Prince NXG questions

[Atkins]

Hi

Anybody uses this racquet?.

I currently use the NXG OS and love the feel , but I found it to be extremely powered, and I also think the balance is way too HL (11pts). Has anybody tried to change the balance? (5-7 pts HL) if yes what was the result?. Also using higher tensions have given good results?.

One last question (I don't have access to a demo program) : Has anybody played with the three or at least 2 sizes of the NXG?. I read the review on TW, but I would like to know the opinion of people who actually uses it.

I'm thinking of going to a MP or Mid. I'm switching between the NXG and the Yonex MP tour 1 MP, I love the way I play with the yonex (easier to swing and the balance is perfect), but hate the feel.

Thanks

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

I used play with the MID for a good month or so. The racquet does everything OK, nothing exceptional. There is something about that "Air handle" that takes away all the feel in my opinion. Probably one of the crappier players racquet out there. Some people might like it because the racquet's got a tiny sweetspot, it's quite demanding too, but the problem is...It doesnt reward you...

 

[travlerajm]

Hi

Anybody uses this racquet?.

I currently use the NXG OS and love the feel , but I found it to be extremely powered, and I also think the balance is way too HL (11pts). Has anybody tried to change the balance? (5-7 pts HL) if yes what was the result?. Also using higher tensions have given good results?.

One last question (I don't have access to a demo program) : Has anybody played with the three or at least 2 sizes of the NXG?. I read the review on TW, but I would like to know the opinion of people who actually uses it.

I'm thinking of going to a MP or Mid. I'm switching between the NXG and the Yonex MP tour 1 MP, I love the way I play with the yonex (easier to swing and the balance is perfect), but hate the feel.

Thanks

I don't know if you've read my posts, but I have the same opinion of the NXG OS. It has great feel, great "grip" and ball pocketing, but the extreme HL balance hurts control on both the serve and the forehand.

I found it that I liked it better for all strokes when I added 10g of lead at the 3 and 9 positions (2 layers 5" long). But then I needed to increase the tension a bit. With that setup, it felt perfect with freshly strung Ashaway Crossfire II at 67 lbs. But then it got a little too powerful when the string got broken in, so I'd recommend 69 lbs if you want to try that weighting. The racquet is so naturally spin friendly that it responds well to higher tensions.

But if you really want to feel tennis bliss...

My current setup on the NXG OS is by far the best all-around performance racquet that I have ever used. I have a layer of lead all the way around the top 2/3 of the hoop, starting at the 4th cross-string from the bottom. And then I added another 1.5g at 12 (tuned to SW2). I've also removed the 4-g red silicone rubber cross-shaped insert from the butt, and added about 4g near the top of the grip. It's strung with well-broken-in Ashaway Crossfire II originally strung at 67 lbs and feels great - with unbelievable spin and control. The balance is now about 12.9" (the stock balance is about 12.375").

 

[Atkins]

Thanks travlerajm.

What's the use of the cross in the butt?. I thought it was just some PJ to enhance the air handle technology.

I did some calculations and I think I may need 11.5 grams at 12 to move the balance to 7pts HL (12.9").

I'm not sure how high I have to go with tension. I have them strung at 62lbs, thinking of using 67lbs.

By the way, where are your posts, everytime I go to the search engine (type prince NXG) it shows everything but the prince. Maybe I'm using it wrong.

 

[travlerajm]

Thanks travlerajm.

What's the use of the cross in the butt?. I thought it was just some PJ to enhance the air handle technology.

I did some calculations and I think I may need 11.5 grams at 12 to move the balance to 7pts HL (12.9").

I'm not sure how high I have to go with tension. I have them strung at 62lbs, thinking of using 67lbs.

By the way, where are your posts, everytime I go to the search engine (type prince NXG) it shows everything but the prince. Maybe I'm using it wrong.

I'd recommend distributing the weight the way I described - as long as you use a high takeback on groundstrokes, it won't take long to get used to the extra heft. Then you'll need to tune the SW2 swingweight by adjusting the amount of weight at 12. If it feels underpowered on groundstrokes, remove weight from 12 in 0.5g increments. If it feels overpowered, then add weight at 12 in 0.5g increments until the depth is perfect when you use a smooth fluid swing with high takeback.

 

[Ljubicic for number1]

I use the nxg os in stock form and reckon its the best all round racquet money can buy. Althought you have to get the stringing correct, "it is very string dependant" My perfect set up is Signum pro poly plasma at 63lbs.

I am waiting on my lead to arrive so I can try Travlers weighting system.

I am not to keen on removing the red silicon x though. do you really think this is a must?

 

[travlerajm]

I use the nxg os in stock form and reckon its the best all round racquet money can buy. Althought you have to get the stringing correct, "it is very string dependant" My perfect set up is Signum pro poly plasma at 63lbs.

I am waiting on my lead to arrive so I can try Travlers weighting system.

I am not to keen on removing the red silicon x though. do you really think this is a must?

I don't think removing the red x is a must. It just seemed to make my serve feel better when I lightened the butt a little to make it less HL. It didn't really affect the groundies much.

 

[Atkins]

travlerajm do you feel the frame stiffer with all the lead you put in?.

I don't have acces to lead, I have to wait until it arrives. So I will start increasing the tension and going for Poly. My main problem is power, I have the urge to lower it.

