@@@@@The OFFICIAL Prince EXO3 Tour 100 Club@@@@@

bad_call

Legend
Bad Call: I am 5-10 and 4.0 rated. Thanks for any feedback you can provide.

suggest using "racquet finder" where you can specify acceptable parameters and also uncheck "current models" to broaden the selection search. be happy to comment on those models you find or you can search threads and obtain a larger opinion base.
 

TheOneHander

Professional
How is everyone finding the bumpers to be holding up? I recently replaced one of mine because it was missing two inches of bumper at 11 o'clock only to have it chip at the same place and at 11 o'clock on the other side of the frame two weeks later. I hope it's just me, these things are a pain to replace!
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I also wanted to bring the Members List up for reference, so here it is.


Members List

1) TheSafin: 16x18
2) tata: 18x20
3) adamvann: 16x18, Barb Wire
4) Power Player: 16x18, Black Magic/BAM
5) tennis-kid: 16x18
6) tennismonkey: 18x20, 4 grams @3&9 total, 1 gram @12
7) Orion3: 16x18, gut/poly @53/48
8) rlau: 18x20, B5E
9) ZeroSkid: 16x18
10) Applesauceman: 16x18 & 18x20
11) TheOneHander: 16x18, BHBR 17 @52lbs
12) Klementine79: 18x20 (wishes it was 16x18)
13) buffalobill3: 16x18 and 18x20
14) Kcraig: B5E/Maxim Touch
15) Centryx: 16x18
16) westside: 16x18, Vfeel/ALU power @54
17) Rabbit: Team, Lux Ace 18/NRG2 17 @48/50
18) parasailing: 16x18
19) jk175d: 3 16x18s: VS 17 mains/co-focus 1.23 crosses @54/45, Klip Legend 17 mains/Revolution 17 crosses @ 53/54, full Tour Bite @47/45. All with 2g lead at 10& 2, 1.5g lead at 12
20) cknobman: 16x18, Sensation Duo @60/55
21) tapatio: 18x20
22) beeveewee: 18x20
23) Papa Mango: 18x20 (main) & 16x18, TW Leather, 3g@3&9. Multifeel/Cyberflash@57/54
24) IceNineTX: 16x18
25) pug: 18x20
26) anewtypedude: 18x20, VS Gut/Pro Hurricane Tour @57/52, 4g @3&9 & 1g @12
27) tinyman: 16x18, 4g @ 3 & 9. Head Tour Leather, 48/46 (CP) BHBR.
28) neil1b
29) MINERAKE: 16x18, Luxilon Adrenaline @57
30) Coasterman9: 16x18, Solinco Tour Bite 17
31) Magic of tennis: 16x18
32) AceServer: 18x20
33) Gregnoris: 16x18, MSV Focus Hex
34) laboule: 16x18, BB ALU Power @53
35) kyofu: 18x20, PSGD @57 and 16x18, PHT @57lbs
36) BigM: 16x18, RPM @48
37) Murray_fan1: 16x18, some crispy poly
38) 737Capt: 16x18, Genesis Typhoon 16L @54lbs
39) skeeter: 18x20, VS gut/WCSS (57/53)
40) maggmaster
41) Jonahan: Tour Team
42) wjh546157: 18x20, RPM/Xcel
43) Anton: 18x20, Hyperion 17 @55lbs, 7g lead top half of the hoop
45) 5imon: 16x18, Focus Hex @57lbs
46) Ross K: 16x18, Tour Bite @52lbs, 4g total at 12/under the buttcap
47) wiibsz: 18x20, 3g @12
48) corbind: 16x18
49) adso1973: 18x20
50) alexwawrinka: 16x18, Typhoon @24kg
51) ksmn: 16x18, Beast 17/PSGD 17 @54/59
 
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Orion3

Semi-Pro
Bumpers are good so far - no problems.

