Playtest: Head Lynx Touch

[Injured Again]

Okay, so I strung up a Pure Aero VS with 17 gauge Lynx Touch, at 50 mains/45 crosses with the hope of getting a bit higher launch angle from the full bed. This racquet previously had a full set of Silver 7 Tour at probably in the middle 40's. The Lynx Touch added one gram to the over weight, which is now 320.3 grams.

To recap, this was a racquet that was part of a Tennis Warehouse playtest, and it didn't work for me because it felt too stiff, with short dwell time and too much of a point-and-shoot feel with minimal pocketing.

I had a tough time deciding the tension to use. The middle 40's was too stiff with S7T, but my experience earlier with Lynx Touch in my SW104 felt like it had dropped too much tension, losing crispness and being very muted, despite RacquetTune not showing that much tension loss. With this stringjob, RacquetTune shows 45.1 pounds, and that's with the default stringfactor and the racquet size being set at 104 (for my SW104).

 

[mhkeuns]

Another interesting outing today and here are my thoughts:

Rallied for about an hour with someone who hits really, really hard where I usually end up counter-punching. We are around same level, but his shots are much heavier off both sides and is an aggressive net charger. I'm more consistent and usually place my shots better, so I usually wait for him to come to the net and make passing shots. Today, though, my strokes matched his strokes and actually pushed him back at times. I contribute that to the string because as soon as I switched to Blade 98 strung with Lynx Tour at 48lbs, it went back to the usual with just me counter-punching and placing my shots. It seems like Lynx Touch is best at absorbing shots and fire back shots without putting in too much effort. Any balls that I aggressively attacked still went out, but counter punching hard incoming shots wete easy and predictable.
So far, my second outing with this string was a lot better than my first hitting session. It feels like I could get used to this string if I spend more time adjusting to it. Once I'm able to do that, I'm not sure if I could go back using full poly. The Lynx Tour felt harsh compared to the Lynx Touch.

 

[OldManStan]

Tension(s) used for playtest - 52lbs
Regular string set up - Diadem Solstice Black at 48lbs
Racquet used for test - Yonex DR98

Control/Power (Control: 5.8/10, Power: 8.7/10)
Upon stringing it, I could already tell that the string was going to be a very power friendly string. Taking it out of the package, the string had zero coil memory and was very flexible. I believe they used a soft outer core (gray layer) to give the string some softness and touch at the net in combination with a stiffer inner core (black layer) for rigidity and snapback. After playing with it for about 6 hours, the string felt almost too powerful; Almost like a synthetic gut once it's been broken in. I noticed immediately that balls were deflecting off the string bed lower than normal. Had to make slight adjustments to my baseline game to get the ball going to where I wanted. At the net, shots felt superb, laser beam-like. I gave control a 5.8 due to it's characteristics from the baseline as that is my playstyle. I could definitely see this string being popular with people who serve and volley as well as doubles players. It would also suit people with full swings and take big cuts at the ball. It rewards players with ample power and pace while making it easy to put away net shots. I would not recommend this string to people who hit flat or have short strokes as it will either end up in the net or over the fence.

Feel (Muted + Comfortable = Plush: 7.8/10)
Out of the package, I could tell that this string was going to feel very soft and muted from the get go. I did not use a dampener in my setup nor did I feel the need to during my playtest. I would describe the string to be plush which in my mind is a combination of muted + comfort. You definitely feel the plowthrough and pop of the ball when making good contact. On off center shots, the strings had a dampened feel and was forgiving on the arm. It was hard to tell where exactly my mishits were compared to my regular setup.

Spin (Spin: 6/10)
Not impossible to generate spin, but I felt that my shots were not dipping into the court as they normally would. As mentioned before, it rewards big cuts at the ball (Nadal-esque shots) to those who can prepare and setup early.

Playability Duration (?/10) Update 1/29/22: (3/10)
I could tell that there was a difference between my first and second session with this string. In the first session, the string felt much more controllable and had a slightly stiffer feel. In the second session, the string came alive and you could definitely tell that the plowthrough and pop increased. Third session felt about the same as the second. Not going to rate the playability yet because it plays better after breaking it in and would like to see how it plays after a few more sessions.

Update 1/29/2022:
Did not think that in my 4th session with my string that it would dramatically fall off a cliff. Somewhere between hour 2 to 6 is probably the sweetspot which is pretty poor compared to even Natural Gut/Luxilon.

Had another 1.5 hour hitting session today. At this point, the strings have stiffened up? It's lost the plushness and feels more plasticky. Whatever spin potential it had before, is now gone. Could barely keep the ball in play on returns. Volleys and putaways were still point and shoot.

Durability (5/10)
The coating felt very slick upon stringing which helps with the durability I presume. Strings did not get out of position during the 6 hours I played with it. I could feel it beginning to notch after 2 hours or so. I would estimate this string to last for about a week (5 days) if I played 2-3 hours a day. I would say durability wise, it's pretty poor.

Tension findings (would you string it at a different tension on your next try? Why?) (7/10)
Tension fell off initially like any other poly, but becomes steady after one session. I would string it again 2lbs higher at 54lbs to give the string bed a little more stiffness after initial tension loss.

Additional comments (optional)
Would like to see test this string used as a cross in a hybrid. Would pair nicely with something like Solinco Tour Bite, Luxilon Alu Power, or Head Lynx Tour.

 

[OldManStan]

I didn't read your reviews until now, and I would also agree that the low launch angle was very noticeable and that volleys felt very point and shoot.

Hit with Lynx Touch for an hour today, against my son. Most noticeable was the difference in launch angle. Lynx Touch has a pretty low launch angle and so any time I would try to hit the ball with topspin (and naturally closing the racquet face a bit), the balls would land very short or go into the net. Spin capability is not that great - I've tested a few round strings that grip the ball better.

After about ten minutes, I was able to compensate for the lower launch angle, but balls that got up higher went long. So I basically went to hitting the ball pretty flat. This is when Lynx Touch worked the best for my game. It has a different feel. It's almost like it's springy without giving a strong pocketing sensation. This helped when on defense, as long as I didn't try to hit much spin, topspin or underspin, when under pressure. The inherent power of Lynx Touch let me get those balls back deeper than I expected, even though they pretty much sat up and were pretty easy pickings. My son had an easier time putting away a deeper but more straightforward bouncing ball than one that landed shorter with either more topspin or underspin. He did comment that he thought the balls were kind of flat because they never bounced up like my normal shots do, but because they were flatter they skidded through the court a bit more so that challenged his timing more.

On my side, it felt like I had less margin for error. Flatter strokes usually produce a more consistent height clearance but the lack of spin capability seemed to decrease my margin of error more than my height consistency gained me. At one point for about five minutes, we slowed down our shot velocity by about 10% and tried to be as consistent as possible, and Lynx Touch worked much better with slower racquet head speeds. The string felt more crisp and length control improved a lot. Having a bit more time let me put a slightly greater amount of topspin that created better shape on the groundstrokes. The higher than average power levels allowed an easy, relaxed swing to drive the ball the length of the court. Harder swings, nearing the top end of what I can generate off the ground, still felt fairly controlled but didn't inspire a sense of confidence, I think due to the increasingly springy feel as I swung harder.

Volleys were point-and-shoot. Lynx Touch is pretty insensitive to incoming spin so I didn't have to compensate much if my son hit a heavy underspin passing shot. Meeting the ball squarely generated enough ball speed to need just a minimal swing into the contact point. I did have problems dumping short angled volleys. I tended to pop those up higher than I expected, possibly because I'm opening up the racquet face more and trying to impart just a bit more underspin than normal. This is most likely a technique issue on my part just learning how to hit these types of shots without a sharply shaped string to easily grip and manipulate the incoming spin.

I switched to my normal Black7 for the last 30 minutes. Lynx Tour and Black 7 are pretty close in power levels, with Lynx Tour being a bit more powerful, especially on easier strokes. Comfort also goes to Lynx Tour by a small margin. Spin capability, launch angle, and pocketing feel are all greater with Black7.

After the hour of hitting, there's denting at each of the string intersections. It feels like the strings are locked. The mains are difficult to move out of place and do so with a click. Once moved out of position, they don't slide back. However, during actual hitting, the strings don't move out of position.

RacquetTune now says the stringbed is at 39.9 pounds, a loss of 3.6 pounds or 8.3%. This is pretty minimal tension loss.

I'm hitting again tomorrow on the faster of our indoor courts.

Going to keep this short, got to play some 4.5 doubles last night for about 3 hours and like others above have stated the launch angle is very very low, especially in my GP. Its far too low in 17g to use in this racquet without having to drastically change my swing. Beyond that though I really liked the feel of this string. It had a very consistent response, and although not very spiny, had very good depth and control with plenty of pop. Now if they make this in a 1.20 or less 18g, I think the launch angle would be palatable. More detailed info once my playtest is complete.

 

[Trip]

Have played about 8 total hours of 4.5-ish singles and 4.0-ish doubles with LT. At this point it's pretty well shot from what I can tell. So time for my review:

• Tension(s) used - 59/56 pounds mains/crosses (lockout machine) (measured 49.5 pounds string bed tension via Tennis Tension app)
• Regular string set up - Tier One Firewire Boost / YTEX Square-X or Quadro Twist / Volkl Cyclone
• Racquet used for test - Yonex VCore Pro 97 (2021)
• Control - 3 out of 5. Control was slightly enhanced by higher-than-average dwell time and pocketing, but hampered somewhat by a bit of a gummy/mushy feel, which caused a bit of string bed vagueness. Launch angle was fairly low (lightly amplified by tighter string patterns), which required compensation in stroke mechanics.
• Power - 3.5 out of 5. Ample power with full swings. Power was similar to a mid-power multi for the first 1-2 hours of the playtest, but slowly started to get more launchy as tension dropped over the course of a few playing sessions (<8 hours total)
• Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?) - Feel was soft, slightly muted, slightly mushy/gummy. Comfort was there, albeit a bit less over time as the string deadened towards 8 hours or so and it was clear the materials in the inner core and outer sheath started to fatigue and separate.
• Spin - 2.5 out of 5. Spin was moderate at best. Compared to stiffer poly's of any shape or finish, not as much spin, and definitely nowhere near as much spin as a shaped poly. I'd put spin on par with a better-quality synthetic gut or multi (Gosen AK Pro CX or AK Control, Head Velocity MLT, etc)
• Playability Duration (did it lose playability over time?) - 2.5 out of 5. Playability duration wasn't awful, but it certainly wasn't stellar. The best feel, by far, came in the first 1.5 hour hitting session where tension held up decently. Subsequent days, building towards 8 hours total of decently-hard hitting (4.5 level play), I could feel command of control fading away and the string going "soggy", compared to the way it felt fresh.
• Durability (did it notch? -get stuck out of position?) - 3 out of 5. By 3-4 hours into the play test, the was notching slightly and performed OK. Crosses were getting stuck slightly out of position every few dozen hits, but nothing awful. By 6+ hours in, however, crosses were moving almost as much as a syn gut or multi might, and I could feel that something going on with inner material composition -- possibly the bonding between the core and sheath -- which was causing the general response to feel increasingly fatigued and vague.
• Tension findings (would you string it at a different tension on your next try? Why?) I'm thankful that earlier play-testers illustrated their desire to string higher (most testing in the high 40's / low 50's), so right off the bat I figured high 50's would be just about perfect, and I think I was right. At 59/56 pounds, from 0-4 hours or so, the string bed felt appropriately tensioned. I couldn't imagine that going up into the 60's would do much for playability; mostly likely it might hurt it. So I think I pretty much maxed out how high one might string a full bed of Lynx Touch, at least for a 97 square-inch head in a moderately flexy racquet.
• Additional comments (optional) - As other have wondered, I'd be curious to see how this might work as a cross in a poly/poly hybrid, especially in stiffer frames than what I used (VCP 97 2021). As a full bed, I would think it may suffice when played with a bit lower racquet head speed; perhaps a good fit for a budding junior looking to test out a general poly feel without fear of arm setbacks. On that note, I must compliment Head for trying to provide a softer, more arm-friendly poly experience for the masses, and having the courage to bring it to market.