I used to play (17 years ago, I'm 34 now) with a PS 6.0 85 strung at 72-74lbs. Sometimes with the NXG I have the feeling I'm using a fisher's net or a badminton raquet (only in terms of how I feel the strings). The balance sometime feels odd, but adding lead to the hoop will help.

Once I have the lead I'll try travlerajm's setup.

Today I will try a MP.

 

[dman72]

I just got mine a few days ago as a birthday present. Can't wait to hit with it.

 

[Ljubicic for number1]

Atkins, I added 10gm's at 3 & 9 o'clock and it felt pretty good, but I only played 1 set on it so its to early to say for sure. I felt the same way as you about the stick until I strung it with Signum, it has totally transformed the racquet and has put it in the perfect power range.

I also tried some different weighting on my warrior OS with terrible results, seems the warrior plays best in stock form but feels a bit vunerable when trying to defend.

 

[Ljubicic for number1]

Ok played 4 sets today with the NXG and ended up removing the lead. feels better stock.

 

[Atkins]

Ljubicic for number1, today I played with the MP and it was awesome. It has the same solid feel, less power and you can feel the ball more. It feels stiffer, even though it has the same numbers as the OS. The balance was perfect, 9pts HL according to specifications. Everything went in and I was able to move the ball wherever I wanted. There was nothing I would have changed to that frame, stock form was awesome.

So now the big question is how to set up my OS to have the same feel as the MP.

Ljubicic for number1, how did it feel with the weight at 3 and 9?. What were you looking for?. I thought of adding lead to the 12 position, 11 to 12 grams to make it less HL (from 11pts HL to 7 pts HL). I don't have access to lead tape so I have to wait. I'm going to use higher tensions. I wonder how it would be to play with the mid, denser string pattern, heavier BUT more flexible.

 

[grizzly4life]

travelajm, and others,

a few questions,

how many oz or grams are those leaded up set-ups? my experience has been it's hard to get good racquet speed with heavy racquets and i'm a strong guy, althogh only an intermediate player.

is there any way to get extra weight out of the handle? TAJM, i think you'd mentioned it before.

confused as to whether i want higher or lower tension with this racquet.

also, would luxilon (sp?) big banger alu power be good for this racquet?

thanks in advance

 

[travlerajm]

travlerajm do you feel the frame stiffer with all the lead you put in?.

I don't have acces to lead, I have to wait until it arrives. So I will start increasing the tension and going for Poly. My main problem is power, I have the urge to lower it.

I used to play (17 years ago, I'm 34 now) with a PS 6.0 85 strung at 72-74lbs. Sometimes with the NXG I have the feeling I'm using a fisher's net or a badminton raquet (only in terms of how I feel the strings). The balance sometime feels odd, but adding lead to the hoop will help.

Once I have the lead I'll try travlerajm's setup.

Today I will try a MP.

You can make the frame flex more or less depending on where you add the lead. For example, adding lead at the top of the handle, in the throat area, or at 3 and 9 (anywhere near the middle) will tend to make the frame feel considerably stiffer. Adding the lead the way I have it now stiffens it a little, but not as much as if you add near the middle.

Also, if you increase the swingweight by adding lead, you'll need to string tighter to compensate for the added power (up to a swingweight of about 360). Increasing swingweight beyond 360 will start to reduce the power back down, so at a swingweight of 370 or so you can get by with the same tension that you like for the stock form.

Also, the setup that I'm using currently is very spin friendly and great for someone who likes to play a Federer-style or Nadal style of game.

If you prefer the classic feel of a tightly strung PS85, here's a setup that I liked with the NXG OS:

String 70 lbs with Ashaway Crossfire II. 12g of lead at 7.5" from the butt. And 10-12g at 3 and 9 (adjust to tune power level). This setup is great for a flat, powerful, James Blake style of game.

 

[Ljubicic for number1]

Atkins, At first it seemed good but on the second day I didnt like it, felt really solid but I couldnt get much spin and it felt like I couldnt produce much racquet head speed on groundies or serves. I still dont have my lead so I was using a substitute to weight with, hopefully my lead tape will arrive next week and I can test it properly.

I dont have high hopes for it though, seems like stock works best for me.

 

[travlerajm]

Atkins, At first it seemed good but on the second day I didnt like it, felt really solid but I couldnt get much spin and it felt like I couldnt produce much racquet head speed on groundies or serves. I still dont have my lead so I was using a substitute to weight with, hopefully my lead tape will arrive next week and I can test it properly.

I dont have high hopes for it though, seems like stock works best for me.

A rule of thumb: unless you want to go all the way to SW2, you would need to increase tension to compensate for the added power of any lead in the hoop.

 

[Ljubicic for number1]

A rule of thumb: unless you want to go all the way to SW2, you would need to increase tension to compensate for the added power of any lead in the hoop.

It didnt seem to be a power problem, it was a extremely flat shot problem either from me not being able to produce racquet head speed from the weight or from not having the high pro like back swing you talk of.

 

[Atkins]

String 70 lbs with Ashaway Crossfire II. 12g of lead at 7.5" from the butt. And 10-12g at 3 and 9 (adjust to tune power level). This setup is great for a flat, powerful, James Blake style of game.

Believe it or not, I've never seen James play.

travlerajm, once I have the lead I'll try the set up you recommended me, I have it all written down, I'm not sure if I will be able to get the Ashaway string, any thoughts of a similar one?.