Vcore 95 Iterations

[Bigmctennis]

I’ve recently been in quite the wormhole in terms of finding a new racket. At first I switched to the ezone 98 tour, loved it but it destroyed my shoulder and arm. Then I switched too the vcore pro hd, then the vcore 98 2023 and did demo the vcore 95 2023 and enjoyed it for the couple minutes I had to play with it.

My question is, I’m really considering buying a vcore 95 as it is so highly praised but only after being customized which I wouldn’t be able to do with a demo. Looked into a couple videos and noticed most pros like Giron, shapovalov, etc. are all still rocking the 2018 version I think?

Is the 2023 vcore 95 the one to get or should I spend my time searching for a lightly used 2018 version? I did try the 2021 vcore 95 in stock demo as well and hated it

 

[naturalexponent]

Shapo plays with the SV95. The 2023 VC95 is beloved by many here (it is my main) and is certainly worth a demo. I'm a big fan of the 2018 as well but those are becoming harder to find. If you can find a string and lead setup you like with the 2021 that would be ideal for the wallet.

 

[t3Nn1sn0ob]

I've played with the SV95, 2018 VC95 and the 2023 VC95. I skipped the 2021 due to the reviews I read up on.

I personally like the 2018 out of the 3 for its feel and precision. The SV95 gave me of a raw feel and plenty of pop. It's quite picky about which strings you put in it imo. The 2023 is kind of a blend of both the SV95 and the 2018. The head shape on the 2023 is a bit more teardrop shape and the string pattern is definitely more open.

When I picked up the 2018s I did like them stock but I ended up adding a leather and lead at about 3 and 9. Ending specs were about 350g and SW around 330 for a little more plowthrough

 

[dr. godmode]

I've played with the SV95, 2018 VC95 and the 2023 VC95. I skipped the 2021 due to the reviews I read up on.

I personally like the 2018 out of the 3 for its feel and precision. The SV95 gave me of a raw feel and plenty of pop. It's quite picky about which strings you put in it imo. The 2023 is kind of a blend of both the SV95 and the 2018. The head shape on the 2023 is a bit more teardrop shape and the string pattern is definitely more open.

When I picked up the 2018s I did like them stock but I ended up adding a leather and lead at about 3 and 9. Ending specs were about 350g and SW around 330 for a little more plowthrough

2nd this in its entirety

 

[FuzzyYellowBalls]

2nd this in its entirety

Third.

However, no lead is absolutely necessary. I know a few D1 kids and a couple teens headed there with UTRS 10-11 that play VC95s stock. More weight isn't a must at all, it's meant to be light and whippy. None of them could even tell you what SW they have on their VC95 other than, it's whatever it came as.

 

[dr. godmode]

Third.

However, no lead is absolutely necessary. I know a few D1 kids and a couple teens headed there with UTRS 10-11 that play VC95s stock. More weight isn't a must at all, it's meant to be light and whippy. None of them could even tell you what SW they have on their VC95 other than, it's whatever it came as.

Yeah but those kids sound pretty good. I'm to crap to swing that fast all the time so I need lead to carry me

 

[FuzzyYellowBalls]

Yeah but those kids sound pretty good. I'm to crap to swing that fast all the time so I need lead to carry me

You could get there if you adapted, just need time. I'm sure you'd still win or lose the same matches if you took the weight off. Just need to let OP know it isn't necessary at all to customize this stick.

 

[bobeeto]

I’ll be the one voice for the 2021. It’s my racket of choice.
For me, it’s the most predictable - with nothing standout but everything great about the frame

That being said, I’ve played with all the 95’s and here’s my breakdown.

95D - sledgehammer control, firm feel
SV95 - raw feeling, direct pop.
2018 - pure feel, very controlled, low pop
2021 - dampened feel, more spin/pop
2023 - softest, most spin less control

My custom spec is leather grip and 4g at 3/9.

 

[TennisManiac]

Head shape of the 2023 is terrible. Go with a 2018 or 2021. You'll thank me later.

