Talk Tennis: Tecnifibre HDMX 16 playtest!

[TW Staff]

Attention Talk Tennis Members:

Tecnifibre HDMX 16 playtest. This playtest is for USA TTW members only.

Like HDX Tour, HDMX has a multifilament construction (comprised of polyamide & polyester filaments) and infused with polyurethane.

The application period is closed!

Please do not apply if you cannot post a review.

We have a very limited quantity of strings to playtest. We select playtesters based on a number of factors, including past performance on playtests as well as contributions to the String Forum in general.

In order to participate and remain in good standing for all upcoming playtests you must post your findings in this thread by September

Review Due Date: September 20

Include the following in your review:

• Tension(s) used for playtest
• Regular string set up & tension
• Racquet used for test
• Power/Control of test string
• Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?)
• Spin
• Durability
• Playability Duration
• Tension Recommendations (would you string it differently next time - why)
• List any additional thoughts (optional)

EXTRA CREDIT - overgrip question

1. Please briefly list your likes and dislikes of the Tecnifibre overgrip you were sent.
2. Would you consider using it regularly?

We will get rid of "applied" posts, but feel free to talk about strings and Tecnifibre!

 

[samprasbackhand]

Sounds interesting, applied.

 

[SteveI]

All the multis hitting the market these days are really a generation better in the process they use. Many of the new ones have special coating that helps with snap back and therefore spin, hold tension better and seem to be a mix between a soft poly and a multi. I love LF Supreme 2.0, Head Velocity and Babolat Origin. Origin not being a true multi.. but Babolat called it a super syn. gut when it was introduced and play-tested a while back. I am guessing this will be a great string as they have very high quality products.

 

[jangotango]

Applied, sounds like a better version of Lux Smart. Or at least what that was supposed to be, thank you TW for the opportunity!

 

[mogo]

Sounds interesting, applied.

Yes, sounds like an interesting string.

 

[dtkim]

Applied and I cannot see my original post...

 

[ckhirnigs113]

I was selected for the playtest! I usually use a gut/poly hybrid, so I’m excited to see how a hybrid string like this compares. I’ve been using Ai98’s for years but I just picked up a Prince Textreme Tour 100 (310). I think I’ll put this string in the Prince for the playtest.

Any thoughts on what tension a string of this type should be strung? I was thinking middle of the recommended tension range on my racquet.

 

[Faris]

I am in yay! Thank you @TW Staff for this opportunity. Looking forward to play testing this string

 

[djNEiGht]

full bed only, correct?

 

[McLovin]

I was selected for the playtest! I usually use a gut/poly hybrid, so I’m excited to see how a hybrid string like this compares. I’ve been using Ai98’s for years but I just picked up a Prince Textreme Tour 100 (310). I think I’ll put this string in the Prince for the playtest.

Any thoughts on what tension a string of this type should be strung? I was thinking middle of the recommended tension range on my racquet.

I am in yay! Thank you @TW Staff for this opportunity. Looking forward to play testing this string

Wow, that was quick. I just saw the initial post this morning and applied because it didn't say it was closed. Then I scrolled down and saw people were already accepted.

Oh well...

 

[Daddy's]

Any word on how HDMX is supposed to be different from HDX ? Is it stiffer , more powerful or what? I'm in and looking for tension recommendations.

 

[jwocky]

HDMX - Hybrid3D : all the benefits of a Hybrid in 1 string
Tecnifibre video:

Appears closer to Tecnifibre Duramix HD than HDX Tour in material composition but with an internal twisted construction.

A priori expectation is that it will play firmer: HDMX > Duramix HD > HDX Tour

 

[Daddy's]

Thanks for the link. Its going in a Gravity S which is a softer frame so I think about 55 or so? It should be here today.

 

[TW Staff]

Applied and I cannot see my original post...

Hey dtkim!

We try to clean up posts that are not talking about the string. It makes it easier for interested consumers to visit the thread and find useful content.

TW Staff

 

[n8dawg6]

Excited to try out this string. I am primarily a poly user who greatly prefers the soft feel of a multi.

Also interested in running the overgrip up against the old faithful blue in the deep south heat and humidity ...

 

[dtkim]

Thank you, TW Staff, for selecting me to playtest Tecnifibre's newest multifilament. I am looking forward to play test once it arrives...

 

[jangotango]

Thanks TW for selecting me for my debut playtest! I loved ice code, hopefully this will take the cake for synthetics.

 

[mikeyfrijoles]

Super excited to get this in my racket with the tecnifibre overgrip! Thanks TW!

