Ultimate string of choice !

[blai212]

i found head hawk touch to be underwhelming…save your $$ @galapagos
it was good fresh but quickly dies because it is soft, also the 1.25 gauge had the feel of a thinner string (1.20). I think @galapagos would be better served with head hawk because you don’t mind stiff strings and the playability will stay consistent for much longer

 

[antony]

adding head hawk touch to the lineup !

I’m getting a test sample of Head Lynx Touch from TW. Just ordered Head Lynx Tour which is on sale to compare

 

[galapagos]

I’m getting a test sample of Head Lynx Touch from TW. Just ordered Head Lynx Tour which is on sale to compare

I am really interested in lynx touch! Let me know

 

[antony]

I am really interested in lynx touch! Let me know

check out this podcast and post and you can probably test it too

You asked, we answered! Dennis Fabian from HEAD joins us to divulge all the details on the newest string from HEAD! Loaded with comfort, control and crazy pocketing Head Lynx Touch might just be your new favorite string!

We also answer all your questions regarding Head strings like if Lynx Tour will come in a thinner gauge, what the most popular string Head has is, and we even get to hear some details and gossip from the BNP Paribas Open stringing room!

Interested in trying out Lynx Touch?
If you live in the United States, send us an email for a chance to try this new string! podcast@tennis-warehouse.com

Happy Hitting!

 

[galapagos]

check out this podcast and post and you can probably test it too

it seems to be only for US residents.

 

[what_army]

i hate that orange color. Looks cheap. The only string in that color i tried was Pro's pro. But ye I heard it's good. Polaris seems to be more interesting especially that it's coming from firestorm which I love

Yes, please add it to your list! I tried hit pro and firestorm after your review and loved both.

 

[Wheelz]

what about spin generation. Alu power is coveted by the pros because it can produce some insane amount of spin, right up there with all the shaped polys. Not sure max power can match alu power in that department. also i was told max power was low powered poly contrary to its name

Max power rough ?

 

[Westerwick]

Yes, please add it to your list! I tried hit pro and firestorm after your review and loved both.

I’ve used Polaris a bunch, but mainly as a cross. For how I play I think there are more interesting strings to use for mains. Saying that, it plays like a soft, more powerful Firestorm. Excellent control, comfortable, very predictable for volleys and net play. More pop than most polys for overheads. Bring your own spin cuz this isn’t going to help much.

 

[antony]

Delete

 

[what_army]

I’ve used Polaris a bunch, but mainly as a cross. For how I play I think there are more interesting strings to use for mains. Saying that, it plays like a soft, more powerful Firestorm. Excellent control, comfortable, very predictable for volleys and net play. More pop than most polys for overheads. Bring your own spin cuz this isn’t going to help much.

Sounds really interesting actually.

 

[Spoon]

Which gauge of Polaris did you use?

 

[Westerwick]

Both 1.25 and 1.20. I just got the 1.25 so most of the time it has been 1.20. All my racquets are 18x20, so I tend toward lighter. I plan on using 1.25 when I need a heavier cross.

 

[galapagos]

I’ve used Polaris a bunch, but mainly as a cross. For how I play I think there are more interesting strings to use for mains. Saying that, it plays like a soft, more powerful Firestorm. Excellent control, comfortable, very predictable for volleys and net play. More pop than most polys for overheads. Bring your own spin cuz this isn’t going to help much.

more powerful ? Rep I talked to said it's a more control oriented/stiffer/more durable version suitable to 16x19 patterns.

 

[blai212]

more powerful ? Rep I talked to said it's a more control oriented/stiffer/more durable version suitable to 16x19 patterns.

It is indeed soft but less powerful than firestorm IMO. It is not stiff.

 

[galapagos]

It is indeed soft but less powerful than firestorm IMO. It is not stiff.

Stiffer doesnt mean stiff almost everything is stiffer than firestorm in feel if you want at least same control.

 

[landcookie]

I think i got slightly more time out of cyclone because it provided more spin to compensate the loss in tension. Razor code has quite big power return % so i recommend to string it at same tension (mains and crosses), otherwise the ball will launch a bit too high from my experience.

