JOSHL
Hall of Fame
Funny because I had the same set up in my Duel G 330 but at 55lbs. It was nice.
New Yonex Exone Pics
- Thread starter srvnvly
- Start date
dje31
Professional
When I first got mine, I strung one on the low end of recommended tension, and one on the high end, just to put them through their paces, and see how they would (or wouldn't) work for me. I always do that when I change racquets.
Absolutely hated it at the high end...cut them out after 2 outings, realizing that tension range wasn't going to work for me.
Mid to low--even lower than MFR's rec'd range---is sweet. Exceeded my expectations. Don't hesitate to experiment.
That and I have the crosses ~10% lower than mains.
dje31
Professional
Do you have your own stringing machine, JOSHL? If so, what make / model? Or do you just buy string by the reel?
I spent a summer in the 80s stringing at a shop, and have thought about buying one. Would make things cheap and convenient.
I'd definitely pick up Cyclone19 and OGSM17 reels.
I spent a summer in the 80s stringing at a shop, and have thought about buying one. Would make things cheap and convenient.
I'd definitely pick up Cyclone19 and OGSM17 reels.
JOSHL
Hall of Fame
I do have a machine. Just got into it about 6 months ago or so. I bought a gamma x-2 which is cheap but it works just fine!
MajesticMoose
Hall of Fame
For me it's ok. My problem with the ezone racquets cosmetically are:
1) Wide beam/aero throat
2. Matte finish at least on the DR
3. secondary colour
The duel g to me is a much better looking racquet.
I miss that frame and wish I never would have gotten rid of it. Loved the green and orange paint scheme.
JOSHL
Hall of Fame
Agree! The DG is so cool looking, one of the reasons I was struggling between it and the DR 98+. Ultimately I play a tad better with the plus so I'm selling the DG's.
WhiskeyEE
G.O.A.T.
What was your reason for getting rid of it?
MajesticMoose
Hall of Fame
I just ended up trading it on and another during a racquet purchase. Looking back I wish I would have kept it.
dje31
Professional
A few relevant items to this thread. I just picked up my two EZXi98 from restringing...which reminds me:
. new strings rule...really need to acquire a stringing machine;
. yes, my two tensions are spot-on for me, my game--such as it is--and this racquet;
. saw my first blue DR98 in the flesh at the shop. Sharp looking, definitely more rounded head, not the same mold as the EZXi, but definitely the same as Ai98;
. if the '18 EZone 98 is as much of a refresh of my EZXi98 as I suspect it might be, and is offered in blue, I can see adding two to my quiver. Yes, I'm shallow like that.
. new strings rule...really need to acquire a stringing machine;
. yes, my two tensions are spot-on for me, my game--such as it is--and this racquet;
. saw my first blue DR98 in the flesh at the shop. Sharp looking, definitely more rounded head, not the same mold as the EZXi, but definitely the same as Ai98;
. if the '18 EZone 98 is as much of a refresh of my EZXi98 as I suspect it might be, and is offered in blue, I can see adding two to my quiver. Yes, I'm shallow like that.
TennisManiac
Hall of Fame
thanks
dje31
Professional
One of the many things I like about my EZXi98 is that, with the strings and tensions I use, I don't need a string vibe damper. I know of and used plenty of store-bought and homemade solutions.
Hoping, when they put out a blue version of the '18 EZone, the same holds true. If not, it's not a deal breaker, and I can accommodate.
Hoping, when they put out a blue version of the '18 EZone, the same holds true. If not, it's not a deal breaker, and I can accommodate.
CodyZzZ
Rookie
They've historically been (and still are) focusing on and making money with their Badminton line. Call me biased, but I do think the popularity of the DR98 (which started from the AI98) is a factor in their recent increased interest towards investing more in Tennis. As a consumer, I love to see brands step up. It creates nervousness in other brands, which hopefully would encourage them to output better products, so ultimately we as consumers win with better and more options to choose from.
I agree, in almost every situation competition is good.
Doubt we will see racquet prices drop, but we should see more options and development for what it's worth.
TennisManiac
Hall of Fame
The paint job on the racquet Ruud is using is slightly different. More black around the hoop. Actually it's all black around the hoop. If that is how they will look then that would be awesome. But why would they show us a different looking paint job on the Yonex website?
Federerkblade
Hall of Fame
Links to Ruud
Federerkblade
Hall of Fame
Doesn't look great xi 98 paintjob still beats it
TennisManiac
Hall of Fame
This is definitely not the racquet Ruud was using. At least not the same paint job. PuzzlingNo like Coco but Yonex retweet this on twitter.
fundrazer
G.O.A.T.
You sure?This is definitely not the racquet Ruud was using. At least not the same paint job. Puzzling
TennisManiac
Hall of Fame
You sure?
It looks like it there. But I swear when I was watching the match earlier it was different. IDK... maybe I'm going crazy.
