POG OS: What should I look for? Need your hep!

[cypr1]

<b>POG OS: What should I look for? Need your help!</b>

Hello all. I really need your input here. Thanks in advance.

I want to buy POG OS (Prince Original Graphite Oversize). After reading many messages here, I realized that there are serveral versions of POG OS. here are some facts (?) that I collected:

First, POG 110 or POG 107 are the same racket, I understood.

Second, many people recommend NOT to buy Prince TT version.

Third, there are at least three versions of POG OS out there in terms of when it is made. One was introduced before 1987, second after 1987, and finally one in 2004.

Fourth, someone told me to look at butt cap of the racket: Prince logo could be green or gold color.

Fifth, some of POG OS has one stripe or four stripes.

So, here are my questions:

Should I buy one introduced before 1987? (I mean the older the better?)

Should I buy one with gold color logo?

Should I buy one with four stripes?

Any help is appreciated!

 

[diredesire]

I think the biggest differences are between the circa 1987 and post 1987 versions. They play differently, but not horribly differently, the rest of the changes are (as far as i know) just graphics. I'd personally get the newer version because they are more readily available, and my newer, i mean post 1987.

The older ones play a bit mroe flexy in my experience, but that could just be due to the age...

 

[cypr1]

I think the biggest differences are between the circa 1987 and post 1987 versions. They play differently, but not horribly differently, the rest of the changes are (as far as i know) just graphics. I'd personally get the newer version because they are more readily available, and my newer, i mean post 1987.

The older ones play a bit mroe flexy in my experience, but that could just be due to the age...

Thanks much! BTW, are POG OS and POG MP very different in terms of power, playability, and control?

 

[diredesire]

sorry 'bout not replying, haven't been checking my subscriptions!

The MP and OS are different beasts, but they're both good for control, IMO <-- the OS is one of the best baselining sticks of all time, it's heavy, stable, got plenty of power if you can swing it fast enough (due to the weight), good flex, that's JUST right, you can feel it flex when you hit, but it's not unpredictable or weird flexing.. Nice open string pattern to generate spin... On the serves it's one of the better racquets to generate spin, you lose a little pack (in my experience), but consistency goes up... When you come to the net it doesn't exactly play like an oversize, it's a little cumbersome to move around at the net, but i've heard from multiple people on the boards that it seems to magically find it's way to where you need it to be, even on reflex volleys... It's an OS, which makes it bulky and hard to move, but at the same time, it's not a bad net racquet! It's kind of a unique beast, i've never experienced anything like it before.. the Ti. Radical is another racquet that plays similar, but not exactly the same (stiffer, lighter).

The MP is another one of my favorite racquets of all time, both of the POGs hold a special place in my heart... The mid moves like a knife, it cuts through the air and gets from A to B in no time flat, this is a great racquet for the net due to it's maneuverability... I personally didn't like it ALL that much from the baseline, although it is more than an adequate baslining racquet. The maneuverability and weight lends itself to a good racquet for all court players, with emphasis on the net, i'd say.Personally the OS has that special something to it, but the MP has just dependable solidity. It's all up to your tastes.

 

[Tenny]

Diredesire said everything I'd say.
I've tried many player's sticks but finally (or currently) settled with POG OS. Yes, it has something special with it.

I'd suggest you to get new one though. People have been talking about aging POGs, not because it ages worse or faster, but probably because many have been using it such a long period. Also it means there are many old, worn out, dead POGs.

Of course I got some from **** (1st, 2nd and 3rd generation ones). 1st generation one (one-green stripe) was slightly heavier and flexible. Some say 1, 2nd generaiton of "MP" are much more flexible than the current MP (I don't know about OS) which is considered slightly stiffer. With old used ones, I wasn't impressed. But since there are so many good reviews on POG OS, I finally decided to get a NEW one.

With this new one, new string, still I wasn't very impressed. But one day, I removed a big 'P' shock absorber then I saw the difference. Suddenly it felt crisp, forgiving, lively, and generating crazy spin! Now I use rubber band just to lesson the high frequency ping. No lead tape, no expensive strings on it, but it plays great. MP is totally different compared to OS. But just like OS, I might need to put more time on it to appreciate it.

