other brands' version of the APD ?

[jk175d]

I've been using the APDC for about 6 months and it suits my current game well but I'm not completely enamored with it like I was with my previous frame (Youtek Rad MP) which I used for about a year and a half. I always felt the Head was much more solid and fluid feeling. I can't really put my finger on it exactly but the upshot is I keep feeling like it's not "the one". But I do think the specs are right for me so I'm looking at other makes. I already tried and eliminated the Yonnex, Now I'm going to demo a handful of frames with similar specs:

http://www.racquetfinder.com/compare.php?pcode=PEX03T&x=38&y=34

(hope the link works)

<edit>

ok, the link doesn't work. The one's I'm looking at are the APDGT, Head IG Speed 16x19, Prince EXO3 Tour 100 16x18, and Volkl Organix 8

I've never played Prince or Volkl, but I do like the feel of Head racquets. Hoping I'll get lucky and one of these will feel right. Anyone else go through the same thing? What stick did you settle on? Comments?

 

[flashfire276]

There's quite a bit.
The most popular is the Head Extreme line. It's a direct response to the APD. I played with the MG model, and I actually liked it better than the APDC in terms of feel, because it felt more solid and pure.
Wilson had one, but it's discontinued. The Wilson K Factor Kobra Tour. It was a heavier, and much more flexible APD response. I think the RA was around 61?? But spin potential was still great, and much easier on the arm.
Some people say the BLX Pro Open is comparable to the APD, but I can't confirm that.
A lower-key brand called Pro Supex has a racquet called the Dynamic Energy (I think that's what its called). But it was an exact copy of the original APD, but they made it more flexy.

 

[LeeD]

Dunlop 500 T.

 

[The Baseline]

Dunlop 500 T.

Dunlop Aerogel 500 Tour..........it seems a lot of people like it more than the Babolat aerodrives.

 

[Migelowsky]

Völkl Powerbridge 8, both versions

 

[prjacobs]

Dunlop 500 T.

Yes. The volkl OX 8. Becker Pro

 

[Buckethead]

Yonex VCore 100S, Yonex Ezone 100, better rackets, solid, vib free, and just as much spin.

 

[The Baseline]

Yonex VCore 100S, Yonex Ezone 100, better rackets, solid, vib free, and just as much spin.

wheres the dunlop aerogel line???

 

[Buckethead]

wheres the dunlop aerogel line???

We're talking about real rackets now.

 

[The Baseline]

We're talking about real rackets now.

the aerogel is the ONLY real 100 square inch tweener!!!!!!!!

 

[your name]

Dunlop - 500's
Head - Extreme's
Wilson - Pro's
Tecnifibre - TFlash's

 

[eidolonshinobi]

Yes. The volkl OX 8. Becker Pro

+1 Organix 8 ftw.

 

[jk175d]

OP here revisiting this thread....

So I tried the APDGT, Volkl Organix 8, Head IG Speed 16x19, and Prince Exo3 Tour 16x18. The Head was a cross court forhand specialist, man that was a fun shot with that frame, but aside from that it didn't feel right, Volkl was ok but nothing special about it, APDGT was of couse much like the APDC just a little firmer feeling. But it turns out I love the Exo3. I hit great with it right off the bat, but wasn't wild about the muted feel at first. After a few days of heavy hitting I'm pretty much sold though. Still plan to demo the Dunlop Bio500, Head IG Extreme MP, and maybe Wilson BLX Pro Open.

But I've already bought a used Exo3.

 

[Steve Huff]

Pro Supex Dynamic Energy is a clone of the AeroPro Drive. I used to have a couple of the Pro Supex's and let some guys that used the APD try them. They said they hit nearly identically.

 

[rodrigoamaral]

Pro Supex Dynamic Energy is a clone of the AeroPro Drive. I used to have a couple of the Pro Supex's and let some guys that used the APD try them. They said they hit nearly identically.

agreed.. pro supex dynamic energy is as good or better than the APD...

 

[ManuGinobili]

OP here revisiting this thread....

So I tried the APDGT, Volkl Organix 8, Head IG Speed 16x19, and Prince Exo3 Tour 16x18. The Head was a cross court forhand specialist, man that was a fun shot with that frame, but aside from that it didn't feel right, Volkl was ok but nothing special about it, APDGT was of couse much like the APDC just a little firmer feeling. But it turns out I love the Exo3. I hit great with it right off the bat, but wasn't wild about the muted feel at first. After a few days of heavy hitting I'm pretty much sold though. Still plan to demo the Dunlop Bio500, Head IG Extreme MP, and maybe Wilson BLX Pro Open.

But I've already bought a used Exo3.

make sure it's the 500 Tour and not just 500

 

[jk175d]

make sure it's the 500 Tour and not just 500

why do you say that?

I currently have both on demo. Played a long time with them last night. I liked the tour but it is heavier than I'm used to and it felt a little sluggish when I was under pressure. The regular 500 felt a little light at first but I added some weight, just a little in the hoop but more in the handle to steer the balance towards a little more headlight, and I loved the feel.

Aside from the weight they are the same stick, so I actually like the 500 better in that there is plenty of room to add weight and acheive a more headlight balance.

What's your reasoning for the tour? Thanks

 

[TheBoom]

why do you say that?

I currently have both on demo. Played a long time with them last night. I liked the tour but it is heavier than I'm used to and it felt a little sluggish when I was under pressure. The regular 500 felt a little light at first but I added some weight, just a little in the hoop but more in the handle to steer the balance towards a little more headlight, and I loved the feel.

Aside from the weight they are the same stick, so I actually like the 500 better in that there is plenty of room to add weight and acheive a more headlight balance.

What's your reasoning for the tour? Thanks

He meant the tour because in stock it is much more similar to the apd than the 500

 

[jk175d]

He meant the tour because in stock it is much more similar to the apd than the 500

yeah, on paper I agree. I hadn't originally even planned on also trying the regular 500. But I'm glad I did. The APDC feels so light when you swing it and allows for quick wristy action when needed to recover. The 500 tour was less similar than the non tour when actually playing imo.

 

[TheBoom]

yeah, on paper I agree. I hadn't originally even planned on also trying the regular 500. But I'm glad I did. The APDC feels so light when you swing it and allows for quick wristy action when needed to recover. The 500 tour was less similar than the non tour when actually playing imo.

Yeah i have not tried the 500 only the tour (4d) one but it was much superior to the apd very solid, better spin and better feel and power. I actually traded it though for a ignite 95 because even though it was controlable i had a hard time with putaways and the control wasn't as pinpoint as i would have liked. That is why the 300 tour is my racket if choice