new racket choice help!

[Parnara]

Hello!
I'm currently in the market for a new racket. My current racket is the 2019 head gravity pro, I really enjoy this racket and was planning on buying the new auxetic gravity. I was wondering if there's any recommendations on ones I should try. I playtested the Auxetic head speed pro and really enjoyed that one, I also enjoyed the yonex vcore 95 but its a little too demanding for me (small sweet spot, not much forgiveness). I'm looking for something that gives good plow through and stability.

Current racket: 2019 Head Gravity Pro
Level: 3.5-4.0
playstyle: Serve +1/Aggressive baseliner, mainly hit flat/ OHBH

 

[Deleted member 775640]

If you actually play serve +1, you want a racquet that serves fast and lets you keep a forehand inside the court. See if you can control a more powerful frame, esp. if you're around 3.5 level.

 

[Parnara]

I tried out the pure aero and didn't really mesh well with that one, I felt like I wasn't connected to the racket and my shots were going long. I also gave the yonex ezone 100 a try, that one felt pretty good but a little too light/whippy for me. What would you recommend?

 

[SupahMan5000]

I tried out the pure aero and didn't really mesh well with that one, I felt like I wasn't connected to the racket and my shots were going long. I also gave the yonex ezone 100 a try, that one felt pretty good but a little too light/whippy for me. What would you recommend?

Are you set on the 100 head size?

Ezone 98 or FX500 Tour feel a little more stable and grounded than their 100 sq in counterparts

The EZ98 also is denser than the EZ100 cause it has 8 mains in the throat. It’ll provide a little more of a predictable response off the stringbed

 

[Hit 'em clean]

I've played with both the Gravity Pro... moved to the Speed Pro and I'm currently playing Auxetic version. My move was to get something a little lighter and maneuverable, but with a little more pop. I'm currently fooling around with the E98+ which I really have been enjoying. I don't have a OHBH so can't comment there, but it you can handle the GPro... the E98+ might be a consideration.

Speed Pro is a pretty easy transition IMO from the GPro if you want slightly more pop, but still enough stability and plow. If you want even easier pop the E98+ might be a good consideration since the swingweight is more inline with what you're used to, but static weight is lower... so it's still pretty easy swinging.

 

[Deleted member 775640]

I tried out the pure aero and didn't really mesh well with that one, I felt like I wasn't connected to the racket and my shots were going long. I also gave the yonex ezone 100 a try, that one felt pretty good but a little too light/whippy for me. What would you recommend?

The Clash Pro and Pure Strike 100 are stable with more pop than the Gravity Pro. Strike is stiff, Clash is soft. Start there and go on if you're still not satisfied.

If you want a 98, start with the Radical MP. I'd recommend sticking with a 100 if you like the Gravity. It's simpler than people make it out to be on here. Pick whichever stick makes you feel confident and comfortable stepping out there. It's easy to measure that. Then you have to measure your opponent's response. You don't want a stick that lets your opponent bully you on neutral balls. Play some baseline points and pay attention to how comfortable your opponent looks after a cleanly struck forehand. Try to see if your ball sits up like a piece of cotton candy, or if it penetrates through the court. Super control sticks like the Grav Pro don't let you miss, but they do let you hit short and weak.

And try to pick one you like stock. Don't fall down the lead tape rabbit hole. It's all a bunch of crap until you're really locked in and trying to match sticks.

 

[Parnara]

Are you set on the 100 head size?

Ezone 98 or FX500 Tour feel a little more stable and grounded than their 100 sq in counterparts

The EZ98 also is denser than the EZ100 cause it has 8 mains in the throat. It’ll provide a little more of a predictable response off the stringbed

I'm more than willing to try any head size racket. I've actually never tried a Dunlop racket so I'll definitely look into playtesting that one alongside the ezone 98

I've played with both the Gravity Pro... moved to the Speed Pro and I'm currently playing Auxetic version. My move was to get something a little lighter and maneuverable, but with a little more pop. I'm currently fooling around with the E98+ which I really have been enjoying. I don't have a OHBH so can't comment there, but it you can handle the GPro... the E98+ might be a consideration.

Speed Pro is a pretty easy transition IMO from the GPro if you want slightly more pop, but still enough stability and plow. If you want even easier pop the E98+ might be a good consideration since the swingweight is more inline with what you're used to, but static weight is lower... so it's still pretty easy swinging.

