What is the best Fischer racket in regards to "feel?"

Is it the Pro Classic 98 ?

I have the Fischer Pro Classic 98 (Retro) Silver with red stripes, is that basically it? or is there a better feeling version? I keep hearing about the Pro Classic 98 and it sounds to me like its a situation like the St. Vincent Pro Staffs, not comparing the 2 frames, but I am comparing them in the sense that the St. Vincent had a better "feel" to it than other Pro Staffs released there after...

Is the Fischer Pro Classic the same type of situation ? (Feels better than the re-releases ?)

Thanks !
 

retrowagen

Hall of Fame
The 1987-1993 Vacuum Pro Mid Size (90) that is marked, “Made in Austria” is my pick.

The various, post 1992-ish Fischer models that received a black, oval-shaped “Fischer Austria” sticker above the grip were made in an OEM factory in Asia, and were not molded on the proprietary “Vacuum Technic” machines that only exist at their (now ski and aerospace only) Austrian factory. This special production technique, and the thought given to and quality materials spec’ed by their engineers and project managers (one of whom was a friend of mine until he passed away a couple years ago) seems to be the secret to the special feel of the Austrian era Fischer tennis racquets.

Your 2000-2002 Vacuum Pro 98 “Retro” frames are really nice (I used them for a season of competitive play; they reminded me of a larger-headed Head Prestige Classic 600, if you can imagine that), but still not as magically tactile as the earlier Vacuum Pro mid.
 

BorgCash

Legend
The 1987-1993 Vacuum Pro Mid Size (90) that is marked, “Made in Austria” is my pick.

The various, post 1992-ish Fischer models that received a black, oval-shaped “Fischer Austria” sticker above the grip were made in an OEM factory in Asia, and were not molded on the proprietary “Vacuum Technic” machines that only exist at their (now ski and aerospace only) Austrian factory. This special production technique, and the thought given to and quality materials spec’ed by their engineers and project managers (one of whom was a friend of mine until he passed away a couple years ago) seems to be the secret to the special feel of the Austrian era Fischer tennis racquets.

Your 2000-2002 Vacuum Pro 98 “Retro” frames are really nice (I used them for a season of competitive play; they reminded me of a larger-headed Head Prestige Classic 600, if you can imagine that), but still not as magically tactile as the earlier Vacuum Pro mid.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/7ru741emena778r/20151129_001642.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/12016aiktscg7gu/20151129_001505.jpg?dl=0

Do you consider one of these that Fischer Austria not so good?
There is oval sticker Fischer Quality (the same as Made in Austria print racquet) and Fischer Austria print.
 

retrowagen

Hall of Fame
https://www.dropbox.com/s/7ru741emena778r/20151129_001642.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/12016aiktscg7gu/20151129_001505.jpg?dl=0

Do you consider one of these that Fischer Austria not so good?
There is oval sticker Fischer Quality (the same as Made in Austria print racquet) and Fischer Austria print.
There was a short time when Fischer put the oval sticker on “Made in Austria” frames. If the frame is marked, “Fischer Austria” as your Vacuum Pro 90 is, then it is not made in Austria. That batch of Vacuum Pro 90s was made in Taiwan. I have a couple myself; they are excellent frames and have good feel—a little more “crisp” and stiff, a little less “plush” and “elastic “ compared to the real Austrian made item that came before it.
 

BorgCash

Legend
There was a short time when Fischer put the oval sticker on “Made in Austria” frames. If the frame is marked, “Fischer Austria” as your Vacuum Pro 90 is, then it is not made in Austria. That batch of Vacuum Pro 90s was made in Taiwan. I have a couple myself; they are excellent frames and have good feel—a little more “crisp” and stiff, a little less “plush” and “elastic “ compared to the real Austrian made item that came before it.

Thank you for your comment. Do you mean this one that i have (actually i got three:)) Fischer Austria that was made in Taiwan that you talk about in your first post (about OEM factory)?
How do you compare turquoise and blue both Made in Austria?
 
Never played with the Vacuum 90 although it gets universally great reviews.

The Fischer Pro 1/VT98 (the 330g version with ceramic layup) was a great racquet to play with. Nice easy power + good overall heft - it was a great feeling stick for hitting groundstrokes.
 

jxs653

Professional
It seems my experience with Vacuum Pro 90 is different from the majority because I didn't find anything particularly good about it. I sold it after I briefly had it.
 

coachrick

Hall of Fame
The aluminum MatchMaker Team(need to check the actual model name) of the later '70s was a fantastic playing frame...for about two hours until it bent from forehand impact! Not a scratch on it;but it looked like a spoon! Felt like you could carry the ball on the strings!!!

NOT the answer you were looking for, freak; but I thought I would throw it out there! :)
 
I am about to purchase a Vacuum Pro 98 in a few days, so for now I can say the one with the best feel that I have tried is the Vacuum Comp! Must add lead to the head and handle to get the proper heft for hitting deeper shots, but the feel is like butter...and virtually no vibrations whatsoever!
 

RDM

Rookie
A bit off topic here, but I have found a Fischer Ultra Light Midsize in a local charity shop. It's sort of a bright pink colour and seems to be out of the Vacuum Pro 90 mould as it's an identical shape. It's Austrian made as well.
Does anyone know of this frame?
 

RDM

Rookie
I bought it anyway - too cheap to resist.
Weighs in at just over 340g, despite its Ultra Light moniker, and is around 6 pts head light. 20 mm constant flat beam.
 
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The 1987-1993 Vacuum Pro Mid Size (90) that is marked, “Made in Austria” is my pick.

