ccmtennis
Semi-Pro
Yea that's true about Jankovic, she looked great hitting during the recent exhibition. I would argue even Sharapova herself never got the power+ control balance she had after moving away fr Prince and the ports.
Prince Beast 98
- Thread starter DanS
- Start date
Yea that's true about Jankovic, she looked great hitting during the recent exhibition. I would argue even Sharapova herself never got the power+ control balance she had after moving away fr Prince and the ports.
So you're saying that the Beast 100 03 supplanted your Technifibre 315ltd? If so that's really saying something. These Beasts are nothing to sneeze at in the performance category.
I went out today without my Beast 98s (arm pain) and just packin the one PT280 I still own and two recently acquired Donnay Pro One Gts (traded two PT280s). So I started out with Donnay but put it aside cause I didn't care much for the poly strings the previous owner used. So I ended up playing some games with the PT280. I played reasonably well, I think it plays as well off the ground and at the net for the most part, but all that extra spin and free points I'm used to getting on serve were missing. I don't believe I'll ever go back to a 18/20 string pattern for that reason. I think it's going to come down to a dog fight between the Donnays and the Princes to see who eventually reigns supreme in my bag.
sredna42
Hall of Fame
I will never sell my tec315s they'll always be in the bag, its just everyone i hit with uses a babolat, and just get easy depth and spin. I'm not James Blake or Verdasco, despite wishing i was, so ive feeling outgunned, but cant use babolats etc because of my arm. The beast just seems to provide that little extra depth and spin and the o ports make it bearable. And i actually like the muted feel i didn't think i would. Like you I've gone from 18x20 to 16x19 for a bit of extra spin. To get the most out of the tec315 your legs really need to be working, you gotta get to every ball in perfect order to really swing through it, and my legs are stuffed lately so the free depth on defence is great with the prince. Might try a gut/poly hybrid in it
Yeah that frame really intrigues me as I hear it's modeled after the Head Pro Tour 280. And Medvedev uses one and he's one of my faves on the tour. Seems like he gets plenty of easy power out of it.
Don't tell me you're using straight poly in your frames. Seems like that's the trend. I know it works well in some frames like the Pure Drives and Aeros, but it's such a stiff string you end up paying for it. Actually, I'm sure it works well in the Beast but I'm already suffering a bit and I use Champion's Choice type hybrids. I say type because I'm a big proponent of the Ashaway Zyex string which is as forgiving and gives as much pop as gut does. It's not just the stiffness either, as I feel like I get so much more feedback from that kind of a set-up.
time_fly
Hall of Fame
Sounds like the upcoming G360+ Extreme Tour might be in the same category of racquet vacated by the Beast 98. Start with a power & spin oriented racquet line and add a slightly heavier option with a 98 head and more dense string pattern. The nice thing about the Extreme line is that, at least up until now, it has been a bit cheaper than the major racquet brands’ main lines.
JOSHL
Hall of Fame
I would imagine so with no Sharapova or really Byrdych ‘endorsing’ the line.
ProfessorAce
Rookie
20% off right now at TW: https://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Prince_Textreme_Beast_98/descpageRCTWABG-TX2B98.html
Thank you very much for posting this. I just recently bought 3 of these frames and love them. I called TW and they price matched.
crism54
Semi-Pro
the o3 version and the standard have a different throat grommet, what differences does it produce?! The one of the o3 98 you can remove the extra beak and then make it identical to the other, for more feeling?
I'm trying the o3 98 (as an avid fan of the o3 technology ever), I think that for those who use XL versions (self-produced) is the only way to maintain acceptable swing speeds. The ideal would also be to fill it, for more feeling, which is easily feasible.
I'm trying the o3 98 (as an avid fan of the o3 technology ever), I think that for those who use XL versions (self-produced) is the only way to maintain acceptable swing speeds. The ideal would also be to fill it, for more feeling, which is easily feasible.
