG prestige - you will end up at 360-370g easily with decent SW. Graphene Prestige MP is already there at 350g.
And once you go with polarized setup it is not easy to go back to throat heavy rackets. Last time I tried was today and it did not work.
Mareqnyc
Hall of Fame
Great thanks for the info. Did you have a chance to hit with the xt yet? Is it even more stiff than Graphene?
TennisHound
Legend
Yeah, well i disagree. You just read Head's Graphene theory off an add and taken it as fact.
The APD and Pure Drive are non-polarized, and are the best selling and most widely used racquets by pros and rec players alike. Now, many of the pros end up adding weight where they want it, but the racquet starts out non-polarized. Same with the heavy players racquets. Its also important to remember that not one top 100 (possibly top 200) ATP pro uses a Graphene racquet, while there are many that use the APD. This is all old news.
We all know this. Its only restating all the posts from 2014.
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Joonas
Semi-Pro
Are you tripping? Tell me since when APD or PD are not polarized?! I agree that some of the early pros might play them non weighted but the ones I know mostly have even polarized them further. Nadal and Tsonga are then the top ranking ones and you can google their specs. But I am telling you: very much polarized.
You say that so called pros racquets start non polarized. Well, take any pro stock hair pins before weighting. They are very light and have at least some SW. And this is not a new thing, man. For example take Safins old Prestige based mid was 350g strung and 347 SW. Polarized? You bet, big time. Now take my YT Prestige: Strung and OG'd 342g and 310 SW! That is non-poraized, big time! Now start polarizing that and you really are at 360-370g.
I don't know what importance it carries to remember that no top 200 pros play Graphene. First: you don't know know it and neither do I. But I would believe that Graphene is not yet so widely used. The reason for this is because those players who adopt it are 16-17 years old. At that age they choose the racket and it is normally very hard to move out later. So maybe in 4-7 years lot of pro stocks are Graphene based. Andy Murray for example is playing Prestige technology of the time of his late teens.
Joonas
Semi-Pro
No I didn't, I played Graphene Prestige for more than a year. And I have played iPrestige, Flexpoint, Microgel, YouTek, YT IG.
And I also took specs of them. Numbers speak for themselves:
YT Prestige ca.340g, 310SW, Graphene Prestige 350g, 338SW. I don't need to read Graphene theory to tell the polarization. I measure it. I suggest you do the same.
TennisHound
Legend
Yeah, all APDs PDs that were ever made and sold to rec players and Pro players were polarized just like the Graphenes were (with mass taken out of the middle and placed at the poles)? And Head is now surpassing Babolat with all its Graphene racquets? And all APDs PD hairpins are extremely polarized just like the current Graphene ones? Yeah, okay lol.
Joonas
Semi-Pro
I dont know why I bother but since I am at it..
Calculate MgR/I for any frame you want. Numbers dont lie my friend.
It does not make any sense to talk about hair pin poarization as they all will be weighted (polarized or non-) to be ready. Hair pins are very light.
For note. My Graphene MP MgR/I is 20.88 which is not that polarized. Rafas MgR/I is aroun 20.2 which very much polarized. Those Prestiges with lousy SW are above 21 but then again my iPrestige is at 20.8 range as well. But you can still feel the weight in the throat as well.
So you can lol as much you want but reality check helps to back up opinions.
Calculate MgR/I for any frame you want. Numbers dont lie my friend.
It does not make any sense to talk about hair pin poarization as they all will be weighted (polarized or non-) to be ready. Hair pins are very light.
For note. My Graphene MP MgR/I is 20.88 which is not that polarized. Rafas MgR/I is aroun 20.2 which very much polarized. Those Prestiges with lousy SW are above 21 but then again my iPrestige is at 20.8 range as well. But you can still feel the weight in the throat as well.
So you can lol as much you want but reality check helps to back up opinions.
kailash
Hall of Fame
Ya, not sure how the XTs will play if more polarized than the current Graphene models! I am curious about the XT Prestige Pro; anyone played with XT and can compare to IG or Graphene Prestige Pro?
TennisHound
Legend
I can see Head's thinking too, but I feel they have missed the mark. Yes, they went in a direction that mimics what the pros do, but they messed it up with the Graphene theory of taking mass out of the middle and replacing it with something that feels very unpleasant when it makes contact with the ball.
