Upgrade from Yonex vcore pro 97HD?

[Wesmeyer11]

I currently play with the Yonex vcore HD97. I really like the feel of the racket with the spin and heavy ball it hits but would like a little more power and maybe a little lighter as I start to feel the weight of it after playing for an hour and a half. Can anyone recommend something with a similar feel but slightly lighter and maybe a bit more pop. Thank you!

 

[SupahMan5000]

the 97D is considered a more powerful version of the HD

same weight though

 

[Trip]

@SupahMan5000 - The 97D would be the logical successor, but if the OP is looking for something a bit lighter-feeling and less exhausting, I think there would be better choices than the D, although he could try and get a matching pair as under-spec as possible. But I'd be unsure as to whether there'd be enough of a free power boost.

@Wesmeyer11 - I would look at the following 18x20 98's, all of which will be lighter, even after factoring in leather and lead, but will hit a similarly heavy but controlled ball with equal or less effort:

- Artengo TR960 Control Tour 18x20 (known on the forums as "LeMonf", after user @JGads who first championed the 'Tengo, plus Monfils who plays the 18x20) - w/ 4-6g lead at 12
- Tecnifibre TF40 305 18x20 w/ leather grip or 5-10g lead spiral-wrapped 10-15cm up the handle
- Wilson Blade v8 18x20 w/ same handle weight approach as the TF40
- Wilson Ultra Pro 18x20 w/ 3-4g lead @ 12, 1-2g lead @ 9 & 3 each

If I had to guess, I'd say the 'Tengo would be the best fit, with the Blade in second place, and TF40 and/or UP in third (due to both potentially not offering enough of a free power boost).

Hope that helps.

 

[naturalexponent]

@Trip the quality of your posts is unmatched.

 

[Trip]

@naturalexponent - Thank nat! I do try!

 

[PRS]

Agree with the above, but want to add one more option that I think is an obvious potential successor: the VCore Pro 97 310. Same racquet line, slightly lighter and slightly more open pattern.

 

[Trip]

@PRS - Good thought, although the issue with the VCP 97 310 is that despite the power bump from a bit more string bed trampoline, the frame itself, despite being 1mm wider, doesn't really offer any more bludgeoning power, due to the sheer amount of flex and dwell. Plus, @Wesmeyer11 would have to forgo a bit of control moving to a 16x19. A bit of robbing Peter to save Paul kind of move. And to top it off, the 97 310 has a bit of a "power ceiling" on the top end. And just in case you're wondering, my feedback in this case comes from actually owning and playing extensively with all three VCP's in question: HD, D and '21 97 310. Good sticks, just maybe not the right call in this instance.

 

[PRS]

@PRS - Good thought, although the issue with the VCP 97 310 is that despite the power bump from a bit more string bed trampoline, the frame itself, despite being 1mm wider, doesn't really offer any more bludgeoning power, due to the sheer amount of flex and dwell. Plus, @Wesmeyer11 would have to forgo a bit of control moving to a 16x19. A bit of robbing Peter to save Paul kind of move. And to top it off, the 97 310 has a bit of a "power ceiling" on the top end. And just in case you're wondering, my feedback in this case comes from actually owning and playing extensively with all three VCP's in question: HD, D and '21 97 310. Good sticks, just maybe not the right call in this instance.

Yeah, that's all very true. And I haven't played with the 310, only the HD and 330, but I still think it's worth a shot. Yeah, all suggestions will have some drawbacks, but he specifically mentions less weight, more power, and same feel. The 310 weighs less, has slightly more power (although you're right, it definitely has a power ceiling), and will likely be the closest in feel due to being in the same line. The Yonex feel definitely isn't for everybody, but it is unique, so if OP loves the current feel, I think it's worth throwing in there. I think I'd take out the blade personally (if needing to fit into a 4-racquet demo), as it seems slower through the air than the VCore Pro, at least that's my experience.

 

[Trip]

That's a good point. Perhaps the 97 310 is worth a try. And it's not like it's that much less controlled than the HD. Perhaps a worthwhile substitute for the Blade in my list above. Thanks for chiming in!

TL;DR - After spending too long a time stowed in the closet, I just recently took out my '21 97 310 and restrung it with Gamma Ocho / IsoSpeed Grey Fire (a crisp poly combo, to transmit as much feel as possible), then customized it up to my newfound 340g/31.7cm/333sw strung spec, to give it a final run-through before I decide what I'm going to do with it. Looking forward to playing it again!

 

[Kemitak]

Sounds like you need the upgrade, not the racket. There is nothing better than the emerald HD.

 

[johnmccabe]

Weighted up version of ezone 98?

 

[Wesmeyer11]

Sounds like you need the upgrade, not the racket. There is nothing better than the emerald HD.

Probably true!

 

[AmericanTwist]

If anyone is selling HDs in size 3 I'd be interested in picking some up.

Some alternatives are the vcp 310 16x19, vcp 95 16x20, vcp 97 D, prince ats 100p, dunlop cx 200 tour 95, tecnifibre 315 18x20, gravity pro, blade v8 18x20, and more. Remember to demo using the same string and tension if you can.

 

[FuzzyYellowBalls]

Regna 98

 

[johnmccabe]

Regna 98

Never really understand what's special about it, other than the price tag...

 

[FuzzyYellowBalls]

Never really understand what's special about it, other than the price tag...

It's special to some, it has some of the touch and feel ability of the HD (I used that for 2 years), the D version I enjoyed for 6 months, but it's a total departure from the overall feel of the HD. So, the Regna can do some of the things the HD can and is lighter.

 

[born_hard]

I play with the Artengo TR960 Control Tour 18x20 and its a great racket. You can and also should customize it with lead to match your tolerance level of arm pain but give the racket stability and power.
The racket has a good feel, control and is arm friendly. There is no power ceiling and no stiffness ceiling. Some rackets are soft when you hit with low pace bute gets stiff if you hit fast or hard. The Artengo is not like that, it has linear response.

 

[Trip]

@born-hard - Nice endorsement of the TR960CT 18x20. Especially considering the linear flex and power profiles, both of which are hallmarks of the 97HD, I think it's a clear-cut choice as a replacement.

 

[born_hard]

Yeah, but you have to generate your own power with the Artengo. Especially without lead.
I would add 2g at 9, 2g at 3 and 1g at 12oclock as starting point. Thats enough for a good plowthrough.

 

[konstantinos kalfountzos]

Never really understand what's special about it, other than the price tag...

There's a Regna 98 version 2 grip 3 for sale in Greece. Close friend of mine. PM me if interested. I think it is for 220€! Minor headguard chips.

 

[bobeeto]

If anyone is selling HDs in size 3 I'd be interested in picking some up.

Some alternatives are the vcp 310 16x19, vcp 95 16x20, vcp 97 D, prince ats 100p, dunlop cx 200 tour 95, tecnifibre 315 18x20, gravity pro, blade v8 18x20, and more. Remember to demo using the same string and tension if you can.

I got a guy… pm me