+++++ The Dunlop Aerogel 4D 200 User's Group +++++

[Power Player]

hmm..sometimes the strings make a difference too. I know when I had full poly in mine or 15 and 16 gauge, it felt heavier. Or maybe yours is just heavier..that is pretty surprising though to be honest.

The shop weighed out their demo at 339. They have stickers on them that say it, so I went and checked. Mine is 338.

 

[i suck at tennis]

Jack that really doesn't sound too far off, especially considering the shoddy QC of most major racquet manufacturers these days. By the time I add overgrip and dampener my racquets are always about 0.5 an ounce heavier than what the TW strung weight indicates. If yours is 347 grams with overgrip then that is only 10 grams higher than TW. If I'm not mistaken most synthetic overgrips are around 15 grams untrimmed so yours seems to be right on target

 

[i suck at tennis]

Don't know what I was thinking in that last post, replacement grips are about 15g not overgrips. Still doesn't surprise me that your stick is heavier than the "average" though

 

[kaiser]

First of all I would like to thank all you guys for the helpful feedback, what a great resource this forum is!

Kaiser, I recently picked up a 16x19 from one of the early contributors of this thread (gflyer) and for what is supposed to be an open pattern it is fairly tight, especially in the center of the racquet face. My wife has a couple of HPS 18x20 that I can compare it too, when I get home this evening I'll report back and let you know if the Dunlop is significantly different than what you are currently hitting with. Thanks to the terrible weather we've had lately I've only gotten a chance to hit with mine a few times, but it is a really nice stick

Thanks so much, i.s.a.t., I'm finding it difficult to get a chance to hit myself. All outside courts are dismantled here, and indoors they are all fully booked in the evenings for the whole winter season...

Thats a good point. People forget that the string spacing in the center of the racquet where you hit most of your shots, is all that matters, with regard to string patterns. A closed pattern on a 100" racquet may be the same spacing as a open pattern on a 95" racquet. String guage will also have an effect.

Seems like TW needs a new tool that measures the "string spacing" in say an 4" diameter circle in the middle of the racquet. That would be really helpful.

I see your point and have been wondering about this myself. I've also read elsewhere in this thread that the sting spacing in the center of the stringbed is very similar between the 18x20 and 16x19. However, we're talking here about generating heavy spin, when the racket meets the ball at a steep angle resulting in the ball sliding across the stringbed. This implies that the contact point may extend beyond the center of the stringbed. Moreover, I have on very good authority that even the best of shots may not necessarily hit the center of the racket: http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~cross/FedTilt.mov :shock:

Kaiser-

Your experience sounds like my first demo withe the 4D 200. I had decided that I needed to switch from a 16x19 back to a 18x20. I have not hit with the 16X19 4D 200 but my guess is that you will compromise a bit of control moving to the open pattern. Granted, I am biased towards the 18x20 but you may be able to achieve your desired results by tweaking string type an tension. I find that a full multi offered the best control in the frame while a gut/poly hybrid allowed me to be more aggressive and generated more power.

My stringer has put a hybrid with Tornado mains and a red poly he didn't specify in the crosses in my current HPS6.1, so I'm going to see how that affects its playing characteristics. Someone else is now demoing the 4D200 18x20... I've been a poly addicted since they first became available in the '90s, I just love the firm, predictable stringbed the create!

Kaiser -
I compared the HPS 18x20 vs the 4D200 16x19 and the Dunlop string is spacing is slightly larger... At the center the HPS is 5/16 in. wide and 6/16 in. high. The Dunlop is 6/16 in. wide and 7/16 in. high. Not as much difference as you would think, but once you get to hit with it it may be all you're looking for.

That's really interesting information, and I really appreciate you taking the trouble! The difference may be larger than would appear at first sight: I did some calculations on the measurements you kindly provided, and it turns out that the area between the strings is 40% larger in the 4D200 16x19 than in the HPS6.1 95 18x20! No that could make a difference!

 

[i suck at tennis]

That's really interesting information, and I really appreciate you taking the trouble! The difference may be larger than would appear at first sight: I did some calculations on the measurements you kindly provided, and it turns out that the area between the strings is 40% larger in the 4D200 16x19 than in the HPS6.1 95 18x20! No that could make a difference!

