Pure Drive Alternatives?

A

Aidan131

New User
Hey everybody,

I've played with the Pure Drive 2015 for about 2 years now and I'm wondering if there are any similar or relatively better racquets you'd recommend? I'm a NTRP 4.5 player in high school.

I've heard good things about the Yonex Ezone DR 100 being similar to a Pure Drive, I demoed the Head Radical Graphene XT Lite and that felt good. Also, I've heard great things about the Wilson Blade CV.

If you could throw anything out that'd be great.
 
TypeRx

TypeRx

Semi-Pro
Why are you looking to switch rackets? What about the PD is no longer ticking your boxes?

I just switched from a customized 2015 Pure Drive+ (370g strung with dampener) to Volkl V-Sense 8 315g (333g strung with dampener). I find it to provide a similar level of power and spin while being much more comfortable. I have read reviews about lower spin potential due to its 16x18 string pattern (vs 16x19 on the PD) but have not experienced that one bit. The Volkl provides a very muted feel (which I like), is extremely stable, and has a very large sweet spot.

You really should take advantage of the Tennis Warehouse demo program. Other vendors/local shops offer demos as well. You have to find out what feels best to you.
 
o0lunatik

o0lunatik

Professional
srvnvly said:
How does the 300 PS compare to the Prince Beast 100 or 98 (non O3)? Interest piqued, thanks!
Click to expand...

I have not hit with the Prince Beast 100 or the 98 yet, but did own the TT Warrior 100 US and TT Harrier Pro (Jap Textreme update to the Warrior Pro). TT= textreme btw. If the Prince Beast 100 is just an iteration of the TT Harrier Pro, then it would be a decent frame to look at, which I found more solid and dampened than TT Warrior 100. The TT Warrior 100 16x18 had that brassy hallow feel and lacked control for a big hitter. TT Harrier Pro 16x19 was slightly bit better in terms of control. TT Warrior 100 was more polarized at the upper hoop, and TT Harrier Pro had better weight distribution and more HL. Comparing those two frames vs the 300 PS, the 300 PS is def stiffer, feels more plushed, much better control, more power and spin. If you're sensitive to stiff frames, 300 PS may not be your liking, but still it's more comfy than the pure drive. If you want to generate some spinnier balls and really rip some felt, I would def go with the 300 PS.

Here's proof:
https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/prince-2016.553191/page-4#post-10860374
https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/ind...ior-100-vs-tt-tour-100p.578801/#post-10829871
https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/ind...of-captain-orange.536701/page-9#post-10814476
 
Last edited:
o0lunatik

o0lunatik

Professional
srvnvly said:
The review is for your modded frame, yes? I was curious on stock-to-stock comparison; if I missed it in one of your posts, my apologies.
Click to expand...

I usually hit with a frame for a week in stock form before I customize it to my preferred specs. Stock wise, my vote still goes to the 300 PS, b/c it's such a light and easy frame to play with. The 300 PS moves better than std pure drive and TT warrior and harrier, which feels clumby. 300 PS swings really fast and smoother than pd. I feel that the 300 PS has a lot of power and spin for the presented specs.
 
Crocodile

Crocodile

G.O.A.T.
TypeRx said:
Why are you looking to switch rackets? What about the PD is no longer ticking your boxes?

I just switched from a customized 2015 Pure Drive+ (370g strung with dampener) to Volkl V-Sense 8 315g (333g strung with dampener). I find it to provide a similar level of power and spin while being much more comfortable. I have read reviews about lower spin potential due to its 16x18 string pattern (vs 16x19 on the PD) but have not experienced that one bit. The Volkl provides a very muted feel (which I like), is extremely stable, and has a very large sweet spot.

You really should take advantage of the Tennis Warehouse demo program. Other vendors/local shops offer demos as well. You have to find out what feels best to you.
Click to expand...
This is a good option for the reasons stated above.
 
Crocodile

Crocodile

G.O.A.T.
o0lunatik said:
Tecnifibre 300 PS! Don't overlook this frame. I had all the previous verions of pure drives and much, much prefer the 300 PS. 300 PS is an easier frame to play with and does have a more comfortable feel than pure drive.
Click to expand...
Another good alternative.
 
392Hemi

392Hemi

Professional
o0lunatik said:
I have not hit with the Prince Beast 100 or the 98 yet, but did own the TT Warrior 100 US and TT Harrier Pro (Jap Textreme update to the Warrior Pro). TT= textreme btw. If the Prince Beast 100 is just an iteration of the TT Harrier Pro, then it would be a decent frame to look at, which I found more solid and dampened than TT Warrior 100. The TT Warrior 100 16x18 had that brassy hallow feel and lacked control for a big hitter. TT Harrier Pro 16x19 was slightly bit better in terms of control. TT Warrior 100 was more polarized at the upper hoop, and TT Harrier Pro had better weight distribution and more HL. Comparing those two frames vs the 300 PS, the 300 PS is def stiffer, feels more plushed, much better control, more power and spin. If you're sensitive to stiff frames, 300 PS may not be your liking, but still it's more comfy than the pure drive. If you want to generate some spinnier balls and really rip some felt, I would def go with the 300 PS.

