I’d like to pick up a used 95 in racquet since I’ve never tried one before. The vcore 95 and the prestige tour seem like really good options. Is there one people lean towards? I’m a 4.5 all courter, with good consistency but I lack power during matches. It doesn’t cost too much more to buy a used racquet than demo. Are there any other 95s I should be looking at?
Vcore 95 vs Prestige Tour
- Thread starter topspin54
- Start date
AAATSportingGoods
Rookie
I’ve demo both twice. I really like both. Most people will probably suggest the vcore bc the YouTube community has been hyping it up since Karue made a video, but I honestly think the prestige deserves credit too, as much or even more. I completely agree with how @galapagos describes them.
AAATSportingGoods
Rookie
As a 5.0, massive karue fan and hater of Babolat, I’ve been trying really hard to convince myself that the vcore 95 or 100d are the sticks for me, but that prestige tour is really nice and I’m tempted to switch to the aero 98 bc it’s just so easy to play with.
galapagos
Hall of Fame
Cheers !
i will be reviewing it on my channel soon. What I like about the prestige tour is the fact that we are getting the whole package and its ready to play in stock form. I absolutely hate the concept of giving a „platform” racquet to the market that is 95” with low static weight AND swing weight.Its a 95” so dont pretend its a racquet for the beginners…
That being said. You should probably try Angell TC95 16x19 and select the specs you want. It will be a mix of vcore 95 and prestige tour kinda..
i am curious how prestige tour could perform with a leather grip, shifting the balance slightly towards the handle.
TheBoom
Hall of Fame
I love the prestige, but the VCore is hands down easier to play with. More power, more spin, very forgiving. The frame plays more like a 98 than a 95. There isn’t much it doesn’t do well.
That said, I personally don’t like the feel of Yonex frames. I play better with the a core 95 than the prestige, but it doesn’t give me the feedback I like.
If you aren’t picky about feel or like how Yonex frames are, you’ll love the 95. Even if you haven’t tried it, demo it to see!
galapagos
Hall of Fame
more forgiving? ye, maybe slightly. with the prestige I was more cautious.
more power? i dont know...stock to stock I would go with the prestige tour.
prestige is better for touch shots. lobs especially. stock to stock serving is better with prestige tour as well..
TheBoom
Hall of Fame
To be fair, it could be how the rackets were strung. I didn’t try them with the same strings. But it did feel like my shots were a bit heavier with the vcore, maybe because I could get the racket around a bit easier. I’d agree on serve though, prestige is much better and less awkward through the air so it’s easier to hit points in the box
galapagos
Hall of Fame
I still really like vcore 95 and i think it's better than the previous version. i tested it with several strings already. PTP played the best as it's quite soft and springy, forgiving so was masking a bit of that lack of weight. I do prefer the spin potential of the vcore 95. maybe more HL setup might have something to do with it...that's why i think its worth checking the prestige tour with a leather grip. in stock form I would actually give it to a flat hitter rather than a spin player and vcore 95 can suit both playstyles.
bnjkn
Professional
I like both, but very different racquets I think. PT feels much more solid, powerful and less maneuverable. Hits a heavier ball. Easy depth. It is rather stiff but it has that vibration killing that makes it more comfortable than most racquets imo. It is made for attacking tennis I think.
The VC95 tends to produce spinnier shots and it is much easier to find sharp angles with it. It feels flimsy compared to the PT. It is much better for grinding than the PT, easier to use in terms of consistency, but if I don’t keep the strokes fast my shots will land short.
None of them have that nice "awareness" of how the edge of the frame is moving that I think only thinner beams offer. But we can't have everything, and I have played really well with either in matches.
The VC95 tends to produce spinnier shots and it is much easier to find sharp angles with it. It feels flimsy compared to the PT. It is much better for grinding than the PT, easier to use in terms of consistency, but if I don’t keep the strokes fast my shots will land short.