Wow, the spacing measurements were so small that I didn't even consider calculating the actual area. That is very insightful on your part and definitely could make a difference, especially considering that tennis is a game where the most minute of adjustments can make a large impact on ball flight path, landing area, etc.

 

[JackB1]

Don't know what I was thinking in that last post, replacement grips are about 15g not overgrips. Still doesn't surprise me that your stick is heavier than the "average" though

I think up to 3 - 5 grams is acceptable, but anything more than 5 grams is just too much difference IMO and can be felt.

 

[Power Player]

Kaiser you aren't going to know what will really work for you until weather allows you to hit with the stick. All the numbers in the world don't mean s*** on a tennis court except 15 30 and 40.

 

[JackB1]

Kaiser you aren't going to know what will really work for you until weather allows you to hit with the stick. All the numbers in the world don't mean s*** on a tennis court except 15 30 and 40.

Even I, never measured the squares on the string

 

[kaiser]

Kaiser you aren't going to know what will really work for you until weather allows you to hit with the stick. All the numbers in the world don't mean s*** on a tennis court except 15 30 and 40.

And 'love'...

 

[JackB1]

I have decided to sell my 4d 200. It's a fabulous stick and I can see why so many of you love it, but for me, it was a little bit too stiff and aggravated my touchy tennis elbow. I have read some comments on these boards about it feeling stiffer than the published specs, so I know i am not alone. It is by no means a stiff racquet, but for whatever reason affected me more that other similar racquets. It has a very "solid" feeling at impact, which might have contributed to my TE?

See the F/S section if anyone wants another 4D 200 on the cheap...

 

[kaiser]

Even I, never measured the squares on the string

Hey, wait a minute, we're not implying here that I'm a worse nitpicker than JackB, are we...? :twisted:

But seriously, I am fully aware that demoing is paramount and I have never bought a racket without demoing first and feeling comfortable with it. And once I find a stick I like, I tend to stick with it too. Both with my SRDTour 95s and my HPS6.1 I played 5+ years, although the latter not very frequently. I'm not like some people on this board who appear to get themselves new racket every other full moon, JackB! (not seriously for a moment, Jack ).

The problem is that until spring starts I have very few hitting and demoing opportunities, so I'm trying to take advantage of the collective experience of the people on this board to narrow down my search. Given that I've started demoing to see if an open pattern suits my game better than the closed one of my HPS6.1, the measurements taken by i.s.a.t are very relevant: if the string pattern of the 4D200 16x19 is not more open in the hitting zone than either my current racket or the 4D200 18x20, why bother demoing it? Now it appears that although the distances between strings are only slightly longer, the area of the gap between strings is a solid 40% bigger and hence more open than on my HPS6.1.

So I'm definitely going to demo the 4D 16x19, preferably back-to-back to the 18x20. Perhaps I should also compare the BLX 95 in the open vs closed versions, and the YT Prestige Pro that supineAnimation likes so much in another thread vs the YTPMP. If I get the opportunity to do that, I may find that open vs closed doesn't make any difference to me in terms of spin, but that I should rather pay attention to swingweight, or that it's just a matter of all the characteristics of a racket combined. Then again, perhaps I'm going to find that I can easily adjust my forehand to the 4D200 18x20 and keep liking it so much on my backhand that I don't bother to look any further, or that my trusted HPS6.1 suits me best after all (now then I would have a problem then...). We'll see.

All I know now is that the head pro I worked with last summer advised me to try a more open string pattern for easier access to spin and more consistency from the backcourt on clay. And that with the tight HPS6.1 I have never been able to get the amount and quality of action on my serve, that I had with the SRD Tour (but again, that may just be me).

 

[DennisK]

Anyone else have a stock AG 4D200 that weighs as much as mine (347 grams) with overgrip? I am wondering if I got a defective one or not? They are supposed to be 337 strung according to TW and I think the overgrip adds maybe 5g's?

I don't have a 4D200G, but do own an AG200G and a pair of MW200G's.

The AG weighs 347g and the MW's weigh 345g and 347g. All with an overgrip and babolat O dampener. So your 4D coming in at 347g sounds bang on the money.

 

[Deodorant]

guys, holy crap i think im going to put my 4d200 on the side and get a new stick... the blx 95 team, its feel is amazing, very comparable to the ag series. holy crap i feel outta place.