 

[Daddy's]

That was quick. It's soft like a multi not poly at all. Strung it up in the Gravity S at 54 a little past mid tension. Green sure seems to be the new color for strings. Will give it a go Sat. https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipNrR8gQKl65NMI5NQeRlM0iTxQGswkGpbTqpQnQ

 

[samprasbackhand]

That was quick. It's soft like a multi not poly at all. Strung it up in the Gravity S at 54 a little past mid tension. Green sure seems to be the new color for strings. Will give it a go Sat. https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipNrR8gQKl65NMI5NQeRlM0iTxQGswkGpbTqpQnQ

Same, also got my package today. My EZONE strings still have some life on them so I might wait a week or so before I actually throw it in the racket. The overgrip I can probably try this weekend.

 

[jangotango]

That was quick. It's soft like a multi not poly at all. Strung it up in the Gravity S at 54 a little past mid tension. Green sure seems to be the new color for strings. Will give it a go Sat. https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipNrR8gQKl65NMI5NQeRlM0iTxQGswkGpbTqpQnQ

Does it stretch like a multi? Was it easy to string? I have a school match tomorrow so I'm waiting to use my set till afterwards.

 

[Daddy's]

It doesn't stretch as bad as some, about average. Very soft and easy to string. Haven't hit yet but doing the ol bounce test more cupping than springy.

 

[Bhagi Katbamna]

Excited to try this string. I normally use a hybrid with multifilament cross string and poly mains so we'll see.
Edit: received the strings 8/20. Will string racket tomorrow.

Strung it up in my Pure Drive at 54 lb. It was very easy to string.


Regular string set up & tension: Kirschbaum Proline II 16 g mains at 53 lb and Gamma Live wire 16 crosses at 56 lb

Racquet used for test: Babolat Pure Drive 2015 version.

Power: At this tension the power is actually good. I was able to hit deep reflex type shots from hard balls because the strings feel soft enough to redirect most of the power. I still have to take big cuts so it doesn't feel like a full bed of gut or multifilament strings. I have one racket strung with full poly(Big Hitter Blue Rough) and this definitely feels more powerful.

Control: Excellent control. The string did not move around on the frame and as long as I was able to hit the center of the string bed I got excellent control. I never felt the ball fly on me.

Feel: Excellent feel. I was able to hit great drop volleys and dropshots. Hitting volleys felt great. Serves and overheads also felt great with this string. The only thing it lacks is ball pocketing compared to an actual hybrid. I felt sometimes that even when I hit the sweetspot with this string, it didn't feel as good as with hybrid strings.

Spin: Excellent spin with correct technique. I use Gamma live wire in the crosses because it doesn't move. This string did not move and let me hit spin naturally without feeling I had to do anything extra to get that spin. Great kick serves and slice serves as well.

Durability: No notching or fraying at 8 hours. Seeing fraying at 9 hours.
Playability Duration: No change at 8 hours. So around 12 hours, it is moving around and I probably have to cut it out soon.
Tension Recommendations (would you string it differently next time - why) 54 lb seems to be a good tension for me. I have good feel, good spin, and no harshness.

List any additional thoughts (optional) It takes the guess work out of what to put in the mains and what to put in the crosses. This is an excellent string and I really like it. It doesn't feel harsh at all and has the benefits of polys without feeling harsh at all.

Today(9/2) I used the racket with this string and then one with hybrid stringing to compare more directly.
HDMX-16: Felt a little stiffer. Got more spin and better control. Less ball pocketing. Less feel.
Actual Hybrid of Proline II and Gamma Live Wire: More pocketing. More power. More feel. Less control.


Tecnifibre overgrip: Feels like a more tacky version of Wilson Pro overgrip. Really, really nice overgrip. I have a tough time buying overgrips because I like the gamma pro overgrip but the reviews say they changed the formulation recently. I can definitely use these instead of the Wilson Pros and Gamma Pros.

 

[Daddy's]

Heads up for people stringing this for first time. It leans towards the poly end of response more dead less towards the multi lively feel. I strung it at 55 and feel I should have gone to 50 or so.

 

[pabletion]

Heads up for people stringing this for first time. It leans towards the poly end of response more dead less towards the multi lively feel. I strung it at 55 and feel I should have gone to 50 or so.

Thanks for the heads up! Whats your regular string & tension?

 

[Daddy's]

Fairly new racquet to me head gravity s. I've used Lynx at 50 and experience at 48 . String feel has improved with break in RacquetTune says 10 % drop in tension after about 6 hrs hitting

 

[scotus]

A very nice string. Used it in a tournament Saturday.

 

[McLovin]

For those that were selected...have you all received your string yet? I was notified on Thursday, but haven't received anything as of yesterday (Tuesday).

