So I demo'd all 4 Phantom's back in the Spring, and decided I liked the Pro 100 and the 100p the best, but I didn't like everything about either of them. So about 2 weeks ago I decided to buy one of each, and I paid extra to have TW bring the swingweight of the Pro 100 up to the same as the 100p, because one of my big complaints from demo'ing the Pro 100 is that it really lacked plowthrough and my arm got pretty tired trying to generate the heavy spin I'm used to playing with in my game. My biggest complaint about the 100p is that it felt harsh on off-center hits. I was told it improved quite a bit in that regard when strung at lower tension, so I bought one of each to experiment with. According to the specs TW sent me with the order, the SW and static weight of the Pro 100 and the 100p were identical after customizing the Pro 100 SW to match the 100p.
So, fast forward to today. If I thought that the Pro 100 and the 100p would play similar at identical SW and static weight (and same headlight balance), boy, was I wrong! Being as I have a very sensitive elbow, but also greatly benefit from full poly for my topspin groundstroke game, and because neither of these frames are high powered, I had TW string up both racquets at identical tension of 33x29 with a full bed of Volkl Cyclone 17. I've played very low tension full poly in several racquets, and based on those experiences, I was expecting major ball pocketing and major spin with the 33x29 Cyclone 17 set-up. However, that did not turn out to be the case. I was disappointed in the amount of ball pocketing feel in both racquets, and while spin was *good*, it wasn't amazing like I've experienced with some other poly strings at very low tension in other racquets. Despite the low tension, I got adequate control when I put spin on the ball, though I did sail some that I hit more or less flat. The one area where both racquets fell flat with this set-up was on serve. Despite the low tension, I couldn't get any power with the Pro 100 on 1st serves, though I was able to generate some good kick 2nd serves. I was able to get a little more power with the Pro 100 at low tension, but I didn't feel it improved much in the plowthrough and stability department. The 100p was a little better on 1st serves because of the heft, but *because* of the heft, I can't generate as much racquet head speed with the 100p as I can with the Pro 100. My first serves were more solid with the 100p, but I couldn't generate the good kick on 2nd serves like I could with the Pro 100. First serves with the 100p actually hurt my shoulder a bit. My elbow felt pretty good after an almost 2 hour match alternating between both racquets, and that was a positive development!
Since I felt both frames were lacking in the serve department with the full Cyclone set-up at 33x29, I decided to cut it out in both and re-string with a Gut/Poly hybrid. So, early this week I re-strung the Pro 100 with Babolat Tonic Ball Feel at 40 in the mains and Gosen G-Tour 3 17 (soft poly recommended to me by TW) at 25 in the crosses. I also added 4 total grams of lead at 3/9 and 2 total in the throat, which brought the static weight up to 334 grams if I remember correctly, making the Pro 100 heavier than the 100p, in both static weight and SW. I played doubles with it last night, and I don't know if it was the low tension Gut/Poly hybrid, or the added lead, but I did feel it had significantly improved plowthrough and stability when I played with it last night. The stringbed felt more muted and I think a little more comfy than the full Cyclone, and honestly I felt it had as much or more pocketing and just as good of spin. Did have a little more power and I sailed some flat balls way long, but as long as I brushed up on it good, it was very controllable. 1st serves were also much improved.
I re-strung the Pro 100p with the same Gut/Poly hybrid, but at 45/30, since the 100p has noticeably more power (to me) than the Pro 100. I did feel that the new string job improved on the jarring effect of shots outside the sweet spot that I have experienced with this racquet. When I hit it solidly in the sweet spot, it feels like a thunderbolt shooting off my racquet, but previously, hitting outside the SS was pretty harsh. It did improve with the Gut/Poly. I definitely felt it still wasn't as maneuverable for me as the Pro 100, though, even with the Pro 100 being heavier, having a higher SW, and being more head heavy with the modifications/added lead. I was getting a little more spin with the Pro 100 because it just was a little "whippier". I was definitely late on some shots with the 100p, just like I was back when I demo'd it with a full bed of multi. Still had some shoulder discomfort serving with the 100p, though elbow felt good again after playing last night, alternating between both racquets.
When making solid contact in the sweet spot on both racquets, I prefer the 100p. But from an overall playability standpoint, I currently more prefer the (customized) Pro 100. I probably should play a few matches with just the Pro 100, and with just the 100p to see what I think. Might be able to get used to the heft of the 100p.
Both racquets feel different to me on impact. With the Pro 100, I can feel more flex in the *racquet*. With the 100p, I feel the racquet flexing less but I feel more pocketing in the strings. I prefer the feel of pocketing in the strings rather than the racquet flexing, but time will tell which is more comfy on my arm. I tried a full bed of Prince Tour XP 17 poly in a Prince 03 Speedport Black (which is a stiff racquet with ports) at 37x33 and the pocketing, spin and control were all amazing, but once the mains started notching after about 2 hours of play, it was no longer comfy on my arm. I might try a similar set-up in these 2 Phantom's and see if the "comfy" life of the set-up is longer than 2 hours for my elbow, because I can't justify re-stringing that often. The ball pocketing feel of the Tonic/Gosen set-up in both racquets was ok, but nothing real noticeable.