Tennis Warehouse: Babolat Pure Aero 98

ulunxtns said:
Same here, wasn't lucky enough to be chosen for the playtest, but I ordered demo, arrived yesterday. The demo came with RPM Hurricane 1.30. I'm not familiar with that string, according to my tennis tension app, it was about 43 lbs, I was a little surprised that the demo was strung that low, but I usually play poly in mid 40s, so no issue for me. First session last night, whippy and fast through the air, but I've been hitting long than usual, still adjusting to getting more control of the ball.

Anyone has experience with that string (RPM Hurricane), maybe there's a break-in period. To me, it feels very average. I'm thinking of putting other strings in it to try.

I recently demoed new vcore 98 as well, of course different string set up. But Vcore 98 seems more forgiving and easier to generate spin. PA98 has more of linear response and more powerful than vcore 98. Both racquets are very good at serve.
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Besides being more powerful than the VC98, is there any reason someone should choose a PA98 over the VC98? I’ve been hitting VC98 2023 exclusively since its release and can’t commit to it just yet knowing that there are so many new frames out there.
 
n80aoag said:
Besides being more powerful than the VC98, is there any reason someone should choose a PA98 over the VC98? I’ve been hitting VC98 2023 exclusively since its release and can’t commit to it just yet knowing that there are so many new frames out there.
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I had my second session last night with PA98. I restrung it with Black Knight, but the feel still didn't change. The feedback was not muted but rather dead(I don't know how to describe it lol). Maybe it's a string-sensitive frame. It's not particularly stiff, that's a good thing since I have a sensitive elbow. Compare to the regular PA, I like the regular PA more. Maybe it needs a livelier sting in this frame.

I would say if you use PAVS before, probably it's an easy transition, but for me (came from Ezone 98), I prefer Vcore 98 so far. I hit with Stike VS before, to me that frame has a better feel than PA98. I wanted to like PA98, I will give it two more sessions to find out if it suits me.
 
I owned the PAVS in the past but didn’t care for it much due to its hollow feel and small sweet spot. I’m hoping some of the less stiff characteristics and different layup or flax to make it more plush will make it more appealing. Currently have a new to me Ezone 98 ‘22 for an extended playtest as well
 
The only string that worked with my PA VS and gave me some decent control was RPM Team. It pretty plays excellent on most babolat frames.
 
ulunxtns said:
I had my second session last night with PA98. I restrung it with Black Knight, but the feel still didn't change. The feedback was not muted but rather dead(I don't know how to describe it lol). Maybe it's a string-sensitive frame. It's not particularly stiff, that's a good thing since I have a sensitive elbow. Compare to the regular PA, I like the regular PA more. Maybe it needs a livelier sting in this frame.

I would say if you use PAVS before, probably it's an easy transition, but for me (came from Ezone 98), I prefer Vcore 98 so far. I hit with Stike VS before, to me that frame has a better feel than PA98. I wanted to like PA98, I will give it two more sessions to find out if it suits me.
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Black Knight is a horrible string. You talk about feeling dead? That string feels deader than dead! Put something of quality in that frame.
 
I received my racket yesterday night.
My racket came super head heavy.
Unstrung specs: 307.5g 32.2cm SW306

Manufacturer specs are: 305g 31.5cm (+/-7), so my balance falls right inside the tolerance.

Strung with RPM 17, no OG: 325.1 33.1 SW338

Im interested to hear about other playtesters racket.
 
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Mine arrived today. Glossy paintjob is very nice! I have to say, I like the look of this better than the PAVS. Unstrung specs were 308g, 32cm balance and 305 SW on the Briffidi. I strung it with Excel 16 at 55lb and RPM blast in the crosses at 50. Strung specs are: 332g, 32.5cm balance, and 333 SW.
 
