Wilson Blade 104 vs. Yonex Ezone Ai 100 : Power Comparison

I

ImageIsEverything

Rookie
Hello ,

I find myself interested in the Blade 104 and Ezone Ai 100 based on specs. I was wondering if anyone who has hit with both can discuss which one is more powerful. How controllable was the power? TW doesn't have the Blade 104 available for demo so I can't directly compare them myself.

I play a serve and volley style and used to be a 5.5 but haven't played in awhile. I would probably be around a 4 - 4.5 now.

My current racquet that I've used for a long time is the Wilson Hyper Hammer 6.3 . I prefer tweeners to traditional frames but was looking for a bit more control and precision.
 
Power and pop is greater in the Ai100.
These 2 are very different in terms of racquet style and solution they provide.
 
A_Instead said:
Power and pop is greater in the Ai100.
These 2 are very different in terms of racquet style and solution they provide.
Click to expand...

Is the Blade 98 more powerful than the 104 due to the 98's higher swingweight?

I like the 104s extended length and bigger headsize but the low sw and low stiffness make me quest up n if it has enough punch for sticking volleys.
 
Hi, I guess you refer to the open pattern Blade 98. No way, the closed pattern is more powerful than the Blade 104. Even though some ago, I tried the three of them.

actually, the 18/20 was somehow "underpowered". The 104 is an excellent frame if you like bigger headsize and extended, even perfect. Just add a little bit of weight in the hoop and the stability "problem" will get improved and the SW slightly increased.

enjoy.
 
edelp said:
Hi, I guess you refer to the open pattern Blade 98. No way, the closed pattern is more powerful than the Blade 104. Even though some ago, I tried the three of them.

actually, the 18/20 was somehow "underpowered". The 104 is an excellent frame if you like bigger headsize and extended, even perfect. Just add a little bit of weight in the hoop and the stability "problem" will get improved and the SW slightly increased.

enjoy.
Click to expand...
Interesting that you found the 18x20 low powered. Raonic blasts some huge serves with it and Monfils when he rips his flat forehand can hit well over a 100mph forehand with this raquet. I know Im not anywhere in their neighborhood in terms of size, athleticism and technique, but my point is that that if its powerful enough for the pro tour I would think its certainly powerful enough for thr 4.0/4.5 players I play against.

I think the Wilson six one wuld be a good option too but I wish it came in a 100 or preferably an oversize. I used a 6.1 classic oversize in my youth and really liked it.
 
ImageIsEverything said:
Interesting that you found the 18x20 low powered. Raonic blasts some huge serves with it and Monfils when he rips his flat forehand can hit well over a 100mph forehand with this raquet. I know Im not anywhere in their neighborhood in terms of size, athleticism and technique, but my point is that that if its powerful enough for the pro tour I would think its certainly powerful enough for thr 4.0/4.5 players I play against.

I think the Wilson six one wuld be a good option too but I wish it came in a 100 or preferably an oversize. I used a 6.1 classic oversize in my youth and really liked it.
Click to expand...

They don't use a current Blade 98 though… And certainly not in stock form.
 
Blade 104 plays softer than the ai100. More touch and feel. Like another mentioned, depends on ur playing style.
Ai100 has more power and feels more dampened.
Both racquets are very comfy. Personally, i didnt feel the extra length in the 104.
 
ImageIsEveryting.
well, I should have explained better. I wanted to say that from my point of view the newest model of the Blade 18/20 in stock version, not prostock, is very low powered in my eyes.

The kblade retail is more powerful, or at least this was my impression when I played it for a while some time ago.
The Raonic is a prostock, completely different specs, higher SW etc and therefore not comparable. Actually I think he plays something based on the kblade (or nblade) mold.
And Monfils plays a H19 that for example I, as very average player, also consider low powered but this guy with his technique, power and a frame with higher weight etc. they develop tons of power...

I agree with coolblue that the blade 104 is very comfy. Did not play the AI100. And thought extended, quite easy to maneuver...
 
edelp said:
ImageIsEveryting.
well, I should have explained better. I wanted to say that from my point of view the newest model of the Blade 18/20 in stock version, not prostock, is very low powered in my eyes.

The kblade retail is more powerful, or at least this was my impression when I played it for a while some time ago.
The Raonic is a prostock, completely different specs, higher SW etc and therefore not comparable. Actually I think he plays something based on the kblade (or nblade) mold.
And Monfils plays a H19 that for example I, as very average player, also consider low powered but this guy with his technique, power and a frame with higher weight etc. they develop tons of power...

I agree with coolblue that the blade 104 is very comfy. Did not play the AI100. And thought extended, quite easy to maneuver...
Click to expand...
Thats interesting I didnt know they werent using Blades. How did you find the flex of the 104? The 59 flex on the 104 leaves me wary as I generally like a stiffer frame . The upside of the Blade vs the Ai for me though is that the Blade is lighter overall. That gives me more room to add weight to the hoop to make it more head heavy which I prefer
 
Stock the Ai has more. Add some lead to the Blade and it is just as powerful, has more control and is still easier to swing.
 
