Power Level of AG4D 100 and MG Radical MP compared to "Classics"?

[TripleB]

Can anyone compare the power level of either the Dunlop AeroGel 4D 100 or Head MicroGel Radical Midplus to any of the following?

Dunlop AeroGel 4D 200 Tour
Prince Orginal Graphite Mid
Wilson ProStaff 85
Yonex RD-7

Head LiquidMetal Radical Midplus
Prince Triple Threat Warrior
Yonex RDX-500 Midplus

Thanks for any information you can give.

TripleB

 

[usta2050]

AG 4D 100 plays very similar to Yamaha Ceramics 90s.

 

[PimpMyGame]

I have a couple of 4D100s and ultimately couldn't get on with them. Not enough power for me, and felt "flimsy" compared to my preferred 4D200Tour. Tried adding a leather grip and some lead, tried natural gut, poly, hybrids, etc but I just couldn't play as well with it.

Nice rackets to have in my collection but were removed from my bag some time ago

 

[The Dampener]

Can anyone compare the power level of either the Dunlop AeroGel 4D 100 or Head MicroGel Radical Midplus to any of the following?

Dunlop AeroGel 4D 200 Tour

Triple, if you've been paying attention, you already know I played the 4D 100 for years and now hit with the 200 Tour. Here's what I can tell you...

The 4D 100 provides ample power for those who rely on their body mechanics for power. If you load properly, use your core for rotation, and follow through, there's no reason you can't get enough power from the 4D 100. You can also fine tune the 100's by changing string types, stringing down, or going to thinner gauge string. (Yes, there are tradeoffs. But you're asking about power.) If you're a player that relies on the racquet to generate all the power, the 100 might not be for you.

The 200 Tour is inherently more powerful. It has greater mass behind it. But it's trickier to wield than the 100. With the 200 Tour your timing has to be better and you can't improvise as quickly as you can with the 100. But the 200 Tour will get you out of some tough situations. I think it plays defensive shots far better than the 100 because its weight allows you to keep the ball deeper, even when you're on the run.

In the end, comparing the relative power levels of the two sticks is probably the wrong question. You're better off asking yourself what kind of player you are, then finding the racquet that suits that play style best.

Good luck.

 

[netguy]

Triple, if you've been paying attention, you already know I played the 4D 100 for years and now hit with the 200 Tour. Here's what I can tell you...

The 4D 100 provides ample power for those who rely on their body mechanics for power. If you load properly, use your core for rotation, and follow through, there's no reason you can't get enough power from the 4D 100. You can also fine tune the 100's by changing string types, stringing down, or going to thinner gauge string. (Yes, there are tradeoffs. But you're asking about power.) If you're a player that relies on the racquet to generate all the power, the 100 might not be for you.

The 200 Tour is inherently more powerful. It has greater mass behind it. But it's trickier to wield than the 100. With the 200 Tour your timing has to be better and you can't improvise as quickly as you can with the 100. But the 200 Tour will get you out of some tough situations. I think it plays defensive shots far better than the 100 because its weight allows you to keep the ball deeper, even when you're on the run.

In the end, comparing the relative power levels of the two sticks is probably the wrong question. You're better off asking yourself what kind of player you are, then finding the racquet that suits that play style best.

Good luck.

I demoed the 200 Tour side by side with the 100 and I can't be more in agreement with The Dampener. His final advice is right on too.

 

[TripleB]

You're better off asking yourself what kind of player you are...

I'm a:
- baseliner
- prefer to stay away from the net but would like to change that
- prefer singles but have recently joined some 4.5/5.0 guys to try and improve my doubles
- I would say I'm a 4.15 working my way up to 4.5 and hopefully higher
- best shot is my two handed backhand (with slice, top, and drive)
- I rely heavily on my ability to hit a lot of spin and to chase every ball down
- weakest shots are volleys and serves
- have pretty good lefty kick with my serve but really need to add some pop and more control
- have pretty good hands at net to get the racquet in position but miss the center of the racquet a lot on volleys
- love to swing out on almost all shots
- love the feel of a solid racquet

There are very few 'lighter' ( < 11.6 ounces ) that I've found any success with: Dunlop AG 4D 300, LiquidMetal Radical Mid+, KBlade (during a couple demo sessions), Prince TT Warrior (although found arm problems with this racquet).

Again, what I would like to add to my game is: more power and control on my serves, better volleys (which has more to do with my tecnique/confidence than racquet).

Currently using Dunlop AG 4D 200 Tour that's 12.45 ounces and 6.5 points headlight. Love the solid feel, spin, and control of the racquet. At times (mainly at net) the weight seems to slow me down and at times I have a tough time getting a lot of racquet head speed on my serves.

A couple 'sale' racquets I've looked at (for various reasons---thinking they could add something I'm missing in my game) are: Dunlop AG 4D 100, Dunlop AG 4D 500 Tour, Head MicroGel Radical Midplus, Prince O3 White, Wilson KFactor KBlade.

Thanks for all the advice.

TripleB

 

[keithfival]

I'm a:

A couple 'sale' racquets I've looked at (for various reasons---thinking they could add something I'm missing in my game) are: Dunlop AG 4D 100, Dunlop AG 4D 500 Tour, Head MicroGel Radical Midplus, Prince O3 White, Wilson KFactor KBlade.

