Prostaff 85 vs. Prostaff 90

[Nadalgaenger]

I recently switched from a Babolat APD to the Wilson Prostaff 90. I like the feel of the 90 and am interested in trying out the Prostaff 85.

What do the TT experts feel about these two rackets? How different is the feel from the 85 to the 90?

 

[BLX_Andy]

Nothing beats a good ol' demo.

 

[Vcore89]

This is one sweet thread. I will stay tuned. Personally I kind of like the 90 more, my favourite being the K90. I'd say I loved the firmer 85s of yearteryears more compared to current (wet noodle; if I'd like flexier, I'd just whip out my Prestige but for firmer feel definitely the old 85s are better at a personal level) reissue.

 

[Hawbolt]

I've used almost all of the Tour 90s (PST90,N90,K90,BLX90,PS90) and almost all of the 85 versions (Sv,china,chic,tai,blx).

Compared to the Wilson BLX Pro Staff 90, the New wilson BLX buttcap Pro staff 85s are in my opinion the closest in feel. The chinese I would say are similar to, however both 85s do feel much more solid, stable and buttery. The 90 was more forgiving and easier to access spin but just can't out perform the consistency of the 85s. I think any 85 is the superior racquet.

 

[KaiserW]

Do a search of username Say Chi Sin Lo, he had a nice thread on 90 vs re-issue 85.

 

[BLX_Andy]

I've used almost all of the Tour 90s (PST90,N90,K90,BLX90,PS90) and almost all of the 85 versions (Sv,china,chic,tai,blx).

Compared to the Wilson BLX Pro Staff 90, the New wilson BLX buttcap Pro staff 85s are in my opinion the closest in feel. The chinese I would say are similar to, however both 85s do feel much more solid, stable and buttery. The 90 was more forgiving and easier to access spin but just can't out perform the consistency of the 85s. I think any 85 is the superior racquet.

I'm pretty sure there's no BLX model of the 85.

 

[MikeHitsHard93]

Do a search of username Say Chin So, he had a nice thread on 90 vs re-issue 85.

Say chi sin lo. Pretty sure that's what it is.

 

[Bobby Jr]

The PS85 reissue would be equally as good a frame for anyone who used the 90.

Try one, If you like it, consider switching. If you don't, don't. It's pretty simple really. Physics discussions and mathematical considerations mean jack compared to "does it feel good to hit with?"

 

[BreakPoint]

I'm pretty sure there's no BLX model of the 85.

The current TW reissue version is commonly referred to as the "BLX PS 85" because it has a gold BLX butt cap.

 

[MauricioDias]

I recently switched from a Babolat APD to the Wilson Prostaff 90. I like the feel of the 90 and am interested in trying out the Prostaff 85.

What do the TT experts feel about these two rackets? How different is the feel from the 85 to the 90?

try KPS88 either. You can be suprised by it

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

Do a search of username Say Chin So, he had a nice thread on 90 vs re-issue 85.

Say chi sin lo. Pretty sure that's what it is.

Here you go:

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=475888&highlight=potential+switch

The PS85 reissue would be equally as good a frame for anyone who used the 90.

Try one, If you like it, consider switching. If you don't, don't. It's pretty simple really. Physics discussions and mathematical considerations mean jack compared to "does it feel good to hit with?"

Seriously, I can't agree with this more (nor can I say it better!). I never understood why people tries to prove a mathematical theorem when talking about equipment. Sure, look for specs that you think you'd like, but when it comes down to it, did it mesh with you?

try KPS88 either. You can be suprised by it

I have to disagree with this. KPS88 is an anomaly in the Pro Staff 6.0 lineage for me. This thing has ridiculous amount of power.

 

[robok9]

I recently switched from a Babolat APD to the Wilson Prostaff 90. I like the feel of the 90 and am interested in trying out the Prostaff 85.

What do the TT experts feel about these two rackets? How different is the feel from the 85 to the 90?

From and APD to a Prostaff 90. That's quite the switch. I would actually say that the 85 is easier to use. I've only used the BLXPS90 and the reissue of the 85, but from that, I would say that the 85 feels very "conservative." Flat shots are a breeze with the ball pretty much staying in the court on almost all hits. That being said it is much more difficult to produce spin with the 85. With that smaller headsize, you can't really have as whippy of a motion and make consistent contact on the sweetspot. Seeing that you came from an APD, I would imagine that the 90 would work better for you. On another note, however, serves and volleys are unlike anything else.

 

[martini1]

From and APD to a Prostaff 90. That's quite the switch. I would actually say that the 85 is easier to use. I've only used the BLXPS90 and the reissue of the 85, but from that, I would say that the 85 feels very "conservative." Flat shots are a breeze with the ball pretty much staying in the court on almost all hits. That being said it is much more difficult to produce spin with the 85. With that smaller headsize, you can't really have as whippy of a motion and make consistent contact on the sweetspot. Seeing that you came from an APD, I would imagine that the 90 would work better for you. On another note, however, serves and volleys are unlike anything else.

