Those guys swing a lot faster - so they don't need it. I swing slow, so I need the SW to help me out.
Official Babolat Strike VS 2022 thread
- Thread starter AceyMan
- Start date
EggSalad
Hall of Fame
Two different models.
Alcawrath
Semi-Pro
What did the first one look like and what year is it from?
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The first one was basically the Pure Control tour, I believe, with some slight modifications and a Pure Strike PJ. There was a standard and a light version.
Alcawrath
Semi-Pro
Gotcha. I used the way back machine and found what it looked like in 2020. It has completely different specs, and honestly without a different moniker it's kind of confusing. I guess I just think of the PSVS as the sith babolat racquet.
Correction, they had a tour version and and a non-tour version which was lighter. I wish I'd snagged a few of the non-tour versions.
I've got one set up with wilson gut crossed with cream. I will say that I like it, but prefer my cyclone 19/GTour 3 setup in general, mainly because it's a bit more controlled. The feel of the gut/poly is wonderful, but it almost has too much pop. But still, a wonderful experience to hit with.
JOSHL
Hall of Fame
This is what I’m afraid of so I prob won’t try it…although I’d use a stiffer cross like max power rough.
Yeah, I'm sure I could get used to it and adjust, but I'm reluctant to get hooked on gut for some reason.
EggSalad
Hall of Fame
Thanks for the feedback. The too much power potential is my biggest hold up. I guess if I committed to the set up, I’d be fine. But I only dabble in Gut/Poly and always end up back at full bed poly.
Pneumated1
Hall of Fame
What did you string the gut/cream at? For that setup, I bet you'd have to go at leat 50/47, if not 52/49 to get some control back, but it would just be a tension experiment, which isn't cheap with gut. I'd be inclined to put something like Head Hawk in the crosses, but that would eliminate a lot of the addictive dwell this frame offers. Soft poly main/softer poly cross at 45# is sublime, so I'll probably pass unless curiosity gets the best of me.
I think I did it at maybe bit over 50 on the mains and 5lbs less on the crosses, but can't remember for sure. I should check the DT. And yeah, the soft poly combo is where I'm at right now. Less expensive and quite durable and also not bad on the arm given how plush the frame is overall.
socallefty
G.O.A.T.
I have VS/HyperG Soft on my VS at 44/40. The VS also has 4 grams of lead tape at the tip.
How do you like that setup?
socallefty
G.O.A.T.
I use it for practice and for doubles. Still using a PS Tour at 47/44 for singles. The VS sweet spot is still smaller than the PST which affects defense and I don’t get as much pop on 1st serves. Apart from a bit better feel and comfort, there isn’t anything I like by a big extent over the PST - probably a bit more spin/precision. I keep the tension low to get a bit more pop on serves.
are you playing them stock? or do you have any lead in the hoop?
I took the top part off to add some lead on a couple, but I have not done a full change yet. Might need to do that sometime soon, however, and I'll report back when I do.
It's honestly a bit of a pain and it took me some time to get the technique down but having replaced my share of APD grommets it's something I'm used to. I found it to be an overall tight fit so the last few holes could be annoying to get through and there's these little "tabs" at 10 and 2 o'clock that you have to make sure it doesn't stick out. Price of beauty I suppose!
RNBABOLAT
Professional
It depends.... if you use a new set of grommets is kind of easy with some heat. But, if is used you better have some "arm oil" and some heat to put properly the kind of capped guard and the shared holes
JOSHL
Hall of Fame
Couple grams at 12.
Pneumated1
Hall of Fame
Curious as well. But if we have no other option at that point, I'll do it regardless of looks, haha.
TwinCinema
Semi-Pro
I demoed the EZone 98 but the VS is my main stick. EZone has more native power but if you lead up the strike it isn’t far behind. Both have good control but Strike wins by a nose there. EZone feels muted, Strike feels softer.
I use a 2HBH so grain of salt but the strike is great on that side, especially when slicing. EZone really good on topspin 2HBH.
EZone has a much bigger sweet spot and feels firmer on groundstrokes. Strike is better at the net: maneuverable with laser precision on volleys. EZone is very comfortable but Strike is the most comfy Babolat I’ve ever used. Both are great rackets.
tophersuwita
Rookie
Used Confidential on this: too low powered and stiff. Caviar: plush and pocketing with good control. How about Super Toro? Some guys said that it is the best string for VS.
JOSHL
Hall of Fame
Haven’t used super toro in it but @TwinCinema has used toro toro which is allegedly the same string just different color. I have confidential 17/ghost wire 17 in one of mine and it plays great.
TwinCinema
Semi-Pro
True, toro toro is the same string as super toro and I've used it in the PSVS. I hate to admit it but it plays really well in the VS. I say "hate" because I'm not a fan in general of the string. It's incredibly stiff, super dead. I've called it "rigor mortis" before. But nevertheless it tames the power of a leaded-up VS well, has excellent bite and control, access to spin, etc. If you can stand the feel then it works in that stick. But if you thought Confidential was too stiff and low-powered, @tophersuwita, I have bad news for you about the toro toro.
tophersuwita
Rookie
My main string is Confidential (now used in my Strike 16x20) but I find better pocketing in VS with Caviar. Didn't like the color though. So the Caviar is better for pocketing feel?
About the color, do you suggest contrasting stringbed color for better visual of head path (e.g I want to use Super Toro for the blue color vs red-black frame of VS).
TwinCinema
Semi-Pro
Yes, Caviar has better pocketing feel for me, but if you don't like the color, then my suggestion for a PSVS string with great pocketing, feel, and performance is razor code white, 18 gauge.
As for the color, I think that's personal preference. To me, the neon red of toro toro looks terrific in that paintjob, but so do carbon-color strings, and white ones (like the aforementioned razor code). Just my style, I don't like blue, green, or yellow strings in a red/gunmetal frame. The best contrasting color in it is white just because of those white accents on the hoop.
EDIT: And as per my sig, I use FireWire Boost not just for the performance and tension maintenance, which is terrific, but the color of it is red & white, so it matches great. Miles of style.
RNBABOLAT
Professional
Can you compare Confi to a full bed of Firewire? I really like that combo but hopefully I can get rhe same feedback I have with Confidential. Thanks
TwinCinema
Semi-Pro
I’ve never played full bed of FW, only played it crossed with ghostwire. But it plays a little livelier than confidential and feels a bit softer on the arm. Both have good control and durability.
RNBABOLAT
Professional
In terms of spin or power there is some advantage with Firewire Boost? Thanks
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TwinCinema
Semi-Pro
Boost has a slicker cross so you get better snapback, better spin, and it feels a touch softer. Power overall is medium - not a dead setup like toro toro, but not a launchy one like wasabi.
tophersuwita
Rookie
Can't agree more about that style. Never use Razor Code but will try for my next stringjob. Do they have in carbon color too?
Oot, what color will you string a blue racket such as Ultra Pro/Ezone?
TwinCinema
Semi-Pro
Yes, there's a RC carbon.
Not really sure, but if I were going strictly on aesthetics, I'd go with a silver one like Alu Rough or Tour Bite.
tophersuwita
Rookie
Thank you for your patience with my incessant questions. Your advice make me really want to see your VS with Neon Toro haha. Maybe some time later if you have time?
TwinCinema
Semi-Pro
tophersuwita
Rookie
It seem I cannot open the image from my phone. Will check later.
The left one is the razor code, right is toro toro.
Thank you for the comparison
tophersuwita
Rookie
I got Lynx Tour champagne for cheap price and imo besides its elegant color, it is plush and connected. Like Caviar but more muted and predictable