 

[JT Corona]

4D200 vs. BLX95

am i losing my marbles or does the new BLX95 (18x20) play like a crisper 4D200...

I had a feeling someone on here would try the BLX and also see the similar qualities. So I am not completely losing it :shock:

 

[kaiser]

guys, holy crap i think im going to put my 4d200 on the side and get a new stick... the blx 95 team, its feel is amazing, very comparable to the ag series. holy crap i feel outta place.

I had a feeling someone on here would try the BLX and also see the similar qualities. So I am not completely losing it :shock:

Thanks a lot, guys, now I have to demo the the two BLXs too!

 

[Power Player]

He was talking about the TEAM, which is substantially lighter. He didn't really like the regular version as much. I read his review.

It's a significant change from a 4d200 in weight.

 

[kaiser]

He was talking about the TEAM, which is substantially lighter. He didn't really like the regular version as much. I read his review.

It's a significant change from a 4d200 in weight.

Thanks, in the mean time I saw his review too. Difficult to figure out while demoing how a racket would play if you leaded it up as radically as he did...

 

[JackB1]

I had a feeling someone on here would try the BLX and also see the similar qualities. So I am not completely losing it :shock:

The AG200 is pretty crisp to me already, so I dont think I would like the BLX then. But then again, I am used to soft sticks like the Rebel and Radical.

 

[Power Player]

Jack I think you have a winner for arm friendliness for sure. You could always try the Volkl PB10 if you wanted a new model after the Becker.

 

[JackB1]

Jack I think you have a winner for arm friendliness for sure. You could always try the Volkl PB10 if you wanted a new model after the Becker.

Not sure I would like the PB10? It's got a 64 stiffness rating which might be a problem and a really thin beam (19). You are right about the BB11 being arm friendly.
I played someone last night who usually walks all over me and this time he still beat me, but we were having long rallies and many "duece" points. He even commented
I was playing much better, so I think I found a winner!

 

[Orion]

Tried some lead in the lower hoop of the 4D. It felt better than when I put it on at 3 & 9. I was able to keep ball a little deeper into the court.

Don't know if it's been the cold weather lately but I feel like my 3/8 grip is compressing and getting smaller. I have a Pacific replacement grip on it and just started using a Babolat Pro Team overgrip (too rubbery but need to use out the pack I have). But I noticed that the racquet has stopped slipping on serves. I bought Jack's 1/2 4D 200 so that should allow me to use just a replacement grip or best case keep the Dunlop Hydro on one frame.

 

[Power Player]

Not sure I would like the PB10? It's got a 64 stiffness rating which might be a problem and a really thin beam (19). You are right about the BB11 being arm friendly.
I played someone last night who usually walks all over me and this time he still beat me, but we were having long rallies and many "duece" points. He even commented
I was playing much better, so I think I found a winner!

A. Stop using stiffness ratings as the bible. They are not always correct. The PB10 is extremly arm friendly.

B. I would consider that the next racquet if you wanted to get something more advanced down the road with more control and less power.

C. Glad you are enjoying the BB11..thats awesome.

 

[JackB1]

A. Stop using stiffness ratings as the bible. They are not always correct. The PB10 is extremly arm friendly.

B. I would consider that the next racquet if you wanted to get something more advanced down the road with more control and less power.

C. Glad you are enjoying the BB11..thats awesome.

regarding (A), I agree. The Radical Pro measured under 50 and that sometimes felt stiffer to me due the the 3DO material.

regarding (B), that won't be for quite some time. The BB11 has similar power ratings to the AG200 and is probably considered a "low powered, control" stick. If it gets ever gets too powerful for me, I will just start upping the tension a little or hybriding with a copoly. But I think I'm good there

(C) I love it! Never expected to end up with this one, but "it is what it is"!

 

[Power Player]

Well I hit the tennis ball for the first time in 2 weeks last night and it was nice to get back into it.

My 4d was strung up with a multi demo from Wilson that moved all over the place. I realized that multis in this stick really don't work for me.

The guy I was hitting with was a strong 4.5 possible 5.0. He had huge strokes if you put balls up high in his zone. I was having trouble pulling the ball back in with the strings, so I went to my M-fil which had a poly/SGut hybrid.

