ProfessorAce
Rookie
TW had the Beast 98 on sale last week (I think just for a couple of days) at only $69. Bought another one. Love this racquet. Totally under the radar.
Prince Beast 98
- Thread starter DanS
- Start date
One day sale. I got the credit for the first one (bought it day before) and picked up a second one as well. Switched off with my friend's Clash 98 today. Similar frames in many ways IMO, both plush, about the same weight, flex and swing weight, but we both agreed that the Beast was a more powerful frame - I have crossfire with Kevlar and Zyex in mine and he has a co-poly of some kind. The biggest difference is that he got one racket for north of $250.00, I got two for about $100.00 less than he paid for one. Truthfully I know the Beast is a better frame for me, particularly on serve.
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Caveat emptor: be sure to demo before you buy the ezone. That square head is a totally different feel than you get with a round hoop. Just sayin.
The ezone is more rounder this time around than other yonex models. The squarish shape is also one of the reasons I find yonex a bit...quirky
Ash Tennis
Professional
Thinking of buying one since their on sale. Anyone no how it compares to the ezone 98? Specifically 2018 but if you want to compare it to 2020 that’s fine too.
It's a more powerful racquet, yet still has feel. I have only tried the ported version and wondering how the box frame plays. Which version were you looking at getting?
time_fly
Hall of Fame
I own both, and I would say the biggest difference is the feel. The ported version feels more plush and has a little more power and spin. It also swings a little faster. The standard 98 feels more crisp, precise, and stable. It technically has more flex, but the hoop is stiff and you can feel it more on off-center hits. I only dabbled with the ported version, but I used the standard 98 as my regular racquet for quite a while. I think it's a great doubles stick for players who like a little free power but still good control. I would probably play the ported version or even the 100 if I played exclusively baseline singles, since I felt the 16x20 launch angle and 98 head made depth from back behind the baseline a little more difficult to get than with the other options.
Sounds like they would make complimentary racquets dependent on how one is playing that day. Have you by any chance tried the 100? If so, are they comparable but with more power/less feel?
So yeah, the top part of the hoop is quite stiff - assuming that's where the added power comes from. Initially, I did get a bit of a jolt from a ball or two hit near the top. Easily remedied however with lead tape placed at 10 and 2. Absolutely not jolts afterward. Not sure the amount required - I used the Pete Sampras Power Strips and it was perfect. I also placed two one inch strips at 12 O Clock but that was because I like my frames a little less head light. (I have just as much tape on my PT280s). That racquet is so plush now - cups the ball just like my PT280s.
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No help here. 98 is the max headsize before you start sacrificing power and control IMO. But what do I know?
Not sure of the stringing tension in the Ezone 98 I hit awhile back but it lacked power in my opinion. I just remember hitting a lot of balls short. Personally, other than the fact that it felt pretty plush on groundies, I didn't like it at the net or on the serve. The Beast 98 works a lot better for my game.
Difference mainly is in the feel, a bigger sweetspot, tad higher power and launch angle and faster/easier swinging in the port version. Oh and the ported version spins better so slices are much nicer in it, at least for me anyway. More dwell with the ball sinking into the strings.
Solid beam hits through the court a bit better, and more precise and better at finesse touch shots. In the end I play better overall in the ported version as I need the extra forgiveness from the bigger sweetspot and faster swing. I keep more balls in play with it
I hit a friend's 2020 ezone and the solid beam version is a margin more player oriented. Keeps the ball in better when flattening it out. Smaller sweetspot and less forgiving off centre though. Doesn't slice as well as the ezone.
grucatennis
New User
Breakpoint3040
New User
I was told by TW a few days ago, that it won't be released in the US, and that there are no plans for a new Beast line
Dasala1977
New User
In Europe the new line is supposed to be released in fall. We’ll see if there are delays due to coronavirus.
So sad, they did a terrible job of promoting this line, course good for us clearance vultures though. Such a strong stick with such a thin reputation. Interesting that the guy in charge of product development Tyler Herring says at the 38 minute mark that if he had to choose one contemporary Prince racquet to play a competitive match it would be this one:
Breakpoint3040
New User
Yes, still strange to me that it will be sold in the Japanese Market, but not US. I'll be surprised if it comes to Europe.