I got to demo both. Ai100 had more power but zero feel, totally muted , it was very bizarre, like having an extra high powered vibration dampener installed. It was hard to get a feel for the ball when you hit it, not even sure where on the bed it hit. Didnt like it. Blade is a little too flexy and light but I may still get it.
 
ImageIsEverything said:
... Blade is a little too flexy and light but I may still get it.
Click to expand...
Hey @ ImageIsEverything - Just a TINY BIT of customization completely negates what you're describing. In fact, the Blade 104 is DESIGNED for customization, although it's great in stock form.

Get the 2013-14 model ~ it plays exactly the same except much less flex All Around the entire frame ~ then wait for 2017 for a stiffer 2nd one !!!

The racquet is solid ~ precise serves, solid volleys, dropshots amazingly die on the court ~ encourages you to be an All Court player. It's extremely under-rated ONLY due to perception!

PS >>> I'm around ~5.0 and was also a Wilson Hyper Hammer goto guy!
 
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Hi, this debate intersting me as I plain to buy one of these two sticks (and maybe the new textreme 100 T).

I dont understand the more dampened feel of the AI 100, as it is stiffer than the blade and has more vibrations (according to twu).

About what you said all, I guess the 104 could fit me better, but I only have some fear about power and spin. I guess they are lower than with the AI, but is it close or is the gap huge ? (power can be fix with lead tape, but spin ...).

I am looking for an easy to play stick with big sweetspot and very comfy (I restart tennis after many years without play), but still precise. I like to play counter with lot of variation (spin, slice, flat, power variation etc ...), and always prefred soft feeling (rqis 1 tour, nblade, radical microgel) because with a flexier frame I have the sensation to hold the ball longer time in the racquet, and with a little lead tape, great pocketing and penetration feeling (my rqis was wooow for me, but unfortunately my level was to bad).
 
Roms said:
Hi, this debate intersting me as I plain to buy one of these two sticks (and maybe the new textreme 100 T).

I dont understand the more dampened feel of the AI 100, as it is stiffer than the blade and has more vibrations (according to twu).

About what you said all, I guess the 104 could fit me better, but I only have some fear about power and spin. I guess they are lower than with the AI, but is it close or is the gap huge ? (power can be fix with lead tape, but spin ...).

I am looking for an easy to play stick with big sweetspot and very comfy (I restart tennis after many years without play), but still precise. I like to play counter with lot of variation (spin, slice, flat, power variation etc ...), and always prefred soft feeling (rqis 1 tour, nblade, radical microgel) because with a flexier frame I have the sensation to hold the ball longer time in the racquet, and with a little lead tape, great pocketing and penetration feeling (my rqis was wooow for me, but unfortunately my level was to bad).
Click to expand...

Another thread about this???

Anyone, the Blade 104 isn't THAT low powered...just lower than the Ai100. It offers plenty of power and seems like it would suit your game more based on your comments. You can always lower tension if you need more power in the Blade. You are getting a little nutty with all these thread/questions. Just get the Blade and you can always resell it if you hate it.
 
Yes sorry I just want maximum advice. I think to go with the blade now, as it seems to have all that I am looking for. I hope to dont loose many spin, but I guess it depends a lot about string set up (for exemple with a microgel radical i had a lot of spin, i dont know the reason).
 
Roms said:
Yes sorry I just want maximum advice. I think to go with the blade now, as it seems to have all that I am looking for. I hope to dont loose many spin, but I guess it depends a lot about string set up (for exemple with a microgel radical i had a lot of spin, i dont know the reason).
Click to expand...

Spin is 90% technique....10% racquet/string.
 
Blade 104-more touch,more flex and softness,less power. Needs pumping with grams so that you can get weight on your shots and stability that is needed against heavy serves and groundstrokes.
 
ImageIsEverything said:
Interesting that you found the 18x20 low powered. Raonic blasts some huge serves with it and Monfils when he rips his flat forehand can hit well over a 100mph forehand with this raquet. I know Im not anywhere in their neighborhood in terms of size, athleticism and technique, but my point is that that if its powerful enough for the pro tour I would think its certainly powerful enough for thr 4.0/4.5 players I play against.

I think the Wilson six one wuld be a good option too but I wish it came in a 100 or preferably an oversize. I used a 6.1 classic oversize in my youth and really liked it.
Click to expand...

Blade 18x20 is a beast. You can mash balls with it. Mine was strung with one biphase multi. But its a heavy stick and the older iteration was evenly balanced. So if you dont have strength and or early prep, its best to get something easier.
 
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