Has anyone located in the southwest U.S. received their play test PA98 yet? Hoping this icy weather doesn’t delay shipping
 
I got mine this past Saturday and strung it with RPM Blast 17 @53 lb. It’s definitely a nice frame, allows you to swing out and you don’t have to worry about the ball sailing long. The higher SW isn’t as noticeable for me, I felt that the racquet came around quite well. The power is there if you swing out, but the launch angle felt lower than what I am usually used to so I’ll need more time with the frame. Serves were good, not booming but easy to put away first serves. Volleys were decent, felt solid at the net but the feel could be better. Backhand slices were horrid though, I could not get the hang of it on this racquet. Maybe time will improve this as well as I get used to the launch angle.
 
RafaBabolat said:
I got mine this past Saturday and strung it with RPM Blast 17 @53 lb. It’s definitely a nice frame, allows you to swing out and you don’t have to worry about the ball sailing long. The higher SW isn’t as noticeable for me, I felt that the racquet came around quite well. The power is there if you swing out, but the launch angle felt lower than what I am usually used to so I’ll need more time with the frame. Serves were good, not booming but easy to put away first serves. Volleys were decent, felt solid at the net but the feel could be better. Backhand slices were horrid though, I could not get the hang of it on this racquet. Maybe time will improve this as well as I get used to the launch angle.
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I was never a fan of RPM blast, but appreciate that it comes for free with the play test. I'll likely go with a softer string setup, like Gosen G Tour 3 @ 48 lbs with mine
 
Just delivered. Unstrung specs:
307.5g, 31.9cm, SW299, TW 13.55

That is near identical to my Elevate V3 that I just received. Twist weight is higher. Relative to frames like the PK Q+5x, Pure Aero 2023, Blade Pro, Artengo, and Ultra Tour, the twist weight is higher than all of those. Only the Blade Pro had a higher stock swingweight.

About to go pop some string in there and will re-spec it out. If weather golds, will hopefully have a hit on Thursday.

EDIT:
Strung specs w/ BlackKnight 17 - 324.2g, 33cm, 329SW
 
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Just received the racket today. Unstrung without the plastic on the handle. Static weight 308 grams. 7 pts hl.

So when strung it will weight 326 grams and be 3 pts hl.

This one had the one side of the handle filled with silicone. I bet it will feel amazing.

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Just ordered mine.

Usually string @ 51lbs. But I'm gonna try RPM Blast 17 @ 47.

Gonna give RPM Blast one more try. Originally strung my regular Pure Aeros with it but didn't love it.

Haven't tried it in my VS.

So I'll give it a try in this frame and switch to Solinco Hyper G or Confidential if I don't like it.
 
As always, I'm still just learning.

But this will give me a PA98, PAVS and Head Extreme Tour to play.

And then keep to two regular Pure Aero rackets and Pure Strike racket in the bag for other people to use if they don't have a racket.

I'm still tinkering with customizing the Extreme Tour.

But I love the PAVS in stock form so won't tinker around with 98. Just play as is.
 
Interested to hear how these stack up against the standard Babolat PA 23 and Pure Strike 98. Power, control, spin, maneuverability and feel etc. If I could get the power and spin of the PA 23 with the control, feel and maneuverability of the Pure Strike I couldn't ask for much more besides the same in a Plus (extended) version!
 
StringStrungStrang said:
Interested to hear how these stack up against the standard Babolat PA 23 and Pure Strike 98. Power, control, spin, maneuverability and feel etc. If I could get the power and spin of the PA 23 with the control, feel and maneuverability of the Pure Strike I couldn't ask for much more besides the same in a Plus (extended) version!
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I would definitely give the PA 98 a demo if those of the characteristics youre looking for. I also have the PA 23 and I have to give the 98 the advantage just bc it swings very quick while making an improvement from the VS 98 with the feel.

Im also experimenting with extending one of my PA VS by taking the butt cap off and just adding a soda cap and so far its been good to me. The only difference for me is that I would have to string the VS lower compared to the PA 98 but that might just be a me thing.
 
Mine arrived to MA yesterday.

It was 308g unstrung with plastic on handle. Don’t have capability to measure the other specs.

Shadow swings had a real nice balance so I’m excited to get it strung and take it out for a spin!
 
