Tennis Warehouse Playtest: Solinco Blackout v2

TW Staff

Administrator
Attention Talk Tennis Members:

Happy fall, y’all! We have a limited playtest of the Solinco Blackout v2. This playtest is open to USA Talk Tennis members only.

VERY IMPORTANT: Playtesters will be required to get their test racquet strung. Each racquet will be shipped with two set of strings. We have two grip sizes available - grip 2 and 3.

Application period closed. Selected participants will be notified via email by Friday, Sepetember 26th at 5 pm.

We have a very limited quantity of racquets to playtest. We select playtesters based on a number of factors, including message board participation and performance on past playtests.

Your review is due by (TBD- please check back soon).

Posting a full review by the deadline is necessary to remain in good standing for future playtests. Reviews lacking sufficient effort will resort in disqualification from the playtest program.

Include the following in your review:

String and tension used for test:
Tennis experience/background:
Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley):
Current racquet/string setups:
How many hours did you play with the racquet?

Comments on racquet performance for each stroke (each section should be 3-5 sentences minimum):
-Groundstrokes:
-Serves:
-Volleys:
-Serve returns:

Comments on racquet performance in each area (should be 2-3 sentences minimum)
Power/Control-
Top Spin/Slice-
Comfort-
Feel-
Maneuverability-
Stability-

General reaction/comments on overall performance:

Thanks,
TW Staff

We will delete “request sent” emails, but encourage a lively “pre-game” discussion on the racquets.

__________________________________

What we look for in a playtester:

1) A user that is in good standing - no excess warnings on Talk Tennis
2) A user that is participating on the forum- we look for a participant that is actively participating/posting on the forum on a weekly basis and has at least 100 posts (although we do make exceptions)
3) A user that is participating in threads on the racquet forum and bonus points if it is in threads that are related to the racquet being playtested
4) Participation in a string playtest- we offer monthly string playtests that are much easier to get into. If you show great effort there, it will standout for the next racquet/shoe playtest
5) if you have playtested a racquet/shoe in the past- we look for good effort in the comments, turning in your review on time and actively participating in the thread throughout the playtest

We do try to spread the wealth, if you have participated in either a racquet/shoe playtest within the year, chances are you won't be selected for a racquet/shoe playtest (we do make an exception to the rule if we see a user that stands out, doesn't happen often). Each playtest contains a mix of users that haven't participated in a playtest before, users that haven't been selected in over a year and users that show exceptional effort in recent string playtests.
 
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A 100 sq. in. frame weighing in at 300g with a stiffness rating around 66? Yes, Please!

This is right in my wheelhouse and sounds like a potential direct competitor with the Blade 100 (of which I have a v8 and v9).
 
Sounds like this will be a popular one, so I'll sit it out! This is a perfect frame for the Pure Drive / Pure Aero crowd!
 
I am beyond excited for this playtest. I liked much about the v1-looking at a more stable, muted response…Ideal!
 
Personally sitting this one out as well as it seems this is similar to the whiteout v2 in terms of the v2 models going for a much more dampened and comfort oriented direction! Best of luck to everyone else.
 
Personally sitting this one out as well as it seems this is similar to the whiteout v2 in terms of the v2 models going for a much more dampened and comfort oriented direction! Best of luck to everyone else.
The Blackout v2 is a very different frame than the Whiteout v2.
 
I have fully committed to switching to 100” frames and loving the latest Pure Drive. Was Blackout V1 softer version of the previous Pure Drive 2022?
 
A 100 sq. in. frame weighing in at 300g with a stiffness rating around 66? Yes, Please!

This is right in my wheelhouse and sounds like a potential direct competitor with the Blade 100 (of which I have a v8 and v9).
BOV2 is way more solid and stable at net redirecting hard hit balls. BOV2 has more power and is more forgiving to use. The ball explodes more off the ground as well.

For reference, my BOV2 is leaded up to 325SW while my Blade 100 is 328SW with no lead.

I do use the Blade to give lessons since the ball has less spin and bounces more predictably for students and it offers good comfort.
 
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I'm playing quite a bit with the Whiteout V2 Camo these days; I see that the Blackout V2 Camo has been a very anticipated frame and now it is here! Watch the first video on it last night from Tennis Spin and the review while brief only wetted the curiosity even more for what this frame can actually do. Looking forward to seeing a TW review hopefully sometime this week which undoubtedly will be more in depth and rich with content. I'm mainly curious as to where this frame fits in ... seems like it might be the ultimate Power/Spin frame whereas the Whiteout (that I'm currently using) seems to be a Control/Spin frame if that makes sense?
 
I'm playing quite a bit with the Whiteout V2 Camo these days; I see that the Blackout V2 Camo has been a very anticipated frame and now it is here! Watch the first video on it last night from Tennis Spin and the review while brief only wetted the curiosity even more for what this frame can actually do. Looking forward to seeing a TW review hopefully sometime this week which undoubtedly will be more in depth and rich with content. I'm mainly curious as to where this frame fits in ... seems like it might be the ultimate Power/Spin frame whereas the Whiteout (that I'm currently using) seems to be a Control/Spin frame if that makes sense?
Whiteout competes with the Blade 98 16x19, Pure Strike 16x19 and EZ98 while the Blackout competes with the Pure Drive 100, Pure Aero 100, and EZ100.
 
I have fully committed to switching to 100” frames and loving the latest Pure Drive. Was Blackout V1 softer version of the previous Pure Drive 2022?
I thought it felt softer. I used both with Hyper G Soft and felt the BO was a tad softer.
 
