Pute Aero (plus) vs Pure Aero VS

[datsveryinterestin]

Well I got my PAvs.weighted the handle so it is 344gnow! Strung it up with TourBite 1.25 at 48lbs. Felt terrible!!! No sweetspot at all!
Cut it out after 2hrs and restrung with stuff lying around. proSupex Maxim touch 17 mains 54lbs with yonex ptp 1.20 crosses 50lbs.
Feels a lot better!!!! I could probably go lower and think this frame begs for natural gut! Nice control and all around play but very low trajectory that made getting low balls over the net much more difficult than PA+.
Also right now the PAvs is hitting faster flatter balls that bounce closer to service line while the PA+ hits spinnier loopier balls that hit close to baseline.
I don't know why I just can't admit that I play great with PA+ and just concentrating on fitness. Part of me just is biased that "real players" don't use Pure Aero!!! Although when I was blasting aces last week and crushing return winners down the line I wasn't complaining!!!

Anyway it seems the PAvs is very string sensitive and the pattern is very dense...closer to a 18x20 than 16x19. Wish it was 27.5 cuz I think I could generate more racquet tip speed if it was close.

 

[danbrenner]

Well I got my PAvs.weighted the handle so it is 344gnow! Strung it up with TourBite 1.25 at 48lbs. Felt terrible!!! No sweetspot at all!
Cut it out after 2hrs and restrung with stuff lying around. proSupex Maxim touch 17 mains 54lbs with yonex ptp 1.20 crosses 50lbs.
Feels a lot better!!!! I could probably go lower and think this frame begs for natural gut! Nice control and all around play but very low trajectory that made getting low balls over the net much more difficult than PA+.
Also right now the PAvs is hitting faster flatter balls that bounce closer to service line while the PA+ hits spinnier loopier balls that hit close to baseline.
I don't know why I just can't admit that I play great with PA+ and just concentrating on fitness. Part of me just is biased that "real players" don't use Pure Aero!!! Although when I was blasting aces last week and crushing return winners down the line I wasn't complaining!!!

Anyway it seems the PAvs is very string sensitive and the pattern is very dense...closer to a 18x20 than 16x19. Wish it was 27.5 cuz I think I could generate more racquet tip speed if it was close.

like me.. you crave a thinner beam.. like me you dont feel that the VS is the answer though. i am now playtesting a 2010 ish Head Prestige Pro.. leather grip 6pt hl balance and 21mm beam.. feels like heaven. but i have not put it through its paces yet. i will try in the next week or two to adapt to this beast.. and additionally the youtek version has open string spacing. not like the dynamic new pattern. so lets see.

 

[Power Player]

Part of me just is biased that "real players" don't use Pure Aero!!!

That's ridiculous though. Real players not only use the Pure Aero, more importantly they win matches. I think the worse thing is being that guy with an old school classic frame who is losing matches and not playing to max potential.

PA+ is a great frame that will make you look good if you know how to use it. Reality is that nobody pays attention to what racquet you are using more than you do. They are watching your game, that's it.

 

[flipflap]

Yes, the pavs has a much lower launch angle and yes when you come from a PAT (like I do) it's a bit like putting down your sledge hammer to continue with a normal hammer. So if you can play just as fine, comfortbale, good with a PA i would continue with it.

But for me, after lead on hoop and blutac in handle, and getting used to the lower launch angle, I just feel so much more certain on full swings and placing my shots where I want...

But you never know, at this moment I feel I am improving thanks to the PAVS but maybe after a year I want more power or somehting like that.

As said i did put 2 gram lead at 9, 12 and 3. And 8 in the buttcap. Which makes it only 3 to 4 pts hl and quite polarized, i really like that compared to a very heavy but very headlight balance.

 

[datsveryinterestin]

Yes, I know.. it's ridiculous to think that a big powerful frame couldn't be utilized by good players!
I spent most of the past decade using 90" 12oz frames and losing to guys using 100+" 11oz racquets so I should know better!
But while my PA+ with 1.35 rpm is a baseline monster and serves huge... When I am the net guy in doubles I definitely don't feel comfortable. Mostly due to string choice and tension. My racquet feels dead and loose which makes for tremendous topspin but terrible feel for drop volleys and for gauging depth on deep volleys.
So I kind of want to add more versatility to my game without losing my strengths.
Probably just a string choice or gauge choice, or tension change would be wiser.

So still just messing around with racquets.. I took the PAvs out again and I hit an amazing kick serve again! Normally I hit pretty fast on both 1st and 2nd to the point that people think I am just hitting 2 first serves. But I don't double faults much and can move the ball around in the box so my serves are very effective just on pace. But a couple times with the VS I've already hit "classic kickers" that hit the court at 70mph but then hop aggressively over 6ft high at what seems to be a faster speed. (The standard length and lesser swingweight probably giving me a faster swing up on the ball?) This kicker to most of my opponents backhands would be lethal or at least give me time to come to net to put away a smooth volley to enhance my all court game.
Anyway... I'm still not getting the ground strokes I want but the VS has already added something new to my game which gives it some hope for me.
Testing to be continued....

