O3 Tour vs nPS 95 vs Babolat Pure Storm

[cadfael_tex]

I'm looking for a lighter racquet than the Slaz X1 (and PS 6.0 95) because I've had some forearm problems and am just old.
I tried the O3 tour last week and liked it pretty well. I tried the Flexpoint Instinct today and hated it.

I will probably take another look at the O3 tour but am also considering the nPS 95 from it's numbers. The Babolats also seem to be populat (typo but it seemed approriate) but the arm problem threads on here worry me. The Pure Storm looks to be the most arm friendly but I'm open to comments on any of the Bab line.

Cheers in advance for any guidance.

 

[cadfael_tex]

Anyone? Please!

 

[Bobo Lat]

I've been using the Pure Storm for two months and my arm is perfectly ok. This is, in fact, a very good raquet. Maybe a bit too light, but that's, actually, one of the great things about it. You can customize it to suit your preference.

 

[misterg]

Hey cadfael_tex I'm searchin the same racquet as you, very soft, arm friendly and not too heavy (max 300-310 gr) for us veteran's... How do you find the O3 tour in terms of power (baseline and servers), I have not enought to supply by myself so every help from the racquet is welcome. I'll watch out your post...

 

[hadoken]

My buddy uses the o3 and I use the Storm so I can compare these two. In terms of flex the o3 is noticeably flexier, plus it's very fast because it is HL. The Storm is def. stiffer and much less mobile. However, the lighter weight really shows itself when you wind up for a serve compared to the o3.

In terms of power, I thought they are about the same if you take the Storm stock..it's much too light. I have lead tape all around the pallet and when you put that on, the power is a step up from the o3.

I like my Storm a litle better than the o3 after I added lead to it, but I have not leaded up an o3. Not sure which racquet I would pick if I had to do it again, but I certainly would not pick a stock Storm over a stock o3

 

[cadfael_tex]

Hey cadfael_tex I'm searchin the same racquet as you, very soft, arm friendly and not too heavy (max 300-310 gr) for us veteran's... How do you find the O3 tour in terms of power (baseline and servers), I have not enought to supply by myself so every help from the racquet is welcome. I'll watch out your post...

The O3 Tour isn't much lighter than the Slaz X1 but a hitting partner noticed I was getting around quicker. I didn't notice alot of extra power in the 03 - some and I seemed to hit the sweet spot a little more often (guess those o-ports work).

I'm trying the Pure Storm the next couple of days. I didn't like the feel of the nPS 95 hitting on a wall at the shop but I did like the feel of the mFil 300 alot. Probably try it next and see if I can rekindle some of the old Dunlop woodie love from long ago.

 

[kreative]

misterg, i felt that the o3 didn't have much pop to it, and that you had to generate your own power. maybe try out the wilson nsurge or babolat pure drive for a little "help" w/ power on your serves and groundstrokes.

tex, maybe the dunlop maxply mcenroe would bring back that old woodie love?

 

[tarkowski]

I'm a Wilson fan and didn't care too much for the nPS either (though it had poor string job as a demo). I did like the O3 Tour, but with the open pattern and flex, I desired more weight. As such, I preferred the Radical Flexpoint Tour to the O3. Though this might be heavier than you desire.

Regarding the Flexpoint Instinct: If it's the sluggishness that you hated (even though it's lighter, it has a hefty swing), a racquet in this class that's a lot more fun to play with is the nPro Surge. I found it to be not 'too' powerful as some have indicated, and with a string pattern conducive to spin. It's more manuverable than the Instinct and better for coming to net - yet still plenty solid at the baseline. It plays stiffer than an O3, yet is softer than the nPro - which I thought too stiff.

Good luck!

 

[cadfael_tex]

I guess I should qualify something that I discovered - senior moment. I ended up with the demo for the Pure Storm Team MP rather than the regular Pure Storm. Not as flexible as I'd have liked and not head light. The balance didn't help my serve much. Groundies were good but I did wear out sooner I think - can I blame that on the balance too Overall, however, I really liked it. Felt good to hit with. I'm looking forward to getting the other version to try out later - the orange one as I know now.

 

[cadfael_tex]

Kreative, I'd like to try the Maxply Mac - since the original was my first real racquet and I loved playing with it. It's not available locally so I'd have to get it from TW.

 

[misterg]

misterg, i felt that the o3 didn't have much pop to it, and that you had to generate your own power. maybe try out the wilson nsurge or babolat pure drive for a little "help" w/ power on your serves and groundstrokes.

tex, maybe the dunlop maxply mcenroe would bring back that old woodie love?

I actually play with a pure drive and I like it's power expecially on serves but dislike the stiffness and bad touch (at low tensions...). It seems that the O3 tour it is not so heplfull (from my point of view) on serves. Maybe the O3 White will be a better choice, yesterday In a magazine (tennis Italiano) I saw it's spec's, and it seem's very like the PD, but not so stiff.

 

[cadfael_tex]

I liked the O3 tour, just wished it was slightly lighter.

 

[texcoug]

tex -- do you really have 379 posts since Sept? wow.

I play with the PCZ 360 (very similar to the Storm) and I like it a lot. I can't seem to put it down and have tried the Diablo, RDX Mid, Z-Lite, and lately the Prince Red. I thought it would be hard going to the 105" but it is a great spin racquet. I was able to get a lot of movement on the serves and plenty of spin on groundies. I haven't tried the tour, but I wanted to go to the lighter frame. I am going to stick with the Red for a while.

That being said, and seeing how I have played a lot with the 360 (only thing difference from the Storm is 1" in headsize), I think the Pure Drive is what I need to try. I kicked against the *****s about trying it because EVERYONE plays with it. That is my nature. But sometimes there is a reason that everyone is using it. I plan to give it a run next.

 

[cadfael_tex]

Picked up a Pure Drive Team Plus - wanted to see what the extra length would do. I'm going to watch out for any signs of TE. The place I'm demoing from didn't have the Pure Storm non-mp but I liked the Pure Storm MP alot. I wanted to try the Pure Drive because it's head light (if I'm reading the stats correctly). I'm not thrilled about the stiffness but it doesn't seem that much more than the PS 6.0 I'm used to.

Anybody, does 4 points in stiffness factor make a huge difference?

I'll post my impressions of the PD+ after I play with it in the next couple of days...

 

[nuskool]

I have the nps and love it.

 

[cadfael_tex]

Ok, didn't like the PD+. I'll give it another try tomorrow but first glance didn't impress. Too stiff and just didn't feel the power. The rackets I like most seem to be the most flexible. Case in point - when I put down the PD+ tonight I brought out the old Head Vilas wood and rocked. I think I might try the nPS. Any other suggestions for a flexible, light almost player's racket? (Head, Babolat, Wilson, and Prince are available local to try so I'm leaning towards those brands.

 

[cadfael_tex]

Just to recap:
O3 Tour - liked but would liked it to have been just a little lighter
Head Flexpoint Instict - hated, felt like a cracked two by four.
Babolat Pure Storm MP - liked alot.
Babolat Pure Drive + - didn't like much but will try it again tom.
Head Vilas - loved.

 

[Marius_Hancu]

Prince Diablo MP?
check Customer Feedback by
From: Tim, Naperville, IL, USA. 8/05

 

[cadfael_tex]

How does the O3 tour and Diablo MP differ in playability? The specs look very similar and I liked the O3 tour probably best out of what I played.

 

[roddick_rulz]

Try the ntour. It's similar but better!