Textreme Tour 100T & EXO3 Tour 100

[The_Racketeer]

I have an EXO3 Tour 100 16x18 and am wondering how the new Textreme 100T compares. I'm assuming it's a bit crisper but still comfortable and softish, equally spin friendly, equally maneuverable, equally powerful?

I know it's a light racquet, but my main stick is currently the PK Q5 295, which is only slightly heavier than the 100T. Is the stability comparable to the EXO3 Tour (or the Q5)?



The purpose of this post is to ascertain if buying the 100T without demoing it is a good idea. I love Prince racquets and the cosmetics of this new one is epic. My court time is sporadic lately (newborn twins) so who knows when or how effectively I can demo it anytime soon.

 

[speedysteve]

Can't help you, but look forward to the answers as I am of late a great Prince EXO3 fan, always looking for the next racquet.
It would be interesting to hear how folk get on leading up a 100T too.

 

[Brian11785]

The orange Prince Tour 100 line is the very similar update to the EXO3 line.

Looking at the specs of the Textreme 100 Tour, it looks like a much different racquet (ten points (52-62) stiffer but still on the flexy side, substantially lighter) than the EXO3.

 

[Papa Mango]

EXO3 18x20 user here.
My demo order for the 100T (and the 95) has been on backorder for the last 2 weeks , will update as soon as it comes in...

 

[pmata814]

I played with the exo3 tour 16x18 a while back, and i recently demoed the textreme 100T. Most of ur assumptions are correct. This one is more maneuverable due to the lighter weight obviously. I like that it has a more defined and less 'vague' sweetspot due to the traditional grommets. For me it was just too light. I tried adding a bit if lead at 3&9 and it did help a bit but strangely it felt like it stiffened up the frame a bit. Not a lot though. But even with the lead its not as stable as the exo and it doesnt have the plowthrough. I never considered the exo3 tour powerful per se and this is about the same. Its a spin monster, even more so than the exo. I liked the racquet, but just not enough to buy it.

$179 is a lotta $. I would recommend u wait and demo first. But thats just my opinion.

 

[parasailing]

I had a chance to demo the Textreme Tour 100T and it's nothing like the Exo3 Tour 100. It feels a lot more brassy and not as soft or as much flex as the Exo3 Tour. Because it's not as flexible, it does have a bit more power.

In my opinion, the Exo3 Tour is the best racquet for people recovering from tennis elbow because it is just so soft on the arm. You could put Luxilon Alu Power on it and the racquet still feels comfortable.

 

[mikeler]

I had a chance to demo the Textreme Tour 100T and it's nothing like the Exo3 Tour 100. It feels a lot more brassy and not as soft or as much flex as the Exo3 Tour. Because it's not as flexible, it does have a bit more power.

In my opinion, the Exo3 Tour is the best racquet for people recovering from tennis elbow because it is just so soft on the arm. You could put Luxilon Alu Power on it and the racquet still feels comfortable.

I used to think the Exo3 Tour was best for the arm until I bought the Tour 100T ESP. I've been using full poly for a year and a half now with no arm issues.

 

[The_Racketeer]

It seems like whenever a racquet company comes out with a new material, they completely change the feel of the racquet line they're updating (eg - graphene). In this way, has the introduction of Textreme completely changed the way the Tour line feels now, or is it simply an improvement on the Tour Pro (no ports)?

Can anyone compare the 100T to something else?

 

[time_fly]

I used to play the EXO3 Tour 100 18x20 and I'm also curious about the new Textreme version. The Tour 100 was interesting -- heavy enough to have some plow through but not very good stability; it was more of a spin racquet even with the denser string pattern. With the ultra thin beam and flexibility it sometimes felt like flogging the ball with a heavy wet rope.

If the new Textreme Tour 100T stiffens the neck and has the right specs to add weight at 3 and 9 without becoming too heavy or unbalanced, it could be quite nice.

 

[The_Racketeer]

I think a lot of people are interested in this racquet, but getting access to a demo isn't easy right now. My local tennis shop doesn't even carry Prince racquets because the owner thinks they've become a cheap Chinese company with crap products. :-?

 

[JohnBPittsburgh]

Wish I could be of more assistance

I would like to hear mitchman and hankenstein's opinions on this (I believe they have The Ring Of Fire). I would love to help, but I haven't hit the other racquets you have. I am surprised more people haven't chimed in. Mine isn't brassy at all...maybe I am lucky I actually played for 2 hours hoping to have a helpful answer for you Racketeer. All I can come up with is "this racquet is awesome!" But that is very subjective, vague, and not helpful
It is comfortable IMO. I would say though, it doesn't give a ton of free power (echoed by Brittany in the review, she said she had racquet head speed, but didn't feel like it translated into power) Honestly, the whole time I was playing, I was trying to figure out something that would help and I ended up just focusing on the game. I didn't even think about my racquet (other than to try and figure out what brassy felt like!) and to me, that is awesome. Playing tennis, working on strategy, and technique. Just having fun and enjoying the game! Sorry I suck at reviews and comparisons, I can't think of a frame like this one I gave it my all.

 

[parasailing]

I used to think the Exo3 Tour was best for the arm until I bought the Tour 100T ESP. I've been using full poly for a year and a half now with no arm issues.

Yeah I had that racquet as well. I guess I tried so many I can't keep track of them all. It was indeed a pretty soft racquet but the new Textreme is not as soft in feel as the Exo3 or Tour 100T ESP.

 

[sma1001]

Does anyone have an update on the Textreme Tour 100T? I assume a few more people have hit with it now.

