prince EXO3 Graphite 100

TennisMD

Professional
Currently playing and enjoying the speed port tour but always curious about other rkts, I see they list the prince EXO3 as a similar rkt. So ? how similar are they and any advantage to the EXO3
 

AJK1

Hall of Fame
I used to have the Original Graphites and they were superb sticks, the new versions would be great too i imagine but the colour looks hideous!
 

jayserinos99

Hall of Fame
I didn't use the speedport tour but I did get a chance to hit a few with the graphite 100 (port mains, hole crosses); it was strung with 18g poly/syn hybrid at upper 50s tension. My previous EXO3 was the Rebel 95 (all hole setup) and now the graphite 93 (all hole setup). The biggest thing about the graphite 100 that I noticed was that I can really swing away from the baseline with it; I never really liked the specs on paper but it was definitely surprising. Definitely easier to get around than the 93; I was able to hit both good topspin/slice and a big flat ball with the 100. Serve wise, it took a little adjustment but I can crank it after a few serves. Volleys, the balance is where it got to me as I was caught late a few times but after a while I got used to it.
 

Ross K

Legend
I didn't use the speedport tour but I did get a chance to hit a few with the graphite 100 (port mains, hole crosses); it was strung with 18g poly/syn hybrid at upper 50s tension. My previous EXO3 was the Rebel 95 (all hole setup) and now the graphite 93 (all hole setup). The biggest thing about the graphite 100 that I noticed was that I can really swing away from the baseline with it; I never really liked the specs on paper but it was definitely surprising. Definitely easier to get around than the 93; I was able to hit both good topspin/slice and a big flat ball with the 100. Serve wise, it took a little adjustment but I can crank it after a few serves. Volleys, the balance is where it got to me as I was caught late a few times but after a while I got used to it.
Sorry to thread-jack but I haven't heard a whole lot on the Exo Rebel 95 (not the lighter team version)... what were your impressions Jay?
 

WhiteStripes

Semi-Pro
I've recently switched to the EXO3 Graphite 100 from the Fischer MPro 1 SL 98 (and prior to that the SL 105). I've also played extensively with the O3 Tour MP, Speedport Tour and the EXO3 Rebel 95 (which I also really liked a lot), and played with the original Graphite 110 as a junior.

I'm a consistent grinder from the backcourt, and I find the EXO3 Graphite 100 (currently using Polyfibre TCS 17) to be a spin monster from the backcourt, and all of my hitting partners have noticed a bigger and heavier ball on their end of the court. I feel I can grind consistently all day with the racquet, take some hefty cuts at the ball like jayserinos noted and have no fear of the ball flying because of the massive top you can get on the ball. The thin beam and the holes/ports (whatever you call them) in my opinion really do help racquet head acceleration despite the relatively high swingweight.

I absolutely love the buttery feel of my Fischers (which I've used for the last 4 years) and especially the control of the SL 98, but I can't deny the effectiveness the Graphite 100's been getting me, so I switched. I don't particularly love the feel of the racquet, but for the style of game I play, it's been getting me better results. The fact that I've been serving bigger with no added effort is also a nice benefit. The stick definitely isn't for everyone, but for my game, I like it a lot. My feeling about the stick is much like Danny's on the TW review.
 

jayserinos99

Hall of Fame
I've recently switched to the EXO3 Graphite 100 from the Fischer MPro 1 SL 98 (and prior to that the SL 105). I've also played extensively with the O3 Tour MP, Speedport Tour and the EXO3 Rebel 95 (which I also really liked a lot), and played with the original Graphite 110 as a junior.

I'm a consistent grinder from the backcourt, and I find the EXO3 Graphite 100 (currently using Polyfibre TCS 17) to be a spin monster from the backcourt, and all of my hitting partners have noticed a bigger and heavier ball on their end of the court. I feel I can grind consistently all day with the racquet, take some hefty cuts at the ball like jayserinos noted and have no fear of the ball flying because of the massive top you can get on the ball. The thin beam and the holes/ports (whatever you call them) in my opinion really do help racquet head acceleration despite the relatively high swingweight.

I absolutely love the buttery feel of my Fischers (which I've used for the last 4 years) and especially the control of the SL 98, but I can't deny the effectiveness the Graphite 100's been getting me, so I switched. I don't particularly love the feel of the racquet, but for the style of game I play, it's been getting me better results. The fact that I've been serving bigger with no added effort is also a nice benefit. The stick definitely isn't for everyone, but for my game, I like it a lot. My feeling about the stick is much like Danny's on the TW review.

