Tennis Warehouse: Volkl V-Feel V1 Playtest

[TW Staff]

Applicant period is now closed. Selected playtesters will be notified in the next few days.

Attention Talk Tennis Members:

We have a VERY Limited number of Volkl V-Feel V1 Pro, V1 MP & V1 OS racquets for a playtest. 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 a set of Power Fiber II 16 and Cyclone 17 (black).

The grip size for the V1 Pro & V1 MP is 4 ⅜ , and the V1 OS is ¼.

Applicant period is now closed. Selected playtesters will be notified in the next few days.

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.

In order to participate you must post your findings in this thread by February 22, 2019.

Posting a full review by the deadline is necessary to remain in good standing for future playtests.

Include the following in your review:

Racquet Received:
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:

-Groundstrokes:

-Serves:

-Volleys:

-Serve returns:

General reaction/comments on overall performance:

Thanks,

TW Staff

We will delete “request sent” emails, but encourage a lively “pre-game” discussion on Volkl’s V-Feel racquet line.

 

[Faris]

@TW Staff

can we pls get the specs of all three options? (Weight, string pattern etc) just so we can choose which one to apply for? Thnx Ive never played Volkls. Are the Pro 16x19 and MP 18x20 just like most of Head racquet lines?

 

[loosegroove]

@TW Staff

can we pls get the specs of all three options? (Weight, string pattern etc) just so we can choose which one to apply for? Thnx Ive never played Volkls. Are the Pro 16x19 and MP 18x20 just like most of Head racquet lines?

You got that switched around (the Head Speed Pro is 18x20 and MP 16x19). That said, the Volkl V1's have traditionally all been 16x19. The Pro would be my choice and is a bit of a lighter tweener-esque stick compared to most rackets designated with the "Pro" moniker. I'd check out the specs of the V1 V-Sense iterations for a general idea of what the spec range might be.

Volkl Rackets

 

[Faris]

You got that switched around (the Head Speed Pro is 18x20 and MP 16x19). That said, the Volkl V1's have traditionally all been 16x19. I'd check out the specs of the V1 V-Sense iterations for a general idea of what the spec range might be.

Yep, but I was thinking the Prestige line. You are right tho, its probably the only Head line with that configuration. MP in Prestige is 18x20 and Pro is 16x19. Cool thnx abt V Sense info. Will look into that.

 

[TW Staff]

@Faris,

We don't have official specs to give out at this time. However, if you look at the previous V-Sense models they are pretty similar.

Thanks,
Brittany, TW

 

[loosegroove]

Yep, but I was thinking the Prestige line. You are right tho, its probably the only Head line with that configuration. MP in Prestige is 18x20 and Pro is 16x19. Cool thnx abt V Sense info. Will look into that.

Actually come to think of it, with the older Radicals the MP was 18x20 and the Pro 16x19. Can't judge a book by its uh...name.

 

[Faris]

@Faris,

We don't have official specs to give out at this time. However, if you look at the previous V-Sense models they are pretty similar.

Thanks,
Brittany, TW

Thanks Brittany

 

[zettavaska]

Looking forward to comparing against my V-Sense V1 Pro - specs below

 

[2nd Serve Ace]

The V-Sense V1 MP is fantastic and my current racket. (although, I add about an ounce to it)

Interesting that it is being moved to the V-Feel line. I hope the grommets don't change.

 

[loosegroove]

The V-Sense V1 MP is fantastic and my current racket. (although, I add about an ounce to it)

Interesting that it is being moved to the V-Feel line. I hope the grommets don't change.

I liked the way the Super Grommets felt on the V1 Pro, but I was cracking them at 3 and 9 like crazy! Do you have such issues?

 

[2nd Serve Ace]

I liked the way the Super Grommets felt on the V1 Pro, but I was cracking them at 3 and 9 like crazy! Do you have such issues?

I haven't been using it that long, but the clear silicone grommets at 3 &9 are virtually identical to head extreme side grommets which I played for years with no issues.

Sent from my LG-LS993 using Tapatalk

 

[Alekok1221]

Hi i want To change i put in the email mp but i want the pro

 

[PanDa]

Are these racquets similar to the head radical line? (V1 Pro to Rad MP, V1 MP to Rad S, and the OS like the Rad PWR?) That's the general idea that I got looking at the V-Sense line.

