Slazenger Phantom IMF vs Dunlop MAX 200G (and 300i)

As well as the well known benefits of these rackets, I actually think I can get more spin on both ground-strokes and serves, compared to modern 'spin' rackets. The ball flies lower, but still jumps off the court, and you don't have to go for such a shot every time, so you have more options.
 
i tell ya what I’d kill for is an injection molded wilson n 95 mold and a head premier mold or a wilson blade mold . Hell all 3! IMF RULES!
 
Grafil Injection said:
As well as the well known benefits of these rackets, I actually think I can get more spin on both ground-strokes and serves, compared to modern 'spin' rackets. The ball flies lower, but still jumps off the court, and you don't have to go for such a shot every time, so you have more options.
Click to expand...
Maybe I should get mine back from my bud…..
 
teachingprotx said:
Oh yes . Way too heavy and bulky for me but I can totally get behind the feel and flex.
Click to expand...

Heavy and bulky? I was suggesting Muscleweave 200G, which is super manoeuvrable, not the IMF 200G.

MW 200G's typical specs are 342g, 32cm balance, so if you did the modifications in the hoop you did to your Ultra Graphite, it would be around 325g, 31cm balance, and the 58 flex would probably go lower too.
 
Last edited:
Grafil Injection said:
As well as the well known benefits of these rackets, I actually think I can get more spin on both ground-strokes and serves, compared to modern 'spin' rackets. The ball flies lower, but still jumps off the court, and you don't have to go for such a shot every time, so you have more options.
Click to expand...
and yes, much lower yet much heavier shots, plus much better and non-floaty slice which stays low as well and doesn't just sit there to be hit. Definitely encourages thinking about tennis in a different way than using a blade or aero 98......
 
Grafil Injection said:
Heavy and bulky? I was suggesting Muscleweave 200G, which is super manoeuvrable, not the IMF 200G.

MW 200G's typical specs are 342g, 32cm balance, so if you did the modifications in the hoop you did to your Ultra Graphite, it would be around 325g, 31cm balance, and the 58 flex would probably go lower too.
Click to expand...
Awww my bad . I didn’t realize you were about the MW 200g:)
I’ve hit with that frame it’s real nice .
But now you’ve got me school girl giddy about an ultra graphite SL . Been on the hunt since
 
On topic I believe, how much of your appreciation for the Phantom is partly due to the smaller mid with more flex?
There are advantages to the smaller mid head - if skills are there...
 
Well I was always a max200g player as a junior and for every slaz there were 30 maxes. So that made them cooler. Plus they seem more manageable and maneuverable than the 200g with a bit more spin potential.
 
michael valek said:
Got the chance to grab a couple of head pt630 designed in Austria. What can I expect different to the slazengers?
Click to expand...

I've only hit with the Bumblebee and Zebra MPs, which I think are a little different to the PT630/280. Namely, they're PT57B layup I believe and mine were around 360g strung, whereas I think later PT630s like yours are 15g lighter. Anyway, there are dozens of threads on the PT that pretty much all conclude that it has a lovely plush and solid feel, great control and relatively low power with a small sweetspot. That latter feature would be the main difference to the MAX 200G / Phantom IMF in my opinion, in that the IMFs are considerably more powerful than you'd expect for such a flexible racket with good control. The IMFs also have more open string-beds, despite being 10sqi smaller (1.3cm2 average cell size vs 1.15cm2). The PT's 18x20 is very dense, so it has a low launch angle.

Hence, I think the PTs are great for baseline play if you can get in position early enough, but not so good for all court play like the IMFs; although like I said I haven't tried a light version so if yours is around 345g strung it might be more versatile.
 
I think the main difference you’ll note is that the Head PT630 will feel overly stable (i.e. less sword-like) when compared to the Slazenger. As a player with long but “wristy” strokes who hits a flatter ball with an Eastern grip off both sides (1HBH), the Head has good feel and control but felt sluggish and not manoeuverable enough for me to have access to all of the more nuanced spin and english. The PT630 seems more workmanlike. Good for baseline banging and half volleys if one has smooth strokes.

To use an automotive analogy, in my opinion, the IMF Slaz or Max200g is a Mazda MX-5 while the Head is a BMW M5.
 
No I don't think it's acceptable to relate a MAX 200G to a ladies weekend car. You probably meant Porsche 997 GT3 RS 4.0 or another spectacular drivers car, compared to the clunky M5.
 
Last edited:
Haha! I have raced a MX-5 in SCCA events and when I pass people in Corvettes, Mustangs, BMWs, and Porsches, the “hairdresser car” seems oddly inaccurate…

An E39 M5 is a good analog for the PS630.
 
retrowagen said:
Haha! I have raced a MX-5 in SCCA events and when I pass people in Corvettes, Mustangs, BMWs, and Porsches, the “hairdresser car” seems oddly inaccurate…

An E39 M5 is a good analog for the PS630.
Click to expand...

Well you are probably a great driver, but there's no way I'm linking a Phantom IMF to a fwd 4 cylinder lightweight ladies coupe. I think you meant the Aston Martin One 77.
 
vsbabolat said:
Mazda Miata is rear wheel drive
Click to expand...

Fair point, but it was still considered a feminine car in the UK and Europe at least, being very compact and having small engines.

The analogy regarding the M5 is good though, being a great car which would be even better without the two rear seats and trunk. At least my Zebra MP feels like I'm lugging around unnecessary mass.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

P
Dunlop Max 300i PRO
2
Replies
68
Views
18K
teachingprotx
teachingprotx
joe sch
Dunlop Max IMF Series rackets
2
Replies
72
Views
7K
michael valek
M
v205
Wife used my old Dunlop Max 300i
Replies
3
Views
1K
jimbo333
jimbo333
E
Dunlop Max 300i playability
Replies
4
Views
1K
Grafil Injection
Grafil Injection
V
Difference between Dunlop max200g and 200g max pro
Replies
1
Views
1K
Tennis Man
Tennis Man
Back
Top