Racquet tech: what really works vs. bull gimmicks

[604al]

Over the course of my frequent buys and demos, I wanted to share what I thought what company racquet tech really works vs what's pure marketing bull or simply not a big deal, broken down by parts of the racquet:

Handle:
- Wilson's Amplifeel: Not a big deal. The basalt or whatever strips on the handle to increase "feel". Did nothing for me, actually I noticed some gashes or dents in the handle surrounding some of the strips on one of my BLX 100's. This was even noticeable over the grip. I assume it's due to Wilson's QC and them complicating the handle-making process. I believe there's an "Amplifeel 360" on the way for 2014 where it's not just strips, but a full handle of this stuff (I don't think this is a replacement for the original Amplifeel and is only available on some of the models). On a related note the Amplifeel rubber buttcaps and their rounded edges feel very comfortable on my palm.

Throat:
- Babolat's AeroPro: Bull. Can't imagine we could swing that fast to notice, however the triangular shape I expect would do well at increasing stiffness. I'm noticing my Head Extreme IG 2.0 also has a triangular throat along with the Head Instinct and IIRC the Dunlop F5.0 Tour.

Hoop:
- Dunlop's Biomimetic Aeroskin dimples: Bull.
- Wilson's Perimeter Weighting System (PWS): makes alot of sense to increase stability.
- Extreme String patterns from Wilson & Prince where they put less crosses than mains. I only tried a Steam 99s once and wasn't a fan. especially since you're supposed to buy thicker string to account for more frequent string breakage. Less crosses are supposed to help increase main string movement. I wonder if greatly decreasing cross tension has the same effect.
- Head Shapes: Head's round shape on the Extreme really works for me and provides a more even or larger sweetspot for me. Yonex's Isometric shape also worked for me.

Grommets: (THE MOST EXCITING PART FOR ME!):
- Head's "Teflon" grommets: bull... i think Dunlop has "MOS" grommets or something like that also. I think they're trying to mimc Babolat's "Woofer" grommets, which in theory make alot more sense.
- Head's S-tech grommets: AMAZING! these are elongated/wider/larger string holes that allow for more string movement and are featured at 3 & 9 on the Extreme 2.0 MP and Pro, and at 3 & 9 & 6 on the Head Instinct. I imagine this is the reason why people are surprised at the comfort of these two racquets given their stiffness ratings. It looks like the new Graphene Radicals have smaller S tech grommets at 3 & 9 and are getting pretty good reviews on comfort even given their increased stiffness. I've noticed some Volkl racquets have this same setup, some have them even at 12, and it looks like Prince might have came up with this first with their "Sweet Spot Suspension" system that was on my Prince Chang Titanium. Wilson also has a similar system on the Blade 104's for more string movement, plus their "power holes" that are essentially larger string holes for more string movement that also seem to work, albeit a little less so than S-tech.
- Prince's EXO: Really works, although love or hate type of deal. I would recommend these to anyone with shoulder/arm issues.

I obviously haven't tried all the tech out there, but it seems as though Volkl and Yonex have the most combined number of tech items that seem to make the most sense for me. Dunlop's Biomimetic features seem to be the most bull, which is a shame because they've also added more beneficial features that they're not hyping as much, including longer handles for 2 handed backhands and more round head shapes.

I can only imagine that if I took my Head Youtek Extreme 2.0 and added Head's S-tech grommets at 12 & 6, Babolat's Woofer grommets all around, Wilson's PWS for a little more stability, another .5" in length for more reach and leverage, 1-2mm less beam width for a little less power and less shanking, and a 16 x 18 string pattern all combining for a packaged strung static weight around 11.5 ounces and a 320-325 ish SW, I'd have my Holy Grail. Or not.

 

[Imago]

Kuebler said it right

To keep the market churning, says Kuebler, racket manufacturers are constantly promoting small refinements as though they were revolutionary advances. "Improvements haven't been that dramatic," he says, "but people want something new, new, new."

Kuebler thinks that racket companies should follow the example of Luvs, which jacked up sales by pushing separate diapers for girls and boys. "They could put out one racket for singles and another for doubles," he says. "With that little trick they could double the market."

