Prince Phantom 100x / Something weird about the specs.

[abarth20]

Could stop my self from ordering a Prince Phantom 100x in 290 grams from TW to try it out...

But here is what gets a bit weird.
Phantom 100x seems to offer very similar power levels to Tweener racquets such as Pure Drive, FX500, Ezone100 etc.. How is this possible?

As far as I know, Phantom 100X has a thin beam and much softer RA compared to power racquets... Is there something off with TW Racquet Analyzer Tool?

And to all Phantom 100X users.. What kind of strings do you use @ what tension?

Thanks!

 

[tennis347]

Could stop my self from ordering a Prince Phantom 100x in 290 grams from TW to try it out...

But here is what gets a bit weird.
Phantom 100x seems to offer very similar power levels to Tweener racquets such as Pure Drive, FX500, Ezone100 etc.. How is this possible?

As far as I know, Phantom 100X has a thin beam and much softer RA compared to power racquets... Is there something off with TW Racquet Analyzer Tool?

And to all Phantom 100X users.. What kind of strings do you use @ what tension?

Thanks!

I owned the 100x 305 version for a couple of months and it was a fairly low powered frame that was very user-friendly. It did not have the power any where near a Babolat frame but much better comfort. I used Gosen Micro 16 at 52-53lbs and also added weight to the hoop but just couldn't gel with this frame as there was not enough stability. I am currently using the Phantom 2020 100P and it is a much better all around frame IMO with no customization needed.

 

[BallBasher247]

Could stop my self from ordering a Prince Phantom 100x in 290 grams from TW to try it out...

But here is what gets a bit weird.
Phantom 100x seems to offer very similar power levels to Tweener racquets such as Pure Drive, FX500, Ezone100 etc.. How is this possible?

As far as I know, Phantom 100X has a thin beam and much softer RA compared to power racquets... Is there something off with TW Racquet Analyzer Tool?

And to all Phantom 100X users.. What kind of strings do you use @ what tension?

Thanks!

The Phantom 100x is shown in the TWU tool to offer similar power to those rackets because they're measuring power potential of a racket based on how fast the ball released with a set speed travels after impacting the sweetspot of a racket with a certain swing speed, not accounting for depth. What's funny is that the power stats they show aren't consistent with what we consider as low-powered or high-powered rackets; for example, the Gravity Pro is just as powerful as a Babolat Pure Drive Tour according to lab tests.

Needless to say, don't worry about the power estimator. The Phantom 100x will play lower-powered and more controlled than the tweeners you just listed, just as a Gravity Pro would when compared to a Pure Drive Tour. I used the 100x 305 for a little bit; fantastic racket that has the best touch/feel I've felt in a racket aside from a Pro Staff 85 a friend let me hit with. I also switched to the Phantom 100P, since it has much of the touch/feel of the 100x while offering more plow through. As of now, it's between the 100P and a customized Diadem Elevate I'm testing atm.

 

[Papa Mango]

Could stop my self from ordering a Prince Phantom 100x in 290 grams from TW to try it out...

But here is what gets a bit weird.
Phantom 100x seems to offer very similar power levels to Tweener racquets such as Pure Drive, FX500, Ezone100 etc.. How is this possible?

As far as I know, Phantom 100X has a thin beam and much softer RA compared to power racquets... Is there something off with TW Racquet Analyzer Tool?

And to all Phantom 100X users.. What kind of strings do you use @ what tension?

Thanks!

It is definitely not the same power level as any of the listed rackets, more of a low powered control oriented stick.
But as the other posters have said very user friendly.
Bear in mind both the 290 and to a lesser extent the 305 have a little flutter at the top of the hoop IMHO.
Easily fixed with a little lead tape at 10/2.

 

[abarth20]

I owned the 100x 305 version for a couple of months and it was a fairly low powered frame that was very user-friendly. It did not have the power any where near a Babolat frame but much better comfort. I used Gosen Micro 16 at 52-53lbs and also added weight to the hoop but just couldn't gel with this frame as there was not enough stability. I am currently using the Phantom 2020 100P and it is a much better all around frame IMO with no customization needed.

