115 mains go dead so fast in a open pattern frame IMO and led me to injuries. Proceed with caution.
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Tennis Warehouse Playtest: Solinco Confidential Soft 1.25
- Thread starter TW Staff
- Start date
I just had a really great outing with Confidential Soft 1.15 in the crosses and Lynx Tour 1.25 in the mains. Wow, really impressed. I had a set lying around the house and got bored but I'm glad I tried it again.
Confidential Soft 1.20 I felt was too launchy as a cross (and so was Mach 10 1.20) with Lynx Tour 1.20 Mains so I wrote it off but with Lynx Tour 1.25 Mains it has enough control. I think Lynx Tour 1.20 is very lively as a main string and it needs a really controlled cross to tame it but anyways I've moved on from Lynx Tour 1.20 for now anyway.
Compared to Mach-10 crosses, Confidential Soft is a bit more comfy and plush. Mach-10 is a stiffer string and harsher, it's not a huge difference but over an entire play session it adds up. Confidential Soft has a very similar power level to Mach-10, it's like splitting hairs but Confidential Soft is the more controlled string, slightly more accurate, lower launch angle.
I hit some of my best serves yesterday with Confidential Soft 1.15 in the crosses and my Uncle (he's a 4.0 player) was really in awe, like how are you serving this well. I chalked it up to a fluke serving day and the fact that my uncle isn't really at my playing level but then again today against a proper 5.0 hitting partner, I won a practice set 6-0 (we normally have closer sets like 7-6, or 7-5 where I win some and lose some) . Again could also be a fluke but enough for me to take notice. The spin and easy depth on groundstrokes I could generate with the 1.15 gauge was really throwing my opponent off, but on the same token I could hit a flat serve into corners with ease.
Off first impression Confidential Soft takes everything Mach-10 and does it a bit better in a comfier, more control oriented package. I did also like Mach 10 1.15 earlier in the winter when the temps were cooler but I thought it got launchy rather fast. Confidential Soft 1.15 does have random fliers every now and then due to the nature of 1.15 gauge strings but it is still fairly controlled (I played in 88 degrees and high humidity today) and I think it does generate better spin and easier depth than 1.20 so it's a matter of personal preference. My question now is do I stick with 1.15 or go up to 1.20. Anyways I'll report back but wow what a great string. I would describe Confidential Soft is comfy, controlled, spin friendly with decent pop. Really great all around string that doesn't have many weaknesses.
1.15 works much better in crosses than mains in open patterns imo.
Confidential Soft 1.20 I felt was too launchy as a cross (and so was Mach 10 1.20) with Lynx Tour 1.20 Mains so I wrote it off but with Lynx Tour 1.25 Mains it has enough control. I think Lynx Tour 1.20 is very lively as a main string and it needs a really controlled cross to tame it but anyways I've moved on from Lynx Tour 1.20 for now anyway.
Compared to Mach-10 crosses, Confidential Soft is a bit more comfy and plush. Mach-10 is a stiffer string and harsher, it's not a huge difference but over an entire play session it adds up. Confidential Soft has a very similar power level to Mach-10, it's like splitting hairs but Confidential Soft is the more controlled string, slightly more accurate, lower launch angle.
I hit some of my best serves yesterday with Confidential Soft 1.15 in the crosses and my Uncle (he's a 4.0 player) was really in awe, like how are you serving this well. I chalked it up to a fluke serving day and the fact that my uncle isn't really at my playing level but then again today against a proper 5.0 hitting partner, I won a practice set 6-0 (we normally have closer sets like 7-6, or 7-5 where I win some and lose some) . Again could also be a fluke but enough for me to take notice. The spin and easy depth on groundstrokes I could generate with the 1.15 gauge was really throwing my opponent off, but on the same token I could hit a flat serve into corners with ease.