 

[WhereIsMacMac]

Volkl's Organix and Bio Sensor... I'm not so sure. The Optispot on the other hand, I think it works.

What makes sense for me is Fischer/Pacific's Zero Tolerance Technology

 

[Rock Strongo]

Dunlop's ISIS handle actually worked.

 

[TennisCJC]

Volkl's Organix and Bio Sensor... I'm not so sure. The Optispot on the other hand, I think it works.

What makes sense for me is Fischer/Pacific's Zero Tolerance Technology

Ha Ha. Optispot is complete BS.

But, the volkl bio sensor handle works very well. It eats vibrations giving the racket a nice muted calm feel.

Also, the volkl organix line has a different feel at contact. Of all the rackets I have demo-ed or played, the organix line has the best feel for me. Crisp but not too stiff. The feel is a nice solid thump and not a ping. I have owned the o10 295 (customized to 330+SW) and currently have the v1 pro (customized to 330+ SW) and both have a very good solid thump feel. I don't understand the Organix tech but the racket feels like it is solid instead of hollow like other rackets.

 

[SCRAP IRON]

Those are interesting observations OP. I think "marketing" might be the better word to choose for this thread. Thanks for the thought provoking analysis.

 

[ricki]

Thats why I like Prince brand - only bullsh.. they have is "EXO" no other bloat-tech...

 

[tennismonkey]

exo3 definitely works in terms of comfort. makes the stringbed plush or mushy depending on the frame stiffness.

better is the volkl v1 technology. at 3, 9 and 12 o clock they have basically bigger grommets that allow the string to move along a small channel. i have a v1 classic. 69 stiffness rating it's the most comfortable racquet i've ever hit with.

 

[anirut]

I kinda like rackets with stabilizer bar. Don't know if it really works, but it kinda feel more stable. Not that I read the advertising, but I noticed this way, way back myself.

 

[jonestim]

Thats why I like Prince brand - only bullsh.. they have is "EXO" no other bloat-tech...

Except my most recent Prince has EXO3, Double Bridge and ESP, as well as the OPs round head shape. It should be noted that I think all of those techs do something. Whether you like the feel of the DB doesn't change that it is doing something.

I think that the Wilson PWS is hokey. You don't need the bumps to add weight there. Adding the weight can be done internally without changing the look.

 

[Chotobaka]

Ha Ha. Optispot is complete BS.

But, the volkl bio sensor handle works very well. It eats vibrations giving the racket a nice muted calm feel.

Also, the volkl organix line has a different feel at contact. Of all the rackets I have demo-ed or played, the organix line has the best feel for me. Crisp but not too stiff. The feel is a nice solid thump and not a ping. I have owned the o10 295 (customized to 330+SW) and currently have the v1 pro (customized to 330+ SW) and both have a very good solid thump feel. I don't understand the Organix tech but the racket feels like it is solid instead of hollow like other rackets.

I completely agree with this, having played Volkl both pre and post the Organix line. The Bio Sensor and Organix layup make an incredible difference from prior models/technology. I would go so far as to say Bio Sensor is the only handle technology that actually makes any real difference, although they began moving in this direction with the handles in the PB's.

 

[Lukhas]

I dunno about Amplifeel, but there's a real difference between the BLX and the Amplifeel Blades (2013). They hit similar, but the feel is different. Much softer for the Amplifeel, a bit butteryn more comfort felt. I disliked that and preferred the more "frank", firm feel of the BLX Blade. Worth comparing different iterations of the same line than vs. other frames, especially from other brands. Not a big deal indeed; but that was enough to throw me off.

I feel somehow that Prince has the least BS in their line. I dunno for Bab's cortex since I couldn't hit with non-cortex APD/PD.

 

[BlueB]

Real tech/designs that work:
- Composites
- Larger size hoops
- Wider/rounder hoops
- Longer frames
- Elongated grommets
- O3/EXO3

Weighing concepts that work, but are falsly pushed as "technology" by adding unnecessary bulges:
- Triple Treat
- PWS

Grip/handle systems:
- Prince Cushion Grip Handle
- Willson's Shock Shield seems to be doing something...
- I wish I had tried more, that seem legitimate, like Volkl...