However overall I think razor code is more honest with you which is always a good thing. Both are amazing. I prefer 1.25 razor code in tighter patterns than 1.30 in very open patterns.
And different with cyclone. I loved it in open pattern racquets and wasnt a big fan in tighter spacings.

Finally strung up Cyclone 1.30 @ 57 lbs on the TC 100 and had a hit today. Totally agree with your review. Does everything well, fairly predictable and behaves very much like a round string except for the mushy (powdery? soft?) feeling on groundies as opposed to the more direct feedback you'd get from a round poly.

It tamed the power of the TC100 which is what I enjoyed most about it and is super comfortable even at 57 lbs. You're right, stringing mains and crosses the same really reduces launch angle which is amazing!

My coach (former 7.0) doesn't like it though which is telling about the slightly lack of feedback and control.

Now to see how much I can get out of Cyclone, and then onward with Razor code!

 

[galapagos]

Finally strung up Cyclone 1.30 @ 57 lbs on the TC 100 and had a hit today. Totally agree with your review. Does everything well, fairly predictable and behaves very much like a round string except for the mushy (powdery? soft?) feeling on groundies as opposed to the more direct feedback you'd get from a round poly.

It tamed the power of the TC100 which is what I enjoyed most about it and is super comfortable even at 57 lbs. You're right, stringing mains and crosses the same really reduces launch angle which is amazing!

My coach (former 7.0) doesn't like it though which is telling about the slightly lack of feedback and control.

Now to see how much I can get out of Cyclone, and then onward with Razor code!

he might have not liked TC100 in general rather than string on it's own (TC100 is very specific and not for everyone)
but feedback is not the main aspect about cyclone I agree.
You might enjoy string like Solinco Confidential and Mayami Tour Hex as they are shaped but are the bridges betweeen shaped and round.

Maybe there should be another group category "Bridges strings" with shaped profile but round feel and response ?

But it would be very hard to determine...

Bridge string to me is a string that have slightly higher spin potential than round profiles (you can accelerate faster without the fear of hitting out - too much power and not enough spin to bring the ball down) BUT the feel and response is more neutral, closer to round profiles.
With round profiles I noticed that I can finish my shot (racquet position) slightly higher because the effect of "grabbing the ball upwards" is smaller. Ball is more "sliding" and you finish very high but the ball is already off the stringbed YET your aggresive movement upwards can create spin but you have lower launch because there was no "grabbing" HA! sorry for making it sound so complicated...

to make it sound more simple:
shaped strings can create higher launch because they grab the ball up and then release it while round profiles don't grab that much there is more "sliding" effect. Maybe easier to frame the ball but the launch is less "explosive".

Again - just my experience and feel.

In fact I would say snapback will always win with shape in terms of spin potential BUT you need adequate racquet head speed to make it work. Both have their pros and cons. There are also some shaped strings with low launch angle...or you can use thicker gauges to lower the launch as well...
Nadal is using shaped string but in 1.35 gauge I would put some money that his launch angle "experience" is similar to some 18x20 frames with 1.20 gauges. He just decides to shape the ball that way with aggresive acceleration.

16x19 with 1.35 vs 18x20 with 1.20....tricky question

ahh those options...

 

[Venusmen]

he might have not liked TC100 in general rather than string on it's own (TC100 is very specific and not for everyone)
but feedback is not the main aspect about cyclone I agree.
You might enjoy string like Solinco Confidential and Mayami Tour Hex as they are shaped but are the bridges betweeen shaped and round.

Maybe there should be another group category "Bridges strings" with shaped profile but round feel and response ?

But it would be very hard to determine...

Bridge string to me is a string that have slightly higher spin potential than round profiles (you can accelerate faster without the fear of hitting out - too much power and not enough spin to bring the ball down) BUT the feel and response is more neutral, closer to round profiles.
With round profiles I noticed that I can finish my shot (racquet position) slightly higher because the effect of "grabbing the ball upwards" is smaller. Ball is more "sliding" and you finish very high but the ball is already off the stringbed YET your aggresive movement upwards can create spin but you have lower launch because there was no "grabbing" HA! sorry for making it sound so complicated...

to make it sound more simple:
shaped strings can create higher launch because they grab the ball up and then release it while round profiles don't grab that much there is more "sliding" effect. Maybe easier to frame the ball but the launch is less "explosive".