 

[flipflap]

How's the Pa versus Pa vs going?

I still prefer the VS over the PAT and now playing with tour bite, quite good after a couple of hours playing. More power than the YPTS, which I also liked. Next is RPM, but i feel that i just love the VS with any good poly string. It just gives so much control without sacrificing on sweet spot and the feel is great.

 

[WilsnGrpheneStrkeTour]

Just checking in, as this was really the only thread I ever posted in

Up until last week, I actually hadn't stepped on a court at all since November. Combination of increased work, as well as it being cold outside, and giving my arm a rest since it was a little tender after a summer of frequent racquet/string experimentation. Had some warm weather swoop in, and so I dusted off the PAT and PAVST for some hitting. Having been away for that length of time, it allowed me to sample each racquet with an unbiased vision, which I have found to be extremely helpful. Here's where I stand:

PAT: serves are so amazing with this stick. Effortless. To me, this is the appeal of PAT, and why I can't seem to let go. Everything else, I was just off with this stick. Ground strokes were going long. I had to make adjustments to my natural swing for me to bring things under control, which I DON'T like.

PAVST: on the opposite side of the token, I just picked up PAVST and was hitting like I was before the break. On my ground strokes, I can just swing out naturally and the ball goes where I want it, and I don't need to make accommodations in order to keep balls from sailing or going out of control. Backhand with this stick is AWESOME, so effortless and controllable. Serves need more work than PAT, but when I get in the groove, they're very good.

Overall, the ease of use and potential with PAVST make it my pick going forward. I'll still keep a PAT around just for fun use though.

 

[flipflap]

Just bought a second hand PAVS from an TW member and selling my PAT. Love the VS, think I will put a hybrid (poly/syngut) in my second pavs to see what it does, as a bit of extra power can be welcome.

 

[WilsnGrpheneStrkeTour]

Just bought a second hand PAVS from an TW member and selling my PAT. Love the VS, think I will put a hybrid (poly/syngut) in my second pavs to see what it does, as a bit of extra power can be welcome.

I actually started out with PAVST strung in a hybrid, w/ RPM Blast/Wilson Syn Gut. Not a bad combination, though my basis for comparison is limited. I've since gone to the straight poly setup, and have had good success just tweaking the tension every restring by 2lbs, and now I think I'm at 52/52, and will maybe try 50/50.

I'm also curious about how the regular PAVS feels in comparison to the Tour version. Have you hit with both?

 

[flipflap]

No, only played with the standard VS but I have 4gram lead at 3 and 4gram at 9, a different base grip and 2 overgrips. Which makes the setup in total 337 gram (excl. dampener) and like 3 to 4 points hl. In the last years I have realized that I like this kind of polarized set up so therefore I don't buy Tour version anymore because then I can't tweak anymore (Pure Aero Tour experience).

I usually also play full poly, so interested to hear your comparison between hybrid rpm/syngut versus full poly.

I now have RPM Blast in at 51.8 pounds (23.5 kg) and I really like it, better than tour bite, but maybe I will try Yonex Poly Tour Spin again and also in combination with Babolat SPiraltek in the crosses.

 

[flipflap]

Okay it's almost a year later and still love my PA VSs, so honeymoon period is over and it's a good marriage.

Weight: around 335 gram, some blutac in handle 4g, some lead just above it 4g, a liitle bit less at 3 and 9 (2x1.5) and some more at 12 (3g) for better spin potential and higher swing weight.

Balance: around 4 pts hl

Grip: standard + wilson pro overgrip

String: rpm blast 1.25 at 23kg

Of course power is lower than other Babolats but really not so much if you use your body the right way. Wonder why Babolat doesn't make a seperate VS line. Interested to hear other people's experiences and setups with vs racquets!

Btw Is that official babolat guy still around here? Believe he also used the vs...

 

[dr. godmode]

Can anyone elaborate further on the 2013 APD comparison? I'm curious strictly on feel. I felt decently connected to the ball with the 2013 APD, but the PA's feel like trash to me. Lots of vibration, but not vibration that tells you what's going on on the strings.

Currently playing with Yonex SV95. I like the tighter pattern (16x20) and lower launch angle but find the 95 a bit small at the end of my range. I was hoping the VCore 98 would be perfect, but the launch angle was a bit high, so I'm hoping the extra cross will help.

 

[flipflap]

I have a 2010 and 2013 apd, these are just completely different racquets compared with the vs. I like the apds more than the pure aero though as they are somewhat more controllish...but the vs is totally different and might be what you look for. Feel is much better, beter control, lower launch angle than pa/apd but spin is still good. When I switch for fun to the old apds I always automatically start brushing the ball much more, feel more in control with the pa vs.

 

[jmacdaununder2]

Okay it's almost a year later and still love my PA VSs, so honeymoon period is over and it's a good marriage.

Weight: around 335 gram, some blutac in handle 4g, some lead just above it 4g, a liitle bit less at 3 and 9 (2x1.5) and some more at 12 (3g) for better spin potential and higher swing weight.