In closing, I'd like to thank @TW Staff for the opportunity! If I can help provide any more information, I definitely will, and I look forward to the opportunity to test more strings in the future!

 

[!<-_->!]

Total time playtested: ~8-10
Level: USTA 4.0

• Tension(s) used for playtest: 48lbs
• Regular string set up: Poly/Multi hybrid at 48/51; Haven't settled on which poly main. Experimenting w/ numerous polys still. All 1.25. Crosses have been consistently Tecnifibre Multifeel 1.30.
• Racquet used for test: 2021 Yonex VCore Pro 97 310g
• Control/Power: Both power and control felt average to me. Not an overly powerful string, but also not entirely dead either. I would say a less powerful Poly Tour Pro and significantly less powerful than Hyper-G. Control was fine, but I did feel balls were sailing long. This may be due to the lower spin potential compared to what I'm used to.
• Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?): Quite dampened and comfortable. I wouldn't go as far as to say mushy or anything, but it was definitely on the softer side. I did experience minor elbow discomfort once the strings aged and the strings started moving and not returning to their original alignment.
• Spin: Definitely not a spin oriented string. I felt the ball trajectory and bite on this string was lower than my typical poly/multi hybrid. Slightly better than a Poly Tour Rev, but nothing like a RPM Blast or Hyper-G.
• Playability Duration (did it lose playability over time?): The string played fairly consistent for the first 6-8 hours or so. After that however, I did notice a significant decline in playability - most notably the strings becoming stuck out of place. I feel this likely impacted spin potential as well as energy return on shots.
• Durability (did it notch? -get stuck out of position?): At the 10 hour mark or so, I would say I got to 1/3 to 1/2 notched through. However, the strings were also done by this point imo as they became stuck out of place. When I did cut them, it was obvious the tension was shot given there was minimal snap back or noise when I cut each string.
• Tension findings (would you string it at a different tension on your next try? Why?): Since this played so similarly to my normal hybrid setup, I don't know if I would change the tension. Maybe bump it up by a pound or 2, but nothing major.
• Additional comments (optional): Overall, I don't see this string being anything I'd revisit. It was very average and didn't standout enough in any one area to warrant revisiting. In a way, it reminded me of RPM Power due to its propensity to stay out of place starting around the 8 hour mark as well as the lack of a wow factor. For those who absolutely want a poly, but in a more comfortable package, this isn't a bad choice. However I find that I get about the same life span out of a poly/multi hybrid with similar playing characteristics without the downside of arm discomfort towards the end of its life.

 

[Trip]

@!<-_->! - Hello. I'll call you Mr. Pig, per your avatar. Two VCP 97 reviews right in a row, with roughly similar results. Interesting you got slightly longer playability at lower tension, which makes pretty good sense.

 

[!<-_->!]

oh wow. i didn't even read your review, haha. what a coincidence. i'm still trying to dial in my 2021's tbh. Duel G is still my preferred frame but their age are showing. although my mains were the ones that were moving and getting stuck out of place and not the crosses.

on a sidenote, it's eeyore. so not a pig. haha

 

[GummiiBear]

So I think I can provide some initial impression thoughts...

Ok! So to begin - I strung up my old Babolat Pure Control Team (16x20) at 50lbs. I opted to allow the new stringjob to marinate for a couple days before my first hit with it. Previously, it had Gamma TNT2 17ga also at 50lbs., which was chosen knowing I rarely ever hit with it. That is, aside from the hours (1 thus far) put into this playtest. Though overall I am arguably most familiar with my PCT over what I'm using now, just with regards to time spent.

I have 2 string setup(s) in my Yonex VCORE PRO 97HDs that I've settled into/onto.
• Klip Legend 1.30 Mains at 55lbs. w/ Isospeed Rexxxer 1.25 Crosses at 52lbs.
• T-1 Black Knight 1.23 Mains at 49lbs. w/ Kirschbaum Max Power 1.20 Crosses at 46lbs.

So my first hour with it included some warmup and a practice super tiebreak. I'll say I was pleasantly surprised by how soft it is! My first thought regarding Lynx Touch was along the lines of "is this soft yet also crisp?" - I think this almost doesn't feel like a poly to me.

Not very much spin potential, I don't think... to keep it short before I plug in more hours with this, I will say that overall this string feels unremarkable.

Edit: I gave it another go earlier today and I had a more favorable impression this second time. I felt like my kick serves had oomph as well, so. Hmm. I really think I ought to give it more play before I conclude anything.

 

[Injured Again]

I've hit with the PAVS and found that the 50/45 I used was a bit too high despite the open string pattern. While it's more comfortable than with the Silver 7 Tour string that was in there, the tension isn't low enough to alter the low-dwell-time feel that this racquet always had. I added a bunch of weight to the PAVS, moving it from 320 to 350 grams and that has made the overall playability better. It feels like the Lynx Touch is working more on impact. The dwell time feels longer and pocketing feels better, but the Lynx Touch has not transformed the racquet - it's still a point-and-shoot, stiff feeling frame. The extra elasticity of Lynx Touch has increased the comfort by a fair amount, about as much as the added 10% of weight has helped. However, spin capability and launch angles are way lower than at stock weight with the S7T strings, and the differential stringing tension between mains and crosses didn't seem to help increase launch angle. The actual spin generation itself is average.

Switching back to my older Lynx Touch stringjob on the SW104 makes it clear that something structural has happened to those strings. The PAVS has the crisper impact feel and sound that I remember on the SW104 when Lynx Touch new, but now there's a dead, thud kind of sound along with a significantly more mushy response.

I'll hit a few more hours with both racquets but it's pretty clear that the Lynx Touch doesn't have the play characteristics that I prefer in a string. It feels much more suited to someone who is a flatter hitter and used to low launch angle setups, who may be wanting a bit more comfort than a typical poly can provide.

 

[OldManStan]

Had another 1.5 hour hitting session today. At this point, the strings have stiffened up? It's lost the plushness and feels more plasticky. Whatever spin potential it had before, is now gone. Could barely keep the ball in play on returns. Volleys and putaways were still point and shoot.

As an update to my review, the playability duration is a 3.

 

[joah310]

Ok I think Ive played with the string enough to give a review.

Playing level, 4.0, baseline grinder but working on being more of an all court player.
Playtest duration: total of about 8 hours.

• Tension(s) used for playtest: 50 on mains, 60 on crosses (was an accident, but not as bad as I expected.) Crank machine
• Regular string set up: Isospeed baseline spin at 48#
• Racquet used for test: Extended vcore pro 100 2018 27.5in
• Control/Power
  • The power level was pretty good on this stick. Even with the higher tension, power was good. It was fairly similar to my normal set up. Control was a tad lower than I'm used to, but the main issue was the lack of spin not allowing me to make some shots that wouldn't normally be an issue.
• Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?)
  • The feel was good, fairly soft, even with the higher tension that I strung it at. It was on the muted side, but that's generally how I like my strings, and my worm dampener will mute it all the way. I personally enjoyed this feel, but it may have been problematic if I had strung it at my normal tension.
• Spin
  • Very lacking for a poly. May have been the outer coating of the string, not really sure. Also could have been partially that I had the crosses tighter than the mains, but reading other reviewers, it seems like it isn't just me.
• Playability Duration (did it lose playability over time?)
  • I think playability duration was pretty poor. the first two sessions, playability was consistent, but during the third session, the playability fell off. Moving the strings gave off a squeaky noise that I have never heard in a string before. So playability lasted about 4 hours and dropped pretty significantly after that. In perspective, my normal set up doesn't last very long, but plays pretty consistent for 6 hours, and kind of dies after that.
• Durability (did it notch? -get stuck out of position?)
  • Durability was about average for a poly. Personally have some difficulties breaking polys, and this one was about the same. Rather than completely notching, I found that there were more times that it would just move around and get stuck out of place, locking up the stringbed, more like a multi. That being said, its playability doesn't last nearly enough to even consider durability, unless you can pop polys in a few hours.
• Tension findings (would you string it at a different tension on your next try? Why?)
  • I kind of want to try a looser tension, but really, around where I was was a solid number for me. To even things out, if I were to use this string again, I would string it 55# throughout the stringbed. I would recommend those who are currently using a multi to stay around the same area, and for those using polys to go up a bit.
• Additional comments (optional)
  • Overall dont think that this string is worth it for me. I initially said that it might be a good cross string, but because of the fairly poor playability, I wouldn't recommend it anymore. It seems fairly similar to Ashaway's monogut ZX, but a little poorer. It pains me to hate on a string so much, but I really can't see myself using this string or recommending it to anyone else. Probably my biggest gripe about this string was the lack of spin. For me at least, even if a string dies, if it can produce spin, it works out alright as I will swing a little harder to make up for the lost power and spin, but with this string, swinging harder only led me to balls landing out. I will say that the one place that I enjoyed this string was at the net. Not really sure why, but it allowed me to get a good feel of the ball and make some nice touch shots. In a similar sense, it was also pretty decent on the slice. Would this be enough for me to use this though? my answer to that is no. I would rather use a hybrid.

Even though this string disappointed me or simply didn't work for my game, I would like to thank Head and Tennis Warehouse for giving me the opportunity to participate in this playtest.

 

[Injured Again]

I hit for about 45 minutes with my leaded up PAVS, but this was the first time with US Open balls. Previously, I had been using up the last of the Babolat balls that I purchased from Tennis Warehouse. The USO balls are much more firm and have a thinner felt layer. Consequently, it became even harder to feel like I could get the ball to sink into the stringbed and get any grip. I still had some used Babolat balls in my bag and pulled those out for the remainder of the hit with Lynx Touch.

With the added weight, loss of tension, and the worn and softer than new Babolat balls, it was a more similar hit compared to my normal string but still lacking in spin generation and launch angle. I'm also starting to see the same shadowy areas in the stringbed near the sweetspot that seem to indicate the inner layer separating from the outer layer.

RacquetTune now says 41.3 pounds, so a loss of 3.8 pounds or a 8.4% loss in the hour or so of use it has gotten.

 

[SinneGOAT]

Finally have the time to write my review! I’ve played with these strings for about two weeks now.

