The incomparable Vacuum Elliptic Pro

[jayroc1]

Is the Fischer Pro 1 comparable to the Vacuum Elliptic Pro 98?

 

[Frankc]

Very Good question - have that thought, also...

 

[NicoMK]

Is the Fischer Pro 1 comparable to the Vacuum Elliptic Pro 98?

I personally have no idea since I never played with the Elliptic, but @travlerajm could tell.

 

[tmatila]

Is the Fischer Pro 1 comparable to the Vacuum Elliptic Pro 98?

This one requires more then just yes/no, I guess. First of all, there are two different molds of Elliptic. The old one, with three pairs of mains in the throat, and the newer one with four pairs. Pro No 1 has four pairs. the thinnest part in the beam pattern in No 1 is in the throat, in old Elliptic it is in the head of the racket. This makes the No 1 flex more in the throat. I would say (3 main) Elliptic Pro is noticably stiffer. I am a long term fan of the old Elliptics, as one may deduce from my blog

https://tommimeloo.blogspot.com/2023/01/my-history-with-fischer-tennis-rackets.html

One key difference is that some of the old Vacuum Elliptic Pros are actually made in Austria. These are real one piece rackets, meaning that the grip is molded from the same ceramics as the racket. (Each grip size had its own mold!) There are no seams, no material interfaces. This makes them special in feel. Nothing compares to them - in my opinion. No Pro No 1 rackets were made in Austria, as far as I know. So is No 1 comparable to Made-in-Austria VEP? Not quite.

I would not spend my time on four-mains Elliptics, yet my experience on them is minimal.

I currently use Pacific Pro No 1 rackets as my main racket, because they have a nice weight and balance (and I am older). I find them demanding - sweet spot is a bit small - and that is the way I like them. I hit flat strokes. I feel that Elliptics have a larger sweet spot, and they are easier to use. The weight of my favorite versions Elliptic Comp (SiC) and Elliptic Pro (about 345 g and 360 g strung) is a bit too much for me now, however.

 

[NicoMK]

This one requires more then just yes/no, I guess. First of all, there are two different molds of Elliptic. The old one, with three pairs of mains in the throat, and the newer one with four pairs. Pro No 1 has four pairs. the thinnest part in the beam pattern in No 1 is in the throat, in old Elliptic it is in the head of the racket. This makes the No 1 flex more in the throat. I would say (3 main) Elliptic Pro is noticably stiffer. I am a long term fan of the old Elliptics, as one may deduce from my blog

https://tommimeloo.blogspot.com/2023/01/my-history-with-fischer-tennis-rackets.html

One key difference is that some of the old Vacuum Elliptic Pros are actually made in Austria. These are real one piece rackets, meaning that the grip is molded from the same ceramics as the racket. (Each grip size had its own mold!) There are no seams, no material interfaces. This makes them special in feel. Nothing compares to them - in my opinion. No Pro No 1 rackets were made in Austria, as far as I know. So is No 1 comparable to Made-in-Austria VEP? Not quite.

I would not spend my time on four-mains Elliptics, yet my experience on them is minimal.

I currently use Pacific Pro No 1 rackets as my main racket, because they have a nice weight and balance (and I am older). I find them demanding - sweet spot is a bit small - and that is the way I like them. I hit flat strokes. I feel that Elliptics have a larger sweet spot, and they are easier to use. The weight of my favorite versions Elliptic Comp (SiC) and Elliptic Pro (about 345 g and 360 g strung) is a bit too much for me now, however.

Great, thanks for your insight @tmatila . I should've known that you knew, of course

 

[007]

Made in Austria 330g VT98 Pro and Pro 1's are the absolute benchmark for feel. I agree 100%: NOTHING feels like them...or so solid. They truly have a crisp yet damp but communicative "thunk' at impact like no other frame Nothing's even in the same universe. I feel for people who think modern frames strung up with poly or co-poly have great feel. A VT98 Pro with a high quality mutlifilament like Gamma Professional or X1 Biphase would reset their idea of how good a frame can feel at impact.