This is the reason why I did an extensive playtest (read: play league matches) with the Rebel 95 and now (as soon as I get done with rehab) the Graphite 93. The EXO3 results spoke for themselves with more spin and pop which got some favorable results. I was getting more racquet head speed which helped me out a lot. As for the Rebel, it was in my target spec (midplus 18x20 player's frame that is flexy) so I gave it a shot. However, I think if I get some 100s on the cheap, I may pick some up to try out for a while.
 

jayserinos99

Hall of Fame
Sorry to thread-jack but I haven't heard a whole lot on the Exo Rebel 95 (not the lighter team version)... what were your impressions Jay?

I don't want to thread jack any more, so I'll just say that I wrote a couple of posts on the Rebel which detail it a bit more so you'll have to do a search...LOL.
 

jayserinos99

Hall of Fame
On top of that my friend who uses the Graphite 100 is a 4.5 baseliner and I noticed that he was hitting heavier than normal with the Graphite 100. I think with his technique and the racquet makes a perfect fit for him.
 

TennisMD

Professional
So getting back on topic if you have played the speed port tour what if any advantages to the EXOs 100 graphite
 

WhiteStripes

Semi-Pro
Much better feel to me, even with ports, than the Speedport Tour, which felt completedly dead/too muted. Wasn't much of a fan of the Speedport Tour. Much more plow through and solidity with the Graphite, easier pop on tap -- probably due to the higher swingweight, but yet the EXO3 Graphite cuts through the air exceptionally well to get great racquet head speed. Love the thin 19mm beam on the Graphite. And even though the Speedport Tour is very spin friendly, I would have to say the EXO3 Graphite 100 for me is the most spin friendly racquet that that's been put out in recent memory, and I've tried out a crapload of racquets. As always, demo the racquet for yourself, as YMMV.
 

ollinger

G.O.A.T.
I found the Exo 100 spin friendly IF you have time to crank it....the high SW makes it harder to generate head speed than some other racquets with which I feel I get more topspin (e.g. TFlash 310).
 

jimbo525

New User
I switched to the exo 3 graphite 100 after i broke my o3 speedport black.
I was using my apdc for a while like 1-2 months.
The exo3rebel has the muted feel, and i only use it with that small shock absorber that it comes with it.
I strung it with pacific mains 59, and syngut multi 58, but the tension was too loose and i strung it at 59.5/58.5.
I've never had trouble with spin, people know me for the amount of top spin i hit so i can't really say if there's any spin difference, but i think i hit my backhands harder, harder than most people's smash.
My control has gone up, and i can actually hit angle shots with my forehand where as i couldn't with my other racquets.
My serve was messed up at first because of the weight change, because i added 2 extra grips, and gamma head guard.
After like a week, i can hit heavy kick/spin serves.
And i just won a small tournament last night with it =).
 

Ljubicic for number1

Hall of Fame
I have been testing a friends graphite 100 in recent days and it impressed me enough to order a couple.

The first and most impressive feature of this stick is the feel, just amazing on contact, I would even go so far as to say it is buttery, which you really don't usually associate with o3 series racquets. It is right up there with the RDX 500 Mid in the feel department.

It is extremely solid on contact, when I go back to my usual leaded up o3 white "338gms" it feels like tin foil compared to the graphite.

Swingweight is very high and feels more like 350 than the quoted 334 that Prince advertise. I have played extensively with N95's FXP prestiges etc and the graphite has a much higher SW in my opinion.

Serve whilst not as fast as my o3 white it is much heavier with good targeting and big kick on the second serve. The high swingweight makes my slice serve less effective though.

Returns are very solid with perfect power level for me, I can either rip returns or chip deep.

Volleys are very solid and even the high swingweight didnt create too many problems at net for me.

The negatives of the racquet? For me the leather grip is horrible even with a overgrip, it just has a poor feel and grip, and is oversize the 3/8 feels bigger than a 1/2 on previous Prince sticks. I will be replacing the grips with either fairway leathers or just prince dura tac replacement grips when mine arrive.

The swingweight is very tiring for someone used to a lower SW and will take some getting used to. I was pretty damn tired after just a couple of sets, where as I can play all day with my white.

All up though a very positive experience. The feel on contact is just so good that I can overlook some of its flaws.

For the original poster, compared to the speedport tour I found it a lot more solid, a lot more control orientated, much better feel, better for volleys (I really struggled to volley with the tour) more comfortable. But it doesn't serve as well and is much more tiring. You won't get pushed around with this stick even when facing big hitters.
 