Here's proof:
https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/prince-2016.553191/page-4#post-10860374
https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/ind...ior-100-vs-tt-tour-100p.578801/#post-10829871
https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/ind...of-captain-orange.536701/page-9#post-10814476
Click to expand...

I think your comparison of the TFlash to the TT100 is spot-on - I own both and regularly switch between them. I would disagree with describing the TT100 as brassy as I find it very comfortable and solid feeling. But it is noticeably less muted and more flexible than the TTFlash.

I am currently demo'ing the Beast 98. After 2 doubles sets I could say it is what you might expect: somewhat less free power, more plowthrough, slightly more muted and much better controlled, as compared to the TT100.

Of the 3, if you are looking for something that plays more like a PD the TFlash would clearly be the one. My arm can't take the harshness of a PD, but I have no problem whatsoever with the TFlash 100.
 
o0lunatik

o0lunatik

Professional
392Hemi said:
I would disagree with describing the TT100 as brassy as I find it very comfortable and solid feeling. But it is noticeably less muted and more flexible than the TTFlash.
Click to expand...

Only when comparing the TT Warrior 100 vs the TT Harrier Pro, with some speculation that the Prince Beast 100 is an iteration of the TT Harrier Pro. The Harrier Pro was more dampened than the Warrior 100, and Harrier Pro felt more solid and comfortable. Respectfully :)
 
Last edited:
CopolyX

CopolyX

Hall of Fame
il_340x270.1278869504_gkny.jpg
 
Dartagnan64

Dartagnan64

G.O.A.T.
IMO, Only thing better than a 2015 Pure Drive is a 2015 Pure Drive Plus, as far as performance is concerned.

As other's have said, it's hard to recommend a "better" racquet since you haven't defined your concerns. All racquets do some things better than others. A PD is pretty much without peer as a serving weapon and baseline Topspin basher. It suffers in finesse and control and certainly is not a comfortable frame.

Wilson Blades and Yonex DR EZONEs are both solid rackets. More comfortable than pure drives and a little more control but less powerful and dynamic. I actually prefer the 2015 Blades to the CV Blades at least at the 98 sq inch head size.
 
A

Aidan131

New User
TypeRx said:
Why are you looking to switch rackets? What about the PD is no longer ticking your boxes?

I just switched from a customized 2015 Pure Drive+ (370g strung with dampener) to Volkl V-Sense 8 315g (333g strung with dampener). I find it to provide a similar level of power and spin while being much more comfortable. I have read reviews about lower spin potential due to its 16x18 string pattern (vs 16x19 on the PD) but have not experienced that one bit. The Volkl provides a very muted feel (which I like), is extremely stable, and has a very large sweet spot.

You really should take advantage of the Tennis Warehouse demo program. Other vendors/local shops offer demos as well. You have to find out what feels best to you.
Click to expand...
Great to hear this-- the V Sense 8 is my coaches sworn by racquet but I've always been skeptical. The main reasons I'm looking to move on from the Pure Drive is actually due to their conditions (paint chipping, poor grommets) and because I'm not getting the best control out of it.
 
A

Aidan131

New User
o0lunatik said:
Tecnifibre 300 PS! Don't overlook this frame. I had all the previous verions of pure drives and much, much prefer the 300 PS. 300 PS is an easier frame to play with and does have a more comfortable feel than pure drive.
Click to expand...
I admit to overlooking Tecnifibre, so thank you for bringing this to my attention!
 
P

prostaff junkie

Rookie
Mantis 300PS.

No nonsense or gimmicks or any sort of crap technology. Just HM graphite and a quality build.
And this bat has feel and is comfortable and has a huge sweetspot, like a Yonex.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

A
Headsize - 100 vs 98 sq. in.
Replies
13
Views
17K
Hmgraphite1
Hmgraphite1
F
Adult racquet for junior player
Replies
10
Views
2K
LinePainter
LinePainter
J
What racquets are most similar to Pure Drive?
Replies
20
Views
3K
bertrevert
bertrevert
T
A More Stable/Powerful Version of the Yonex Ezone DR 98?
Replies
25
Views
13K
John Kawasaki
John Kawasaki
A
wilson blade 16x19 98 vs yonex ezone dr 98 vs head instinct mp vs babolat pure strike one 7 vs Wilso
Replies
3
Views
2K
Ramon
R
Top