#7 - now changed to gut/poly hybrid at 53/48lbs - and loving it!
 

jk175d

Semi-Pro
How is everyone finding the bumpers to be holding up? I recently replaced one of mine because it was missing two inches of bumper at 11 o'clock only to have it chip at the same place and at 11 o'clock on the other side of the frame two weeks later. I hope it's just me, these things are a pain to replace!

I replace them every few months. I don't find them too tricky to replace. I need an awl to line up the grommets but that's easy enough. Changing them on a babolat, now that's a PITA!
 

TheOneHander

Professional
I think changing grommets in general is a chore ;) I would be fine with the chipping but it's made the frame a little bit more "vibrate-y". I do agree with the Babolat sentiment though, the Woofer system is miserable.

Orion-updated! How does it compare to full BHBR?
 

jk175d

Semi-Pro
I think changing grommets in general is a chore ;) I would be fine with the chipping but it's made the frame a little bit more "vibrate-y". I do agree with the Babolat sentiment though, the Woofer system is miserable.

Orion-updated! How does it compare to full BHBR?

I guess after Babolat's I find the EXO Tour SO much easier I don't find it a chore at all. Coincidentaly I just swapped them out this afternoon on one frame. What happens with mine is that they really wear down at the 2 and 10 oclock range from all the scraping I do on the court. I'm not really sure why I'm so hard on my raqcuets there but they always wear down. I do hit a lot of backhand slices from really low and scrape the court then I guess. But in any event, If I don't change the bumpers I'll wear a hole in the frame itself.

btw, while you're updating the listing;

19) jk175d: 3 16x18s: VS 17 mains/co-focus 1.23 crosses @54/45, Klip Legend 17 mains/Revolution 17 crosses @ 53/54, full Tour Bite @47/45. All with 2g lead at 10& 2, 1.5g lead at 12
 

TheOneHander

Professional
I guess after Babolat's I find the EXO Tour SO much easier I don't find it a chore at all. Coincidentaly I just swapped them out this afternoon on one frame. What happens with mine is that they really wear down at the 2 and 10 oclock range from all the scraping I do on the court. I'm not really sure why I'm so hard on my raqcuets there but they always wear down. I do hit a lot of backhand slices from really low and scrape the court then I guess. But in any event, If I don't change the bumpers I'll wear a hole in the frame itself.

btw, while you're updating the listing;

19) jk175d: 3 16x18s: VS 17 mains/co-focus 1.23 crosses @54/45, Klip Legend 17 mains/Revolution 17 crosses @ 53/54, full Tour Bite @47/45. All with 2g lead at 10& 2, 1.5g lead at 12

Done. I think the Tours are fairly easy except for prying the ports out at 3&9. Those are the worst for sure. Between changes, though, I've resorted to putting black electrical tape over the exposed graphite to protect the frame.
 

Orion3

Semi-Pro
I think changing grommets in general is a chore ;) I would be fine with the chipping but it's made the frame a little bit more "vibrate-y". I do agree with the Babolat sentiment though, the Woofer system is miserable.

Orion-updated! How does it compare to full BHBR?

I'm still using BHBR as a cross but my arm couldn't take a full bed of poly.

The new setup is excellent. It doesn't have the same spin which is a negative but it still produces as much or more spin than any non-full poly setup I've tried; the gut really does make a difference to feel and also gives a bit of power. The additional power was something I was a little wary of, but as it happens the additional power and feel are complimented by great control.

All in all I would rate this setup as the best I've ever tried.
 

BigM

Rookie
Hey 1hdr,

After a couple of months using the exo3's I have now finally settled on my setups.

Firstly 4grms of lead at 2 and 10 plus 4grms under but cap to offset weight at head for a total of 8 grms.
Secondly changed to a full bed of alu rough strung at 48lbs. Nice crisp feel with the flex is just awesome.