Yes, I have noticed a slight stability issue with the 290 as well on my first try today. But it was super whippy and fast trough the air.

 

[abarth20]

It is definitely not the same power level as any of the listed rackets, more of a low powered control oriented stick.
But as the other posters have said very user friendly.
Bear in mind both the 290 and to a lesser extent the 305 have a little flutter at the top of the hoop IMHO.
Easily fixed with a little lead tape at 10/2.

I was planning to add to 3 & 9 on my 290. Is it better to add to 10/2?

 

[BallBasher247]

I was planning to add to 3 & 9 on my 290. Is it better to add to 10/2?

Yes. For the Phantom 100x line, both the 290 and the 305, Prince made the rackets with a high (about 14.5) twist weight but low swingweight. When I used the 100x 305, I found it to be very torsionally stable for 305 grams unstrung, but lacking plow through, or in other words, upper hoop stability/mass. This is because Prince concentrated their weight in the hoop at 3 and 9 and in the lower hoop, and put very little weight at the top of the hoop. Lead at 10 and 2 (or 10.5/1.5—barely past the ATS on either side) on these frames does the best job of increasing stability and plow through at the top of the hoop while maintaining maneuverability and a manageable swingweight.

 

[Papa Mango]

I was planning to add to 3 & 9 on my 290. Is it better to add to 10/2?

Yes. For the Phantom 100x line, both the 290 and the 305, Prince made the rackets with a high (about 14.5) twist weight but low swingweight. When I used the 100x 305, I found it to be very torsionally stable for 305 grams unstrung, but lacking plow through, or in other words, upper hoop stability/mass. This is because Prince concentrated their weight in the hoop at 3 and 9 and in the lower hoop, and put very little weight at the top of the hoop. Lead at 10 and 2 (or 10.5/1.5—barely past the ATS on either side) on these frames does the best job of increasing stability and plow through at the top of the hoop while maintaining maneuverability and a manageable swingweight.

As @BallBasher247 said, I don't think lead @ 3/9 makes much of a diff with the 100X. It is plenty stable there.
But 10/2 does open up the racket and reduces the flutter. But it's lead tape so you can try it wherever you want to see which spot works for you.

Here is how the tape is situated on mine:

'

 

[abarth20]

Thank you for all the help guys. I really appreciate it.

Should I be adding some weight to the handle to keep the headlight nature of Phantom? Otherwise I'm scared that it might get head heavy.

 

[BallBasher247]

Thank you for all the help guys. I really appreciate it.

Should I be adding some weight to the handle to keep the headlight nature of Phantom? Otherwise I'm scared that it might get head heavy.

You've got a 290 Phantom 100x? With that, you're already at around 306-308g strung, or around 312g with an overgrip if the racket is on spec. I'd start by adding around 4 grams of lead at 10 and 2. Then I'd add 5 grams of weight (you can use a nickel, which weighs exactly 5 grams, or bluetac, or a 5 gram weight of some type) under the buttcap of the racket, which should get you up to around 320-322g with a roughly 32.5 to 32.6cm balance and a swingweight of around 324-327.

 

[Papa Mango]

You've got a 290 Phantom 100x? With that, you're already at around 306-308g strung, or around 312g with an overgrip if the racket is on spec. I'd start by adding around 4 grams of lead at 10 and 2. Then I'd add 5 grams of weight (you can use a nickel, which weighs exactly 5 grams, or bluetac, or a 5 gram weight of some type) under the buttcap of the racket, which should get you up to around 320-322g with a roughly 32.5 to 32.6cm balance and a swingweight of around 324-327.

Hahaha .. you wrote down the mods on my racket exactly except I have a leather grip on there too...Although the TW leather grip did not add any weight for me
So I am 320gm 6-7pts HL, no idea on SW.

 

[BallBasher247]

Hahaha .. you wrote down the mods on my racket exactly except I have a leather grip on there too...Although the TW leather grip did not add any weight for me
So I am 320gm 6-7pts HL, no idea on SW.

TW leather grip is primarily for more feel/connection from the racket; it's not really there to bee free racket's recoil weight up like most thicker leathers are. It should still add around 5 grams to the racket...did you add a weight under the buttcap and still get 320 grams? Since you've already added the weight and other mods, playtest the racket before doing anything else.