 

[EggSalad]

I’ve recently been in quite the wormhole in terms of finding a new racket. At first I switched to the ezone 98 tour, loved it but it destroyed my shoulder and arm. Then I switched too the vcore pro hd, then the vcore 98 2023 and did demo the vcore 95 2023 and enjoyed it for the couple minutes I had to play with it.

My question is, I’m really considering buying a vcore 95 as it is so highly praised but only after being customized which I wouldn’t be able to do with a demo. Looked into a couple videos and noticed most pros like Giron, shapovalov, etc. are all still rocking the 2018 version I think?

Is the 2023 vcore 95 the one to get or should I spend my time searching for a lightly used 2018 version? I did try the 2021 vcore 95 in stock demo as well and hated it

I don’t see why you couldn’t do some customization to a ‘23 VC95. Lead in the hoop will come off easy. You could put putty in the butt cap and take that out. You could even unwrap the base grip, add lead and remove later if you are careful.

 

[FuzzyYellowBalls]

I’ll be the one voice for the 2021. It’s my racket of choice.
For me, it’s the most predictable - with nothing standout but everything great about the frame

That being said, I’ve played with all the 95’s and here’s my breakdown.

95D - sledgehammer control, firm feel
SV95 - raw feeling, direct pop.
2018 - pure feel, very controlled, low pop
2021 - dampened feel, more spin/pop
2023 - softest, most spin less control

My custom spec is leather grip and 4g at 3/9.

This is a great description of the 18-23, I didn't try the 95D or SV95 but I bet you are right about those too.

 

[mmtexasace]

I've played with the SV95, 2018 VC95 and the 2023 VC95. I skipped the 2021 due to the reviews I read up on.

I personally like the 2018 out of the 3 for its feel and precision. The SV95 gave me of a raw feel and plenty of pop. It's quite picky about which strings you put in it imo. The 2023 is kind of a blend of both the SV95 and the 2018. The head shape on the 2023 is a bit more teardrop shape and the string pattern is definitely more open.

When I picked up the 2018s I did like them stock but I ended up adding a leather and lead at about 3 and 9. Ending specs were about 350g and SW around 330 for a little more plowthrough

I agree with this as well. 2018 seemed the softest of bunch, which is why it has been my singles stick for past few years. I have to add a leather to the 2023 but the first initial hit give remanence of the SV's power with more dampening feel. I wish they would go back to a gloss finish paint job though.

 

[Crimsonchen]

Previous 2018 vc 95 user. I liked it a lot more than the 2021. It was a little softer than the 21 for me. I put some lead on the 9 and 3 because it lacked a lot of plow through for my backhand. I think it plays fine stock but for me personally, having the lead made the racquet better for me

 

[Bigmctennis]

Great feedback from everyone here. Consensus seems to say 2018 was the holy grail but unfortunately hard to find online. I do see a lot of praise on the 2023 version and 50/50 on 2021. I'll have to demo again and make some lead modifications on the demos to see

 

[EggSalad]

Curious what the dislike for the 2023 head shape is? I mean, it’s obviously a very different shape from the prior approach to isometric but curious what y’all don’t like about it?

 

[Bigmctennis]

Curious what the dislike for the 2023 head shape is? I mean, it’s obviously a very different shape from the prior approach to isometric but curious what y’all don’t like about it?

Karue from Mytennishq seems to be the leading front for the 2023 cause so far

 

[dr. godmode]

Curious what the dislike for the 2023 head shape is? I mean, it’s obviously a very different shape from the prior approach to isometric but curious what y’all don’t like about it?

Some people have found that the extra width at the top makes the top of the stringbed play launchier than the rest of the stringbed. It could be psychological, because it does look weird tbh, but I didn't have any issues and my contact point is typically in the upper third of the hoop. I think the increased forgiveness is well worth the miniscule sacrifice in control if you are competitive tennis player and you want a stick that'll win matches

 

[ChrisJR3264]

I’m not a fan of the yonex head shape to be honest.
I would settle on a racket that you don’t need to customize to like it but that’s just me.

I’d target to your specs. And tweak your string set up if you’re looking for comfort.

