Prince Lightning XX

[Lejanius]

I have been stringing racquets for a few people, one guy recently said he didn't care much what string I used just something cheap.

He is a 4.0 player and hits with a ton of topspin. He said he previously used Prince synthetic gut with duraflex but he snapped strings like every couple weeks or so. I said I would try to find something cheap that may be a bit better for him. I have some Lightning XX laying around and i thought about tossing it in his racquet.

Anyone have any experience with this string? a lot of reviews say it doesn't last long and doesn't hold tension. I don't want to string his racquet up and have the strings snap in an hour, I am more concerned with giving a good string recomendation than I am with making lots of money off someone.

He isn't too interested in spending a ton of money on strings either

 

[cujays]

yea i have used this string
it was terrible
there was no feel
not a great string

 

[jcstennis]

Try Pro Supex Spiral Flex... same stuff, but better feel and better tension maintenance and not as expensive. (And comes in a cool black color with silver [aluminum strands] "X"s

 

[Storm_Kyori]

yea i have used this string
it was terrible
there was no feel
not a great string

Yeah, didn't like it either. My friend who is not applayer who worried about what strings he gets usedthese on his K90 and it was awful. No control I felt, kinda muted, cheapo IMO. Plus is leather grip was dirty...made the experience worse.

 

[Valjean]

This sounds like the guy for whom Prince's Topspin 15L, the one reinforced with Duraflex too, was made.

 

[LafayetteHitter]

Lightning XX has proved ok for me. It is a muted string. I found if you are not a chronic string breaker durability is about what you would expect from this type of string. One thing worth noting is that I have found that it has little movement which is a plus.

 

[ronalditop]

Deleted....

 

[BigBUBBA]

yea i have used this string
it was terrible
there was no feel
not a great string

Are you kidding? This string is loaded with feel
It's a great string, very spin friendly

~Bubbs

 

[Winners or Errors]

I'm one of those who is not a fan. I hit with a lot of spin on the forehand and serve, and found Lightning XX not only to lose tension but to remain powerful after having done so; just found it lacking the control I like, even though it is spin friendly. Definitely not as controllable as either PSGD, Cyberflash, or Gosen OG Micro Jim Courier.

In fact, even though the 16 ga Gosen string provided less spin, I found I preferred it to Lightning XX. YMMV, though, because I generally dislike soft strings and lean toward the crisper feeling strings. I'm sure there are some out there who would like it. It's just not my cup of tea.

Given his game and string breaking habits, why not poly?

 

[Lejanius]

Well I suggested Poly. He was open to the idea but didn't like spending more on string. I tried to tell him there were a lot of decent poly's at $8-9 range but he wasn't super keen on the idea.

also he said he has arm problems in the past and is worried a poly would make his arm worse. I may just throw a poly in there and see how it goes for him, I think that is the answer.

 

[tennisfreak15347]

if you're really going to string a poly for him, and he's had arm problems, remember to drop the tension a bit to accommodate for the stiffness. stringing the crosses 2lbs looser would help to soften up the stringbend too, if he's that concerned.

 

[Lejanius]

if you're really going to string a poly for him, and he's had arm problems, remember to drop the tension a bit to accommodate for the stiffness. stringing the crosses 2lbs looser would help to soften up the stringbend too, if he's that concerned.

I haven't decided one way or another, I have till Sunday, but I would ask him first before stringing a poly to make sure he is cool with it

 

[Winners or Errors]

I haven't decided one way or another, I have till Sunday, but I would ask him first before stringing a poly to make sure he is cool with it

So now perhaps someone could chime in with a list of "soft" polys, because I suspect those would help a little for someone with arm problems. I know virtually nothing about polys other than what I've read, having only played Cyberflash since coming back to tennis thus far, and I don't think I'd recommend that string to someone unless they wanted a string on the stiffer side.

 

[Valjean]

....he said he has arm problems in the past and is worried a poly would make his arm worse. I may just throw a poly in there and see how it goes for him, I think that is the answer....

Wouldn't do that; here's TW's Learning Center on it:

"Polyester - a very durable string designed for string breakers-not much power or feel. Polyester strings became very popular with ATP players, because it provides added durability, doesn't move and 'deadens' the stringbed. While this isn't a desireable feature for most recreational players, it is for many of todays ATP and (some) WTA players. They're bigger, stronger, swing faster and use more powerful racquets than players from the past. Often used in hybrids, combining polyester mains with softer synthetic or natural gut mains. This offers the durability benefits of polyester, while reducing the stiff, dead feel. Also easier to string than 100% polyester. Not recommended for beginning players or players with arm injuries."

 

[folsfolsfols]

i tried the lightning xx 16g and it isn't nearly as powerful as people say. i was kind of disappointed. i expected a powerful and spongy string. maybe the 17 g is different i don't know.
i really don't know how some people come up with those reviews. still looking for a really powerful cross string (not gut).

 

[Jack2010]

I've found that Prince Lightning XX to be a remarkably average synthetic gut string, but it is super popular actually

For this guy, I would recommend Head Sonic Pro 17 (one of the softest polys) hybrided with gosen og micro 17gauge. This is going to be pretty soft on the elbow, good for spin and also be the most durable combination possible (poly main/syn gut crosses)

The price should be reasonable too

 

[Jack2010]

I've found that Prince Lightning XX to be a remarkably average synthetic gut string, but it is super popular actually

For this guy, I would recommend Head Sonic Pro 17 (one of the softest polys) hybrided with gosen og micro 17gauge. This is going to be pretty soft on the elbow, good for spin and also be the most durable combination possible (poly main/syn gut crosses)

The price should be reasonable too

Well...most durable outside of using kevlar anyway....