Who wants that fugly new Japanese Beast 98 anyway?
jarko111
Hall of Fame
It should almost be punishable by law what has happened to Prince. I remember when everyone had Prince and they were the innovators.
Now.. I dunno who keeps the light on at their manufacturers.
One thing I think or wonder about is that Head and Wilson sell good rackets but they also sell a lot of "Mart" sticks. At Walmart they have 4 options a piece.. all of them oversized.
Trust and believe Wilson and Head are selling more of those a day than they are with the quality rackets.. and maybe that's where Prince went wrong. Not enough crap rackets at the big Marts.
Now.. I dunno who keeps the light on at their manufacturers.
One thing I think or wonder about is that Head and Wilson sell good rackets but they also sell a lot of "Mart" sticks. At Walmart they have 4 options a piece.. all of them oversized.
Trust and believe Wilson and Head are selling more of those a day than they are with the quality rackets.. and maybe that's where Prince went wrong. Not enough crap rackets at the big Marts.
jonestim
Hall of Fame
Last weekend I played at the public courts. There was a Prince racquet being used on all four - and one court had both people using them. But mine was the only one that was made past the year 2000. One had a Classic (the silver aluminum one) and on another court there was a Pro (the black/gold aluminum one).
I mentioned to my hitting partner that I had a pair of Phantom 100x 305s on the way and he said "I thought Prince was out of business?"
I mentioned to my hitting partner that I had a pair of Phantom 100x 305s on the way and he said "I thought Prince was out of business?"
That's good news and bad news at the same time. You'll need to flash those new phantoms around the area to let them know they still make nice frames.
What a long strange trip it's been. When I think of all the frames I've used over the years (65), and it took me all these years to discover Prince. I mean I hate to exaggerate but these Prince Beast 98s seem like the best playing sticks I've ever used. Here's the list: Wilson (Kramer, Pro Staff 6.1), Bancroft, Dunlop, Head (Vilas, PT280), Kneissl (Lendl, Aero), Donnay, Pro Kennex (Assymetric), Mizuno, Fox, Yonex (RD23) and a few others I don't recall. Think I got real lucky as from what I hear, Prince had a few questionable QC years but I caught them on the rebuild - impressed with the Textreme with twaron. And of course I got em for peanuts cause I wasn't afraid to take a chance on a clearance racket sight unseen. Truthfully, when I see what the Clash and several other frames are going for now, it seems to me this model was underpriced to begin with, before the sale.
time_fly
Hall of Fame
That’s a shame. They should repaint them and go back to the “Warrior” name. The Warriors had a good reputation and would probably sell better.
MilanA
Rookie
Well...I love my 98s. Last year I started my love afair with buying an ezone 98 and Beast 98. I was comming of Babolat AeroPro Drive and needed something easier on my shoulder and elbow. After a few sessions I sold the Yonex and never looked back. I only added 2g of lead on 2-10 o'clock and was done and happy. Few months later I bought two more used ones as the guy didn't like them (his loss as he played them with original strings in them). So I took them for 100€ for both of his hands (best deal ever 
) I'm only wondering if I should also try the ported version
) I'm only wondering if I should also try the ported version Well...I love my 98s. Last year I started my love afair with buying an ezone 98 and Beast 98. I was comming of Babolat AeroPro Drive and needed something easier on my shoulder and elbow. After a few sessions I sold the Yonex and never looked back. I only added 2g of lead on 2-10 o'clock and was done and happy. Few months later I bought two more used ones as the guy didn't like them (his loss as he played them with original strings in them). So I took them for 100€ for both of his hands (best deal ever
I'm with you Milan, I'm really enjoying my Beasts. Hard to understand why anyone wouldn't like this racquet. It definitely checks all the boxes for me and my game, and allows me to overplay (4-5 times a week during the summer) without succumbing to the host of arm issues that have sidelined me in the past - rotator cuff, wrist, hand or tennis elbow. I played with an 18/20 marshmallow for so many years, and some defensive shots I used to hit have become offensive killers. Seems like it's made to last as well but with these modern frames I'm just waiting for the other shoe to drop with a crack or something.