Pure Strike VS has similar specs to the PA 98, and I’m wondering who has played with both and can comment on the playability differences. Spec wise, the PSVS is slightly thinner, higher static weight, and slightly lower stiffness…sounds perfect for a head to head comparo (even if they have different target audiences/goals)
 
n80aoag said:
Pure Strike VS has similar specs to the PA 98, and I’m wondering who has played with both and can comment on the playability differences. Spec wise, the PSVS is slightly thinner, higher static weight, and slightly lower stiffness…sounds perfect for a head to head comparo (even if they have different target audiences/goals)
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I have both. Have not played with either yet.

I suspect the PA98 will play bigger with a lower sw than the psvs which I have at 300 unstrung sw.
 
n80aoag said:
Pure Strike VS has similar specs to the PA 98, and I’m wondering who has played with both and can comment on the playability differences. Spec wise, the PSVS is slightly thinner, higher static weight, and slightly lower stiffness…sounds perfect for a head to head comparo (even if they have different target audiences/goals)
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I wrote an in depth review of PSVS on the PSVS playtest forum a couple days ago. Take a look.
Comparing the PA98 with the PSVS, PSVS is definitely more difficult racquet to use, the sweet spot feels considerably smaller than the PA98 and considerably smaller than other 97 racquets as well. The power level is higher for the PA98. If PA98 is a 10 PSVS is a 9 so it is not that different. PSVS is extremely powerful for a 97. I would say the PA98 is way more powerful than a typical 98 tweener style non babalot racquet(blade, extreme, ezone, radical etc) and PSVS has similar levels of power to the what you would imagine a regular 98 racquet to have, maybe similar to ezone-ish. The launch angle of PS98 is considerably lower than the PA98. Shots I expect to go over the net would hit the net for PSVS but not for the PA98. But the PSVS is also erratic somtimes you expect the ball to go low but the ball would have an high arc with lots of spin and land outside the baseline, while the PA98 is more consistent. Spinwise, they are similar. Yes, you could say the PA98 has more spin because it is more powerful and the launch angle is higher. Those features do allow the PA98 to have more spin, however, the PSVS does not lack spin. If PA98 is a 10 PSVS is a 9 for this one too.

The PSVS is an interesting racquet it is what someone in the forum calls a pleener meaning it is in the middle ground of a difficult low poweredplayer's raquet and the as easier to use typical tweener racquet. It is a mixture of both, while I would categorize the PS98 in the tweener category. I would assume for 95% of players the PA98 is the racquet to go for possibly even 98%.. I haven't written my review for the PA98 yet, but it is possibly one of the best racquets that I have ever used. This, coming from a person who has owned both the Extreme Tour and the Regna 98 (both racquets have a crazy cult followings).

I do have both racquets and plan to use both on a regular basis.. I know it is 'not good for my game' to consistently change racquets and having 2 different racquets in your bag is blasphemy. But the PSVS just looks so cool and the 2 racquets are similar enough to consider them brothers so I wouldn't expect it to effect my consistency that much. My thinking is that the having a similar but slightly harder to use racquet would help me focus on my technique because the PSVS is not forgiving at all. But I am definitely making justifications because of the paint job. If the PSVS didn't look as good as it did, I would have 2 PA98s in my bag. I always felt that having 2 of the same racquets in the bag was slightly boring. Sure they have different strings, but when I change racquets it doesn't feel THAT different so it doesn't feel like you are actually changing your weapon. But it would be fun to have 2 very similar racquets to change depending on the mood.
 
I've played with the PSVS extensively, for most of the past 12 months since it came out. I think it's an amazing racquet, and really perfect for me at the moment. I do have it up to 340SW, which I think is necessary, but even there it's just a bit above 340g, and about a 32cm balance.

I only have 2 sets played with the PA98, but it is definitely more powerful and direct than the PSVS. Where the PSVS has flex you can feel, PA98 does not - it really bludgeons the ball. Launch angle seems similar, and that makes sense because the string pattern is pretty similar, but the PA98 gives you more easy power and more easy spin. I have not customized it yet, and it plays great at the stock specs (332g, 32.5cm balance, and a 333SW). I don't think it needs to be customized at all - very stable and solid.