Thanks; I haven't hit with the XT yet, and won't do so for the next two years, until they get discounted to make room for the succeeding model... Same as with the Graphenes, I just got to hit with this one for the first time on Thursday. Can't say I didn't like the racket. It did feel much more dampened than the previous generations (most notably, YTIG, YT, MG, and FXP, as I can make a direct comparison with these), and I used a Gamma Supreme overgrip on a Head Leather Tour. String is Kirschbaum Classic Touch at low tensions. I also had the impression that the racket was a little easier to play with, at least it was easy for me to hit big with it.
About stiffness, I just don't trust these RDC measurements tell the whole story. It's much more important to me where the racket flexes... Graphene didn't feel stiff at all to me.
I would be best descried as a classical head youtek ig prestige pro type of racket user. I presently play with a RF97 but have been somewhat messing around with a Graphene Prestige Pro. I've been adding weight and i'm starting to really enjoy and understand this Racket. Before I was very against the 'lighter' graphene prestige range, however, now that i'm spending time customizing the frame, it is really starting to shine. I'm Looking forward to the Graphene XT Prestige pro, For sure I will buy one to experiment. The Touch and Feel (and not so stiff - good for my arm) is a real treat.
Zodd
Hall of Fame
How have you weighted it and what have the results been?
Mareqnyc
Hall of Fame
I have a couple of YT pro's and the pro tour 630. I also find the Graphene Prestige Pro easier to use and quicker through the air than previous versions. A lot of dedicated Prestige users dislike Head's departure from the more classic feel, but the fact is that the Graphene still hits a really heavy ball ball, the feel is just a bit stiffer to me.
I usually buy new models on **** slightly used right after they come out. You can get them literally half priced, almost new from guys who buy without demoing and don't like the stick.
TennisHound
Legend
I like that term ya'll are using -"throat heavy". Maybe that's an inside thing with you guys, lol
Hi Zodd. I have 3 grams and 3oclock grams at 9oclock. 6 grams in the Handle, with a Overgrp and Vibration Dampener. Solinco Tour Bite 16l at 52lbs (this string dial in more control, I had been using Alu Power, but too much pop for my liking).
Total Weight 352grams and Balance 320mm. I really look for plow through in rackets, which when returning big serves, is the the key for me. Adding the weight made the biggest improvement in this (return of serve) department.
Serve, the Weight and the stiffer STB really improved the performance here. This racket has always volleyed well, although the weight and balance is similar to what i usually play with, this Prestige is just so much more maneuverable and feels great at the net, my favorite part of the racket. This Racket allows me to serve and Volley, and be way more effective then usual.
Zodd
Hall of Fame
nice, what SW is the frame at with your modifications? So the frame Is overall still more maneuverable than your RF97?
I don't know the exact swing weight but it feels around the 330 Mark. The RF feels around the 335-340 mark. Note this is just a 'feel' based on my experience of playing with rackets of known swingweights.
The RF still has a fair bit more Plow and stability, but the weighted up Prestige weighted, is getting there, and has some great touch and feel.
The RF still has a fair bit more Plow and stability, but the weighted up Prestige weighted, is getting there, and has some great touch and feel.
Ahhh well, after a nice little christmas vacation I took the Graphene Prestige MP to the court for the last time this year and for the second time overall so far. I played with my regular hitting partner, who usually beats me rather soundly, something like 20:1 sets in his favor. Lost the first set tonight, 2:6, but was in most games, actually.
Then Graphene kicked in and I took the second set, 6:0, all with a cold beer in my left hand and the sword of judgment in my right hand... Just a blip on the screen, of course, but I was thoroughly delighted, nevertheless.
Will stick with this stick for a while now (probably).
Then Graphene kicked in and I took the second set, 6:0, all with a cold beer in my left hand and the sword of judgment in my right hand... Just a blip on the screen, of course, but I was thoroughly delighted, nevertheless.
Will stick with this stick for a while now (probably).
Harry_Wild
G.O.A.T.