None of them have that nice "awareness" of how the edge of the frame is moving that I think only thinner beams offer. But we can't have everything, and I have played really well with either in matches.
I was using the PA98 and it really is a fun racquet but now im using the 2021 Vcore 95 so far for me it gives me a little more on the serve, backhands (i have a 2 hander), and returns. Volleys are solid but for me i think the PA98 gave me a little bit more touch control Both racquets are great the PA98 is super fun for sure its just that the vcore makes me more solid all around.
I should try out the PT too
I appreciate the insightful discussion! I think i'll enjoy the Prestige Tour better. During matches, sometimes I slow down my strokes, and having a racquet/strings that can generate some of their own power really helps in these situations. I demoed the Vcore 98 and the Vcore 98 Tour. I liked both but the VC98 similarly felt flimsy, while the VC98T felt better, more stable and hit with easy power. Id don't have exprience customizing racquets besides with a leather grip.
AAATSportingGoods
Rookie
Yea definitely. My only concern with the PT is head is narrow and almost too crisp
I just purchased a used 2023 Prestige Tour for $120 tax included. Not too bad. Arrives in a few weeks. 2023 Vcore 95s were much more expensive, unless I opted for the 2021 edition. Trying out A LOT of different racquets right now, this will be the 5th in my collection which includes the PA 98, Tfight 305, 2024 Speed Pro and Vcore 98 Tour. Plan is to figure out over the next 6 months which racquet is best for me. I'm 37 so don't care about optimizing for winning.
pgh10-4
New User
A caveat, I've only hit with the prior version of the Vcore 95 but the current Auxentic 2.0 Prestige Tour. I found the Vcore 95 to be easier to play with, especially on serves. Its head is fairly wide but loses hitting area towards the throat so it really isn't any more intimidating than a 97 or 98.
The prestige tour, on the other hand, is more what people expect from a 95. I used to play with a 95 sq in prestige (liquidmetal) when I was younger and more athletic and the current Tour version is closer to that than the Vcore for me. More pop than the older prestiges, of course, due to being less HL and 16x19. But yeah, I could not serve with this thing. I can crank a flat serve with pace maybe but was in shambles when it was time to hit a 2nd serve. No such issues serving with other 95's like the Vcore and CX200 Tour.
Worth a demo. These 2 are not all that similar.
The prestige tour, on the other hand, is more what people expect from a 95. I used to play with a 95 sq in prestige (liquidmetal) when I was younger and more athletic and the current Tour version is closer to that than the Vcore for me. More pop than the older prestiges, of course, due to being less HL and 16x19. But yeah, I could not serve with this thing. I can crank a flat serve with pace maybe but was in shambles when it was time to hit a 2nd serve. No such issues serving with other 95's like the Vcore and CX200 Tour.
Worth a demo. These 2 are not all that similar.
Tranqville
Professional
Wilson 6.1 95 and Head Tour 2.0 are classics and fun. Prestige Tour is excellent and more modern. Vcore 95 pretty much plays like a modern 98. I believe 6.1 95 is the best representation of true player frame in 95 format, with many intersting generations to choose from. BLX, ncode, kfactor - all of them are interesting.
jmacdaununder2
Legend
Leather grip should customise it nicely. (VCore 98 Tour will be waiting for you when the honeymoon period is over.)Cheers !
Its a 95” so dont pretend its a racquet for the beginners…
That being said. You should probably try Angell TC95 16x19 and select the specs you want. It will be a mix of vcore 95 and prestige tour kinda..
i am curious how prestige tour could perform with a leather grip, shifting the balance slightly towards the handle.
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jmacdaununder2
Legend
That racquet looks to be too heavy for your play style; even though you’re just hitting & doing so under ideal conditions indoors, sometimes you’re late (aren’t we all, I know) & appear to be unable to use your wrist as much as you’d like. Just my 2c. (I’d swear that’s Jonas/TN up the other end.some hitting with the tour
)
galapagos
Hall of Fame
True, i would definitely try leather but this was a demo racquet so I didnt want to change the replacement grip. Shifting balance could adjust my timing slightly and potentially give me more spin.