 

[meowmix]

I'm actually a fan of Lightening, and my best friend swears by it. It is quite powerful and the feel is very nice. Granted, I like the muted feel of Prince's offerings, which not many do, so that's certainly something to consider.

If you do go poly, only do the mains as polyester. Use a softer string in the crosses (like lightening xx).

Check on RSI's site for their poly ratings. Pro Hurricane should be a decently soft string. From memory, TW claims that Enduro Tour 18 is quite soft as well. Never tried it, but at $5 a set, not bad.

 

[wrxinsc]

my new racquets came pre-strung with xx. not a bad string - for me a decent balance of power and spin but didn't last long at all. seemed like a good match for the racquet. i only got about 8 sets with it. i am sure it was a 16 too.

 

[bcart1991]

I've been using Lightning XX 17ga for a few months now with good results.

It gives more control/spin than normal synthetic, but not as much as a full-on multifilament.

It's worth the price for the upgrade from regular synthetic gut.

 

[saigonbond]

Just my 2 cents...

In my experience, Prince Lightning XX w/ powerfoil 17 has a great performance/price ratio. It has a softer stiffness rating (192) than does Prince Syn w/ Duraflex 17 (212). The PLXX packs quite a bit of pop, but is a bit on the springy side. It has better durability than does PSD. In a full bed of PLXX, I would recommend adding 5% of tension to help reign in the power & springy feel. However, this may not be an optimal set-up for a 4.0 big topspinner who's a stringbreaker.

I have used the PLXX in a hybrid cross with much success at our club to soften up and add power to virtually any stiff poly main and even aramid. Since I see your client had past arm issues, I would recommend one of the "softer" co-polys such as Head Sonic Pro 17 (199) $11.95 ($5.99/half set); Tecnifibre ProMix 17 (199) $11/set, Iso-Speed Pulse 17 (209) $8.99, Gosen Polylon Comfort 17 (215) $6.95, SuperString Pure Control 17 (210) $11.95. You'll notice that almost all of these have lower stiffness ratings than does even his regular PSD (212), at very economical prices.

If your client likes his PSD, you can even use it as a hybrid cross with any of the above mentioned "softer" co-polys. Gosen OG-Sheep Micro 16 (203)/ 17 (199) $3.75, is one of the more popular hybrid cross strings at our club because it has better feel and is not as crisp as the PSD.

The co-polys have great spin potential and have great durability (saving your client money in the end). This "softer" co-poly main and syn gut cross hybrid will help him optimize his game as well. If he's worried about protecting arm issues, I recommend dropping the co-poly tension 5%. These "softer" co-polys are still very playable at regular (higher) tensions because of they are softer than most polys. I can almost guarantee that one the aforementioned set-ups will open the eyes of your client.

Cheers!

 

[basil J]

I tried Lightning in my TI 80 today and I found it to be decent, but lacking in feel. I got good spin and decent power (@58#), but I did not like it all for volleys and I did not feel a pocketing effect like I have with other mutis. I would probably not use this again..

 

[basil J]

Update, I have been out 3 times with the lightning and it has settled quite nicely and plays very soft, but with decent bite. I can really unload on groundstrokes with this string and still maintain excellent pace and control. I like it much better now than last week when it was freshly strung.

 

[bcart1991]

Update, I have been out 3 times with the lightning and it has settled quite nicely and plays very soft, but with decent bite. I can really unload on groundstrokes with this string and still maintain excellent pace and control. I like it much better now than last week when it was freshly strung.

I too have found that my Lightning plays best when it has had a day/overnight to "settle in" vs. syn gut that plays best when freshly strung.

 

[Peppershaker]

Lightning XX as hybrid

After using strickly Syn Gut (PSG, PSGD or Gamma) I tried XX after several people that I string for requested it. At first I did not like it, but as with others after about 3-4 hours of play the feel and power seemed to improve. It also seemed a bit easier on the arm. Now I typically have one racquet strung w/Syn Gut and one with XX 16 g in the mains and Gamma Syn Gut 17 g in the crosses or most recently Gosen OS 17. This combo seems to offer good power, bit more ease to the arm and a bit more control. It also seems as if the Gosen OS bites more into the ball based on the increased ball fuzz.

I've also used this same combination for a few people that I string for, and so far everyone seems to like it.

 

[d-quik]

I typically have one racquet strung w/Syn Gut and one with XX 16 g in the mains and Gamma Syn Gut 17 g in the crosses or most recently Gosen OS 17.

I have been out 3 times with the lightning and it has settled quite nicely and plays very soft, but with decent bite. I can really unload on groundstrokes with this string and still maintain excellent pace and control. I like it much better now than last week when it was freshly strung.

I've been using Lightning XX 17ga for a few months now with good results

I'm actually a fan of Lightening

can you add anything regarding durability? does it notch, fray, or snap suddenly! how long?

i only got about 8 sets with it.

does it notch, fray, or snap suddenly!