 

[604al]

I think that the Wilson PWS is hokey. You don't need the bumps to add weight there. Adding the weight can be done internally without changing the look.

Agree, however they're the only ones that advertise weighting at 3 & 9, which are most effective points for stability (more on this later).

I kinda like rackets with stabilizer bar. Don't know if it really works, but it kinda feel more stable. Not that I read the advertising, but I noticed this way, way back myself.

I assume you mean Prince's extra throat bar on the POG's. This is old school tech for added weight and stability whereas modern day tech (Yonex's throats, Babolat's aero & other brands oval shapes, Head's graphene, etc) offer stability without the weight.

Real tech/designs that work:
- Composites
- Larger size hoops
- Wider/rounder hoops
- Longer frames
- Elongated grommets
- O3/EXO3

Weighing concepts that work, but are falsly pushed as "technology" by adding unnecessary bulges:
- Triple Treat
- PWS

Grip/handle systems:
- Prince Cushion Grip Handle
- Willson's Shock Shield seems to be doing something...
- I wish I had tried more, that seem legitimate, like Volkl...

The term "weighing concepts" is right on and speaks about the move from heavy static weight, depolarized frames with high swingweights and lots of plow through vs. the move towards "modern" frames with light static weights, polarized frames, low SW's for increased racket head speed. All, I think, are from the evolution of poly strings.

Wilson's PWS (weight at 3 & 9) can then be considered old school.
Head's liquidmetal & Dunlop's 4d braid of their past lines (weight at 10 & 2, 8 & 4) are another weighing concept.
Head's current Graphene concept puts strong lightweight material at the throat to emphasize weight at the tip and tail (along with the marketing bull star design additions or whatever at the throat for a visual cue).
Prince's old Triple Threat Braid puts weight at 10 & 2 plus the handle for a depolarized setup.

Has anyone tried the 2004 Prince Turbo Shark LONGBODY MP? Using the TW racquet finder it looks to have solid tech (Sweet Spot Suspension Grommets, Triple Braid for a depolarized setup) along with a 16x19 pattern on 100", light static weight of 315g, SW of 323, 5 pts HL & 27.5" length that might be perfect for today's modern game.

Like the first Robocop movie it might have been too far ahead of it's time.

 

[BreakPoint]

I kinda like rackets with stabilizer bar. Don't know if it really works, but it kinda feel more stable. Not that I read the advertising, but I noticed this way, way back myself.

Agreed. I find racquets with the stabilizer bar in the throat to be more stable and resist twisting better.

I disagree with the OP on Dunlop's Aeroskin dimples. To me, they do seem to make the racquets swing faster. Surprisingly faster for racquets with high weights.

 

[BreakPoint]

I think that the Wilson PWS is hokey. You don't need the bumps to add weight there. Adding the weight can be done internally without changing the look.

Wilson's PWS definitely works. There's no doubt about it. That's why so many other companies tried to copy it over the years only to get sued by Wilson. I've tried to replicate the PWS on other racquets by adding a ton of lead tape at 3 and 9 but it's still not quite the same. Racquets with PWS are just more stable and the hoops resist twisting better. It's not just the additional weight in those two locations but also the thicker cross section in those two locations that increase torsional stability.

 

[BreakPoint]

Head's suspension handle in the Prestige Mid from the mid-90's definitely worked. Absorbed a lot of vibration and made that racquet feel almost as solid as a Dunlop Max 200G.

 

[jonestim]

Wilson's PWS definitely works.

 

[BlueB]

Has anyone tried the 2004 Prince Turbo Shark LONGBODY MP? Using the TW racquet finder it looks to have solid tech (Sweet Spot Suspension Grommets, Triple Braid for a depolarized setup) along with a 16x19 pattern on 100", light static weight of 315g, SW of 323, 5 pts HL & 27.5" length that might be perfect for today's modern game.
Like the first Robocop movie it might have been too far ahead of it's time.

It also has elongated gromets "Sweet Spot Expansion System" at 12,6,3,9...
My wife plays with the standard 27" version, it's a damn good frame. However, the O3 Hybrid Shark and O3 White, that came out of it, are even better.
Yup, I've been trying to get hold of a 27.5" one for a while, they seem to go expensive on the bay. Missed out on a cheapo few months ago...
I've got an O3 White pro-stock, 27.5", but it's too heavy / to high SW, compared to the stanard version. Shark's specs look better.

