New Yonex Vcore (for 2020 or 2021 ?)

Chidoc

New User
Maybe I'm used to playing with hybrid setups and playing with PolyTour Pro 115 so comparatively it's much stiffer. I don't think it's the shape or coating. I may try it again with a thinner gauge and as a hybrid.
 
After playing with both I feel the 2021 95 is a bit stiffer and a bit more stable. Though I had modded both the old 95 and the new one to the same specs. SW 350, 8pts Headlight, 355 total weight flex at 65 measured on Babolat RDC. I tried playing with the new Poly Tour Rev and it felt jarringly too stiff a string even when strung at 46lbs. I switched to Poly Tour Pro 18G at 45 and it felt much better. I could probably go even lower in tension or go with a gut hybrid.

After playing for a few sets I started to get dialed in. After playing a bunch with the Ezone Tour I like the added control, spin is slightly less and power is slightly less but I find myself playing better as I am hitting through the ball more. I was taking my foot off the pedal a bit with the Ezone Tour to get control. I may make the switch to this. I had also been playing with the Blade Pro 16X19 and while that racquet had plenty of pop I could never really dial in the control.

Is there a difference in power/spin with the new 95?
 

Chidoc

New User
Power is about the same, spin slightly more. You still have to swing through the ball with this racquet but I'm able to place the ball where I want it. Much better control than the Ezone Tour. On par with the 97HD.
 
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Deleted member 768000

Guest
I wish they would've beefed up the 95 some more. It's to light. It needs a lot of lead to get to the point where a higher level player can actually use this racket in highly competitive situations.
I wouldn’t put out a general statement like this. I have friends who played the German Bundesliga with 305 unstrung sticks. It highly depends on your play style.
This summer I lost a match against a 19 year-old, who is among the top 450 in Germany. This guy played with a 290 unstrung grams stick and was hitting incredibly hard winners left and right of me. He has no issues with stability.
I often wonder how a lot of the hobby players on this forum play with a 360 grams plus racquet. Yeah, the feeling and plow must be addictive, but that is where it ends for me. I’m pretty sure most of these guys would be better off with like 340 strung.
 

Chidoc

New User
I customize all racquets I play with to fit my needs. Racquets that come in very heavy are hard to customize without getting way too heavy.
 

cortado

Professional
I'm currently using a racquet that is 320g 315mm balance unstrung. Once strung it is perfect, no customisation needed. It would be nice to see more racquets that are 310/315/320g unstrung with 315mm balance. It just seems like everything that is heavier than 300g gets 310 balance?
 

ichaseballs

Professional
everyone says how the 95 plays like a 97/98.
tennis spin talks about how the 95 is very different than the other vcores. which makes me curious...
to me the 95 seems like a difficult stick to use, especially for doubles?
i've been playing with 98 sq in frames. should i just stick to the vcore 98?
i do prefer heavier sticks and the 305 is a bit too light when stock. yonex pls make a vcore tour @ 315
 
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TennisManiac

Hall of Fame
I wouldn’t put out a general statement like this. I have friends who played the German Bundesliga with 305 unstrung sticks. It highly depends on your play style.
This summer I lost a match against a 19 year-old, who is among the top 450 in Germany. This guy played with a 290 unstrung grams stick and was hitting incredibly hard winners left and right of me. He has no issues with stability.
I often wonder how a lot of the hobby players on this forum play with a 360 grams plus racquet. Yeah, the feeling and plow must be addictive, but that is where it ends for me. I’m pretty sure most of these guys would be better off with like 340 strung.
340 strung is exactly what I play with. My frames are 340 strung and 5 pts hl. ;)
 

Sardines

Hall of Fame
I wish they would've beefed up the 95 some more. It's to light. It needs a lot of lead to get to the point where a higher level player can actually use this racket in highly competitive situations.
That's the nice thing about racquets like the VC series, they are light and very customizable to a player's spec. If you want a minimally customized racquet, then maybe choose a racquet closer to your specs? I'm sure there must be a Yonex that is closer to your specs? There is also the Yonex custom fit service in Japan, which is a pain and very expensive to get. I know 2 guys who have done it and got SV95 @ 325g 310mm balance sticks and stuck a bit of tungsten to get their preferred swing weight.

everyone says how the 95 plays like a 97/98.
tennis spin talks about how the 95 is very different than the other vcores. which makes me curious...
to me the 95 seems like a difficult stick to use, especially for doubles?
i've been playing with 98 sq in frames. should i just stick to the vcore 98?
A 95 stick is great for control and feel, especially for a powerful player looking to "tame" their power. The VC95 with the isometric head has a somewhat generous sweet spot, but that same technology is in the VC98/100. The difference is in the feel feedback is better, so it "feels" like the sweet spot is bigger. That's all. It's more maneuverable and blocking volleys are easier, not to mention the feel and touch. That said, the more advance the level, usually the faster and heavier the balls come. So having a bigger margin is probably better. If you're comfortable with the 98, and play better, why go smaller and reduce your margins?
 