I think I'm going full time on the beast 98. I enjoy the o3 version but I think I get a bit comfortable and lazy on the o3 because the ports allow me to do so. When I go with the beast 98 I generally start off shaky but it forces me to pay attention more and clean up my preparation and timing a bit more. The beast 98 trains me and keeps me honest.
nCode747
Semi-Pro
Just bought another one for $71. This frame is the best hidden gem.
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Price match on the one day sale? Noice!!
Yeah I love it. I know that Isner plays with the 100 LB, watching him on the Draft Kings ReOpen - does anybody win matches as easily. There's not a shot I can't hit easily with that frame. That being said, I have played with more arm friendly frames. Just sayin.
You might find a backup of similar spec for those arm mending periods. Or maybe I was just overplaying. In any event, I was lucky to pick up some foam filled Donnay Pro One GTs that fit the bill for me while mending.Breakpoint3040
New User
Just started to demo the Beast 98 with YPTP 1.2 @46lbs.
Elbow feels a bit sore after playing, but that might be due to playing in the rain.
Racket felt comfortable in sweet spot, but a bit stiffer than the DR98 when I mishit.
Will evaluate it more when weather clears up
How about performance-wise? Did it play well for you? To me that's the big-ger question. I'd put it up against anything out there in the performance column. And it's not like it automatically hurts my arm to use it either, it's something that builds over time. If it did I'd be playing with a brace or a sleeve. Not like it's the only frame out there with a little unwanted vibration and judging from the posts and what I've heard, it's better than most in that department. If it was an arm-breaker, pretty sure that Isner wouldn't be playing with the model version that's heavier and a half inch longer. Doesn't seem to cause him any pain.
Breakpoint3040
New User
Some people are more sensitive/prone to arm pain than others, while obviously technique and volume of tennis plays a big part too.
Too early to say on performance as conditions weren't great and I haven't played enough with it. However, it felt good to hit with, but when I switched back to the DR98 I noticed I could hit even better with that (perhaps the Beast improved my ability with the DR 98). My hitting partner thought I was hitting a better ball with the DR Vs the Beast.
I will test fully over the next week against different players. Fingers crossed it works well for me.
Too early to say on performance as conditions weren't great and I haven't played enough with it. However, it felt good to hit with, but when I switched back to the DR98 I noticed I could hit even better with that (perhaps the Beast improved my ability with the DR 98). My hitting partner thought I was hitting a better ball with the DR Vs the Beast.
I will test fully over the next week against different players. Fingers crossed it works well for me.
Yeah, kinda going through the same thing with my Beast 98s vs my newly acquired (trade) Donnay Pro One GTs. My doubles partner told me today that he thought I played better with the Donnays. Doesn't really matter as I'm winning with both sets of racquets and they are all close enough in spec that I can change from one to another in a set and not lose anything in the transition. Not sure what the lifespan is for these modern frames (the PT280s are indestructable) but I should be good to go now (65 now) until I either retire from tennis or go to a screen door, which I assume will be around 80. But you just can't beat the value of the Beast 98s at the clearance price - 71 unstrung (w/ additional 20% off) which is about what I paid as well.
Breakpoint3040
New User
Yeah, it's only because of the price that I'm trying it, else I'd probably stick a while longer with the DRs
Watching the Eastern European Championships today and I've got a new favorite player in the WTA. Her name is Katarzyna Piter (29 and currently ranked 367) and she's a frickin animal out there playing with her 03 Beast 98 (or 100). She had been undefeated in the roundrobin tourney but when the transmission cut out in the third set (damn Tennis Channel), she was down an early break to Victoriya Tomova ranked 130. But it should be mentioned that the Umpire must've been Bulgarian because I've never seen anybody getting hooked on lines as bad as Piter (Polish) was. Anyway, it was the match of the tourney according to the announcers- both definitely looked better than their rank.