 

[JordanWinning]

I've hit with a couple of older Volks. Definitely curious to check these out. Currently playing the Phantom Pro 100P. Both comfortable, curious how they'll compare

 

[mhkeuns]

In my opinion, Volkl should thin out its line up. I just don’t know what each series represents, other than the 10 series (*players’ specs) & the 8 series (*Pure Drive-like tweener specs). What is the V-1 line? I guess it’s one of the more popular series in the Volkl line up, but I’ve heard the V-1 Pro is a control orientd tweener, whereas the MP is a tweener. Is the V-1 series supposed to be for the players who want more control than the 8 series but need more power than the 10 series?

 

[2nd Serve Ace]

In my opinion, Volkl should thin out its line up. I just don’t know what each series represents, other than the 10 series (*players’ specs) & the 8 series (*Pure Drive-like tweener specs). What is the V-1 line? I guess it’s one of the more popular series in the Volkl line up, but I’ve heard the V-1 Pro is a control orientd tweener, whereas the MP is a tweener. Is the V-1 series supposed to be for the players who want more control than the 8 series but need more power than the 10 series?

The V1-classic was the original tweener back in the mid 90s, although I guess it's not being updated, so not in the playtest. I agree that Volkl and also ProKennex have the weirdest way of naming racquets. My bank account passwords aren't nearly as convoluted as all these iZ+9-Xq...! Not the best way to build lineup recognition.

 

[SteveI]

In my opinion, Volkl should thin out its line up. I just don’t know what each series represents, other than the 10 series (*players’ specs) & the 8 series (*Pure Drive-like tweener specs). What is the V-1 line? I guess it’s one of the more popular series in the Volkl line up, but I’ve heard the V-1 Pro is a control orientd tweener, whereas the MP is a tweener. Is the V-1 series supposed to be for the players who want more control than the 8 series but need more power than the 10 series?

Higher numbers frame require more skill than lower ones... C10 Pro... Highest.. etc. All of the companies have their own way to label frames. The V1 has been around for ever. Great frame... pure tweener... then they made the Pro... version more of a players frame.

 

[mpournaras]

I always thought the V1 was comfort oriented. Its a stiff frame with a **** ton of dampening. So you still get the playability of a stiff frame and the comfort from the dampening

 

[2nd Serve Ace]

I always thought the V1 was comfort oriented. Its a stiff frame with a **** ton of dampening. So you still get the playability of a stiff frame and the comfort from the dampening

I really have to look at the grommets as being just about ideal in the V1s. The open silicone grommets at 3&9 + 12&6 are very noticeably adding to comfort. Not to mention the parallel drilling at 12.

I've tried O-ported Prince frames as well, but that seems like overkill to me. Didn't like it.

Sent from my SM-T560NU using Tapatalk

 

[jackcrawford]

Higher numbers frame require more skill than lower ones... C10 Pro... Highest.. etc. All of the companies have their own way to label frames. The V1 has been around for ever. Great frame... pure tweener... then they made the Pro... version more of a players frame.

Starting with the Quantum, Volkl has put a slightly more powerful version of the Classic with a different layup but with the same mold in the line and updated it every few years. The V-Sense is a new mold, I find it the best V1 ever so I will be interested to see if the Feel is even better.

 

[JordanWinning]

Can't wait for the racquet to arrive! Should be a fun run

 

[djNEiGht]

Can't wait for the racquet to arrive! Should be a fun run

What did you pick?

 

[JordanWinning]

What did you pick?

Went with the pro. I've been experimenting with slightly heavier racquets. I'm interested to try something that should be a little whippier

 

[loosegroove]

@TW Staff , when do the new V1's officially launch? I hadn't seen anything about them other than this playtest thread.

 

[A_Instead]

Glad to see that the new Volkl V Feel line is getting a TW message board members play test...the 2 I tried are decent...The 10 300g and my prefered 8 315...
These 2 are certainly up there with those top offers of other MFG..

 

[TW Staff]

loosegroove,

The Volkl V-Feel V1s launch end of Janaury (around the 28th) for pre-sale.

Thanks,
Brittany, TW

 

[loosegroove]

loosegroove,

The Volkl V-Feel V1s launch end of Janaury (around the 28th) for pre-sale.