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Deleted member 768000

Guest
That's the nice thing about racquets like the VC series, they are light and very customizable to a player's spec. If you want a minimally customized racquet, then maybe choose a racquet closer to your specs? I'm sure there must be a Yonex that is closer to your specs? There is also the Yonex custom fit service in Japan, which is a pain and very expensive to get. I know 2 guys who have done it and got SV95 @ 325g 310mm balance sticks and stuck a bit of tungsten to get their preferred swing weight.


A 95 stick is great for control and feel, especially for a powerful player looking to "tame" their power. The VC95 with the isometric head has a somewhat generous sweet spot, but that same technology is in the VC98/100. The difference is in the feel feedback is better, so it "feels" like the sweet spot is bigger. That's all. It's more maneuverable and blocking volleys are easier, not to mention the feel and touch. That said, the more advance the level, usually the faster and heavier the balls come. So having a bigger margin is probably better. If you're comfortable with the 98, and play better, why go smaller and reduce your margins?
I believe it’s always maneuverability vs sweet area size. I have less mis hits with a smaller head size that is more maneuverable. I have waaaay less mis hits with the Prince 93p vs the Yonex HD97 for example. The Prince is faster for me and my play style. I would even say that I am hitting the cleanest with this and the SV95. Just because they are so fast through the air.
 

leojramirez

Rookie
Tennis Spin short review of the new 98
Ticks all the boxes for me. As much as I'd like the 95, the 98 is just an easier stick to play with.
 

RF_PRO_STAFF

Professional
I've seen a weird strung swingweight number for the VC95: 312.5. This comes from someone who got a demo and measured it on a Head 3-in-1. (Not me)

He used a 1.25 gauge poly string so that's a really odd swingweight for the quality control Yonex offers.
 

Sardines

Hall of Fame
I believe it’s always maneuverability vs sweet area size. I have less mis hits with a smaller head size that is more maneuverable. I have waaaay less mis hits with the Prince 93p vs the Yonex HD97 for example. The Prince is faster for me and my play style. I would even say that I am hitting the cleanest with this and the SV95. Just because they are so fast through the air.
I was speaking in general. I can't imagine anyone hitting heavy top spin shots would mishit less with a 93 or 95 vs 98 or 100, or someone who plays against a heavy ball. I also think it is also because you know the frame is smaller, so you consciously wouldn't be hitting with aggressive hitting angles as much for top spin? I know I was.
 
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Deleted member 768000

Guest
I was speaking in general. I can't imagine anyone hitting heavy top spin shots would mishit less with a 93 or 95 vs 98 or 100, or someone who plays against a heavy ball. I also think it is also because you know the frame is smaller, so you consciously wouldn't be hitting with aggressive hitting angles as much for top spin? I know I was.
For me it is a bit different. As I know that my 95 is not too powerful, I can easily go full out on angles and down the lines as I know I won’t be hitting long.
But yeah, sweet area is bigger of course. For me, I am having a lot of issues with 100 inch frames coming around on my OHBH for example and so I’m hitting it waaaay cleaner with my 95 inch racquet for example. On volleys it’s the same. My 95 is much quicker through the air, so I tend to mis hit less with my smaller head size.
 

Angelface

Rookie
Pondering if I should pre-order the new VC98, I currently play with the current generation 98 Galaxy, but am not completely gelling with it.
 

Sardines

Hall of Fame
Apparently its a new mold
I would think so. It's thicker, and wider in the top hoop, and also thinner, so yes. The VC98 is almost identical to the SV98, with the exception of the aero trench and throat aero effects.
Pondering if I should pre-order the new VC98, I currently play with the current generation 98 Galaxy, but am not completely gelling with it.
What aren't you gelling with? The string pattern is the same with a stiffer feel. In all likelihood, if you aren't liking the VC98.18, you won't like the 21 which mutes the feel a bit more.
 

topspn

Legend
I would think so. It's thicker, and wider in the top hoop, and also thinner, so yes. The VC98 is almost identical to the SV98, with the exception of the aero trench and throat aero effects.

What aren't you gelling with? The string pattern is the same with a stiffer feel. In all likelihood, if you aren't liking the VC98.18, you won't like the 21 which mutes the feel a bit more.
It was also mentioned by a Yonex rep they pulled out the frame more @ 2 and 10
 

Angelface

Rookie
I would think so. It's thicker, and wider in the top hoop, and also thinner, so yes. The VC98 is almost identical to the SV98, with the exception of the aero trench and throat aero effects.

