JGads
G.O.A.T.
Well that sucks.
Wilson Pro Labs: Blade Pro Official Thread
- Thread starter haqq777
- Start date
Well that sucks.
Good review.. but I have to call out few things...
"If you are not into low-powered control oriented sticks you may want to pass on this one"... hmmm. i don't know about that.. this racket has ton of power.. and I don't even buy that "lack of easy power, but tons of power if you swing it fast" stuff in this racket .. It has ton of power period... free or not.. Also, control is not the highlight of this racket... Depth control thru spin is exceptional but directional is solid but not the highlight really.. and finally.. there is a little bit too much hype around this racket playability (or lack thereof).. it's no harder than v7 18x20 or EZT... unless you got one that is 340SW (it's not like v7 18x20 does not come in 340s either).... again so much is made out of the balance... the balance is same as EZT and v7 (including 16x19 v7)... there are ton of 33cm balance rackets..,. head gravity Tour is one of them as well... static weight and balance is almost identical... the only thing is a tad high on this bad boy is SW especially if you got Wilson'd on QC.
isn't @n8dawg6 element junkie?? it's crack to him.
boulderchips
Rookie
Mine has silicone in the handle (it's an 18x20). I think I remember that some others had foam, though?
JGads
G.O.A.T.
Oh I know Element from playing it in other frames, I was just curious if anyone had firsthand experience in this one (or those other strings). Just a hunch that the softer and not-so-metallic lux could be a nice fit for this frame. Also, didn't realize element was only for the 4.0 rec player. I guess I'll have to downgrade my rating then. Shucks.
Anton
Legend
Mine took forever to recieve. I was about to cancel order.
n8dawg6
Legend
oops, i caint speak for the players between my level and @J011yroger ’s! i do like element though, good stuff
I think I am going to try 4G soft on this one next...
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Blade Pro 18M showed up yesterday. String spacing & pattern is identical to that of the UT. In fact, if the BP 18M and UT had the same paint job, i'd be hard pressed to know which was which. The beam and hoop shapes are so close. The BP hoop is slightly wider from 3 to 9 than the UT. The distance from from 12 to 6 looks the same to my eyes. The BP beam width is a bit thicker.
Bobble
Semi-Pro
my guess is the stringing. I grabbed one without stringing and it shipped day of... a buddy of mine got his strung by Wilson and it took a week to ship.
also, still liking the 18m? Still a 2.0 plus??
Anton
Legend
Still loving it, but my PT2.0s are back from Roman, matched up and now sporting TK82S, so I've been spending time with that setup. BP 18x20 is taking a break for now, but I gave it to hit with to my buddy and he liked it enough to start talking about ordering one for himself.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Always order unstrung.
Hotpockets
Rookie
Just got my hands on a 16x19 BP and wow. Super impressed. This thing will be a beast in the right hands.
I had the chance today to get on the court for the first time with my new blade pro 16x19. I don‘t have the chance to measure them, but the seller did: started as 302g/294 SW, he changed the grip and strung they were 321g and 324SW without overgrip.
I put a leather grip on it an put some weight in the handle to get it to the specs I had on my Blade V7.0 16x19 (334g, 31,7cm balance).
Definitely a lot more stable than my V7.0 on groundstrokes, I could take the deep balls earlier without the problems I had. As long as you hit through the ball and commit 100% on your choice, you‘ll feel the power of the racquet. But just a split second late or bad footwork, I really had a hard time to get it to the serve line.
Just a hitting session for little more than an hour without serve...
I put a leather grip on it an put some weight in the handle to get it to the specs I had on my Blade V7.0 16x19 (334g, 31,7cm balance).
Definitely a lot more stable than my V7.0 on groundstrokes, I could take the deep balls earlier without the problems I had. As long as you hit through the ball and commit 100% on your choice, you‘ll feel the power of the racquet. But just a split second late or bad footwork, I really had a hard time to get it to the serve line.
Just a hitting session for little more than an hour without serve...
JGads
G.O.A.T.
Wow, that's the lightest spec I've seen. Would love that as a base frame to build up.
BounceHitBounceHit
Legend
yes it does. Zebra maybe?
BounceHitBounceHit
Legend
More like the Zebra, honestly
BounceHitBounceHit
Legend
It feels more flexible than a RF but the power is there
Has anyone been using 18m and 16m BP and share experiences as to noticeable/significant differences, if they see any?
