Toby14
Semi-Pro
One of the most powerful racquets I played, and also according to TWU database is the POGOS or POG107 with a powerlevel of 700 - so I am sceptical about these power numbers.
Prince Phantom
- Thread starter joekapa
- Start date
In fairness, I think Prince intends them to be used as a loose guide to compare within the brand. But I do agree - the numbers can be misleading and don’t necessarily bear out, depending for example on the player or how the racquet is set up.
Dartagnan64
Legend
I think within the Phantom line they bear out reasonably well. I know that I'm stringing different tensions in my 100 ported, 100 18x20 and my 93P (55/50, 54/48 and 50/45 in a gut/poly hybrid).
I never paid attention to the numbers before but now that I see them, it fits with how I ended up stringing my rackets.
I agree with the further comments on this for the Phantoms. To your point the POG 2013 (which I believe you are referring to) is a monster in power according to TU, and seems so in my experience. I have also felt the PP100P is the biggest pop of the Phantoms.
Capulin Zurdo
Hall of Fame
(Well, I acquired a Phantom during the memorial day sale at TW for an absolute bargain)
This is the first Prince racquet that I've throughly gotten to hit with. The paint job/ paint scheme is simple and sleek, and the overall aesthetic of the shape/mould of the frame is pleasing; the thin beam looks cool. Despite its specs, it feels a bit heftier than I was anticipating. Now, hitting with it is a great experience. It feels plush, stable yet it swings hefty while moving through the contact zone quickly. It feels so good in hand, man, I'm even more tempted by Prince's other offerings.
This is the first Prince racquet that I've throughly gotten to hit with. The paint job/ paint scheme is simple and sleek, and the overall aesthetic of the shape/mould of the frame is pleasing; the thin beam looks cool. Despite its specs, it feels a bit heftier than I was anticipating. Now, hitting with it is a great experience. It feels plush, stable yet it swings hefty while moving through the contact zone quickly. It feels so good in hand, man, I'm even more tempted by Prince's other offerings.
I have sworn to end my racquetholism last year with the phantom 100p. Now my wife has offered to buy me a new racquet for my birthday so technically I am not buying it. The phantom 100 was on the list given the main difference is the beam construction and RA. If I was to choose this it would be more of a homecoming gift as I was a previous exo3 tour user.
I'd ask for an Angell if the wife offers to buy me a new racquet...
JOSHL
Hall of Fame
The prince number is unstrung swingweight
Thrasher99
New User
Hi. I just wanted to thank everyone on this thread for their contributions. I started playing tennis again after a long break and developed really bad tennis elbow either from poor fitness or a rigid racket (Volkl Organix 8 - 315g) or both! I tried softer strings etc but no joy. I tried my son's Yonex DR100 but still had major issues. Then I found this thread....
So I bought a Phantom 100 as I gathered it was the last chance saloon for tennis players with TE. Wow! It's amazing. I can play pain free now. No icing for three days and eating brufen between games. It's like a miracle. Have strung it with Wilson Sensation 16 at 48 lbs. Plays beautifully. Will upgrade strings at some point to a thinner multi. Because it is so soft and forgiving I am no longer scared of taking marginal/risky shots as there is no vibration from mishits/framing. Just amazing.
As a racquet it plays beautifully - forehands are great, volleys beautifully, slices and chips amazingly, serves really well - flat and kick. Only weakness seems to be double handed backhand but am sure I will adapt in the coming weeks.
Once again thank you for your contributions, you all really helped me out.
So I bought a Phantom 100 as I gathered it was the last chance saloon for tennis players with TE. Wow! It's amazing. I can play pain free now. No icing for three days and eating brufen between games. It's like a miracle. Have strung it with Wilson Sensation 16 at 48 lbs. Plays beautifully. Will upgrade strings at some point to a thinner multi. Because it is so soft and forgiving I am no longer scared of taking marginal/risky shots as there is no vibration from mishits/framing. Just amazing.
As a racquet it plays beautifully - forehands are great, volleys beautifully, slices and chips amazingly, serves really well - flat and kick. Only weakness seems to be double handed backhand but am sure I will adapt in the coming weeks.