I still play the APDC and K90 "side by side". On certain days when I'm off on my timing and swing, I would go back to the APDC for the forgiving and spin friendly play.

OP- playing with the 85 is no prob, if you already got used to playing a heavier mid like the 90. However, playing with that in a match is a total different story. On the run, the PS85 still requires some big swing to be able to hit the ball back deep (or flip it back deep). Any kind of mishit you will see a big drop in power and spin. Playing with a semi western to western grip is also not as easy. Once the racket face is slight closed the sweet spot or just plain "hitting area" becomes very small. In short, if you are rushed you won't be able to utilize this frame effectively.

 

[morten]

I am a ps 85 user, for 22years about to switch to APD2013 , pretty amazed by that stick, Only larger headed racket i have really liked... But the feel of the 85 is above anything else..

 

[illuminotti]

I currently play both (I use the 85 TW version for training/hitting sessions & the 90 for matches).

The 90 is a more forgiving racquet. The 85 requires early swing preparation and focusing striking the ball in the middle of the string bed. Otherwise, it's going to be a shank. BUT, when you are consistently hitting the sweet spot, the thing is a beast.

The 90 gives you all of these characteristics, with a slightly bigger sweet spot which allows for more off center hits.

But demo both (WITH NEW STRING JOBS) and see which one you like more. I would recommend multis for both.

Also a heads up, even though the racquet says you can string from 50-60lbs, you should be stringing it from 48-55 lbs off the machine if you want to see what it can really do.

 

[MauricioDias]

I have to disagree with this. KPS88 is an anomaly in the Pro Staff 6.0 lineage for me. This thing has ridiculous amount of power.

Ok, for you. Let him try and see. Im not defending it, i just suggesting.

 

[Nadalgaenger]

I currently play both (I use the 85 TW version for training/hitting sessions & the 90 for matches).

The 90 is a more forgiving racquet. The 85 requires early swing preparation and focusing striking the ball in the middle of the string bed. Otherwise, it's going to be a shank. BUT, when you are consistently hitting the sweet spot, the thing is a beast.

The 90 gives you all of these characteristics, with a slightly bigger sweet spot which allows for more off center hits.

But demo both (WITH NEW STRING JOBS) and see which one you like more. I would recommend multis for both.

Also a heads up, even though the racquet says you can string from 50-60lbs, you should be stringing it from 48-55 lbs off the machine if you want to see what it can really do.

Thanks for the tips! I just bought a PS 85 yesterday and am stringing at 55 lbs with Black Widow.

What would be the ideal string for a PS 85?

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

Ok, for you. Let him try and see. Im not defending it, i just suggesting.

I know. I was just letting OP know what to expect:

Feel of the 6.0 lineage but hits more like a 6.1 Classic line.

 

[BLX_Andy]

The current TW reissue version is commonly referred to as the "BLX PS 85" because it has a gold BLX butt cap.

Also because it's flexier? I've heard the classic PS 85 is a wooden board, compared to the BLX PS 85 which hits like a "wet noodle" :lol:

I could be wrong though...

 

[morten]

Only blx buttcap.. Thats all Wilson had

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

Only blx buttcap.. Thats all Wilson had

I... really love them. Haha

 

[illuminotti]

Thanks for the tips! I just bought a PS 85 yesterday and am stringing at 55 lbs with Black Widow.

What would be the ideal string for a PS 85?

I use Gamma TNT2 @ 53lbs on mine. But any good multi (NRG, X1-Biphase, Gamma TNT2, Discho Microfibre, etc.) at around 53lbs should be good.

I strung it once with Luxilon M2 Pro at 55 and it only started playing right after the tension dropped from about an hour of use.

 

[Vcore89]

Also because it's flexier? I've heard the classic PS 85 is a wooden board, compared to the BLX PS 85 which hits like a "wet noodle" :lol:

I could be wrong though...

It is a wet (-ter) noodle compared to the plank of wood you heard about (which is not; just a firmer flex).

 

[Smasher08]

Also a heads up, even though the racquet says you can string from 50-60lbs, you should be stringing it from 48-55 lbs off the machine if you want to see what it can really do.

+1 -- excellent advice.

 

[Top Jimmy]

I'm pretty sure there's no BLX model of the 85.

He means they used the BLX buttcap cover on the TW issue Pro Staffs, not that there was a BLX line.

 

[ShahofTennis]

To this day I scour these threads looking for someone who still uses the Six.One Tour... Only to find nothing.

 

[acm]

They both good frames, probably the blx six one easier to produce spin. However, I rather to play with ps 85 b/c I like to finish the points at the net most of time.

 

[PrinceMoron]

The current TW reissue version is commonly referred to as the "BLX PS 85" because it has a gold BLX butt cap.

Must give it a really headlight balance.