Prince Phantom 100x 305 user exploring new racquets

[Dreamwalker]

I’ve been a Phantom 100x 305 (16x19) user for 2 years and am considering a switch. I really do like this racquet for its arm-friendliness (got tennis elbow from previous racquet), maneuverability, spin, slice, and control. However, I still struggle with pace from harder hitters, stability on volleys/returns, and wouldn’t mind a slight bit more free power while not losing too much control.

I’ve experimented with tungsten tape multiple times (at 12, 10/2, and 3/9) which helped somewhat but always took away from other areas that I really like so I ended up removing it each time.

So after some research I’ve found these 4 racquets that look interesting that I'm going to demo. Am I on the right track with these? Also, since I can only demo 3, which one would you skip?

* Yonex Ezone 100
* Head Speed MP 2022
* Technifibre TF40 315
* Yonex VCore Pro 100

About me
* 3.5 (possibly 4.0 on good day)
* Eastern forehand with moderate topspin; 2 handed backend
* Mostly play from baseline; trying to improve/incorporate net game
* Use full Volkl Cyclone 17 at 50lb

 

[Trip]

@Dreamwalker - Welcome to TT. Fellow 4.0 here who still has two P100X 305's in the closet. I've clocked about 50 hours on court with them, so I know where you're coming from pretty well. That said, I could never quite find a place for them in my bag, as I found them just too buzzy (a lot of low-grade vibration on contact) and too floppy in the hoop, even with lead. Just didn't mesh for me. On the plus side, the feel was excellent, the sweet spot was accommodating without being vague, spin was ample and control was good for a 100" frame.

Here are the qualities I'd focus on in a transition frame:
- Head Size: 98 to 100 -- best control/power balance
- Weight: +/- 10g, so 295-315g unstrung
- String Pattern: semi-dense 16-mains or open 18-mains for a enough control on flatter strikes, while still allowing enough spin
- Flex: medium to medium-firm (~63RA to ~66RA) for better punch/"thud factor"
- Feel: more direct/raw, less muted -- as that's what you're used to
- Beam Profile: At least 21mm thick, for adequate free power and stroke cradling
- Balance: at least 4pts HL strung, or more, as that's what you're used to (P100X 305 is 6pts HL strung stock)
- Swing Weight: nothing below 310 strung, so you don't have to customize too much, and under 330

All of the above considered, here's what I'd look at (alphabetical by brand):
- Babolat Pure Aero 100
- Dunlop CX 400 Tour
- Head Gravity MP (w/ handle + hoop lead), Radical MP, Speed MP (w/ maybe .5-1g lead @ 9 & 3, 1-2g lead @ 12), Speed Pro
- Prince ATS Tour 100P
- ProKennex Kinetic Pro 5G (w/ 2-3g lead @ 12)
- (borderline) Tecnifibre TF40 16x19, 315 w/ hoop lead, 305 w/ handle & hoop lead
- Wilson Blade 100 v8, Pro Staff Six.One 100 v14, Pro Staff X v14
- Yonex EZone 98, maybe EZone 100, VCore Pro 100

You're bound to get recommended higher-level pleeners such as the VCore 95, Blade 98, Pro Staff 97, WhiteOut 18x20, etc. but for the 3.5-to-4.0 level, IMHO they'll be more demanding and/or unforgiving than they are beneficial, so I'd ignore that stuff, and stick with only the easiest-playing 98's/99's, otherwise 100's (on that note, I'd consider the TF40 to be on the fringe). I've also ignored too open string patterns (VCore 100, WhiteOut 16x19, Diadem Elevate) or too muted in feel (Head Boom, Pure Strikes, Dunlop FX).

For an initial three demos, I'd try the Prince ATS Tour 100P or Head Gravity MP (customized), then a Wilson Six.One 100 v14 and one of the Yonex's, perhaps the VCore Pro 100 first.

Hope that helps! Any questions, feel free.

 

[curtstead]

@Dreamwalker just chiming in to say @Trip is an invaluable resource, gives awesome advice.

That’s all! Carry on!

 

[ey039524]

You have a tough situation bc you've had elbow issues but you want more power, which usually equates to a stiffer racket.

Moving to a hybrid string setup would give you more power w/o aggravating the arm issues. You could start w cyclone crossed w a multi or gut. Would also give more feel around the net.

