Pro Kennex Ace Station 105

[A_Instead]

I have been testing a few oversized lately.. Owned the Blade 104 V8 and CX 200 OS in the recent past... and just bought the new Pro Kennex Black Ace 105..(which is blue)
The PK is magnificent.. Massive ball with loads of control.. such a surprising racket..
Reminds me of a extended length Prince Textreme Tour 100 P.. but with more power and easier to use..

 

[Joxrox]

Hello A_Instead. Do you know the differences between the Pro Kennex Black Ace Pro 105 and the Pro Kennex KI15 the new White Blue one ?
I am up for that racket because i am playing with the Babolat Pure Aero Plus and it looks the KI is 27.5 the Black Ace 27.25 and the KI is a bit like 25 beam and the Black Ace 23.5 ?
Booth are 16x19 and 300g

Do you think about the Topspin with the BA105 ? and the Slice ?

 

[A_Instead]

IMO.. Pro Kennex naming conventions are ... well.. no need to say it .
I have not tried the other 2 you mentioned..
What I like about the black Ace 105 (blue)
But I have no issue with top spin or slice..
The Pure Aero+ is goat for that..
But I have much more control with the black Ace 105.. compared to the pure aero+.
Another good thing the black Ace 105 doesn't feel extended in a good way... but does offer some extra leverage with it's 27.25 length..

 

[BumElbow]

TW play tester Brittany posted that a review of the ProKennex Black Ace 105 will be available in 2-3 weeks.

 

[GregN]

I'm interested in these 104/105 frames as well. I currently have a couple of blade 104s but have been looking at other rackets in this category. I play with a lot of topspin on both sides so I would be interested to know which of these frames has the wider main string spacings and also which one in your opinion has the most power.

 

[A_Instead]

Pro Kennex has more string spacing and more power than Blade 104...
It's also more stable and has more control..

 

[GregN]

Thanks for the reply. It's an interesting category of rackets with Babolat and Head producing these style of frames as well. It would be great if someone would do a shootout/compare of these frames as I feel it's a market that is getting bigger and not a lot of reviews of these frames are available. I do like the blades but would be interested in some additional spin and power.

 

[A_Instead]

The swing weight of the Ace 105 is on the higher side compared to Blade 104 and CX200 is...so take that into consideration..
The extended length helps with pop and power..

 

[mikestar]

Agree with the above reviews. I will be selling my Black Ace Pros and my Black Ace 285/300/315s (which I still like a lot).

 

[A_Instead]

I do like my Black Ace 105 (blue)..
It's hits a very nice solid ball due to it's extra length and higher swing weight..
But I am having a tougher time adjusting to that higher swing weight than expected..

 

[mikestar]

I'd been mostly using the BA 315 so the weight change wasn't really noticeable to me.

 

[A_Instead]

It reminds me of the Blade Pro in terms the ball it produces..
But with the ease of the bigger head size.. with no less control..
Swing weight rules if you can swing them effectively with all your shots.

 

[atatu]

I do like my Black Ace 105 (blue)..
It's hits a very nice solid ball due to it's extra length and higher swing weight..
But I am having a tougher time adjusting to that higher swing weight than expected..

Did you give up on it because of the swing weight ?

 

[A_Instead]

It's just to different from what I am used too..RS300 which feels like a feather after a set of the PK BA 105..
I love the ball it produces and the easy depth..
It's so very solid..in terms of stability and ball response.
But I really don't want to take the time to adjust to it and use it in league matches..
If I don't sell it..I will keep it and use it from time to time..
Just like other rackets I have...

 

[BumElbow]

I do like my Black Ace 105 (blue)..
It's hits a very nice solid ball due to it's extra length and higher swing weight..
But I am having a tougher time adjusting to that higher swing weight than expected..

That's why I am thinking of buying the Black Ace 105 - because it's not too lightweight. I have bought lighter oversize racquets and find them to be unstable especially on volleys. Yes, it will be more to swing but the tradeoff of instability and shock to my arm from too light a racquet will not be an issue.

There is a niche for an oversize racquet that has a more traditional weight and balance. As much as I like my Black Ace 300, as a senior player I could use a slightly larger head size and a little more easy power. I am hoping the BA 105 fits those needs while still being easy on my arm.

 

[A_Instead]

The BA 105 (Blue) is not a typical oversized over standard length racket..
It's a player ish racket with a healthy swing weight and with mass.
Think Prince Textreme Tour 100P with a slightly bigger head (the extra space in the lower portion of the head) and an extra 4 1/4 in length..

 

[A_Instead]

TW video review is spot on.. nice review..
It's a destroyer racket.. that requires proper technique and timing.. but once you master it.. aces will come..

 

[BumElbow]

TW video review is spot on.. nice review..
It's a destroyer racket.. that requires proper technique and timing.. but once you master it.. aces will come..

The BA105 seems to be a similar but more refined racquet than my Prestige PWR which is too boardy and does not generate much spin. I think PK made it blue to signal that the BA105 competes with the Babolat Pure Drive 107 (and possibly the PD 100).