Thats the main reason I was planning on switching away from the gravity pro. I felt like the speed pro had more pop and was easier to swing, I havent tried the e98+ yet i'll add that to my list!

The Clash Pro and Pure Strike 100 are stable with more pop than the Gravity Pro. Strike is stiff, Clash is soft. Start there and go on if you're still not satisfied.

If you want a 98, start with the Radical MP. I'd recommend sticking with a 100 if you like the Gravity. It's simpler than people make it out to be on here. Pick whichever stick makes you feel confident and comfortable stepping out there. It's easy to measure that. Then you have to measure your opponent's response. You don't want a stick that lets your opponent bully you on neutral balls. Play some baseline points and pay attention to how comfortable your opponent looks after a cleanly struck forehand. Try to see if your ball sits up like a piece of cotton candy, or if it penetrates through the court. Super control sticks like the Grav Pro don't let you miss, but they do let you hit short and weak.

And try to pick one you like stock. Don't fall down the lead tape rabbit hole. It's all a bunch of crap until you're really locked in and trying to match sticks.

I've actually tried both those rackets, the Clash pro I could swing for days and crush the ball, but on the flipside, I felt like I was also getting pushed around more if I had to be defensive. The Pure strike for me felt very muted and stiff but i'll definitely give it another go!

I've also played around with the Radical Pro, and it was very close to being a winner for me but there were times It felt very muted and couldn't get good ball pocketing feedback.

I actually almost went down the rabbit hole of buying a gravity MP and using lead tape to weight it up a few grams so thats good to know!

 

[Trip]

@Parnara - Per what you've shared so far, vs. the G360+ Gravity Pro, you're looking for:
- Similar plow-through
- Similar or better defensive capability
- Similar unfiltered feel (nothing too muted/muffled)
- Similar pocketing/flex
- Similar control
- A bit more free power
- Slightly easier swinging racquet (slightly less swing weight and/or more HL balance in stock form)

Considering all of that, here's what I would look at:
- Prince ATS Tour 98
- Prince ATS Tour 100P
- ProKennex Black Ace 315
- ProKennex Ki Q+ Tour Pro 315

 

[Parnara]

@Parnara - Per what you've shared so far, vs. the G360+ Gravity Pro, you're looking for:
- Similar plow-through
- Similar or better defensive capability
- Similar unfiltered feel (nothing too muted/muffled)
- Similar pocketing/flex
- Similar control
- A bit more free power
- Slightly easier swinging racquet (slightly less swing weight and/or more HL balance in stock form)

Considering all of that, here's what I would look at:
- Prince ATS Tour 98
- Prince ATS Tour 100P
- ProKennex Black Ace 315
- ProKennex Ki Q+ Tour Pro 315

Honestly, those notes are perfect! That's exactly the type of racket I'm looking for. I've actually never tried out any prokennex or prince rackets so I'm definitely going to add that to my next round of demos.

Only thing I will add is that I play a towards a more flat hitting game

 

[Trip]

@Parnara - Very welcome. And with a flatter hitting style, all the more reason to try out all four of those suggested frames -- they excel at a flatter game, as they all have a hybrid box beam shape, which tends to flex optimally for flatter hitting, and the spacing of their central mains is on the slightly more dense side of things, which means you'll still get enough string-to-ball contact when hitting flatter to maintain requisite control.

Looking forward to seeing what you favor on your demos, and being able to refine the guidance from there!

 

[GeoffHYL]

Tecnifibre TF40 18x20? I haven't played with the Gravity Pro, so can't compare the two, but the TF40 has a lower SW, and the 18x20 is suitable for flat hitting and a OHBH.

 

[Trip]

Tecnifibre TF40 18x20?

Nice stick, with better control than the GP in stock form, but IMHO, too low-powered, requiring too much added swing weight and/or bouncier string bed (giving up control) to equalize on power, and then more handle weight to counterbalance for maneuverability, landing you almost right back into the same spec as a GP, only less forgiving.

 

[Parnara]

@Parnara - Very welcome. And with a flatter hitting style, all the more reason to try out all four of those suggested frames -- they excel at a flatter game, as they all have a hybrid box beam shape, which tends to flex optimally for flatter hitting, and the spacing of their central mains is on the slightly more dense side of things, which means you'll still get enough string-to-ball contact when hitting flatter to maintain requisite control.

