Ultimate string of choice !
- Thread starter galapagos
- Start date
galapagos
Hall of Fame
power and comfort:
Mayami Tour Hex > (then it's super close but maybe) Head Lynx Tour > Luxilon Original > Tourna Silver 7 Tour
they are all very control oriented. Luxilon Original somehow turns into something very comfortable after few weeks of playing. Strings start to move like crazy but are still very control oriented and low powered. I tried to rated it for you straight out of the box
galapagos
Hall of Fame
compared Head Lynx Tour 1.30 gray/silver vs champagne. IMO gray is a bit more lively and packs more performance while champagne has better tension stability and is a bit more demanding but offers less explosive response which is kinda giving more control/less power.
I think with gray version I had more fun and played a bit more aggresive while with champagne I was winning more exchanges and could control the pace better. Color-wise champagne is amazing. Overall great string of course...
I think with gray version I had more fun and played a bit more aggresive while with champagne I was winning more exchanges and could control the pace better. Color-wise champagne is amazing. Overall great string of course...
I just tried gray 1.25 Lynx tour in my friend's Prestige and Vcore pro. Prestige wasnt bad but Vcore pro 18x20 was meh. No spin, quite stiff, control is good. But yeah not a string for me.
On my Regna Im using big spin/element right now. I still like tour hex/hit pro better. Next setup Babolat NG/poly tour strike.
@galapagos
Hey , I 've noticed the same things with this string and many friends are asking if something can be done to keep the springy , fast , high spin , high launch angle performance but make it a somewhat more controlled. I mean many like this 6 hour mark change of Confidential but they find it overwhelming , how can it be more controlled but keeping these same characteristics? Maybe string it tighter to begin with??
"I give 7.1 to confidential. I liked it a bit more than Tour Bite 1.25 (maybe I should try tour bite 1.30 ? ) but drop in tension and change of performance was very evident after just 6 hours of practice. If the performance lasted a bit longer I would rate it between 7.2 - 7.5... So basicly I liked Tour Bite and Confidential for similar things and hated for the SAME thing... drastic change in performance (from spinny,low powered control oriented strings and neutral launch to springy performance with fast response and much higher launch angle) "
Hey , I 've noticed the same things with this string and many friends are asking if something can be done to keep the springy , fast , high spin , high launch angle performance but make it a somewhat more controlled. I mean many like this 6 hour mark change of Confidential but they find it overwhelming , how can it be more controlled but keeping these same characteristics? Maybe string it tighter to begin with??
"I give 7.1 to confidential. I liked it a bit more than Tour Bite 1.25 (maybe I should try tour bite 1.30 ? ) but drop in tension and change of performance was very evident after just 6 hours of practice. If the performance lasted a bit longer I would rate it between 7.2 - 7.5... So basicly I liked Tour Bite and Confidential for similar things and hated for the SAME thing... drastic change in performance (from spinny,low powered control oriented strings and neutral launch to springy performance with fast response and much higher launch angle) "
galapagos
Hall of Fame
it's part of the string IMO. You could string it tighter but you might not like it fresh and you will have to wait for the tension to drop. It's not a cost-efficient string, it's performance oriented, kinda like Alu Power. I still think it is a great string but now I will only consider it in frames where I think adding more response would be beneficial. Yonex frames come to mind and Tecnifibre TF40. Head Prestige...control oriented frames, low powered, low static weight/swing weight.
if you want something similar but with better tension stability then Tourna Silver 7 Tour and Mayami Tour Hex might be your best alternatives.
Have to admit though that Confidential after the 5-6 hour mark becomes the best string for flat serves , I mean the ball destroys the court!
galapagos
Hall of Fame
agree xd
janelgreo
Professional
This is great to hear as I've never tried Confidential before and actually chose to put it on my VC95 for that exact reason, response. Hopefully I like it! After reading your TF Black Code review... I'm definitely gonna add that to my list! I'm also looking at trying out TF Triax.
galapagos
Hall of Fame
Black Code more control. I think those two should work great in VC95. There are many strings i would demo in vc95. But you are starting from a right spot
galapagos
Hall of Fame
do I really have to be the first again? xDAnyone tried lynx tour with hawk touch hybrid ?