Balance: around 4 pts hl

Grip: standard + wilson pro overgrip

String: rpm blast 1.25 at 23kg

Of course power is lower than other Babolats but really not so much if you use your body the right way. Wonder why Babolat doesn't make a seperate VS line. Interested to hear other people's experiences and setups with vs racquets!

Btw Is that official babolat guy still around here? Believe he also used the vs...

I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong: They were a separate line from memory, but Babolat decided to absorb them into the Pure Aero range, as although they weren't retailing particularly well several pros insisted on continuing to use them under paint jobs; now the average observer just sees another player using 'Nadal's racquet' as it's all been obfuscated by the black and yellow paint. Babolat did a similar thing with the Pure Control, which is now an offshoot of the Pure Strike range. (VS = Vaguely Similar; Very Suspicious; Viable Substitute...I know, I know, I just can't help myself...)

 

[dr. godmode]

Okay it's almost a year later and still love my PA VSs, so honeymoon period is over and it's a good marriage.

Weight: around 335 gram, some blutac in handle 4g, some lead just above it 4g, a liitle bit less at 3 and 9 (2x1.5) and some more at 12 (3g) for better spin potential and higher swing weight.

Balance: around 4 pts hl

Grip: standard + wilson pro overgrip

String: rpm blast 1.25 at 23kg

Of course power is lower than other Babolats but really not so much if you use your body the right way. Wonder why Babolat doesn't make a seperate VS line. Interested to hear other people's experiences and setups with vs racquets!

Btw Is that official babolat guy still around here? Believe he also used the vs...

How do you feel about stiffness? 67RA is on the higher side.

 

[flipflap]

Since I play tennis in my adult life I played mostly with Babolat (apd/pa and vs/stroms) plus yonex dr98 and wilson ps97. I don't have any issues with stiffness, or maybe I just don't recognize it. Don't really felt more or less confortable with the one or the other, yes with too high tension in cold weather it's more unpleasant than with lower tension, bit racquet vs racquet...not so much difference.

I like the feel of the VS, But I cannot really answer the stiffness question very well.

Found the DR to have a flex I didn't like.

 

[Lukhas]

I didn't find the Pure Aero Decima to be that different from the VS. Actually I was surprised by how similar they were! The VS is a bit more depolarized with a thinner beam, there's a bit more touch with it (and I'm not all that sure) and a lower launch angle. They don't perform exactly the same due to the slight differences between them, but it really felt like the same family of racquet.

 

[dr. godmode]

I didn't find the Pure Aero Decima to be that different from the VS. Actually I was surprised by how similar they were! The VS is a bit more depolarized with a thinner beam, there's a bit more touch with it (and I'm not all that sure) and a lower launch angle. They don't perform exactly the same due to the slight differences between them, but it really felt like the same family of racquet.

Did you find the general disconnected/dampened feel in the VS? I found this to be overwhelming in the 2016 PA

 

[Lukhas]

Did you find the general disconnected/dampened feel in the VS? I found this to be overwhelming in the 2016 PA

When I think "dampened", I think about the Blade since the Amplifeel (all black) ones, where I wouldn't know where on the stringbed I made contact. Or even my own current frames, my X Fast Pro. In comparison, I find the Pure Aero very lively, with short contact duration, crisp, stiff, but certainly not "dampened" or "disconnected" like the frames I've mentioned before. That said, I preferred the VS Tour to either the VS or the Pure Aero. The VS I tried had very high SW but very low weight, and therefore was a bit hard to control: if you swung too fast you might have missed the sweetspot, if you swung too slow then you don't get the required spin. The Pure Aero standard had more consistent and predictable behaviour, and the VS Tour was more stable, consistent and predictable than either: it had a very similar SW to the VS, but with the higher weight it was more predictable as well.

All that based on the ones I've played with obviously.

 

[RoarTT]

Can anyone elaborate further on the 2013 APD comparison? I'm curious strictly on feel. I felt decently connected to the ball with the 2013 APD, but the PA's feel like trash to me. Lots of vibration, but not vibration that tells you what's going on on the strings.

Currently playing with Yonex SV95. I like the tighter pattern (16x20) and lower launch angle but find the 95 a bit small at the end of my range. I was hoping the VCore 98 would be perfect, but the launch angle was a bit high, so I'm hoping the extra cross will help.

I have the exact same comparison question between the Vcore/SV 95 and PAVS/PAVST.

 

[dr. godmode]

I have the exact same comparison question between the Vcore/SV 95 and PAVS/PAVST.

I got some old Pure Storm Teams in the mail. May not get here till next week. Once I get them I think we'll get a better idea on the comparison.

 

[RoarTT]

I got some old Pure Storm Teams in the mail. May not get here till next week. Once I get them I think we'll get a better idea on the comparison.

Smooth man! Keep me posted

 

[codonnell]

I've been using PA plus and the only think I didn't like is lack of control and touch or angled volley.
So I just purchased these 27.5", hope I'll go to the same path as you lol

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If you happen to still have these and am not using them anymore. I’d love to buy them off you! Feel free to send me a pm, even if you are willing to sell just one.

thank you!