What 'sale' racquet should I get that is similiar to an APD or Pure Drive?

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pmata814

Professional
I want to get a racquet similar to an APD or Pure Drive. Not to make a permanent switch (I'm currently playing with MG Radical MP) but just to have as a 'for fun' racquet. So I don't want to spend $200 on it. I know I can demo but I don't want to spend $20 on demoing a racquet that costs $100. I'd rather it go towards the purchase.

I played with a friends Pure Drive yesterday and I enjoyed it (although the swingweight did seem a little high, certainly higher than what's advertised on TW)

I was thinking I could get one of these racquets that TW has on sale right now. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. If you could share any thoughts on how it plays that would be great.

Here are the ones I was considering:

Dunlop F5.0 Tour
Dunlop M5.0
Head Graphene Instinct MP
Dunlop M4.0 (I've seen this one on the auction site for $99 as well)

So, for those that have played with any of these, which do you feel plays most like an APD or pure drive? Or if you have one that is not on the list please share. :) Thanks!
 
P

pmata814

Professional
Thx for the reply. My first choice would be an APD clone, but I'll settle for a pure drive clone. Do any of those on the list play like an APD?
 
Z

zmy8686

New User
If you want an APD for fun then just get an used one. Babolat has a unique feel that is somehow difficult to replicate, making you love or hate them. I have a PD and APD for fun, but I only lend them to others as they hurt my arms. By PD and APD, I assume you like more power from the racquet, which makes the instinct a logical pick.
As for something closer to APD, I would say Wilson juice 100s or steam 99s or even Yonex ai98, but I just don't think they are on sales.
Or maybe you can pick up a demo at your local tennis store possibly for free.
 
Fuji

Fuji

Legend
pmata814 said:
Would the head ig ep play like and APD ir PD? Thx in advance.
Click to expand...

Closer to APD than PD imo. The Instinct is like a PD, while the Extreme is closer to an APD.

Also keep in mind, that on these frames Head uses a different grip shape than Babolat. It's a lot more square. Some people love it, others hate it. YMMV.

-Fuji
 
A

ArliHawk

Hall of Fame
Fuji said:
Closer to APD than PD imo. The Instinct is like a PD, while the Extreme is closer to an APD.

Also keep in mind, that on these frames Head uses a different grip shape than Babolat. It's a lot more square. Some people love it, others hate it. YMMV.

-Fuji
Click to expand...

The grip on the Instinct are more like a Wilson or Prince than the normal Head rectangular shape, FWIW.
 
L

LapsedNoob

Professional
ArliHawk said:
The grip on the Instinct are more like a Wilson or Prince than the normal Head rectangular shape, FWIW.
Click to expand...

Are you sure? I demo'd a Graphene Instinct MP and it still seemed rather rectangular. If it was different than my Extreme it was not by much and still more Head than Wilson.
 
P

pmata814

Professional
Thx so much for the replies. I was excited about the extreme but i googled the specs and unfortunately its too heavy. Especially the swingweight... 333 is more than i can handle.

Ive narrowed it down to the instinct and the f5.0 tour. Leaning slightly more towards the intinct.
 
bertrevert

bertrevert

Legend
IIRC the Instincts since after the LM have all had a rather narrow sweetspot and feel elongated somehow, I don't know why, that is what I found with the first blue one. Which are the two I tried (pre-graphene). The Instinct just didn't feel whippy, fast, felt more like long strokes and long swings, less Western-grip were required. I guess I didn't have that instinct :(

So I tend to think that Speeds or Extremes are more Bab-like than the Instincts...just a thought.
 
P

pmata814

Professional
No o-ports please. I have an exo 3 warrior, and while its not as bad as other oport racquets, I still dont like the vague feel. I want traditional grommets.
 
kailash

kailash

Hall of Fame
I bought one or two sale rackets in the past; those rackets are either sleeping in the closet or sold. Looking back, I feel that $100 is worth spending in demoing 20 different rackets or for trying out new string setups for the main racket!

If you are still planing to buy, my vote is for the Head Instinct MP from that list; you may also want to try the Volkl rackets (Organix 7, 8 or 9) that are on sale, if arm friendliness is a factor.
 
L

LapsedNoob

Professional
The Organix 9 is not a powerful racquet at all. It seems to be an anachronism in the Organix line, much lower-powered than the 8s despite the stiffness, line an O10 295 that doesn't feel as nice. I was a sucker for the price on that one but it just doesn't have it. (See sig.)