I have a tournament coming. I think im gonna make it a Yonex day and pick Vcore Tour as i am already familiar with it and Percept 100D which is fighting in my group of „missing puzzle” heheh
galapagos
Hall of Fame
true, testing on hard court is much easier. My TC95 was slightly below 31 cm unstrung and I did try several Angells that were at 31.5 cm unstrung. I played much better with my setup, more "free" and "loose" rather than "locked". Leather could be a good way to try the Prestige Tour but I must admit that Prestige Tour feels more "classic" than the Angell. It excites me that the launch is more linear, something that was "problematic" with TC95 but at the same time the sweet spot is smaller and TC95 was more generous. While I can't imagine using 1.25 strings in TC95 16x19 other than maybe a 4g or solinco tour bite, with Prestige Tour I think I can use anything from 1.20 to 1.30 and adjust tension to my taste and preference.That racquet looks to be too heavy for your play style; even though you’re just hitting & doing so under ideal conditions indoors, sometimes you’re late (aren’t we all, I know) & appear to be unable to use your wrist as much as you’d like. Just my 2c. (I’d swear that’s Jonas/TN up the other end.
now when you mentioned Jonas I can't get it out of my head hahahaha. Similar body movement.
Which has more power
galapagos
Hall of Fame
crispier yes but not as crispy as TC97. Imagine TC95 with a tighter string pattern. This crisp feeling comes kinda from a smaller headsize and tighter pattern. Where TC95 is kinda closer to Vcore line in that regard.
it's close to Percept 97 but a bit softer. Very close to PT57E in feel.
you asked a difficult question ;p to be honest so far i played my best with tc95 16x19 and i know there will be some adjustments and I want to build something on that. I feel like i touched my limit with tc95 and i want to go a bit further...
If I had to pick RIGHT NOW, I think my best results so far were with Tfight 305 and it's been my backup racquet when playing under pressure and when I decide to "never miss" and make opponent miserable. Also there is a difference between "my best tennis" and "my best tournament results"
for "best tennis" I think I would choose between TF40 315, Tfight 305, Vcore 95 and Prestige Tour.
for competing I think between Tfight 305, Vcore Tour, Elevate Tour and Prestige MP.
as you can see the groups are almost totally different xd that's because it's often very hard to play "best tennis" under pressure when competing in tournaments. and then I need solutions to work around those issues. how to deal with "x" rather than "how to play my best".
Tempo 298 is on sale...test if you can. ..Collins switched this year n won Miami n Charleston
galapagos
Hall of Fame
i have it with me, my wife is using it
it's really good (huge spin potential) but I want something softer.Use softer poly with control like hyper g soft, poly tour pro,msv bussard ,or k.evolutioni have it with me, my wife is using it
Is tempo much bigger then tc95 if you put on top of each other? Where is the extra 3 inches on head of tempo compared to tc95? Tnxxi have it with me, my wife is using it
galapagos
Hall of Fame
nothing is "much bigger" if you compare 95" to 98". Tempo slightly wider, more forgiveness at 10&2. small changes visually, big changes in feel and performance.
Are the main strings same length? Tempo n tc95?
galapagos
Hall of Fame
this question is too nerdy ^^ even for a guy like me lol
Length of the head , main long strings....is there a 95 inch racket with power of the tempo? I'm looking for most powerful 95
AAATSportingGoods
Rookie
Vcore 95 is more "forgiving" but tour as WAY more pop
AAATSportingGoods
Rookie
nice are you making the switch?some hitting with the tour
AAATSportingGoods
Rookie
TLDR, after EXTENSIVELY demoing both for extended periods, twice, with multiple different strings:
I FEEL like the prestige destroys the vcore 95 in terms of power, spin, penetration on all shots except maybe the kick serve....however, it feels too crisp and difficulty with maneuverability. I love that crispiness on days im feeling good and have the wellness to "muscle" the ball. HOWEVER, most of my hitting partners felt like I hit heavier with the vcore 95. Also, I felt the vcore was more forgiving for the days where I didnt feel as great and wanted something maneuverable so I can just "wrist" the ball.
