Prince Beast 98
- Thread starter DanS
- Start date
CopolyX
Hall of Fame
Then what is this ....
https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/prince-beast-98.607716/
https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/prince-beast-98.607716/
DanS
Semi-Pro
I meant a real post! lol
counterpuncher
Hall of Fame
The O3 has 69RA and the solid beam 64RA, which is interesting. But i guess it makes sense given the softer feel of the Oports allowing them to bump up the stiffness and why the Prince power levels are 925 vs 875.
Just happy to finally see a 98 Textreme solid beam. Preferably it would have been the Tour or Phantom lines, but this is a good start on paper.
Looking forward to feedback and a demo, if it makes it down under.
Just happy to finally see a 98 Textreme solid beam. Preferably it would have been the Tour or Phantom lines, but this is a good start on paper.
Looking forward to feedback and a demo, if it makes it down under.
Was really interested in demoing until I saw that, tried out a pure aero last year and my wrist hurt for days after playing with it.
counterpuncher
Hall of Fame
Solid beam version is 64RA.
I know but I'm a big fan of the ports. I've been using a Rebel 95 for the past 5 years and love the feel and sweet spot that they provide.
counterpuncher
Hall of Fame
You could always demo. Did you ever try the Rebel 98 16x20 or ESP versions? I thought they were quite good and probably an easy progression from your 95, if you're after a little more power and forgiveness.
At 69 RA I'll bet it's still one of the most arm-friendly racquets on the market because of the O-ports.
Nah, I fell in love with the 95 back when I demoed it. I'll look into them but at first glance they seem a little light plus they don't make them anymore so demoing is a no go. Honestly I'm just looking for a frame with the same control I get out of the 95 but with a little more pop.
counterpuncher
Hall of Fame
Tour 95, would be worth a demo. I think it meets the criteria.
DanS
Semi-Pro
I asked about this in the video comments:
Tennis Warehouse - Did Jason get to hit with this at all? I know he has a sensitive wrist and shoulder. Did he find this to still be comfortable even with the 69 RA?
Highlighted reply
Tennis Warehouse13 minutes ago
I didn't hit with this model, but I did playtest the Beast 100 in the standard beam and O3 version. The O3 is super muted and comfortable feeling. Even with the 69 RA, I wouldn't worry about it too much, as I had no issues with my arms with it. I'd say if you are really worried, I'd recommend you string it up with a hybrid setup, using a soft multi/gut in the mains and poly in the crosses. Hope that helps! Jason, TW
Well looks like I have another racquet to demoI asked about this in the video comments:
Tennis Warehouse - Did Jason get to hit with this at all? I know he has a sensitive wrist and shoulder. Did he find this to still be comfortable even with the 69 RA?
Highlighted reply
Tennis Warehouse13 minutes ago
I didn't hit with this model, but I did playtest the Beast 100 in the standard beam and O3 version. The O3 is super muted and comfortable feeling. Even with the 69 RA, I wouldn't worry about it too much, as I had no issues with my arms with it. I'd say if you are really worried, I'd recommend you string it up with a hybrid setup, using a soft multi/gut in the mains and poly in the crosses. Hope that helps! Jason, TW
Doc Hollidae
Hall of Fame
I used to play with the Speedport Tour and the Ozone Pro Tour. Both rackets had RA's of ~68 and were very comfortable rackets. The ports really offset the stiffness. The Speedport Tour is actually one of my favorite rackets of all time. Sadly, that was the last time Prince made a racket with similar specs to it. Everything has either been lower in RA or weight.
To compare, I was on a playtest for the Phantom 100 which has an RA of 56 and felt like it was a wet noodle. The lack of stiffness really made me have to work to put pace on the ball.
DanS
Semi-Pro
Sounds like you found a new racquet to test out! Jason said the Beast 100 is a 69 RA as well.
That's within tolerance. Get a spec check and they will find a 62RA for you.
The Beast is the replacement for the Warrior and it has a very thick beam. It really competes with the Pure Drive. If someone is looking for 62 RA, I don't think this is his type of frame.
letstakeourshirtsoff
Professional
just practice serve with it and it should drop to 62 sooner than you'd imagine.
TennisHound
Legend
X2 on that. There’s just too many good racquets coming out
Bebe tennis player
New User
I hit for 1 hour with the beast 98 ( no ports) strung with Weiss ultra cable at 53 lbs. It is a very easy racquet to play with and very predictable. It did not feel bulky and it swung fast enough. I would rate control as excellent. Also it feels soft. My concern is that I was not able to hit a heavy, nasty, or high velocity shot that will give quality opponents trouble. The big plus is that it was very solid all around the court. I am going to try and add some weight to see if that helps me hit a heavier ball.