Thanks,
Brittany, TW

Thanks Brittany. So looks like the launch will pretty much coincide with when the playtesters receive their rackets.

 

[topspn]

Should be an interesting frame given that previous edition was considered the best in the last few editions.

 

[loosegroove]

Should be an interesting frame given that previous edition was considered the best in the last few editions.

Not sure which particular model you were referring to, but I definitely felt that way about the V1 Pro. A new V-Feel version is heading my way, so I'll report how it stacks up against the previous V-Sense, and the two earlier iterations.

 

[topspn]

Not sure which particular model you were referring to, but I definitely felt that way about the V1 Pro. A new V-Feel version is heading my way, so I'll report how it stacks up against the previous V-Sense, and the two earlier iterations.

Yeah sorry, mind reading perhaps too much to ask. I did mean the V1 pro

 

[2nd Serve Ace]

One thing I dig about all the v-sense V1s is the tweak of the beam width.

They are thick in the top half of the hoop, but then start tapering in the lower half so the thinnest point is at the very bottom of the hoop.

But then the beam starts thickening through the throat, with the widest part right at the top of the handle. To me, this makes a lot of "sense" (sorry) since moving weight away from the center of mass is a good way to enhance stability in a racquet.

Hoping the new V-feel MP I'm getting retains this feature!

 

[gmatheis]

I'd like to know if any of the playtest grommets break.

I used to play with PB10MID's and the grommets at 3 and 9 oclock seemed to crack and break a lot, I didn't think anything of it until I strung a newer volkl for a guy at my club and noticed a lot of his were broken as well.

Does Volkl have an issue with grommets breaking regularly?

 

[JordanWinning]

Racquet is in the mail, I'll update here after each hit with and see how it changes as I go

 

[imajica77]

I'd like to know if any of the playtest grommets break.

I used to play with PB10MID's and the grommets at 3 and 9 oclock seemed to crack and break a lot, I didn't think anything of it until I strung a newer volkl for a guy at my club and noticed a lot of his were broken as well.

Does Volkl have an issue with grommets breaking regularly?

Not that I am aware of. I currently play with three 15 year old Volkls and have never had to have the grommets replaced.

 

[OnyxZ28]

Mine just came in the mail! I got the OS. The beam profile is very reminiscent of Head's double powder wedge rackets from the early 90s.

 

[loosegroove]

I'd like to know if any of the playtest grommets break.

I used to play with PB10MID's and the grommets at 3 and 9 oclock seemed to crack and break a lot, I didn't think anything of it until I strung a newer volkl for a guy at my club and noticed a lot of his were broken as well.

Does Volkl have an issue with grommets breaking regularly?

See my earlier post in this thread. I was having issues with the big Super Grommets at 3 and 9 on my V-Sense V1 Pros. I saw cracking grommets within 2 weeks of replacing them. Reminded me of issues I had with Head Extreme Pro 2.0 groms.

 

[2nd Serve Ace]

See my earlier post in this thread. I was having issues with the big Super Grommets at 3 and 9 on my V-Sense V1 Pros. I saw cracking grommets within 2 weeks of replacing them. Reminded me of issues I had with Head Extreme Pro 2.0 groms.

This is 100% nonsense as it relates to the V1s. The powerbridges had a unique "PWS copy" system that might be problematic.

But the for the S-grommets on the V-1s, the strings don't even touch the grommets at 3-9 or 12-6, so therefore no friction or damage.

Sent from my SM-T560NU using Tapatalk

 

[loosegroove]

This is 100% nonsense as it relates to the V1s. The powerbridges had a unique "PWS copy" system that might be problematic.

But the for the S-grommets on the V-1s, the strings don't even touch the grommets at 3-9 or 12-6, so therefore no friction or damage.

Sent from my SM-T560NU using Tapatalk

Uh, whatever you say dude. I'm just sharing my experience, and nothing more. Maybe they cracked when I hit too close to the frame or shanked a few, but they repeatedly cracked faster than any other racket I've used...and I've tried a good number. And I'm pretty sure that when you're hitting, the strings do come into contact with those S-grommets, even if they are big.