Again - just my experience and feel.

In fact I would say snapback will always win with shape in terms of spin potential BUT you need adequate racquet head speed to make it work. Both have their pros and cons. There are also some shaped strings with low launch angle...or you can use thicker gauges to lower the launch as well...
Nadal is using shaped string but in 1.35 gauge I would put some money that his launch angle "experience" is similar to some 18x20 frames with 1.20 gauges. He just decides to shape the ball that way with aggresive acceleration.

16x19 with 1.35 vs 18x20 with 1.20....tricky question

ahh those options...

I didnt feel anything with Confidential. Even without the dampener. So I didnt like it at all. It felt sooo dead. So would you say I wouldnt like Cyclone and Tour Hex ?

 

[landcookie]

he might have not liked TC100 in general rather than string on it's own (TC100 is very specific and not for everyone)
but feedback is not the main aspect about cyclone I agree.
You might enjoy string like Solinco Confidential and Mayami Tour Hex as they are shaped but are the bridges betweeen shaped and round.

Maybe there should be another group category "Bridges strings" with shaped profile but round feel and response ?

But it would be very hard to determine...

Bridge string to me is a string that have slightly higher spin potential than round profiles (you can accelerate faster without the fear of hitting out - too much power and not enough spin to bring the ball down) BUT the feel and response is more neutral, closer to round profiles.
With round profiles I noticed that I can finish my shot (racquet position) slightly higher because the effect of "grabbing the ball upwards" is smaller. Ball is more "sliding" and you finish very high but the ball is already off the stringbed YET your aggresive movement upwards can create spin but you have lower launch because there was no "grabbing" HA! sorry for making it sound so complicated...

to make it sound more simple:
shaped strings can create higher launch because they grab the ball up and then release it while round profiles don't grab that much there is more "sliding" effect. Maybe easier to frame the ball but the launch is less "explosive".

Again - just my experience and feel.

In fact I would say snapback will always win with shape in terms of spin potential BUT you need adequate racquet head speed to make it work. Both have their pros and cons. There are also some shaped strings with low launch angle...or you can use thicker gauges to lower the launch as well...
Nadal is using shaped string but in 1.35 gauge I would put some money that his launch angle "experience" is similar to some 18x20 frames with 1.20 gauges. He just decides to shape the ball that way with aggresive acceleration.

16x19 with 1.35 vs 18x20 with 1.20....tricky question

ahh those options...

I think a "Bridge String" could be well worth its own category and you might include the strings you've already tested to perhaps rank them?

I think 7.0s have very different needs and preferences for strings as their games have been tuned to become so specific and margins are razor-thin at that level. One person's magic may be another one's trash. For every string there will be one who swears by it, another who hates it, etc etc.

Back to the mortal realm I had another hit with Cyclone and didn't particularly enjoy it on returns; and it isn't the most honest string like you said - I found myself craving the response of a round stringbed and found myself at home once again with my PTP. I really, really, really want to try Razor Code now.

Your reviews have been spot on for me thus far - perhaps it is because we're both using D beam Angells.

 

[SinneGOAT]

Gonna try hyper g soft, tour bite and poly tour rev soon. Wanting a controlled polyester with great spin.

 

[blai212]

just strung up emerald green vcp97 310g with signum pro xperience 1.24/ghostwire 1.22 @37/34lbs and feels wonderful. Good power, comfort, spin.

 

[taydbear7]

Gonna try hyper g soft, tour bite and poly tour rev soon. Wanting a controlled polyester with great spin.

I have a set of Hyper G Soft. Are you doing FB or hybrid?

 

[smithie]

@galapagos any insights on the string used when you trailed the GT? I'm thinking of going back to my trusty S7T but I'm also interested in Mayami Tour Hex (albeit once its back in stock) but it would be interesting to hear if you found anything that stood out as it seems we share similar preferences in strings.