Tension(s) used for playtest: 58 Pounds

• Regular string set up: Solinco Hyper G Soft 17 at 52 pounds
• Racquet used for test: Head Microgel Extreme MP
  Control/Power: I found the power to be above average for a poly. I came into the playtest hearing feedback it is more powerful than controlled. I strung it up much higher than I ever would for a poly. This paid off, as I gained some control. However control is not the main experience I felt with this string.
• Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?) I felt that this string was very soft. The higher tension added some crispness, but it was quite soft. No elbow pain. However the string was not giving me the crisp feeling that hyper G has which helps me get a good feel for the ball. Serves felt odd, and my slices didn’t have the same bite, but I can chock that up to it being a different string and feel than usual.
• Spin: Here is an area I was surprised. Spin for me was below average, even for round polys. I felt much more at home with this string hitting flat. Pairing this string with the higher launch angle of the extreme allowed me to spin the ball decently, but don’t expect lynx touch to give you anything extra other than what you put in.
• Playability Duration (did it lose playability over time?) I found the string to hold tension well. Not amazingly, but by the end of my playtest and I felt I was losing control, it wasn’t that bad. I was glad it hung on, though it did become more powerful and eventually I felt I couldn’t swing comfortably. This began around the middle of the 2nd week, where the ball started going a bit longer on my shots. Tension maintenance is about average, similar to other 17g polys.
• Durability (did it notch? -get stuck out of position?) I found this string to have good durability. I’m not a string breaker, and I don’t hit with insane amounts of spin. I usually cut polys out before they break just due to tension loss and loss of control.
• Tension findings (would you string it at a different tension on your next try? Why?): I found 58 to be a good tension for this string. The low stiffness and higher than average power meant the higher tension kept this string in line with other polys. At this tension I felt it had some needed control and stiffness, but in a more controlled racquet I would only go a few pounds lower, maybe 3. This string is definitely quite soft, much more than my usual set up.
• Additional comments (optional) I really hope that Lynx Touch can be a good transition string for those using a multi but want something more durable and spin capable. Lynx standard is soft, but I feel this takes that softness to the next level and raises the bar. I quite enjoyed this string when I was off my game a bit and felt a little awkward going for full swings, but still wanted a bit of pop. I want to thank @TW Staff for allowing me to try Lynx Touch and I hope everyone has a fun time hitting this string!

 

[1HBHfanatic]

@SinneGOAT
-^ thats also what i felt
-after 2nd, 3rd week, it strated to feel too launchy, had to cut it out
-would you say this is more of a premium syn.gut or a premium multi string?
-i dont/wont/should.not classify this as a poly (at all!?!?)
-its a bit too far away ,(soft) from what "i" consider to be a poly!!

-what i like about this string is the snap.back/slick outer coating
-that's something this does better than multis and syn.guts !?!

 

[SinneGOAT]

@SinneGOAT
-^ thats also what i felt
-after 2nd, 3rd week, it strated to feel too launchy, had to cut it out
-would you say this is more of a premium syn.gut or a premium multi string?
-i dont/wont/should.not classify this as a poly (at all!?!?)
-its a bit too far away ,(soft) from what "i" consider to be a poly!!

-what i like about this string is the snap.back/slick outer coating
-that's something this does better than multis and syn.guts !?!

I would say it is a little like a synthetic gut in softness. I don’t know what about it makes it so soft, but it really feels like a synthetic of some sorts with poly characteristics.

 

[colan5934]

@TW Staff I could snag another set if I need to since mine broke so fast. Would you like me to do that? Or just provide an as-full-as-possible review as I can with the limited time I got before it broke?

 

[TW Staff]

@colan5934,

Thanks for reaching out and sorry for the delay in getting back. Unfortunately, we do not have any more sets to send out. Please do your best in posting a shortened review with what you got. This will not ding you in any way for future playtests.

Thanks,
Brittany, TW

 

[GummiiBear]

So I gave it another go, and my impression of Lynx Touch after this third try was even more favorable than that from my second.

Perhaps I judged it too harshly initially? Admittedly in terms of hours, I'm still at less than 3. But, whereas before I wouldn't use it in practice prior to recent matches because of the initial lukewarm feelings towards it, it felt nice enough today to encourage more serious hitting with it later this week.

 

[n8dawg6]

@SinneGOAT
-^ thats also what i felt
-after 2nd, 3rd week, it strated to feel too launchy, had to cut it out
-would you say this is more of a premium syn.gut or a premium multi string?
-i dont/wont/should.not classify this as a poly (at all!?!?)
-its a bit too far away ,(soft) from what "i" consider to be a poly!!

-what i like about this string is the snap.back/slick outer coating
-that's something this does better than multis and syn.guts !?!

i generally agree with you, but one standout that makes it a poly for me is that the strings dont get stuck out of place (although they do notch pretty quickly).

velocity moves on me, and synthetic gut is the worst in terms of strings sticking out of place

 

[1HBHfanatic]

i generally agree with you, but one standout that makes it a poly for me is that the strings dont get stuck out of place (although they do notch pretty quickly).

velocity moves on me, and synthetic gut is the worst in terms of strings sticking out of place

-yeah, i get yaa
-i think HEAD has had great success from the h.velocity tech (coating) and IMO incorporated it more into lynx.touch
-that outer "poly like" coating is working great for snapback
-the inner core if making it soft!
-i know several people who use multis and hate the movement of the strings
-i moved them to h.velocity and they liked it, now they have yet another good option to choose from (h.lynx.touch)
-syn.gut users would also do well with this string

 

[Power Player]

How does this compare to Lux Element as a cross? I use Lynx Tour Mains a lot.

 

[jwocky]

Thank you @TW Staff and Head for the play test set of Head Lynx Touch in 17g silver grey.

Tension(s) used for playtest
25.0M/25.5X in kg (~55M/56X in lb)

Regular string test
Recently: 1.30mm Yonex Poly Tour Rev Orange Mains in my Dunlop Aerogel 4D 200 Tour (16x18, 372g, 310mm) at 24.5kg M/X (~54 lbs)

Racquet used for set up
Dunlop Aerogel 4D 200 Tour (16x18) weighted to 372gm, balance 310mm (~10 HL).

Overall Rating of test string (added by reviewer)
7.5
The Head Lynx Touch 17g is a comfortable string in winter temperatures ranging from 0C to 10C (32F to 50F).

Stringing (added by reviewer)
9
The string has a nice slick feel out of the test pack. It is medium firm, easy to handle while stringing and there were no issues.

Control/Power
8
The temperature conditions were cold to mild during the play test. In general, I was satisfied with the level of control and power. There was more control during the duration of the play test when being more aggressive than when swinging at 60%. In fact, the string bed felt more powerful and the ball flight less controlled with mid-range swing speeds.

Volleying was a joy with this set up with great accuracy and control

Serves were accurate with directional control except toward the end of 10hrs when first service balls were landing outside the service box by 2+ feet and the bed felt more powerful than when starting out.

Even though I am consistent with control and accuracy on back hand slice drop shots, I felt least comfortable on this shot with the set up as I was either nicking the net tape or floating them wide. This is not the string at fault.

Feel
8
These strings delivered a comfortable and muted string bed.The string bed felt great on volleys and serves.

Spin
7
My general approach is to be flexible and adapt to the ball that is given during a match. With this in mind during warm up / practice sessions, adjusting the angle of attack and racquet head speed afforded controlled amounts of spin on a variety of shots: baseline rallies, forehand/backhand cross court and short dipping shots, and forehand squash shots when pulled wide. As noted above, back hand slice drop shots were inconsistent for me relative to other strings - shaped or round.

Playability Duration
7
The playability during the first 8-10 hours was excellent. By hour 16, the string bed was still playable and had life in it, but it was getting more powerful and inconsistent in its response.

Durability
8
There is still life in this set after 16hrs for relaxed casual hitting with easy power.

Tension Findings
In match play, I would prefer a fresh set up at a slightly higher tension for added control and predictability. I will experiment with tensions on the 17g and might even prefer it in my 18x20 Aerogel 4D 200s at 24.0 to 24.5kg.

Additional thoughts

Thank you again for the play test opportunity!

 

[n8dawg6]

• Tension(s) used for playtest

I strung Lynx Touch in a full bed at 51 lbs.

• Regular string set up

Hyper-G soft. Note that I have also used original Lynx, Lynx Edge, and Lynx Tour.

• Racquet used for test

Head 360 Radical MP. I chose this racquet because I like everything about it except the harsh feel. I was hoping Lynx Touch would soften it up a little.

• Control - 6/10
• Power - 8/10

This string plays more controlled than a synthetic gut but more powerful than any other poly I have used. I previously played Lynx Tour in this frame and the two strings have nothing in common. I found that on groundstrokes I was hitting long more often, but on serve I appreciated the additional pop I got from Lynx Touch. I didn’t have the steep “bend” I usually get from my topspin forehand.

• Feel - 8/10

This is where I realized this string is really something different. The feel is muted and soft … a little mushy … when compared to a poly. I also had zero arm pain during the playtest, which is a miracle (especially with this frame). The feel is is firmer than Velocity, but softer than regular Lynx.

• Spin - 6/10

Compared to Hyper-G Soft or Lynx Tour, this is not a spinny string. Compared to Velocity, it has noticeably better spin. I had to work harder to generate spin on serves and groundstrokes with this string than most other polys I’ve used.

• Playability Duration - 7/10

This string kept its playability well for me. The stringbed lost a little firmness after the first two hours, but after that it settled in and played consistently through hour 12 (which is where I am now). At this point the strings are no longer slick (they’re a bit gummy/sticky) and they look like they have flattened out and lost shape.

• Durability - 7/10

By hour 6 the string started notching, by hour 12 the bed was pretty locked up. I still haven’t popped them, so they’re more durable than synthetic gut.

• Tension findings

I would string this at 52 lbs next time … almost the same as where it was strung for the playtest. I will end up throwing a set in my Ezone 98 when the string is available for sale.

• Additional comments

I play about 80% doubles, 20% singles. I’m a USTA 3.5 that went to sectionals last spring. I also came down with the virus the same week I got these strings in the mail and I haven’t been back to my same level of play since.

All of that should be background for considering my review. I think this string is an excellent alternative for a 3.5 or a 4.0 player who is looking for an arm-friendly string that gives some of the benefits of poly. The things I liked were that I wasn’t constantly string-straightening and the string had better durability than synthetic gut or Velocity.

That being said, the main advantage to this string compared to poly is that, to me at least, it is as arm-friendly as Velocity. I did not get the same levels of spin or control from this that I get from Hyper-G soft or Lynx Tour. I also didn’t get the same sore shoulder that sometimes pops up with those.

I could keep going, but I think a good summation is that this string is somewhere between SG/multi and poly. It’s like a muted, longer-lasting synthetic gut with snapback. A lot of intermediate players with full poly beds probably SHOULD be playing this string. I can’t speak to 4.5+ players, they may find that it has too much power, not enough spin, and breaks too quickly.

As always, thanks to T-dubya for letting me playtest the string.