What aren't you gelling with? The string pattern is the same with a stiffer feel. In all likelihood, if you aren't liking the VC98.18, you won't like the 21 which mutes the feel a bit more.
Sorry, I didn't really express myself properly, VC98 is my favourite stick, my slight cons are some lack of feel and control (feels imbalanced), sounds like Yonex has done some changes to mitigate together with improved spin.
 
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Deleted member 768000

Guest
Sorry, I didn't really express myself properly, VC98 is my favourite stick, my slight cons are some lack of feel and control (feels imbalanced), sounds like Yonex has done some changes to mitigate together with improved spin.
Test it before you buy it. Simple.
Or buy it used. But I wouldn’t buy a new racquet for the full price that I’ve never played. Those reviews are mostly good from sellers of course. And the new generation is always so much „better“ than the previous one! That is why the pros are always playing with the latest rendition of a racquet. Always! It’s simply the best!

The two best players in our club play two very different racquets with a surprisingly similar play style. One a pure drive from 12 years ago and the other a prestige from 10 years ago, I think. They are very consistent with their gear and I believe that is one of the reasons they are so good. When they have a bad day on court, it’s never the gear that takes the blame.

For most players here it seems to be mostly, if not only about their gear. I think some of us wouldn’t even play if it weren’t for new racquets or strings.
 
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nochuola

Rookie
According to everything I've heard so far, it sounds like they drastically improved the 98, but f'd up the 95. I'm actually weirdly relieved because it saves me the trouble of worrying about possibly switching from the current 95.
 
According to everything I've heard so far, it sounds like they drastically improved the 98, but f'd up the 95. I'm actually weirdly relieved because it saves me the trouble of worrying about possibly switching from the current 95.

Where have you negative feedback on the 95? I'm in the same camp as you, I wouldn't mind picking up some of the outgoing gen on discount if it's the better racquet.
 

nochuola

Rookie
Where have you negative feedback on the 95? I'm in the same camp as you, I wouldn't mind picking up some of the outgoing gen on discount if it's the better racquet.
I don't want to mislead anyone. It's all hearsay or first impressions at this point. The "Nerd" posted in his patreon that he measured his 95 2021 to have ridiculously low SW (312.5) yet somehow a lot more powerful than the current. To be completely fair, he didn't like the current 95 either so... grain of salt.
 
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Deleted member 768000

Guest
I’m actually still playing with the SV95 and think it’s an incredible racquet.
 

Sardines

Hall of Fame
According to everything I've heard so far, it sounds like they drastically improved the 98, but f'd up the 95. I'm actually weirdly relieved because it saves me the trouble of worrying about possibly switching from the current 95.
I think with the 95, they were somewhat more conservative than the 98. I think they tried to get balance the SV95 and VC95.18. It's a competent stick on its own. The problem is expectations from users of the previous models. As an outsider, I liked the VC95.21, but prefer the less muted SV95. Yonex usually keeps weight and balance specs, but modifies characteristics like stiffness, string patterns and also adds new materials and technology.
The VC98.18 sold better than the SV98, ostensibly because it had the lower stiffness but more muted feel. I think they moved the stiffness back up to bring back consistency.

Where have you negative feedback on the 95? I'm in the same camp as you, I wouldn't mind picking up some of the outgoing gen on discount if it's the better racquet.
Well, if you are comfortable and happy with the VC95.18, why bother? Once I gel with a racquet, I wait for discounts and stock up so I won't have to think about it. If you aren't performing as well, have arm issues etc, then I'd consider something else. Otherwise, nothing beats working on your game, grooving out the strokes to get better.
 
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smalahove

Hall of Fame
I don't want to mislead anyone. It's all hearsay or first impressions at this point. The "Nerd" posted in his patreon that he measured his 95 2021 to have ridiculously low SW (312.5) yet somehow a lot more powerful than the current. To be completely fair, he didn't like the current 95 either so... grain of salt.

He did like the 2018 VCore 95, as it made it to his (then current) possible switch list:

 

topspn

Legend
I really like Karue Sell's videos on My Tennis HQ. I think that in terms of comparison between the older version and the new VCOREs you can't get anything better at this moment.
Totally sold on the 98.

He goes through a lot of relevant detail so yes he provides pretty good reviews. Maybe part of it is he is a high level player and gets more nuance
 

Angelface

Rookie
Test it before you buy it. Simple.
Or buy it used. But I wouldn’t buy a new racquet for the full price that I’ve never played. Those reviews are mostly good from sellers of course. And the new generation is always so much „better“ than the previous one! That is why the pros are always playing with the latest rendition of a racquet. Always! It’s simply the best!

The two best players in our club play two very different racquets with a surprisingly similar play style. One a pure drive from 12 years ago and the other a prestige from 10 years ago, I think. They are very consistent with their gear and I believe that is one of the reasons they are so good. When they have a bad day on court, it’s never the gear that takes the blame.