Casius_Juventus
Rookie
From what I can determine, and this is early days, looks like :
1) The sweet spot is bigger and higher up the hoop
2) The grommets are bigger and a new and more aligned system
3) The quake-shut gel is more dampening
4) The hoop is stiffer
So, in aggregate, it seems to me that the new racquet will be :
Stiffer but counteracted by a more comfortable string bed and less racquet vibration (more muted feel).
1) The sweet spot is bigger and higher up the hoop
2) The grommets are bigger and a new and more aligned system
3) The quake-shut gel is more dampening
4) The hoop is stiffer
So, in aggregate, it seems to me that the new racquet will be :
Stiffer but counteracted by a more comfortable string bed and less racquet vibration (more muted feel).
kimguroo
Legend
That's what I think too but 4% increased sweet spots or other elements are impossible to distinguish by human hahaha so it might be slightly crispier than DR but basically same racket. Surprised to see that they strung racket at 40lbs for 98 and 48 for 100. Usually they strung racket around 50. Either slightly less power or stiffer feeling than DR.......
Anton
Legend
OH OH, more power from extra stiffness is a nono for me, since I play it with extra weight.
XFactorer
Hall of Fame
Regarding 2, I think the grommets are the same, but how the holes are drilled/placed combined with the structure of the grommet gives way to the Micro Offset Layout tech that supposedly adds to comfort.
Regarding 4, I gathered that the Hyper-MG was added to 12 and 6 is a stiffer material, but that's not where you feel the flex differences like you would at 3 and 9. In the top and bottom, Hyper-MG will act more as a stabilizer than a stiffener. I dunno. That's what I gathered.
I hope the the feel is mostly the same. I noticed the drop in weight and the 5mm difference in balance point - I bet the Hyper MG will balance out the lighter weight with more power and this could be like a Pure Strike! Then I won't have to keep thinking I want to switch over to the Strike.
TennisManiac
Hall of Fame
This assumption seems spot on.
Assuming that this assumption is true. Comparing it to the DR98. It's basically going to be just as plush, comfortable and accurate while offering a bit more power due to a slightly larger sweet spot and the MG technology. Sounds like the racquet of my dreams.
Casius_Juventus
Rookie
You'd be surprised how even a 4% increase in sweet spot would improve string bed comfort, especially when it's moved towards the top of the hoop, effectively increasing the racquet's leverage.
I have to admit, my own pet-peeve with both the 98 and 100 has always been the relatively stiff string-bed which forced me to play with lower tensions than I would otherwise, which then subsequently made me more sensitive to even tiny drops in tension. A more forgiving string-bed and bigger sweet spot might allow for higher tensions, less tension sensitiveness and hopefully more spin which the Ezone line has always been deficient in.
fundrazer
G.O.A.T.
Does anyone else think it looks like they're getting less pop than in some of the other videos? Might not mean anything, as they could just be taking it a bit easier or something, but it kinda stood out to me.
Casius_Juventus
Rookie
If you take a very close look at the grommet design, it looks like the racquet can only be strung uni-directionally. That's how Yonex have been able to perfectly align the strings. I'm assuming also, for this reason, the diameter of the grommets are also bigger then before. But which grommets? All of them or only at 3 and 9 ??
Regarding 4, I'm not sure either, but I would probably veer more towards stiffness than stability.
Casius_Juventus
Rookie
I think that may be due to the lowered tensions
Casius_Juventus
Rookie
This assumption seems spot on.
Assuming that this assumption is true. Comparing it to the DR98. It's basically going to be just as plush, comfortable and accurate while offering a bit more power due to a slightly larger sweet spot and the MG technology. Sounds like the racquet of my dreams.
Totally agree.
If anyone was looking for a good 3.5 video, there it is.
1990's Graphite
Hall of Fame
LOL more like 4.5 !
CodyZzZ
Rookie
Haha i would agree, at least 4.0. Solid strokes, stable footwork, good directional control and placements. They are quite obviously holding back their power for the sake of the video, testing the ezone, and just goofing around and having fun.
1990's Graphite
Hall of Fame
Spot on. Very good mechanics and footwork. If you watch their vids you can see their skills and that they do hold back. Maybe 3.5 in Florida
TennisManiac
Hall of Fame
Spot on. Very good mechanics and footwork. If you watch their vids you can see their skills and that they do hold back. Maybe 3.5 in Florida
3.5 at best here in PA.
onkystomper
Hall of Fame
3.5?? do you even play or teach tennis ? Also does it matter at all? Are you ever going to play them.
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
Is she using the Xzone now ?? That looks like Extra long,,,,,are they making extra long versions now ??No like Coco but Yonex retweet this on twitter.
smalahove
Hall of Fame
Casper Ruud has been using the DR100, so I doubt he'd be sporting the new ezone 98 now. It's much more likely the new ezone 100.
smalahove
Hall of Fame
^^ Compared the TW playtesters and their ratings, the Lafino/Fukky crowd is def 4.5 to 5.5. Ppl shouldn't jump to conclusions based on their controlled, slow pace.
Just look at their volley skills.
XFactorer
Hall of Fame
I guess we'll all know towards the end of this month!