 

[Papa Mango]

TW leather grip is primarily for more feel/connection from the racket; it's not really there to bee free racket's recoil weight up like most thicker leathers are. It should still add around 5 grams to the racket...did you add a weight under the buttcap and still get 320 grams? Since you've already added the weight and other mods, playtest the racket before doing anything else.

Yes I was a little surprised too that TW leather did not add any weight. Bought new grips with the racket and usually they do add 6-8 gms. But this time they were 290 with whatever original grip and 290 after TW leather. I was not planning on adding any lead in the butt but since leather didn't add any ended up adding the 5 grams as lead.
I am very happy with the rackets have been hitting with them for 3 months. They pack a bigger punch than my mostly unmodded 305 but in a lighter package.

Edit : just checked I ordered the 1.3mm TW leather this time as I wanted to keep the size as small as possible instead of 1.5mm I usually get. That might be the weight difference .

 

[jmacdaununder2]

As @BallBasher247 said, I don't think lead @ 3/9 makes much of a diff with the 100X. It is plenty stable there.
But 10/2 does open up the racket and reduces the flutter. But it's lead tape so you can try it wherever you want to see which spot works for you.

Here is how the tape is situated on mine:

'

Like seeing those lead locations on a Prince; like a triple threat revival. (I'm traditionally more a 9 o'clock & 3 o'clock - with occasionally a little bit at 12 o'clock - kind of guy, but I've been experimenting/reinventing the wheel lately due to wall hitting being my only tennis during COVID.)

 

[Demented]

I moved from a Phantom 100 O3 to a 100x O3.. it definitely has more pop but nothing like a tweener. I think it's on par with a Tour 100T. My ground strokes are noticeably deeper and I've played some of my best tennis with it.

 

[Papa Mango]

Like seeing those lead locations on a Prince; like a triple threat revival. (I'm traditionally more a 9 o'clock & 3 o'clock - with occasionally a little bit at 12 o'clock - kind of guy, but I've been experimenting/reinventing the wheel lately due to wall hitting being my only tennis during COVID.)

Yup, me is a traditional 3/9 guy too, but with these phantoms that did absolutely nothing while 10/2 completely changed the feel and opened up the sweet spot for me.
I have since added a tad .5 gms at 12 too.
So are you finally beating the wall or is it still the pusher it used to be?

 

[Papa Mango]

I moved from a Phantom 100 O3 to a 100x O3.. it definitely has more pop but nothing like a tweener. I think it's on par with a Tour 100T. My ground strokes are noticeably deeper and I've played some of my best tennis with it.

Agree whole heartedly, the phantoms and I am including the 100P's as well are basically very control oriented frames with a little (ok a good bit of) pop.
Since I can pretty much put the ball where I want with these frames, my style has also changed where I am not trying to bash a winner every short ball but can easily work/construct a point.

 

[liftordie]

For those who switched from the 100X to 100P: are you still using the 100P?

 

[Demented]

I went from the 100 O3>100x O3>100G LB. It's taken me 9 months to acclimate to the 28 inch P style frame with the high swing weight. I've almost given up on it twice but I've finally developed enough arm to swing it right. I've noticed that it's really forced me to focus on better footwork and technique because I can't use my wrist to make up for mistakes.

 

[liftordie]

I went from the 100 O3>100x O3>100G LB. It's taken me 9 months to acclimate to the 28 inch P style frame with the high swing weight. I've almost given up on it twice but I've finally developed enough arm to swing it right. I've noticed that it's really forced me to focus on better footwork and technique because I can't use my wrist to make up for mistakes.

What was the problem with the O3 100X?

 

[Demented]

I'm just 5'9" with fairly short arms. I convinced myself that I needed more leverage for my 2 handed backhand. My main issue off both wings was that I felt that I was putting too much loft under my shots and not driving them like I wanted to. I have before and after video that could demonstrate the difference. My original ball lofted high came down midway through the box and kind of sat up letting better players attack it. With the extra length and weight, my ball now comes in much closer to the baseline and drives through the bounce.