I have been using 16m and it took some adjustments but as I got to know the racket better, it started to work out really well. In a way, it has the "easy power" of a tweener on defense and hits also a super heavy ball when on offense. I also found sweet spot to be very generous. Both serve and serve returns are extremely good. Spin is a monster. I am able to flatten the shots effectively. I am inconclusive in "control" department. Meaning I would definitely NOT say it lacks control and it has enough of it for me to be able to use full-time BUT I am not sure if control is the highlight. That is what I am curious about for people who tested both. If they noticed control is significantly different in one or another and if so, I would be curious to hear your thoughts on which aspects of control (depth or directional etc...)
I spent little time with the 18m and struggled just a little bit (again initially) with the projection of the shot (depth-wise).. It was either long or net (I am exaggerating to make my point) BUT have not given the same amount of time I have given 16m and experience could completely change.. Honestly, hard to form a conclusive opinion spending less than 5 hours or so with these sticks. Anyways, would appreciate thoughts.... thanks!
I have been using 16m and it took some adjustments but as I got to know the racket better, it started to work out really well. In a way, it has the "easy power" of a tweener on defense and hits also a super heavy ball when on offense. I also found sweet spot to be very generous. Both serve and serve returns are extremely good. Spin is a monster. I am able to flatten the shots effectively. I am inconclusive in "control" department. Meaning I would definitely NOT say it lacks control and it has enough of it for me to be able to use full-time BUT I am not sure if control is the highlight. That is what I am curious about for people who tested both. If they noticed control is significantly different in one or another and if so, I would be curious to hear your thoughts on which aspects of control (depth or directional etc...)
I spent little time with the 18m and struggled just a little bit (again initially) with the projection of the shot (depth-wise).. It was either long or net (I am exaggerating to make my point) BUT have not given the same amount of time I have given 16m and experience could completely change.. Honestly, hard to form a conclusive opinion spending less than 5 hours or so with these sticks. Anyways, would appreciate thoughts.... thanks!
Bobble
Semi-Pro
I just didn't use the 16m enough to give proper feedback. But the very first time I hit both with the same strings for about 30 mins each, I found the 16m less solid, very spin friendly/harder to control, easier to swing...I found the 18m to swing heavier, still give enough spin (compared to blade 18m and mid 360+), and more than enough control.
I have two 18m's currently and love the way they feel, but haven't played singles or dubs matches...so I don't even trust my feedback on that one yet. Overall I just like how the 18m feels like a bat
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yeah. that's little time..I just didn't use the 16m enough to give proper feedback. But the very first time I hit both with the same strings for about 30 mins each, I found the 16m less solid, very spin friendly/harder to control, easier to swing...I found the 18m to swing heavier, still give enough spin (compared to blade 18m and mid 360+), and more than enough control.
I have two 18m's currently and love the way they feel, but haven't played singles or dubs matches...so I don't even trust my feedback on that one yet. Overall I just like how the 18m feels like a bat
18m swinging heavier may have much more to do with the QC variance that you have between the 2 rackets than anything else..they supposed to have similar SW and exact same all around otherwise specs as well... I have spent about a good 4 to 5 hours on 16m so far and spin is great... power is massive and was easy to swing... control is good enough for me and I am picky usually on control... that's why I am excited about 18m. see what that does...
Do-It-Yourself Swingweight
Do-it-yourself method of determining your racquet's swingweight, perhaps the most important racquet spec.
twu.tennis-warehouse.com
key is... take as accurate measurements as you can take... cm and grams.. and in timing which is the tricky one... take 10 to 20 measurements and average them... you will get really close...
I had 2.... they were both 335ish... same as the two 16x19s i had... i have one of each now...
@Bobble I think that's a good idea.. that is why I ordered one in L2 (I am usually L3)...
Time matters too much in this method, even 0.1s could provide a huge difference in calculation. The real trick for timing accuracy is to utilize your phone, record 30 swings @ 60fps, then edit the video in any app in your phone or computer, cut the swing period out, get the time info and divide it by 3. There you get the accurate time.
Ended up moving the balance to 32cm on my sticks. So specs are right around 340g strung, 32cm, and 341 swingweight. 4 of mine were viable for this—stock swingweight at 341 strung on 3 sticks (RDC, not the TW calculator) which is enough to get me through a month without having to string for the 2-3 times I play per week. They’re fantastic frames if you loved the feel of the older twin tube radicals like the liquid metal, Ti, and maybe even the bumblebee but I’m less acquainted with that one.