 

[Dreamwalker]

@Trip Thank you so much for the thoughtful and detailed reply. There's several racquets you listed that I had not considered but will look into more.

One quick question: for either of the Ezone's, should I be concerned about arm issues or are they relatively arm friendly?

 

[Trip]

@Dreamwalker - Very welcome. As for the EZones, most players tend to call them arm-friendly (~72% per the '22 EZone 98 thread), but it's one of those frames that's just stiff/crisp enough that you may need to put in softer string beds that you otherwise might with a lower-flex frame. The same goes for the 2023 Pure Aero; it's still a crisp/raw Babolat, despite the lower flex this time around. So working things like super-soft polys (Cyclone Tour 16, MSV Focus Hex +38, Signum Pro Thunderstorm), poly/syn-gut or poly/nat-gut hybrids with those frames would probably be a good idea if you're concerned about too much shock/load on the arm.

Hope that helps again.

 

[legcramp]

My lady uses the 100x 295g, I have the speed mp 2022/clash 100 pro v1.

Either the speed mp 2022 or the clash 100 would give you more power and are also arm-friendly. Both of these play fairly similar to me and would give you that extra heft for heavy incoming balls compared to the 100x which at stock form felt kinda tin-canny. I don't know about the Ezone 100 at 67 ra though, the Speed MP is only 62 ra and it's soft enough for me.

The speed mp is my main stick and it does everything right for me.

 

[element070]

@Dreamwalker - Welcome to TT. Fellow 4.0 here who still has two P100X 305's in the closet. I've clocked about 50 hours on court with them, so I know where you're coming from pretty well. That said, I could never quite find a place for them in my bag, as I found them just too buzzy (a lot of low-grade vibration on contact) and too floppy in the hoop, even with lead. Just didn't mesh for me. On the plus side, the feel was excellent, the sweet spot was accommodating without being vague, spin was ample and control was good for a 100" frame.

Here are the qualities I'd focus on in a transition frame:
- Head Size: 98 to 100 -- best control/power balance
- Weight: +/- 10g, so 295-315g unstrung
- String Pattern: semi-dense 16-mains or open 18-mains for a enough control on flatter strikes, while still allowing enough spin
- Flex: medium to medium-firm (~63RA to ~66RA) for better punch/"thud factor"
- Feel: more direct/raw, less muted -- as that's what you're used to
- Beam Profile: At least 21mm thick, for adequate free power and stroke cradling
- Balance: at least 4pts HL strung, or more, as that's what you're used to (P100X 305 is 6pts HL strung stock)
- Swing Weight: nothing below 310 strung, so you don't have to customize too much, and under 330

All of the above considered, here's what I'd look at (alphabetical by brand):
- Babolat Pure Aero 100
- Dunlop CX 400 Tour
- Head Gravity MP (w/ handle + hoop lead), Radical MP, Speed MP (w/ maybe .5-1g lead @ 9 & 3, 1-2g lead @ 12), Speed Pro
- Prince ATS Tour 100P
- ProKennex Kinetic Pro 5G (w/ 2-3g lead @ 12)
- (borderline) Tecnifibre TF40 16x19, 315 w/ hoop lead, 305 w/ handle & hoop lead
- Wilson Blade 100 v8, Pro Staff Six.One 100 v14, Pro Staff X v14
- Yonex EZone 98, maybe EZone 100, VCore Pro 100

You're bound to get recommended higher-level pleeners such as the VCore 95, Blade 98, Pro Staff 97, WhiteOut 18x20, etc. but for the 3.5-to-4.0 level, IMHO they'll be more demanding and/or unforgiving than they are beneficial, so I'd ignore that stuff, and stick with only the easiest-playing 98's/99's, otherwise 100's (on that note, I'd consider the TF40 to be on the fringe). I've also ignored too open string patterns (VCore 100, WhiteOut 16x19, Diadem Elevate) or too muted in feel (Head Boom, Pure Strikes, Dunlop FX).

For an initial three demos, I'd try the Prince ATS Tour 100P or Head Gravity MP (customized), then a Wilson Six.One 100 v14 and one of the Yonex's, perhaps the VCore Pro 100 first.

Hope that helps! Any questions, feel free.

Hi @Trip , was wondering if you had any experience with the Vcore pro 100 and speed mp and how they’d compare to the blade 100/phantom 100x 305 (these are my 2 current racquets).

