Pojie String Extenders?

[tray999]

I had a new customer yesterday give me her racquet and four Pojie String Extenders. First time I have ever seen these. So I string up her racquet just like I was stringing a racquet with power pads. I should have taken a picture, but she picked up the racquet before I thought about it. Later I looked them up on the internet and found this http://www.stringadvantage.com/

Something new everyday......

 

[Irvin]

A power pad bay any other name is still a power pad.

 

[MAX PLY]

Interesting--never thought the power pad would come back, much less in a seemingly over-engineered version. Concept is interesting but the item seems a bit bulky. May have to order just to test and understand.

 

[eelhc]

The leather power pads look cooler....

 

[SFrazeur]

I ordered a set for kicks. Order number is 00003. So they are selling like hotcakes made from concrete batter.

 

[marco forehand]

the site that bought them to my attention described them as being use full to tame an overly stiff frame.
If you are a 3.0 or 3.5 player who plays every day but your elbow is tender, or a 4.0 to 5.0 player and your racquet has lost it's feel.
Also said it's an alternative to lowering your string tension.
Made me wonder why you wouldn't A) lower your string tension or B) change your strings ?

 

[bbulla]

They were giving these away at the recent stringing symposium in Florida. Different than power pads. These are meant to increase the length of the main strings....probably about .5 of an inch or so. I haven't used them yet.

 

[themitchmann]

They were giving these away at the recent stringing symposium in Florida. Different than power pads. These are meant to increase the length of the main strings....probably about .5 of an inch or so. I haven't used them yet.

Right. They are significantly bigger than power pads.

I haven't had a chance to test them yet, but I'm really looking forward to it.

 

[forthegame]

Could anyone point to a thread that explains the principles of powerpads, leather or sci-fi type. Thanks.

 

[liehssahmster]

I saw this product in an email yesterday. Decided to order a few to try out. Who knows?

 

[haro]

@forthegame - Here are two snippets from a power pad thread

The power pads seem to me to act like the Babolat woofer system. The woofers increase the size of the sweetspot. But do the power pads soften the stringbed? Does the added length and/or softness of the strings add power? And even more detailed, does a longer string at the same tension as a shorter string provide more pop? Looking at the location of a sweetspot on a racquet I'd say they do. My stringbed certainly felt softer, with pretty extreme pocketing with the power pads.

Power pads basically dampen the feel of the strings a bit, and also lessen the vibration a bit.

They are primarily used to avoid sharp angles when stringing gut back in the old days in wood frames. Today, some stringers still use them when stringing gut.

Some customers request them, but it is more for feel than anything else. I sometimes string my frame with them to dampen the feel.

They do not add power.

 

[SFrazeur]

I received them Friday afternoon. Planning on stringing tomorrow.

 

[Imago]

Look like attachable 0 ports.

 

[liehssahmster]

Strung some up yesterday. Put a set in a Dunlop F2.0, Acelon 7-sided dark blue string @48lbs. Also in a ProStaff 100, PPA black @55. Very easy to install. I'm hoping to hit today or tomorrow.

 

[darklore009]

interesting. just concerned about stringing a poly or kelver onto these things

 

[Squidward]

Just got mine in the mail. Will use them with some Tier One Tour Status on my Radical Pro.

Results to follow....

 

[SFrazeur]

Strung mine up today. Every easy, no slippage.

 

[tennisnut33]

Just strung in Solinco Barbwire with a set of the Pojie in my fav frame. Will be playing a club league match tonight and plan on trying out the frame during warmups. Haven't hit with it yet.

 

[SFrazeur]

REAL QUICK:
My first impressions are positive. They definitely give the impression of a increased sweet spot. I cannot tell if it is larger, vertically elongated or a just a deeper feeling sweet spot.

 

[diredesire]

There was a guy in one of the top D1 schools using these at ITA national indoors. It might have even been that guy on their front page, I don't recall which team it was. I believe it was on a head speed series frame IIRC. I can ask my buddy for confirmation if anyone is really that interested...

 

[liehssahmster]

Still have not been able to get in a real test session, but my initial impressions are positive too. My wife and I were supposed to play mixed on Sunday, but the other woman had to cancel last minute. We hit 2 on 1 for a while with the guy, who is a decent 4.0. This was only my 3rd time out with the Dunlop F2.0 strung with Acelon. I like this set-up, but was concerned about my elbow. With the Pojie devices, I had more pocketing, maybe a little more spin and my arm felt great on Monday.

