Volkl V-Sense 10 Tour vs. Yonex DR 98

[yoonit78]

I'm in the market for a new stick and I think I have narrowed it down to these 2 by process of exclusion, but am unable to demo. Would love some feedback from folks on here.

Bit of Background: Playing regularly again after sporadic play over the past few years. Late 30's 4.0-4.5 primarily doubles player. Lefty with an effective serve that relies on mixing spin rather than a ton of pace. Moderate topspin on forehand, more comfortable hitting slice backhands.

Current stick: First gen Volkl Tour 10 MP strung w/ Lux 4G @ 52. Want something w/ a similar solid, plush/muted feel, but maybe a bit more pop and easier to handle after a few sets.

Have recently demoed the following, but nothing felt markedly better than the volkl:

Graphene XT Prestige Pro: decent but unremarkable.

Blade CV 16x19: Didn't like it. too stiff and light. felt a bit tinny.

Pure Strike 18x20: Felt good on groundstrokes. Didn't like it on serve at all. Couldn't feel where the head was. Wanted to try the 16x19 but didn't have demo in store.

Burn 95 CV: Balls hit w/ sweetspot felt best of bunch. Smaller head size, added length and stiffness make this a demanding stick, and one that might punish an aging shoulder & wrist.

Ultra Tour: Nice plush and solid feel. Even w/ lower SW than Pure Strike, served pretty well. Lacks pop, but think it would be fixed w/ some weight customization. Had to adjust targets b/c balls launching much lower w/ 18x20.


Based on reviews, the DR 98 sounds like what I might be looking for. The 10 Tour also seems like a similar spec to my current stick but a touch lighter, and I'm a huge fan of the volkl feel. Thoughts? Any other sticks that might be a good fit?

 

[Rabbit]

Long time C10 user here. I demoed both of those frames and wound up with the Volkl because it was a lighter offering than the C10. I don't believe you'll find a power boost with it, but if you like your current Volkl, you'll come on board with confidence. I didn't find that in the Yonex, as much as I wanted to. The Yonex has more power, but the Volkl has better control and feel IMO.

 

[Hansen]

dr 98 should fit the bill in terms of control, spin and comfort, BUT it doesn´t feel like a classic players frame, but does feel plush.
i have not played with the vsense 10 tour, only with the vsense 10 325gr and the precusor and neither frame had a plush feel. and since the vsense 10 tour is even stiffer i doubt that this racquet will feel as comfortable as your current stick, but i could be wrong.

 

[yoonit78]

Thanks for the feedback.
Have either of you hit the V-Sense V1 Pro?
Bit of a different spec, but one that I might have overlooked.

 

[etd]

I was disappointed in the V-Sense V1 Pro. No feel and too unstable at net.

I actually liked the V-Sense 8 300 a lot better.

 

[Hansen]

no sorry

 

[Pneumated1]

I was disappointed in the V-Sense V1 Pro. No feel and too unstable at net.

I actually liked the V-Sense 8 300 a lot better.

The V-Sense V1 Pro is a muted frame. I personally haven't found it to be unstable at net. It's an all-around good racquet. My biggest gripe, and contrary to what so many report about Volkl quality control, is that mine came in unstrung at 290g and 292g, respectively. I'm in the process of customizing them and currently have them at their listed specs of 320g strung, but this was almost a deal breaker for me. I guess I would concede, albeit frustratingly, that these are some of the best 295g frames I've hit

 

[Rabbit]

Results it appears vary, my 3 new V Sense 10 Tours come in at 325, 325, and 326 grams all strung.

 

[Pneumated1]

Results it appears vary, my 3 new V Sense 10 Tours come in at 325, 325, and 326 grams all strung.

Quite possibly an anomaly. I've owned several Volkls and Beckers, and they've always been within 3g of listed specs, but 15g? That's a different racquet. A really good one, but different.

 

[Rabbit]

Quite possibly an anomaly. I've owned several Volkls and Beckers, and they've always been within 3g of listed specs, but 15g? That's a different racquet. A really good one, but different.

I agree and maybe I just got lucky. I requested no matching and just got what I got.

