Recommendations for new racquet please?

[concorde000]

Hi everyone, I am trying to choose a new racquet. I have used a Babolat Pure Drive for many years but I want to switch. I'm an intermediate player and I want to start competing again. I don't need "extra" help to generate power or spin but I do like putting a lot of topspin on my forehand and serve. I have a fairly powerful serve.

I prefer the idea of improving technique to play better rather than making a compromise to help.

I've found three racquets that may be suitable: Prince Warrior 100 (standard), Prince Tour 100p, Prince Tour 95. I really like the black/white aesthetics of the Warrior. I read that the Beast racquets will replace the Warrior, though I prefer the look of the Warrior.

I probably don't want to get a Wilson or Babolat but would consider other makers.

In my early twenties, somewhat tall.

Please do ask questions if it helps for making suggestions

Thank you

 

[Multifilament]

It would be more helpful to explain what your motivation for making the switch is. The Warrior will have a similar feel to your pure drive but a tad less powerful but more comfortable. The tours frames will of course be less powerful and a better fit for players who prefer to generate their own power with longer strokes.

I would demo a bunch of different racquets to find what spec range fits your game best.

 

[beltsman]

Hi everyone, I am trying to choose a new racquet. I have used a Babolat Pure Drive for many years but I want to switch. I'm an intermediate player and I want to start competing again. I don't need "extra" help to generate power or spin but I do like putting a lot of topspin on my forehand and serve. I have a fairly powerful serve.

I prefer the idea of improving technique to play better rather than making a compromise to help.

I've found three racquets that may be suitable: Prince Warrior 100 (standard), Prince Tour 100p, Prince Tour 95. I really like the black/white aesthetics of the Warrior. I read that the Beast racquets will replace the Warrior, though I prefer the look of the Warrior.

I probably don't want to get a Wilson or Babolat but would consider other makers.

In my early twenties, somewhat tall.

Please do ask questions if it helps for making suggestions

Thank you

Why do you want to switch?

My first thought is the Volkl V-Sense 8 300 for you, but that's without knowing the exact reasons for the switch. But I imagine you want more feel and control.

 

[concorde000]

Yep I was basically going to say I want more feel on hitting.

Also I think my 2012 PD (durable strings, probably polyester) gives less spin and has less feel than my prev-gen PD (stock strings) did. And strangely the 2012 PD has unpleasant vibration noise that the older PD doesn't.

Problem is I can't demo any of these racquets. However I can get the Warrior 100 for $110 usd, whereas the Phantom 100 and Beast 100 are both $230 usd and the Tour 95 is $190 usd. Don't know if I can get the Tour 100p.

(edited)

 

[time_fly]

I would also look at Volkl. The VSense-8 300 is the closest in their line to your Pure Drive, although there are tons of different V-Sense models with different specs. I would browse their lineup and ask about any others that catch your eye. I liked the V-Sense 8 but it had a bit too much power and not enough spin for my game, so I ended up with a VSense 10.

The Warrior will be the most similar to your Pure Drive among the Princes. The Tours will have even more feel but less free power. I have played with all of them, and the Tour 95 is my favorite but you need to play regularly to use it effectively because of the small head. To maximize the feel I would string with a multifilament or hybrid. If you aren't a string breaker then I would put the multi in the mains if you choose a hybrid.

 

[stephenclown]

Im with the guy above, maybe check out some other brands offerings. Yonex, Tecnifibre and Volkl make great frames that you can look at.

If you want some more feel maybe look to yonex, the DR series are very popular and very good quality control, less muted than the AI but more muted than Ezone. Without demo I would be hesitant on suggesting the duel g or SV series as they are more directed at specific players and people seem to either love or hate them.

Volkl have some nice offerings in the 98-100" headsize.

If the isometric headshape scares you and don't have easy access to volkl you could look at the Wilson Ultra Tour even if you are worried about the brand. This frame is incredibly popular and highly regarded among players. It is more like a pro stock so it has nice feel and control which is what you seem to be looking for.

Look at the TW reviews with a grain of salt and then do some reading on the threads dedicated to some racquets here. Google is also your friend.