The various, post 1992-ish Fischer models that received a black, oval-shaped “Fischer Austria” sticker above the grip were made in an OEM factory in Asia, and were not molded on the proprietary “Vacuum Technic” machines that only exist at their (now ski and aerospace only) Austrian factory. This special production technique, and the thought given to and quality materials spec’ed by their engineers and project managers (one of whom was a friend of mine until he passed away a couple years ago) seems to be the secret to the special feel of the Austrian era Fischer tennis racquets.

Your 2000-2002 Vacuum Pro 98 “Retro” frames are really nice (I used them for a season of competitive play; they reminded me of a larger-headed Head Prestige Classic 600, if you can imagine that), but still not as magically tactile as the earlier Vacuum Pro mid.
this
 

RDM

Rookie
I have found another Fischer, an Open Drive, that I haven’t been able to find much about online.
Looks like it is the same mould as the red Open Ultra Light I posted earlier in this thread, where I had in error claimed that it looked to be out of the Vacuum Pro 90 mould. But these “Open” models are a lot squarer in section.
This one weighs in at around 370g strung and is around 6-8 points head light and is made in Austria as well.
I assume these “Open” models preceded the Vacuum Pro 90. Does anyone else know much about them?

photo url
 
I once had a Vacuum 90, that was m-weight, instead of l-weight. I believe it was something like 330-335 g's unstrung as opposed to the 320 g versions I've seen (esclusively) since. What did I get rid of..?
 
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retrowagen

Hall of Fame
I have found another Fischer, an Open Drive, that I haven’t been able to find much about online.
Looks like it is the same mould as the red Open Ultra Light I posted earlier in this thread, where I had in error claimed that it looked to be out of the Vacuum Pro 90 mould. But these “Open” models are a lot squarer in section.
This one weighs in at around 370g strung and is around 6-8 points head light and is made in Austria as well.
I assume these “Open” models preceded the Vacuum Pro 90. Does anyone else know much about them?

photo url
That model was introduced in late 1987 and was in catalogue for about two years. It was a downmarket model from the concurrent (and new) Vacuum Pro, more flexible with its G/F composition.
 

RDM

Rookie
That model was introduced in late 1987 and was in catalogue for about two years. It was a downmarket model from the concurrent (and new) Vacuum Pro, more flexible with its G/F composition.
Thank you muchly sir. It's always good to have these things "placed" somewhere.
Downmarket and more flexible is just fine by me. I love the way these ones play.
 

RudyHuxtable

Semi-Pro
Owned an M Pro 1, Black Granite Pro 1, and M Comp.
All felt great, but M Pro (red and green version) was outstanding if you like flexy racquets. Black Granite is one of the best volley sticks I've used.
 

NicoMK

Hall of Fame
You should definitely try the Pro Classic. In terms of feel, the Retro doesn't play as well as the original Pro Classic. I own both of them and this is what I feel.

Speaking about most recent frames, the Pro N1 Black Granite plays very well too, as the Magnetic Tour IMO.

And yes, the VP 90 is a classic but you have to handle it first :)

Anyway, any Fischer is good. Let us know and good luck.
 

Steve Huff

G.O.A.T.
The older penta shaped head models had great feel if you didn't string them too tight. Then, they played like boards. Even the later Pro #1 was notorious for being "tension sensitive". But,when strung at the right tension, they had great feel. On slices, you could feel the strings still on the ball as you cut under the ball. Now that's great feel.
 

strung2tight

New User
Hi there.

Stumbled across this site and was eagerly looking to reply to this thread in particular.

For such a long time I’ve been an incredibly vocal advocate of the Fischer range and was a sponsored coach with them when they sadly went bust!

The Vacuum Pro 98 was a racket I desired so much as a late junior and young senior player.

For me the Madnetic Tour SL from around 2003 area is the most complete racket I’ve ever used. The balance of power and control was perfect and the contact feel was equally agreeable.

My only hope is that the resurgence of this technologically advanced brand is long overdue.
 

kalic

Professional
No one. All of them had that awkward grip shape, and all I can feel is that :(
(btw, I had vacuum pro 90 and Pro No1 grey/red, they supposed to be good ones...)
 

siata94

Rookie
had various Fischers over the decades but now primary sticks are MPro1 105s.
Still use a Magnetic Tour occasionally, as well as Prince EXO3 Tour and PK5g.
But if I had to choose only 1, it'd be M105.
 

NicoMK

Hall of Fame
Reviving this old thread, I'm currently haunting a Made in Austria Vacuum Pro Plus. It's purple with a yellow [edit: grey] bumper. The handle is too big for me. It's probably from the early 90s, same gen as pictures above, I think. I could modify the grip if polyurethane under the grip. If it's a one-piece racket - and I suspect it is - I'm afraid I can't do nothing about it.
@RDM @vsbabolat or any other fellow members here, any relevant info?

I've asked the seller but haven't got a proper answer yet. Not sure he knows too much about rackets.

Thanks all.
 
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vsbabolat

G.O.A.T.
Reviving this old thread, I'm currently haunting a Made in Austria Vacuum Pro Plus. It's purple with a yellow bumper. The handle is too big for me. It's probably from the early 90s, same gen as pictures above, I think. I could modify the grip if polyurethane under the grip. If it's a one-piece racket - and I suspect it is - I'm afraid I can't do nothing about it.
@RDM @vsbabolat or any other fellow members here, any relevant info?

I've asked the seller but haven't got a proper answer yet. Not sure he knows too much about rackets.

Thanks all.
Purple with a yellow bumper sounds like a Vacuum TwinTec Pro. @retrowagen might know more.
 
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