I FEEL like the prestige destroys the vcore 95 in terms of power, spin, penetration on all shots except maybe the kick serve....however, it feels too crisp and difficulty with maneuverability. I love that crispiness on days im feeling good and have the wellness to "muscle" the ball. HOWEVER, most of my hitting partners felt like I hit heavier with the vcore 95. Also, I felt the vcore was more forgiving for the days where I didnt feel as great and wanted something maneuverable so I can just "wrist" the ball.
In stock form, the most powerful 95 from a mainstream brand is definitely the Prestige Tour. The 330+ swing weight, 22mm beam and mid-60's RA all together simply out-hit anything else. Second would probably be the Wilson Pro Labs Six.One 95 18x20, if you can swing it.
At equal strung spec, however, the VC95 gets much closer, but the string bed is nowhere near as consistent as the Prestige or Six.One, especially up and down the bed from 12 to 6, so spacing becomes more critical with the VC95, and so like everything, it's a trade-off. That's where the CX200 Tour 16x19 comes into play, as somewhat of a middle ground, though it, too, has it's compromises.
End of the day, if you're a flatter hitter and want the most focused power possible straight out of the box, an on-spec or over-spec Prestige Tour is the way to go.
pgh10-4
New User
The way I'm reading this is that the advantages of the Prestige can be met with some lead on the Vcore. Both are fairly punchy but do it in different ways: Vcore with some stiffness in the hoop, Prestige Tour with sheer heft. For my own game, neither of these were it (went with the Prestige MP) but the Vcore 95 slightly edges its way past the Prestige Tour. The Vcore gives you some room for modification which would be useful for me bc I prefer leather grips. But honestly, the Prestige Tour is simply too much racket for me.
galapagos
Hall of Fame
i agree
Tnx as usual... v3 tc95 has 70RA but it's measured without grip ...but not for sale anymore and unable to find a used v3 16x19 tc95
galapagos
Hall of Fame
too early to say...not even sure if it's going to enter my tournament. it is a nice frame to have in a bag for sure
AAATSportingGoods
Rookie
I've tried leading up the vcore 95. I though my practice partners feel like i hit a better ball, it didnt feel like that to me. I still felt like I could drive through the ball much better with the PT. But I agree, i think both might be too much for me. Especially when I get a bit tight in matches. I'd much rather buy those racquets but I have a feeling im still going to buy the pure aero 98, even though i absolutely hate babolat
MSUspartans777
Rookie
I own both in various versions. I think the Vcore 95s are easier to use and generate spin so well. I love the Tours as well though; much more plow through power. The feel is different between both. The Vcore 95 is softer and dampened. The Tour is less so but that's not a bad thing. The biggest difference is maneuverability. Depending on the spec, the Tour can feel heavy to move around sometimes. The VC95s less so.
I own both and use them regularly. Both are worth a demo. If I had to make a definitive statement, I think the VC95s are the best of the Vcore line up, however, I don't think the Tour is the best of the Prestige lineup. The best Prestige at the moment is the Pro (98, 18x20).
bad1990
New User
I never ever ever ever everrrrrr thought that I would go switch to babolat but I did
. I ended up switching from the 2018 Vcore 95 to the Aero 98. Best decision I could have made. The 16x20 works really well. It low key feels like a 18x20 to me and I have no issue flattening out the ball. Matter of fact, it's doesn't play like a babolat and not really a spin machine as I thought it would be. I say just go for it. It's a better forgiving Vcore 95 to me.PS
I typically classic feeling racquets btw. I've used the head prestige mp youtek ig, head prestige classic, and most recently the 2018 Vcore 95. That is why I've never thought I would be a babolat fan and happy I stopped being stubborn and gave it a shot.
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