CiscoPC600
Hall of Fame
Luxilon Element?Another review dropping soon
galapagos
Hall of Fame
Nope. Luxilon is far away with the pricing
I hope 4sAnother review dropping soon
galapagos
Hall of Fame
That one I actually have with me but not in the racquet at the moment…so closer
Grieeegoorr
Semi-Pro
Kirschbaum Max Power 1.30, I read it in some other awesome thread though
@Injured Again Hey man , how would you compare the Solinco Revolution 1.25 vs Tourna Silver 7 Tour 1.25 in terms of tension maintenance , launch angle and spin potential?? Thankss
galapagos
Hall of Fame
Pacific XCite 1.30 review!
Yes, I am that far behind in my schedule lol. I really liked Poly Force (click) so was really looking forward to this playtesting.
XCite is definitely stiffer string than Poly Force and it is very similar to strings like Tecnifibre Razor Code and Ice Code. Probably much closer to Ice Code. Of course white color of the string is also pushing my experience towards other white alternatives.
Performance: Fresh it didnt wow me. Not enough spin, quite high power level but nice feel (mix of crisp but not boardy). I felt really similar things with Ice Code. At the same time I remember not liking Luxilon Original straight out from the stringer so decided to keep it in the bag for few more weeks and try again.
Big change:
Spin was more noticeable, so probably the best would be to string it looser next time (my reference tension is 24kg/23kg in Angell TC95 16x19). Control was actually great and the launch control even better. It maybe moved a bit from "Ice Code" experience to "Razor Code" experience. However there are still some other round strings that can offer me a bit more spin potential. One thing I struggled with was my second serve. I didnt get the same bite I am getting from Alu Power or Firestorm (my favourite round strings for second serves most likely).
The price is quite big at that one. For sure there is something really cool going on regarding the feel but the spin potential is a bit too small for my preference. I still liked Poly Force more. Maybe 1.25 Xcite is much better, I will update this post once I finally put it in a worthy frame
Xcite overall just like Ice Code is a string suited for a flat hitters that want a bit faster response. (in my opinion)
rating: 6.9/10
go to full strings list
Yes, I am that far behind in my schedule lol. I really liked Poly Force (click) so was really looking forward to this playtesting.
XCite is definitely stiffer string than Poly Force and it is very similar to strings like Tecnifibre Razor Code and Ice Code. Probably much closer to Ice Code. Of course white color of the string is also pushing my experience towards other white alternatives.
Performance: Fresh it didnt wow me. Not enough spin, quite high power level but nice feel (mix of crisp but not boardy). I felt really similar things with Ice Code. At the same time I remember not liking Luxilon Original straight out from the stringer so decided to keep it in the bag for few more weeks and try again.
Big change:
Spin was more noticeable, so probably the best would be to string it looser next time (my reference tension is 24kg/23kg in Angell TC95 16x19). Control was actually great and the launch control even better. It maybe moved a bit from "Ice Code" experience to "Razor Code" experience. However there are still some other round strings that can offer me a bit more spin potential. One thing I struggled with was my second serve. I didnt get the same bite I am getting from Alu Power or Firestorm (my favourite round strings for second serves most likely).
The price is quite big at that one. For sure there is something really cool going on regarding the feel but the spin potential is a bit too small for my preference. I still liked Poly Force more. Maybe 1.25 Xcite is much better, I will update this post once I finally put it in a worthy frame
Xcite overall just like Ice Code is a string suited for a flat hitters that want a bit faster response. (in my opinion)
rating: 6.9/10
go to full strings list
galapagos
Hall of Fame
in my opinion all around. Just by looking at the profiles: Medvedev- flat hitter and Iga Swiatek - very spinny forehand. But I guess the spin is more "tight" - launch angle is more neutral and you can shape the ball the way you want to.
just buy it from the uk where it is priced reasonably.
galapagos
Hall of Fame
Where are you located ?
Anyone tried lynx tour with hawk touch hybrid ?
I have. It was OK. I think that Lynx Tour is about my favourite string? Hawk Touch didn't really do anything better as a hybrid than Ice Code does. It didn't do anything worse either.