Regarding the ported version, I'm sure it's a good frame, but it seems like a big adjustment first off - from a regular frame I mean. I gotta be connected to my shots. I hear strings don't last long in the ported, and if the technology was that amazing, why aren't more pros using it? Anyway, the sweetspot in my conventional Beast 98 seems plenty ample to me - I can dial up the power, that's not an issue.
Well...I love my 98s. Last year I started my love afair with buying an ezone 98 and Beast 98. I was comming of Babolat AeroPro Drive and needed something easier on my shoulder and elbow. After a few sessions I sold the Yonex and never looked back. I only added 2g of lead on 2-10 o'clock and was done and happy. Few months later I bought two more used ones as the guy didn't like them (his loss as he played them with original strings in them). So I took them for 100€ for both of his hands (best deal ever
To arouse your curiosity I play better with the ported version. It doesn't hit through the court as well, but it does slice better and is much faster and forgiving to use.
ccmtennis
Semi-Pro
Well...I love my 98s. Last year I started my love afair with buying an ezone 98 and Beast 98. I was comming of Babolat AeroPro Drive and needed something easier on my shoulder and elbow. After a few sessions I sold the Yonex and never looked back. I only added 2g of lead on 2-10 o'clock and was done and happy. Few months later I bought two more used ones as the guy didn't like them (his loss as he played them with original strings in them). So I took them for 100€ for both of his hands (best deal ever
I definitely would try the ported version if you play lots of doubles at a high level. The combination of maneuverability + plow + accuracy is second to none for quick exchanges at the net. It does take some adjustment but it is well worth it.. take it from someone who had an preconceived notion that the feel would be a put off and I never tried one despite being a avid racket tester for a while before landing on this. I only added 2g at 12' and its plenty. I string my own with a full bed of poly and never broke a string before cutting it out due to tension loss and my game is build on a ton of topspin. Somehow the polys plus the dense string pattern might be why I don't seem to break strings compared to other rackets. I usually play in a 98 or 100 sq inch frames with a 16x19 pattern
Seth
Legend
Anybody using this have long, loopy strokes? I’m a long-time heavy racquet user and sometimes when I try something closer to a tweener I have trouble reeling in my bigger cuts. I’m curious about this still but don’t want to fear overhitting.
I currently use the POG OS. Prior to that was 6.1 for years.
I currently use the POG OS. Prior to that was 6.1 for years.
I'm surprised that you don't over hit with an OS. It's hard to say if it will work or not but I reckon give the ported version a try in a poly string or something. You should retain a big sweetspot like the OS. And with enough topspin applied, you should be within the lines.
time_fly
Hall of Fame
I think the Beast 98 standard version is an excellent option. With the 16x20 pattern the launch angle is lower than with a lot of tweeners and there is some decent feel from the lower RA. But it's still thick and stiff enough in the hoop to pack some extra pop. Since you said your strokes are "loopy" I guess you are a heavy topspin player. This frame works well for that. The main strings are spaced pretty wide so there's good grip.
Yeah I'd concur with that assessment. It's a modern frame fashioned after the Pure Drive according to what Tyler Herring said in the video. The racket was made for big cuts, but being sub-12 oz makes it easier to wield for rapid fire as well. It hits some really nice top but you can also hit killer slice and drop shots as well.
I went from an 18/20 control player's frame to this tweener power frame and did experience a tiny adjustment period. This occurred because of the drop in weight and swing weight and the 16/20 string pattern. The Beast is just so touch sensitive that whatever I put on the ball takes in spades, so I found myself pulling the ball down in the net and then launching balls to compensate as I was trying to arm the lower weight instead of riding with it. I had to remind myself to line up the ball and just lay the wrist back and let it rip on the forehand. The stringbed itself is very consistent, particularly when you place some lead at ten and two (not sure of weight but I used a Sampras power strip on each side). Don't fear the power, harness it with spin. I'm hitting droppers and trick volleys that spin sharply sideways or sometimes bounce back over the net like I've never been able to before and gaining control of rallies with big topspin that puts my opponent on the defensive and slices that barely bounce..
My favorite set-up for this racket is 17g kevlar zyex crossfire. I string the kevlar mains at 47 and the zyex crosses at 56. This makes for a lively but very controllable stringbed as the ball pockets nicely in the string.