This frame allows me to express my creativity as a player and execute my full range of shots. I'm thinking of starting a thread " Diary of a ex- rackoholic "

BigM
 

bad_call

Legend
Hey 1hdr,

After a couple of months using the exo3's I have now finally settled on my setups.

Firstly 4grms of lead at 2 and 10 plus 4grms under but cap to offset weight at head for a total of 8 grms.
Secondly changed to a full bed of alu rough strung at 48lbs. Nice crisp feel with the flex is just awesome.

This frame allows me to express my creativity as a player and execute my full range of shots. I'm thinking of starting a thread " Diary of a ex- rackoholic "

BigM

well done...that's where it's at.
 

mhj202

Rookie
Done. I think the Tours are fairly easy except for prying the ports out at 3&9. Those are the worst for sure. Between changes, though, I've resorted to putting black electrical tape over the exposed graphite to protect the frame.

You can take me off the list- my experiment with the tour is officially over; already traded two of them and will be posting my last one soon.

It really is an excellent racket but, ultimately, I need a racket with just a little more oomph.
 

Ross K

Legend
Hey 1hdr,

After a couple of months using the exo3's I have now finally settled on my setups.

Firstly 4grms of lead at 2 and 10 plus 4grms under but cap to offset weight at head for a total of 8 grms.
Secondly changed to a full bed of alu rough strung at 48lbs. Nice crisp feel with the flex is just awesome.

This frame allows me to express my creativity as a player and execute my full range of shots. I'm thinking of starting a thread " Diary of a ex- rackoholic "

BigM


Look forward to reading it Big!:)


Orion,

What the gut you are hybriding with BHBR? THX
 

Orion3

Semi-Pro
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Orion,

What the gut you are hybriding with BHBR? THX

VS gut with elastocrosses along the 6 mains. Found this setup to give more spin (allows the mains to slide easily) and extends the life of the gut. The gut on both racquets is frayed but with no notching and I've had no string breaks.
 

737Capt

New User
Anyone ever try a full bed of natural gut on this racquet? Thinking about trying a full bed of VS but a little unsure due to the price. I also have never played with a racquet that han natural gut before. Pros or cons?

I originally had strung with Beast at #57 and really like it although it did not seem to last very long. I then tried NXT Tour at #57 and really didn't much care for it on the racquet. Didn't seem to have much pop/power but also didn't like the way it sounded. I know thats probably not a good reason but hard hits did not sound nearly as satisfying as Beast.

I am now using Genesis Typhoon 16L but after about 30 hours of playing it seems to have lost its edge. I probably don't even need to use a poly as I hit a bit flat and don't break strings. But I like the way they sound!

I would be happy to hear any suggestions?
 

klementine

Hall of Fame
Nice touch 1hndr!!!

Just noticed you edited my equipment ( wishes it was 16x18 )... put a smile on my face.

I really am enjoying the 16x18 version more and more as of late.

Played a little today with the 16x18, freshly strung with BBO @ 45. Now granted, my sticks are all 12.5oz with a 350'sh swing weight, so power or 'oomph' on serve was/is never a problem.

That line from BigM, 'expressing a full range of shots', just seems easier with the 16x18. Not that the 18x20 isn't a great stick (really the most open 18x20 pattern I've come across) but the 16x18 is just more of everything the 18x20 is.

Well see as time goes by......
 

klementine

Hall of Fame
And maybe this speaks more as to my level of play and that of my opponents.... but every time I try and 'turn my back' on this stick.. it ends up biting me in the ar$e...

I just play better with exoT 80% of the time... it keeps me in rallies longer... makes my return a weapon... keeps me consistent and confident on serve and allows for some angles... i.e. passing shots and great forehand slices.

Stiffer racquets, do 'crush' serves... but consistency drops... returns become 'touch and go'... and while forehands are penetrating (even without full strokes).. there is just more margin for error when compared to the exoT's.
 

corbind

Professional
Anyone ever try a full bed of natural gut on this racquet? Thinking about trying a full bed of VS but a little unsure due to the price. I also have never played with a racquet that han natural gut before. Pros or cons?