 

[TennisManiac]

Curious what the dislike for the 2023 head shape is? I mean, it’s obviously a very different shape from the prior approach to isometric but curious what y’all don’t like about it?

Watch this. Its sooooooo true.

 

[SupahMan5000]

Some people have found that the extra width at the top makes the top of the stringbed play launchier than the rest of the stringbed. It could be psychological, because it does look weird tbh, but I didn't have any issues and my contact point is typically in the upper third of the hoop. I think the increased forgiveness is well worth the miniscule sacrifice in control if you are competitive tennis player and you want a stick that'll win matches

Dunlops head shape is normal but the way they dense up their string bed makes the sweetspot at the upper end of the stringbed feel really open. wouldn't say it is launchy but hit lower down and it is a bit harder to get shape on the ball

 

[CosmosMpower]

I like the 2021 the best. The 2023 almost doesn’t feel like a vc95 anymore the string spacing is too open.

 

[smithie]

I've managed to pick up a relative lightly used 2018 last week (albeit it needs new strings - currently it has dead YPTP reading 16 kg/ 35 lb on RacquetTune - and grommets) but initial hitting seems like an easier Wilson UT/UP which is what I've been looking to find for the past year or so. Fingers crossed that continues once I get it strung up.
Any string recommendations - unsure if the racket is string sensitive? A quick search on here seems like Poly Tour Strike, Pro and Hyper-G are the front runners.

 

[SupahMan5000]

I've managed to pick up a relative lightly used 2018 last week (albeit it needs new strings - currently it has dead YPTP reading 16 kg/ 35 lb on RacquetTune - and grommets) but initial hitting seems like an easier Wilson UT/UP which is what I've been looking to find for the past year or so. Fingers crossed that continues once I get it strung up.
Any string recommendations - unsure if the racket is string sensitive? A quick search on here seems like Poly Tour Strike, Pro and Hyper-G are the front runners.

people like hyper-g in the vcore? surprising

personally poly tour rev is best in the vcores

 

[FuzzyYellowBalls]

Curious what the dislike for the 2023 head shape is? I mean, it’s obviously a very different shape from the prior approach to isometric but curious what y’all don’t like about it?

A little over-reaction probably. However, the new shape is giving a little more pop and slightly more sweet spot, very slightly. An advanced player made a youtube about it making shots hit higher in the hoop better, perhaps that is true, he was near pro. I don't think the changes in the 23 benefit most people who liked the 21. The 21 did add about 5% power over the 18 and that was nice with out taking away too much. The 23 might be easier for more people to enjoy, but if someone liked the 18 or 21 I don't think the 23 offers much more. Karue isn't going to trash it and like I said it works for those who liked the older ones, just not really better and I don't think K gushes about the 23 being better. Anyway all 3 are good per se.

 

[jmacdaununder2]

I know this is a VC95 thread, but I hoping that there must be a substantial correlation between the 95 & 98 head sizes, so bear with me.
Having played extensively with both iterations the VCore 98 ‘23 has more power and stability than the previous VCore 98, presumably due to the wider beam thickness in the upper hoop, as well as more comfort from the lower ra and slightly more spin and - unusually for replacement cycle racquets except perhaps with Yonex - it is a significantly better racquet. I’m not convinced that the ’23 has a wider string bed at the top of the head, more a narrower string bed at the bottom of the head. You do need to hit the ball towards the upper part of the head so playing level is certainly a factor.
Do these observations re the last two 98 versions translate to the last two 95 versions?

 

[Bigmctennis]

A little over-reaction probably. However, the new shape is giving a little more pop and slightly more sweet spot, very slightly. An advanced player made a youtube about it making shots hit higher in the hoop better, perhaps that is true, he was near pro. I don't think the changes in the 23 benefit most people who liked the 21. The 21 did add about 5% power over the 18 and that was nice with out taking away too much. The 23 might be easier for more people to enjoy, but if someone liked the 18 or 21 I don't think the 23 offers much more. Karue isn't going to trash it and like I said it works for those who liked the older ones, just not really better and I don't think K gushes about the 23 being better. Anyway all 3 are good per se.