 

[djNEiGht]

MP landed. A quick look at it and the graphics are subtle but looks great. Will have to see how it looks out in the sun. I have an old Volkl Stencil which I am going to apply...but noticed the new logo style...hhhmmm..

 

[mpournaras]

MP landed. A quick look at it and the graphics are subtle but looks great. Will have to see how it looks out in the sun. I have an old Volkl Stencil which I am going to apply...but noticed the new logo style...hhhmmm..

Feel free to let us see

 

[haqq777]

Pictures please people! the more the better! Was traveling so didn't apply for this one. Curious about these new Volkls. Hoping there are great pics/reviews here as always. Good luck to all playtesters.

 

[djNEiGht]

Feel free to let us see

Pictures please people! the more the better! Was traveling so didn't apply for this one. Curious about these new Volkls. Hoping there are great pics/reviews here as always. Good luck to all playtesters.

Will get some here soon. Just a busy couple of days right now. Geeking out at NAMM.

Having played with PB10 Mid/MP and Boris Becker DC London/Melbourne, this racquet is very different looking. I did not know what to expect with this racquet. Might fit the bill for ball feeding and coaching as it is going be lighter.

 

[mpournaras]

Will get some here soon. Just a busy couple of days right now. Geeking out at NAMM.

Having played with PB10 Mid/MP and Boris Becker DC London/Melbourne, this racquet is very different looking. I did not know what to expect with this racquet. Might fit the bill for ball feeding and coaching as it is going be lighter.

What are you focusing on at NAMM? I have always enjoyed exotic drum finishes that get released there. Have not been in years but photos do justice for me.

 

[SteveI]

Mine is on its way. 1st time with the V1 Pro. Have used many Volkl frames over the years. Looking forward to this one.

Any insights on stringing? The last version of this frame... TW Staff Play tested the frame at 50# with Cyclone..

 

[2nd Serve Ace]

Mine is on its way. 1st time with the V1 Pro. Have used many Volkl frames over the years. Looking forward to this one.

Any insights on stringing? The last version of this frame... TW Staff Play tested the frame at 50# with Cyclone..

I would start out with the powerfibre in the 55-52 range.

Sent from my SM-T560NU using Tapatalk

 

[mpournaras]

Mine is on its way. 1st time with the V1 Pro. Have used many Volkl frames over the years. Looking forward to this one.

Any insights on stringing? The last version of this frame... TW Staff Play tested the frame at 50# with Cyclone..

Id string it up as you would your main racket in terms of multi, poly, or hybrid. Give you a decent apples to apples start on your first Volkl comparison.

 

[loosegroove]

Mine is on its way. 1st time with the V1 Pro. Have used many Volkl frames over the years. Looking forward to this one.

Any insights on stringing? The last version of this frame... TW Staff Play tested the frame at 50# with Cyclone..

I would say it all comes down to what you're accustomed to. For its stiffness rating, it's actually quite a comfy frame, so no issues going full poly.

 

[mhkeuns]

Looking forward to seeing the reviews, especially the V1 Pro. Wish there are more playtests for the lesser known lines and manufacturers. Though I love the Volkl PB10, I would have never really looked into the V1 line because I didn’t understand Volkl’s line up. I am hoping Pro Kennex participates in the playtests of their line up. Pro Kennex confuses me even more so than Volkl.

 

[JordanWinning]

Looking forward to seeing the reviews, especially the V1 Pro. Wish there are more playtests for the lesser known lines and manufacturers. Though I love the Volkl PB10, I would have never really looked into the V1 line because I didn’t understand Volkl’s line up. I am hoping Pro Kennex participates in the playtests of their line up. Pro Kennex confuses me even more so than Volkl.

I can't understand the different lines of Pro Kennex to save my life, all I know is that I like nearly everyone I pick up

 

[djNEiGht]

What are you focusing on at NAMM? I have always enjoyed exotic drum finishes that get released there. Have not been in years but photos do justice for me.

overall this year it's just hanging out with friends and family...mostly in the dj and beat production business. I've use this opportunity to also look into live mixing equipment such as house of worship and other related gear. Was able to get hands on with several 32 channel mixers the past couple years and helped me make a decision in choosing a yamaha TF5. Continued research into speakers and even going back to my younger years with tuba window shopping. Last night attended the praise band worship event and enjoyed the live band mixing.