For the 2020 ezone 98, do you also recommend the YPP string in 1.20 to 45???
Tennis Warehouse Playtest: Yonex EZONE Racquet 2022
- Thread starter TW Staff
- Start date
For the 2020 ezone 98, do you also recommend the YPP string in 1.20 to 45???
I’m playing with the vcore 98 now. Thinking about a little more power. Can u compare the vcore 100 and the new ezone 100.
TennisViking
Semi-Pro
I have both racquets and bought both using the Tennis Warehouse matching service where all specs are measured. My Vcore had a stiffness rating of 68 and my new Ezone (2022 model) has a 69 stiffness rating (both unstrung). I think they feel pretty similar with regards to comfort. I also have the 2020 version of the Ezone 100 and that one is definitely not as comfortable.
I really like the 2022 model of the Ezone 100. Very nice racquet. Will buy another one and sell my Vcore 100 as does not suit me as well.
Crashbaby
Semi-Pro
So I finally got to spend some time drilling with poly tour Rev. It’s a good fit in the new Ezone! Thanks for the tip.
Now that I’m finding my timing with the racquet, Rev is now super comfortable and very powerful. I was concerned it would would be too muted. But it was fine, I’m still curious what a crisper string would feel like.
Curtennis
Hall of Fame
Anyone else notice their Ezone paint jobs chipping very easily?
I have 6 other Yonex racquets and nothing has chipped quite like this racquet. I bought a blue sharpie to gently do some refurbishing work with and it totally helps. But the chipping annoys me in the first place.
on a more positive note I stuck it out with this racquet even after I was convinced it wasn’t going to be for me. I now absolutely love it. Couldn’t be any more confident headed into competitive play. This racquet really took a while to figure out.
give me a head speed pro, even an RF, a blade, extreme, etc and I play basically as good as I’m going to within 30 minutes. This Ezone took me a couple weeks to get there.
I have 6 other Yonex racquets and nothing has chipped quite like this racquet. I bought a blue sharpie to gently do some refurbishing work with and it totally helps. But the chipping annoys me in the first place.
on a more positive note I stuck it out with this racquet even after I was convinced it wasn’t going to be for me. I now absolutely love it. Couldn’t be any more confident headed into competitive play. This racquet really took a while to figure out.
give me a head speed pro, even an RF, a blade, extreme, etc and I play basically as good as I’m going to within 30 minutes. This Ezone took me a couple weeks to get there.
Grieeegoorr
Semi-Pro
What is it that you are doing differently now that is making the Ezone work for you?
XFactorer
Hall of Fame
I actually recommend PolyTour Fire 1.20 at 45 lbs. Pro performs well, too. But Fire has a little more action on the ball. You might notice something else, though. It just depends on your stroke and your preferences.
XFactorer
Hall of Fame
I have the same experience. It was an uphill battle to find the right setup for this racquet. At first, I couldn't get angles like I did with my 2020 EZONE. But now I'm fully confident and have dished out TWO 6-1, 6-0 victories in league singles play.
Ares2323
Rookie
Curtennis
Hall of Fame
To put it simply, stopped swinging as hard as I could on every shot.
I love playing very aggressively.
One thing I fell in love with with my Vcore 95 was that I could swing absolutely full blast and still get most of my shots to not land long. Same with RF97, it had so much weight I had to swing it as hard as I could. Same with Pure Aero too as I never figured out how to flatten the ball out with pure aero, every shot I made was very vertical and top spinny that I had to hit as hard as I could in order to really get depth along with the Arc it seemed to naturally provide on vertical swing planes.
the Ezone 98 a little different story. With such a low weight, aerodynamic design, loads of power, I found myself getting frustrated the first 10 outings.
The launch angle was much lower than a pure aero so I could flatten shots the way i prefer to do, and on the surface it played a lot like my Vcore 95 and even the RF to a degree as far as general ball trajectory.
long story short Ichanged my swing to be a little less aggressive and it’s rewarded me not only with this racquet but in tennis as a whole.