I feel as though I've hit a bit of a plateau on being bothered about strings at the moment. I'm rotating between Lynx Tour (Champagne), Black Code Fire and Black Code 4s at the moment. All in hybrids, usually with Ice Code, and all at my winter tension of about 48m/46x
soulkeeper
New User
Would you mind sharing which you would demo in vc95?Black Code more control. I think those two should work great in VC95. There are many strings i would demo in vc95. But you are starting from a right spot
galapagos
Hall of Fame
Mayami Tour Hex 1.23 , Solinco Confidential 1.25, Head Lynx Tour 1.25, Tecnifibre Razor Code 1.25, Signum Pro Firestorm 1.25 or 1.30...Would you mind sharing which you would demo in vc95?
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
I think now the Firewire is the ultimate string of choice. its just that it goes dead after 4-5 hours. only drawback
@Nostradamus - Curious: do you find Firewire a tad bit erratic? Many do, including myself. The majority theory seems to chalk it up to the untwisted triangle profile, where the outward most points aiming away from the string bed end up slightly slanted to one side or the other, spanning multiple crosses at a time without a twist, which then creates several-inch-long patches of neighboring mains that have two points facing each other and other pairs (or triples, or more) where they face the same direction. Here's a crude illustration of looking down 16 mains from the perspective of looking down a rifle barrel the long way; the slashes represent the outward-most triangle point of each main and the underscores represent the space in between each main:
I noticed the effect to be most prevalent when FW was played full bed, as it was of course happening along both mains and crosses, and minimized but still present when crossing with Ghostwire (ie. Firewire Boost), or any other less shaped or round cross. I've found that switching to a twisted triangle string, such as Mayami Big Spin or YTEX Triangle Twisted Purple, made the points lie much more evenly, which pretty much eliminated the launch issue.
All of that said, I still enjoy Firewire for it's somewhat unique rubbery, forgiving feel (after the first initial break-in) and for the cartoonish levels of spin you can create on almost any shot.
@galapagos - Apologize if I missed it. Have you had the chance to play Big Spin or Tour Hex crossed with Ghostwire, or would you even want to if you haven't? Ultimately, do you think they would play better full-bed or with a slick, soft-ish round poly cross like GW? Thanks in advance for your insights.
Code:
_/_/_\_/_/_/_\_\_/_/_/_\_/_\_\_/_All of that said, I still enjoy Firewire for it's somewhat unique rubbery, forgiving feel (after the first initial break-in) and for the cartoonish levels of spin you can create on almost any shot.
@galapagos - Apologize if I missed it. Have you had the chance to play Big Spin or Tour Hex crossed with Ghostwire, or would you even want to if you haven't? Ultimately, do you think they would play better full-bed or with a slick, soft-ish round poly cross like GW? Thanks in advance for your insights.
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Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
Myami Big Spin is Much Much more erratic and harder to control than with Firewire
galapagos
Hall of Fame
Tecnifibre
I have it thanks to @Happi who gave it to me (ghostwire). Big thanks to him as I will be able to review it for you guys. I have no idea how it plays or if its better full-bed or in hybrid. @Happi can be your guy here
I only tried Tour Hex 1.23, Hit Pro 1.30 hybrid and it wasn't the best combo I think (I liked them more as full-bed). I might try Lynx Tour/Hawk Touch hybrid as you can see it on the tour
So far I am a newbie regarding hybrids so share with me your knowledge ! 
Fintft
G.O.A.T.
Tecnifibre
I have it thanks to @Happi who gave it to me (ghostwire). Big thanks to him as I will be able to review it for you guys. I have no idea how it plays or if its better full-bed or in hybrid. @Happi can be your guy here
I only tried Tour Hex 1.23, Hit Pro 1.30 hybrid and it wasn't the best combo I think (I liked them more as full-bed). I might try Lynx Tour/Hawk Touch hybrid as you can see it on the tour
I personally loved Tour Hex/Hit Pro at 48/45(for power and control + softness), much more than Big Spin/Tour Hex(no power, nor control and stiff initially) and even NG/poly at 55/50.
Have yet to try full bed with any of the Mayami strings.