This made an immediate difference. The racquets feel very close in weight, and the slightly lighter M-fil may have been a bit more forgiving on my 2 week vacation, but my point is that the strings really matter in these racquets. Once I had strings that didn't move, I was all set. We crushed balls for a few hours and the Dunlop really handled the weight of his shots. I could also counter with inside out forehands that curled back into the line, and my backhand was very accurate DTL or crosscourt, which kept me in points.

I am hybriding poly right now at around 62#s, and I am going to try a little lighter to experiment, but the 200s feel incredible around 60#s if you like to hit really hard and place your shots on a dime. I would not do full poly with this setup, but I don't need full poly anymore, which is a godsend.

 

[Orion]

PP-

62?? Doesn't sound that high but man that's up there for me. I'll have to try it out in on of my frames next string. I just acquired a PT280 and it was strung with syn that had to be low-mid 60's. I felt it in my wrist and arm a few days after.

I've been settled in around 56-58 depending on the string. I just went 59 on mains with NRG2, 58 Black Magic crosses and it was pretty solid. I generally don't play with multi's feel like they soften out the stringbed too much but the NRG played well against a serve & volleyer.

Was the multi Hollow Core Pro?

 

[Power Player]

62#s sounded high to me honestly, but when I got my 4d sent with Timo in the mains and Stamina in the crosses at 62#s, it was like a whole new racquet. The demos I had were strung at 58#s I think, maybe 60 with full multi. In comparison the hybrid blew it out of the water with way more pop and control. It sounded like a gunshot when I served. Definitley worth trying out, but I am still experimenting with hybrid tensions on the racquet.


It may have been hollowcore, it was a Wilson demo prototype, so I dont know.

 

[Deodorant]

ahhh i miss this group of 4d users, how you guys been, ive been rotating between the blx team and the 4d200 with no problems as of late. its just a lovely feeling stick like the 200. wish it would stop raining.


oo and ive got a chance to restring the 4d up with kirshbaum spiky smash and prince's new multi with gut like feel, the premier lt,
had hit with it for about a good 2 hours, feels badass. shall comment more about that string combo later when i have more play time after rain

 

[Orion]

62#s sounded high to me honestly, but when I got my 4d sent with Timo in the mains and Stamina in the crosses at 62#s, it was like a whole new racquet. The demos I had were strung at 58#s I think, maybe 60 with full multi. In comparison the hybrid blew it out of the water with way more pop and control. It sounded like a gunshot when I served. Definitley worth trying out, but I am still experimenting with hybrid tensions on the racquet.


It may have been hollowcore, it was a Wilson demo prototype, so I dont know.

I demod a Wilson prototype a few months ago turned out it was Hollow Core Pro. I did a full bed and it moved like crazy the first 30 minutes after it settled in it was cool... I found it to have more control than the standard synthetic.

What gauge Timo did you use? I've got an old Timo/Supersense hybrid pack I may put in one of the 4D's. Although I think the Timo is 18g.

I had good results with the NRG2/Black Magic setup. Played a BIG serving grad student and squeaked by 6 and 4. The 4D is my dragon slayer. I had doubts about how the multi mains would hold up against big serves. I was pleasantly surprised. I think the added feel allowed me to punch serves down that would have sailed long with full poly.

Sidenote:

After the match I hit with the PT280 that I recently got. I added 6g of lead to the top of the handle and it weighs in at 12.3, exactly where my 4D's are. Given that this frame is the father of the pro-stock Head PT57 frames the 4D is right there with it in terms of playability and even has a tad more feel. I have the PT280 strung with Head UltraTour17/Gamma Syn. My guess is a better string combo would produce better results.

 

[Power Player]

Thats awesome that 4d feels so much like the PTs. I agree, when I hit with a PT630 it had a lot of characteristics of the 4D.

The Timo and Stamina were both 16 gauge I believe. I am demoing a Wilson prototype and then I am going to try Big Ace Mico crossed with Wilson Stamina.

 

[Ross K]

4D 200 Tour

"Think of a slightly heavier Pro Tour 280 with more pop and plow"...

Got to say that I do like the sound of this frame, and they are fairly easy to get hold of where I am so I'm tempted...

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/feedback-D4D2T.html

Would really welcome other ppls thoughts on this racket, and I'm specially keen to hear about its maneuverability (are we talking 'log' here?... you know, is it just mega-hefty?) As well as its serve oomph (Is it very powerful?... a 1st serve bomber?... does it serve like any other frames just so I can get the picture?...) And lastly, does it generate a decent level of topspin on groundstrokes?

