Vantage Racquets - Worth the price?

[Tchocky]

Are Vantage racquets really worth the price? I could buy two (2) racquets for the price of one (1) Vantage racquet. How is their return policy? Are they pretty good about accepting returns? I just started playing tennis again this year after not playing for many years. I'm still having trouble finding a racquet. Maybe a custom job is the way to go.

 

[BHud]

With the discount, they are no more expensive than many of the other alternatives in their class...

 

[BLiND]

Most definitly they are worth what you pay... the only time they are not is if you have NO idea of what your prefered racquet spec would be.

 

[ps 6.0]

not for me. Got one, different feel from what i was used to. They just felt too soft to me.

 

[Craig Carter]

I've had an extended demo with one and would highly recommend. Definitely worth the price.

 

[Alley Cat]

Wow! Great response in favor of Vantage frames. I must admit that after many years of demo's and tweaking, that I am now a Vantage loyalist. Well worth the $$ (good value compared to "stock" frames) and great for your arm.

 

[Rory G]

Most definitly they are worth what you pay... the only time they are not is if you have NO idea of what your prefered racquet spec would be.

Agree. I figured out my spec after trying most every racquet under the sun. Got a couple of matched Vantages and will never look back. Best decision I ever made. Worth every sheckle

 

[NoBadMojo]

A very skewed poll. There are 4 choices. 3 of the 4 choices are biased towards Vantage which makes this poll unfair. yet some 1/3 of the people dont think Vantage frames are all that which doesnt put them in a favourable light at all, so i would say the response to this poll to date doesnt make Vantage look so good in spite of what the other posters are saying.

 

[El Diablo]

This may be an opportune time to request that anyone sponsored by a racquet company indicate so in their post so their comments can be understood in the context of conflicts of interest. Does NoBadMojo receive sponsorship of a material or financial nature from a racquet company?

 

[NoBadMojo]

None of your business El Diablo and has nothng to do with whether this poll is unfair or not..i'm merely pointing out what i pointed out which seems reasonable to me, so i suggest you just shut your pie hole and try and contribute to this forum rather than post crap. I'm not saying whether the Vantage product is good or bad as i've never hit with it, i'm just commenting that the poll is unfair whether about a Vantage frame, a Wilson frame, or any other brand of frame. your post is unreasonable.

 

[mctennis]

Great racquet and since you can customize it the way you want it. You get what you want and not have to get use to a standard racquet. I would not suggest it to someone that really doesn't know that much about racquets and isn't a better player ( probably 4.0+). It isn't a racquet for a player that only plays once every couple or weeks. You have to know what racquet specs works for you and what doesn't. IMHO

 

[snowpuppy]

wow, the opinions are split pretty evenly during this time. Isn't vantage base in europe? how do you guess get to demo?

 

[BreakPoint]

I wonder how many people that voted that they are overpriced have actually played with a Vantage racquet?

That's what I find unreasonable. It seems to me from reading just about every Vantage related thread on these boards from day one that the great, great majority of people that have tried a Vantage racquet have liked it, most love it, and some even proclaim it as their "holy grail" or at least the best thing since sliced bread. Some have even claimed it has raised their NTRP rating. It seems to me that most of the negativity about Vantage comes from people who have never even played with a Vantage racquet.

Perhaps you should re-word your poll question as: "Of those people that have actually played with a Vantage racquet, do you think it's worth the price?"

 

[joe1987]

A very skewed poll. There are 4 choices. 3 of the 4 choices are biased towards Vantage which makes this poll unfair. yet some 1/3 of the people dont think Vantage frames are all that which doesnt put them in a favourable light at all, so i would say the response to this poll to date doesnt make Vantage look so good in spite of what the other posters are saying.

Good point. I noticed that too. Slightly biased poll. I've never played with a vantage so can't comment. They are way out of my budget for something I can't demo to be sure. I'm not too sure of their return policy.

 

[BLiND]

To be honest I am really surprised there are so many who feel they are overpriced. I don't understand how you can say they are overpriced when they are the same price as another other new frame. At least the majority think they are worth it.

For what they are, they are exceptional, but you must know what your looking for in a racquet, there is no point in getting one if you don't know what spec you want, or are 90% sure on your spec, you might as well buy a load of second-hand racquets and keep testing until you do know... then if you don't find your holy grail, get a Vantage.

As for sponsorship, non for me, I wish I had some... the most I've had was some free strings and wraps from when I bought my Vantage racquets.

 

[Vamz]

Well if you look at the poll, it is the only negative comment about them. I don't think it's overpriced, anything within 300 dollars per frame is okay, as long as it's the best frame for you. I just didn't like them. Frames felt a bit hollow and unstable to me...

 

[BreakPoint]

Vamz,
What were the specs of the Vantage that you tried but didn't like?

 

[GuyPerez]

...Some have even claimed it has raised their NTRP rating...

Perhaps you should re-word your poll question as: "Of those people that have actually played with a Vantage racquet, do you think it's worth the price?"