 

[M Pillai]

Here is my review of Head Lynx Touch 17

Head Lynx Touch 17 Review

• Tension(s) used for playtest
  • 54lb mains x 52lb crosses
• Regular string set up
  • Volkl Cyclone17 54lb mains x 52lb crosses
• Racquet used for test
  • Wilson RF97
• Control/Power
  • Power : Average. Based on the initial feel of the string from the packet and from the initial impressions from other TT reviewers, I was in fact expecting this to provide a lot more power. But I don’t see that. I see this to be the same power as you would expect from a middle of the road poly string. In fact I actually don’t mind it and I don’t prefer more trampoline/power strings anyway. I still have to purposely hit the ball with enough height to get the depth I wanted. I am not sure whether it has any effect from the recent cold weather in the area making the strings deader than usual.
  • Control : Good. There is good control on the shots. I don’t feel any issues with directing the ball where I wanted. Both depth control and directional control was good. But nothing extraordinary.
• Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?)
  • Average. This is probably my biggest disappointment with this string. I was probably expecting something extraordinary from this string because of the premium looks and from the extra effort/research/manufacture went into the string. But unfortunately I personally don’t think the extra research paid off. The string actually felt stiffer than expected and had a bit muted response on touch shots. I cannot point out anything really bad compared with another middle of the road poly. But there was no extra feel on touch shots or dropshots or short touch-topspin angles. Most multis and some soft polys provide a lot better feel. Again my playtest was during a relatively cold week and probably I will take a look at it again in warmer months just to make sure, since it seems like many other playtesters do seem to think these strings have better feel.
• Spin
  • Excellent. There is no bite on the ball compared to my usual strings and it was a bit different for me to get used to. But once I got used to the strings, after an hour or so, I had no issue with spin generation. These strings tend to have a slightly lower launch angle for me and I had to adjust the swing path a bit to generate enough heaviness and depth on the ground strokes. But eventually I was able to generate excellent spin with these strings.
• Playability Duration (did the string lose playability over time?)
  • Excellent. Personally for me the playability of the strings increased over-time and I found it to peak at around the 6hrs mark. I cut the strings at the 10hr mark and the strings did not deteriorate much in the playability department even then. I guess I could have continued playing with this for another 10hrs or so (I was eager to test another string).
• Durability (did it notch? get stuck out of position?)
  • Excellent. I did cut the strings at 10hrs mark, and when comparing to a soft poly at the same timestamp, I found the notching to be less (I believe notching was around 20%, but did not affect my playability). I predict that the string would last me another 10hrs or so. If it is my regular string, I probably will cut it at 20hrs (even if it is not broken) and so durability won’t be an issue personally for me.
• Tension findings (would you string it at a different tension on your next try? Why?)
  • I probably may try looser tensions on this string (2lb less), if I had multiple packs to try. I felt better with the strings towards the second half of my playtest, and possibly strings may have lost some tension by then.
• Additional comments (optional)
  • Reading through some of my comments above, it looks like I may be a bit hard on some of the review items. They are purely my personal opinions based on what I felt, during my hitting, and may have some effect from the cold weather. I will definitely take a look at this string again in warm weather and if I feel anything different, I will come back and update the review. But for now, I personally won’t consider this to be a string I may switch to. It definitely has a premium look and feel out of the box, and I really like the neutral color. The black core with semi-transparent white outer looks cool. Also I appreciate the hard work and research went to making this string. Thanks TW and Head for providing me the opportunity to playtest this premium string.

 

[1HBHfanatic]

• Tension(s) used for playtest

I strung Lynx Touch in a full bed at 51 lbs.

• Regular string set up

Hyper-G soft. Note that I have also used original Lynx, Lynx Edge, and Lynx Tour.

• Racquet used for test

Head 360 Radical MP. I chose this racquet because I like everything about it except the harsh feel. I was hoping Lynx Touch would soften it up a little
...............................................

-good review
-i also felt that way about the string
-your racket of choice for this playtest was interesting
-i am also favoring a softer string for that racquet!!

 

[n8dawg6]

-good review
-i also felt that way about the string
-your racket of choice for this playtest was interesting
-i am also favoring a softer string for that racquet!!

If I could do it again i would have put it in the ezone 98. i was worried it would be too muted, though. which is probably a justified concern

 

[1HBHfanatic]

If I could do it again i would have put it in the ezone 98. i was worried it would be too muted, though. which is probably a justified concern

-thats an interesting one
-not sure how that one would play out!?!
-i do see how it would soften the blow on the thinner beam of the ezone
-and the open pattern of the racquet would help with the lack of spin from the string
-my concern would be the high power from the string, on top of the power from the open pattern of the ezone
???

 

[n8dawg6]

-thats an interesting one
-not sure how that one would play out!?!
-i do see how it would soften the blow on the thinner beam of the ezone
-and the open pattern of the racquet would help with the lack of spin from the string
-my concern would be the high power from the string, on top of the power from the open pattern of the ezone
???

i dont feel like the ezone 98 has an open pattern at all. its quite dense for a 16x19.

that said, i have the same question about how the string would perform in an open-patterned racquet. example: vcore 100, or pure aero. i remember trying velocity in the blade 98S and it was nearly useless. i dont think Lynx Touch is the best string for an open-pattern racquet, especially if you hit a topspin forehand with a SW/FW grip

 

[1HBHfanatic]

i dont feel like the ezone 98 has an open pattern at all. its quite dense for a 16x19.
..

-more "dense" than the head.rad.mp??

-anyway, youve peeked my insterest to find out
-ill provably try the e.98 with some synthetic

 

[1HBHfanatic]

@n8dawg6 and ALL
-FYI the TW video review is online now (youtube)

 

[snoflewis]

disclaimer: if the review is too long, just jump to the additional comments.

Tension(s) used for playtest: 50 lbs on an electric constant pull
Regular string set up: Yonex Polytour Pro 1.25mm at 50 lbs
Racquet used for test: Wilson Pro Staff 97 v11
Control/Power: for a poly, the control level is fairly low, and the power level is more exaggerated at all ranges. to clarify, the strings was dead and unresponsive compared to my usual setup on soft touch shots but had a tendency to not feel like it was snapping back and launch on full strokes even with a fresh string job. this caused issues for me with controlling depth and trajectory, although directional control wasn't an issue with this string.
Feel: the feel is quite soft and comfortable for a poly. in a way, it feels "elastic" even though it's a poly. there is a minor compromise when it comes to feel as there is a slight disconnect with the ball.
Spin: this was probably the biggest weakness of the string. it doesn't have the same spin potential as a typical round poly. the spin potential resembles something in between a synthetic gut and a round poly. there really isn't that much snapback to the string because of how soft string is and how soft/sticky the outer clear layer is.
Playability Duration: playability was fairly consistent during the first 4.5 hours of play. there is gradual tension loss which is expected from any poly, but the response of the stringbed was quite predictable even as the stringbed loosened up. after the initial 4.5 hours, it dropped off pretty significantly to the point it was unplayable. It completely bagged out at just over 5 hours. To compare, the YPTP usually breaks within 7-8 hours.
Durability: By the end of the playtest, the mains had a substantial amount of notching. interestingly, the mains would get stuck out of position after the first 1.5-2 hours, but the playability remained. i believe the mains not snapping back is due to stickier/softer material used for the clear outer layer of the string. i was not able to determine durability until breakage because the strings were completely dead before they could break.
Tension findings: i definitely wouldn't string lower than my usual tension with this string because of how soft it is. if i had to figure things out with this string, i'd start by stringing it 2-3 lbs higher just to see if i can reel in the "elastic" tendencies of the string.
Additional comments: my review above probably doesn't make the string sound that great, but despite what i wrote above, i actually think this is a pretty great string with a clear purpose. i firmly believe that this string was made to target those seeking a really soft poly or looking to enter the poly world without worrying about the stiffness of a traditional poly string. in that sense, i think Head created an excellent string that is nothing like i've tried in the poly world. all the soft polys i've tried have either been very dead and/or incredibly muted. That was not the case with this string. until it died, i didn't find this string to feel that much harsher than the stiffer synthetic guts on the market. if i were running into arm issues, i would absolutely use this string in a full bed before going to a syn gut or multi. also, bonus points for a cool looking string.

i also had the chance to try this string in the boom mp demo that i received from TW, and i thought it was a phenomenal combo. the boom mp has an open enough string pattern that helps with the spin deficiency from the string. because of the more open pattern on the boom mp, it helped with the control/power issues i had with my pro staff. every 295-305g graphene 360+ racket i've tried has this modern feel that i'm not too fond of, but the softer string does a great job of hiding that plasticky feel. i was so impressed by the boom mp/lynx touch combo, that if i had to go to a 100 sq in stick, that would be the first combo i try.

Thanks to TW and Head for the playtest! glad to know that there is a really soft poly out there that i could definitely use if i ever run into arm issues.

 

[eb_tennis_247]

A question for @TW Staff :

Is this string under evaluation by TWU and will it be added to your TWU string database any time soon?

 

[snoflewis]

How does this compare to Lux Element as a cross? I use Lynx Tour Mains a lot.

ive only briefly tried lux element, but lynx touch isnt the type of poly to hybrid imo, esp as a cross. You're better off using a slick syn gut over this. The outer clear layer is just too sticky. Only comparable string ive tried that would be on the same level as element as a cross is T1 ghost wire

i think lynx touch is best suited in a full bed

 

[colan5934]

Snagged another set from my Head rep. Put it in a denser pattern and got a little more time with it this time.

Tension(s) used for playtest: 54#

Regular string set up: ALU Power or Head Lynx Tour between 48-52#

Racquet used for test: Wilson Blade 98 v7 18x20

Control/Power: Lots of pop out of this string. The ball really seemed to zip in and out of the stringbed, and slapping a flat backhand or laying into a serve was really pretty pleasurable. It was hard to control the ball with spin like I normally do, but in a control-oriented stick with a dense pattern, I adjusted pretty quickly. Just ended up playing flatter than normal and attacking a bit more with shorter swings. Not a bad thing for me - a chronic back injury limits the time I can play without pain, so short points are usually a good thing.

Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?): Somewhere between crisp and muted. Can we say crisp and a little cushioned? Kind of like a premium multi at a higher tension: there's feedback and I know how clean I hit the ball, but the ball shoots out of the stringbed quickly. Volleys were plush enough, and I enjoyed drop volleys and other touch shots.

Spin: Lacking compared to my usual stiffer poly setup. If I played it in a more spin friendly racquet, I don't think I'd be complaining. It's fine if you supply your own spin, but it doesn't seem to accentuate it at all either. This was designed for the boom, and I think it would be a great pairing. It should accentuate the soft-ish, spinny, good-feeling attributes of those frames while adding a little pop for even more power. That's not what I'm looking for from a string, but I can see how the Boom target audience (especially the MP and any lighter versions that might come) would benefit from this string. Still better than a poly main/synthetic cross hybrid.

Playability Duration (did it lose playability over time?): broke it in 75 minutes this time. All in one session. I am not sure if it broke in or not during that time. It seemed to stay constant through the test - I'll notice that ALU and Lynx tour break in after 30 minutes or so, and I didn't have that here. But take that comment with a grain of salt.