 

[nekowarrior]

I think a lot of people are interested in this racquet, but getting access to a demo isn't easy right now. My local tennis shop doesn't even carry Prince racquets because the owner thinks they've become a cheap Chinese company with crap products. :-?

Wilson, babolat, head... all racquets are made in china... i think only the yonex is made in japan

 

[The_Racketeer]

Thankfully my local shop started carrying Prince racquets this Spring. By request, they got me a demo of the textreme 100t.

I felt it was extremely maneuverable. I was able to flick back defensive shots with ease and get my racquet into position for returns and volleys. Ample power and plenty of spin.

However, it felt too tinny and I felt vibration in my arm on mis-hits. Just not as comfortable as other Prince racquets I've used. Definitely plays stiffer than its rating.

I can't even compare it to the EXO Tour. The EXO is way comfier and plusher. Not to mention the weight difference makes other comparisons hard.

In the end, I'm glad I demoed this. I landed on the Classic Graphite 100 and it is a truly amazing stick.

 

[nekowarrior]

Thankfully my local shop started carrying Prince racquets this Spring. By request, they got me a demo of the textreme 100t.

I felt it was extremely maneuverable. I was able to flick back defensive shots with ease and get my racquet into position for returns and volleys. Ample power and plenty of spin.

However, it felt too tinny and I felt vibration in my arm on mis-hits. Just not as comfortable as other Prince racquets I've used. Definitely plays stiffer than its rating.

I can't even compare it to the EXO Tour. The EXO is way comfier and plusher. Not to mention the weight difference makes other comparisons hard.

In the end, I'm glad I demoed this. I landed on the Classic Graphite 100 and it is a truly amazing stick.

I agree with you, but the feel of EXO3 is hollow, i can't feel the connection with the ball.

 

[The_Racketeer]

I agree with you, but the feel of EXO3 is hollow, i can't feel the connection with the ball.

The very first hit with the EXO Tour I thought I missed the ball. The feel is that muted. It certainly takes getting used to. It's much more muted than the Warrior 100 (also ported). Can't ask for a more arm friendly racquet.

 

[nekowarrior]

The very first hit with the EXO Tour I thought I missed the ball. The feel is that muted. It certainly takes getting used to. It's much more muted than the Warrior 100 (also ported). Can't ask for a more arm friendly racquet.

yes! i used to play with EXO3 rebel 98! It's a great racquet, just feel too muted!

 

[loosegroove]

Yeah, I would agree that the EXO3/Tour 100 feels muted, but I don't think "hollow" is at all a good descriptor. It's so comfy and plush, like you're out there hitting with Nerf. It's an adjustment though. And on the flip side, once you get used to the feel it's difficult to want to play with anything else. Such a large sweet spot and so forgiving, and rather than having a lack of feel, you are accustomed to it, and think it just has a different feel.

 

[The_Racketeer]

Yeah, I would agree that the EXO3/Tour 100 feels muted, but I don't think "hollow" is at all a good descriptor. It's so comfy and plush, like you're out there hitting with Nerf. It's an adjustment though. And on the flip side, once you get used to the feel it's difficult to want to play with anything else. Such a large sweet spot and so forgiving, and rather than having a lack of feel, you are accustomed to it, and think it just has a different feel.

Just to clarify; I felt the textreme 100t felt hollow, not the EXO. The EXO is definitely plush.

 

[loosegroove]

Just to clarify; I felt the textreme 100t felt hollow, not the EXO. The EXO is definitely plush.

For sure. I was referring to nekowarrior calling the EXO3 "hollow". After playing with the EXO3 Tour 16x18 for so long, just about everything else out there feels tinny, hollow, or boardy to me. I would like a little extra stiffness and free power on serves...the former is addressed in the most recent 100 Tour, but it's still pretty much the same racket.

 

[7zero]

OK, interesting topic here, I am exo3 tour team 100 player.. I have two of them one with leather grip so I changing them when I feel I need more plowthrough or manouverability. I am playong with idea of trying Tour 100 either exo3 generation or newer, just to see if I am able to play with that extra 20grams. And Mikeler is having case for ESP version.. So what do you think should I try? I am wrist pain man so I play gut/poly.

 

[loosegroove]

OK, interesting topic here, I am exo3 tour team 100 player.. I have two of them one with leather grip so I changing them when I feel I need more plowthrough or manouverability. I am playong with idea of trying Tour 100 either exo3 generation or newer, just to see if I am able to play with that extra 20grams. And Mikeler is having case for ESP version.. So what do you think should I try? I am wrist pain man so I play gut/poly.

I have some wrist tendonitis from time to time, and play with the EXO3 Tour 16x18. You can't really go wrong with the Tour 100 16 x18 or the 100T ESP, but personally I couldn't jive with such a low swingweight on the ESP. I had to add weight, so I just ended up sticking with my EXO3 Tour. You can pick up the Tour 100T ESP branded as the EXO3 Tour ESP for just $99 now. Kind of like you can get the Tour 98 ESP sold as the Rebel 98 ESP for only $99.

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Prince_Rebel_98_ESP_Racquets/descpageRCPRINCE-PR98.html

 

[sma1001]

EXO3 Tour is headlight so you should be able to make the step up without too much difficulty.

 

[7zero]

I will give it a try..

 

[mikeler]

OK, interesting topic here, I am exo3 tour team 100 player.. I have two of them one with leather grip so I changing them when I feel I need more plowthrough or manouverability. I am playong with idea of trying Tour 100 either exo3 generation or newer, just to see if I am able to play with that extra 20grams. And Mikeler is having case for ESP version.. So what do you think should I try? I am wrist pain man so I play gut/poly.

I'm not sure how gut/poly would do in the ESPs in terms of the strings lasting long enough for you.