Once again thank you for your contributions, you all really helped me out.
liftordie
Hall of Fame
Thrasher99
New User
I purchased the Phantom 100 with O ports.
liftordie
Hall of Fame
Pretty sure that you can play with poly again with that frame!
Try Signum Pro X-perience 1.24 and Grapplesnake Alpha!
Thrasher99
New User
I actually demoed it with Tecnifibre Black Code and it was amazing. No matter how hard I hit the ball stayed in! Am tempted I have to admit.Pretty sure that you can play with poly again with that frame!
Try Signum Pro X-perience 1.24 and Grapplesnake Alpha!
liftordie
Hall of Fame
Yeah but Black Code is stiffer... Be careful!
Legend of Borg
G.O.A.T.
can anyone clear up what the difference is between the 100 Pro and the 100P Pro?
is it just beam width?
is it just beam width?
Grinch
New User
The P is slightly heavier (329 v 326), higher swing weight (329 v 320 ... not trivial), and a little stiffer (59 vs 55 RA). The beam is more traditional “box” or square beam, not as curvy (aerodynamic?) as the 100 Pro. The higher swingweight is what’s probably most noticeable to me as a lowly 4.0 hacker. Read the TW reviews for each and they lay out the differences well. What’s your current racket?If you play with an old dinosaur like me (PT280), and you don’t want much change, the P may feel mo betta. Demo demo both.
Legend of Borg
G.O.A.T.
i'm currently alternating between the Speed Pro 360 and the Pure Aero 2016
played with the Wilson 6.1 18x20 for 10 years though so i'm definitely used to old school rackets
the P version seemed to have almost all good reviews while other one had some issues
Grinch
New User
Why are you interested in a Phantom? ... quite a change from either the SpeedPro or PA, but especially the PA. Elbow or wrist issues?
PrinceMoron
Legend
Thrasher99
New User
Thanks @liftordie for your advice on polys. Seen your thread on the Signum string. Racket looks hot with green strings.
Because of my absolute joy of being able to play pain free I will probably stick with multis for the foreseeable future - will try NRG2 next.
Because of my absolute joy of being able to play pain free I will probably stick with multis for the foreseeable future - will try NRG2 next.
liftordie
Hall of Fame
I had also arm pain before starting playing with Phantom Pro 100. But the pain disappeared completely with Phantom. It was magic...
I started with multi like Tecnifibre HDX and Multifeel. Amazing multis!!
Then, after only one month, I tried Signum Pro X-perience in the Phantom and NO pain anymore!! I can absolutely confirm that the Phantom healed my arm!
And now I play with Prince O3 Tour 100 and Hyper-G without any pain.
Prince are the BEST frames after 40, to keep playing a lot at a good level without any arm problems. From wrist to shoulder. And with poly, of course!
Legend of Borg
G.O.A.T.
couple reasons
i've had chronic hand pain for the last several years and i think a softer racket is gonna help
the SpeedPro is already a softer racket than what i've been using before and i'm already feeling the difference
the Phantom is only gonna be more comfortable and soft
also a lot of the reviews i read basically called this racket the holy grail so i'm really curious what the noise is about
liftordie
Hall of Fame
Holy Grail when you have real injury and pain. For sure.
Legend of Borg
G.O.A.T.
on and off hand pain on the forehand side
playing with the PA past week hasnt done me any favors
Ronaldo
Talk Tennis Guru
Don't hate, those mushburger Prince ESP racquets allow pain-free play,
liftordie
Hall of Fame
I was also playing with old PA before Phantom... PA gave me real pain.
Phantom was a real cure for near 8 months.
Now I love so much my O3 Tour 100 with Hyper-G. I can play minimum 6/8 hours per week without any pain!
Prince saved my arm!
And I play the best tennis of my life with that delicious setup.
Legend of Borg
G.O.A.T.
now the big question for me is 100P Pro or just 100 Pro....I was also playing with old PA before Phantom... PA gave me real pain.
Phantom was a real cure for near 8 months.
Now I love so much my O3 Tour 100 with Hyper-G. I can play minimum 6/8 hours per week without any pain!
Prince saved my arm!
And I play the best tennis of my life with that delicious setup.