Where do you play in Van?

 

[BreakPoint]

There's a reason why the racquets with PWS (e.g., ProStaff 6.0, 6.1, etc.) have some of the most stable hoops around.

 

[Rock Strongo]

The Max 200G's dynamic stiffness could be added to the "working tech" list. But that was more due to the manufacturing process.

 

[604al]

I dunno about Amplifeel, but there's a real difference between the BLX and the Amplifeel Blades (2013). They hit similar, but the feel is different. Much softer for the Amplifeel, a bit butteryn more comfort felt. I disliked that and preferred the more "frank", firm feel of the BLX Blade. Worth comparing different iterations of the same line than vs. other frames, especially from other brands. Not a big deal indeed; but that was enough to throw me off.

From my experience the BLX non-amplifeel had a graphite or whatever pallet continued directly from the frame and was hollow, while the Amplifeel racquet I tried had the basalt strips on top of a hard foam while the inner handle was filled with foam. If anything I bet the inner foam has more of an impact on "feel" than the basalt strips. From reports in this thread and others it seems Volkl's Bio Sensor is the most effective handle tech that produces a "solid" feel while reducing vibrations and retaining "feel".

It seems though that keeping it simple and addressing it at the source (the strings) with the grommet hole tech and/or finding the right dampener combo that works for someone (balancing comfort, dampening & "feel") would be just as effective.

I disagree with the OP on Dunlop's Aeroskin dimples. To me, they do seem to make the racquets swing faster. Surprisingly faster for racquets with high weights.

Dunlop's collective new racket tech that includes aeroskin dimples, recessed grommets, oval tube shapes, etc for improved aerodynamics seem to be an exaggerated version of Bab's Aero tech which just used oval tube shapes. If anything you'd see more benefit in a lighter racquet as you could swing it faster, but I still have a hard time believing it's valid for working as it's defined by marketing.

It also has elongated gromets "Sweet Spot Expansion System" at 12,6,3,9...
My wife plays with the standard 27" version, it's a damn good frame. However, the O3 Hybrid Shark and O3 White, that came out of it, are even better.
Yup, I've been trying to get hold of a 27.5" one for a while, they seem to go expensive on the bay. Missed out on a cheapo few months ago...
I've got an O3 White pro-stock, 27.5", but it's too heavy / to high SW, compared to the stanard version. Shark's specs look better.

Where do you play in Van?

I play @ Van Lawn when my club friends invite me, UBC, and mainly outdoors when I can.

 

[WhereIsMacMac]

Extreme string pattern... How about Power Angle's weird string pattern. :twisted:

 

[naturallight]

Crossbar in the throat is the best of the lot...torsional stability and bigger sweetspot while still allowing for comfortable flex.

I think anything with new materials is pretty bogus. For example, graphene is incredible but it costs at least $60 per square inch. So how much graphene is in a $190 racquet?

 

[martini1]

Drilling a couple holes on the racket and calls it Flex Point? The graphics on the ads makes it look like a wonder tech but I could not tell the difference when I hit with a flex point racket.

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

Anyone mentioned Babolat Cortex yet?

 

[martini1]

Extreme string pattern... How about Power Angle's weird string pattern. :twisted:

It actually helps in generating TS even without the big hitting and poly strings. The ball is being brushed by both the main and cross, and at an angle. The "X" made by the strings intersections can create more friction. If you use soft multi and cannot hit hard enough to make poly snaps, I can imagine the PA can help you get more spin.

The Wilson open pattern like the 99s still requires you to hit with some power to generate the extra spin.

 

[WhereIsMacMac]

Anyone mentioned Babolat Cortex yet?

The "Cortex" we all know its just a piece of plastic wrapped above the handle... I've seen a few pictures here in TT.

I think the "Cortex" technology has something to do with materials in the frame itself rather than the "V" shaped thing above the handle... Supposedly making the frame a little more dampened?