 

[Rjtennis]

Interesting, I would try them.

 

[Valjean]

When Sampras played, he had Nate Fine put pads on the center four mains, top and bottom. And the only benefit it had was to protect Pete's 17 gauge Babolat natural gut, which he had strung very high, from breaking too early.

I've tried this installation and found I lost both acceptable feel and control...

Increasing tension some might make it work out instead...

 

[phishbiscuits]

I'll try it. I can't use it on my Yonex frames, but will string it up on a Head TGT 292.1.

 

[liehssahmster]

I did not hit my F2.0 Tour with the Pojies this past weekend because I was able to demo the new Prince Classic Graphite 100. And I couldn't put it down. The demo is strung with Prince Tour 16. The owner said that I can re-string with Volkl Cyclone and keep the racquet for another week. I may put the Pojies in as well.

I too thought "power pad" when I first saw the Pojie, but from my experience so far, I can say that they are not alike, other than in resemblance. Power pads are a great tool for rounding off the sharp angles when stringing gut and that's about it.The Pojie really has a dynamic effect on the stringbed.

 

[corbind]

Hmmm, looks interesting so waiting on replies

Devices look interesting and I'd be up for tossing $16 out the window just to test 'em. Yet all gut with labor is $66 a stick + the $16 so gonna wait for some more reviews here first. Based on geometry I'd estimate the longer string would make it more powerful and have less control. Seems those two "ends" would fold in slightly on ball impact elongating the string. Just not understanding how it would be controllable...still I'm quite interested.

Further, since I use Prince EXO3 sticks I'd be curious if anyone else can put the Pojie on that type of grommet as EXO grommets stick out a lot at the throat.

 

[Squidward]

Tried mine for the first time this past weekend. these were installed on my YT Radical Pro with Tier One Tour Status 17ga.

First time using both string and Pojie. (I know, should have used my regular string...)

There's definitely a difference. Quite a bit softer and more dwell time (pocketing) for me. Came away with absolutely NO discomfort, so I'm not sure it's the string or the extender, but it did feel quite good.

Had my playing partner give it a try also. He uses BHB7 @ 48lbs in his Pure Storm. His response was it felt quite different and used the word plush.

Plan on giving them another try in one of my Liquidmetal Radicals and use my normal string. (Gosen Poloylon Comfort)

I'll report back later...

 

[corbind]

Pojie isolated as the only variable?

The best testing would be to use the following:

CONTROL

• Same racquet
• Same string
• Same tension

VARIABLE

• Pojie

Granted new string of the same kind still introduces some variability but necessary. Would be nice to hear some more testing results with the controls above.

 

[diredesire]

The best testing would be to use the following:

CONTROL

• Same racquet
• Same string
• Same tension

VARIABLE

• Pojie

Granted new string of the same kind still introduces some variability but necessary. Would be nice to hear some more testing results with the controls above.

I'd also be curious to see an experiment where the affected mains were "stiffness matched." That is to say where the tension was modulated where the center mains had the same initial stiffness. If the extenders essentially have the effect of the mains being softer, then this would be the same as dropping tension on the center mains?

I'm not convinced there's other differences in friction introduced here.

 

[liehssahmster]

The best testing would be to use the following:

CONTROL

• Same racquet
• Same string
• Same tension

VARIABLE

• Pojie

Granted new string of the same kind still introduces some variability but necessary. Would be nice to hear some more testing results with the controls above.

I'll try this test with the Pojie and matched frames, strings and tensions. May not be able to get in enough serious court time until after Christmas. I hope some others will try this as well so we can compare notes.

The feel with Pojie is not like a loosely strung frame, but the playability is similar. I've gone as low as 30 lbs in the past and liked the comfort and spin, but not the feel. Also felt I lost some control on balls not hit precisely. Not so with Pojie.

Still, the main reason I've continued to use them is that my arm feels less sore and tired on Monday morning after playing a few hours over the weekend.

 

[Torres]

I ordered a set for kicks. Order number is 00003. So they are selling like hotcakes made from concrete batter.

:mrgreen:

I was going to order some until I saw that they wanted $25 for shipping 4 tiny rubber things. There's a sales killer right there.

The other thing with these is that you're adding 6-8g of weight at the throat.

 

[Nostradamus]

Adds 1.8 gams.. That is way too heavy

 

[DTank]

Pojie isolated as the only variable?

