I've been demoing the Blade 98 v8 16x19 and the Prince ATS textreme tour 98 for a few days. All reviews are saying Blade is the go to for control and Prince has more power. But for me it feels the other way around. Could be string related (Blade: Alu Power big banger 1.25; Prince: Yonex PTPG 1.25 no idea tension/age of each). I'm getting easy power on blade, serve is so sweet, but I'm tending to hit long more often compared to Prince. Prince I can swing hard both sides, but not really getting the same heaviness. I like the whippy feel of the prince, particularly on the run (prince also grip 2 vs blade grip 3). But the feel of the blade is really special. Not sure if I get a Blade with a more control friendly string, or a prince with a more powerful string. Also wondering if a smaller grip might help on the blade. I'm a 4.5 - 5 ntrp (self rated), counter puncher, hit pretty flat and hard. 1hbh with more top spin.
Reviews vs Reality. Blade 98 v8 and Prince ATS Textreme Tour 98
- Thread starter Prezzo
- Start date
yourtennisfit
Semi-Pro
I feel like the Prince got a lot of hype when it came out, but the actual feedback was that it is a regular 98 frame
So unfortunately some of the expectations will not be met I fear..
plus the Blade 16x19 isn't as powerless as people say, surely no Pure Drive, but you can hit some good flat strokes with that frame
But you might have got a underspec one as well. If the racket is below spec SW and slightly more headlight, it will produce a lighter ball and if your Blade is on or over spec, this could be an explanation. Any chance you can get SW measured?
So unfortunately some of the expectations will not be met I fear..
plus the Blade 16x19 isn't as powerless as people say, surely no Pure Drive, but you can hit some good flat strokes with that frame
But you might have got a underspec one as well. If the racket is below spec SW and slightly more headlight, it will produce a lighter ball and if your Blade is on or over spec, this could be an explanation. Any chance you can get SW measured?
I measured the strung balance of the blade a few days ago and was 33cm from memory, which is more head heavy than spec I believe. I just took off the overgrip and played a set, felt better. Could be a grip size problem.
Played a set with Prince first and didn't like it by the end. Could well be strings but felt underwhelming and was getting pushed around with it by a big hitter.
Thinking it's the blade in size 2 for me.
Cheers
yourtennisfit
Semi-Pro
Yeah, 33cm is definitely above spec - even though Alu Power is surely on the heavier side of strings.
But whatever works, works. Don't get too carried away by what marketing or reviews say, it should work for you and your game
I always come back to my trusty v13 ProStaff, even though all reviews suggest it shouldn't work at all for my game
But when we are honest, the majority of YouTubers and shops just tell whatever they've been said to tell you - and the few real ones have their own preference and will mostly talk about that. Humans are subjective in any case.
BHold81
Semi-Pro
I had the opposite experience in a way. I stayed away from the Prince 98 after initial feedback on here after it came out. Picked one up on a trade and it lived up to the hype for me. I recommend putting a multi in the mains or even a full bed. First hit for me was a full bed of velocity. I was hitting corners and lines with plenty of pop.
McGradey
Hall of Fame
The Prince has a thicker beam and is more headlight. It likely has less 'plow' than the Blade, which may be what is giving you the smooth and easy power that you are describing in the OP.
Blade has plenty of power if you have a swing that gets the racquet head moving quickly and you hit flatter. The Prince probably gives easier power than a Blade if you tend to hit the ball more thin/spinny rather than flat.
Blade has plenty of power if you have a swing that gets the racquet head moving quickly and you hit flatter. The Prince probably gives easier power than a Blade if you tend to hit the ball more thin/spinny rather than flat.
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Ended up going for the Blade. After a set against a big hitter, I found I was getting pushed around with the prince. Switched to the blade and was much better. Block returns of serve were consistently landing less than a metre inside the baseline on both sides. I got used to the extra weight and running shots came good too. Very happy with my choice.
ZeroandOne
Rookie
That's totally just string differences imo
Possibly, but the blade just felt more solid to swing as well.
I'm not one to care about cosmetics, but i will be spared the sledging of those that are. It is ugly though.
yourtennisfit
Semi-Pro
That's the main thing, you being happy with your choice
As previously mentioned in this thread, the Prince generates power a bit differently (beam & headlight), and if you can handle the Blade then you will be happier with it for sure. Congrats on the new stick and have fun & success using it!
Thanks mate. Hope it goes alright with the hyper g soft at 51 that I was recommended.That's the main thing, you being happy with your choice
As previously mentioned in this thread, the Prince generates power a bit differently (beam & headlight), and if you can handle the Blade then you will be happier with it for sure. Congrats on the new stick and have fun & success using it!
jmacdaununder2
Legend
The Prince also generates power from the trampoline effect provided by it's snowshoe length mains; the ATS 95 is far more control oriented.That's the main thing, you being happy with your choice
As previously mentioned in this thread, the Prince generates power a bit differently (beam & headlight), and if you can handle the Blade then you will be happier with it for sure. Congrats on the new stick and have fun & success using it!
BHold81
Semi-Pro
How is the sweet spot on the 95?
jmacdaununder2
Legend
Pretty good, especially on the current ATS model, albeit it’s a 95. It’s the same head width - but certainly not length - as the 98.
I loved the Tour 98 when I got it. I felt the ball launched out of the string bed and it was so easy to use, with good comfort.
However, it found it quite slow through the air. So while it had 'pop' the spin was low for a 16x18.
I sold them and got some v8 Blade 100 which have been pretty good.
Now I'm thinking of selling those and getting some Prince ATS Tour 100s.
However, it found it quite slow through the air. So while it had 'pop' the spin was low for a 16x18.
I sold them and got some v8 Blade 100 which have been pretty good.
Now I'm thinking of selling those and getting some Prince ATS Tour 100s.
Try the 95 Tour if you need it to be faster through the air
tophersuwita
Rookie
Imo with the snowshoe shape, low power poly is needed to tame the trampoline effect. Nevertheless, I'm open to possibilities. What tension do you recommend for full bed of multi? And with open pattern, won't the string age faster?
