Playtest: RF97 vs PS97 vs PS97 LS

the racquets you have measured have come bang on spec comapred to wilson s unstrung specs. we have all talked about wilson and otehr manufacturers quality control . its a certainly surprising the 3 racquets you recived are on spec for weight and balance 100%
 
Lukhas said:
If the racquets were precisely on spec or not.
Click to expand...
Thank you Lukhas.

Federerkblade said:
the racquets you have measured have come bang on spec comapred to wilson s unstrung specs. we have all talked about wilson and otehr manufacturers quality control . its a certainly surprising the 3 racquets you recived are on spec for weight and balance 100%
Click to expand...
Hmmm... I'm not so sure if we can make such a statement.

Keep in mind that they are strung with a 1,41mm poly string.
It is hard to say how much weight these strings add and how they change the balance.

Lookie here:
The RF 97 Autograph
Unstrung (manufacturer) -> Strung (my measurement)
340g -> 361g (strings weigh 21g)
305mm -> 313mm (string shifts balance by 8mm)

Pro Staff 97
Unstrung (manufacturer) -> Strung (my measurement)
315g -> 330g (strings weigh 15g)
310mm -> 321mm (string shifts balance by 11mm)

The above is the best comparison because the RF97 and PS97 have the same mold and string pattern so the strings have to weight the same.


Now the 97 LS has a 18x16 string pattern so the strings may weigh a bit more or less due to the differences in the number of mains and crosses.
Pro Staff 97 LS
290 -> 310g (strings weigh 20g)
325mm -> 335mm (balance shifts by 10mm)

My guess is that the Lux adds around 20-21g of weight. That would make the RF97 and PS 97LS indeed very close to the specs they should have and making the PS 97 under spec (330g - 21g = 309g & 321mm - 8mm = 313mm).
 
Last edited:
You know, when I saw the gauge I was sceptical, however after hitting against a wall my fears were gone.

I don't want to write something I'll have to withdraw later after playtesting so I won't elaborate.
 
My RF Auto came up to 12.4 on the US Post Office scale with a 1.20 gauge ALU Power Feel in it. No overgrip, no dampener. Could 1.20 to 1.41 gauge string add 10 grams? Seems like a lot.
 
RobFL, my measurement over the years showed that a 1.25mm poly usually adds about 16 grams.

The lowest was noted for a 1,10 kevlar-multi and IIRC it was around 12g.
The highest was for an old hybrid multifilament (Tecnifibre Duramix 1,40mm) and I think it was around the 20g mark but this one I'm not sure.
 
Rob, a small update based on Racquet Industry Magazine playtests:
Crossfire ZX Tour added 13 grams to the weight of our unstrung frame.
HDX Tour 17 added 13.7 grams to the weight of our unstrung frame.
Optimus 16 added 13 grams to the weight of our unstrung frame.
Quasi-Gut Armor 16 added 14 grams to the weight of our unstrung frame.
Acelon Seven 16L added 15 grams to the weight of our unstrung frame.
Sonic Pro Edge added 16 grams to the weight of our unstrung frame.
Gamma Moto 16 added 17 grams to the weight of our unstrung frame.
Poly Tour Pro 130 added 16 grams to the weight of our unstrung frame.

This gives a 13-17g I couldn't find a test of a 1,40mm poly though. Also it would be crucial to measure this in the same frame.
 
15 gauge string in that already heavy racquet

Kornheiser_Why.JPG
 
Automatix can you check something for me pls

On the autogroagh if you put a over grip on the leather does the grip size measure as 4 1/2 . could you possible do the same on the RF 315 too in the sybtetic grip for me pls too ? Hopefully you have some measuring tape
 
Federerkblade said:
Automatix can you check something for me pls

On the autogroagh if you put a over grip on the leather does the grip size measure as 4 1/2 . could you possible do the same on the RF 315 too in the sybtetic grip for me pls too ? Hopefully you have some measuring tape
Click to expand...

RF 97 Autograph:
without overgrip 113mm
with Yonex Supergrap 116mm

PS 97:
without overgrip 114mm
with overgrip 117.5mm
 
Automatix said:
RF 97 Autograph:
without overgrip 113mm
with Yonex Supergrap 116mm

PS 97:
without overgrip 114mm
with overgrip 117.5mm
Click to expand...

Thank you from the above according to standard measurements of a grip 3 in inches the wilson s are running large in size as grip 4 should be 114mm.
 
Hello,
To the players who had the chance to hit with the RF97 LS can you compare it to Steam 99LS. Which was the better stick overall.

