The Prince EXO3 Ignite - almost a great racquet.

[bluetrain4]

I'm in the market for new frames. I've been going back and forth between old frames in the past few months, and am trying to settle on something new by the summer season, so I can buy multiple frames, and get rid of most of my old frames.

I have been demo-ing quite a few frames. Tonight I played a few sets with the Prince EXO3 Ignite 95 - regular version (12.2 oz strung, 341 SW) , not the team version. Perfect size, perfect flex (69 stiffness rating is a bit misleading, as the frame is firm, but not harsh, and you can feel a little flex). Nice looking frame, loads of control.

But, it's just too headlight for me. 11 pts headlight. There's just nothing in the head for plow through. I had to swing so hard to hit penetrating shots.

A very nice frame, and SO close to being perfect for me. If it would have been 8 pts or 7 pts headlight, it would have been a dream. But, I could see the limitations (for me) from the beginning.

And, I'm really starting to question racket specs. The Ignite is listed at a 341 SW, but it is a much easier swinging frame than my Prince Diablo mid, which is listed at a 331 SW. I'm very surprised that some of the official TW reviewers described the Ignite as being too hefty, sluggish, and not maneuverable enough. Also, the flex is 69 compared to the Diablo's 66, but the Ignite feels more flexible and is much less harsh than the Diablo.

I really like the feel (I'm aware many don't) of Prince's "port" (Speedport, O-port, and the like) frames. But, there's just not one that has the right combination of heft, maneuverability, and plow-through for me. I thought the Ignite would be the one. And, it was so very close. So, I'm sort of disappointed.

 

[Chezbeeno]

you could try taking a bit of weight out of the handle and adding some lead tape to the head, now I personally have no experience and pretty much no knowledge of racquet weight customization but I think I've heard of people doing stuff like this, you're going to have to ask someone with lots of experience though

 

[Wes_Loves_Dunlop]

Without taking weight out of the handle, you could just add some lead at the 12, 3 and 9 o clock positions.
12 o clock for making it less headlight with the least amount of lead because it has the most effect.
The 3 and 9 for stability in the head which is what you're looking for

 

[Power Player]

Bluetrain, try the Prince Rebel. It is a better stick then the Ignite.

 

[travlerajm]

I'm in the market for new frames. I've been going back and forth between old frames in the past few months, and am trying to settle on something new by the summer season, so I can buy multiple frames, and get rid of most of my old frames.

I have been demo-ing quite a few frames. Tonight I played a few sets with the Prince EXO3 Ignite 95 - regular version (12.2 oz strung, 341 SW) , not the team version. Perfect size, perfect flex (69 stiffness rating is a bit misleading, as the frame is firm, but not harsh, and you can feel a little flex). Nice looking frame, loads of control.

But, it's just too headlight for me. 11 pts headlight. There's just nothing in the head for plow through. I had to swing so hard to hit penetrating shots.

A very nice frame, and SO close to being perfect for me. If it would have been 8 pts or 7 pts headlight, it would have been a dream. But, I could see the limitations (for me) from the beginning.

And, I'm really starting to question racket specs. The Ignite is listed at a 341 SW, but it is a much easier swinging frame than my Prince Diablo mid, which is listed at a 331 SW. I'm very surprised that some of the official TW reviewers described the Ignite as being too hefty, sluggish, and not maneuverable enough. Also, the flex is 69 compared to the Diablo's 66, but the Ignite feels more flexible and is much less harsh than the Diablo.

I really like the feel (I'm aware many don't) of Prince's "port" (Speedport, O-port, and the like) frames. But, there's just not one that has the right combination of heft, maneuverability, and plow-through for me. I thought the Ignite would be the one. And, it was so very close. So, I'm sort of disappointed.

The RDC flex measurement doesn't take into account weight distribution. A polarized frame with 69 rating that has very little mass in the throat (like the Ignite) will always feel softer at impact that a less polarized frame with 66 rating that has more mass just above the handle (like the Diablo).

Mass in a racquet's mid-section reduces the amplitude of vibration for the primary vibration node, resulting in increased dynamic stiffness.

 

[fuzz nation]

bluetrain: Not blasting you or any of our pals here who have managed to make sense of the issues surrounding swing weights, but I've found that spec. to be the single most misleading thing that's listed for racquets these days.

Given the static weight and balance of that racquet in its stock layout, I can tell at a glance that it's going to be borderline too light and twitchy in the head for some players without having to ponder its swing weight. My old 6.1 Classics can be too HL for me on occasion (10 pts. HL) and they weigh 12.8 oz. with an overgrip added on.

I certainly appreciate the differences that can come with varied weight distribution among different frames, too, but I think that your problem with the Ignite is the "least worst" you could be faced with. Even with it's ported construction, I'm sure you could find a way to add a little 3/9 o'clock lead tape to make that hoop a little more sturdy for you. I wasn't too wild about the idea of tuning until I had some great results with a couple of my racquets, including the Volkl C10. A pack of lead tape just might pave the way to perfection for you.

 

[Ross K]

bluetrain: Not blasting you or any of our pals here who have managed to make sense of the issues surrounding swing weights, but I've found that spec. to be the single most misleading thing that's listed for racquets these days.

Given the static weight and balance of that racquet in its stock layout, I can tell at a glance that it's going to be borderline too light and twitchy in the head for some players without having to ponder its swing weight. My old 6.1 Classics can be too HL for me on occasion (10 pts. HL) and they weigh 12.8 oz. with an overgrip added on.