Cheers,

R.

 

[10ACE]

Not sure I would like the PB10? It's got a 64 stiffness rating which might be a problem and a really thin beam (19). You are right about the BB11 being arm friendly.
I played someone last night who usually walks all over me and this time he still beat me, but we were having long rallies and many "duece" points. He even commented
I was playing much better, so I think I found a winner!

JackB1 the Volkl PB10 doesn't feel very stiff, lots of flex. Don't let that be a factor- for me I couldn't gets passed the feel of the handle-

 

[Power Player]

Ross, this stick is easily maneuverable. Easier then the Rad Pro for example. It is definitley not hefty, but it has a very solid feel. I never really get tired out hitting with it.

It is a first serve bomber, but you HAVE to have good technique or it will not be.

Same with topspin. I honestly get as much spin as I need, but with added control. I can hit angled winners easier with this racquet. If I get pushed wide to my backhand side, I can stay with my 2 hander and hit a crosscourt return with some pace, or go DTL if I want to take the risk.

The keyword to this racquet is control. The Spin and power is going to come from your technique. You will not get any extra from the 4D, but that is what I like. In that way it is basically almost like a pro mold racquet.

 

[Ross K]

Ross, this stick is easily maneuverable. Easier then the Rad Pro for example. It is definitley not hefty, but it has a very solid feel. I never really get tired out hitting with it.

It is a first serve bomber, but you HAVE to have good technique or it will not be.

Same with topspin. I honestly get as much spin as I need, but with added control. I can hit angled winners easier with this racquet. If I get pushed wide to my backhand side, I can stay with my 2 hander and hit a crosscourt return with some pace, or go DTL if I want to take the risk.

The keyword to this racquet is control. The Spin and power is going to come from your technique. You will not get any extra from the 4D, but that is what I like. In that way it is basically almost like a pro mold racquet.

PP, others, just to clarify, I'm talking about the open pattern AG 4D 200 Tour.

 

[Power Player]

oooo...sorry man. I swung that racquet and it is a heavy one. The pattern is not super open. Another option you may want to try is the regular 4d 200 16x19

 

[Ross K]

^^^

Riiight. So what's the difference between the 4D 200 Tour and the 4D 200 16x19? Anyone played both?... and btw, are both of the aforementioned available in UK/Europe?

 

[jcstennis]

Ross the 4D200 16x19 is in UK/EUR. Only a few retailers in the States carry the 16x19

 

[JackB1]

^^^

Riiight. So what's the difference between the 4D 200 Tour and the 4D 200 16x19? Anyone played both?... and btw, are both of the aforementioned available in UK/Europe?

Mostly weight, I think. I believe the Tour is at least 10 g's heavier.

 

[AlpineCadet]

Got to say that I do like the sound of this frame, and they are fairly easy to get hold of where I am so I'm tempted...

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/feedback-D4D2T.html

Would really welcome other ppls thoughts on this racket, and I'm specially keen to hear about its maneuverability (are we talking 'log' here?... you know, is it just mega-hefty?) As well as its serve oomph (Is it very powerful?... a 1st serve bomber?... does it serve like any other frames just so I can get the picture?...) And lastly, does it generate a decent level of topspin on groundstrokes?

Cheers,

R.

Still switching? I remember switching on and off for over a year and my game was horrible. Anyway, the frame swings similar to the KPS88, but has a better feel on mishits since there's more room and less PWS, lol. Are you planning to demo?

 

[kaiser]

Comparison 4D 200, Tour, and 16x19

Riiight. So what's the difference between the 4D 200 Tour and the 4D 200 16x19? Anyone played both?... and btw, are both of the aforementioned available in UK/Europe?

I second this request! I'm getting back into the game and of the rackets I have demoed sofar I liked the regular 4D 200 the most. Very natural and flowing on my 1HBH with pin-point control. Felt good on my SW forehand too, good control, sufficient power, but the ball came off my racket at a relatively low angle, more or less skimming the net and the topspin bringing it down to the court just beyond the service line. To get my forehands deep I really had to swing out, which resulted in some great shots, to be sure, but not exactly your average reliable rallying ball.