I’ll try both the 2021 and the 2023 and see what happens. If I like either and feel a little bit of response missing I guess I’ll try to pull the trigger on an 18

 

[ttlapointe]

Having played extensively with the 2018, 2021 and 2023 models, I can share similar thoughts.

2018 has great feel, very controlled, can lack power/spin. 2021 has more power, but at the price of stiffer and more/very muted feel. 2023 has definitely more access to spin and power, with a softer feel. Still not as soft as let's say a 2021 VCP97.

That being said, I do feel a significant drop in power when hitting in the lower part of the stringbed with the 2023, which IMO is the price to pay for a much more powerful/spin-friendly experience in the sweet spot and upper part of the stringbed. In a similar way that the Gravity Pro's head shape gives awesome forgiveness and huge sweet spot but you may pay for it with the sort of less aerodynamic/dragging feeling of the head moving through the air.

It's also pretty much a personal opinion/preference at the end of the day.

 

[powerrangers]

I havent hit with a Yonex 95 since the 95D, i hit massive one handed backhands with it due to the power but it caused me arm issues after awhile. Sounds like these new versions are not as stiff, less power and dampened feel?

 

[Bigmctennis]

Just played with the 2023 demo today, added 2g total of lead to 12 like many suggested. Demo had RPM blast @ 57lbs and a yonex shock absorber and still felt nicely soft but not totally anemic. Will probably try to add some weight to 3&9 but very impressed with the racket so far. Always have had issues transferring my 2 handed backhand to yonex rackets as it's the stronger of my two shots but I'm sure I can adapt it with time. Looking forward to trying the 21 version as well now

 

[CosmosMpower]

The 23 has a higher launch angle and more power compared to the 21 it also eats strings a lot faster with the more open spacing

 

[Bigmctennis]

Tried the 2021 version today v. the 2023 and I think I preferred the 2021 overall. Groundstrokes especially backhand felt much more solid and predictable, volleys were nice. Definitely like the feel of the 2023 more but sometimes just feels too mushy without a backbone

 

[Bigmctennis]

Final update here, if anyone even cares . Played with a 2023 from TW with their demo string and it was lights out. Enjoyed it and trusted way more than the 21 since I like that softer connected feeling but it didn’t feel under power compared to the 21 at all on this second go around. Serves way better for me than the 21 as well which is a big part of my game, safe to say I will go with the 23. Now it’s the vcore 95 v the gravity pro my buddy handed me while playing to duke it out

 

[Ryebread]

2021 vs 2023 VC95
anyone have any new insights on these two?

 

[Ryebread]

I’ll be the one voice for the 2021. It’s my racket of choice.
For me, it’s the most predictable - with nothing standout but everything great about the frame

That being said, I’ve played with all the 95’s and here’s my breakdown.

95D - sledgehammer control, firm feel
SV95 - raw feeling, direct pop.
2018 - pure feel, very controlled, low pop
2021 - dampened feel, more spin/pop
2023 - softest, most spin less control

My custom spec is leather grip and 4g at 3/9.

How can the 2021 have more pop but the 2023 have less control. Isn’t it one or the other?

I feel like the 2023 has more spin and free power. The 2021 has more plow and control.

 

[Ryebread]

anyone check their SW on the 2021?
I just recalled the drama!
Originally TW said it was 323. Then they changed it to 316!
TW said it’s 324.

 

[bobeeto]

How can the 2021 have more pop but the 2023 have less control. Isn’t it one or the other?

I feel like the 2023 has more spin and free power. The 2021 has more plow and control.

No. more pop than the 2018. It’s a flow chart of how they updated it

 

[bobeeto]

How can the 2021 have more pop but the 2023 have less control. Isn’t it one or the other?

I feel like the 2023 has more spin and free power. The 2021 has more plow and control.

also pop is how fast the ball is off the string bed. The 21 has more pop objectively than the 18 and the 23, because the 23 is more flexible. The 23 has a more open pattern and a thicker beam in the hoop, along with the updated headshape offers more spin than the tighter, and thinner, 21’.