EDIT: Never mind. I wasn't receiving UPS notifications because I changed companies and no longer had access to that email address. I logged in to UPS and saw it was scheduled for delivery today.

 

[SteveI]

For those that were selected...have you all received your string yet? I was notified on Thursday, but haven't received anything as of yesterday (Tuesday).

EDIT: Never mind. I wasn't receiving UPS notifications because I changed companies and no longer had access to that email address. I logged in to UPS and saw it was scheduled for delivery today.

Mine is on the UPS Truck... much longer to get the East Coast play testers.... No hurry here. Lots of great fall tennis weather coming!!

 

[ckhirnigs113]

Got the strings yesterday. Hope to string them up tonight.

 

[SteveI]

Just got mine... looks cool

 

[djNEiGht]

Just got mine... looks cool

yeah..it does look nice

 

[n8dawg6]

UPS man just dropped it off. looks good. gonna get er strung up after USTA state this weekend.

 

[djNEiGht]

the string package was different for me as well as the OG

 

[mikeyfrijoles]

Strung my Yonex Ezone 98 last night at 52 pounds. The string strung up like a syn gut with lots of stretch and easy to weave crosses. Once strung the string feels very stiff like a poly will hit it tonight and report back...

 

[haqq777]

UPS man just dropped it off. looks good. gonna get er strung up after USTA state this weekend.

You got that flavor right #MangoOrangeFTW

 

[Faris]

Ready to hit the courts. Using my AG200 for this playtest since I figured low powered stick and full bed muti.



I received the demo version packaging for string by the way. I haven't installed the overgrip yet but will do after my first hit. Anyway, thanks @TW Staff for this opportunity!

 

[SteveI]

Installed the overgrip.... very tacky!! Not too thick.

 

[samprasbackhand]

Installed the overgrip.... very tacky!! Not too thick.

+1, I liked the tacky feel of the overgrip and it also had a nice cushioned feel. Definitely a fan of the grip so far.

 

[haqq777]

Ready to hit the courts. Using my AG200 for this playtest since I figured low powered stick and full bed muti.

Great sticks. Both of mine say hello.

Looking forward to your review of the string.

 

[Faris]

Great sticks. Both of mine say hello.

Looking forward to your review of the string.

*like*

Gorgeous frames these are. My first outing was great. As someone mentioned here already, this is a lower powered multi. Felt like poly except obviously more comfy. Details to follow soon in my full review after I have a good few hrs on the string

 

[mikeyfrijoles]

Tecnifibre HDMX 16 playtest.

Like HDX Tour, HDMX has a multifilament construction (comprised of polyamide & polyester filaments) and infused with polyurethane.

Tension 52 pounds

Regular String Volkl Cyclone @ 52 pounds

Racquet Yonex Ezone 98 305 lead @ 3 and 9

Power 6/10 more power than a poly but not much more

Feel Crisp and Comfortable Good Pocketing

Spin 6/10 Spin was there but you had to generate your own. Snapback was not a great quality of this string.

Durability After 4 hours of hitting some spacing in the strings but should last another 4 hours at least...

Playability Duration Balls were staying in the first couple hours if I put some spin on my shots the next couple hours balls were flying a little long but made the proper adjustments.

Tension Recommendations I would string it a little higher next time, for more control and the ability to swing out more, probably around 55 pounds.

Additional Thoughts: HDMX from Tecnifibre is great string for players thinking about moving into the poly world but don’t want to take that step yet and players that need a break from poly strings for elbow, shoulder, and wrist problems. My personal preference will still be toward Volkl Cyclone and Tecnifibre’s new offering of Ice Code for the ability to really swing out without fear of the ball sailing.

Tecnifibre Overgrip I could easily switch to this overgrip lasted the four hours I hit with the HDMX String. It has more tackiness than Wilson Comfort and lasted longer.



Thank You @TW Staff Tennis Warehouse for this awesome opportunity!!

 

[jangotango]

Tecnifibre HDMX 16 playtest.

I'm going to preface this review by saying a huge thank you to @TW Staff for allowing this to be my first playtest! I hope there will be many more to come.

Tension: 52 pounds, electric constant pull.

Regular String: Head Hawk 16G (White) 48 pounds.

Racquet Tested On: Prince Textreme Tour 100 (310g, 2019) with leather grip.

Power: Definitely more power than a poly, but definitely on the "low powered multi" spectrum. 6.5/10

Feel: Super crisp, wonderfully comfortable. I could really feel the ball sinking into the stringbed and shooting out. 8/10.

Spin: Spinniest multifilament I've ever used, the string bit the ball well, and the coating of the string allows it to actually snap back! Lower power also let me swing out on the ball. In terms of multis, 7/10.