 

[galapagos]

@galapagos any insights on the string used when you trailed the GT? I'm thinking of going back to my trusty S7T but I'm also interested in Mayami Tour Hex (albeit once its back in stock) but it would be interesting to hear if you found anything that stood out as it seems we share similar preferences in strings.

Head Hawk Touch. I would say in stock form Tourna Silver 7 Tour is too stiff for Gravity Tour. I would look at softer strings that are still control oriented. Like Mayami Tour Hex 1.23 or Solinco Confidential...Maybe Signum Pro Firestorm... Or...you can string Tourna Silver 7 Tour very low. Head Hawk Touch was a nice combo in this racquet but something about this string is pushing me away. I will have to think about it more to determine why exactly ;p right now i would have to say besides its expensive it feels cheap. Maybe I will stay by this opinion.

 

[blai212]

head hawk touch is designed to provide the feel of a string that is thinner due to their crystal core technology. @galapagos I told you that you wouldnt like it but you didnt believe me…

 

[galapagos]

head hawk touch is designed to provide the feel of a string that is thinner due to their crystal core technology. @galapagos I told you that you wouldnt like it but you didnt believe me…

I liked the performance! Just not exactly my feel or maybe color. I dont know… like i said, something wrong but cant detect exactly what. Definitely too expensive. But i like it more than poly tour pro thats for sure !

 

[Hop]

I didnt feel anything with Confidential. Even without the dampener. So I didnt like it at all. It felt sooo dead. So would you say I wouldnt like Cyclone and Tour Hex ?

I didn't feel anything with Tour Hex 1.25. It played almost like a wooden board 23/23 kg. in TC95 16/19.

 

[AceyMan]

Element is a super soft string and notches a lot faster than other poly.

Get a couple of packs of Genesis White Magic and try as a cross.

I went thru a few sets, installed it in customer frames with good feedback, and recently got a reel (all were => 1.25 mm).

It's a sleeper softie in my book.

/Acey

 

[galapagos]

I didn't feel anything with Tour Hex 1.25. It played almost like a wooden board 23/23 kg. in TC95 16/19.

First, it is 1.23 . Not 1.25 and its impossible to have a boardy feeling with angell tc95, even better with tour hex i play with tourna silver 7 tour at 24/23 kg and tried also solinco tour bite 1.25 at 24kg. Slightly alarming but far from boardy.

 

[blai212]

mayami tour hex can feel a bit stiff at first but then opens up and eventually becomes a cannon. I like to pair it with a soft cross at a low tension (37/34 lbs, tour hex 1.23/SPPP 1.18)

 

[Hop]

First, it is 1.23 . Not 1.25 and its impossible to have a boardy feeling with angell tc95, even better with tour hex i play with tourna silver 7 tour at 24/23 kg and tried also solinco tour bite 1.25 at 24kg. Slightly alarming but far from boardy.

Your first statement is correct, it is indeed 1.23. About your second one... I don't know any method of connecting your mind to mine so you can feel what I feel when I play. Feel free to share with me if you know any

 

[galapagos]

Your first statement is correct, it is indeed 1.23. About your second one... I don't know any method of connecting your mind to mine so you can feel what I feel when I play. Feel free to share with me if you know any

hehe that would be cool right?
Imagine how teaching tennis would be easier? Connect to Federer's mind, understand his mechanics and leg work, hand-eye coordination and disconnect.
Would be also interesting to see top 10 players connecting to other top 10 players and what would they change after this "session". Would Federer implement more of Djokovic's playbook or maybe Djokovic would copy Federer's? When to use Nadal's forehands and when to unleash the thor's hummer (Del Potro borrowed it to Thor actually)

 

[Hop]

Yep, Del Potro is one of the best

 

[galapagos]

Diadem Solstice Power 1.25 REVIEW

I couldn't resist but had to try it after reading so many positive reviews around here. Cool to see Diadem Europe department. How many years I had to wait ?