Any other 100 sq in racquets you’d recommend from your list? I’ve tried the clash 100 which I wasn’t a huge fan of and gravity mp (only tried with some weight at 3/9) and ultimately found I liked the blade 100 the most out of the 3. Just curious to try some other racquets but I’d say nothing overly stiff due to some preexisting arm issues

 

[SackFeral]

I can speak to this pretty well. Was a 100x 305 user for a year, also strung with volkl cyclone, before switching for the same reasons (low stability and lack of free power). Also had the same concerns with arm friendliness so have stuck to mostly softer frames. I have tried 2022 Speed MP and Pro, 2021 Ezone 100, 2023 Vcore 95, 2023 Pure Aero, 360+ Gravity MP, Emerald Green Vcore Pro 97 310 and 330, Prince Twistpower 100x and 100x Tour.

Long story short there's probably a few here that would work for you:

The Speed MP fixes basically all of the issues of the Phantom 305, at the cost of some feel in the stringbed. Still super plush, great spin, definitely more pop. Still have one in my bag, only thing I struggled a little bit with was the very different grip shape to Prince rackets and the slightly less connected feel.

The twistpower 100 tour is what I'm using currently, was very very pleasantly surprised by the comfort considering the RA. It's foam filled, and the twisted throat probably does something similar to the Wilson Shift in terms of bending laterally that feels much, much softer than 66 RA or whatever it is.

Grew up playing 95's so tried the Vcore, bit muted but I think the 100 would work for you in terms of comfort. Same with the gravity MP but it has similar issues as the phantom. The Pure Aero was really nice and comfortable, but again mostly due to a very dampened feel like the new Yonex rackets.

The only one I'd avoid is the Ezone 100. Only racket I've ever used that wrecked my wrist, and it did it in about 3 weeks. Was gutted because I played well with it (used to be a DR 98 user), but tried multiple strings, low tension etc. I would avoid if you have wrist problems.

Tried all of these rackets with at least Cyclone 16g and some other solinco string, either hyper g or confidential.

 

[element070]

I can speak to this pretty well. Was a 100x 305 user for a year, also strung with volkl cyclone, before switching for the same reasons (low stability and lack of free power). Also had the same concerns with arm friendliness so have stuck to mostly softer frames. I have tried 2022 Speed MP and Pro, 2021 Ezone 100, 2023 Vcore 95, 2023 Pure Aero, 360+ Gravity MP, Emerald Green Vcore Pro 97 310 and 330, Prince Twistpower 100x and 100x Tour.

Long story short there's probably a few here that would work for you:

The Speed MP fixes basically all of the issues of the Phantom 305, at the cost of some feel in the stringbed. Still super plush, great spin, definitely more pop. Still have one in my bag, only thing I struggled a little bit with was the very different grip shape to Prince rackets and the slightly less connected feel.

The twistpower 100 tour is what I'm using currently, was very very pleasantly surprised by the comfort considering the RA. It's foam filled, and the twisted throat probably does something similar to the Wilson Shift in terms of bending laterally that feels much, much softer than 66 RA or whatever it is.

Grew up playing 95's so tried the Vcore, bit muted but I think the 100 would work for you in terms of comfort. Same with the gravity MP but it has similar issues as the phantom. The Pure Aero was really nice and comfortable, but again mostly due to a very dampened feel like the new Yonex rackets.

The only one I'd avoid is the Ezone 100. Only racket I've ever used that wrecked my wrist, and it did it in about 3 weeks. Was gutted because I played well with it (used to be a DR 98 user), but tried multiple strings, low tension etc. I would avoid if you have wrist problems.

Tried all of these rackets with at least Cyclone 16g and some other solinco string, either hyper g or confidential.

Thanks for the recommendations! Definitely interested in trying out the Twistpower which I hadn't considered

 

[loosegroove]

Coming from the Phantom 100X 305, the Vcore 98 is definitely worth a look. Falls in line with what you’re accustomed to with its more headlight balance, wide hoop shape that plays bigger than its specs suggest, and similar swingweight. Plus it still has a low RA, but a few points stiffer and with a thicker beam width, to address some of that stability and free power. I only got in a short demo, but as a 100X user, it was very easy to just pick up and play.