My swing is much more consistent and repeatable now shot after shot than it was before. Before I was giving a 95% max effort on every swing. With this racquet I’m swinging at around an 80% max effort. However that 80% is wearing me out less and I’m able to do the same swing from Love All to 3rd set 5-5.
i didn’t have a problem serving with Vcore 95 but if I hit it just right with this Ezone 98 it feels like a bomb.
last thing. On return of serve i shanked a good amount of 2HBH returns with my 95. I think the slightly more forgiveness with this racquet is helping.
here’s where the VC95 still shines.
general maneuverability. I play a lot of doubles and I love the way it seems to effortlessly find the ball at net. I’m not saying the results are better, but just getting strings on ball is easier.
more consistent feel/feedback across the whole string bed.
Picking lines. Whether it’s ground strokes or just touch and feel shots from the short court I could get the ball right where I wanted most of the time. I probably could with the Ezone as well with time, but I have a little more trust in the precision with my 95. The Ezone I’m aiming for the pickle ball lines on the court (2-3 feet in) whereas with the 95 I aimed for the line itself. That also gave a few unforced errors, but with that racquet it’s how I did usually need to construct a winning point after I got a little tired and not getting balls deep enough to the baseline.
I feel like I’m playing a much different style game now and excited to see how I feel in another couple weeks.
djNEiGht
Legend
yup...i posted pics in my review. even before hitting it was getting chipped in the bag.
I've had Previous Yonex racquets with no paint issues
Curtennis
Hall of Fame
It really is terrible. I must have 30 flakes where the paint came off. I’ve never experienced anything like it. I hear what you’re saying about the bag. This paint seems like a criminal scam.
I have ordered a demo of the 100 and will probably arrive next Monday, I have recently tested the old version and loved it, the only thing missing for me was a bit more control ( probably due to the strings on the test version), but the power, the spin, and the feel were all there. Really the only thing that kept me from buying one is the great reviews I have seen about the new version. Any of you who tested both, how is the comparison in terms of spin? I have read there is more control, but is it on the cost of spin and power? thanks
Oriental_Noodle
New User
Quick question, is the DR98 the one with Ezone? I found one at my local shop but not sure if it's the DR98 everyone is talking about. Photo in linked below. Thanks
https://ibb.co/12y2RhK
https://ibb.co/12y2RhK
Oriental_Noodle
New User
Yes, 310gr. It's 90 bucks. Guess I'll just get it
tennisislife4622
Rookie
Anybody want to share upgrades for this racket? I’m finding it a little too light in stock form and thinking of adding a little weight in the handle and 12 o’clock
djNEiGht
Legend
My nephew is using it right now during his college season to back up his 2018 eZone. He likes it stock but my personal plan was leather grip and lead at 12. I recently worked a Prince Tour Pro 97 that was about 300g stock with the same plan plus a little lead at the top of the handle. Gave it some heft but not too much. It was a nice platform racquet to work with and I think the eZone 98 would do well with those modifications.
Fablefevre
New User
Is there a noticeable difference in stability between the 2022 Ezone 100 and the 2020 Ezone 100?
boulderchips
Rookie
I added some blutack in the handle and around 3g of lead at 12. It's been good to me.
Maverick13
Semi-Pro
How much blutak did you add to the handle? I’ve done the same but can’t find a good weight for the handle yet.
boulderchips
Rookie
4-5g under the trapdoor. With an overgrip, strings, and lead, I think my balance is around 32.1 cm.
tennisislife4622
Rookie
Im trying 2g at 12 and 2g of tungsten putty in the buttcap. I noticed there is a plastic film when I removed the butt cap is it better to leave that in tact and put the putty directly on the buttcap.
boulderchips
Rookie
I pushed through the film - as far as I know it doesn't make any difference to the frame, just a leftover from manufacturing.
MrAvocado232
New User
*deleted*
Last edited:
Anyone with the ezone 100 2020 can say why they found this new version to be better? I finished testing them both and I must say I liked the 2020 version more. Found the 2022 a more stable but less power , less spin and more disconnected to the ball. Also likes more the feeling when hitting the sweetspot better on the 2020. Both strung with PTP although the 2020 was with 1.25 and the 2022 with 1.30.
galahad
Rookie
The new 100 Ezone(2022) has an RA of 67, and the new 98 Ezone has an RA of 64…where are you getting the 69 from?
