VCore Pro 97 - closest racquet to RDX-500 Mid+?

TripleB

Hall of Fame
I've been doing some racquet experimenting recently, both with weight on my Prince Textreme Tour 100T and with some older racquets (mainly the POG Mid, Prince Tour Pro 100, and Yonex RDX-500 Midplus w/16 mains).

I've always kept a check on any racquet coming out that resembles the POG Mid or the RDX-500 Midplus just because they were two racquets I loved as well as racquets that were somewhat unique in their feel and playability.

I notice that Yonex now has the VCore Pro 97 (310g) that has some specs that are about as close to the RDX-500 Mid+ as I've seen in quite some time...the lower flex (I think the RDX 500 was 62), the 7+ points headlight, the thin beam, and the 11.5oz+ weight seems to be a tough combination to find in this day and age of stiff and light 'blast them off the court racquets.'*

Has anyone here played with the VCore Pro 97 as well as the RDX-500 Midplus? If so, is the VCore Pro 97 as close as Yonex has come to replicating the feel and playability of the RDX-500 Midplus?

Even if you can't compare it to the RDX-500 Midplus 16 mains but have played with it, how did you like the VCore Pro 97 310g?

*Maybe the "heavier", thinner, more headlight, and low flex racquets are making a comeback....I see that Prince has come out with the Phantom Pro 100! Anyone tried that one yet?

TripleB
 
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Syfo-Dias

Professional
I would imagine it might be the closest you can get right now. I remember the RDX-500 MP being super buttery and almost too flexible for its weight. I play with the VCP 330 now but it's significantly heavier and more stiff than the RDX was.
 

counterpuncher

Hall of Fame
Having played with the RDX for a good year or so the closest i have hit in recent times have been the Ai 98 and DR 98. Have you hit these?

I haven't hit the VCore Pro yet but it is suppose to be crisper than the Duel G which I own and I find crisper than the RDX, so I assume it doesn't have the buttery feel you are after, but the other specs as you say, are close.

Apart from the string pattern, IMO the Ultra Tour is fairly close to the RDX.
 

fuzz nation

G.O.A.T.
I haven't tried the Volkl V-Sense 10 Tour, but I think it was our pal Rabbit who described it as something like a lighter, leaner version of the Volkl C10. The VS 10T has a 19mm beam width, which certainly seems like a departure from lots of today's options having not much heft and pretty wide beam width.

I've always had the impression that the personality of a Yonex racquet is tough to emulate with a more traditional oval-shaped frame, so you might find something more in the ballpark of the RDX-500 if you look over the Yonex crop first.
 

JOSHL

Hall of Fame
There are many threads on both of these racquets you mention. But my suggestion-buy a Phantom 93p and call it a day.
 

TripleB

Hall of Fame
Having played with the RDX for a good year or so the closest i have hit in recent times have been the Ai 98 and DR 98. Have you hit these?

I have hit with the DR98 as well as the Duel 97 310...started out really liking the Duel 97 during my week long demo but ended up liking the DR98 a little better by the end of the week. In the end I didn't feel like the DR98 was whippy enough for me and the Duel 97 was a bit underpowered. Here were my lasting thoughts after the week long demo...

Yonex EZone DR98: my favorite racquet of the bunch, solid feel, great power level (a little high for me but not bad...lead to some great 1st serves), control is about average (ball seemed to get lost in the large sweetspot), amazing slice and very good topspin, flat balls were easier to hit than with my POG mid, so solid at net, touch shots a little iffy, the lack of 'whipability' of this racquet (didn't play 7.5 pts HL) is what made me realize this isn't a better fit for me than my POG mid

Yonex VCore Duel 97 310: reminded me some of my POG Mid but didn't have the solid feel of my Prince slice was excellent however topspin was only average, control was decent but groundstrokes lacked depth, touch volleys were the nicest of the group but didn't feel like there was enough power to put the ball away at net, what really bothered me was the feel of the racquet from the mid to upper part of the head (very stiff...sounded like the racquet was cracking on every serve)

I've always had the impression that the personality of a Yonex racquet is tough to emulate with a more traditional oval-shaped frame, so you might find something more in the ballpark of the RDX-500 if you look over the Yonex crop first.

I think you're correct!

The only oval shaped racquet I've owned that resembled a Yonex in feel (IMO) was the Dunlop AeroGel 4D 200 Tour.

TripleB
 
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counterpuncher

Hall of Fame
I usually find "whipability" in thinner beams (Textreme 100T / Duel G 310 / Ultra Tour) or smaller headed racquets (Textreme Tour 95, Prestige Pro Graphene Touch - both worth demos if you haven't already).

I know you're an avid demoer, so maybe throw the Vcore Pro 97 in the box along with the new Ezone 98 (although slightly stiffer - I like it better than the DR 98). The Vcore 98 305, has slightly more power again than the Ezone 98 and I like it better. Maybe you could also throw in the Phantom Pros (100 & 100P) to round out your demo box, as they should be close in spec to your weighted up 100T.
 
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ProRadTour

Semi-Pro
If you are after buttery flex, I would demo the Prince Phantom Pro 100. Haven't played the RDX, but used to play a Radical Tour Twin Tube and the Phantom Pro 100 to me basically provides a very similar response and feel.

I played with the Phantom Pro 100 for a couple of months, however after trying the VCore Pro 97 it is now my racquet of choice. I prefer the firmer response, it provides more feedback and has all the comfort I need.
 

amarg

New User
I still play occasionally with the rdx 500mp. The ezone xi98, ai98 and dr98 (had played with all 3) were nowhere near in feel, in spite of similar specs, due mainly to the thinner beam of the rdx, I guess. (Admittedly, the rdx has softened up a bit more by now, but I clearly remember my impressions back then).
I have also played with the ultra tour and the 93p. Both excellent racquets, but in my opinion the closest in feel to the yonex is the (ported) phantom100
 

TripleB

Hall of Fame
Thanks for all the input!

After a bit more hitting with several of my 'wall of frames' racquets I think I'm looking for something similar to the RDX-500 Midplus but with just a bit more pop.

Have been using my 1988 Prince CTS Approach 90 ( 14 x 18 ) and love the way I can get amazing spin with it but also flatten my shots out with some nice pop (not sure if the unexpected pop comes from the stiffness, the thickness at the head, the weight, the balance...or a combination) and control.

Thanks for the help!

TripleB
 
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