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Same here. I have yet to try NG/poly on my Regna. I tried on the 2013 Aero and even though I really didnt like the frame, I loved the feeling of the strings. After playing with the Regna I feel like most of the other frames feels so hollow. Im addicted to Regna's feel and maybe NG/poly will be my holy grail?
oh_ yuzzz
Rookie
Has anyone tried Mayami 1.28 Tour Hex as a main w/ a multi for a cross? I've used it in a full bed and it was fine, but I'm looking to add a little more pop. In retrospect, I would've probably liked the 1.23 more in a full bed but was apprehensive in using something thinner than 1.25 because, in my experience, the thinner gauges lose tension more quickly and I don't string on my own. Also, Tour Hex doesn't feel super sharp but are there concerns in it wearing down a multi cross too quickly?
Fintft
G.O.A.T.
Hit Pro would add power and softness as a cross to Tour Hex, imho.
taydbear7
Professional
Completely agreed. The first couple of hours are magical though then it loses it mojo.
landcookie
Semi-Pro
@galapagos when are you looking to drop the MP review? Can't wait.
My YPTP reel is finishing up soon and am looking to try either Razor Code or Red Code next. You gave them both pretty good reviews. In your opinion, what are the key differences between them?
Thanks!
My YPTP reel is finishing up soon and am looking to try either Razor Code or Red Code next. You gave them both pretty good reviews. In your opinion, what are the key differences between them?
Thanks!
galapagos
Hall of Fame
you mean Max Power? I am working on it right now
My vote goes to Razor Code. It seems I get a bit more bite from it. Red Code more comfort, maybe slightly more power but I think the control is very very very similar. I think I liked 1.30 Red Code more than 1.30 Razor Code and 1.25 razor code more than 1.25 red code. So depends on the frame you have.
landcookie
Semi-Pro
I use TC 100 16x19 @ 335 swingweight. 1.25 gauge doesn't last me more than 4 hours so I go with 1.30; also to close up the stringbed a little. Noted you didn't like Red Code as much for higher SW racquets, but didn't quite understand the logic. Care to share a little more?you mean Max Power? I am working on it right now
My vote goes to Razor Code. It seems I get a bit more bite from it. Red Code more comfort, maybe slightly more power but I think the control is very very very similar. I think I liked 1.30 Red Code more than 1.30 Razor Code and 1.25 razor code more than 1.25 red code. So depends on the frame you have.
galapagos
Hall of Fame
sure, well I don't know exactly why but red code played magical in lower swing weight frames (IG prestige MP 18x20, Pro Staff 95S (16x15 pattern)). We are talking around 310-320 SW max strung. I also tried it in my Angell TC95 18x20 (335SW) and the spin was no longer that big (could be the racquet as well but I doubt it). At that point I was getting more spin with Razor Code in frames with higher SW (TC95 16x19 and Tecnifibre RS305).
Less power = more confidence to swing faster = more spin. Less SW = less power so Red Code in lower powered frames makes a lot of sense. It opens up the sweet spot and slightly "wakes up" the frame.
Razor Code is a bit more control oriented, stiffer. It's taming the frame (slightly) so makes sense to use it in a powerful frame I guess.
Maybe I will use Red Code in Iga next time. But I actually like Razor Code in this frame. I will also have RS300 soon in my hands with Razor Code 1.25....lol
galapagos
Hall of Fame
Kirschbaum Max Power 1.30 REVIEW
oldie but a goldie? This string been around for like forever and now it finally landed in my racquet
OLDSCHOOL vibes:
Similar to Luxilon Original, it's very control oriented and for some maybe stiff. Again in my TC95 I can have everything without any issues. I can sense it's stiff based on the response which is rather dead and low powered similar to Original. So this string lands in "confidence booster" group which I tend to like more. I mostly seek control rather than power but I don't want to kill the response completely because otherwise the sweet spot and forgiveness will be too small.
In this case it was all good. I could string it at slightly lower tension but it's a really good oldschool round poly.
Why lower tension?
Well, now similar to strings like Mayami Hit Pro or Yonex Poly Tour Pro, Pacific Xcite I wasn't experiencing the snapback I am looking for. My spin was slightly below the expectations. My top 3 round "spin oriented strings" are most likely still Luxilon Alu Power, Luxilon Original, Tecnifibre Razor Code and Signum Pro Firestorm. However maybe it will work with your strokes as I believe it requires bigger RHS. Maybe I am too slow for it I sometimes tend to "guide the ball" instead of hitting it real (something I have to work on during match situations)
but maybe you don't really need more spin? Or maybe you want max control (that should be the name of the string actually) , hit with everything you have in a tank and still manage to put the ball inside the court? Well then this string should be on your list.