At least in the Super G line it is differentiated by having a different, denser string pattern than the other Volkls.
 
P

pmata814

Professional
Thanks to all for the input. I just ordered the Graphene Instinct MP from TW. I was very tempted to order a Dunlop F5.0 tour that just went on the used section in 'A' grade condition as it was only $59, but seeing that it didn't receive a single vote I decided to go with the instinct even though it's $40 more. Thanks again to all. :)
 
S

Sparky

Semi-Pro
pmata814 said:
I want to get a racquet similar to an APD or Pure Drive. Not to make a permanent switch (I'm currently playing with MG Radical MP) but just to have as a 'for fun' racquet. So I don't want to spend $200 on it. I know I can demo but I don't want to spend $20 on demoing a racquet that costs $100. I'd rather it go towards the purchase.

I played with a friends Pure Drive yesterday and I enjoyed it (although the swingweight did seem a little high, certainly higher than what's advertised on TW)

I was thinking I could get one of these racquets that TW has on sale right now. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. If you could share any thoughts on how it plays that would be great.


Here are the ones I was considering:

Dunlop F5.0 Tour
Dunlop M5.0
Head Graphene Instinct MP
Dunlop M4.0 (I've seen this one on the auction site for $99 as well)

So, for those that have played with any of these, which do you feel plays most like an APD or pure drive? Or if you have one that is not on the list please share. :) Thanks!
Click to expand...

Personally, I'd pay up and get the real deal. You're in luck with the release of the 2015 Pure Drive the 2012 play pretty close and can be purchased from TW at a nice discount. I would just buy the real deal. My $.02

At $159 I'd buy a brand new Pure Drive of $299 I'd take a Play Pure Drive to track my hitting stats.
 
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Z

zaskar1

Professional
let us know what you end up with

pmata
i am thinking of demoing again
Head Graphene Instinct is on my list, even though i prefer HH racquets
like the blades i am using.
i am going to try the prostaff and RFprostaff

z
 
P

pmata814

Professional
Just an update in case anyone is curious...

I had a chance to play with the instinct finally. I took a lesson on Sunday and then I played a doubles match yesterday. I bought this racquet as a 'for fun' racquet. Just something I would pull out of the bag for that extra set after the match is over. But this racquet was SO much fun, I can't bring myself to put it down. :) I'm actually considering making the switch to it.

I didn't think I would enjoy playing with a stiff racquet this much, as I always have preferred plush flexible frames, but I'm loving it! I really enjoy the ample sweetspot and that firm immediate feedback from the stiff frame. The only thing where I'm having trouble adjusting is on my serve. Unfortunately that happens to be my best weapon. I'm hoping I can adjust with more time with the frame. I can't seem to generate as much pace as with my radical but my kick serve does seem to kick more with this racquet.

Thanks again to all for your input. I'm really happy with my purchase :)
 
JackB1

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
pmata814 said:
Just an update in case anyone is curious...

I had a chance to play with the instinct finally. I took a lesson on Sunday and then I played a doubles match yesterday. I bought this racquet as a 'for fun' racquet. Just something I would pull out of the bag for that extra set after the match is over. But this racquet was SO much fun, I can't bring myself to put it down. :) I'm actually considering making the switch to it.

I didn't think I would enjoy playing with a stiff racquet this much, as I always have preferred plush flexible frames, but I'm loving it! I really enjoy the ample sweetspot and that firm immediate feedback from the stiff frame. The only thing where I'm having trouble adjusting is on my serve. Unfortunately that happens to be my best weapon. I'm hoping I can adjust with more time with the frame. I can't seem to generate as much pace as with my radical but my kick serve does seem to kick more with this racquet.

Thanks again to all for your input. I'm really happy with my purchase :)
Click to expand...

Which model year Instinct did u get?
 
P

pmata814

Professional
DJTaurus said:
It's my favorite stick from head rackets. Did you notice any instability on backhands ?
Click to expand...

No I didn't. (I use a 1HBH) I didn't notice any instability at all actually. I know some of the TW playtesters complained about that but I didn't feel any. I know the guys I played against don't hit with a lot of pace but they're not tapping the ball either. Also, when I took my lesson there was decent pace on the ball and the racquet feels solid.

JackB1 said:
OK. Good luck with it!
Click to expand...

Thanks. Did you play with this one and not like it Jack?

P.S.
I really like the grip shape on this racquet. It is different than my radical grips. It's very similar to my prince grips, which happens to be my favorite grip. :)
 
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