I'm not sure if that string should be placed in 6-sided group as it's in fact a 6-pointed star shape. (so 12 sides I guess?). One thing is clear. Among all the strings I tested so far this was one of the sharpest under my hand. Maybe a coincidence but I see my dampener is much looser and a bit destroyed from the inside lol

In terms of performance I can say that ye, it kinda suits 6-sided group but also sits somewhere between 7+ sided and 3,4 and 5-sided profiles group.
When it comes to groundstrokes it suits 6 sided "philosophy" of more neutral grab but with a bigger spin potential than round profiles. At the same time I would say the spin was much closer to 7+sided strings and occasionally I felt that overgrabbing on volleys associated with 3 or 4 sided strings...wow...so nerdy.

to summarize this long analize I would say it's a 6-sided string with 7+sided flavor? lol... it's a FRANKENSTEIN-sided string OK?!?

I would say it's semi-stiff. Stiffer than mayami tour hex, softer than lynx tour, definitely softer than tourna silver 7 tour. Hard to say but it's comfortable enough for me. Maybe most similar to Solinco Confidential.

top traits: control and spin - sounds like a silver7 tour competitor or volkl cyclone but offers better comfort than s7t and more feel than cyclone.
it holds tension pretty well and then drops extremely hard which gave me much more power and comfort (similar to solinco confidential but still solstice survived much longer)

I used this string in Diadem Elevate Tour (24kg), regular Elevate (24kg) and Head Prestige 360+ MP (23kg). Prestige was completely dead with this setup but it's a very control oriented frame.

What could be improved? The only thing that I struggled with was my second serve. This is not my best shot so I am very picky.

Overall it's a great addition to the list and I highly recommend this string to S7T (7.3) , Solinco Confidential (7.1), Mayami Tour Hex (7.3) and Head Lynx Tour (7.2) fans.
To be in that elite group means already a lot ! I rate Solstice Power at 7.3 !
It is more comfortable than lynx tour with even more spin, holds tension better than confidential but worse at 2nd serves. Tour Hex offers better serves and feel/touch but is not as neutral on my backhand. S7T offers even more control but is less forgiving.
say hello on IG ! @dandan.tennis

go to full strings list

 

[Venusmen]

Hey guys,
First time trying Alu Power, played a few hours with it, and I like it so far. But the strings are moving a lot now. Is it because I strung too low ? 45/42. Or is because it's already dead ??
Thanks!

 

[Tennisist]

Was there a problem during stringing, like string slipping / clamp too loose?
It is too early for the string to start moving. I string some of my racquets at 39 ( esp. for winter, and esp. Luxilon), and the strings are only starting to move on maybe week 2 of hitting.

 

[blai212]

@galapagos I felt that solstice power shaped sharpness is eerily similar to s7t, almost as if s7t copied solstice power, very sharp and doesn’t lose it’s sharpness over the lifespan of the string. Diadem recent came out with solstice black which is more comfortable but at the cost of durability. How did the lifespan of solstice power compare to other strings you normally use?

 

[blai212]

Hey guys,
First time trying Alu Power, played a few hours with it, and I like it so far. But the strings are moving a lot now. Is it because I strung too low ? 45/42. Or is because it's already dead ??
Thanks!

strings start moving when the friction between the strings increases causing the strings not able to snap back properly. If it doesn’t feel dead then it’s probably still fine, just a nuisance. Can’t expect much more than a few hrs with alu anyways so it’s probably nearing the end of its lifespan.

 

[Venusmen]

Was there a problem during stringing, like string slipping / clamp too loose?
It is too early for the string to start moving. I string some of my racquets at 39 ( esp. for winter, and esp. Luxilon), and the strings are only starting to move on maybe week 2 of hitting.

strings start moving when the friction between the strings increases causing the strings not able to snap back properly. If it doesn’t feel dead then it’s probably still fine, just a nuisance. Can’t expect much more than a few hrs with alu anyways so it’s probably nearing the end of its lifespan.