Thanks for all the advice.

TripleB

The Microgel Radical certainly won't give you any free power or spin. It's a comfortable, control frame that is very consistent if you provide the power but it doesn't do anything for you.

 

[Larrysümmers]

^what he said. feels great though imo

 

[Yevgeny2010]

I can't speak for the other rackets, but I know some of the old Yonex's are the least powerful rackets, regardless of what we think of their hefty weight.

In fact there is a great webpage somewhere that lists many, many rackets ordered by power and the Yonex's of old were far behind the others. Sorry don't have the link to show you, but check for yourself, if I recall it may be somewhere on Greg's racket rating site.

 

[bad_call]

Triple, if you've been paying attention, you already know I played the 4D 100 for years and now hit with the 200 Tour. Here's what I can tell you...

The 4D 100 provides ample power for those who rely on their body mechanics for power. If you load properly, use your core for rotation, and follow through, there's no reason you can't get enough power from the 4D 100. You can also fine tune the 100's by changing string types, stringing down, or going to thinner gauge string. (Yes, there are tradeoffs. But you're asking about power.) If you're a player that relies on the racquet to generate all the power, the 100 might not be for you.

The 200 Tour is inherently more powerful. It has greater mass behind it. But it's trickier to wield than the 100. With the 200 Tour your timing has to be better and you can't improvise as quickly as you can with the 100. But the 200 Tour will get you out of some tough situations. I think it plays defensive shots far better than the 100 because its weight allows you to keep the ball deeper, even when you're on the run.

In the end, comparing the relative power levels of the two sticks is probably the wrong question. You're better off asking yourself what kind of player you are, then finding the racquet that suits that play style best.

Good luck.

thoughtful post Dampener...btw still sporting the 4D 100 here.

 

[The Dampener]

I'm a:
- baseliner
- prefer to stay away from the net but would like to change that
- prefer singles but have recently joined some 4.5/5.0 guys to try and improve my doubles
- I would say I'm a 4.15 working my way up to 4.5 and hopefully higher

Triple, if you're that good, you should be able to play with either stick. The 200T is better coming to the net (transition). The 100 is better at the net, because it's more maneuverable. And you know what? There's no law that say you can't use both. I do. I hit mainly with the 200 T, but I pull out the 100 when I'm in the mood.

- best shot is my two handed backhand (with slice, top, and drive)
- I rely heavily on my ability to hit a lot of spin and to chase every ball down

This is the strength of the 200T.

- weakest shots are volleys and serves
- have pretty good lefty kick with my serve but really need to add some pop and more control

Both of these sticks are great for serving, but as with other strokes, the 200T asks your timing to be right on.

- have pretty good hands at net to get the racquet in position but miss the center of the racquet a lot on volleys

Then stop worrying about the racquet, and take a lesson.

At times (mainly at net) the weight seems to slow me down and at times I have a tough time getting a lot of racquet head speed on my serves.

I went through the exact same things. Here's what I learned. You have to adjust for the 200T, but they're the kind of adjustments that lead to better technique. I, too, felt slow at the net (playing with the 100, I had very quick hands). What I learned was, I was relying on the light racquet head to quickly improvise rather than just being ready on time. Once I timed my split-step a little earlier—which I should have been doing regardless—problem solved. On the serve, you have to trust yourself. Be relaxed, get your arms extended, and let'er fly. That heavy head will do the work for you as long as you keep your motion relaxed and fluid. Again, those are the things we should be doing anyway.

 

[The Dampener]

thoughtful post Dampener...btw still sporting the 4D 100 here.

Thanks, BC.

Yeah, I'm hanging on to mine as well (A few of them anyway. I do have several in 1/4 grips I plan to part with.). Great racquets.

Did you ever try the 200T? I can't recall.

 

[bad_call]

Thanks, BC.

Yeah, I'm hanging on to mine as well (A few of them anyway. I do have several in 1/4 grips I plan to part with.). Great racquets.

Did you ever try the 200T? I can't recall.

never spent enough time with the 200s to comment. by chance traded one of the MGPP for a 4D 100. almost gave up on it til a poster (Alan i think) mentioned leading at 12. that did it for this player along with appropriate string setup. Dunlop earned my respect that day.

 

[Winners or Errors]

I played the M-Fil 200 for two years, and switched to the 4D100 last August. Last week I flirted with the M-Fil again, because I was curious.

Comparing the two, I'd say the M-Fil hits a heavier ball and has a good deal more plow. My M-Fils have Volkl leather grips on them, so their a bit heavier than the 4D100, hence the plow. They are also a good deal more flexible.

Switching to the 4D100, which I did in the middle of a doubles match today because I was frustrated with how sluggish I was with the M-Fil, I quickly remembered why I like the 4D100 more: crisper, quicker through the contact zone, way more maneuverable at net, and a stick with which I can be more creative.

As for power level compared with old racquets, I think the 4D100 is a lot like the Dunlop Max Impact Mids I played with in the early 90s - I know that because I still have them. I can, when given opportunity, get it around quick enough to blast winners. Poor footwork results in low power thought, so I have to be willing to move my feet.