Durability: Broke after 6 hours match play, 3 hours of hard drilling. Didn't really notch, more or less "shaved" away. YMMV.

Playability Duration: The first 6 hours were wonderful. But as the coating started to wear away, the string became much more powerful, while supplying less and less spin. It started to get out of place quite a bit. Tension didn't feel like it dropped at all! 9/10.

Tension Recommendations: I loved it at 52 pounds, but it would be interesting to maybe try it at 54 pounds, or even with a 10% prestretch. If you play with poly, go 2-4 pounds above your tension.

Additional Thoughts: Tecnifibre HDMX is an amazing multifilament. The feel and comfort is awesome, and the spin, for a multi, is top notch. I can definitely see this string being a favorite for those who want to move away from poly, or those getting into poly monofilaments. If I ever run into arm pains, or just want to take a break from poly for a bit, this will be my go-to string. If the price is fair, I'll consider buying a reel, or at least a couple of sets. This string delivers on its promise of "hybrid" performance, so I'd like to try it in a hybrid to see how that goes.

Tecnifibre Overgrip: The Tecnifibre Pro Contact white overgrip I received was not for me. I have very sweaty and oily hands, and my racquet would start to slip and rotate if I didn't wipe it off/dry my hands. Very tacky though, would use in drier, cooler conditions.

 

[McLovin]

Strung it up at 52lbs, but did a 10% pre-stretch. I was uncertain if I wanted to go up to 55lbs, or down around 50. Since it has poly-fibers, I decided to split the difference: 52, but throw in the pre-stretch option.

Hitting tomorrow w/ a college kid on clay, so we'll see how it goes. He's a 5.0 level player, and I normally lose in close sets (last match was 7-5, 7-5), or split sets, with him crushing me in the 1st, but me scrapping together a good 2nd. Should be interesting.

 

[dtkim]

I got my racquet ready to playtest. I really like the overgrip. It's much better than what I have been using. I will report playtest by the end of coming week. How do I post pictures?

 

[McLovin]

I really like the overgrip. It's much better than what I have been using.

Agreed. I've been using Yonex Super Grap for 5+ years, and after only two outings I'm seriously considering switching to this grip.

 

[haqq777]

Agreed. I've been using Yonex Super Grap for 5+ years, and after only two outings I'm seriously considering switching to this grip.

I got my racquet ready to playtest. I really like the overgrip. It's much better than what I have been using. I will report playtest by the end of coming week.

Which overgrip is it? As in what's the name? And is it a new offering? I've tried the Technifibre Pro Contact and really liked it but never switched. I've been a Wilson Pro user for a long time but after reading everyone's feedback, I might buy some to try. Is it more like the Super Grap/Wilson Pro type, or drier clothy Tourna/Lux Dry Elite kind?

 

[McLovin]

Which overgrip is it? I've tried the Technifibre Pro Contact and really liked it but never switched. I've been a Wilson Pro user for a long time but after reading everyone's feedback, I might buy some to try. Is it more like the Super Grap/Wilson Pro type, or drier clothy Tourna/Lux Dry Elite kind?

Its the Pro Contact. Similar IMO to Super Grap/Wilson Pro, but seems to last a little bit longer. I played 2 matches on clay this weekend and it still feels good. Granted it was cooler than usual here in the Mid Atlantic, but I still sweat a bunch.

 

[haqq777]

Its the Pro Contact. Similar IMO to Super Grap/Wilson Pro, but seems to last a little bit longer. I played 2 matches on clay this weekend and it still feels good. Granted it was cooler than usual here in the Mid Atlantic, but I still sweat a bunch.

Thanks. I scrolled up and saw @n8dawg6 photo and zoomed in and saw the name in the corner (Pro Contact). Was about to edit my post and then saw your reply, lol. I think I'll get some of these and try again. Never gave them a fair shake and from memory they were very similar to Wilson Pro. If they last longer, it is a pretty obvious decision then to switch. They are just a bit more expensive, like 50 cents or so on TW website, but no big deal, seem to be well worth it. I'm decommissioned at the moment with my arthroscopy in a week but will give it a shot after I'm back on courts.

 

[McLovin]

If they last longer, it is a pretty obvious decision then to switch. They are just a bit more expensive, like 50 cents or so on TW website, but no big deal, seem to be well worth it.

Well, this is why I'm "seriously considering it". Although, TW has a special on the 12 pack if you buy 4, and since I normally buy these things in bulk, with the deal they are equivalent to around $33 for a 30-pack reel, which is cheaper than the Wilson Pro or Yonex reel.

Yes, its 48 grips, but I change mine every 2 or 3 matches, so I need a lot...