Nothing but accolades concerning this frame from me so far, but the honeymoon is over and now I've developed an STD. Metaphorically speaking of course. Damn Beast has gone Beastly on my arm - wrist soreness, hand soreness and twinges in the shoulder. Thankfully no TE so far however. Not thinking about a divorce though, after everything I still love her . We've been through a lot of battles together (4 or 5 times a week) and emerged victorious in most. I love the easy power, improved handle-ability and easy spin potential moving away from a 12+ oz PT280. In my younger days I didn't need the extra help it but now I appreciate it. Still, my beloved PT280 would never ever hurt me like this.
. We've been through a lot of battles together (4 or 5 times a week) and emerged victorious in most. I love the easy power, improved handle-ability and easy spin potential moving away from a 12+ oz PT280. In my younger days I didn't need the extra help it but now I appreciate it. Still, my beloved PT280 would never ever hurt me like this.
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Breakpoint3040
New User
Oh dear, what do you think caused it? Overuse?Nothing but accolades concerning this frame from me so far, but the honeymoon is over and now I've developed an STD. Metaphorically speaking of course. Damn Beast has gone Beastly on my arm - wrist soreness, hand soreness and twinges in the shoulder. Thankfully no TE so far however. Not thinking about a divorce though, after everything I still love her
To a large extent, yes. Tennis is very hard on the muscles and joints of the body and probably particularly so as you get older. Most frames, stiff ones particularly will cause problems over time I believe. I guess I hoped that with the reasonably low RA, the Textreme and the Twaron this racket would be as soft as my PT280s. But this frame is higher powered and I think there's a cost for everything. They've reinforced the top of the frame (gets a bit wider) and I noticed that my right hand fingers were often a bit numb after playing. There's gotta be vibration coming through that I don't notice consciously probably due to that infusion of stiffness at the top. Probably need to look into using some softer strings. Also I have a couple of foam filled Donnays coming my way by trade that I will use as insurance possibly going back and forth (specs similar).
4 to 5 times a week is a lot of play. Could look into string types to ease the pain.Nothing but accolades concerning this frame from me so far, but the honeymoon is over and now I've developed an STD. Metaphorically speaking of course. Damn Beast has gone Beastly on my arm - wrist soreness, hand soreness and twinges in the shoulder. Thankfully no TE so far however. Not thinking about a divorce though, after everything I still love her
Probably the only thing left to do is get away from the hybrids as I'm about as low as I can go in the tension department with the hybrids. My hope is that the Donnays will be enough alike in feel that I can mix them into the rotation and just limit the time I spend playing the Beasts. Been playing well with the Beasts, seem made for dubs so I can't imagine I'll like the Pro One GTs enough to sideline the Beasts.
At least in dubs the load is shared. Can still be full time in that department.
Try the Wilson Shock Shield replacement grip to absorb some of the vibration.
jarko111
Hall of Fame
When I was playing with the o3's and the Speedports... I held onto the Speedport Pro White for a very long time. Then I moved onto non-ported frames.. the Textreme Warrior 100.. it was a very rough transition. I still think the o3 Red and Speedport Whites and even the Black LB are some of the best racquets. And I'm glad they are still offering them in the updates.
We need someone to win a major or just go far in a major with the new textremes to get the hype back up. Isner can only do so much.
Bring back Jelena Jankovic, WTA, and give her all the wildcards for being former #1 and lover of the O3 tech. She literally can't play with anything else.
Or imagine if ferrer actually won against Nadal in that RG final. He gave it his all in that one.
sredna42
Hall of Fame
I've used the Tecnifibre 315ltd for the most part, along with the 100p/95p, so lower powered frames, along with some Yonex frames ages ago (SV95, AI98, TourF93) but have been blown away by the Beast 100 03. It seems to suit me perfectly so far, I can even use tour bite and not feel pain, though like you also, despite not feeling pain while playing, out of nowhere I have developed a slight wrist issue, so I think that you still take bad vibrations despite the O-ports, but just don't notice them as much. Will be stringing with HyperG again next time as I find it alot softer. If I can adapt to it and sustain no issues with arm/wrist then I would be rapt, I love everything about it.
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