I certainly appreciate the differences that can come with varied weight distribution among different frames, too, but I think that your problem with the Ignite is the "least worst" you could be faced with. Even with it's ported construction, I'm sure you could find a way to add a little 3/9 o'clock lead tape to make that hoop a little more sturdy for you. I wasn't too wild about the idea of tuning until I had some great results with a couple of my racquets, including the Volkl C10. A pack of lead tape just might pave the way to perfection for you.

Just curious Fuzz... what kind of specs - static weight and balance do you look for?

Cheers

R.

 

[fuzz nation]

I'm sort of a basket case these days - only happy with my 13+ oz. mids. They also run in the neighborhood of 10 pts. HL, but since they have extra heft, they maneuver fine for me without getting "twitchy". My leaded up (in the handle) LM Prestige mids are 13.4 oz. and my Prince NXG mids are about 13 oz. stock. Both are quite flexible, so I enjoy their control from the back court, but that heft and stability is also welcome up at net.

My Volkl C10's and 6.1 Classics are around 12.6-12.8 oz. with the same ballpark for balance, but they also play "hotter" than my softer mids. Some shots can fly off more readily, even with rather snug string setups. I also have a couple of NXG mp's which weigh around 12.5 oz, have 100 sq inch hoops as well as similar balance, but these are right on my fence - often too twitchy without enough plow on the ball.

I used to think that I'd be better off with a bit less HL balance to give me a more stable feeling frame, but as an all court player, that hasn't worked out for me too well. I'm hooked on the behavior or that rather HL layout, but also love some heft. Even my potential for power and spin with my serves has felt more substantial using the mids.

Back to the OP's issue - while the listed SW on the Ignite might seem attractive for me, the other spec's are quite illuminating. It's stiff, so it would play "hot" for me. Add in the heft and balance and this frame would most probably behave like a lighter version of my ProStaffs. The SW doesn't tell me "diddly".

 

[neverstopplaying]

I'm in the market for new frames. I've been going back and forth between old frames in the past few months, and am trying to settle on something new by the summer season, so I can buy multiple frames, and get rid of most of my old frames.

I have been demo-ing quite a few frames. Tonight I played a few sets with the Prince EXO3 Ignite 95 - regular version (12.2 oz strung, 341 SW) , not the team version. Perfect size, perfect flex (69 stiffness rating is a bit misleading, as the frame is firm, but not harsh, and you can feel a little flex). Nice looking frame, loads of control.

But, it's just too headlight for me. 11 pts headlight. There's just nothing in the head for plow through. I had to swing so hard to hit penetrating shots.

A very nice frame, and SO close to being perfect for me. If it would have been 8 pts or 7 pts headlight, it would have been a dream. But, I could see the limitations (for me) from the beginning.

And, I'm really starting to question racket specs. The Ignite is listed at a 341 SW, but it is a much easier swinging frame than my Prince Diablo mid, which is listed at a 331 SW. I'm very surprised that some of the official TW reviewers described the Ignite as being too hefty, sluggish, and not maneuverable enough. Also, the flex is 69 compared to the Diablo's 66, but the Ignite feels more flexible and is much less harsh than the Diablo.

I really like the feel (I'm aware many don't) of Prince's "port" (Speedport, O-port, and the like) frames. But, there's just not one that has the right combination of heft, maneuverability, and plow-through for me. I thought the Ignite would be the one. And, it was so very close. So, I'm sort of disappointed.

Why don't you try out the Team version and add a little weight where necessary. I've added at 12 only and put on a leather grip. Plays great - one of my favorites these days. Definitely good plow through. My only issue with this racquet is that my BH slices seem to float a bit high.

 

[bluetrain4]

bluetrain: Not blasting you or any of our pals here who have managed to make sense of the issues surrounding swing weights, but I've found that spec. to be the single most misleading thing that's listed for racquets these days.

Given the static weight and balance of that racquet in its stock layout, I can tell at a glance that it's going to be borderline too light and twitchy in the head for some players without having to ponder its swing weight. My old 6.1 Classics can be too HL for me on occasion (10 pts. HL) and they weigh 12.8 oz. with an overgrip added on.

I certainly appreciate the differences that can come with varied weight distribution among different frames, too, but I think that your problem with the Ignite is the "least worst" you could be faced with. Even with it's ported construction, I'm sure you could find a way to add a little 3/9 o'clock lead tape to make that hoop a little more sturdy for you. I wasn't too wild about the idea of tuning until I had some great results with a couple of my racquets, including the Volkl C10. A pack of lead tape just might pave the way to perfection for you.

I actually don't have a problem adding lead under most circumstances. I once had a Prince Diablo Midplus (which was about 11.6 ounces strung and 10 pts headlight in stock form) to which I added 48 inches (12 grams) of lead.

But, during the demo process, I first look for frames that I don't have to customize (I still want to try the Head Youtek Prestige Midplus and Pro, and the Dunlop AG 4d 200 Tour, for example). If all else fails, then I have no problem purchasing a frame where a little lead may be in order. And, as you said, the Ignite is very easily customizeable, because I would not have to mess with adding lead to the handle at all.

 

[Nellie]

To me, the Ignite lacked the feel of the EXO Graphite 93, but maybe that could be improved with a different string set up.

 

[Nextman916]

To me, the Ignite lacked the feel of the EXO Graphite 93, but maybe that could be improved with a different string set up.

The graphite 93 IS a far better racquet than the ingnite. OP you should definitely give it a demo, its a great stick.

 

[Deleted member 25923]

I'm going to try some lead with my frames soon. Only 2.99