 

[BigCatFan]

I'm in the market for a new stick and I think I have narrowed it down to these 2 by process of exclusion, but am unable to demo. Would love some feedback from folks on here.

Bit of Background: Playing regularly again after sporadic play over the past few years. Late 30's 4.0-4.5 primarily doubles player. Lefty with an effective serve that relies on mixing spin rather than a ton of pace. Moderate topspin on forehand, more comfortable hitting slice backhands.

Current stick: First gen Volkl Tour 10 MP strung w/ Lux 4G @ 52. Want something w/ a similar solid, plush/muted feel, but maybe a bit more pop and easier to handle after a few sets.

Have recently demoed the following, but nothing felt markedly better than the volkl:

Graphene XT Prestige Pro: decent but unremarkable.

Blade CV 16x19: Didn't like it. too stiff and light. felt a bit tinny.

Pure Strike 18x20: Felt good on groundstrokes. Didn't like it on serve at all. Couldn't feel where the head was. Wanted to try the 16x19 but didn't have demo in store.

Burn 95 CV: Balls hit w/ sweetspot felt best of bunch. Smaller head size, added length and stiffness make this a demanding stick, and one that might punish an aging shoulder & wrist.

Ultra Tour: Nice plush and solid feel. Even w/ lower SW than Pure Strike, served pretty well. Lacks pop, but think it would be fixed w/ some weight customization. Had to adjust targets b/c balls launching much lower w/ 18x20.


Based on reviews, the DR 98 sounds like what I might be looking for. The 10 Tour also seems like a similar spec to my current stick but a touch lighter, and I'm a huge fan of the volkl feel. Thoughts? Any other sticks that might be a good fit?

So what racket did you settle on? I'm in a similar boat but need a flat serve facilitating racket spec as well. Looking at yonex ezone. Curious what worked for you coming from volkl.

 

[Rabbit]

Thanks for the feedback.
Have either of you hit the V-Sense V1 Pro?
Bit of a different spec, but one that I might have overlooked.

Yeah, I demoed the V1 Pro as well. It has a decidedly different feel than anything I've hit. It is a good racket, but I just didn't like the feel. It was extremely muted and I never could get a "connected" feel to the ball.

 

[yoonit78]

So what racket did you settle on? I'm in a similar boat but need a flat serve facilitating racket spec as well. Looking at yonex ezone. Curious what worked for you coming from volkl.

I decided to go w/ the V-Sense 10 Tour. Just placed the order, I will give an update when it arrives!

Demoed a couple more sticks
Speed Pro: didn't like it at all, not surprising given how stiff it is.
Pro Staff RF & 97LS: I liked them both. Pro Staff series has always felt the best to me throughout the years. Used 6.0 95 for many years before Volkl.

A couple of random factors went into my decision.
Had a particularly good hit on Monday morning w/ my old trusty Tour 10. Playing in a tournament in a couple weeks, so figured a dramatic change is inadvisable. On paper, the V-Sense 10 Tour specs are very similar, just a touch lighter and stiffer.

Also, on an even more random note, I found a particularly good deal on some shoes I was eyeing on a competitor's site, and the DR 98 was on backorder. Wanting to take advantage of free 2 day shipping for both items, went w/ the 10 Tour.
I figured I will give the 10 Tour a go for a month or so, and revisit. Hopefully there will still be DR 98's available if I want to make the switch.

 

[yoonit78]

Yeah, I demoed the V1 Pro as well. It has a decidedly different feel than anything I've hit. It is a good racket, but I just didn't like the feel. It was extremely muted and I never could get a "connected" feel to the ball.

Based on the feedback sounds like the V1's are muted to the extreme, even by Volkl standards.

 

[toaster]

I went back to the DR98 and it took me some period to dial in to the stick. Now, with the Luxilon Alu Power i found the right combination of Power, Controll and Flex. Not everything is perfect, but the more i play the more i like the stick.

I was mainly a Prestige Pro or MP user the last 20 Years and have tried Pro Staff 97, RF 97, Wilson CV Blade 18x20, Project One, Head Speed Pro Graphene, Wilson 6.1s. At the end i will stick with the DR.98.

 

[Frans Bleker]

@yoonit78 so how are the V-Sense 10 tours?