Being a Head traditional racquet guy; I lost on this upcoming new line. "XT" is just a marketing term I take it; and "Rev" is the light weight models for beginners and people having wrist/arm problems? I total lost since last year models. Luck I stocked up on my Youtek IG 92" -> which is a 90" racquet. But just trying to understand what Head racquet lines are. Now both Head brands use Graphene in them. I guess after my Heads racquets are wore out; I going try Babalot! Never owned a Babalot racquet but I am a Rafa fan so; maybe I should support his brand? LOL! They seem to be more dominant these days then Wilson on the tour and off!
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kailash
Hall of Fame
New IG Prestige Mids are still available on the bay. Maybe you could stock up few more! BTW, have you tried the new XT line? There is no equivalent of the old mids, but the Pro or MP might workout.
From Babolat, since you are coming from the mid world, try the Pure Control 95, Pure Control Tour and Pure Strike Tour.
TennisHound
Legend
The XT Prestige MP Rev and Pro line hasn't officially come out yet. The only one out is the XT PWR Prestige.
I'm laughing at these last two posts.
I'm laughing at these last two posts.
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TennisHound
Legend
Well XT is supposed to be 20 - 30% stronger right. So, 20 - 30% stiffer (regardless of what the flex rating says), with new liquid-broken-glass injected directly into the frame. My arm and shoulder are aching a little already. Lol
pt630_belgium
Rookie
hope they provide the brace, when you buy one
Zodd
Hall of Fame
Thx for the play test comments. May I ask what your playing style is? Also what string and tension did you use?
Based on your description I expect I won't like these..
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Zodd
Hall of Fame
haha - right on. 72 ra stiffness, 24 mm aerodynamic beam and a hideous pj to boot.
TennisHound
Legend
Sounds like the new XT G Rad - everything's the same, just a little more of the bad stuff.
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
They already did with Prestige Master, Prestige Tour 660, and the Classic MP.
TennisHound
Legend
This might take away from the Extreme Pro, which is the only racquet carrying Head right now.
awake.nelson
New User
Been using the XT Prestige Pro since October 2015.
I come from years (10 years) of Wilson 6.1 95's and love a hefty frame. The last couple years I have been bouncing from several frames: Storm Tour (Customized at times), Strike Tour, Customized AeroPro. Needless to say that I have not found anything that I have loved and not stuck with any of them.
Since hitting with the new XT Prestige Pro for the past couple months I have really enjoyed it. Stock was nothing fancy and got pushed around continually. I have since customized to 12.5 oz / 8 pts HL strung. This has brought it up to my specs and have loved it, feels a bit plusher and softer than my 6.1 95's from previous years but if you comparing to older Prestige models they will feel boardy, but is a feel that I am accustomed to and enjoy.
All in all, if you can handle the extra weight it may be one for some of you to consider customizing to get the most out of it. Hope this gives some additional perspective to some of you that haven't had a chance to hit the new model.
I come from years (10 years) of Wilson 6.1 95's and love a hefty frame. The last couple years I have been bouncing from several frames: Storm Tour (Customized at times), Strike Tour, Customized AeroPro. Needless to say that I have not found anything that I have loved and not stuck with any of them.
Since hitting with the new XT Prestige Pro for the past couple months I have really enjoyed it. Stock was nothing fancy and got pushed around continually. I have since customized to 12.5 oz / 8 pts HL strung. This has brought it up to my specs and have loved it, feels a bit plusher and softer than my 6.1 95's from previous years but if you comparing to older Prestige models they will feel boardy, but is a feel that I am accustomed to and enjoy.
All in all, if you can handle the extra weight it may be one for some of you to consider customizing to get the most out of it. Hope this gives some additional perspective to some of you that haven't had a chance to hit the new model.
Zodd
Hall of Fame
Nice! A quick and to the point review with an honest vibe - good job. Just curious, of all the frames you've hit, which would you say is closest in feel/response to this one in stock form?
How come so early? - you in the business?
awake.nelson
New User
I am a Director of a Tennis Club in Southern California. Luckily I get to try all sorts racquets, string, and shoes prior to release dates.
awake.nelson
New User
I would say that the frames that come closest are:
Wilson Prostaff 97 (Most Similar)
Babolat Control Tour (Feels Like)
Babolat Strike Tour (Swings Like)