I would be happy to hear any suggestions?

(See my sig. I prefer the 53 lb over the 58 but 90% of my time is spent at the net.)

Pros: incredible softness felt in the arm on each hit. Even when serving it feels pleasing since nat gut has amazing elastic properties. Extra pop on smashes for the same reason. If you don't hit hard often the strings last "forever." They don't lose tension or turn to crap as they age like all other types of strings.

Cons: the most expensive string you can buy. I know nothing about natural gut other than what I've read since June and what I learned while playing.

I've used the one strung at 58 lbs 35 times this year and the one strung at 53 lbs 26 times this year (until it broke serving). I used the lower strung stick mostly on service games. I almost always play about 2.5 hours of doubles each day so:

35 x 2.5 hours = 87 hours on one stick
26 x 2.5 = 65 on the other

I'd guess if playing singles you'd cut that time in half so 43 hours and 32 hours. That's incredible longevity for a string. We can associate the longevity to a combo of these factors: it's natural gut, TW did great string jobs, or my play involving 80% of my time volleying at the net (requiring touch rather than power).
 
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I owe it to myself to try full natural gut at least once in my life. Any danger stringing it in a Klipper? What would be a good tension for me if I like multi at 60?
 

tennismonkey

Semi-Pro
tried a few new string setups tonight with my three exo3 tours 18x20.

poly/multi string set that i got from the black racquet playtest - 55 pounds. no idea what the strings are really but it plays like any other poly/multi hybrid i've tried. good spin, decent pop. nothing really special. to me ALU Power/PSGD offers a lot more spin, power and feel.

full bed of head rip control 16 gauge - 55 pounds. wanted to try 17 gauge but my stringer didn't have any in that size. plays a lot like a poly. really good spin (and superb for a multi), nice pocketing feel which was really addictive, super comfy too. for an hour this was my go to stick.

full bed of weiss cannon explosiv 16 gauge - 55 pounds. best power by far of any string setup i've tried with my exo3 tours and i'm always complaining about needing a little more oomph.
extremely comfortable. decent to good spin. also has a nice pocketing effect - found i got a lot more power from a slower swing and taking advantage of that pocketing.

really happy with these two strings and i'm hoping they play well through the whole string life.

oh and the previous week i tried a former favorite cheap string - original maxim touch in 17 gauge. in the super flexy exo3 tour - maxim touch is terrible. very little spin, way too much power and when it starts to lose tension it became a literal rocket launcher. no spin to even bring the ball back down to earth and no control. i had a lot of success hitting flat bombs with this string. but on all other shots -- worthless. soft stick and soft string = mush.
 

imalil2gangsta4u

Hall of Fame
I'm really thinking about purchasing the Exo3 tour 100 16x18.

I played with a k6.1 95 16x18 my first 3 years of tennis and got my best results with it. It was the only frame that I found power and spin that I was looking for along with the stability I needed. I had to let this frame go in the end, though, due to a consistent wrist problem. The stiffness was just too much for me at the end of the day.

I've recently tried the both the IG Speed 18x20 and the exo3 18x20 and found the stability I was looking for in both. The speed had more power so I considered it a little better fit for my game, but then a realized that the tour 16x18 would probably be the best fit. I was just hitting too short with the 18x20. I'll give it a demo and let you know how it goes.
 

Matt21

Rookie
I have two sets of the string inserts for my racquets and didn't like it at all. It really stiffens up the bed. I like the ports the best. If I'm correct all the pros use just the ports.

Wasn't there a close-up out there somewhere of Donald Young's frame? It looked as if he had the string grommets.
 

Matt21

Rookie
Wasn't there a close-up out there somewhere of Donald Young's frame? It looked as if he had the string grommets.