Thank you.
 
Played with all the frames. Focused on the PS97.
I'll keep it short for now. Good frames, not as stiff as the RDC rating would suggest, comfortable but still crisp providing a very direct feeling of the ball.

One gripe. Although the 1.41mm 4G isn't bad I think it really hinders a proper evalution of the RF97 and PS97. I can't imagine anyone stringing these with such a thick string. I think it really hampered the amount of spin you could deliver with these frames.
 
Soooo... so nice.

In the photos they look... vorpal! (google it)

So, yes, about the LS.

I had to jettison the Wilson Blade 98S because of too much vibration came down the shaft which aggravated my GE. I play fine and pain free with Wilson Pro Opens.

The Pro Staff 97 LS looks to be the same weight as the Blade 98S but with a wider beam (23mm not 21.5mm) and more head light.

These could add up to less vibration, less SW, more stability on contact?

Besides comfort, what of its power level?

I found the Blade a bit underpowered for me, has the LS got some plough or not?

How would you compare it to say a 300g or a Radical MP?
 
bertrevert said:
So, yes, about the LS.

I had to jettison the Wilson Blade 98S because of too much vibration came down the shaft which aggravated my GE. I play fine and pain free with Wilson Pro Opens.

The Pro Staff 97 LS looks to be the same weight as the Blade 98S but with a wider beam (23mm not 21.5mm) and more head light.

These could add up to less vibration, less SW, more stability on contact?

Besides comfort, what of its power level?

I found the Blade a bit underpowered for me, has the LS got some plough or not?
Click to expand...
Bertrevert, I'm yet to hit with the 97 LS "full time", I played with all 3 97s but focused on the PS97. I need to play more to write an honest review.

HOWEVER that short hit I did with the 97 LS and the fact that I had a Blade 98S allows me to write this - I definitely preferred the 97. More power, more spin, comfortable and stable in its weight "class".

I prefer the string spacing on the 97 over the Blade because the mains are spread wider in the sweetspot. The Blade has 8 mains going through the bridge while the 97s have an identical drill pattern on the bridge - 6 mains spaced the same on every model.

Also believe it or not but the 97 LS strung with Lux 4G 1,41mm and a dampener is vibration free, at least in the sweetspot. I need more time to get proper feedback on off-centre hits and overall more court time with this racquet.

Keep in mind these are my initial feelings about the 97 LS.
Sadly my agenda for this week is the PS97 and RF97. A proper beating of the 97 LS is scheduled for next week.
 
Hello from Germany!
Thanks to TWE and Wilson I received those 3 Babies, too! :)
I will join the conversation when I have played them on friday!

What I can allready say is that the Autograph I received is 1g and the PS 97 (315) is 2g heavier than the ones Automatix is testing.

10615961_10152715079851639_3751264502483388514_n.jpg
 
Hi

I bought My new Wilson Pro Staff 97 Roger Federer 2014-2015
Today when i got an email from my dealer and they got an early shipment. Wow was I happy :)

I live in Sweden

the racket feels amazing , design is very nice and the racket doesn't feel heavy at all.

I have used the 6.0 85 pro staff , pro staff 90, and the latest six one 95s.

This new racket feels much more lighter Then six one , ovant Wait to play this racket but il have to Wait until sunday but Then im going to Write a little review.
 
Raz78 said:
Hi

I bought My new Wilson Pro Staff 97 Roger Federer 2014-2015
Today when i got an email from my dealer and they got an early shipment. Wow was I happy :)

I live in Sweden

the racket feels amazing , design is very nice and the racket doesn't feel heavy at all.

I have used the 6.0 85 pro staff , pro staff 90, and the latest six one 95s.

This new racket feels much more lighter Then six one , ovant Wait to play this racket but il have to Wait until sunday but Then im going to Write a little review.
Click to expand...

Kul! Välkommen till forumet :)

Looking forward for your review!
 
Raz78 said:
Hi

I bought My new Wilson Pro Staff 97 Roger Federer 2014-2015
Today when i got an email from my dealer and they got an early shipment. Wow was I happy :)

I live in Sweden

the racket feels amazing , design is very nice and the racket doesn't feel heavy at all.

I have used the 6.0 85 pro staff , pro staff 90, and the latest six one 95s.

This new racket feels much more lighter Then six one , ovant Wait to play this racket but il have to Wait until sunday but Then im going to Write a little review.
Click to expand...
Did you compare both the RF97A and the Six-One 95 strung? Because strings make a big difference to how light a racquet feels.