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

The "Cortex" we all know its just a piece of plastic wrapped above the handle... I've seen a few pictures here in TT.

I think the "Cortex" technology has something to do with materials in the frame itself rather than the "V" shaped thing above the handle... Supposedly making the frame a little more dampened?

I think the "Cortex" was just the V thing at the handle... :-?

 

[BLX_Andy]

From what I read here: everything Wilson has released past the original Pro Staff line (nCode, (K) Factor, BLX, and Amplifeel). But I've never hit with any Wilson other than my BLX Amplifeel 95's so I can't make a personal comment on that.

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

From what I read here: everything Wilson has released past the original Pro Staff line (nCode, (K) Factor, BLX, and Amplifeel). But I've never hit with any Wilson other than my BLX Amplifeel 95's so I can't make a personal comment on that.

If you can play with you, then you'll be just fine with the other versions. What does that tell you? People have preferences, but you're not going to lose or win any points just because you had a different version in your hand.

 

[Chotobaka]

The Max 200G's dynamic stiffness could be added to the "working tech" list. But that was more due to the manufacturing process.

So true, the injection molded graphite racquets were completely different animals compared to today's flimsy sticks. I still have a 400i that I hit with every now and then.

 

[Don't Let It Bounce]

Extreme string pattern... How about Power Angle's weird string pattern. :twisted:

Yeah, as Martini1 said, the jury's pretty much in on diagonal stringing. The TWU tests seem to show a diagonal pattern with poly as producing about as much spin as the extremely open patterns (Hi-Ten, Vortex, and current Wilson and Prince versions), and less only than the illegal spaghetti string patterns.

I wish they had tested the original MadRaq pattern, too.

 

[WhereIsMacMac]

I think the "Cortex" was just the V thing at the handle... :-?

yes, but its supposed to dampen the vibrations, etc. right? we all know the v-thing in the handle is just a piece of plastic.

so my theory is, for marketing purposes ,maybe babolat actually added some materials to make the racquet a little dampened. i mean it (the v-thing) doesn't actually work...

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

yes, but its supposed to dampen the vibrations, etc. right? we all know the v-thing in the handle is just a piece of plastic.

so my theory is, for marketing purposes ,maybe babolat actually added some materials to make the racquet a little dampened. i mean it (the v-thing) doesn't actually work...

And also, vibration is not the same as shock (they actually advertise it to reduce shock and vibration, fail)

Vibration can be taken cared of with just a rubber band.

 

[WhereIsMacMac]

And also, vibration is not the same as shock (they actually advertise it to reduce shock and vibration, fail)

Vibration can be taken cared of with just a rubber band.

So bottomline is... its just a bull... :twisted:

 

[rlau]

Crossbar in the throat is the best of the lot...torsional stability and bigger sweetspot while still allowing for comfortable flex.

Added stability yes, but I don't see how the crossbar would create a bigger sweetspot -- if it did that, I guess Prince might well have advertised it (and I don't think they did, or did they?)....

 

[scotus]

And also, vibration is not the same as shock (they actually advertise it to reduce shock and vibration, fail)

Vibration can be taken cared of with just a rubber band.

What rubber band takes care of the frame vibration?

 

[Imago]

Any thin roofing sealing band used as palettes to make the grip bigger.

 

[rlau]

What rubber band takes care of the frame vibration?

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MeP_aIfa46w/TGTMCu3m0HI/AAAAAAAABpA/GcFl8kGrh2U/s320/Agassi.jpg

 

[scotus]

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MeP_aIfa46w/TGTMCu3m0HI/AAAAAAAABpA/GcFl8kGrh2U/s320/Agassi.jpg

Sorry, that only dampens string vibration.

My initial question stands: What rubber band takes care of frame vibration?

 

[CrackerJack]

So true, the injection molded graphite racquets were completely different animals compared to today's flimsy sticks. I still have a 400i that I hit with every now and then.

All the racquet tech from the last 10 years added together would not beat Dunlop's Injection moulding process. Bring it back!

 

[GoudX]

Racquet tech that definitely works:

Graphite frames - Lighter and more power than wood, more feel and greater durability than steel.

Synthetic strings - Cheaper than dead sheep.

