Prince Lightning racquets - what can you tell me

jarko111

jarko111

Hall of Fame
I just saw that along with selling the new Warrior, Prince has a line of racquets called lightning in 110, 105, and 100 square inches.
This is a completely new line, correct?
Says their predecessor was the Thunder line back in the '90s.
Were those good sticks? I know nothing of the Thunders. But as a huge fan of Prince and the price is very very nice on here.. just wondering if you all could tell me your experience with the Thunder line, any pros that used them, etc.
Of course I'll demo them.

Wonder if this line is to replace the Oports White (100) Red (105) and Blue (110)?
 
The CTS Lightning was available in 90 and 110 and was endorsed by Jennifer Capriati.

It was touted as a racquet that balances power and control, not too wide-bodied like Thunderstick, nor too thin like Graduate.
 
scotus said:
The CTS Lightning was available in 90 and 110 and was endorsed by Jennifer Capriati.

It was touted as a racquet that balances power and control, not too wide-bodied like Thunderstick, nor too thin like Graduate.
Click to expand...

EDIT: Oh, I just saw the item. It looks nothing like the CTS series. I never played with the so-called Thunder series, so I have no idea what this is like.
 
They look like the triple threat frames of a few years ago. The grommets are the wider oval looking ones (not oports) like on some of the Airo series (they were called sweet spot expansion system back then too)
 
Last edited:
The new Lightnings look like the took the more popular features of the Triple Threat line (TT weighting, sweetspot expansion, etc) and combined them into an affordable package. Thankfully they left the double bridge in the past. I've owned a Triple Threat Bandit and a Triple Threat Warrior in the past. Both were great racquets for beginners and intermediates. I would imagine this will be a popular line if they can get the marketing right.
 
Yes, this seems like a nicely thought-out blend of the popular and quite successful Morph-beam Thunders and the subsequent tungsten-weighed Triple Threats. Not clear if these are morph-beam (classic box throat and a widebody head) but the TT weighing (butt + 2/10 o'clock) is clearly there. Now bring back the 28.5" option!!

Edit: Seems the throat is kinda round, so looks like no Morph-beam. Wish they also made an extended 100 sqin.
 
Last edited:
I think it's weird they are also releasing a Premier 105 and 120. Why the need for 2 105's. Although the Premier 105 is going to be significantly different than the Lightning (O-Ports, Textreme)
 
these look a lot like the continuation of what began with the CTS synergy lite. light (<10 oz) head-heavy racquets were the rage back in the early to mid 90's. i thought that synergy lite was gonna be a magic wand that transformed my game (didnt happen).
 
I just got my hands on a couple of the Lightning 100's. From the picture, it isn't very clear, but they have Triple Threat Extreme (I guess that's one of the Technologies) at 10 and 2. But this time instead of just writing triple threat on the frame, they built it up, similar to Wilson's PWS. The Titanium Carbon Braid, looks cool, but I have no clue yet as to if it really gives it any torsional stability, which is the claim. Someone I know, has hit with one, and said they were nice frames. I am going to string one up, and not mod it in any way, just to see how they feel/perform stock (a little light for me, 285 grams unstrung). If I feel it will be worth the time and effort, I will tear one apart, and pimp it out :) They have the old Prince buttcap, with no trap door. Once I remove that, if the handle allows space to add blutack, I will fill er up & put one of the Textreme buttcaps on. Because it will go with the color scheme better, and they have trap doors. 330 strung is where I want it to end up :eek:

I just noticed, on the card that is in the stringbed, it says it is for, "Players with long fast strokes" That is a good sign IMO. They should have said, "For the player who is a racquetaholic, but spent all their money on racquets and strings!"

Mine came in at 284 grams, and is dead on even balanced, without strings! I already want to tailweight this thing. I hate head heavy frames :(
 
Last edited:
Hahaha this reminds me of my first ever racquet, the Thundercloud. Can't even remember if it was a good racquet or not, but have fond memories of learning to play with it..
 