Off first impression Confidential Soft takes everything Mach-10 and does it a bit better in a comfier, more control oriented package. I did also like Mach 10 1.15 earlier in the winter when the temps were cooler but I thought it got launchy rather fast. Confidential Soft 1.15 does have random fliers every now and then due to the nature of 1.15 gauge strings but it is still fairly controlled (I played in 88 degrees and high humidity today) and I think it does generate better spin and easier depth than 1.20 so it's a matter of personal preference. My question now is do I stick with 1.15 or go up to 1.20. Anyways I'll report back but wow what a great string. I would describe Confidential Soft is comfy, controlled, spin friendly with decent pop. Really great all around string that doesn't have many weaknesses.
1.15 works much better in crosses than mains in open patterns imo.
Agree with this but I would string it the same tension. Conf Soft is more controlled than Mach-10 so it doesn't require more tension.
AlcarazIsland
New User
Has anyone tried confidential soft with 4G in the crosses?
sinbads_ship
New User
really enjoying full bed confidential soft (1.25) on my vcore98 '26 so far, about 10h of sporadic playtime @ 52lb. this week and next gonna be able to put a lot more concentrated playing hours so should be able to get more concrete opinions but this is really the only "soft" poly I've ever enjoyed / thought was match-playable with regards to control. feels pretty magical to be honest
on top of that, seems to hold tension incredibly well
on top of that, seems to hold tension incredibly well
ReopeningWed
Professional
This is also my set up currently, it’s not the spinniest set up that I have played with but it gives me a lot of confidence and I feel like it tames the extreme launch angle of the VCore.
TennisManiac
Hall of Fame
Why not? I'd be interested in your thoughts. I was thinking about trying it as a full bed in the Ezone 98.
1.15 full bed is too launchy/short playability duration in an open pattern. Even just in the crosses I feel it’s a little launchy but manageable
TennisManiac
Hall of Fame
Launchy because of elasticity or because of how well it grabs the ball "in regards to its shape".
Not sure of the why behind the launchiness. I guess another word could be "unpredictable" but not only that it has a short playability duration as the thin mains get notched and stiffen up very quickly. After 2-3 hours for me I was getting a launchy and stiff string bed.
thenewbig3
Hall of Fame
Just go for 1.25 if all you can get is 2-3 hours from 1.15 before you have these kind of issues,
I just cant take anyone seriously - who - uses ultra thin poly string - then complains about launchiness and short string life.
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Which is why I don't recommend 1.15 in a full bed nor do i use it. What new information are you explaining to me? Lol
thenewbig3
Hall of Fame
Apologies. I was misled by Tennis Maniac question.... I'm pretty sure he doesn't know you were referring to 1.15 either.
AlcarazIsland
New User
Just tried the Confidential Soft 1.20 / 4G 1.20 hybrid on my TFight 305S - definitely not a bad hybrid choice - much more controlled but spin was also sacrificed. The strings were not sliding as well off each other as 4G kept it pretty locked in. However, this is an interesting setup and I've only put about 4 hours into it, looking forward to spend some more time with this one.
TwinCinema
Hall of Fame
Have you done full bed CS in the 305S? I tried it in the EZ98 and loved it, but haven’t used anything other than razor code or solstice in the 305S. I was afraid CS wouldn’t be crisp enough in the TFight but would love to be wrong about that.
sinbads_ship
New User
Meh, did some more playing and A:B testing. I still like it but maybe not in the gen8 vc98; i think overall after ~4 hours it began hard to trust the response and eventually has become pretty notched and boardy, i will have to cut it out before it breaks.