TennisMD

Professional
For those able to compare rkts thanks. Serve is a big part of my game sets up everything else, so Whitestripes you and Ljubicic both agree on solidity and plow through and ground strokes advantage how about the serve. I agree a demo is the only way you know for yourself but comments can key you on deciding whether to bother or not. So serve is a big factor any thoughts or more comparisons?
 

WhiteStripes

Semi-Pro
It doesn't serve flat bombs like a Pure Drive Roddick or anything, but I was getting very good and effective pop on flat severs, more than the Fischers I've been playing with the prior four years, again I think due to the extra swingweight. That said, I think I was probably serving with even more pop on my flat serves with the EXO3 Rebel 95. Anyway, I have no problems with the somewhat relatively high swingweight of the EXO3 Graphite 100, but obviously, if it slows down your racquet head speed, you're probably going to lose some pop on your serve.

What was the really noticeable difference for me was my twist/kick serves, which is more important for me anyway, and I was getting much more action on the ball without putting in any more effort than I usually do. All of my hitting partners have commented that it's a much nastier, heavier ball they have to deal with on returns. I'd have to say that my ace and service winners count has gone up a bit going from the Fischer MPro 1 98 SL to the EXO3 Graphite 100.
 

WhiteStripes

Semi-Pro
Should mention that I was never able to serve well with the Speedport Tour for some reason (or the O3 Tour for that matter). I just felt like it didn't have much pop or weight behind them. Then again, I could barely feel anything on the stringbed with those sticks. The biggest issue I had with the Speedport Tour overall was that I thought the control just wasn't there for me on almost all the strokes -- unpredictable would be the better word. Sometimes ball flew on me unexpectedly or (more often) dropped very short with little on it, and the fact that the racquet has such a muted feel makes it even worse. The O3 Tour was better in that regard in terms of predictability, but that racquet felt like a wet noodle (and I like normally like very flexy racquets) with little stability. On my normal swing speed, balls just lacked pop and depth. As much as I tried to like them, I just never liked the old O3 and Speedport racquet line, but I do feel the EXO3 racquets (although I've only tried the Rebel (95) and Graphite (93, 100) lines) is a really nice improvement, at least for me anyways.
 

TennisMD

Professional
Should mention that I was never able to serve well with the Speedport Tour for some reason (or the O3 Tour for that matter). I just felt like it didn't have much pop or weight behind them. Then again, I could barely feel anything on the stringbed with those sticks. The biggest issue I had with the Speedport Tour overall was that I thought the control just wasn't there for me on almost all the strokes -- unpredictable would be the better word. Sometimes ball flew on me unexpectedly or (more often) dropped very short with little on it, and the fact that the racquet has such a muted feel makes it even worse. The O3 Tour was better in that regard in terms of predictability, but that racquet felt like a wet noodle (and I like normally like very flexy racquets) with little stability. On my normal swing speed, balls just lacked pop and depth. As much as I tried to like them, I just never liked the old O3 and Speedport racquet line, but I do feel the EXO3 racquets (although I've only tried the Rebel (95) and Graphite (93, 100) lines) is a really nice improvement, at least for me anyways.
Thanks for the feedback, sounds like the EXO3 may be worth a demo
 

WhiteStripes

Semi-Pro
Hopefully the demo you'll get will have some good strings in it. The first demo's I had of the Rebel and Graphite had an awful poly (think it was EXP 16) that had obviously gone dead, which kind of spoils the playtest. At the very least though, I think you'll notice a big change in feel going from the O3/Speedport racquets to the EXO3 racquets. If you like/are used to the very soft, cushioned, and muted feel of the O3/Speedport racquets, the EXO3 (especially with the string inserts) may not be your thing.
 

iplaybetter

Hall of Fame
The graphite is a better frame but you need to hit wiht both, if you like a bit more balanced i think the graphite may be better ;)
 

Ljubicic for number1

Hall of Fame
TennisMD, Like you the serve is very important to me, I have found the graphite to serve a very heavy ball and the kick second serve is the best I have ever served with any racquet.

I am struggling to get the same slice results which is a worry as that is my go to serve when I need a cheap point, serve the slice to the deuce court and open the court for the forehand winner.

You will really need to demo for yourself, but I feel the overall pace will be down a little from the SP tour but it will be heavier and kickier. Just depends if that suits your game or not.
 

Ljubicic for number1

Hall of Fame
Just received my two new graphites in the mail, unstrung one is 4gms heavier than the other with the weight difference in the head.
Not happy about that as I was hoping if there was any difference it would be in the handle, so its easy to balance them. I cant afford to add weight to the lighter one as I am at my swingweight limit already and was hoping to receive racquets with my favorable balance. Oh well I will have to make do.
 