I just strung it up with Prince Warrior Response (a poly/multi in the same string). Bouncing balls on the frame feels just like any other racquet. Graphite is graphite, and weight is weight. The grip could be replaced with a ResiPro, and the buttcap could be switched out. I think it will end up being a decent frame for someone who just plays on the weekends, or is new to tennis. I have been beaten by people who were using racquets that I thought were crap (Babolat cheapo frame with 2 year old crap strings). It's definitely more the magician than the wand :) Here are some pics of it strung up. Look at the Prince Triple Threat Extreme at 10 and 2. I tried to show how much it sticks out. I am actually excited to hit with it (even more so after I add some weight and customize it)
IMG_5585_zpsmgpqmsqk.jpg
IMG_5579_zpsb2w66uas.jpg
IMG_5593_zps8eioetzb.jpg
 
Last edited:
I just hit with it, and the lightning 100 actually surprised me!!! I am going to totally tear it apart, and rebuild it to my specs. The Warrior Response is a very nice string, but it's too early to tell how it will play after the initial tension drop. I HATE head heavy frames, but this one was light enough for me to whip it around and it felt like it had more weight to it than it does (I am sure that was their thought process) I wasn't hitting against serious pace, so it's no surprise that it was able to hold against any balls. But I was able to hit all my shots with it, and I felt like I had really good control for the open pattern (I felt I had great control for any racquet) I am going to spend some more time with it, but I really thought I was going to come here and bash the frame, calling it a Walmart special. I definitely like my Warrior more, but I actually like this frame more than my Warrior Pro from the last generation. Once I put the Textreme buttcap, add weight, and slap on a ResiPro, it will significantly increase the amount of money put into it, but I think it will pay off in the end. So far, it has surprised me, and I can't wait to see how it plays after I get done with it :)
 
Finished customizing it up, I reused the stock grip, just because I could (when it eventually needs replaced I will resipro it) Feels extremely solid now, and pretty sweet.
Final Specs: 328 grams, Trapdoor, textreme buttcap, 5 pts headlight. They put a ton of weight in the hoop. None of the weight I added was under the bmperguard,it was all in the handle (blutack). It still feels like it has a high swingweight, and truthfully, if I could jam any more in, I would have. Candidate for a ton of silicone :) still might do it after I dial it in with lead and blutack. It almost has the same string spacing of my Textreme Tour 100t, but with one more cross, so it is a little different.
IMG_5595_zps1bqvnofi.jpg
IMG_5596_zpsrp4fvgi5.jpg
 
JohnBPittsburgh said:
Finished customizing it up, I reused the stock grip, just because I could (when it eventually needs replaced I will resipro it) Feels extremely solid now, and pretty sweet.
Final Specs: 328 grams, Trapdoor, textreme buttcap, 5 pts headlight. They put a ton of weight in the hoop. None of the weight I added was under the bmperguard,it was all in the handle (blutack). It still feels like it has a high swingweight, and truthfully, if I could jam any more in, I would have. Candidate for a ton of silicone :) still might do it after I dial it in with lead and blutack. It almost has the same string spacing of my Textreme Tour 100t, but with one more cross, so it is a little different.
IMG_5595_zps1bqvnofi.jpg
IMG_5596_zpsrp4fvgi5.jpg
Click to expand...

Do you know what your balance is with it now?
 
Yeah, 5 pts HL strung (I didn't want to cut out the brand new string job for basically an experimental racquet) I have my main frames already. I was just curious about this frame, and someone I know asked about it (not on TT, in real life). Also, the swingweight on TW is listed at 321, which basically translates into a lot of material in the head. I was able to add a lot of blutack in the handle, while not raising the swingweight by much, and change the balance to 5pts headlight.
 
Last edited:
The 110 seems somewhat similar spec wise to the Hornet ES 110. Differences are the lightning has higher SW, no ports on the top, and is an extended length.
 
These certainly look like Triple threat reissues. Which isn't really a problem, because in general racquets haven't changed in the last 10 years and the triple threat line was competitive with anything else out at the time. then they went to the o ports and gained some fans and lost a lot too.
 