I personally like the feel. What really sells me, though, is the controlled and flexy enough mold combined with a high swingweight. It makes for a stick that has plenty of power and a good amount of directional precision mixed in. Reminds me of and is spec’d almost identically to the pure storm tours that I got all my reps with (and really developed my game with) back in college and have been seeking a replacement for since they were replaced by the pure control tour. I might just have found it here boys.
I personally like the feel. What really sells me, though, is the controlled and flexy enough mold combined with a high swingweight. It makes for a stick that has plenty of power and a good amount of directional precision mixed in. Reminds me of and is spec’d almost identically to the pure storm tours that I got all my reps with (and really developed my game with) back in college and have been seeking a replacement for since they were replaced by the pure control tour. I might just have found it here boys.
JGads
G.O.A.T.
Anyone try a full bed of RS Lyon in the BP 16x19?
Top candidates for my next stringjob are Lyon, Confidential or incoming Tour Sniper. But I'm leaning towards Lyon at around 46ish because I'm thinking a non-edged string may give me a smoother more natural response and tame the occasional floating slice I've gotten with my usual Hyper G - just a hypothesis. Very happy with Hyper G on all other fronts, but wanting to try something else just to see.
Top candidates for my next stringjob are Lyon, Confidential or incoming Tour Sniper. But I'm leaning towards Lyon at around 46ish because I'm thinking a non-edged string may give me a smoother more natural response and tame the occasional floating slice I've gotten with my usual Hyper G - just a hypothesis. Very happy with Hyper G on all other fronts, but wanting to try something else just to see.
I did a bit more battle of BP 16m vs 18m...
It's counter-intuitive but for my swing, I continue to find 16M better... having said that I still have not put in enough time to write off 18m. The thing about both frames is that they have a relatively low launch angle. Like 16m is pretty close to v7 18m to me, even though string spacing is much more open. Weird.. 16m hits a massive spin but not a high arching and last-minute dropping spin.. it is more of a low flying but super penetrating spin.. if your opponent has an easy time getting low on the ball and pick up they will manage to not be pushed back. I noticed that today hitting with my coach. We were drilling defending the baseline. tho... this is personal.. bc I adjusted to hit thru the ball more and depth was there.. even the short balls that go a tad beyond service line are still massively offensive so its not like it ever leaves a short high sitting ball for anyone.. basically it gives an opponent a ball that they can't also kill you with.. but maybe able to defend the baseline... though I also did not worry about this much bc the guy I am hitting with is very very good (coach...used to be D1 etc) ..
Anyway.. so this is one aspect I compared to 18m.. the thing is 18m is not really addressing that issue.. therefore it ends up being a little more difficult and noticed I have a harder time controlling the depth.. like either dangerously close to net tape or too deep. But again it seems this is a really personal thing bc one may serve certain strokes (swing path) better vs others...for me 16m better so far. Maybe ill figure out 18m eventually.
Aside from that..agree with most other things.. both rackets reward hitting thru the ball and not brushing up too much which works out for me..
Also not much said about it but comfort is amazing.. I am not talking about when hitting (feel is unreal to me. So amazing!) But i am more talking about after hitting... I have played 4 days in a row for 2 hours each.. nothing in my elbow. V7 18m does not even sit this well with my elbow..
All around, this is such an amazing stick I am switching to it... I think almost.
Still will spend time with 18m, UP 16m and I also have the new donnay pro one 97 unibody.. i realized that donnay pretty much copied weighted up UP 16m here(basically h19 copy) .. so it is so close to UP 16m.. it really is so similar from feel to launch angle to control and to power.. everything...except you don't have to weigh it up.. Donnay is really solid...
I do notice that BP has a bigger sweet spot than both UP and donnay. BP feels like one giant sweet spot.. mishit ratio is massively down for me..
These are all amazing sticks.. being a holic and constantly looking to blame rackets for my deficiencies between UP, BP, and Donnay i have nothing that I can put on the racket. It's all on me which is refreshing bc I have been holicing hard lately and now i can start focusing on my game again..... who am I kidding.. let's say at least i have a horrible outing.. hah.
Naah.. joke aside these are legit...
Been hitting with HG 17g.. next will try 4g soft and tour sniper...
