Tennis Warehouse Playtest: Solinco Blackout v2

I'm curious about this one too. I've been trying to switch from control to power oriented frames. The PD98 has been working ok for me, but it's a bit demanding, and it just pushed me to pick up a Whiteout to play around with. Sigh. Still looking for the magic power frame. I hope this one isn't too muted; I like the Whiteout a lot but wish it were a bit more direct feeling.
 
I'm curious about this one too. I've been trying to switch from control to power oriented frames. The PD98 has been working ok for me, but it's a bit demanding, and it just pushed me to pick up a Whiteout to play around with. Sigh. Still looking for the magic power frame. I hope this one isn't too muted; I like the Whiteout a lot but wish it were a bit more direct feeling.
Blackout v2 is more direct feeling than the Whiteout v2.
 
I'm curious about this one too. I've been trying to switch from control to power oriented frames. The PD98 has been working ok for me, but it's a bit demanding, and it just pushed me to pick up a Whiteout to play around with. Sigh. Still looking for the magic power frame. I hope this one isn't too muted; I like the Whiteout a lot but wish it were a bit more direct feeling.

Blackout v2 is more direct feeling than the Whiteout v2.

I agree. I don’t find the BO v2 overly muted (play Mach 10 16L @ 50#) and I think you can do a lot with it feel wise by tweaking string setup to get to where your individual preference may be. It just plays super super solid on contact without giving up power or spin. For me, it is way more of an all court weapon than v1 was.
 
I did not get a notification so I'm not in, but who did? I'm excited to read about your reviews and racquet journeys!!
Interested in what BO XTD v1 guys think of v2. This was my main racket for a year I know we have 1 user who loved the BO v1 XTD but not many used it. BO V1 XTD and whiteout XTD 16x19 and 18x20 for me was better than the pure drive 27.5.

Solinco makes really good stuff, I don’t know of any pros using Solinco rackets but there’s a bunch of juniors I saw using the whiteout so maybe in a few years they can really make a splash if one of those juniors is a big name.
 
I know this wasn’t directed at me, but as a 3-yr user of the V1 XTD, the answer is “yes”. After 1 hit I was hooked. Now I gotta decide what to do with the 6 V1s sitting in my basement…
Ok you’re probably who that question was for. I just remember the username started with an M
 
Are you switching to the blackout v2? As someone who once had 4 blackout XTD I’m kind of intrigued.
Still comparing it to the PD12 which has been my main stick for the past 4 years and the ‘22 EZ100 which is another excellent frame…
 
Still comparing it to the PD12 which has been my main stick for the past 4 years and the ‘22 EZ100 which is another excellent frame…
You mean the roddick pd black/white are you using the plus version? Ez100 reg or plus? Heard many good things about that but the 2022 was so chunky/thick did they slim it down
 
This frame is definitely getting some traction from the online "tennis influencers". Some are contemplating switches to it, and they seem serious; time will tell but the first impressions seem to be quite excellent. I hope you all have a great time playtesting this one!
 
It's the job of the social to market and promote in today's marketplace..
A great way for OEM to market and promote with minimal investment..
Some socials are lucky enough to get $$ from the OEM..
Some are happy with a racket or two..
That strategy works pretty well in today's marketplace..
 
It's the job of the social to market and promote in today's marketplace..
A great way for OEM to market and promote with minimal investment..
Some socials are lucky enough to get $$ from the OEM..
Some are happy with a racket or two..
That strategy works pretty well in today's marketplace..
If Solinco or other brands are listening, I will gladly shill your products here!!! Soundbyte loves free stuff. My posts have been to known to reach at least 1-2 dozen people!

But I know at least one real world user who is liking the frame. And I know he's not sponsored by Solinco and bought the racket himself!
 
Please compare to the 2018 Dunlop Srixon Revo CV 3.0
which has had one of the highest reviews of any racquet
of the OG PK Destiny frames that Babolat licensed.

The hollow graphite is what makes this design popular.

Adding foam gives more feel but Dunlop's Sonic Core
is the best use of dampening that retains the rawness.
Also foam falls apart with age unlike urethane/silicone.
 
I didn't like the BO 300 v1 but I loved the WO 18x20 and ended up playing with the WO XTD 18x20 for about 2yrs.
I now have a demo of the BO 300 v2 and hope to hit it this weekend. I'm excited to see if it plays like a comfy power frame.
It looks awesome in person.
 
I got one and still trying to get use to it..
I actually like it without a dampener. I always use a dampener.. I have not used a racket without a dampener since dampeners was a thing..I first started using a dampener when lux gave you a few of their purple O when you bought a real..I have use one ever since until this black out v2..
 
So, I played with the BO 300 v2 today.
Demo was strung with Element 1.25.
I was told it was mid-tension, but the stringbed felt very springy to me.
Very good spin and decent power level.
The frame didn't feel harsh at all.
The lack of weight did seem to hinder the stability in the upper hoop.
Unlike the WO, where I felt the 40T at 3&9 really made the frame feel stable, I didn't notice that stability in the BO very much at all.
Probably the lack of weight contributing to that more than anything, but still a nice frame, but not for me. . . :confused:
 
Agree..balls hit in the upper hoop ( where most balls are hit) the frame tended to flutter..as well as nails tended to sail/fly.
But balls hit the center.. bliss..
 