For me as a baseline basher and doubles player I think this kind of racquet just plays better with a stiffer poly if your arm can tolerate it.. next experiment is polytour force and maaybe restring slap
For me as a baseline basher and doubles player I think this kind of racquet just plays better with a stiffer poly if your arm can tolerate it.. next experiment is polytour force and maaybe restring slap
AlcarazIsland
New User
Yes, the full bed to me is actually the best version of the CS Soft 17 when it's fresh. I wanted to see if I could get a little more control/stiffness/longevity with 4G (I basically had a reel and needed to mess around). Played with the Soft/4G again yesterday for doubles, the control on the serves and flatter shots were excellent. Can't say if it was really better or worse than the full bed, but definitely a stiffer feel. Results feel the same, however.
flanker2000fr
Hall of Fame
I wouldn't call Mach 10 a soft string, but it's noticeably softer than Lynx Tour (black), at least in a 1.25 gauge. I've played both extensively, and I really like Lynx Tour, which plays like a more consistent version of Hyper G, and doesn't notch as quickly. I had to give it up, unfortunately, as it was bothering my elbow. No such problem with Mach 10 at the same gauge (1.25) and tension (46 lbs). The fact that Lynx Tour is actually a bit thicker (1.28mm rather than 1.25mm) than the stated gauge, and heavier too, might have to do something with it.
I have played most of Solinco's strings in various gauges, and my experience of stiffness, at similar gauges is:
Tour Bite > Confidential > Hyper G (both regular and round) = Revolution > Mach 10 >> Hyper G Soft
I haven't tried Tour Bite Soft, as I hated the regular version so much that I didn't see the point. Especially since my experience with the soft version of Hyper G wasn't positive due to the dreadful tension maintenance.
It looks like Confidential Soft has a better tension maintenance than Hyper G Soft, so I will give it a try, to see if I like it better than Mach 10, either in a full bed or as a main with Hyper G Round as a cross. For information: I play a slightly customized Radical MP (leather Grip, +2g lead at 12) and currently use a hybrid of Mach 10 1.25 mains / Hyper G Round 1.25 crosses, both at 44 lbs. I might bump Confidential Soft to 46 lbs to offset some tension loss.
Is Lynx Tour 1.25 actually 1.28? Interesting. I enjoy Lynx Tour 1.25 and it doesn't give me any arm pain.
Confidential Soft is good and very similar to Mach-10. Mach 10 has a different feel that I personally keep coming back to. But can't go wrong with either string. I find Confidential Soft slightly more comfort oriented than Mach-10.
flanker2000fr
Hall of Fame
Yes, Lynx Tour is 0.03mm thicker than advertised across all gauges, which is why people keep noticing +2-3g weight difference against other strings. It might not be a huge difference, but probably adds a few SW points vs. lighter strings.
It's been close to 100 degrees this week and I'm finding more control with Mach-10 in the heat and I prefer the crisper feel. Confidential Soft is a little more spongy but has more comfort however in high octane baseline rallies I can trust Mach-10 a little more. No free lunch unfortunately. Mach-10 is comfortable enough for me until it goes dead so I've made the switch back for now. I could try Confidential Soft at a higher tension than Mach-10 but then I'm back at square one comfort wise. So Mach-10 in 1.20 gauge is the string I keep coming back to for my crosses. It's funny because to me Mach-10 is the high performance string and Confidential Soft is the comfort string even though their marketing/packaging says otherwise.
WhoSketchy
New User
Tried this 1.15 string as a full bed at 50 in my Wilson defyer, absolutely hate it. Sweet spot hits just fly off into the void and the outer edges of the string give 0 energy return, very inconsistent.
ReopeningWed
Professional
One of my 5.0 mates completely flipped our matchup upside down with the Defyer and Confidential Soft in a good way for him and a terrible way for me. But I guess if you come from playing with a Prestige the Defyer is so much easier to play with.
flanker2000fr
Hall of Fame
My stringer is currently out of Confidential Soft 1.25mm, but as soon as he has it back in stock, that's the combination I will try. HGR works well in the crosses with Mach 10 in the mains, I am curious to see how it marries with Confidential Soft.
How did this workout? Have some TBR in the same gauge.
It’s a really nice cross with ConSoft mains. Maintains the great pocketing, comfort, and spin potential. To me, it complements the ConSoft the best of the crosses I’ve tried….it feels closest to a full bed of ConSoft but with the benefit of a more predictable response with the round cross.
Definitely going to give it a try! Thanks!