I dont string myself so I dont know if something went wrong. But yeah its almost 2 weeks now and at least 10 hours so I guess I should replace it soon. Thanks

 

[galapagos]

@galapagos I felt that solstice power shaped sharpness is eerily similar to s7t, almost as if s7t copied solstice power, very sharp and doesn’t lose it’s sharpness over the lifespan of the string. Diadem recent came out with solstice black which is more comfortable but at the cost of durability. How did the lifespan of solstice power compare to other strings you normally use?

i found solstice power holding tension great and for a long time then drops significantly. To me the edges of solstice power are even sharper but silver7 is a king of tension maintenance i think I like how it gets older. Subtle changes.

 

[Venusmen]

@galapagos I received 2 sets of Big Spin, 2 Tour Hex, 1 Hit Pro. What would you advise ? Hybrid Big Spin mains with Tour Hex / Hit Pro crosses ?

 

[galapagos]

@galapagos I received 2 sets of Big Spin, 2 Tour Hex, 1 Hit Pro. What would you advise ? Hybrid Big Spin mains with Tour Hex / Hit Pro crosses ?

I wish i could try big spin main/tour hex crosses combo.
Otherwise Maybe tour hex with hit pro (kinda like Ruud and Musetti are making a hybrid of poly)

 

[Venusmen]

I wish i could try big spin main/tour hex crosses combo.
Otherwise Maybe tour hex with hit pro (kinda like Ruud and Musetti are making a hybrid of poly)

Ok. Im gonna try Big Spin/tour hex first. Tour hex main / hit pro crosses ?

 

[rafa_prestige89]

Hey guys,
First time trying Alu Power, played a few hours with it, and I like it so far. But the strings are moving a lot now. Is it because I strung too low ? 45/42. Or is because it's already dead ??
Thanks!

This is exactly how Alu Power behave, a couple of hours of hitting and strings are all over the place.

 

[galapagos]

This is exactly how Alu Power behave, a couple of hours of hitting and strings are all over the place.

luxilon original kinda same style. Maybe even more pronounced.

 

[rafa_prestige89]

luxilon original kinda same style. Maybe even more pronounced.

For me Luxilon Original keeps it's playability for much longer than Alu.

 

[Venusmen]

Well first session tonight with big spin/tour hex. Played 3h30... I wasnt in a good day cause I played 5 hours this weekend (+ I work on saturdays and sundays) and not enough sleep. First impressions : great feel, very comfortable, plenty of spin and control, love the sound at impact (hate Hyper G soft sound and didnt like the weird sound of Alu) but launch angle a bit too low at first on my spinny forehand for my taste. I adjust the launch angle as needed to push my opponent back or defend. After 2 hours the launch angle was more like what Im used to and the strings felt even better. My flat backhand is my best shot and my partner told me that it was more difficult to handle than ever because the ball would spin so much after hitting the ground while staying really low. Love the strings so far. Cant wait to play again on a normal energy day!

 

[galapagos]

For me Luxilon Original keeps it's playability for much longer than Alu.

That is also true. One of the best playability duration that is making the value quite competitive for the price

 

[galapagos]

Well first session tonight with big spin/tour hex. Played 3h30... I wasnt in a good day cause I played 5 hours this weekend (+ I work on saturdays and sundays) and not enough sleep. First impressions : great feel, very comfortable, plenty of spin and control, love the sound at impact (hate Hyper G soft sound and didnt like the weird sound of Alu) but launch angle a bit too low at first on my spinny forehand for my taste. I adjust the launch angle as needed to push my opponent back or defend. After 2 hours the launch angle was more like what Im used to and the strings felt even better. My flat backhand is my best shot and my partner told me that it was more difficult to handle than ever because the ball would spin so much after hitting the ground while staying really low. Love the strings so far. Cant wait to play again on a normal energy day!

have you tried tour hex main / hit pro crosses combo to compare? I would expect slightly more power but also linear response (sense of control)

 

[antony]

have you tried tour hex main / hit pro crosses combo to compare? I would expect slightly more power but also linear response (sense of control)

Haha I still haven’t touched the Mayami reels yet but I will have a racquet strung with this next for you