I have tried Pojie isolated as the only variable. I have two matched blade 98 16x19 frames. I strung them both at 55lbs with ALU power, one with Pojie and one without. I noticed a big difference in spin due to the increased dwell time. I felt a little difference in feel, but I preferred the feel with Pojie vs without.

When you add Pojie, it does add a few grams of weight in the throat of the racquet. It's between six and eight grams, depending on wether you use 3 or 4. I think this is minimal considering where the weight is located. Adding that much weight at the throat isn't going to change much as far as swing weight or balance. I think most recreational players wouldn't even notice the difference. I also think most recreational players could use a little extra weight since mass absorbs shock and vibration. Most recreational players use light racquets so this should be a non issue. Those who use heavy racquets or who notice this deference probably customize their frames and could adjust the weight to make up for that difference.

Dustin Tankersley

 

[john hempel]

I have tried Pojie isolated as the only variable. I have two matched blade 98 16x19 frames. I strung them both at 55lbs with ALU power, one with Pojie and one without. I noticed a big difference in spin due to the increased dwell time. I felt a little difference in feel, but I preferred the feel with Pojie vs without.

When you add Pojie, it does add a few grams of weight in the throat of the racquet. It's between six and eight grams, depending on wether you use 3 or 4. I think this is minimal considering where the weight is located. Adding that much weight at the throat isn't going to change much as far as swing weight or balance. I think most recreational players wouldn't even notice the difference. I also think most recreational players could use a little extra weight since mass absorbs shock and vibration. Most recreational players use light racquets so this should be a non issue. Those who use heavy racquets or who notice this deference probably customize their frames and could adjust the weight to make up for that difference.

Dustin Tankersley

Free shipping for this item off their website if purchased by Dec. 20.

 

[liehssahmster]

Strung up a couple of frames yesterday to do this playtest. Used my old Prince Tour Diablo MPs. Cyclone 16/Volkl synthetic 16 at 53. With lead, leather and overgrip, the frame with 3 Pojies comes in at 345g, while the other is right at 340g. I should have a few chances to hit between this weekend and New Year's Eve.

 

[liehssahmster]

Took me a long time to get back to this, but with the holidays and nasty weather, my tennis has been limited. I'm not sure that my playtest showed me anything too much about the Pojie devices that I hadn't already experienced.

There is certainly a different feel, similar to playing with a frame strung a few pounds looser, but it's not dramatic. I am getting more spin for sure in the frame with the Pojie. I think that's due to the device allowing the mains to stretch and slide a little more along the crosses when you swing low to high. There was also a little less torque when I mis-hit slightly toward 3 or 9 and the pocketing seemed to be equivalent to what I would have on a cleanly struck ball.

The biggest difference is simply more comfort. After 2 consecutive days of 2 hour drilling and point play sessions with the Diablo (an arm friendly frame) without Pojie, my golfer's elbow was nagging at me a little. The next weekend I repeated this with the Diablo with Pojie. No arm issues at all.

My next test will be to put the devices in my wife's old PDRGT with RPM at 55.

 

[laquenelle]

Hello liehssahmster,

Thanks for your review,

Did you test the Pojie with your usual tension ? Or did you decrease the tension on the mains where the Pojie is implemented ?

BR,
laquenelle.

 

[liehssahmster]

I strung both at the same tension, 53 lbs mains and crosses. I actually considered doing the frame with the devices 3-4 lbs tighter but decided to keep everything the same for this test except for the Pojies.

 

[Booger]

Come on. You guys are kidding. You're telling me that rec players can feel a discernible difference when the mains are a fraction longer? Sounds like placebo to me.

 

[SFrazeur]

Come on. You guys are kidding. You're telling me that rec players can feel a discernible difference when the mains are a fraction longer? Sounds like placebo to me.

It is not a fraction. It increase the length of the center mains by probably over half an inch. If you do not think half an inch or more longer mains makes difference then I do not know what to tell you.

 

[liehssahmster]

Come on. You guys are kidding. You're telling me that rec players can feel a discernible difference when the mains are a fraction longer? Sounds like placebo to me.

I'm not sure what you mean by "placebo" in this instance, but you're probably correct in saying that rec players will not gain much in terms of performance from the Pojie. Based on my experience, if you don't hit hard with advanced technique, you can't take advantage of the pocketing the device provides. I do think players at any level will probably experience more comfort though.

 

[frank52]

Come on. You guys are kidding. You're telling me that rec players can feel a discernible difference when the mains are a fraction longer? Sounds like placebo to me.