BTW, I bought the string hole grommets for a Prince EXO3 Graphite 100 and thought it livened up the stringbed. I guess it's a matter of preference. I ordered the string hole grommets for my 18x20s, but haven't had the opportunity to string up one yet.
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
I'm really thinking about purchasing the Exo3 tour 100 16x18.

I played with a k6.1 95 16x18 my first 3 years of tennis and got my best results with it. It was the only frame that I found power and spin that I was looking for along with the stability I needed. I had to let this frame go in the end, though, due to a consistent wrist problem. The stiffness was just too much for me at the end of the day.

I've recently tried the both the IG Speed 18x20 and the exo3 18x20 and found the stability I was looking for in both. The speed had more power so I considered it a little better fit for my game, but then a realized that the tour 16x18 would probably be the best fit. I was just hitting too short with the 18x20. I'll give it a demo and let you know how it goes.

I have a wrist problem which is why I own an EXO.

That being said, I have found the BLX version of the 6.1 to be far better on my wrist than the K95.
 

Dave M

Hall of Fame
As my edit button keeps closing the page I shall add that my pre strung UK frame came with prince syn gut with duraflex, mid tension.Normally need removing fairly quickly as you have no idea when or how well it was strung.
 

jk175d

Semi-Pro
16x18, SPPP 24/23kg, 2g lead tape @12 here :)

I know some people who just love that string, but I found it to be a terrible fit with this racquet. The EXO already has such a muted feel and that string is soft, borderline dead feeling. To me the pairing was like hitting with a wet board. Different strokes and all that I guess.

Was this already your string of choice when you switched to the EXO? Have you tried others in it?
 

Nikae

Rookie
I know some people who just love that string, but I found it to be a terrible fit with this racquet. The EXO already has such a muted feel and that string is soft, borderline dead feeling. To me the pairing was like hitting with a wet board. Different strokes and all that I guess.

Was this already your string of choice when you switched to the EXO? Have you tried others in it?

Yeah, I was using SPPP before EXO because I bought 200m of it. My previous racket was YTPMP.
It does feel like "hitting with a wet board" as you said, so I will be going for something else soon.
I don't have much choice at this part of Europe, I can choose between
all Luxilon, babolat, tecnifibre and signum pro strings , prince tournament poly, some head and...that's pretty much it.

I really like SPPP, it hold tension so well and its so durable, but I dislike the muted feel. Any other string similar to SPPP, but without the muted feel? Maybe tecnifibre black code?
 

Dave M

Hall of Fame
strung by Prince before going to dealers, or strung by the dealers?

Not strung at the dealers, maybe the importers get them strung up but i've worked in shops who sold all major brands and even as a coach getting frames direct from France from Babolat they'd come to me strung.The higher end stores now will often give you a choice to choose a string but if you don't they'll come with what they were sent with, which is why you'll see some people from countries such as the UK talking about "factory string".
 

ghia

Rookie
How does the exo3 tour compare to the old o3 tour which I didn't liked because of the lack of feel and very low power ?
Thank you !
 

jk175d

Semi-Pro
Yeah, I was using SPPP before EXO because I bought 200m of it. My previous racket was YTPMP.
It does feel like "hitting with a wet board" as you said, so I will be going for something else soon.
I don't have much choice at this part of Europe, I can choose between
all Luxilon, babolat, tecnifibre and signum pro strings , prince tournament poly, some head and...that's pretty much it.

I really like SPPP, it hold tension so well and its so durable, but I dislike the muted feel. Any other string similar to SPPP, but without the muted feel? Maybe tecnifibre black code?

I think SPPP is a great string is a stiffer frame, but obviously the EXO is far from that. I guess it's hard to suggest a string that is "similar to SPPP" for the EXO since everything feels so different in the EXO. But I know there are a lot of posts in this thread about string choices.

I'm a big fan of Solinco strings, Tourbite seems to be a popular choice for this frame. But I also like their Revolution as a cross with natural gut.