Judging from the Prince bag and the stenciled strings I'd say that she must be on the Prince free racquet program at least. Oh yeah, forgot to mention, she curses and says her come ons in English and she's the first I've seen since Monica Seles with a double syllable operatic grunt. Kind of a turn on actually .
Judging from the Prince bag and the stenciled strings I'd say that she must be on the Prince free racquet program at least. Oh yeah, forgot to mention, she curses and says her come ons in English and she's the first I've seen since Monica Seles with a double syllable operatic grunt. Kind of a turn on actually
.I will add that after playing more of the beast 98 I am starting to find some similarities to when I used the prince classic response 97. I dropped that frame in search of something lighter around the same time the beast line was out. I was put off by the TW review and went down the textreme warrior 100 and phantom 100p route. In the end I am back to a 16x20 in a similar headsize in something lighter and slightly flexier. It doesn't have the same crisp feel as the classic response 97 but the results are similar. If I had given the beast 98 a shot at the start I would have saved myself so much more time and frustration. Will most likely stock up on +1 beast 98 and +1 o3 version (a close 2nd in preference).
So I am looking at ordering an extra o3 and solid beam version of the beast 98. I am not sure how the situation is now in the US with COVID. Will they even ship internationally now?
Edit- just checked the website and looks like still go for shipping but with possible delay of delivery.
Edit- just checked the website and looks like still go for shipping but with possible delay of delivery.
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It's just insane what these Beasts are going for right now. I mean not only are they less than 1/3rd the price of comparable frames, I honestly could have gotten more $ out of my twenty plus year old PT280s.
Just a quick update on my Beast 98 experience. So I'm back to playing them first call in "chips on the line" doubles. I'd experienced a little arm twinge with the Beasts and picked up some Donnay Pro One GTs (trade) as insurance as they are similar in spec and easy on the arm. After restringing, I had a long honeymoon phase with these frames and briefly considered a priority switch. Both really good frames, but the Beast 98 just gives me a little more easy power and spin which I can use at my age.
Compared to a lot of frames out there, the Beast 98 is really not that tough on the arm in terms of AE and other pain and damage. I'm a doubles specialist, and it just feels like this thing was made for dubs as I can return with power, hit good groundies and hit deft surgical volleys. Of everything, I think I'm most impressed with the control and maneuverability at the net.
Just a quick update on my Beast 98 experience. So I'm back to playing them first call in "chips on the line" doubles. I'd experienced a little arm twinge with the Beasts and picked up some Donnay Pro One GTs (trade) as insurance as they are similar in spec and easy on the arm. After restringing, I had a long honeymoon phase with these frames and briefly considered a priority switch. Both really good frames, but the Beast 98 just gives me a little more easy power and spin which I can use at my age.
Compared to a lot of frames out there, the Beast 98 is really not that tough on the arm in terms of AE and other pain and damage. I'm a doubles specialist, and it just feels like this thing was made for dubs as I can return with power, hit good groundies and hit deft surgical volleys. Of everything, I think I'm most impressed with the control and maneuverability at the net.
I picked up a pair and would second what PT280 said. I have played a Head YouTek IG prestige pro for many years. As I'm not getting any younger looking for something a little lighter and a little bit of free power. I tried the Pure Drive and enjoy playing with it but there is a lack of feel and no touch on volleys. The Beast 98 fits the bill for me, not as much power but better control, touch, and most of all more comfort on the arm/shoulder.
After some tinkering, 2g of lead at 12 o'clock works pretty well to make this racquet a lot more controlled--better control of the racquet tip means fewer balls launching on me.
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Beast is the better racquet in stock form. Extreme Tour has better spin but you would need to tweak it with lead as its really low powered.
That doesnt make it better, it makes it worse as its already tip weighted with a thicker beam at 12.
To each his own. My shots were really erratic playing it stock.
Yes, that's definitely the way to go as it cures the flutter experienced on occasional high off center hits. It's also the reinforcement provided on the newest version available in Japan.