Was in my local shop yesterday and one of the pros there said that another pro had taken the new Lightning 100 out the day before to hit and could not believe how well this racquet was hitting. He was amazed at the quality of this frame for a sub 100.00 racquet. I may get a chance to demo one this weekend. Will keep you posted. Beach
 
Honestly, mine has sat in my extra racquet bag because I got other frames to test out. Then one of my "test" frames became my main frame (Tec LTD). I was supposed to take it out today and forgot it :( I think the price scares people away, like they fear it will be an inferior product because ti stats out cheaply. Only thing I noticed was the different grip they use (Textremes all get ResiPro, which are awesome) and the head heavy balance. I modded it up and it plays just as solid as my prostock does. I hate head heavy frames or even balance, so that's why I added weight. But I was actually surprised at how well I hit with it. I need to take it out tomorrow and see how if my feelings have changed at all. But I slaughtered someone with it and that's always a good thing in my book. If you are demoing from TW, I would throw one in the box just to see if it's something for you. Only because everyone is different ad plays differently.
 
The Prince Lightning 110 is garbage. Nothing like the original Bandit OS, which I played for two years. The later runs of the Bandit, say from 2006 on, were not as good as the earlier ones, but they were nowhere near as bad as this, which hits like a $20 Target frame. The Triple Threat weighting in the hoop is just cosmetic, unlike the Bandit OS, which had considerable weight at the 2/10 spots.
 
Last edited:
I plan on hitting with the 100 today :) I think I have just progressed to the point that I can win with a walmart racquet :) It's the magician not the wand!! (It's still fun having lots of wands) I agree the more recent bandits were graphite composite crap that you see in sporting goods stores. I just haven't felt any bad vibrations the few hours I hit with the 100 (could be the large amount of blutack in the handle). It takes discipline to use a Lightning 100 when you have Tec LTD's, Angells, TT95's, and various vintage frames...but sacrifice I must, for the greater good of TT
 
Well I played a set with the Lightning!! (and won 6-1) It is strung with Prince's new string Warrior Response 16 and I am too lazy to look up what I strung it at. It felt solid and I had no problem hitting all my shots. I can't speak for the other models, but I felt no bad vibrations, and although mine is a bit heavier than a stock one (modded), it fits me well. I don't plan on making it my main stick, but it is fun to pull out and hit around. If I had only one tennis racquet and it was the Lightning 100, I would still have a blast playing this amazing game. Demo and see if it's for you, if you are considering getting one. There have been several frames I thought I would love and I just didn't like them. The opposite has also been true.
 
I demoed the Lightning 100 a week ago and also found it very stable as well. It hits nicely and had I not been used to the way a Textreme 100P and 100T hit, would probably have considered purchasing one (especially for the price they are going for) Like JB said, If I had one, it probably wouldn't be my main stick but its certainly a good hitting, fun playing frame. Hard to go wrong with it. Beach
 
The 110 version is incredible. I don't feel like you lose any control with the extra sweetspot expansion.
And that cool beam, which is new to me but retro for most on here, makes me feel more legit.
 
If it is too head heavy, you can always tailweight the crap out of it :) Then you will have a monster frame with extra real estate!! (seriously, if you are enjoying it, just keep it the way it is...otherwise it becomes this addiction, that you have to tweak EVERYTHING!!!) :P Give em hell out on the courts!
 
The 100 is a new design for Prince. The beam is wide in the shoulders and then narrows towards the tip and handles. Reminds me of the Wilson Dual Taper beams such as Profile. Got one up on E Bay now. Only $25 shipped, and strung with Beast.
 
JohnBPittsburgh said:
If it is too head heavy, you can always tailweight the crap out of it :) Then you will have a monster frame with extra real estate!! (seriously, if you are enjoying it, just keep it the way it is...otherwise it becomes this addiction, that you have to tweak EVERYTHING!!!) :p Give em hell out on the courts!
Click to expand...
These were on sale a week or so ago so came here to read about them. Picked one up based on your feedback. I have to agree with you, this is a pretty sweet frame as is. I haven't added weight yet but plan on beefing up the tail.
Thanks for the review.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Hangman
New Prince Textreme Lightning racquets?
Replies
3
Views
910
JohnBPittsburgh
JohnBPittsburgh
R
Observations about Racquet Head Size
Replies
6
Views
1K
Deleted member 25923
D
C
New Prince Line: January 2009 (Pictures + Specs)
7 8 9
Replies
436
Views
69K
crism54
crism54
T
Wilson Steam 99S vs. Prince's 14/18 racquets
Replies
3
Views
3K
UCSF2012
UCSF2012
T
Prince EXO3 Rebel 105
Replies
46
Views
13K
kimguroo
kimguroo
Back
Top