I probably could adjust my swing to compensate for this, but first I would like to find out if the more open pattern of the Tour and the 16x19 (I live in Europe) would suit me better. As for the time being I have very little opportunity to demo myself, I would much appreciate any accounts of your personal experiences with these sticks, more so if you can compare them side by side.

PS. Coming from the SRD Tour and the HPS 6.1 (both 95), I am not phased by the static weight of the 4D 200 Tour (all ~ 350 g / 12.4 oz), but I have never hit with a SW > 350. How does this feel, do you find it hampers your ability to hit spin? I suppose the 4D 200 Tour must be polarized relative to my old rackets, so it would be interesting to find out how it plays...

 

[rlau]

While we are comparing notes...

Can someone give a comparison between the Aerogel 200 16x19 (4D or non-4D version) and the Volkl DNX 10 Mid?

TIA,

rlau

 

[Ross K]

kaiser,

Re your query about SW, all I can say is for me, spin is fine, however the heft can leave you struggling...

Ahem... I call on 'exhibit A': the legendary RD7!... I recently finally got to play with this famous 'spin beast' of a frame and the solidity and plow was amazing... plenty of spin... and the best serving rod I think I've come across in a long while (very accurate and very powerful)... but that 354 SW totally had me floundering and toiling away in vain on many occasions... last second reaction shots and wrist-flicks?... getting to low scoopers?.... forget it!... dead in the water!!!

Ok. We are talking about different frames, and there are other mitigating factors such as static weight, stifness RA, head-light balance etc; but as someone who these days appreciates a nice SW (320's/330's/perhaps 340's), 350's is, for me, pushing it, I suspect.


Alpine,

What can I say?... thought I'd found it with the YT Rad Pro... I was wrong!


R.

 

[Ross K]

1st thoughts after hit today with AG 4D 200...

Well... it's different... but I like it!...

Unlike most of what I've heard I actually found it a bit lacking in heft and 'beef' (to me it seemed more a 'wand' than a 'broadsword')... sometimes (my 2hbh) felt a bit in need of oomph... but it felt wonderfully lush at times (specially on the fh)... the maneuverability was superb... there is a certain spring in terms of the stringbed feel which I approve of... it's a nippy, zippy, whippy kind of frame (as opposed to a super-sable, ball crushing, plough-type frame)... it actually produces very impressive spin, or so my hitting partner told me (and I'm someone who has recently returned to open pattern frames because I missed that spin factor)... there's a certain precision... this frame slices well... the control off the b-line is indeed excellent... touch is impressive in and around the net... and I was quickly feeling pretty comfortable re serve.

One of my strongest impressions was this frame reminded me very much of the AG100 mid (a frame I really liked and played with on 2 different occasions before admitting it was a tad too demanding for me and didn't quite suit my game) - however, the 4D 200 is generally easier to use (for me at least)...

I also wonder if, like the AG100, the 4D 200 might be even better leaded up? (I'm thinking that with a bit of lead I might be able to equal the 100 mid for 'lights out' serve bombers, as well as maybe just 'hefting it up' a bit for me.)

Finally, I have to confess to today having that priceless 'addictive' feeling of not wanting to put the frame down...

It must be said though that I've been playing very well with my N95s and they are still in the driving seat; and the AG 4D 200 is pretty different for me and, hmm...

But my 1st impressions are very good and I'm definitely going to be taking a closer look at it in the near future.

R.

 

[JackB1]

Well... it's different... but I like it!...

Unlike most of what I've heard I actually found it a bit lacking in heft and 'beef' (to me it seemed more a 'wand' than a 'broadsword')... sometimes (my 2hbh) felt a bit in need of oomph... but it felt wonderfully lush at times (specially on the fh)... the maneuverability was superb... there is a certain spring in terms of the stringbed feel which I approve of... it's a nippy, zippy, whippy kind of frame (as opposed to a super-sable, ball crushing, plough-type frame)... it actually produces very impressive spin, or so my hitting partner told me (and I'm someone who has recently returned to open pattern frames because I missed that spin factor)... there's a certain precision... this frame slices well... the control off the b-line is indeed excellent... touch is impressive in and around the net... and I was quickly feeling pretty comfortable re serve.