Once you get used to it, it's happy days. I have both versions and can play both interchangeably. I can't deny I play well with the o3 version so it therefore has a space in the bag.
ProfessorAce
Rookie
Aw, man! I missed that sale, I would have picked up two more...
Ask them if they will honor the clearance price.Aw, man! I missed that sale, I would have picked up two more...
I have 3 o3's and 3 standard grommet Beast 98's., all bought for the price of what 2 aeropros would cost me.
I switched to the o3 when I was getting overpowered in a match the other night by a younger better player (he was using a blade), and at least managed to win 3 games after being down 0-6, 0-3...I lost 0-6 3-6 and I attribute those games won to actually being able to get a few more balls past/through my opponent with extra power and spin from the o3 version.
Then I played dubs last night, and my first 3 volleys were few feet out with the o3. there are significant differences between the 2 versions, but they both have some things in common: comfort beyond what their stiffness rating would indicate, plush solid feel on contact, and they are great for serving.
When I demoed the 100 beasts, they felt like clubs comparable to my old prince o3 sharks...cumbersome. the o3 does feel more muted but not as much as some other o3 racquets I've used.
The 98 feels much smoother through the air.
Mine are leaded up to around 340 grams, swingweight probably 335 ish..most of the weight is in the handle.
I would buy them while they are still available. An absolute no brainer at the current price, even more so at the clearance price.
I think if you have history with TW, they will honor the lower price.
TennisHound
Legend
Dang, they went back up to $89
I find I serve much better with the o3 in terms of consistency and variety. On an off day the o3 can still bail me out but with the solid beam it's do or die.
Volley wise the solid beam allows me to put the ball in more nasty cheeky places but the o3 handles the fast incoming balls or those reflex volleys better due to the bigger sweetspot which otherwise would miss on the solid beam.
Pretty much agree on all items. I can serve bigger with the o3. Feel on volleys noticeably better on solid beam. It's a trade off.
Tar Heel Tennis
Professional
what is the absolute BEST string for the O3 98?
Anybody else keeping track of the pros using this stick. Of course there's the primary association with big John Isner even though his is the Beast Pro 100 LB it still has the exact same graphics. Gotta say that his red stringbed looks pretty snappy with that red inner hoop. Over the "quarantine" I did notice a couple of others during Tennis Channel's re-open campaign, both journeyman/woman types. In the Eastern European Championships (Tipsarivic Club) there was a lady named Katarzyna Piter that really had a nice showing. She was using the 03 Beast 98 (or 100) and looked a whole lot better than her #130 ranking in singles. The other player I saw was a double's specialist for the Chicago Smash name of Evan King. Looked like he was using the Beast 98 (solid beam version). He's a journeyman type but he's got a nice game with the Beast and held his own against the young guns like Sock, Sandgren, Fritz and of course Bryan brothers.
I've never been one to care what pros use what rackets, but TW has to try to get some young up and coming players endorsing them if they want Prince to stage a comeback in sales. I demoed dozens of frames 2 years ago and the beast won out... I do have a lot of Prince frames, but I wanted to like something else more than a Prince and move on to another brand. The Beast 98's won the demo challenge. Saved me a crap load of money too.Anybody else keeping track of the pros using this stick. Of course there's the primary association with big John Isner even though his is the Beast Pro 100 LB it still has the exact same graphics. Gotta say that his red stringbed looks pretty snappy with that red inner hoop. Over the "quarantine" I did notice a couple of others during Tennis Channel's re-open campaign, both journeyman/woman types. In the Eastern European Championships (Tipsarivic Club) there was a lady named Katarzyna Piter that really had a nice showing. She was using the 03 Beast 98 (or 100) and looked a whole lot better than her #130 ranking in singles. The other player I saw was a double's specialist for the Chicago Smash name of Evan King. Looked like he was using the Beast 98 (solid beam version). He's a journeyman type but he's got a nice game with the Beast and held his own against the young guns like Sock, Sandgren, Fritz and of course Bryan brothers.