Tldr:

Maybe look at

DR98/+, DR100 - Ezone if dont mind a little bit stiffer
V1 Pro
Ultra Tour - great wilson offering
Tecnifibre Tflash 300 / Tfight 315 ltd
RF97 - honestly a great frame but takes some practice to get used to the weight if not used to heavier frames. Not for everyone

 

[beltsman]

Yep I was basically going to say I want more feel on hitting.

Also I think my 2012 PD (durable strings, probably polyester) gives less spin and has less feel than my prev-gen PD (stock strings) did. And strangely the 2012 PD has unpleasant vibration noise that the older PD doesn't.

I read in a couple of different places that the Beast 100 is only 6pts headlight but on Prince's website the Warrior 100 (which should be comparable) is 9pts headlight. Strange

Problem is I can't demo any of these racquets. However I can get the Warrior 100 for $110 usd, whereas the Phantom 100 and Beast 100 are both $230 usd and the Tour 95 is $190 usd. Don't know if I can get the Tour 100p.

I can't speak to the new princes because I haven't hit with them. But be aware, the Phantom will be all lot more flexible and less powerful than the PD. But maybe that will suit you, I don't know.

I say again to also look at the Volkl line, because they have a broad range of frames, and the V-Sense line emphasizes box beam feel in "modern" frames.

 

[1HBHfanatic]

I would say look at yonex racquets if you have them in your area
weight wise from highest to lowest (typically)
y.vcore
y.vcore.sv
y.dr
y.ezone

 

[TennisHound]

Hi everyone, I am trying to choose a new racquet. I have used a Babolat Pure Drive for many years but I want to switch. I'm an intermediate player and I want to start competing again. I don't need "extra" help to generate power or spin but I do like putting a lot of topspin on my forehand and serve. I have a fairly powerful serve.

I prefer the idea of improving technique to play better rather than making a compromise to help.

I've found three racquets that may be suitable: Prince Warrior 100 (standard), Prince Tour 100p, Prince Tour 95. I really like the black/white aesthetics of the Warrior. I read that the Beast racquets will replace the Warrior, though I prefer the look of the Warrior.

I probably don't want to get a Wilson or Babolat but would consider other makers.

In my early twenties, somewhat tall.

Please do ask questions if it helps for making suggestions

Thank you

It sounds like you already have some good choices with the Princes. You could also try a Dunlop Srixon CV 3.0 F Tour. It’s a PD with a 97” head.

 

[concorde000]

Thanks everyone !

I quite like the aesthetics of the Volkl lineup and the Yonex VCore lineup.

I'm slightly more in favour of spin than power and I think I might want a slightly more head light racquet than the PD (4pts HL).

The Volkl lineup all seems to be 4pts HL or heavier except the V-Sense 10 Mid at 6pts HL.

The Yonex VCore Pro 100 and SV 100 and EZone 100 are all 4pts HL.

The Warrior 100 is 6pts HL, Tour 100p is 7pts, Tour 95 is 8pts.

I would also look at Volkl. The VSense-8 300 is the closest in their line to your Pure Drive, although there are tons of different V-Sense models with different specs. I would browse their lineup and ask about any others that catch your eye. I liked the V-Sense 8 but it had a bit too much power and not enough spin for my game, so I ended up with a VSense 10.

Did you get the VSense 10 @ 295g? It seems that that is 3pts HL while VSense 8 @ 300 is 4pts HL, so I would've thought it would be the other way round, from my limited understanding


But it looks like the Warrior or VSense 10 Mid are ideal due to their balance, and the Yonex ones seem pretty similar to each other in specs. I do like the look of the Volkl racquets though.

The Tour 100p has 7pts but is 18/20 so I might struggle with spin. The Tour 95 is 16/19 but is 8pts so I might struggle with power.

I'll watch some reviews on them too, have only looked at specs.

 

[time_fly]

Thanks everyone !
Did you get the VSense 10 @ 295g? It seems that that is 3pts HL while VSense 8 @ 300 is 4pts HL, so I would've thought it would be the other way round, from my limited understanding

I have the Vsense 10 325g, and I also sampled the VSense 10 Tour as well as the 8.

 

[Dartagnan64]

I'd vote to sticking with the Pure Drive if its not giving you arm issues.

But I think the Blades and the DR's are good alternatives with a bit more control or "Feel" (whatever that vague notion is).