One of my strongest impressions was this frame reminded me very much of the AG100 mid (a frame I really liked and played with on 2 different occasions before admitting it was a tad too demanding for me and didn't quite suit my game) - however, the 4D 200 is generally easier to use (for me at least)...

I also wonder if, like the AG100, the 4D 200 might be even better leaded up? (I'm thinking that with a bit of lead I might be able to equal the 100 mid for 'lights out' serve bombers, as well as maybe just 'hefting it up' a bit for me.)

Finally, I have to confess to today having that priceless 'addictive' feeling of not wanting to put the frame down...

It must be said though that I've been playing very well with my N95s and they are still in the driving seat; and the AG 4D 200 is pretty different for me and, hmm...

But my 1st impressions are very good and I'm definitely going to be taking a closer look at it in the near future.

R.

The AG200 is a very solid frame and I came oh so close to keeping it. It gave me just a touch of elbow pains here and there, so I ditched it for the similar, but softer BBecker 11 MP. I have since also fell in love with the Wilson BLX95 18x20, but liked the BB11 almost equally. My deciding factor was a slight dislike of the rectangular handle on the BB11.

 

[Ross K]

^^^

Jack, I think it depends what you mean by 'solid'... have to say I didn't find the Ag 4D 200 to have that heft, stability and plow of, say, the Reb... but I did like it!.. its just not that kind of 'bullying power' racket such as the PSC 6.1, N95, Reb, Rad Tour Twin Tube XL (to name but 4 frames I've some experience of)... and it's far from a hollow tweener... no J... I was impressed!

R.

 

[Ross K]

Just wondering how many of you 4D 200 users have a 2hbh?

As I said, it was possibly lacking a bit of 'beef' here for me (and no! I'm not blaming the frame; I know it's very largely 'operator error'...) None the less, there are though certain frames I seem to fare better with off the bh side than others...

So how do you double-fisters find this frame then eh?

R.

 

[Power Player]

I love it for 2hbh. I hit my best ones with it. The angles I can create with the racquet are awesome.

The best string hybrid I have hit with so far: Big Ace Micro and Wilson Stamina crosses (16 gauge). I tension it at 62#s. I know it seems high, but try it! Amazing spin and control. My consistency went up a lot with this setup and I can hit incredibly hard too.

 

[Ross K]

Hi PP,

Have to say in the last 10 days or so the Vantage 95 has eclipsed all others for me. Last time I hit with the Ag 200 4d I tried with some lead on the hoop - too much as it turned out... and was less impressed (far less mobile) even if the power level was raised up nicely. However, I take heed of your string set up advice... btw, presently mine is strung BBO (M) @ 60 lbs, TF NRG2 (c) @ 58 ibs... got to say, I'm not sure it's quite for me, but a different string job and maybe less added lead might make a difference~?

R.

 

[Power Player]

yeah..i wouldnt add a bit of lead to the 4d200 to be honest. It doesn't need it.

 

[grimmbomb21]

Hi PP,

Have to say in the last 10 days or so the Vantage 95 has eclipsed all others for me. Last time I hit with the Ag 200 4d I tried with some lead on the hoop - too much as it turned out... and was less impressed (far less mobile) even if the power level was raised up nicely. However, I take heed of your string set up advice... btw, presently mine is strung BBO (M) @ 60 lbs, TF NRG2 (c) @ 58 ibs... got to say, I'm not sure it's quite for me, but a different string job and maybe less added lead might make a difference~?

R.

Did you ever try the 200 Tour? I used the 200 16x19 for a very short while, but it just felt too light. I just played my first tournament with the 200 Tour, and didn't find using it to play a couple matches in the same day to be more difficult than anything else I have used. I'll be sticking with the tour most likely, but I plan to try out the Youtek Prestige MP in the next tourney, just to compare.

The main thing that I really benefited from with the 200 tour while playing matches was hitting on the run. When I am stretched wide for a ball I really struggle to hit a clean shot. This racquet still put the ball back deep regularly, so I had many more chances to stay in a point and eventually get a short ball to put away.

 

[Power Player]

Still extrememly happy with the BAM/Stamina hybrid. It is the best string setup I have used in any racquet. I find it much easier to dig out low balls now. The way the string bites the ball allows me to pick up those low skidders and hit solid returns. It is real nice to hit a winner off a drop shot instead of just getting it back as a neutral return.