It's counter-intuitive but for my swing, I continue to find 16M better... having said that I still have not put in enough time to write off 18m. The thing about both frames is that they have a relatively low launch angle. Like 16m is pretty close to v7 18m to me, even though string spacing is much more open. Weird.. 16m hits a massive spin but not a high arching and last-minute dropping spin.. it is more of a low flying but super penetrating spin.. if your opponent has an easy time getting low on the ball and pick up they will manage to not be pushed back. I noticed that today hitting with my coach. We were drilling defending the baseline. tho... this is personal.. bc I adjusted to hit thru the ball more and depth was there.. even the short balls that go a tad beyond service line are still massively offensive so its not like it ever leaves a short high sitting ball for anyone.. basically it gives an opponent a ball that they can't also kill you with.. but maybe able to defend the baseline... though I also did not worry about this much bc the guy I am hitting with is very very good (coach...used to be D1 etc) ..
Anyway.. so this is one aspect I compared to 18m.. the thing is 18m is not really addressing that issue.. therefore it ends up being a little more difficult and noticed I have a harder time controlling the depth.. like either dangerously close to net tape or too deep. But again it seems this is a really personal thing bc one may serve certain strokes (swing path) better vs others...for me 16m better so far. Maybe ill figure out 18m eventually.
Aside from that..agree with most other things.. both rackets reward hitting thru the ball and not brushing up too much which works out for me..
Also not much said about it but comfort is amazing.. I am not talking about when hitting (feel is unreal to me. So amazing!) But i am more talking about after hitting... I have played 4 days in a row for 2 hours each.. nothing in my elbow. V7 18m does not even sit this well with my elbow..
All around, this is such an amazing stick I am switching to it... I think almost.
Still will spend time with 18m, UP 16m and I also have the new donnay pro one 97 unibody.. i realized that donnay pretty much copied weighted up UP 16m here(basically h19 copy) .. so it is so close to UP 16m.. it really is so similar from feel to launch angle to control and to power.. everything...except you don't have to weigh it up.. Donnay is really solid...
I do notice that BP has a bigger sweet spot than both UP and donnay. BP feels like one giant sweet spot.. mishit ratio is massively down for me..
These are all amazing sticks.. being a holic and constantly looking to blame rackets for my deficiencies between UP, BP, and Donnay i have nothing that I can put on the racket. It's all on me which is refreshing bc I have been holicing hard lately and now i can start focusing on my game again..... who am I kidding.. let's say at least i have a horrible outing.. hah.
Naah.. joke aside these are legit...
Been hitting with HG 17g.. next will try 4g soft and tour sniper...
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Power Player
Bionic Poster
If you like RS, you will like Tour Sniper. Thats what I suspect at least.
Don’t think that really answered your question very well. I guess what I’m saying is that I think the TS will give you a little more spin and action on the ball compared to the RS. The level of control is very similar and the feel is similar as well.
Anton
Legend
Since TW stopped selling RS Lyon
I've been using Kischerbaum Max Power.Lux Alu Power 17g is sorta similar and works well at 45 in my 18x20.
SwingTool - Swing Weight
SwingTool can quickly and easily measure the swing weight of tennis racquets, golf clubs, baseball bats etc. Swing weight is the most important parameter when deciding how a racquet, club or bat feels when you swing it. Unfortunately measuring swing weight has been fairly complicated, until...
apps.apple.com
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Power Player
Bionic Poster
Since TW stopped selling RS Lyon
Lux Alu Power 17g is sorta similar and works well at 45 in my 18x20.
SwingTool - Swing Weight
SwingTool can quickly and easily measure the swing weight of tennis racquets, golf clubs, baseball bats etc. Swing weight is the most important parameter when deciding how a racquet, club or bat feels when you swing it. Unfortunately measuring swing weight has been fairly complicated, until...apps.apple.com
Grapplesnake Tour Sniper is the answer. I went from RS to Max Power to TS for that type of string.
How's the stiffness on Tour Sniper compared to Hyper G?
HG 1.20 is soft.. 1.25 is stiffer... tour sniper i think is "crisper" but I think it's more comfortable...
Anton
Legend
Hmm well since I'm playing 18x20s lately I like the idea of keeping it smooth, but TS is shapped.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
it is but it honestly feels and plays like a round poly. I prefer round myself.
meowmix808
New User
Used String Project and Isospeed Cream. Both were pretty amazing. Armour Soft, Cream, and PTP Strike were my favorites. I'm an Element lover that switched to those poly's.
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