Inside the hard plastic shell is a little barrel of semi-hard silicone. Your tennis string loops over the silicone barrel. The silicone and the extra .5 inch length should provide a somewhat softer feel.

The package states "For optimal results replace with each racquet stringing". That adds a bit of cost to my $5 string jobs.

 

[scotus]

The ad says:

"Don’t let Pojie’s discreet size fool you."

I don't know what to say.

 

[SFrazeur]

The ad says:

"Don’t let Pojie’s discreet size fool you."

I don't know what to say.

Sounds like a slogan for a women's "personal device."

 

[DTank]

Pojie

Come on. You guys are kidding. You're telling me that rec players can feel a discernible difference when the mains are a fraction longer? Sounds like placebo to me.

My experience with Pojie, the better you are the more benefits you get from Pojie. Advanced players get more depth and spin because they can do more with a ball on the strings longer. I think in the near future we will see pro players using Pojie and then we will see what can be done with this product.

Recreational players will feel a difference in comfort and will feel like they are getting more power. Their off center hits will be more forgiving and they will get more balls in play. I don't see how this could be a placebo.

Dustin Tankersley

 

[StringingIrvine]

I have not tested these so my opinions are just that.

I get what they do, as they make the mains longer by say .5" and softer with the added silicone. Here are my concerns.

-With the longer mains you are supposed to get more power, BUT if If the gromments and/or frame are the hard point of contact with the string, increasing the length of the mains wouldn't change anything except the elasticity. If my mains are 12" long normally and i increase them by .5" thats only 4% increase in length. Technically couldn't i just reduce my tension by that much to acheive the same elasticity?

An extreme example for illustration:
Lets say my racket head from top to bottom measures 10 inches.
|-----------|
If i increase the length of the mains to 13 inches
---|----------|
technically the sweet spot of the racket will be lower but then the string bed would deform in relation to the two hardpoints of 10 inches wide, but the added length will increase the elasticity. This might increase more power and more spin due to ease of mains snapping back.

I feel like stringing at a lower tension i've gotten more spin and power but the same amount of control with a mid stiffness poly. I've actually done free string jobs for my clients at a "test" tension at low range poly's and all of them have loved it. I'm not saying 20-30 but in a dense string pattern 35-40 and in open patterns 40-45.

 

[polytheist]

Agreed. Why dont you all add a 3rd set for controls, 4-6 center mains strung 4 lbs lower.

 

[liehssahmster]

Agreed. Why dont you all add a 3rd set for controls, 4-6 center mains strung 4 lbs lower.

Good idea. I only have 2 PDRGTs though. I'll do one with Pojies at 55, the other without Pojie, 51 in the center 6 mains and remainder at 55. Stringing with RPM 17. I'm also going to add lead at 6:00 to match the weight and location of the Pojies.

 

[frank52]

My experience with Pojie, the better you are the more benefits you get from Pojie. Advanced players get more depth and spin because they can do more with a ball on the strings longer. I think in the near future we will see pro players using Pojie and then we will see what can be done with this product.

Recreational players will feel a difference in comfort and will feel like they are getting more power. Their off center hits will be more forgiving and they will get more balls in play. I don't see how this could be a placebo.

Dustin Tankersley

I'm just not feeling any difference with the Pojies. I put them on a stiff Dunlop 500 Tour racket with 46# Volkl Cyclone mains and 46# Gosen syn gut crosses. I am a 4.0 player who hits quite hard. After a 4 hour tennis session my arm hurt just as it normally does using the Dunlop. The stringbed didn't feel any softer and control didn't seem any different.

 

[DTank]

I'm just not feeling any difference with the Pojies. I put them on a stiff Dunlop 500 Tour racket with 46# Volkl Cyclone mains and 46# Gosen syn gut crosses. I am a 4.0 player who hits quite hard. After a 4 hour tennis session my arm hurt just as it normally does using the Dunlop. The stringbed didn't feel any softer and control didn't seem any different.

That's interesting. Do you have two of the same racquets that you can do one with Pojie and one without? Maybe I wouldn't have noticed a huge difference without doing a side by side comparison. I like the feel of Pojie vs without, although I don't notice a big difference in comfort. I have heard from my customers that they do feel a difference in comfort. Even though your stringing at a low tension, maybe the stiffness of you current strings will hurt your arm no matter what you do.

Dustin Tankersley