OS is good for everything. I feel very confident with this stick. Serve, return, groundstrokes. Even volley works very well. MP is much more demanding.

To summarize,

1. Get a new one whatever the design is (I found 2nd generation cosmetics' quality is slightly better than the current one)
2. Start with OS.
2. My only complaint is cosmetics. It's OK. Not attractive at all though. And head size (hehe, OS doesn't look cool!). It's 107 to be exact.

Of course, I try other racquets but I know I can always come back to POG OS for serious matches. Something special it is.

hope this helps.

Tenny

 

[Kirko]

Great advice from all the guys "above" ! I'm using the POG longbody & powerful mucho topspin ! Plus I can hit twist serves with more "english" than with anyother racket.

 

[cypr1]

Wow! Guys, I never realize that POG got this much praise, and a lot of usual info. on your replies. I certainly give it a try! Thanks all!

 

[diredesire]

oh, definitely, it's a special frame, or else it wouldn't still be around... i too started with the OS, i dont think i ever mentioned that... it was my first serious/player's racquet... i moved then from the POG mid, 6.0 85, prestige classic, chang series, MP original, MP Ti. and now i'm on Pro Kennex Laver S's

 

[Tenny]

oh, definitely, it's a special frame, or else it wouldn't still be around... i too started with the OS, i dont think i ever mentioned that... it was my first serious/player's racquet... i moved then from the POG mid, 6.0 85, prestige classic, chang series, MP original, MP Ti. and now i'm on Pro Kennex Laver S's

diredesire,

How about posting your experience with those sticks? They are all good ones! (but don't know what's MP?)

 

[ZhangM58]

I'm not a expert on Prince racquets, but if I were you, I'd defiently go with the version that was released in 2004.

 

[diredesire]

diredesire,

How about posting your experience with those sticks? They are all good ones! (but don't know what's MP?)

Well, if you're looking at OS frames, or a baseliner's stick, i dont think you really have to look any further, the POG OS holds a very special place in my heart, i handed it down to my little brother, he seems to be having a little more success with it, but still mishits (due to weight, i think) sometimes...

My experiences with the other racquets don't really need to be mentioned too much in depth, IMO. The "MP" is the Michael Chang MP original and the Michael Chang Ti. MP. (for clarification)

The POG Mid is a racquet in the same series/same name as the OS but they are suited for completely different audiences... the MP is like a knife, it cuts through the air and is very VERY maneuverable, you can do pretty amazing things with it at the net, it's more suited to an "all court" game, IMO, and the OS is much more a baseliner's racquet, but the thing with the OS is that it can be used at the net, as well. In my experience, OS frames are very clumsy and clunky at the net, but the POG OS is a very curious beast. You'll find yourself making reflex volleys and you'll walk away from the shot wondering if the POG (OS) knows where you want it to go....

The 6.0 85 is demanding, again "knife" feeling, cuts through the air and is solid providing you can hit the sweet spot consistently. I think if someone were to give me a 6.0 85 to string i'd probably string it up proportionally (stringing the strings at varying tensions in order to enlarge the sweetspot) I have a fairly aggressive western grip and i had troubles with this racquet, it was a dream at the net, though.

The Prestige classic was a weird frame for me, i prefer open string patterns, but the prestige classic felt good, i could never tame it though, it'd take some work.

The Chang series is a good alternative to the POG MP/OS as they are basically replicas of the frames, with a longer handle... although the differences are more than just added handle length, they play very similarly. I hear great things about the Chang OS, you might ask Gaines Hillix about it, he owned/owns one from what i recall. I only played with the MP versions of these frames, and i cut them down from 28" to 27.5 (this is simple, using a table saw and a carbide cutting blade). They gave me a little extra punch without sacrificing too much maneuverability. Lots of bite, lots of control, just the right amount of flex.

The Laver Type S's are a good stick, they're stable enough from the baseline, and are a pretty good S&V stick, IMO, slices come off the court with bite, and volleys are solid. I'm still figuring out the racquet myself, but with a little customization i think i have found a pretty good stick that i might keep for a while.