69 RA unstrung should be 66-67 RA strung.
galahad
Rookie
Can you let me know which source is providing Strung and unstrung stiffness ratings for frames? Thanks
Maverick13
Semi-Pro
I put 4g at 10 & 2 and I’m not super happy with it. it definitely makes it a little more beefy but the plow through just isn’t there if you don’t hit it dead center. I’m going to add some at 12 next which will basically wrap the entire top hoop of the racquet. If that fails I’ll start messing with 3 & 9.
ChrisJR3264
Hall of Fame
I mean I’ve added tungsten at 11 through 1. 3 and 9 didn’t work for me.
Added a leather grip to counter balance.
The set up is “ok” but I’m over it lol. I’m looking to move off the 98. I have the 2020 version.
I read the tour is good but the + is the best out of all Ezones. Wonder why they didn’t release both before the standard 100 and 98s?
Maverick13
Semi-Pro
Agreed, I’m close to over it as well. I had a 2020 tour but after adding leather and/or weight to get the balance manageable it just became to much to swing. If I can’t get the lead right I’ll try the + in august if that doesn’t work I’ll probably go to a Boom or something similar to the DR specs I’ve been longing for. They probably didn’t release it at the same time for supply reasons or they just like watching us suffer.
ChrisJR3264
Hall of Fame
Maybe supply reasons or have you go buy the Ezone - hate it. Then come back and buy the tour or plus later lol.
faded_lines
Rookie
Thanks for the comparison against the VC95. It's my current weapon of choice as I'm playing my best tennis. I do find at times I wish I had a little extra oomph so I don't have to play at 95% effort all the time. I'be been testing other control orient racquets but I always miss the precision of the VC95. For example, I really like the Diadem Elevate FS as it's 16x20 pattern and plays similar to the VC95 with more pop. However, I find myself late and missing my targets by a small margin but this could be due to the more head heavy nature of the Elevate that I just need to get used to. How does the 2022 Ezone 98 swing in comparison to the VC95? I'll probably picked up a new Ezone to demo soon.
Curtennis
Hall of Fame
I’m back on the VC95 and probably not going back to Ezone any time soon.
The VCore 95 is a car with a gas pedal that you know every millimeter of travel and how the engine will react. The Ezone is a pedal, that the moment you press it you’re going full blast. Fun for sure, but I like the linearity of the 95.
I’m experimenting with the new VCP310 and some Blades right now. But that’s probably it… I’ve tried everything and keep coming back to the 95
Hello everybody. I am new logged user on the tennis talks, but have been reading a lot of Your opinions in the past years. Expecially when I was going to switch a racket. I have been playing tennis since I was 10. Soon I will be turning 40 unfortunatelly
As the Yonex long time user I have some insights that may be usefull to You possibly. I played Yonex Ezone DR 98 310g (grams - I'm from Europe so You have to exuse me
). I loved that racket for reasonable weight, great HL balance, very good ball pocketing due to 62RA, good plow due to 326 swingweight, control wasn't to be complained for also. It was fantastic to take a pace from heavy balls too. But I lacked some pop to finish many actions when it was starting to be too hot during spring and summer. Tried many strings and tension configurations and finally decided to sell it in 2020. Sometimes I regret that. In the meantime I tried Ezone 98 2018 (to stiff in the upper hoop and not many in common with DR). Ezone 98 2020 (not bad, but lack stability and plow agains big hitters). Tried to lead it on 3 and 9 but did not like it. Then I tried Ezone 100 2020 and this was the most similar to DR 98 with more pop that I was longing for in it. The Ezone 100 2020 did not need lead in the hoop (recently I put fishing putty under the buttcap - 5 grams). I use blue PTP 1,15 mm (the thinnest one) strung for 21 kg (46 lbs) to soften the stringbed and to gain more ball pocketing. This configuration works great. The racket is stable as it is with no lead in the hoop, maneuverable (gosh, tough word) thanks to lead in the handle. I dont like leather grips cause give me blisters. It gives efortless depth, good angles, serves are bombs with very good net clearance, forehand is awesome and my two handed backhand is nothing to complain about, volleys are stable.