Prince has really made some amazing sticks over the years. You're probably right that word of mouth is not enough to move the needle with racquet sales. Can't imagine the company is covering their investment on these clearance deals.
2nd Serve Ace
Hall of Fame
My 2 cents is Prince should reduce down its line to its obvious winner frames and build a clear recognition of them in consumers minds. Like, why did the warrior line change name and pj colors if the beast isn't much different? Also, how many possible phantoms can they come up with?
Plenty of folks remember their "reds" and "blues" or "whites" fondly. Prince: please remember the old KISS principle!
Lukhas
Legend
Meanwhile, in Europe...
It's hard to sum up my feelings about this. I demoed the O3 back in March alongside the VCore 95. Due to the price difference I picked the VCore, and the Beast O3 98 has been haunting me ever since. Hard to sum up my feelings... except that I have utter and profound disdain for the United States of America, and pointless resentment that burns with the strength of a thousand suns.
Same road I took. I really don't have the time to demo a bunch of rackets all strung at various tensions with various types of string. I could go down another rabbit hole where I have to demo every tweener frame out there demanding that they all be strung exactly the same with the same string which would be both time consuming and expensive I imagine and would only lead to more hemming and hawing as there would undoubtedly be a frame or two I neglected to consider on the first trial.
It was a really good deal and it was in my wheelhouse as far as weight, balance and string pattern and it received good reviews - that was all I needed.
tennisboy2121
Rookie
I am about to get a beast 98 03 from tw used. I am a huge fan of the 0 ports. I have never attempted to play with a tweener or with a stiffness this high. I also hope the beam thickness won't be a problem. With all the positive talk and the price, I figured I had to give it an extended try. Are most people playing it stock?
I am. Doesn't need any weight for me.
Ok. I am well-known for preaching the gospel of heavy racquets and being a tweener hater. I am a Wilson and Dunlop guy, but I have been a fan of the Prince ports for a long time because I have seen how much they help with tennis elbow. I’ve never understood the complaints about feel since the choice of string has always had a bigger impact for me.
I normally use a RF97A, but I decided to try the O3 Beast 98. All I can say is, that for me, I consider this to be an easier to use Pure Drive. It has a little less power than a PD and a little more control. The frame is very wide in the hitting zone which is perfect for topspin. The big upside is how soft the strinG bed is compared to a Pure Aero or Pure Drive. Absolutely zero arm issues. Sure it whistles a bit when you swing it. I consider that to be a good feedback indicator that my racquet head speed is where it needs to be.
It does not have the plow of my RF97A, and it does hit a spinnier but less penetrating ball. But, the stability and power for a frame in this weight class is outstanding. And, it has an advantage over my RF97A— I can accelerate this frame ridiculously easy. It’s almost too fast for the 322 SW.
I’m switching to it for the time-being. I really don’t understand why this frame wasn’t more popular. Anyone wanting a 98” PD or PA doesn’t need to look any further.
I normally use a RF97A, but I decided to try the O3 Beast 98. All I can say is, that for me, I consider this to be an easier to use Pure Drive. It has a little less power than a PD and a little more control. The frame is very wide in the hitting zone which is perfect for topspin. The big upside is how soft the strinG bed is compared to a Pure Aero or Pure Drive. Absolutely zero arm issues. Sure it whistles a bit when you swing it. I consider that to be a good feedback indicator that my racquet head speed is where it needs to be.
It does not have the plow of my RF97A, and it does hit a spinnier but less penetrating ball. But, the stability and power for a frame in this weight class is outstanding. And, it has an advantage over my RF97A— I can accelerate this frame ridiculously easy. It’s almost too fast for the 322 SW.
I’m switching to it for the time-being. I really don’t understand why this frame wasn’t more popular. Anyone wanting a 98” PD or PA doesn’t need to look any further.
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