 

[Kevo]

I think you should really demo before buying especially if you are buying for feel. If you can't demo, then be prepared to resell whatever you decide on. Sometimes even with demos it can be difficult to replicate feel without also using the same string and tension. Even then it can be hit or miss depending on how it was strung and what state the strings were in during the demo.

I've found that worn strings can provide really good feel in the hour or two before they break. My friend used to play with the Pure Drives and he strung his on an old lockout machine with Wilson NXT. Those frames felt really good after they sat in the bag for a couple of weeks. They would get too soft right before the strings would break.

In my experience strings have a much larger impact to feel than the frame. The frame specs affect more how the frame swings and wears over the course of a match. I hope that makes sense. Hard to describe in a few words, and you might think of feel differently than I do, so YMMV.

 

[fed1]

I think the Dunlop/Srixon CV 3.0 is worth a demo, it just got a great TW review. Very underrated racquet for 2018. Great power and spin potential with being very arm friendly.

 

[concorde000]

I've looked at everything mentioned and reviews and now have a big list with some comments from my understanding:

Prince Tour 100p ------ good control
Prince Beast/Warrior 100 --------------- like PD but slightly tamer?
Yonex EZone AI 100 ----- good all around, a little bit low on power?
Yonex EZone 100 ---------- seems like the AI 100 was preferred over this
Yonex EZone DR 98+ -------------------- close to PD?
Yonex VCore SV 100 --------------- is this or the EZone ones closer to the PD?
Babolat Pure Drive 2018 ------------- the safe option (good topspin and serve power)

(Didn't like the Volkl or Dunlop or Wilson aesthetics as much)

VCore Pro 100 is probably too light on power

I'm leaning towards the DR 98+ and AI 100 currently.

 

[concorde000]

Any ideas for choosing between these 7 options?

 

[Anton]

Hi everyone, I am trying to choose a new racquet. I have used a Babolat Pure Drive for many years but I want to switch. I'm an intermediate player and I want to start competing again. I don't need "extra" help to generate power or spin but I do like putting a lot of topspin on my forehand and serve. I have a fairly powerful serve.

DR98 is the answer.

DR98+ if you want extended.

DR98 Light with lead if you want to go more even balanced or want modifying flexibility.

 

[concorde000]

I've pretty much decided on 98+. No idea what strings to get though, thinking Yonex polytour pro 120 or a Luxilon natural gut 125. I want plenty of spin potential

 

[Anton]

I've pretty much decided on 98+. No idea what strings to get though, thinking Yonex polytour pro 120 or a Luxilon natural gut 125. I want plenty of spin potential

Cyclone 17 @ 52lb or if want softer, more power,better touch but slightly less spin
54 ngut main with 52lb soft co-poly

 

[concorde000]

I can't find anywhere to get the 98+ in 5/8 or 1/2

 

[tmc5005]

Great idea getting away from Babalot Pure Drive and moving to a more classic players frame will also help dramatically to reduce your odds of developing arm or elbow problems.
I would recommend any of the 10 following racquets which also happen to be my top 10 picks for arm elbow friendly racquets.
Yonex EZone DR 98
HEAD XT Graphene Prestige MP
PACIFIC BXT X Tour Pro 97
Wilson Ultra Tour
Volkl Vsense 10 325g
Pro Kennex Q+ Tour Pro
Pro Kennex KI5 320
Head Graphene Touch Speed Pro
Wilson Countervale Blade 98 18×20
Dunlop Srixon Rev CX 2.0 Tour

 

[Alekok1221]

Hola yo tengo una apd y quiero tener más control y un poco más de topspin , me gustaría una de cara 95 o 98. Mi revés es mejor que mi derecha , mi derecha es bastante plana , soy un baseliner que le gusta atacar pero no soy tanto de subir a la red pero me gustaría una raqueta que ayudará mi saqué y las voleas. Uso como cuerdas unas cuerdas raras llamadas killer smash a 52 lbs. Que raqueta me recomiendan?

 

[MRfStop]

I've pretty much decided on 98+. No idea what strings to get though, thinking Yonex polytour pro 120 or a Luxilon natural gut 125. I want plenty of spin potential

For spin potential check out TierOne Firewire

 

[concorde000]

Is there enough difference to warrant getting a Beast (or Warrior) 100 and a DR 98+? (I'm quite keen on trying both; I don't mind taking a bit of risk)

Thanks all