Durability (did it notch? -get stuck out of position?): broke in 75 minutes. Notched straight through about 1/4 of the way and popped on a forehand return.

Tension findings (would you string it at a different tension on your next try? Why?): I liked the tension in this racquet. Much higher, and I wouldn't be getting enough feel I don't think. In a more open-patterned or more powerful racquet, I think I could venture toward 58# and maintain comfort and feel.

Additional comments (optional): This string is not what I would choose to play with, but it's an interesting offering for the intermediate player or developing junior who needs some comfort and pop while getting better durability than a multi and better playability than a poly/syn gut or multi hybrid. Flat hitters looking to liven up a low powered frame or people looking for a soft, slick poly cross to natural gut mains might want to look here too.

Might be super nice as a cross to a stiffer, shaped poly main. Seems to have good softness and snapback. Curious how it would do as a main with something like Lynx tour too where the mains could really slide and the stringbed is stiffened up. Could work great that way for a flatter hitter. Limited time here, but an interesting string. I got a few seeding sets, so I'll probably toss in some different setups to see if this string shines anywhere. Could be fun in my pro stock 237.2 16x19 too.

 

[topspinlob]

Tension(s) used for playtest: 52lbs; 2-piece on a drop weight

Regular string set up: Pro’s Pro Blackout 16g (48 lb) /Gosen OG Micro Sheep 17g Natural (50lbs)

Racquet brand and model used for test: Head Speed Graphene 360+ MP (Stock)

Control/Power: There is little power from this string. Never felt like the ball was shooting off the string bed. I strung this tighter than usual since I heard it almost plays like a syn gut ( which it does not). Would probably lower the tension 4lbs less to get pop. For control, this is where the string shines I think. It has really good control. I new exactly where the ball was going. There was never a doubt where I knew the ball was going. I knew if I had good footwork and easy swing, I knew where the ball was going.

Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?): Did not like the feel at all. It felt very muted to me which I don't like. Yes there was good pocketing but I just didn't feel like I knew where the ball was hitting the string bed. Actually sometimes I liked it and other days I didn't. The string felt similar to Topspin Cyberflash 16L. I didn’t notice any jarring feedback when I didn’t hit the sweetspot but I think the string being muted to me helped out with that. My arm would feel tired after using this string but I think that’s to playing too much.. I read that some people said it played like a hybrid but I tend to differ. Felt like muted soft poly.

Spin:The spin is not that great. There is no “extra spin that come with the string”. If you really wanted to hit good topspin/slice or kick, you really had to make sure your mechanics were in-line and not rely on the string. I noticed that when I went for a good topspin groundstroke, I could really feel the snapback.
Playability Duration (share thoughts on if/how the playability changed over time) I used this racket for 3 weeks and 2.5 hours a week. Notice the mains are just starting not to stay in place at the 3 week mark but I think there was about 1 week life in it.

Durability: Very durable. I am not a string-breaker and the mains are slightly notched.

Tension recommendations (after hitting it, would you recommend a different tension? Why?) I would drop the tension 4lbs just to gain power and pop.

Thanks TW for allowing me to playtest this string!

 

[McLovin]

Head Lynx Touch 17g Review

Tension(s) used for playtest: Strung at 55lbs on a Wise 2086 w/ a 10% machine pre-stretch.

Regular string set up: 17g Laserfibre JB 100 @ 52lbs

Racquet used for test: 2021 Yonex VCORE 98 +

Control/Power:

My initial reaction was 'Whoa! This is low powered!', because my first 2-3 shots went right into the middle of the net. But after I realized the issue was the low launch angle (compared to my normal string), I was able to get a better gauge of the power. In short, I felt it was in the medium range. I think the lack of spin (which I'll mention later) made it a bit deceiving, as some ground strokes flew long, giving the perception of more power. Hard, flat serves were as expected, but kick 2nd serves seemed to land deeper in the box, or go long. Directional control was fine, but the lack of spin made it harder for me to get the ball up & down at times. Volleys nice as well. Essentially, anything that didn't require me to hit with spin was controllable.​

​

Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?):

Definitely in the 'muted/comfortable' category, except that my racquet has the Yonex VDM (Vibration Dampening Mesh), which makes it already a muted frame, so the feel was 'over-muted'...​

​

Spin:

As mentioned earlier, this is not a 'spin-friendly' string, especially for players (like me) who don't naturally hit with a lot of spin. Losing what little I have made it hard to control. And with the low launch angle, trying to compensate took a lot of work on my arm/shoulder. Note that the string was not causing the arm to get tired directly, but rather indirectly by forcing me to brush up on the ball more, thereby requiring me to swing a bit harder.​

​

Playability Duration:

I never really noticed much drop-off in playability, but I think I was struggling more with gaining confidence throughout the playtest, and not really paying attention to how it changed over time. The RacquetTune numbers seem to indicate that it will do a much better job holding tension than other polys. The 3 images below show (1) hot off the machine, (2) after my initial hit, and (3) after my final hit:​

​

​

Durability:

As I only hit with it for 3-4 hours (I felt it was making me alter my swing too much to continue using it), it's hard to say on durability. Besides, I don't break strings, so I'm not a good gauge for that.​

​

Tension findings:

If I had it do over again, I'd probably drop the tension down to 52 or 50, and hope that the lower tension alters the launch angle, and maybe gives it a little more spin. I chose 55 as many people here were recommending higher tensions due to it being closer to a multi than a poly.​

​

Additional comments (optional):

To use one of my favorite phrases, I'm going to 'damn this with faint praise': It's not a bad string, it's just not for me. Or maybe I just stung it too tightly, but overall I just never gelled with it, and eventually lost confidence.​

​

Thanks to TW and Head for the opportunity to try this out, even if it isn't my cup of tea.​

 

[AVSH]

Head Lynx Touch 17g Review

Tension(s) used for playtest: 52 pounds

Regular string set up; X1 16/Alu Rough 125 @ 52/49

Racquet used for test: Head Graphene 360+ Prestige TouT

I found the string to play very smooth and very comfortable. It had a nice sense of dwell time and pocketing in the stringbed, which is something I look for in a string. Very spin friendly from the baseline, but I feel like it excelled at the net. Hitting volleys with Lynx Touch gave me the precision and touch I'm looking for in volleys, especially in doubles. The one knock I have on the string is that after a couple of weeks of play, the string did start to notch and get stuck out of place, making getting a consistent feel and spin difficult. Overall though, I loved this string and fits well within the Lynx line of strings from Head

 

[CosmosMpower]

@FoldingChair - At what tension did you string up Lynx Touch in your Blade v8? This will be going into a Yonex VCore 95 for me (similar head size to most 97/98's). I usually play most softer poly's in the low to mid 50's, so curious as to your take.

@1HBHfanatic - What would you think of 56/54 or 57/55 lbs for a '21 VC95? 4.0/4.5-ish, OHBH, topsin on both wings. All-court'er.

Geez I string my VC95 at mid 40s with a 18g poly or hybrid. 57 lbs in a VC95 you must be swinging out of your shoes to get any power with this frame.

 

[CannonBoom92]

First off just want to say thank you so much to Tennis Warehouse for the opportunity to be a part of this playtest! Playtest took a little longer than I anticipated due to several weeks of winter weather which was very uncommon for my area.

Tension Used: 55 lbs

Regular String Set Up: Lynx Tour 49 lbs

Racket: Head Graphene 360+ Radical Pro

Control/Power: Entering this playtest I anticipated this string to be a pretty powerful and ultimately hard to control which was why I raised the tension quite a bit from my normal setup with lynx tour. Initially I found the string to play pretty similar to my normal setup in regard to power/control. Probably due to my high tension. However, it didn’t take too long for the string to open up. After a few sessions, two of my hitting partners commented that my shots were landing deeper than normal though I wouldn’t say that my ball speed changed that much. At that point I still felt like could hit my targets under pressure especially with my second serves. Near the end of the review (12 hours or so) it did get to a point where the ball would sail and I couldn’t hit my spots.

Feel (Stiff, Mushy, Muted, Crisp, Comfortable?): I thought the feel was fantastic. Softer than lynx tour but not as mushy or as trampoline like as a multi. Volleys felt great from first strike poaching in doubles to deft drop shots during singles.

Spin: Spin was better than I assumed. Not as much as lynx tour obviously, but didn’t feel like I too much of a drop off either. Slice serves out wide still had good bite and topspin was pretty easy to generate on groundstrokes with the correct swing path. This is normally where i have a problem with depth because my swing path is too linear with my racket head speed so heavy topspin normally drops in the service box. Didn't have that problem with the lynx touch as those service box shots were landing a few feet from the baseline if not closer.

Playability Duration: Played around 12 hours around a 1 month period. Sweet spot for me seemed to be from hour 4 – 11. My last hour was were the playability seemed to decline pretty swiftly.

Durability: This is where I was really shocked. I saw some early reviews including one from my hitting partner where their string started fraying, notching and breaking pretty quickly, my buddy’s even started peeling during his initial warmup on his first hit, but my string held up beautifully. String still looks good as new now than it did after stringing.

Tension Findings: I’m not sure I would change the tension at all if I was going to retest. Maybe just a tad lower but I was pretty happy with it at 55 lbs.

Additional Comments: I’m a 3.5 level player who played mainly doubles during the review. Did get 3 sets of singles against one of my 4.0 friends who commented on the additional depth of my groundstrokes. Would like to add that this was unprompted and he did not know that I was testing a new string beforehand

 

[jugheadfla]

Head Lynx Touch 17 Review

​

Tension(s) used for playtest: 58lbs

Regular string set up & tension: Tier One Firewire Boost 18g @ 51lbs

Racquet used for test: G360+ Gravity Pro

Power/Control: The power of this string definitely felt closer to the power you feel from your standard Multi or syn gut. I felt that it had more pop than my regular poly setup and as well as most of the other polys that I tend to use but wasn’t overly powerful. The control seemed to be above average in my opinion, especially for how soft the string bed felt right off the bat. As the play test went on though the control started to fall off dramatically as the string started to drop tension and the power level increased as the string bed became more launchy. As many have stated, the biggest issue I had with this string is the extremely low launch angle. Its far too low to use in a racquet like the GP I use. I usually don’t mind having to slightly adjust my technique to accommodate for a string, but to use this string would require a full-on swing change. By far the lowest launch angle of any 17g “poly” I have ever used.

Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?): Comfortable, by far the best characteristic of this string! From first hit to last never had any aches or pains and never felt any vibrations from the racquet with off center hits. Because of how soft and comfortable the string bed was, it plays very muted, so it doesn’t provide much feedback at least on groundstrokes. I did find that volleys were very point and shoot and had just enough feel to put it where you are aiming and get no jarring feedback.

Spin: The spin that I experienced with this string was average to below average for a poly string. Being a round string there was no extra bite spin that you would get from a shaped poly and even though it was a rather soft string I didn’t notice much help with spin from snap back. I did feel that it pocketed well and had ample dwell time, but it didn’t really equate to any extra RPMs in my experience.