M

Mastadon_10S

Guest
I am loving this frame with the string hole grommets. Does anyone like it better with the hole grommets?
 
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M

Mastadon_10S

Guest
Just received my two new graphites in the mail, unstrung one is 4gms heavier than the other with the weight difference in the head.
Not happy about that as I was hoping if there was any difference it would be in the handle, so its easy to balance them. I cant afford to add weight to the lighter one as I am at my swingweight limit already and was hoping to receive racquets with my favorable balance. Oh well I will have to make do.

check my post in the rebel thread for my set up with this stick... let me know when you get them all set up. pictures would be nice too
 

Ljubicic for number1

Hall of Fame
check my post in the rebel thread for my set up with this stick... let me know when you get them all set up. pictures would be nice too

I see you added 10gm's in the handle, where did you distribute it? is it inside the trap door or under the grip? spread over the pallet or right at the butt etc?

What difference has it made?

I strung one of mine up with full blue gear "white colour" and the other with concept pure. I have a important semi final today so will stick with the white until after this comp, but will test the graphite in some social hitting.

My lighter racquet feels like it is going to be nice, I put the lighter string in that one as well to keep the weight down. It is 342 gm's with 1.24mm concept pure.

The heavier one is 348gm's with 1.28mm blue gear, both have a pro supex overgrip and factory dampener.

PS where did you source the string hole grommets?
 
M

Mastadon_10S

Guest
I see you added 10gm's in the handle, where did you distribute it? is it inside the trap door or under the grip? spread over the pallet or right at the butt etc?

What difference has it made?

I strung one of mine up with full blue gear "white colour" and the other with concept pure. I have a important semi final today so will stick with the white until after this comp, but will test the graphite in some social hitting.

My lighter racquet feels like it is going to be nice, I put the lighter string in that one as well to keep the weight down. It is 342 gm's with 1.24mm concept pure.

The heavier one is 348gm's with 1.28mm blue gear, both have a pro supex overgrip and factory dampener.

PS where did you source the string hole grommets?


I picked up the string hole grommets from TW for $5.99. I just cut the lead into 6 inch strips and ran them from the butt cap upward under the grip. I am unsure of the balance point as I haven't taken the time to measure it. I will be picking up a few more shortly.

P.S. I am really liking the feel of the frame without the dampener plus the string hole grommets.
 

Ljubicic for number1

Hall of Fame
Thanks Mastadon, I don't know if I would like the string holes as I hated them on the speedport black.

Does anybody know if the trap door comes off on the graphite? On my whites there is a slot there where you can pop the cap off with a screw driver but there is no slot on the graphite and I don't want to butcher it.
 
M

Mastadon_10S

Guest
Thanks Mastadon, I don't know if I would like the string holes as I hated them on the speedport black.

Does anybody know if the trap door comes off on the graphite? On my whites there is a slot there where you can pop the cap off with a screw driver but there is no slot on the graphite and I don't want to butcher it.


The "P" on the butt cap is just a sticker. There isn't a trap door unfortunately :cry:
 

Ljubicic for number1

Hall of Fame
Played some more with the graphite today and I am more impressed on each outing.

I actually preferred the heavier of my 2 sticks, Not sure if that is the higher swingweight or the blue gear as opposed to the pure concept.

This frame is really nice on serve, targeting is very good and the ball is heavy. Still don't get the same slice I can get with my o3 white but its a heavier ball and the 2nd serve has more work and the frame inspires confidence on serve.

On groundies I don't get as much topspin as the o3 white but I can really unload and keep the ball in, flat penetrating shots are really good.

At net its a little sluggish but still rewarding with nice deep volley's when time allows. Reflex volleys are little off the mark at the moment.
 

Bottle Rocket

Hall of Fame
Well, looks like I've got one of these coming my way.

I never intended on trying one of these new Prince rackets, as they all seem pretty "goofy", but I've been trying to unload a Microgel Prestige Midplus and someone offered to trade, so I've got nothing to lose (Prestige MP was terrible for me). Looks like it is "Hybrid strung with Luxilon Bigbanger and Poly ( 55 mains / 58 crosses)
strung with string PORT".

I am getting pretty excited about giving this thing a shot.

I've been looking for a softer alternative to the K95 18X20, so I'll check back with a review once I get some time on this thing. Everything I've seen so far is positive and the tennis-warehouse review is brainwashing me fairly well (http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Reviews/PXOG1H/PXOG1HReview.html).
 
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