Midsize frames - More power and forgiveness than a standard size

Midplus frames - Even more power and forgiveness

Oversize frames - EVEN MORE POWER AND FORGIVENESS!

Synthetic grips/Overgrips - More tacky and absorbant than dead cow.

Extra weight - More stability and power

Wider beam - Extra power

Open string patterns - More spin and power

Closed string patterns - More control

Composite/Layup changes - Adding kevlar/basalt/etc... changes the stiffness of the frame changing power and feel.

Frame Shape/mass distribution - Changes dynamic flexibility, impact response and swing characteristics

String dampener - makes strings move less

Spaghetti Strings - Too much spin

Extended length - More reach, potentially more spin and power if you have the strength and skill.

Others that probably work: Crossbar, double bridge, bigger grommets, swiss cheese (EXO), Spin Effect, PWS, CAP grommets.

Others that probably don't (at least in the context of tennis): Magical nanomaterials (Graphene, microgel, k-factor), Aerodynamic assists (babolat aero frames, dunlop aeroskin, O ports), Technologies that nobody will explain (cortex).

 

[ricki]

Except my most recent Prince has EXO3, Double Bridge and ESP, as well as the OPs round head shape. It should be noted that I think all of those techs do something. Whether you like the feel of the DB doesn't change that it is doing something.

I think that the Wilson PWS is hokey. You don't need the bumps to add weight there. Adding the weight can be done internally without changing the look.

sorry, I froze at original EXO3 line of racquets - from Ignite to Rebel etc.. all what is written on them is EXO3 - no more stupidities like basalt fibres, amplifeel, cortex, woofer stuff, GT, etc...

 

[Tamiya]

Not a huge fan of the whistling on EXO3 Black.

But I took out an EXO3 Graphite last week and that didn't whistle
even though the big portholes are also there... wierd!

 

[BlueB]

Racquet tech that definitely works:
Graphite frames - Lighter and more power than wood, more feel and greater durability than steel.
Synthetic strings - Cheaper than dead sheep.
Midsize frames - More power and forgiveness than a standard size
Midplus frames - Even more power and forgiveness
Oversize frames - EVEN MORE POWER AND FORGIVENESS!
Synthetic grips/Overgrips - More tacky and absorbant than dead cow.
Extra weight - More stability and power
Wider beam - Extra power
Open string patterns - More spin and power
Closed string patterns - More control
Composite/Layup changes - Adding kevlar/basalt/etc... changes the stiffness of the frame changing power and feel.
Frame Shape/mass distribution - Changes dynamic flexibility, impact response and swing characteristics
String dampener - makes strings move less
Spaghetti Strings - Too much spin
Extended length - More reach, potentially more spin and power if you have the strength and skill.

Others that probably work: Crossbar, double bridge, bigger grommets, swiss cheese (EXO), Spin Effect, PWS, CAP grommets.
Others that probably don't (at least in the context of tennis): Magical nanomaterials (Graphene, microgel, k-factor), Aerodynamic assists (babolat aero frames, dunlop aeroskin, O ports), Technologies that nobody will explain (cortex).

Very nice post!
Just small additions:
O ports are the same concept as EXO ports, so they fall in the same category. They work.
String dampener mgiht make the strings move slightly less, depending on the type, but they do work in another department - reducing the string vibration/sound.

 

[henman_fan]

I agree with others on here, the EXO3 ports make the racket more powerful and comfortable. My problem is they make the sweetspot too powerful.

 

[Power Player]

I loved the Prince EXO tour - just the flex and solidity was killer, but it's a grinder's stick and I agree that the ports made the sweet spot too big and powerful for me. I also had serious issues stringing it, and I have strung enough racquets in my day to nail the tension pretty well usually.

Best move Prince made was to reissue their classic frames weighted more towards todays game with grommets. They also are releasing an EXO tour with regular grommets as well soon.

 

[NLBwell]

The technology added to a racket (vs. changing to graphite) that makes the biggest difference is the ProKennex Kinetic system with the little balls in tubes that reduce tennis elbow.

 

[SCRAP IRON]

Anyone mentioned Babolat Cortex yet?

It was mentioned and the group does not think favorably of the Cortex. I think that it is sound technology.