For most players here it seems to be mostly, if not only about their gear. I think some of us wouldn’t even play if it weren’t for new racquets or strings.
I'm not really sure how you draw that conclusion from what I wrote. Considering testing a new generation of racquet does not mean that less time nor focus is spent on playing tennis, interest of a new release on a tennis forum dedicated to racquets does not indicate much, at all, really. In reality it will not be possible to demo this racquet since everyone will want to, buying one and in worst case selling it isn't the worst outcome.
 

DJTaurus

Hall of Fame
If it hasn’t at the least the feel/ball connection of SV98 then i would not even playtest it. It has been a long time since i tried a yonex stick and not a Babolat copy (n)
 

WNB93

Rookie
If it hasn’t at the least the feel/ball connection of SV98 then i would not even playtest it. It has been a long time since i tried a yonex stick and not a Babolat copy (n)
I tested SV100 and VC 100 2021 side by side (pro stocks) and they are very different rackets. SV is way more flexible, completely different frame mold, different feel, less spin, etc etc.
I'm no pro so take my comparison with a grain of salt but the pros say it's too different to switch.
 

Ares2323

Rookie
Is 98 much different from 100? I used to play Pure Aero and now ezone 100. The only thing I miss in ezone is the Spin. I wanted to order Vcore 100 for testing, but I'm also thinking about 98. What do you think?
 

McLovin

Legend
Is 98 much different from 100? I used to play Pure Aero and now ezone 100. The only thing I miss in ezone is the Spin. I wanted to order Vcore 100 for testing, but I'm also thinking about 98. What do you think?
I can’t speak to the new ones, but the 2018 versions were significantly different. Different beam widths, weight, balance, swing weight, power level, etc. Feel might have been somewhat similar, but that is subjective.
 

Sardines

Hall of Fame
That's interesting. As a SV98+ user, I wouldn't say it has a lot of feel and pocketing, instead the ball leaves the string quite quickly and it goes where I want it to. I think the subsequent VC98.18 has better feel, but exacerbates the short ball contact with a higher launch angle, along with a flexier stick. The VC98.21 brings back the stiffness of the SV, but flexes differently, more in the top hoop. The beefier bottom hoop gives in slightly better stability. I think it fits flatter, medium length strokes fit better than deep parabola strokes. If you like the SV98 uniform predictable response, the VC98.21 will have a higher launch angle, better pocketing feel, but a slightly muzzled response.
If it hasn’t at the least the feel/ball connection of SV98 then i would not even playtest it. It has been a long time since i tried a yonex stick and not a Babolat copy (n)

Personally, I think the VC100.21 does have better bite and higher launch angle than the EZ100.20. The EZ is maybe slightly more powerful, stiffer, better feel but overall the feel is closer between the 2.
Is 98 much different from 100? I used to play Pure Aero and now ezone 100. The only thing I miss in ezone is the Spin. I wanted to order Vcore 100 for testing, but I'm also thinking about 98. What do you think?
 

WNB93

Rookie
Is 98 much different from 100? I used to play Pure Aero and now ezone 100. The only thing I miss in ezone is the Spin. I wanted to order Vcore 100 for testing, but I'm also thinking about 98. What do you think?
if you think you need less power then 98 would be ok. But if you’re happy with the power then you shouldn’t go down a size. I was testing the 98 ezone after being used to 100 rackets and I just couldn’t gel with it. I love the ezone 100 though.
 

smalahove

Hall of Fame
I really liked the SV98, and thought the Vcore 98 (2018) was ok. I always thought that had to to with material change and/or layup, but I just remembered the the SV98 was 16x20. The same thing happened when I went from the Duel G line to the VCP line. Never tried the SV95, but the VC95 is my favorite Yonex so far, so I'm very eager to try the new 98 and 95.

I've also come to the conclusion that 97/98 is the best compromise for my game, but the Vcore 95 is the easiest playing 95 I've come across. But if the new 98 improves on the shortcomings of the previous one, and perhaps even has some of the power I remember the SV98 had, then I'll seriously have to consider getting one :)
 

flanker2000fr

Hall of Fame
I really like Karue Sell's videos on My Tennis HQ. I think that in terms of comparison between the older version and the new VCOREs you can't get anything better at this moment.
Totally sold on the 98.


I was going to post that video, you beat me to it. I would take Karue's advice of that of Tennis Spin any day of the week. The two coaches on Tennis Spin are obviously good players, and I would definitely hear what they have to say, but Tennis Spin himself is a clown who doesn't have an idea what he's talking about half the time.

Back to Karue, I am really looking forward to his full review of the new Vcore 95. He makes a lot of interesting remarks on this preview.
 
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