Playability Duration: The first 5 hours of this string the playability of the string was fantastic, but I found that the subsequent session after that the playability really fell off a cliff for me. At that point the string bed became too elastic, and I immediately started having problems keeping the ball in the court. I just didn’t have the confidence after that 5-hour mark that I did during the first 5.

Durability: The string broke after 13 hours of play for me which is right around the time I usually break a multi when I play with them. I didn’t experience any fraying or peeling that some other users did, but there was some significant notching after the 5-hour mark, and I was about halfway notched through after about 10 hours. All in all, about standard for what I would expect from a softer string.

Tension Recommendations (would you string it differently next time? - why?): Because of the early chatter that this string plays more like a syn gut than a poly, I decided to go far above my normal 51 lbs and went with 58 lbs. At that tension it was still very comfortable, and I could easily could have gone up to 60 lbs and still be comfortable although the low launch angle would probably be even lower. If I had to string it again, I would probably try 56 lbs just to see the launch angle would at least increase a tad.

List any additional thoughts (optional): Overall, this isn’t a string that I could with the racquet that I am currently using. If I was using something with a more open string pattern where I could get a better launch angle, then I would give it another shot. I see this string being a perfect option for a mid to lower-level rec player that hits flatter and has a shorter, slower swing that is new to polys and wants to ease their way in. In my opinion, it would be the best option that is currently in the market for that type of player.



I would like to thank Tennis Warehouse and Head for allowing me to play test these strings and look forward to providing more detailed reviews and reactions in the future. Thanks!

 

[mhkeuns]

Head Lynx Touch 17G Playtest


1. Tension(s) used for playtest:

It was strung at 54lbs.

2. Regular string set up:

My favorite string is Babolat RPM Blast, both in 16G (*tweeners at 50 lbs) and 17G (*other headsizes varying from 45 to 50 depending on the racket). I used to string the Prince Phantom 93P with the 18G at 42 to 45lbs.

3. Racquet used for test

I wanted to try a stiff tweener with this string and used the Pure Drive Wimbledon version. (*Purple and white version)

4. Control/Power

Control - Lynx Touch 17G offered less control than my go to string (*RPM Blast), but maybe the reason was because it was strung a couple of pounds too loose. During light rallies, the control was predictable. Even hitting against hard hitters during hard rallies, shots came off as intended with predictable responses. It was when I wanted to step in and attack, my balls were sailing long. I wish I had another string that was strung tighter to compare to because it felt loose from the first hit. In my opinion, this string behaves the best counter-punching against hard hitters. I think there is a lot of movement in the string when the balls are struck hard (*could see the crosses with friction marks), which helps to bite the ball and send it back with control. It also felt like the string firmed up against hard balls and gave more control. Though this string provided more control than synthetic gut or multi filament strung at the same tension, I'm pretty certain that the attacking players will prefer the control of dead poly strings strung at lower tension range.

Power - The full bed of Lynx Touch 17G had more power than a full bed of RPM Blast 17G. One of the reasons why I love using full poly is because I love the feel of crushing the balls while having great control. When I first hit the balls with my normal swing, my first few hits with Lynx Touch went long with higher than expected launch angle. I did not have the low launch angle issue at all. Maybe it was due to using a racket like the Pure Drive helped with the low launch angle, but it was never an issue. I could tell there was lots of power even when rallying lightly because my balls were hitting close to the baseline without trying to hit deep balls. I had to make conscious effort to hit with more spin to bring the ball down. The power may be able to be tamed by stringing it at a higher tension, but I wonder what the benefit would be of using this string over full poly or full multi if I have to string the poly string at the synthetic gut/multi-filament level to get the control I would need?

5. Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?):

This string offered all of the above feel accept being stiff. It felt a little mushy but comfortable during light rallies. Maybe slightly muted as well. However, hitting against hard balls, the string felt crisp. It was definitely more comfortable than full poly or poly mains hybrids, but it was not as soft as having full synthetic gut or multi filament.

6. Spin:

I thought spin was adequate but nothing to write home about. I think it offered slightly more spin than synthetic gut/multi-filament but not by much. It definitely didn't bite the balls like how a full bed of poly string would. I think it was actually pretty slippery for being a poly string.

7. Playability Duration (did it lose playability over time?):

After the initial break-in period (*maybe around 30 minutes), the string played as expected for about 6 hours total before it started to not snap back. Once it lost the snap back, it was just like playing with synthetic gut/multi string with having to fix the string bed frequently. It wasn't like playing with dead poly where it felt jarring or lost all control, but I don't think I've seen a poly string notch like this string before.

8. Durability (did it notch? -get stuck out of position?)

As mentioned above, the string got notched up I think around the sixth hour of playing with this string. I'd chew up multi filament strings in a couple of hours, so it lasted longer, but it did seems a little quick for a poly string to loose the snap back.

9. Tension findings (would you string it at a different tension on your next try? Why?)

I wish I had strung at 58lbs, instead of 54lbs. That's how loose it felt on the initial hit. That means this string is unlike any other poly strings in the market as far as the stiffness goes. Having a racket strung full poly at 58lbs sounds crazy, but that's how soft this string felt. I'd imagine even at 58lbs, this string will feel comfortable.

10. Additional comments (optional):

The last time I broke the string was like ten years ago when I was trying out the multi mains with poly crosses. I strung two rackets (Pro Staff St. Vincent) with different multi's at 55lbs and 50lbs poly crosses. Though it felt nice and powerful, I broke the string on the first racket after only a few hits and the second one only lasted less than an hour. With Lynx Touch, I'm kind of temped to try it in the mains with round poly crosses. I think it will last longer than the multi filaments and will play softer with more power than full poly while maintaining the similar level of control.

Overall, the Lynx Touch should fit the multi filament users who want more control & spin without committing to the harsh poly strings.



Thank you, TW. Thank you, Head. Thank you for the opportunity!

 

[mromato64]

Total time playtested: ~12 hours

Tension(s) used for playtest: 48 lbs.

Regular string set up: Tourna Big Hitter Silver 7 Tour 17g/Gosen OG Sheep Micro 16g @48/53lbs

Racquet used for test: Yonex VCore Pro 97HD

Control/Power: Control was about average to below average. Around the 4-6 hour mark was where I felt the most control. Compared to other round polys, Head Lynx Touch didn't offer me as much confidence as I would have liked swinging out at the ball. Power was above average, so I mainly focused on having deep, consistent rally shots instead of going for winners. When I got into a rhythm, the combination of power and control did feel pretty good. However, I just never knew when it would be a good time to go for more when trying to end the point.

Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?): For the first 3-4 hours, Lynx Touch felt fairly stiff. I would definitely feel the stiffness when shots were off-center. Once the stringbed loosened up, it did feel a bit plush while keeping some slight crispness. Lynx Touch is not as stiff as Lynx Tour, but you still get a pretty direct feel of the stringbed. Because it's not as mushy, I feel like Lynx Touch may not be as comfortable for other people.

Spin: Probably the worst aspect of Lynx Touch. Ball bite was almost nonexistent, and the ball pocketing wasn't enough to save it from the little spin generation that it produced. I tried to compensate by swinging faster, but there wasn't that much of a difference while I started to mishit more often. The only saving grace I can think of is that the slice had some good bite.

Playability Duration (did it lose playability over time?): Head Lynx Touch lasts for a decent amount of time compared to most polys. The last session I had with Lynx Touch wasn't bad, but I had bouts where I subconsciously held back my swing due to my experience seeing balls sail long earlier. Hours 4-10 felt very similar, and that was about the peak of playability. The drop off from playability isn't too bad after that, but coupled with the lack of spin and enough control, I'm willing to cut out the strings.

Durability (did it notch? -get stuck out of position?): After about the first 2 hours, I already noticed the strings getting stuck out of place on Lynx Touch. I wasn't getting the snapback that I usually get from most polys, so I would have to move multiple strings back in place on a consistent basis. I didn't check when the strings started notching, but there is definite signs of notching now. String movement is still not as bad as a syn gut/multi, but I was very disappointed in the lack of snapback.

Tension findings (would you string it at a different tension on your next try? Why?): I probably would have bumped up the tension about 2-3 lbs higher. It would take a little bit longer to let the stringbed settle, but I would probably get slightly more control.

Additional comments (optional): For the first 4 hours of this string, I was ready to put the string down and never use it again. I was not getting into a groove with the string at all around that time. Thankfully, the next session I had a good warm up, and the strings settled down after that. I did enjoy Lynx Touch a bit more after that, but I didn't feel anything was spectacular about it. When I was able to keep the shots flat or when I was hitting volleys, Lynx Touch did feel good. However, it struggled with spin sensitivity as well as stringbed inconsistency creeping in. One slight positive about Lynx Touch is that it was fairly easy to string since it had a bit of slick coating around the round shape.

I can see Lynx Touch being used in a hybrid or suited more for intermediate players, but I most likely won't be using it again in a full bed.

Nevertheless, I want to give a huge thank you to Head Tennis and Tennis Warehouse for allowing me to participate in this playtest!

 

[ChanterRacquet]

• Tension(s) used for playtest
  • 55 lbs on an old Alpha Revo 4000 crank
• Regular string set up
  • Volkl Cyclone Tour at 55 lbs
• Racquet used for test
  • Dunlop CX 200 OS
• Control/Power
  • This string at 55 lbs did not have power, but was not lifeless. I had to up my effort to maintain the same ball speed I usually get with VCT or a multi like NRG2. I noticed a lack of control I attribute to the extra effort needed to maintain ball speed alongside string sticking/notching.
• Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?)
  • The feeling is muted and a little stiff at 55 lbs. Unresponsive is the best word I can think of to describe the feel. I experienced more arm soreness than usual that I attribute to it being slightly stiffer and also less powerful. No signs of GE/TE, but not as comfortable as VCT or a multi (yes, the latter goes without saying). It is neither mushy nor crisp.
• Spin
  • Spin was adequate. I would say the lower power is more responsible for keeping my balls in than the spin.
• Playability Duration (did it lose playability over time?)
  • I felt it lost playability quite quickly. The second hitting session found the string already sticking out of position much like multis do. Not as bad as Wilson Sensation, say, but quite bad for a poly. I am coming from full beds of VCT and Tier One Ghostwire, both of which maintain position with ample snapback. I restring VCT when it stops snapping back. Were that my criteria for this string, I would have cut it out after the 2nd or 3rd hitting session. By the second week of sparse hitting, I would flip the racquet to have the rainbow of main strings shift back the other way. This indicates it is not only sticking out of position, but has lost considerable tension as it is not a simple zig-zag, temporary displacement but long distance displacement due to tension loss. I believe I lost some control early on due to the lack of snapback. I believe this is also why it is lower powered.
• Durability (did it notch? -get stuck out of position?)
  • I did not receive the string until January 24th due to a lost shipment. I've had a couple serving sessions, 1 singles match, and a few hitting sessions with my partner since that time. The string has notched through the outer layer of string on mains. That this string is made of two layers, and that I've notched quite quickly through the first layer, is undoubtedly why it is sticking out of place with no snapback.
• Tension findings (would you string it at a different tension on your next try? Why?)
  • I don't know if a lower tension is warranted or not. I would experiment with a lower tension in hopes to bring the power up and perhaps make it less likely to notch so quickly, but I don't know if that's actually what will happen.
• Additional comments (optional)
  • Due to the soft outer layer, I am unsure what the primary benefits of this string are. Snapback is lost quickly. I have not yet broken the string all the way through, but I am not confident continued use of a 2 week old string job is warranted. NRG2 lasts longer, has more power, more comfort, and more spin. So if you're going to use a string that sticks out of position, might as well go with something else that won't lose tension. After about the first week, I switched back and forth between my VCT strung racquet (same model) and the Lynx Touch during a drill session of cross courts and down the lines with my partner and my consistency was noticeably better with VCT. I don't remember when I strung the VCT racquet, November 2021 is probably a good guess, could be earlier.