And, yes, please provide a review after you have played with the RF97A.

Thanks. :)
 
I turned on subtitles and enabled translation to English on the 97LS video, but it was sketchy at best.

Literal translations don't really do a good job of conveying meaning in Japanese.

Still though, I think they were saying that you could swing "fast as hell" and they seemed to be saying it was stable and gave you a sense of security?

Interesting review to say the least.
 
Do any of you playtesters have or have had arm problems? I'm asking because I would like to know if ps 315 is cousing you any arm discomfort or problem.
I'm very interested in this racquet but I have sensitive arm...
Thanks
 
Federerkblade said:
Hi Automatix

Do you have further comments on the 315 and LS after playing with them more this week
Click to expand...
By the end of the week I'll post full reviews of the RF and PS.
I have to hit more with the LS, scheduled next week.

Today me and my friend compared a H19 to the RF and the frame geometry and head shape is the same. The difference are the tiny PWS and a longer grommet channel. I can't remember if the throat grooves were identical but the throat was the same.
 
tennis1111 said:
Do any of you playtesters have or have had arm problems? I'm asking because I would like to know if ps 315 is cousing you any arm discomfort or problem.
I'm very interested in this racquet but I have sensitive arm...
Thanks
Click to expand...
No arm discomfort whatsoever even though they are strung with 1.41mm poly.
 
Automatix said:
No arm discomfort whatsoever even though they are strung with 1.41mm poly.
Click to expand...

Same here. Tried RF97 with both Luxilon Savage full bed and also a hybrid with alu power rough/tonic+. No problem at all

Tested PS97 with fullbed Savege and also full bed Alu Power at 52 lbs. No problem what so ever. Not even the slightest problem and i have had problems with alu power at above 50 in other frames
 
tennis1111 said:
Thanks. So it is arm friendly. Great news.
Click to expand...
Let me elaborate about the PS97.

It is not a soft frame, so if you expect a nBlade or RQiS Tour-1 softness level you will be disappointed. While the RDC flex rating may be misleading at times there is no way in hell you will get the feel of a sub 60RA racquet when the measured stiffness is in the upper 60s.

HOWEVER IMHO the PS97, as well as RF97, is a pretty comfortable frame with a crisp and very direct response with a very generous sweetspot. It feels softer than a Graphene Speed MP for example. I'd say it is very finely balanced when it comes to feel, comfort, shock absorption and control.
 
I can't help you with that. The PS 97 offers quite a bit of power and pop but due to the specific string setup I find it hard to state if is more powerful than the Pure Storm Tour which additionally I didn't really care for.

I'd say it has more power than the Ox10 325g.
 
Let me put it this way.
You'll get better feel, more solidness, better control without loosing a square millimetre of the sweetspot.

If you've got the strokes you'll also have power and spin.

The only thing is that you'll have to adjust your strokes to the different, more headlight, balance and weight distribution. If you like head heavy even balanced frames you may struggle.

All depends on your preferences and your ability to adapt.
 
Very good analysis automatix.

Very true to me too. I Dont like them too HL and I like sw above 315. If I can get one 4 -5 pts HL I'll be good to go

Thank s for the Insight it was spot on and thanks for the grip sizes as a true grip 4 is meant to be 114 mm so it told me they run large on grip 3s . I need a grip 2.
 
Automatix said:
I can't help you with that. The PS 97 offers quite a bit of power and pop but due to the specific string setup I find it hard to state if is more powerful than the Pure Storm Tour which additionally I didn't really care for.

I'd say it has more power than the Ox10 325g.
Click to expand...

Thanks. Can you please compare power level with some other popular racquet?
 
For me the power level would be similar to a PSC 6.1 95, just in a more control/manageable manner. Definitely more power than a PS 6.1 95.
 
Automatix said:
For me the power level would be similar to a PSC 6.1 95, just in a more control/manageable manner. Definitely more power than a PS 6.1 95.
Click to expand...

How about power compared to the six.one 95S? And to confirm, the grip size is that big? On my Babolat AeroPro Drive GT, I replaced the grip with a Prince ResiThin grip and it's ok.

Thank you for providing great feedback and answering these questions; I'm psyched for the 315 version!
 
Sorry, sadly I did not play with a 6.1 95S.
From my experience with the 18x16 patterns (Blade, PS97 LS) the biggest difference is the rebound angle.

The gripsize doesn't seem big to me.
My Yonex L3 handles with a 1.8mm base grip and Yonex Supergrap are bigger.
 
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