Again? I don't think they ever left. QC out of the China factories simply isn't good enough when you consider what the brands are charging for these frames. Look at the Speed MP reviews. Swing weights all over the place from 320 to 330. I'm sure it will be the same when the Blade V9 is released.
which specs are you comparing?
Yep - the string spacing is 100% identical across the board between these two frames. I measured from the outside of the grommet tubes (inside the frame) on all the mains in the throat and the crosses going throught the center (where you don't get any warping due to strings pulling on them), and there was literally no difference detected. Measurements matched exactly. Perhaps the other Strikes tightened up the string spacing but there's no FSI to be found here. Dollars to donuts this is just a paintjob upgrade, which is fine by me, actually, and nothing to frown at, given how awesome the PSVS.
Tennisnerd's 97 had a 308SW I think? Tells you just about all you need to know.
It also does depend a lot on the strings in use, but yeah, there can be a lot of variation there. With the PSVS, however, I have not found one I can't get to my target specs, and I have a few (11), so that is nice. PS 97 should be the same, since it appears to be the same racquet.
Did you test? Is there a big difference between vs?
I had a short hit with it tonight. Honestly, it was hard to put the PSVS down because I was hitting the ball so well with it and it felt so good, but I did break it out for a few tfiebreakers at the end of the night, and it was a good experience. Of course, it's not a direct apples to apples comparison, mainly because the strings are different, and that obviously changes things up a lot. But, I've hit with enough string combos in the PSVS for that not to matter too much, and I would say that it basically feels like the exact same racquet, but slightly more muted, perhaps. To me, that is not a real benefit, because the PSVS is already comfortable, but I think that is what's lead to the comments from reviewers saying it is more plush with a bigger sweetspot. The sweetspot is not really any bigger, it's just that off center contact is perhaps a little less jarring. But, that dampening makes the sweetspot a bit less sweet as well.
Your arm is sensitive?Please report how is your elbow with 100 16x20.
As long as they tamed the inconsistent launchy string pattern of 3rd gen 98 16x19, i ll take the stiffness!
Possibly.
I think the increased dampening is real, and not just marketing lingo. From what I understand, that is the whole purpose of the flax fibers (NF2) they have been adding to other lines as well, making them more comfortable. So, while I'd never call the PSVS raw-feeling, based on the short demo I just did, it is more raw-feeling than the PS 97. That doesn't mean you can't feel the ball at all - you definitely can. It's just a bit less feel on contact than you get with the PSVS.
I didn't mean the dampening was marketing, what is marketing is not using the phrase "muted feeling." The tech is definitely real. I playtested the PA23, which has it but in different locations.
Sorry - I wasn't suggesting that you were saying that about the tech. It was more that I am always a bit dubious about the tech they say they put in frames (e.g. there's no FSI present in the PS 97, even though they say there is). Anyway, I think I could easily switch between the two if I had them set up the same way, because I think they hit the same ball. But, having the PSVS collection that I do, I see no need to switch. And, if I were buying more now, I'd buy the deeply discounted PSVS and wait for this one to go on sale down the line. There's really nothing in it that warrants paying almost twice as much.
Thanks for the input, that was kind of my speculation as well about switching.
Yeah, the cosmetic is much better in person IMO. But, no glossy paint and it's hard to beat the PSVS on looks.
Much needed m8! Please assess the differences in the launch angle. It is supposedly a tighter string pattern due to FSI Control(4th gen) compared to FSI power(3rd gen).
Nice! Waiting on your review!
Mine both have black grips FWIW
Both of mine from tw as demos are freshly strung, says 51 on the side of the racquet, but I measured the tensions on my ert 300, and one was at 47 (normal post stringing tension loss) and the other was at 42, so something off with the stringer calibration or method. But both are in the realm of good from my perspective, especially playing outside in some colder temps.
So your 100 16x19 has a black grip?
The psvs has a much lower launch angle than the pa98 - very much a control frame with a little extra pop, does whip through the air quickly due to its headlight balance, great frame for someone who wants a lower launch angle and control, but a little extra pop vs other control frames. Also a plusher feel than the PAs.
this guy knows how to play test
Yep. 97 Leather, 100 black, 98, black. I will say the Babolat stock grips are terrible.
Yeah mine too - funny! I guess I'd prefer the white, but I put overgrips on anyways.
My 16x20 was 326sw, 16x19 322sw, so kind of flipped where they're supposed to be stock, but both are where I'd want them to be anyways so it's fine. I might want to add a little more weight to the handle for the 16x20 to get it a little more head light given the higher swing weight.
I've lurked around in this thread most of the day and have read your post several times. I main UP 18x20s currently and dabble with Artengo TR960 Control Tours, but what you state here is what I want. It's even becoming a necessity, just an injection of pop. That's all. I hit PCTs for a few years and loved them, but they became a lot of racquet for how often I played and my age. Something like the UPs/Artengos just slightly more powerful. Something lighter than the PCTs. Something more forgiving than my old TC95s. Dang, I need a PSVS or PS97. It's so clear now.