Price and value is great with Max Power. I mentioned that it's an oldschool string because I think there was that movement, first wave of very control oriented, stiff, low powered strings with probably Luxilon Original as the prophet
Or maybe it's Kirschbaum version of Alu Power (hence the name to be competitive) ? In this case I would say Max Power definitely holds tension better, is more control oriented, offers better value but slightly less performance. After all It's great to have all those options for every wallet. For me Alu Power is slightly overpriced for what it's offering but if I had crazy amounts of $$$$ maybe I would consider it as my main string of choice. Or maybe we should try harder and become ATP sponsored player hah!
Another oldschool trait - great sense of feel. Again - control control control. Confidence booster
I rate it at 6.9 which means it's above average string I tried but slightly below the threshold of my top choices. I would like to see slightly more response, more spin, bite even by sacrificing some of it's control as it has plenty already
sounds like Max Power Rough could be the answer? What's your experience?
oldie but a goldie?
This string been around for like forever and now it finally landed in my racquet OLDSCHOOL vibes:
Similar to Luxilon Original, it's very control oriented and for some maybe stiff. Again in my TC95 I can have everything without any issues. I can sense it's stiff based on the response which is rather dead and low powered similar to Original. So this string lands in "confidence booster" group which I tend to like more. I mostly seek control rather than power but I don't want to kill the response completely because otherwise the sweet spot and forgiveness will be too small.
In this case it was all good. I could string it at slightly lower tension but it's a really good oldschool round poly.
Why lower tension?
Well, now similar to strings like Mayami Hit Pro or Yonex Poly Tour Pro, Pacific Xcite I wasn't experiencing the snapback I am looking for. My spin was slightly below the expectations. My top 3 round "spin oriented strings" are most likely still Luxilon Alu Power, Luxilon Original, Tecnifibre Razor Code and Signum Pro Firestorm. However maybe it will work with your strokes as I believe it requires bigger RHS. Maybe I am too slow for it
I sometimes tend to "guide the ball" instead of hitting it real (something I have to work on during match situations)but maybe you don't really need more spin? Or maybe you want max control (that should be the name of the string actually) , hit with everything you have in a tank and still manage to put the ball inside the court? Well then this string should be on your list.
Price and value is great with Max Power. I mentioned that it's an oldschool string because I think there was that movement, first wave of very control oriented, stiff, low powered strings with probably Luxilon Original as the prophet
Or maybe it's Kirschbaum version of Alu Power (hence the name to be competitive) ? In this case I would say Max Power definitely holds tension better, is more control oriented, offers better value but slightly less performance. After all It's great to have all those options for every wallet. For me Alu Power is slightly overpriced for what it's offering but if I had crazy amounts of $$$$ maybe I would consider it as my main string of choice. Or maybe we should try harder and become ATP sponsored player hah!
Another oldschool trait - great sense of feel. Again - control control control. Confidence booster
I rate it at 6.9 which means it's above average string I tried but slightly below the threshold of my top choices. I would like to see slightly more response, more spin, bite even by sacrificing some of it's control as it has plenty already
sounds like Max Power Rough could be the answer? What's your experience?
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Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
Ohh man, this Tier one Firewire is insanely good string. i really think its better than solinco confidential. Firewire works well at lower tensions around 48 lbs. Its a spin monster, even if you hit the ball bit late, spin will bring the ball back into court. And its the BEST poly for Arm problem players that suffer from poly causing pain in shoulder elbow or wrist.
Luxilon has more power but can't match the spin potential and strung at lower tension, it still maintains good control. It does feel bit Buttery soft and pockets the ball. if you like that kind of feel this poly is for you.
Luxilon has more power but can't match the spin potential and strung at lower tension, it still maintains good control. It does feel bit Buttery soft and pockets the ball. if you like that kind of feel this poly is for you.
Fintft
G.O.A.T.
Softer than Mayami?
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
Yes definitely. i didn't feel anything in my shoulders , was serving some insane kick serves too
Sad I cant find any TierOne string in China