I am not tempted to use this string again. Having tried regular Lynx in a demo Extreme Tour, I am likely to try it next as I search for a soft(er) poly with slightly less power than VCT (full bed Ghostwire was a little too stiff).

 

[GummiiBear]

Final review… I initially wanted to wait until I played with this string up to 10+ hours, but I didn't make it that far.

I strung up my old Babolat Pure Control Team (16x20) at 50lbs. Previously, it had Gamma TNT2 17ga also at 50lbs., which was chosen knowing I rarely ever hit with it. That is, aside from the hours (>3) put into this playtest.

I have 2 string setup(s) in my Yonex VCORE PRO 97HDs that I've settled into/onto as my typical.
• Klip Legend 1.30 Mains at 55lbs. w/ Isospeed Rexxxer 1.25 Crosses at 52lbs.
• T-1 Black Knight 1.23 Mains at 49lbs. w/ Kirschbaum Max Power 1.20 Crosses at 46lbs.

Control/Power
• This felt more like a control-leaning string. Not to say it was detrimentally low-powered. I'd say here actually just overall in this category spectrum I give it a 6/10. At times I definitely desired a bit more power out of it, but then again, the balance seemed reasonable for my game.

Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?)
• Very comfortable string. I seem to enjoy "deader" strings (based off how other people describe strings I tend to gravitate towards), but this played soft. Crisp very early on, but loses crispiness fast. Like stale chips.
• Comfort is probably the highest selling point or highlight-factor to emphasize with this string. It felt closer to the Gamma TNT2 than to a full bed of poly (I tend to like something akin to Solinco Tour Bite [Soft]?).
• Without words, if I had to give a very generalized assessment for feel, I'd give this a 8/10.

Spin
• I would argue this is the glaring weakness the string has. There's little spin potential with this string. I would say 3/10. Whatever the outer layer/wrap is over the poly, that seems to dominate the spin potential.

Playability Duration
• Unfortunately, I did not put in sufficient hours to really gauge this accurately. One thing I would want to note is how soon I noticed notching. After 2 hours of practice, more relaxed hitting I ramped it up. Heavy hitting in the third hour - I noticed notching after this. Which for me is considerably "early" for a poly.

Durability
• So after every stringjob I take time to realign and straighten out the strings. I found this easier to do than usual, as the strings glide nicely. Surprisingly so, considering I had the whole job strung at the same tension.
• As mentioned, it was only within the first 2-2.25 hours of hitting that I first noticed the strings starting to notch. I previously recall encountering notching to this degree when my racquet was strung with TNT2… Unfortunately for me, this knocks off major durability points.

Tension Findings
• I think I chose an appropriate tension for the string with this initial job. I think if I were to get it strung again, I'd try with a 2lb. differential, 51/49. In the hopes that it'd help delay notching a bit, and/or to get a little more power out of the stringbed.

Additional Comments…
• I really like the aesthetic of this string, with the inner black core and translucent outer wrap. Generally speaking I'm not picky when it comes to this, so I'm just noting.
• The 17ga (1.25) provided for the playtest was probably the ideal gauge for me to try with my Pure Control Team. That factored into my choice of racquet for this playtest.
• I think that perhaps this string I imagine I'd only consider trying again in a hybrid setup. I'm not sure what I'd want to pair with it, though…
• Considering my racquet used to playtest this is one I used for years, it would've taken a lot to cause me to opt NOT to play with this racquet much over the course of the playtest. I believe this suggests that the string really did not gel well with me. Or the racquet? I don't really know.

I apologize, as I feel as though I did not adequately playtest or take part in this one like I should have. Ideally I would have put in upwards of 10+ hours before making my assessment… If I were to be given the chance to participate in a future string playtest, I know I should probably opt to have one of my 97HDs strung up with whichever test string, so that I'd be more likely to play out the string through its lifetime, regardless of how I feel about it. That being said, it still was fun trying out a new string! And it always is a joy to hit with my old PCT. Maybe I built up high expectations for this string, such that my review ended up thinking it lackluster overall?

I don't intend on cutting this out prematurely - I will play the string out as much as I can. If there are any updates to provide in the coming weeks, I'll do just that.

 

[mrravioli]

• Tension(s) used for playtest: 52 pounds
• Regular string set up: hyper g (soft), confidential, other polys
• Racquet used for test: microgel radical mp
• Control/Power: power is higher than string i normally use. but i think it works well for a low powered racquet. control is pretty good (no wild response after slight adjustment at first switching from poly)
• Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?): not as plush as multi, slightly crisp but i would call it comfortably crisp. not as muted as other polys. personally i really like the feel
• Spin: not as much spin as other polys but just fine after some adjustment. with slightly shorter swing with more brush, i find confidence really swing out for my shots. i think it would work pretty well in an open pattern racquet
• Playability Duration (did it lose playability over time?) & Durability (did it notch? -get stuck out of position?): i only got to play with it for 2-3h, so no comment here. very slight notching but didn't notice any performance drop. would be interested to see how it plays once the outer layer is gone
• Tension findings (would you string it at a different tension on your next try? Why?): 52 is higher than what i normally string poly at in tighter pattern, but it still feels comfortable with good power. could go a couple pounds higher but happy with how it feels now
• Additional comments (optional): great string overall. i can see it work very well in an open string pattern racquet as a poly substitute

 

[Injured Again]

Here's my review for Lynx Touch.

Tension(s) used for playtest:
For my first set of Lynx Touch, I used 50/46 in the center mains and crosses, decreasing in tension towards the edge of the stringbed. This was in an 18x19 SW104.

For my second set of Lynx Touch, I used 50/45 in the mains and crosses, with even tension throughout. This was in a 16x20 Pure Aero VS.

Regular string set up:
I've been using 17 gauge Tourna Black7 in a full bed at 46/42 pounds in the SW104.

The Pure Aero VS was previously strung with 17 gauge Tourna Silver 7 Tour in the lower to middle 40's. That tension was higher than my preference with the racquet at stock weight but was fine with the addition of about 30 grams of weight evenly distributed along the frame.

Power:
The power level of Lynx Touch is higher than average when compared to a poly string. It has slightly more power than Tourna Black7, a relatively high powered poly. My perception of power levels was increased due to the low spin capability and low launch angle that made a flatter swingpath the easiest way for me to compensate. Volleys were point and shoot, and the relatively high power levels allowed a short stroke to accurately put away most volleys taken above the level of the net. First serves had good speed but were very flat. Second serves, and really any stroke that meets the ball with a glancing contact, produces much lower ball speeds than would be expected from a string that grabs the ball more.

At about the two hour mark, there was a sudden difference to the playability. The impact sound changed and there was a low frequency "thud" that wasn't there before. The stringbed became more springy feeling but also had a loss of pocketing sensation. Both of those attributes created a foreign and unfriendly feel to Lynx Touch, which lost the crispness it initially had and also seemed to worsen control on harder shots. Power levels were still fairly high on groundstrokes and volleys still had that point-and-shoot nature but the impact feel was vague.

After about another hour during which I struggled with the playability, I discovered numerous dark spots in the middle of the stringbed that look like the internal layer had separated from the external layer, resulting in a void inside the string. I soon stopped playing with the string after noticing the dark spots and finding it very difficult to adjust to the changed playability.

With the second set of Lynx Touch in the Pure Aero VS, the tensions I used were a bit too high for my preference with the racquet at stock weight. After adding 30 grams over the entire racquet, and as Lynx Touch had its initial tension loss, it produced a much better impact feel. Power levels were higher than with the Silver 7 Tour. Lynx Touch really enhanced the point-and-shoot nature of the PAVS. Power levels were high for a poly, and the lack of pocketing feel and spin capability made the combination feel too powerful for my normal swings. When I did cut down my swing length, the power levels were much more manageable. I was able to really bomb some flat serves and putaway volleys were very easy with good contact.

Control:
Over the first couple of hours in the SW104, I became more adjusted to the way the ball comes off the strings and was able to mostly resume my normal swing trajectory. My playing style relies on launch angle for accurate distance control and Lynx Touch doesn't provide a high enough launch angle to suit the way I instinctively control the racquet face angle. Flatter shots had good directional accuracy and there was never a feeling during the first two hours that a ball would come off the stringbed in some unexpected direction. I found the best control on traditional volleys. A short and controlled punch to create a fairly flat volley was all that was necessary, and the insensitivity to incoming spin made it easy to aim for smaller than normal targets.

After about two hours when the string characteristics suddenly changed, control worsened due to a more rubbery and springy feel, and a further loss of launch angle and spin capability.

With the PAVS, my first long hit after adding weight was with new US Open balls. They are extra firm and have a thinner felt layer than the Babolat balls that I had been previously using during the Lynx Touch test. It felt almost impossible to sink the strings into the felt to get grip on the ball. After a short period, I gave up and pulled out some used Babolat balls for the remainder of that day's testing. The older balls gave a stronger pocketing sensation and a closer to normal launch angle for this racquet. Directional control on groundstrokes felt good but length accuracy depended on how well I adjusted for the difference in ball grip and launch angle. I tended to aim for larger targets because I didn't have the confidence to go near the sidelines without knowing how long my shots would travel.

The extra weight and elasticity of Lynx Touch somewhat muted the strong point-and-shoot sensation of the PAVS. It created an enjoyable racquet to volley with and I played four competitive but practice doubles sets with it. There was a feeling of added dwell time and control, and a very short stroke was all that was necessary to put volleys away. I was able to hit some effective and well aimed flat first serves but as with the SW104, directional accuracy on second serves suffered due to the lack of grip on the ball and the loss of knowing exactly where the ball would go.

Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?):
Lynx Touch, when new, has an elastic impact feel with moderately crisp response. It does soften and mute a lot of the vibration on off-center hits, and is more comfortable than most poly strings. Lynx Touch works much better in high stiffness racquets. In more flexible or highly damped racquets, it can feel rubbery and imprecise.

Spin:
Spin capability was the worst attribute of Lynx Touch. It was extremely difficult to get the strings to bite into the felt of the ball, and the low launch angle accentuated the lower spin levels. In a racquet with a more open string pattern, the spin capability was a bit better but still worse than average. In my experience with poly strings, Lynx Touch only has exceeded Isospin Baseline in spin capability and launch angle.