What's your opinion on the o3 ports? Many do not like the vague feel or claim that it is a useless technology which, in addition, troubles the stringers. As for myself, I do not feel disconnected from the ball, I find the sweet spot expanded and I can definitely swing very fast through the air.I was also playing with old PA before Phantom... PA gave me real pain.
Phantom was a real cure for near 8 months.
Now I love so much my O3 Tour 100 with Hyper-G. I can play minimum 6/8 hours per week without any pain!
Prince saved my arm!
And I play the best tennis of my life with that delicious setup.
Thrasher99
New User
I found the o3 ports to be fantastic. Yes there is a dampened feel but I did not personally find it as weird as many have. Further the softness on mishits, I am pretty sure is thanks to this feature. For me, the fact that I can open up my swing and not worry about extending my arm for fear of stressing it means I would pretty much put up with anything. It really has been a game changer for me. Am playing three times a week, about 8hrs in total with no pain or inflammation. Previously I could barely manage an hour every two weeks.
mhkeuns
Hall of Fame
Totally agree. I love the O3 ports. Not a gimmick like most racket techs.
liftordie
Hall of Fame
My opinion is the same as you.
I just can add that I have a great pro stringer (stringing at Roland Garros during the tournament) who can string O3 without any troubles! Fingers in the nose!!
What a fantastic feeling to hit with a Prince O3 strung with a good firm poly! Spin is crazy!!
And I would suggest to use only 16g and at the same tension main and cross, because there is really more string movement. O3's are string eaters!!
There are many options for stringing ported rackets, so if someone is willing to search and learn, it isn't a big issue. It has been some years since I play exclusively with 16g for durability issues as well as enhancing the heaviness of the ball I strike. As for the string movement, I agree with you (I tend to break the crosses first, which was not the case with other sticks), although I haven't experienced early breakage or a noticeable difference with the stringbed lifespan, in comparison with grommet-frames.
liftordie
Hall of Fame
Same.
JackStraw225
New User
I keep coming back to the PP100P. I've demo'd a bunch of racquets recently and the lack of touch and feel is so obvious with those. There is some magic in the thin-beam, flexy racquets, even if they don't provide the benefits of a more "modern" frame like free power, etc.
It's going to be hard for me to transition away from the Phantom line, especially if new options like a 97P are coming out soon...
It's going to be hard for me to transition away from the Phantom line, especially if new options like a 97P are coming out soon...
liftordie
Hall of Fame
Why not going back to your holy grail!
Prince Classic Graphite 100 (Edition spéciale) acheter en ligne | Tennis-Point
Classic Graphite 100 (Edition spéciale) - 109,95 € - Raquettes de tennis - Raquette de compétition - noir - 2. Couleur: vert - 3. Couleur: blanc - Tamis (cm²): 645 - Housse de raquette: Non - Plan de cordage: 16/18 - Profile (mm): 19 - Poids non cordée (gr): 315 - Longueur (mm): 686 -...
www.tennis-point.fr
mistapooh
Semi-Pro
Unfortunately, I'm in the USA and there aren't any retail stores selling them. I posted a wanted ad here though, so we'll see!Why not going back to your holy grail!
Prince Classic Graphite 100 (Edition spéciale) acheter en ligne | Tennis-Point
Classic Graphite 100 (Edition spéciale) - 109,95 € - Raquettes de tennis - Raquette de compétition - noir - 2. Couleur: vert - 3. Couleur: blanc - Tamis (cm²): 645 - Housse de raquette: Non - Plan de cordage: 16/18 - Profile (mm): 19 - Poids non cordée (gr): 315 - Longueur (mm): 686 -...
liftordie
Hall of Fame
They can ship to US.
mistapooh
Semi-Pro
They do actually! $166 shipped, might have to sit on this for a bit, but thank you for letting me know I have an option at least.
vantageboy
Rookie
Was ready to give up on my PHANTOM O PORT when i decided to try a little weight to help with stability and solid feel with power. 2 wraps at the butt cap of 1/2 " lead tape then 1 wrap at the top of the grip. I added 2" long 1/4" tape at 3/9. WOW is all i can say . Comfort , power and solid feel / elbow loving and to think i almost gave up on this frame.
His wife is an Angel for offering to buy him a racquet for his birthday!!