Received the XTD today!

Unstrung specs:
With card and plastic 317g

No card/wrap/ unstrung:
303g/31.5cm/294 SW

Strung with the included 1.20 Hypermach hybrid:
319g/32.5cm/323SW

10/12/25 Update: After about 6 hours stock, replaced the factory grip with a Fairway:
333g/31.5cm/325SW
 
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I haven’t received mine. Did you guys get a tracking ahead of time or did it just showed up at your door?
 
It would be way cooler if the camo was blue.. but the naming conventions sort of stunt any growth in that area..
Saw someone post the custom grommets earlier on! Looks like they made mach-10 blue and confidential pink (hyper-green apparently but I haven't seen those).
 
Strung w/ OG 324g, 32.1-6.5HL, 319SW. Hyper G 1.25mm. Very stable even at this low SW. I think the beam makes it feel a little clunky in my hand, but not too disimilar as the wide beam in an EZ100. I had a very quick hit and it felt nice on contact.
 
Got the first hit today with the Blackout V2 xtd. Such an amazing racket. They really have somehow packaged a lot of great attributes in a single racket. I never hit with the V1 so I can't compare the differences from that, but will try to compare with other mainstream rackets. It was equal or more forgiving than any other 100 sq inch power racket that I have tried (pure drive, pure aero, ezone 100). The string pattern is not launchy at all. When I hit flat, I get a very predictable response (in similar ball park of the Pro Staff !! Except with more power). If one wants to shape the ball, you have to do it with your swing, the racket won't do it for you (unlike the aero or vcore), but I much prefer that. That is not to say that spin generation was a problem. A lot of balls just dipped near the baseline with good spin. No maneuverability issue (at least for me) as well with the extended length. If you can play with a 325-328 swingweight racket, there shouldn't be any issue. The feel is also so nice! It is crisp but not hollow, and no bad vibrations from off center hits. Serves are almost equally powerful like a pure drive. The control, predictability and feel of the racket are just too impressive for me given the power and forgiveness it has. I know I still need to hit more before talking about a potential switch, but I really see it happening. It is easier and fun to hit with and almost no downside for me compared to a more control oriented racket. Going to play an upcoming tournament this weekend with it. Currently strung with Hyper G 16L at 52 lbs. I am a 4.5 player with ohbh. My usual racket preferences are Wilsons. Current racket of choice is the Pro Staff 97 V14 (Blade V5, V4, Blade pro 16x19, Ultra pro (with lead tape) 98 16x19 before that in chronological order). The non-wilson that I have spent long time playing with was the Pure Drive VS. Will get back here with more updates as I keep hitting before my final review by end of month. Happy to answer any questions in the meantime!
 
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Got the first hit today with the Blackout V2 xtd. Such an amazing racket. They really have somehow packaged a lot of great attributes in a single racket. I never hit with the V1 so I can't compare the differences from that, but will try to compare with other mainstream rackets. It was equal or more forgiving than any other 100 sq inch power racket that I have tried (pure drive, pure aero, ezone 100). The string pattern is not launchy at all. When I hit flat, I get a very predictable response (in similar ball park of the Pro Staff !! Except with more power). If one wants to shape the ball, you have to do it with your swing, the racket won't do it for you (unlike the aero or vcore), but I much prefer that. That is not to say that spin generation was a problem. A lot of balls just dipped near the baseline with good spin. No maneuverability issue (at least for me) as well with the extended length. If you can play with a 325-328 swingweight racket, there shouldn't be any issue. The feel is also so nice! It is crisp but not hollow, and no bad vibrations from off center hits. Serves are almost equally powerful like a pure drive. The control, predictability and feel of the racket are just too impressive for me given the power and forgiveness it has. I know I still need to hit more before talking about a potential switch, but I really see it happening. It is easier and fun to hit with and almost no downside for me compared to a more control oriented racket. Going to play an upcoming tournament this weekend with it. Currently strung with Hyper G 16L at 52 lbs. I am a 4.5 player with ohbh. My usual racket preferences are Wilsons. Current racket of choice is the Pro Staff 97 V14 (Blade V5, V4, Blade pro 16x19, Ultra pro (with lead tape) 98 16x19 before that in chronological order). The non-wilson that I have spent long time playing with was the Pure Drive VS. Will get back here with more updates as I keep hitting before my final review by end of month. Happy to answer any questions in the meantime!
BOv2 is as good as Textreme Tour 100 310 but lighter, the foam filling really works.
 
Imagine if the upcoming pure aero would have the flex and the feel of the BO2..
The guy from PH tennis says aero 2026 will have a new thinner mold and it plays really really well. So some hype there. If BO v2 does not replace my aero 98, maybe the 2026 version will.
 
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