Playability Duration (did it lose playability over time?):
The set of Lynx Touch that was in my SW104 experienced a dramatic loss in playability beyond the two hour mark. About an hour beyond that, I noticed there were numerous dark areas in the string near the sweetspot that looked like the inner core material had separated from the outer layer and created a void in the middle of the string. At that time, it started making a low frequency "thud" sound on impact, losing launch angle and pocketing feel. Playability suffered to the point that I couldn't play normally with the string beyond about the four hour mark.

On the PAVS, which has a point-and-shoot feel that causes me to swing with a much flatter trajectory, the playability has remained constant through about five hours, most of it being doubles. There are much fewer of the same dark spots in the sweetspot area and the impact sound has remained consistent from when the string was new.

The dark spots aren't likely to be from clamping during stringing as they are all in the middle of the stringbed. String tension as reported by RacquetTune has not abnormally changed with the appearance of these spots.

Durability (did it notch? -get stuck out of position?):
Notching was minimal. The flatter swingpath that Lynx Touch encourages also minimizes string movement, and it looks like it would be at least 15 hours to wear through the outer coating on the SW104. I only tried to hit relatively flat shots with the PAVS and string notching there has been very minimal after five hours of primarily doubles play.

Initially, the Lynx Touch mains would get stuck out of position, but after a short period of hitting, they started sliding back in to position and remained that way through the end of my test with both string sets.

Tension findings (would you string it at a different tension on your next try? Why?):
The string tension I used on the SW104 was just about spot on. I would only go lower to try and increase launch angle, but as the string lost tension, the launch angle didn't increase so I don't believe a tension change would have been effective.

In the more open string pattern of the PAVS, the tension I chose was too high at the stock racquet weight. With added weight and with the eventual tension loss, it became much more playable. I would have strung this racquet 7-8% looser at the heavier weight, and probably 10-12% lower at its stock weight.

Additional comments:
RacquetTune reported a tension loss of 14% in both racquets. This is better than average for a poly string, and quite low loss for a string this elastic and comfortable. Stringing was easy due to the slick surface, and Lynx Touch added a bit over one gram above both Black7 and Silver 7 Tour.

Lynx Touch seems best suited for a flatter hitter some someone who plays doubles. In the podcast, the string engineer said that Lynx Touch was designed to have the characteristics of a multi/gut and poly hybrid in one string, and I think in this respect they have succeeded. It has levels of spin capability that are more closely associated with a full bed non-poly strings but with added control. Lynx Touch is not suited for my game, but it would be a good transition string from a full bed of multi or synthetic gut strings, providing more control and durability without significantly altering launch angle.

Thanks to Head and Tennis Warehouse for allowing me to participate in this string test.

 

[PhxRacket]

Tension used for playtest - 52#
Regular string set up - Element Rough 47#
Racquet used for test - Blade v8 18x20

Control/Power (Control: 7/10, Power: 9/10)
My friend strung this in my Blade on a Neos 1000. The Lynx Touch felt great in my hands before going into the racket. I put the string through match play, drills, teaching, practice matches. Total time for my play test was about 14 hours. I found it to have acceptable control, and nice power. It paired VERY WELL for me in the Blade. Initially, the launch angle was low, but it was in an 18x20 with a low launch angle to begin with. I really want to put this in my v13 Pro Staff to see if that changes. Not to be cliche, but it was point and shoot, a bit like regular Element in that way…only softer. I feel like big hitters looking for control or juniors just dipping their toes into the poly pool would benefit from this string.

Feel (Feel: 9/10)
SOFT. Almost like a multifilament or syn gut. I played with and without a dampener and it made very little difference. I think this is a string that would fail in an overly muted racquet, like a Clash. The string was super comfortable, even for an old guy beset by elbow issues. The comfort was felt from the baseline, at the net and during serves. There was pop when I wanted it. For me, this is a suitable replacement to Element and Element Rough.

Spin (Spin: 7/10)
I had little problem coaxing spin from the Lynx Touch. It’s not inherently a spin string, so if you are looking for that…look elsewhere. It was somewhere between Element and Element Rough in its shininess. I didn’t have to change my swing path or grip to spin the ball. Slices, kick serves were all working well. I feel like those that buy this string will do so for its comfort.

Playability Duration (8/10)
I’m not a string nerd so I can’t backup my comments in this section with scientific data, just analogy. I can tell you Lynx Touch lasted about as long as I keep poly in my racquet. It starts out firmer than Element, but breaks in and settles quicker. It was a fun string from hour 3-14. It’s interesting construction may contribute to better durability, but as someone with a gimpy elbow…I cannot play poly too long or I’m done.


Tension findings (would you string it at a different tension on your next try? Why?) (7/10)
Tension fell off initially like any other poly, but becomes steady after one session. I would string it lower, around 47 or 48#. I feel like this would allow plush play from hour 1.

Additional comments (optional)
I am going to buy a few sets of this to try in other racquets with 16/19 patterns, open and closed. I agree with others that this might be a really good cross string in a hybrid. It will be worth trying in that way. It was a funky, Frankensteinish string that I really liked. Kudos to HEAD for trying something unique, at least for me. Thank you TW for letting me playtest this string. I really believe the type of racquet used will influence the way this string plays. Put it in a fb on a closed, tight pattern stick at a lowish tension and just win, Baby!

 

[indy_account]

Huge thanks for TW for selecting me for the playtest. I've submitted for several playtests in the past and never got lucky to be selected. Glad I was for this one, as it was a really positive experience overall.

Tension(s) used for playtest: I strung Head Lynx Touch at 56lbs on a crank machine (Alpha Revo 4000). Luckily, my set arrived later than many in the playtest and then I got COVID, and then we had snow/really cold temps in my area for 2 weeks, so I waited to string it up and read a few early reviews that said they would string higher next time. Normally, I would string a poly in the high 40 lb range, but bumped up considerably for this playtest based on other reviews--glad I did.

Regular string set up: I normally play with a full bed of multi (TF Multifeel 16 gauge black) in my Yonex VCore Pro 97 330 (green and gold version), strung at 58 lbs.

Racquet used for test: 2021 Yonex VCore Pro 97 310 (16x19). While I've spent the past 10 years playing with Yonex's 330g offerings, age has made me explore some lighter options lately. I've been enjoying the latest VCP 310, with 5 grams total of added weight at 10/2 and 12, counterbalanced with 5g in the handle.

Control/Power: I found Lynx Touch to offer a nice combination of control and power, at least during the first 12-14 hours of the playtest. After that, the string got a little trampoline-like. Power was on par with my normal multi setup, maybe a little bit less. Control was solid initially as well. I felt confident in my shots during the early hours of the playtest, but after 12 hours or so, I noticed I had to almost exaggerate the upward swing in my stroke to try to compensate for the launching effect that sent balls long.

Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?): Feel was a bit muted, though comfortable. I've had plenty of TE issues over the years (hence the fb multi as my normal setup), but this string was really comfortable for the first 12-14 hours. After that, my arm started to feel the loss of elasticity a bit, as I was overswinging to create more spin in an attempt to keep the ball in play.

Spin: I'm not a spin freak--I play with slightly flatter strokes and tend to hit through the ball more. I did notice more spin potential than my normal multi setup, which brought plenty of "surprise" shots that dropped in at the last second instead of sailing long. I was also able to get much more aggressive with angles, slices and drop shots, thanks to the spin. However, compared to a string like Volkl Cyclone or Cyclone Tour, it's still not a spin monster.

Playability Duration (did it lose playability over time?): For a poly, I think the playability duration was normal. I think if it was used in a hybrid (as a cross), it would last longer. As stated above, playability dropped considerably around the 12-14 hour mark. I noticed in between sets with a 4.5 player I hit with weekly that something had changed--he was teeing off on my serves and forehands, so I asked him. He thought I was injured as he commented that my shots were coming in pretty weak during the 2nd set of our match. I also noticed a change in the sound of the strings upon impact--from a "ping" sound to more of a dead "thud."

Durability (did it notch? -get stuck out of position?): Durability was good. I noticed only slight notching late in the playtest, and didnt have to adjust my strings much (compared to fb multi).

Tension findings (would you string it at a different tension on your next try? Why?): This needs to be strung at a higher tension than many polys, in my opinion. I'm glad I strung it as high as I did--it provided for good playability for a nice duration of time.

Additional comments (optional): I'm a 4.5 baseliner in my mid-40s; big serve, big forehand, 1hbh. I play singles 2x per week and doubles 1-2x per week with other 4.5s.

 

[Pronate]

Head Lynx Touch 17 Review:

Tension(s) used for playtest: 55lb for both mains and crosses. Would try stringing even tighter in the future.

Regular string set up: Yonex Poly Tour Pro 50lb or Yonex Poly Tour Rev 50lb

Racquet used for test: Wilson BLX Blade Tour 93 18x20

Control/Power (control 8/10, power 7/10):
The strings felt like they had a lot of control in terms of the ball height. Depth is good as well. Hitting angles I did not feel any increase directional control. I can apply depth with this set up so it was more of positioning myself for opportunities.

Power was ok and on the lower end, but it is similar to other polyester strings. When I test poly strings, it has more to do with the feel to generate the necessary force. The feel, discussed in the next section contributes to the lower power rating since comfort dictates the amount of racquet speed I’d like. As the playtest went on the power decreased because it did not feel as comfortable to accelerate on the ball.
In drills I like to hit cross court forehand-backhand alternating, but this made it so I went for less angles and more


Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?) 7.5/10: I think the string’s feel changed over time. After 4 hours, I felt mild discomfort. As time went on, I felt large discomfort. The strings feel stiff throughout the playtest, but mainly now there are vibrations when hitting through the ball.


Spin (7/10): The strings were average in this category as well. It was good for changing depth and rallying competitively. My serve had some benefits in terms of more kick then a hybrid or Hyper G, but I would prefer more grip on the ball during rallies.

Playability Duration (did it lose playability over time?) (8/10): Playability held up. I checked that the tension was overall the same after each hit. Control on my groundstrokes, slice and volley are relatively the same.


Durability (did it notch? -get stuck out of position?) (9/10): I find the string to be durable. It is holding up well, with only small notches after 14 hours. Like most strings, after the first few hours the outer main strings were loosened and stuck out of position. One cross string also got stuck out of position. I would say it is more durable than Hyper G and Natural Gut.



Tension findings (would you string it at a different tension on your next try? Why?): I would try stringing at 58lb or use it as a main in a lower tensioned hybrid.

Additional comments (optional): Thank you again TW for the opportunity to playtest. This string has an interesting design, and I can’t remember at the moment the last time I hit with a string where the outer layer is transparent. It's a good experience.

Overall: The string is a softer string where I could play with it comfortably during the first hours. Performance is ok, but I prefer Yonex Poly Tour Rev due to the Yonex string having a nice noticeable increase in spin for the first few hours. I think if I had access to more sets, then I would be ok with regularly using it until the strings's felt uncomfortable.
7.75/10

Comparisons: I think the string in the first 4-5 hours felt like a multifilament like the other testers have mentioned. After this period I would compare the comfort to a stiff poly like ALU power. I have been having sharp pain in my wrist and if I were to use the string regularly, I would consider cutting the string after about 5 hours. Even though it is a co poly, they don’t behave exactly like a multi.

Also, I will try using a more open string a pattern. 16x19 specifically to see if it will help with spin.