I hope you don't mean me on your first point. A frame can't raise your rating, although that would be nice. Hey maybe that could be the latest marketing claim from one of the manufacturers. "The new NTRP+. Guaranteed to raise your rating! Available in .5, 1 and 1.5!"

I agree with your second point. That would be a good way to word it.

How about this poll. For those of you who have hit with it, Is a Wilson Ncode N1 worth $280???

Or this one. For those of you who have hit with it, Is a Volkl Cat 1 Fire worth $250??

Afterall, I could buy five Wilson Blaze Hammers or three Dunlop M-Fil 300 at those prices.

 

[Mulligan]

................I agree with your second point. That would be a good way to word it.

How about this poll. For those of you who have hit with it, Is a Wilson Ncode N1 worth $280???

Or this one. For those of you who have hit with it, Is a Volkl Cat 1 Fire worth $250??

Afterall, I could buy five Wilson Blaze Hammers or three Dunlop M-Fil 300 at those prices.

I agree; that puts things in a better perspective. I think Vantage is very fairly priced (as is the case for any racquet that WORKS for you). Excellent racquets as indicated by most everyone who has actually played with one. Worth a look if you haven't yet tried one IMHO.

 

[mary fierce]

The true cost of anything factors not only the price but the likelihood that I will need/want to sell and replace it. If I spend 180 on a Volkl and decide after 3 months that I can't seem to turn that grip shape into something I really like, or I want something 0.25 inches longer or shorter, I can sell it for, let's say, 110 and then spend 180 on what I now know I'd really like. I've now spent 250 for the racquet I want. (More, actually, if there are 2 shipping costs involved). That Vantage price starts to look pretty good. Furthermore I can add 20 to the price of the other racquet (total now 270) for the leather grip and lead tape so many on this board seem to favor (leather and preferred weighting standard with Vantage). And I understand Vantage throws extra string and overgrips into the package as well. Given all of this and the greater likelihood of getting something I want to keep if I can fully spec it for my tastes, the question now becomes whether it makes economic sense NOT to buy a Vantage.

 

[python]

The problem happens when you don't like the Vantage. At least if you bought the latest and greatest Wilson or Volkl, you might be able to recoup a decent amount of the outlay when you resell the racquet. I'm sure you'd be taking a bath financially if you tried to sell a used Vantage.

Of course, you probably shouldn't be looking at a disposable consumer item like a tennis racquet as an investment anyway.

 

[MTXR]

nevermind

0101010110010101

 

[BreakPoint]

I hope you don't mean me on your first point. A frame can't raise your rating, although that would be nice. Hey maybe that could be the latest marketing claim from one of the manufacturers. "The new NTRP+. Guaranteed to raise your rating! Available in .5, 1 and 1.5!"

Yes, I was thinking of you, Guy. Didn't you start this thread on how using your Vantage has helped you raise your rating to 4.5?

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=77469

 

[mary fierce]

Python
people compare prices and value of anything down to bottles of ketchup in a grocery store....do you counsel them to not look at it as an "investment"?

 

[GuyPerez]

Yes, I was thinking of you, Guy. Didn't you start this thread on how using your Vantage has helped you raise your rating to 4.5?

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=77469

BreakPoint,

Just joshing man. I am playing on your words ,"...Some have even claimed it has raised their NTRP rating..."

I know you don't actually mean it literally.

Here is what I said,

"Obviously a racquet can't play by itself, but I honestly credit the characteristics of my Vantage spec with helping me move my game to the 4.5 level. It has a reliable and predictable response and the blend of power and control were key in helping me improve. Basically, I started playing with the sticks in February 2005, so I had time to get used to them before the USTA season started. Like any good tool, it does its job without me having to think about it, so I was free to work on form and go for shots. I am equipment-sensitive, so it has been a really good fit for me."

Having some fun with you is all.

So, are we going to market the "NTRP+" series of frames or what? We will also release the "NTRP-" series for those wanting to sandbag.

 

[Vamz]

The code was 2 2 1 1 11

Which is:

95 sq"
16X19
63 RA
27"
330g
315mm (This about 7pt headlight)

I thought the frame swung well, but the feel of it was pretty bad. I tried to make this as close to my Head LM Prestige MP, but with a more open string pattern, something I wish Head offered in this frame... I bought this frame used, but these were the exact specs I was looking for, so I don't think that should come into account here.

 

[AbLincoln]

I voted and I have never played with a Vantage. Vantage gives the average Joe-Player a custom for under 300$. Thats a heck of a deal. Hope they stay around.

 

[leapdog]

It's worth every penny and more. Best stick I've ever hit with and it's not even close. My serves have improved as the first serve just explodes out of the bounce, my second serves, the kick and spins are much more exagerated. My overall groundstrokes are much heavier but what I find great about this racquet is that it is so consistant. I know that the custom options that I picked were exactly right for my game and to tell you the truth, I'd pay double for what I paid for this stick.