bandyman35
Rookie
I'm looking for a racquet that is a little cheaper than the aero pro, but very similar in play style. Been looking at some Tecnifibre racquets that have similar specs, but was wondering what you guys think.
Similar racquet to Aero Pro Drive
- Thread starter bandyman35
- Start date
E
eaglesburg
Guest
Head graphene extreme mp
smboogie
Semi-Pro
Similar playing rackets..typically are a similar price range
I think you'll find this in your research of similar playing rackets. Honestly saving $20 a racket or so over the lifetime of the racket is barely a string job (unless you have your own).
I demo'ed the Head Graphene Speed Pro which was really nice..just the APD felt better to me.
I think you'll find this in your research of similar playing rackets. Honestly saving $20 a racket or so over the lifetime of the racket is barely a string job (unless you have your own).
I demo'ed the Head Graphene Speed Pro which was really nice..just the APD felt better to me.
JohnBPittsburgh
Hall of Fame
Having finally played with the APD, my advice would be to spend the extra money and buy the racquet everyone else is trying to emulate.
I haven't tried the TFlash line, but I love the TFights. So, I think Tecnifibre would be a good place to look if you're determined to save a few bucks.
But, the APD is all it's cracked up to be, IMO. I'd spend the extra $20 and get it. Or better yet, wait until August/September when the update is released and you can get the current model for $149 most likely. That is probably what I'm going to do. I found a used one, now I'll wait for the update and price drop before getting another.
I haven't tried the TFlash line, but I love the TFights. So, I think Tecnifibre would be a good place to look if you're determined to save a few bucks.
But, the APD is all it's cracked up to be, IMO. I'd spend the extra $20 and get it. Or better yet, wait until August/September when the update is released and you can get the current model for $149 most likely. That is probably what I'm going to do. I found a used one, now I'll wait for the update and price drop before getting another.
E
eaglesburg
Guest
I disagree.
Minion
Hall of Fame
Bwahahahahaha, epic! I forgot about that
As is your right.
JackB1
G.O.A.T.
Get the Warrior Pro instead. With the regular string grommets instead of the O-Ports, the muted feeling is gone and it's crispy like a BLT!
prjacobs
Hall of Fame
I agree. There's a reason the APD is the most popular racquet in the world. Everyone tries to make their version of it, but the original is a very special frame...
Umm... I think the APD is a good frame, but the there are three reasons that it is so popular: (1) NADAL, (2) a good cosmetic, (3) aggressive marketing policies by Babolat. Since it plays well and is a good frame, there is no real reason for an ordinary purchaser to question if they should get something else because they already like Nadal and they like the cosmetic. Same thing with the Speed and the Prostaff 97. People like their player, the racquet looks nice, and it plays well.
That said, there are plenty of frames that are similar to the APD and are better at some things than the APD and worse in others. I happen to think that the PD frames are the most similar and actually play better than the APD due to the better feel of those frames. APDs always have a "clunky" feel whereas the PDs don't.
Alternatives to the APD which are cheaper and do some things better are:
1) Prince Warrior (much more comfort)
2) Head Radical MP (more control)
3) Prince Tour 98 ESP (more spin)
4) Dunlop F5.0 (way cheaper and just as good)
5) Yonex Ai100 (more comfortable)
6) Head Extreme (more spin, more control, slightly better comfort)
6) Head Instinct MP (more spin, more power)
For the money, it's hard to beat the Dunlop F5.0 or the Head Graphene Instinct MP. You can buy two for the same price as one APD and get them customized to your particular likes.