 

[Donuts & Deadlifts]

Coming from the Phantom 100X 305, the Vcore 98 is definitely worth a look. Falls in line with what you’re accustomed to with its more headlight balance, wide hoop shape that plays bigger that its specs suggest, and swingweight. Plus it still has a low RA, but a few points stiffer and with a thicker beam width, to address some of that stability and free power. I only got in a short demo, but as a 100X user, it was very easy to just pick up and play.

2nd this!!! I've been a long time 100X 305 user that recently switched to the new VCore 98. Definitely have enjoyed the more stability and a little extra power on defense.

 

[loosegroove]

2nd this!!! I've been a long time 100X 305 user that recently switched to the new VCore 98. Definitely have enjoyed the more stability and a little extra power on defense.

I love when people corroborate my findings so I know that I’m not ALWAYS talking out of my behind…just sometimes.

 

[jimmy8]

Boom MP is worth a demo, it will give you some extra power but still be controlled. Speed MP is worth a demo. You might need some lead tape in both.

Vcore pro 100 has very low power. Probably won't fit your needs. TF40 is very low powered.

 

[kahlua]

I played with 100X 305 for several years with shoulder issues. I also found it lacking in stability and power so I demo'd many rackets and settled on Head Extreme Tour but I really I wasn't ready for it. So then I played with ProKennex Ki Q+ Tour with lead in the hoop. I found that I liked the thin beam that was similar with the 100X. It was an incremental change, gave some extra pop with the comfort for my shoulder. After my shoulder healed and I improved my technique, then I was able to go back to the Head Extreme Tour. I'm still playing with softer poly strings.

 

[Trip]

@element070 - Sorry for the delay. I haven't hit the VCP 100 or Blade 100 v8, but I own the VCP 97 and 97D and have hit the Blade 98 v8, so based on that, I would say both the VCP 100 and Blade 100 v8 would be a step in the right direction away from the 100X 305 in terms of stability and free-power. Comfort would be very similar between the two, with perhaps a slightly edge to the VCP 100 due to slightly more pocketing/flex and dampening in the handle. The Blade will offer a bit better feel, though, as it's less muted and the grip pallet is fused to the frame.

Others to consider:
- Tecnifibre TF40 315 16x19 - Certainly worth keeping on your shortlist. Excellent feel. Slightly low powered but more stable than the 100X 305 for sure, especially with a bit of lead at 12.
- Head Speed MP - very universal, semi-open 16x19 string pattern, slightly muted but nice feel, a bit better for swipier strokes than the VCP 100 perhaps
- Prince ATS Tour 98 & 100P - I would definitely give one or both a try. The 100P is one of the ultimate 2HBH racquets that is also very maneuverable, given its stock 7pt HL strung balance. Supremely well-balanced stick.
- ProKennex Ki Q+ 5 -- the 100" 16x20 strikes a very nice balance of control/spin/power, and don't be put off by the 65RA; the moveable mass tech effectively turns that into a low 60's feeling, at the most, while you still retain the benefit of a bit of extra bludgeoning force from the slightly firmer flex. The only potentially issue is the stock balance and swing weight are 3pts HL and 329, but if a more hoop-based, weighty feel is right in your wheelhouse, then I'd say it would definitely be worth a try.

I think between those six, you could have quite the playoff for a successor. Do keep us posted on how you proceed.

 

[Trinity110]

My main racquets for the past three years have been the Phantom 100X 305. I was undecided for a while and had leaned toward the 100P, but the 100X gave me increased racquet head speed that beat the bigger plow through of the 100P (even though their specs are not radically different.

It is probably the best all around racquet I have used, which for me meant that my volley ability went through the roof. But I rarely felt connected on the serve. Which shouldn't matter for me, because I mostly train 3 times/week, and only play when my son is in town, once or twice a year. But restless hearts, right?

So I tried the ATS Tour 98 and 100 and loved them both. More racquet head speed with the 100, more plow through with the 98. Slightly different launch angles. I went with the 98, because I loved how when I was compromised (read: didn't get back quite far enough quickly enough) as long as I got the 98 on the ball it was over the net. Firm response. For both of them, the serve was better. I was out today and served about 150 balls, and I don't even feel the racquet; it feels like I am throwing a baseball, the racquet just follows. Interesting fact, it's swingweight and static weight are both within 1 g of my 305X!

So far, the head dips a bit on volleys, but my one coach is at Wimbledon working, and that's who I will get the most work on them with. I think they will be fine.

So that's me. YMMV, but I would give either the 98 or 100 a demo. Good luck