I think most people will probably prefer the PA98, and I could see getting into it, for sure. I doubt that I will go that way, but I am going to enjoy the rest of this playtest. A super fun racquet to hit with and a high performing one at that.
 
StringStrungStrang said:
Interested to hear how these stack up against the standard Babolat PA 23 and Pure Strike 98. Power, control, spin, maneuverability and feel etc. If I could get the power and spin of the PA 23 with the control, feel and maneuverability of the Pure Strike I couldn't ask for much more besides the same in a Plus (extended) version!
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Once again, I'm not that good of a player. Still learning.

But I own all three rackets, except the two standard Pure Aeros being older versions.

Here's how I would rate them from my limited abilities.

Power

Standard Pure Aero - 8/10
Pure Strike 98 - 8/10
Pure Aero VS - 7/10

Control

Standard Pure Aero - 6/10
Pure Strike 98 - 7/10
Pure Aero VS - 8/10

Spin

Standard Pure Aero - 9/10
Pure Strike 98 - 7/10
Pure Aero VS - 8.5/10

Maneuverability

Standard Pure Aero - 6.5/10
Pure Strike 98 - 7/10
Pure Aero VS - 9/10

Feel

Standard Pure Aero - 7/10
Pure Strike 98 - 7.5/10
Pure Aero VS 7.5/10

These things are always subjective but those numbers are what I'm feeling when I play with them.

Again, it's apples and oranges.

But the Pure Aero VS is clearly my favorite out of the three.

Somebody craving the extra power from the racket will very likely gravitate toward the Pure Strike or Standard Pure Aero.

But, in my case, I find having that little extra power doesn't make me play any better.

I tend to like to swing away and the Pure Aero VS seems to have just the right amount of power for my game.

Not too much but not to little.
 
Kozzy said:
PA98 gives you more easy power and more easy spin. I have not customized it yet, and it plays great at the stock specs (332g, 32.5cm balance, and a 333SW).
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Wow!... you got a heavy one. That's definitely way over spec. Which imo is a good thing. Lucky you!

Unless you're measuring the static weight with an overgrip on it. Then that would make sense. Would still be a bit heavier than advertised specs.
 
TennisManiac said:
Wow!... you got a heavy one. That's definitely way over spec. Which imo is a good thing. Lucky you!

Unless you're measuring the static weight with an overgrip on it. Then that would make sense. Would still be a bit heavier than advertised specs.
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That is with the overgrip on there, but I feel like that still counts as stock, since almost everyone puts an overgrip on... Still nice and easy to swing, and it does cut through the air nicely.
 
First impression after 1st hit: Solid frame. I am going to put this thing through its paces. But I think Babolat has a winner on its hands here. My first impression of the Elevate V3 surpasses this though. I never hit with the PAVS, but many said that frame felt "hollow." I don't get that impression with this frame at all. But this frames NEEDS a poly. It has plenty of power. I can't imagine anyone keeping a ball in play with gut or a multi. I'd say I prefer this over the Pure Aero 2023.

But time will tell if I feel that way with more time with it....
 
Soundbyte said:
First impression after 1st hit: Solid frame. I am going to put this thing through its paces. But I think Babolat has a winner on its hands here. My first impression of the Elevate V3 surpasses this though. I never hit with the PAVS, but many said that frame felt "hollow." I don't get that impression with this frame at all. But this frames NEEDS a poly. It has plenty of power. I can't imagine anyone keeping a ball in play with gut or a multi. I'd say I prefer this over the Pure Aero 2023.

But time will tell if I feel that way with more time with it....
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I can certainly see something thinking the PAVS feels "hollow".

Weight and size compared to a Pure Strike are really similar.

But the Pure Strike feels hefty and the PAVS feels almost like you're swinging air.

Probably due to the PAVS being 6 pts head light.

My PA98 is on the say so I should be able to compare them a little this weekend.
 
It appears Hugo Dellien is at least entertaining a switch to the PA98. 20 crosses and lead at 3 and 9 looking at his Instagram
 
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