I really like my current racquet of choice - the Black Ace 300. But, as a senior player, it could use more power and a slightly larger string bed to reduce mishits. The BA 105 appears to be just what I am looking for!

 

[A_Instead]

The Black Ace blue is nothing like a pure drive 107, nor 100..
To me ... The ball it enables and feel is similar to the Vcore 98+. but in a bigger easier to use 105 Head size..
It's a player ish racket.. that produces a big ball with proper technique..

 

[longtimelurker]

Loved the phantom 107g but it was demanding on serves. Great doubles frame. I wander how the pk105 compares... it would have been great in a 21 or 22mm beam

 

[A_Instead]

Black Ace provides more pop and power..
To me the phantom 107 was an oversized ProStaff..

 

[BumElbow]

Loved the phantom 107g but it was demanding on serves. Great doubles frame. I wander how the pk105 compares... it would have been great in a 21 or 22mm beam

Agreed. A thinner 22, 22.5 or 23mm width beam would have been more in line with the original Black Ace models which were very flexible. The 23.5mm beam brings the RA up to 65 - that's 9 points higher / stiffer than my BA 300, a significant increase in stiffness.

 

[BPlain]

I'd been mostly using the BA 315 so the weight change wasn't really noticeable to me.

Thoughts on the BA 315? Anything you particularly liked or disliked? I’m playing the BAP right now but just ordered a BA 315 demo for the slightly thicker beam.

 

[mikestar]

Thoughts on the BA 315? Anything you particularly liked or disliked? I’m playing the BAP right now but just ordered a BA 315 demo for the slightly thicker beam.

Nice feel and control, plenty stable, adequate power, never a twinge in my elbow.

 

[GravitysElbow]

Nice feel and control, plenty stable, adequate power, never a twinge in my elbow.

Slightly off topic, but is there a significant difference between the Black Ace 285, 300 and 315 in terms of comfort? I would assume they get more comfortable as the weight increases, but is the 285 far behind?

It looks to have the same swingweight so I was thinking of trying it and perhaps adding weight to the handle for a lower balance point.

 

[BumElbow]

Nice feel and control, plenty stable, adequate power, never a twinge in my elbow.

Ditto for the BA 300 - never a twinge in my elbow. It's stable, decent power, very good control. Feel is lacking for me though. I will be trying a new string soon to see if that helps.

So far, I have not ordered a BA 105. There is a big difference in the RAs of the 300 and the 105. I've had issues with racquets with a 63 RA so I'm apprehensive about one with a 64 despite the kinetic system. However, I do want a racquet that has a 105 sq. inch headsize and the extra forgiveness from the larger hitting area may put it in the safe zone for me. Looks like I will need to playtest.

 

[tim-ay]

Ditto for the BA 300 - never a twinge in my elbow. It's stable, decent power, very good control. Feel is lacking for me though. I will be trying a new string soon to see if that helps.

So far, I have not ordered a BA 105. There is a big difference in the RAs of the 300 and the 105. I've had issues with racquets with a 63 RA so I'm apprehensive about one with a 64 despite the kinetic system. However, I do want a racquet that has a 105 sq. inch headsize and the extra forgiveness from the larger hitting area may put it in the safe zone for me. Looks like I will need to playtest.

I just ordered one for fun. You can’t really go by RA when judging PKs. The Kinetic mass thing really works. I think the doppio is 67 (?) And yet it’s very comfortable.
My bigger concern with this is the 16x19 in a 105. Sounds like a rocket launcher. But the TW review - they had cyclone in it at 53? Really WTF were they thinking. Cyclone is a launchy string anyway, but in that pattern. Blech.

I’ll probably start with Durafluxx and maybe try tour sniper, then black knight. My guess is Durafluxx will be a good fit.

 

[BumElbow]

I just ordered one for fun. You can’t really go by RA when judging PKs. The Kinetic mass thing really works. I think the doppio is 67 (?) And yet it’s very comfortable.
My bigger concern with this is the 16x19 in a 105. Sounds like a rocket launcher. But the TW review - they had cyclone in it at 53? Really WTF were they thinking. Cyclone is a launchy string anyway, but in that pattern. Blech.

I’ll probably start with Durafluxx and maybe try tour sniper, then black knight. My guess is Durafluxx will be a good fit.

Please post your thoughts on the 105 after you have played with it!

 

[tim-ay]

Please post your thoughts on the 105 after you have played with it!

Definitely will. I just love PK’s, I hit for a bit with a 7G today. If this is somewhere in the land between a BAP and a 7G, I’ll be pretty happy to have it.

 

[A_Instead]

Not a rocket launcher..

 

[tim-ay]

Not a rocket launcher..

Awesome. I liked your comments on it … most of my sticks are upwards of 325SW, so that part should not be a problem. If the control is decent, I’ll work this in on the clay

 

[A_Instead]

It's a somewhat demanding racket with it's higher swing weight and twist weight.
It's very solid...holds up to big hitting..