I used to love Tornado, but never tried it in this frame. It was pretty lively so might be a good main for the EXO with a syn-gut cross. Or even full bed at upper 40's (lbs) tension. Since you are already a fan of SP strings might be worth a try.
 

Nikae

Rookie
I think SPPP is a great string is a stiffer frame, but obviously the EXO is far from that. I guess it's hard to suggest a string that is "similar to SPPP" for the EXO since everything feels so different in the EXO. But I know there are a lot of posts in this thread about string choices.

I'm a big fan of Solinco strings, Tourbite seems to be a popular choice for this frame. But I also like their Revolution as a cross with natural gut.

I used to love Tornado, but never tried it in this frame. It was pretty lively so might be a good main for the EXO with a syn-gut cross. Or even full bed at upper 40's (lbs) tension. Since you are already a fan of SP strings might be worth a try.

Yeah, I wasn't very clear, when I said similar to SPPP, I mean that string hold tension as good (too good actually).
I cant get my hands on any of those you mentioned, just Tornado.
All I want to find now a crisp or stiff poly string that holds tension good.

How about tecnifibre Black Code, Red Code or Signum Pro MegaForce?
 
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keithfival

Professional
I know some people who just love that string, but I found it to be a terrible fit with this racquet. The EXO already has such a muted feel and that string is soft, borderline dead feeling. To me the pairing was like hitting with a wet board. Different strokes and all that I guess.

Me too! SPPP is my string but when I demo'd the EXO and strung it up it was a disaster- dead, dull, no pop, no life.
 

adamvann

Rookie
I'm still enjoying the frame, I've got quite comfortable with it. I did try Solinco TB after the BW and actually preferred TB.
 

Rabbit

G.O.A.T.
Not me! I'm in my 10th month with this frame and still loving it. I've moved off my original set up to natural gut/poly crosses and higher tension for the gut. The frame just begs you to knock the hell out of the ball. :)

I've been playing a bunch more, played last night indoors with the 5.0 boys. My "regular" 5.0 partner is an ex-D1 player who uses a Dunlop Biometric 300, all 10.9 ounces of it and I am loving my EXO3 Tour 100 Team, all 11.0 ounces :)

The EXO3 Tour Team, surprisingly, is a perfect replacement for a frame like the C10.
 

mikeler

Moderator
I finally had a chance to hit with the 16 x 18 version of this frame with Prince Premier mains and Prince EXP crosses. Definitely a unique feel to this frame that is nothing like anything else I've picked up. The stock version is too light for me so I can understand why everyone talks about adding lead to the frame. It feels flexible but did not feel like it bent as much in the head as the C10 Pro. Overall, I don't think it is for me but I can understand why it has a huge following since it is so unique.
 

adso1973

Semi-Pro
Tour Bite + EXO100 felt great!

Hi All,

Last week I decided to go with the Tour Bite (@53) as many posters said it felt great on this frame.. and I must admit they are right.

The frame felt comfortable, great combination of power and spin. Felt very good from all areas of the court.

Yesterday added some lead at 10, 12 & 2 (1gr each) to see if I can improve serves and 1HBH with a little more power and stability. I didn't decide whether to adde 3 gr at 12 or 1,5 at 10/2 so I added 1 gr each. What do you think about that?

Cheers
 

rlau

Hall of Fame
I already own a pair of 18x20s, and should be receiving my first 16x18 next week. I look forward to trying it out.
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
6 inches of lead at 11 and 1 is still the best way to go with this frame in my experience. Then combine that with poly in the high 40s.

I still have 1. Racquet is very unique as mikeler said.
 

westside

Hall of Fame
6 inches of lead at 11 and 1 is still the best way to go with this frame in my experience. Then combine that with poly in the high 40s.

I still have 1. Racquet is very unique as mikeler said.

I think I noticed that you're currently demoing (or using) the pro staff blx 95? Not calling you out, just curious :)
 
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