But as a moderate racketoholic I decided to try a new Ezone 100 2022 as it has very high rank among the playtesters in the Internet/Youtube (including TW staff - btw, good job guys during all these years).
Coming back to the topic, unfortunately the 2022 version did not click with me as the 2020 one. It is indeed softer for the arm and more controlled than 2020, but it lacks plow, has too low SW, lack pop when defending agains heavy hitters, sometimes ball flies without any specific reason as the racket would have some sweetspot in the specific place, not necessarily in the center/upper center. I tried it with 1 and 2 gram of lead on 12 (4 and 8 inches I guess) and 5 grams under the handle and it was much better, expecially on 2HB, but starting to feel cumbersome and not as connected. It gain some plow, depth, but overall impression was not as good as with 2020 Ezone without lead or with some amount only under the handle. So I decided to give up on 2022 and stay with 2020 for now. I hope my long opinion will help somebody. Sorry Yonex, I generally love Your rackets, their quality and playability, but You should try to release Ezone DR 98 310 g kind of racket with little bit more pop and it would be perfect.
As the Yonex long time user I have some insights that may be usefull to You possibly. I played Yonex Ezone DR 98 310g (grams - I'm from Europe so You have to exuse me
). I loved that racket for reasonable weight, great HL balance, very good ball pocketing due to 62RA, good plow due to 326 swingweight, control wasn't to be complained for also. It was fantastic to take a pace from heavy balls too. But I lacked some pop to finish many actions when it was starting to be too hot during spring and summer. Tried many strings and tension configurations and finally decided to sell it in 2020. Sometimes I regret that. In the meantime I tried Ezone 98 2018 (to stiff in the upper hoop and not many in common with DR). Ezone 98 2020 (not bad, but lack stability and plow agains big hitters). Tried to lead it on 3 and 9 but did not like it. Then I tried Ezone 100 2020 and this was the most similar to DR 98 with more pop that I was longing for in it. The Ezone 100 2020 did not need lead in the hoop (recently I put fishing putty under the buttcap - 5 grams). I use blue PTP 1,15 mm (the thinnest one) strung for 21 kg (46 lbs) to soften the stringbed and to gain more ball pocketing. This configuration works great. The racket is stable as it is with no lead in the hoop, maneuverable (gosh, tough word) thanks to lead in the handle. I dont like leather grips cause give me blisters. It gives efortless depth, good angles, serves are bombs with very good net clearance, forehand is awesome and my two handed backhand is nothing to complain about, volleys are stable.But as a moderate racketoholic I decided to try a new Ezone 100 2022 as it has very high rank among the playtesters in the Internet/Youtube (including TW staff - btw, good job guys during all these years).
Coming back to the topic, unfortunately the 2022 version did not click with me as the 2020 one. It is indeed softer for the arm and more controlled than 2020, but it lacks plow, has too low SW, lack pop when defending agains heavy hitters, sometimes ball flies without any specific reason as the racket would have some sweetspot in the specific place, not necessarily in the center/upper center. I tried it with 1 and 2 gram of lead on 12 (4 and 8 inches I guess) and 5 grams under the handle and it was much better, expecially on 2HB, but starting to feel cumbersome and not as connected. It gain some plow, depth, but overall impression was not as good as with 2020 Ezone without lead or with some amount only under the handle. So I decided to give up on 2022 and stay with 2020 for now. I hope my long opinion will help somebody. Sorry Yonex, I generally love Your rackets, their quality and playability, but You should try to release Ezone DR 98 310 g kind of racket with little bit more pop and it would be perfect.
faded_lines
Rookie
I am the same way.. I keep going back to the trusty VC95. I do have a pair of VCP310 and while I do enjoy them for a little more power and plush feel, I am more confident swinging away with the VC95 with its precision. But just for fun, I think I will demo the new 2022 Ezone 98.