 

[asekaran]

Black Ace Pro is the first racquet I’ve hit in a while that has that old school feel in a lower static weight. Power is a little on the lower side, but man it plays great with a hybrid or even full multi/gut. I greatly preferred it over the plain BA 300.

Little upset that the 105 launched so soon after I picked up the pro without a chance to demo

 

[tim-ay]

Just put my initial thoughts in the Racketaholic thread: http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/diary-of-a-racketaholic.347887/post-16673983

Summary, this is a great frame.

 

[Chuonfood]

Anyone here hit with PD+ can compare it to the Black Ace 105?

 

[gold325]

Anyone here hit with PD+ can compare it to the Black Ace 105?

There is no real similarity between the two to even merit a comparison other than there is a lot of blue in both of them and they are both coolish tennis racquets

Trying to comparing a Extended "Arm Killer+" Tweener with a modern Players "Arm Saver+" Oversize would be a fools errand. So it is unlikely you will get any responses.

My vote goes to the Black Ace 105 (I have the Black Ace 300 myself)

 

[Chuonfood]

There is no real similarity between the two to even merit a comparison other than there is a lot of blue in both of them and they are both coolish tennis racquets

Trying to comparing a Extended "Arm Killer+" Tweener with a modern Players "Arm Saver+" Oversize would be a fools errand. So it is unlikely you will get any responses.

My vote goes to the Black Ace 105 (I have the Black Ace 300 myself)

As you can see they are very similar on paper. I would like to know if anyone hit with both preferably to compare the power, spin potential, control to one another.

 

[jangotango]

One of the Turatis (OHBH) is using the Ace Station 105. I am picking one up soon, fingers crossed.

 

[atatu]

I've switched to the Black Ace 105 as a "recovery racket" as my bicep and shoulder pain have recently become an issue. I demoed the racket for a week and ordered one which arrived yesterday. I'm having it strung with ghostwire 19g around 52lbs and will hit with it on Saturday, might add a leather grip as well.

 

[mikef]

I just got a Black Ace 105 and hit with it for the first time today but it rattled on every shot unless I hit the sweetspot bang on - is that normal ?

 

[heavyD]

I have a Black Ace 105 and used it for a few months in the spring while recovering from tennis elbow and I don't recall any rattling. I never noticed the salt shaker sound while playing. One of my issues with the racquet was that it felt a little unstable on hits contacting the upper 1/3 of the head otherwise it was decent enough although I ditched it once I demoed a Speed MP and realized it was just as arm friendly and a better overall frame for me.

 

[Superchoo]

Yes, I believe that is normal for this frame and all PK frames actually.
Some of this sound might come from little beads in a chamber the frame that are used to absorb vibration, protecting arm health or to allow the use of stiffer strings.
Personally I use a dampener with all my PK frames as I prefer the sound.
What have you strung it with?

Also, are you hearing just a maraca- like sandy rattle, or does it sound like a larger object is moving within the length of the frame when you tip it up, then down?

 

[mikef]

Yes, I believe that is normal for this frame and all PK frames actually.
Some of this sound might come from little beads in a chamber the frame that are used to absorb vibration, protecting arm health or to allow the use of stiffer strings.
Personally I use a dampener with all my PK frames as I prefer the sound.
What have you strung it with?

Also, are you hearing just a maraca- like sandy rattle, or does it sound like a larger object is moving within the length of the frame when you tip it up, then down?

Its not just the maraca like sound - which is definitely louder in the 105 vs the 315. There is this odd weird rattle - doesnt seem to happen if I hit right ithe middle of the sweet spot but the further away I hit from that, the worse the rattle. Someone else said it may be a piece of graphite in the frame - it may well be that.

 

[Juggernauts]

Slightly off topic, but is there a significant difference between the Black Ace 285, 300 and 315 in terms of comfort? I would assume they get more comfortable as the weight increases, but is the 285 far behind?

It looks to have the same swingweight so I was thinking of trying it and perhaps adding weight to the handle for a lower balance point.

Have you find an answer for this ? Is the weight difference only at the handle ?

I'm considering Black Ace 285 (or 300), ki5 280 (2016, black yellow), ki5 295 (2022, white and yellow inside the hoop), ki10 290 (2022, white and red inside the hoop) for my wife. Arm comfort is the top priority, then ease of swing, forgiveness (large sweetspot and stability), and power.

 

[Jackson Heights]

I am curious about the weight of the Pro Kennex Black Ace 105.
It is 105 inches, 11.2 ounces strung, and swingweight 326.
That weight and swingweight look a little high for a 105 inch racket.
I once hit a few years ago with a Pro Kennex 105 inch racket with similar specs,
and it felt a little heavy. It might have been the Pro Kennex Ki 15, but I am not sure.
Is the Pro Kennex Black Ace 105 too heavy?

 

[A_Instead]

It's not to heavy if one has the skills..
It's a players tweener.
It's not a light oversized for those who play the casual style of tennis..