Looking forward to seeing what you favor on your demos, and being able to refine the guidance from there!

just ordered my demo of the prince ats tour 98, ezone, and the new head gravity! I'm really excited to test the prince after doing research on it.

 

[Fintft]

Shift 300

 

[GeoffHYL]

Nice stick, with better control than the GP in stock form, but IMHO, too low-powered, requiring too much added swing weight and/or bouncier string bed (giving up control) to equalize on power, and then more handle weight to counterbalance for maneuverability, landing you almost right back into the same spec as a GP, only less forgiving.

True that the TF40 is a bit lower powered than some comparable racquets. I tend to use the Tecnifibre TFight 305 (XTC or RS models), which has 18x19 string pattern for good control, but with more pop than the TF40.

 

[Parnara]

I should be getting my demos this thursday, will update on everything sometime this weekend once I get some playtime in!

 

[Parnara]

Just had a good amount of play time with the Prince ATS tour 98 and honestly I almost want to switch to it right away, I found it really comfortable with a lot of plow through when hit well, It was forgivable and stable.
I also played with the Head gravity pro Auxetic and besides the new color palette I'm not to convinced on it.
The ezone I fell was really powerful and stable but a bit muted for my taste

Rankings right now
1. Prince Ats tour 98
2. Ezone 98
3. Head speed 2022 auxetic

 

[Bigmctennis]

I've played with both the Gravity Pro... moved to the Speed Pro and I'm currently playing Auxetic version. My move was to get something a little lighter and maneuverable, but with a little more pop. I'm currently fooling around with the E98+ which I really have been enjoying. I don't have a OHBH so can't comment there, but it you can handle the GPro... the E98+ might be a consideration.

Speed Pro is a pretty easy transition IMO from the GPro if you want slightly more pop, but still enough stability and plow. If you want even easier pop the E98+ might be a good consideration since the swingweight is more inline with what you're used to, but static weight is lower... so it's still pretty easy swinging.

What’s your string setup on the speed

 

[Hit 'em clean]

What’s your string setup on the speed

I really like Yonex PTP Rev 16L at 50lbs. I'm considering dropping tension to 48, but 50 has worked pretty well.

 

[billsedd]

Just had a good amount of play time with the Prince ATS tour 98 and honestly I almost want to switch to it right away, I found it really comfortable with a lot of plow through when hit well, It was forgivable and stable.
I also played with the Head gravity pro Auxetic and besides the new color palette I'm not to convinced on it.
The ezone I fell was really powerful and stable but a bit muted for my taste

Rankings right now
1. Prince Ats tour 98
2. Ezone 98
3. Head speed 2022 auxetic

Can you share more insight about how you feel the ATS 98 is compared to the GPro and Ezone 98? It’s caught my eye as well- I was looking to get a racquet that was like a more comfortable pure strike (PO7 is the one I had) and I have both the ezone 98 and the gravity pro. Kinda hate the ATS paint job though personally so I was also looking at the Solinco whiteout

 

[Parnara]

Can you share more insight about how you feel the ATS 98 is compared to the GPro and Ezone 98? It’s caught my eye as well- I was looking to get a racquet that was like a more comfortable pure strike (PO7 is the one I had) and I have both the ezone 98 and the gravity pro. Kinda hate the ATS paint job though personally so I was also looking at the Solinco whiteout

I'm also not a fan out the paint job! However the feeling of the racket is really plush and stable. From my playtime with it I feel like its a lot less harsh compared to the Gpro giving me more forgivability and easy power. Compared to the Ezone I believe that the ATS tour has less power but a lot more feel/touch to the racket. I would honestly say overall it would be more powerful and just as stable for me compared to the Gpro, and allows me to feel more connected to my strokes compared to the ezone.

I havent tried the solinco whiteout but I've only heard good things about it!

 

[ivanjo]

I tried out the pure aero and didn't really mesh well with that one, I felt like I wasn't connected to the racket and my shots were going long. I also gave the yonex ezone 100 a try, that one felt pretty good but a little too light/whippy for me. What would you recommend?

EZ100 is whippy? That's new.. I'm selling my EZ100 because it feels sluggish compare to my Head Auxetic Gravity MP even at stock form and my lovely Artengo TR960CT.

Anyway, what did you end up switching to?

 

[Trip]

@Parnara - I know it's been a while. Any update on how you got on and what frame(s) you ending up picking, and why?