I would also like a see something with the weight and control of the Rebel 95 with more pop. The Textreme Tour 100P looks like it fits that perfectly but I kind of like O-ports because of the comfort and power at the top of the hoop. The Phantom seems too much like the old Tour 100 which I thought was underpowered and too much like a trampoline. The Beast O3 98 seems close to what I want, but I’m still concerned it might be overpowering. Why didn’t Prince make a Textreme Tour 100P with O-ports?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I suspect that would be considered too close to the Phantom 100. I realise there is a stiffness and pattern difference (albeit we don't know if they plan an 18/20 Phantom), but for many they would look the same.
Phantom and current Tour models have a pretty different head shape and the overall designs of the frames are different. An O-Port version of the Tour 100 frame would still be a very different frame to the Phantom 100 i'd have thought.
If you look at the beam width, you'll see that the Textreme Tour 100P has a much thicker beam than the Phantom 100, and none of the reviewers complained about any lack of power. They can mess with the string pattern if they want, but a 22-23 mm beam would be perfect for me.
slatebluesky
New User
I have been using the warrior 100 for the last 2 years and I love the frame, but the grommet quality is terrible. I've gone through multiple sets of grommets over that time. I've had multiple grommet's split at both the head and side of the racquet (not on tie-off holes). No problems like this before with Head or Yonex. Pro shop here in town reports issues like this across the recent Prince line. Anyone here with the same issue? Prince seems to have some great stuff coming out lately, but my experience with the Warrior has scared me away.
Never had an issue with with grommets. First time hearing it too. Very unusual for them to break at non tie off.
Never had an issue with with grommets. First time hearing it too. Very unusual for them to break at non tie off.
jonestim
Hall of Fame
I have three Textreme Warrior 100s, and played the Textreme Tour 100P for a year before these. I picked up one of each used and those had cracked grommets. Tour 100P had a tie off cracked, and the Warrior had a couple cracked at the head - I believe both sides of the first cross. I replaced them and have had none crack since. Each racquet has probably 10 string jobs. I also have a Warrior 107 that hasn't had a lot of court time in the 2.5 years that I have had it. It probably has 5 string jobs on it in that time and the grommets are fine.
JOSHL
Hall of Fame
Ok so took the Beast(o3/98) out this morning for a hit with the ball machine. Took me a while to dial it in but here are some initial impressions-
First thing is that it makes a weird metallic ping noise when you strike the ball, I’m not sure if this is the twaron or what but it’s strange in any case. The feel is pretty muted but not as muted as the new Pure Drive which I also tested today. The power level of this frame is also pretty low/medium in my opinion. I was expecting a little more free power. I would say it is a comfortable frame even though it has a high RA(ports). The new PD felt more comfortable to me though. I would say if you are looking for a 98in PD with less power this could easily fit that bill. I’m going to hit with it a couple more times and hopefully get a match in with it before I have to send it back to TW. I wish I would have gotten the non ported 98 as well to compare. Oh well....so far a tad underwhelmed with this one.
First thing is that it makes a weird metallic ping noise when you strike the ball, I’m not sure if this is the twaron or what but it’s strange in any case. The feel is pretty muted but not as muted as the new Pure Drive which I also tested today. The power level of this frame is also pretty low/medium in my opinion. I was expecting a little more free power. I would say it is a comfortable frame even though it has a high RA(ports). The new PD felt more comfortable to me though. I would say if you are looking for a 98in PD with less power this could easily fit that bill. I’m going to hit with it a couple more times and hopefully get a match in with it before I have to send it back to TW. I wish I would have gotten the non ported 98 as well to compare. Oh well....so far a tad underwhelmed with this one.
Thanks for the feedback. Kind of makes me want to try it even more. My concern is that it might be overpowered for me, but it seems like that's not going to be the case.
How's the control?
JOSHL
Hall of Fame
Control is actually very good thanks to the 16x20 pattern which I love.
JOSHL
Hall of Fame
Spin also good for me, it has a multi in it but it’s a pretty whippy frame, launch angle is perfect in my opinion. Not too high not too low.
JOSHL
Hall of Fame
According to the Prince power ratings printed on the frames the Beast line should provide more power. I am still waiting on my PP100P to arrive this week, hope to hit with it soon!
Look forward to your feedback. I’ve never played prince before but I am interested in their arm friendliness. I know the power rating is higher, but i don’t really kniw how to apply the figures. If the Beast 98 has 90% of the control and comfort of the 100p’s and 15% more easy power, i would be in the market for a new stick.
I demoed the PP100p. Volleys were amazing. Groundstrokes had good depth. Serves were pinpoint. The knockout punch was lacking. If you kill by 1000 pin pricks this racket is ideal. If you want some free, cheap points, I found it lacking. But it is in the running because of how comfortable and controllable it was.
Also,my inquiries are directed at the regular beam version. Not really interested in ports.
JOSHL
Hall of Fame
I think if you can demo the Beasts do it, I regret not putting the non ported Beast in the demo box, oh well.