Whiteout competes with the Blade 98 16x19, Pure Strike 16x19 and EZ98 while the Blackout competes with the Pure Drive 100, Pure Aero 100, and EZ100.
I’m using the Ezone 100, and I’ve used the PD 100 in the past as well as the V1 Blackout, so if I’m in this could make for a great comparison review. I’d love if someone with experience with all of these would compare them as well
 
I’m using the Ezone 100, and I’ve used the PD 100 in the past as well as the V1 Blackout, so if I’m in this could make for a great comparison review. I’d love if someone with experience with all of these would compare them as well
My list of great frames - BOv2, 2022 EZ100 (haven't used the current one), 2012 PD, 2013 APD all at ~11.7oz (325SW strung)
 
I'm excited for this release as I've recently spent a lot of time deciding between an Ezone 100 and PD, chose the Ezone, but really curious to see how the BOv2 stacks up against these big boys!
 
Sounds like a fun playtest, but I'll sit this one out. The XTD seems interesting. Looking forward to reading the reviews.
 
I’m using the Ezone 100, and I’ve used the PD 100 in the past as well as the V1 Blackout, so if I’m in this could make for a great comparison review. I’d love if someone with experience with all of these would compare them as well
I've used all three, I thought that V1 BO had the most control and the most access to touch and feel. I always felt that of the 3, the V1 BO didn't play like it's listed RA, it had a softer feel.
 
I've used all three, I thought that V1 BO had the most control and the most access to touch and feel. I always felt that of the 3, the V1 BO didn't play like it's listed RA, it had a softer feel.
I have as well, and I’d fully agree with your assessment. I was referring to the V2 BO, but I thought the V1 BO had a blade-like feel, while the PD was hollow and the Ezone was super muted.
 
BOV2 is way more solid and stable at net redirecting hard hit balls. BOV2 has more power and is more forgiving to use. The ball explodes more off the ground as well.

For reference, my BOV2 is leaded up to 325SW while my Blade 100 is 328SW with no lead.

I do use the Blade to give lessons since the ball has less spin and bounces more predictably for students and it offers good comfort.

Now you've really piqued my interest!

I'll be surprised if I get selected, as I was on the recent Wilson Ultra 100 playtest. I found the Ultra to be vastly superior to the Blade at the net. Something in the feel and touch just absorbed hard shots and allowed me to place them (nay, drop them over the net) with ease. However, I found that frame to be a bit too stiff to overtake the Blade as my primary stick. Your description sounds like the BOV2 might strike the eloquent balance between the two.
 
As I was just on the 305S playtest earlier in the year, I'm going to sit this one out as well, but keen to hear what the BOv2 offers over everything else in the segment. Will be following with interest!
 
I think he just means v2 is more dampened than the v1
correct! Dampened rackets aren’t my cup of tea. Personally tried whiteout v1 and v2 and the dampened differences were very noticeable. Solinco has already announced that the dampening tech in the BO v2 is the same applied to WOv2.
 
Great! Just send in my application. I currently main the Wilson Shift 99 so would be a good comparison of the two as they aren't far off in specs. Never got to try the first gen blackout. Will be making a video review as well if I get this on @tenniswziming on IG/TT/YT. Very interested to see how this goes
 
I'm sort of interested in this one. I really like my current racquet but an extended frame with an open pattern could be fun.
 
Looking for an Extended look at the XTD !! Who could use some extra MPH on their serves !!
Can Solinco work the same magic on the BlackOut V2 like they have on their WhiteOut V2 ( r strings for that matter)?
 
Super excited for this one - very curious to see how the 300 plays with its more HL balance, relative to similar frames!
 
Didn’t think this was my kind of frame, but I happened to play around with a buddy’s Pure Aero Plus for a little while recently and had a very good time. It even convinced me to demo an EZone +, which is also just such fun. so pretty interested to hear what folks think of the BOXTD!
 
I've always wanted to try a Solinco racquet! They've been knocking it out of the park with their camo PJs and have been really well received for playability and quality. Can't wait to read about the blackout's update!!
 
I currently use PD+ . Its mostly perfect for a power stick. But when my strings aren't fresh the feel can get harsh. Excited to compare the v2 blackout to see if it is an improvement!
Obviously it's player-preference, but having used the V1 XTD for the past 3 years, and being on the PD+ 2025 playtest back in December, the V2 XTD is definitely an improvement over both in terms of feel.

I felt w/ the PD + 2025, I could change between that & my V1 and barely notice any difference. The power/spin (so far) seems the same between all 3, but the Blackout V2 has a more dampened feel, of which I am a fan (and this is not 'fanboy' mode...I said the same thing when Yoenx added VDM to the VCORE in 2021). Stability also seems to have improved, but I've only hit w/ my V2 3 times so far. I need to (grudgingly) go back to my V1 for a set to get a better comparison.
 
Obviously it's player-preference, but having used the V1 XTD for the past 3 years, and being on the PD+ 2025 playtest back in December, the V2 XTD is definitely an improvement over both in terms of feel.

I felt w/ the PD + 2025, I could change between that & my V1 and barely notice any difference. The power/spin (so far) seems the same between all 3, but the Blackout V2 has a more dampened feel, of which I am a fan (and this is not 'fanboy' mode...I said the same thing when Yoenx added VDM to the VCORE in 2021). Stability also seems to have improved, but I've only hit w/ my V2 3 times so far. I need to (grudgingly) go back to my V1 for a set to get a better comparison.
So the Solinco is the frugal person's Babolat Pure Drive?

I'm frugal so this is good to know.

I think I need to take a look at some Solinco offerings. I might find I like their racquets.
 
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