I am in a similar situation, tested both the 2020 and 2022, and ended up buying 2 100 2020 version, as I liked better the feel and the power. I will try that setup, I strung mine with PTP 1.25 23kg, did you try this?Hello everybody. I am new logged user on the tennis talks, but have been reading a lot of Your opinions in the past years. Expecially when I was going to switch a racket. I have been playing tennis since I was 10. Soon I will be turning 40 unfortunatelly
As the Yonex long time user I have some insights that may be usefull to You possibly. I played Yonex Ezone DR 98 310g (grams - I'm from Europe so You have to exuse me
But as a moderate racketoholic I decided to try a new Ezone 100 2022 as it has very high rank among the playtesters in the Internet/Youtube (including TW staff - btw, good job guys during all these years).
Coming back to the topic, unfortunately the 2022 version did not click with me as the 2020 one. It is indeed softer for the arm and more controlled than 2020, but it lacks plow, has too low SW, lack pop when defending agains heavy hitters, sometimes ball flies without any specific reason as the racket would have some sweetspot in the specific place, not necessarily in the center/upper center. I tried it with 1 and 2 gram of lead on 12 (4 and 8 inches I guess) and 5 grams under the handle and it was much better, expecially on 2HB, but starting to feel cumbersome and not as connected. It gain some plow, depth, but overall impression was not as good as with 2020 Ezone without lead or with some amount only under the handle. So I decided to give up on 2022 and stay with 2020 for now. I hope my long opinion will help somebody. Sorry Yonex, I generally love Your rackets, their quality and playability, but You should try to release Ezone DR 98 310 g kind of racket with little bit more pop and it would be perfect.
I have read Your earlier posts and they were very similar to my experience also.
I tried similar setup a week ago (PTP 1.25 24 kg) as my friend plays with it on his Ezone 100 2020. It is good also. Your setup gives firmer feel of the racket. Allows to hit more flat. The depth is 1 or 1,5 meter closer to the net with the same swing path and strength used. Ball pockets less, so I did not see sifnificant improvement with control. The one downside of this setup that I noticed is that some amount of vibrations appeared in the hoop after each hit (even within sweetspot), which is rare with all Yonexes especially Ezones.
Of course, I am used to my configuration so it suits me better, but with PTP 1.15mm, 21kg, I feel that I can generate the same amount of control but achieved in other way, ie.: 1.15mm string bites the ball better and 21kg gives better pocketing so ball stays longer on the stringbed, so I can direct the ball more accurate where I want. With a just a tiny bit more "low to high" and through the ball swing I can place it quite well.
It is like not raw control with a brick, but more subtle like with a sponge. I hope You get my point.
The conclusion I had after playing with Ezone 100 2020 with different setup and Ezone 100 2022 was always the same - the 2020 played better, firmer, with more pop, not so dampened and disconected as 2022.
2022 recreational hitting/drilling - YES, competing - NO. The 2020 much better in this regard.
Maverick13
Semi-Pro
Lead question.. I’ve been playing with 4g at 10&2 but not really loving it. I moved it to 12 and loved the plow through but I could definitely tell it wasn’t as stable on off center shots. So the question;
If I wrapped lead from 10-2 across the whole hoop would it increase swingweight and twistweight or would the lead take the characteristic of it all being at 12?
If I wrapped lead from 10-2 across the whole hoop would it increase swingweight and twistweight or would the lead take the characteristic of it all being at 12?
iceman_dl6
Professional
If you are looking for twistweight and stability without sacrificing too much on maneuverability but with moderate increase in power, the lead should be placed at 3 & 9. Lead at 12 is mostly for optimal increased power, but maneuverability could take a hit if too much is put there
Maverick13
Semi-Pro
I definitely need to add some heft to the swingweight. Do you think lead at 3,9, and 12 makes the most sense or just stack it at 3 & 9?
iceman_dl6
Professional
I would try to stack it at 3 & 9 first and then add some at 12 if needed
what is the SW of your racket?
Maverick13
Semi-Pro
Would you recommend 4in strips and stack on top of that or 6in? I always wonder what the cutoff is before stacking.
