Wilson Spin Effect Steam 99s vs 6.1 95s

[huyjtran]

Hi, I am interested in hearing opinions from people who have hit with one or both of these racquets and the differences you have felt between the two.

I am particularly interested to hear about differences in control between the two.

Background
I currently own and play with a wilson blx 6.1 95 (18x20) and a wilson juice pro (96)

I really like the control of the 6.1 95 but feel that my ability is probably not high enough to handle the 6.1 95 (more shanks due to smaller head size and my swing speed not sufficient to generate all my own pace with this heavier racquet). While I like this racquets control, longer hitting sessions can be tiresome (ie i feel i have to hit every shot like a winner to generate enough pace)

The Juice pro is definitely more powerful with less control, the larger headsize and slower swing speed required to generate pace means it is more forgiving for my ability. I find the weight of this racquet ideal for longer hitting sessions

With the Juice Pro seemingly on the out (ie discountined) I am looking to purchase a new racquet to invest my time in rather then the Juice Pro.

The new Steam 99s and 6.1 95s are both racquets i would call in my "spec range", with the ideal weight i like.

I am in Australia so we are still waiting for the 6.1 95s to arrive so i can demo

Let me know your opinions.

 

[ednegroni]

Jason uses the 99S and said the 95S didn't offer quite as much spin potential.

 

[SCRAP IRON]

I want to know what CUSTOMER hit with the new 6.1 95s because it has not arrived for sale or demo yet at TW?!

 

[o0lunatik]

I've own several steam 99s and currently have several juice pros and one six-one 95S (obtained from friend at local club). Not to go into too much details which you can watch TW's reviews for, I do enjoy playing with the juice pros for it's plow through, awesome stability, and control. Juice pro's sweet spot is rather small compared to the 99S and 95S. 99S is the most powerful and spin friendly out of the three but the least level of control. 95S is nicely balanced in terms of power, stability, spin, and control. I find it just as powerful as the juice pro in the sweet spot, and that the parallel drilling definitely increased the sweet spot on the 95S.

 

[o0lunatik]

Sorry, I am at work. Therefore responses are brief and in diff. intervals. HA!

One thing I really like about the 95S is how easily you're able to turn a defensive shot into an offensive one. The ball feel is very nice, and out of the three racquets mentioned above, I feel very connected to the 95S and ball. After 5 sets of singles over the weekend on the 95S, I've made my decision to convert to the 95S, and the juice pros are up for sale.

 

[cmendez79]

Sorry, I am at work. Therefore responses are brief and in diff. intervals. HA!

One thing I really like about the 95S is how easily you're able to turn a defensive shot into an offensive one. The ball feel is very nice, and out of the three racquets mentioned above, I feel very connected to the 95S and ball. After 5 sets of singles over the weekend on the 95S, I've made my decision to convert to the 95S, and the juice pros are up for sale.

Hi my friend,

Did you add any lead to the 95S ???

I have 2 on the way....

 

[drak]

I am surprised that the new 95S has 18 mains, seems to me that with a 95 head size 16 mains would have been much more appropriate. are they going to offer this in a 16X16?

 

[o0lunatik]

Did you add any lead to the 95S ???QUOTE]

Hi there. I have not yet customize my racquet. It already feels quite nice at its stock spec. I did strung the racquet with 17G kevlar/16G pro line II and added a wilson gel grip to have the racquet come in at 12.6 oz. I normally prefer somewhere around 13oz on my racquets, but the 95S is slighly head heavier than other player's racquet, so so far it feels good at the current specs. I have two more 95S' on the way. Then I will play with the weight and balance a bit further to have it at 13oz but not too much.

 

[o0lunatik]

I am surprised that the new 95S has 18 mains, seems to me that with a 95 head size 16 mains would have been much more appropriate. are they going to offer this in a 16X16?

It doesn't seem like that would be offered. I think 16x16 on the new pro staff 95 would be quite an offering though, but it's expected to be 16x15 coming out in January.

Seems like Wilson left the 16x16 pattern to Prince.

 

[drak]

It doesn't seem like that would be offered. I think 16x16 on the new pro staff 95 would be quite an offering though, but it's expected to be 16x15 coming out in January.

Seems like Wilson left the 16x16 pattern to Prince.

as I did in my BLX 98 (black and gold) it would appear skipping every 4th cross on the 95S would be an interesting experiment, I would also experiment with leaving the two outside mains out

Drak

 

[huyjtran]

Thanks for the feedback o0lunatik. Seems you have a very similar taste in racquet to me as all things you have mentioned for the juice pro and the steam 99s I would agree. Being in Australia I'm still waiting to get my hands on a demo 99s to confirm your feelings.

Just an aside have you used the previous 6.1 95? If so how does it compare to the 6.1 95s?

You mention sweet spots in your previous post but out of the three (juice pro, 99s and 95s) what order would you rank them in terms of sweet spot size?

 

[SCRAP IRON]

I am surprised that the new 95S has 18 mains, seems to me that with a 95 head size 16 mains would have been much more appropriate. are they going to offer this in a 16X16?

That's what makes this 6.1 95s so interesting. You can CONTROL the spin with this setup. The Steam is ridiculous for an advanced player. There is only so much spin that you need. I currently use the Blade 98s and it works very well. The 6.1 is just another option in a heavier, head light frame.

 

[drak]

That's what makes this 6.1 95s so interesting. You can CONTROL the spin with this setup. The Steam is ridiculous for an advanced player. There is only so much spin that you need. I currently use the Blade 98s and it works very well. The 6.1 is just another option in a heavier, head light frame.

I agree and I did own a 99S for several weeks but it bothered my shoulder so I sold it. I am a 4.5 player. I then experimented with a 18X20 Blade (black and gold) and skipped every 4th cross, it softened up the string bed and increased spin, still retained very good control and strings lasted much longer than the 99S. Last week I took it a step further and left out the two outside strings, no change in control as the 16 mains are still the same distance apart and frankly the two outside main strings do little or nothing - and it seemed to make the frame a bit softer which IMO is a good thing. That's why I suggested for those who like to experiment a bit to leave out the two outside strings and maybe skip every 4th cross - IMO this should work well in a 95 head.

Drak

 

[o0lunatik]

Just an aside have you used the previous 6.1 95? If so how does it compare to the 6.1 95s?

You mention sweet spots in your previous post but out of the three (juice pro, 99s and 95s) what order would you rank them in terms of sweet spot size?

I've hit with the previous six one 95 in 16x18 and 18x20 about a year ago and can't recall exactly the details of my experience. Theses are slightly different racquets b/c of their heavier weights and balance. What stuck out the most was how easier it was to maneuver than the previous six ones. You don't get that plow through on the 95S as on the other six ones, but you'll get better ball pocketing and dwell time resulting better energy redirection and tamed power. Definitely the sweet spot on the 95S is larger and more powerful string bed due the the string pattern and larger grommet drillouts.

Sweet spot comparison from largest to smallest: 99S, 95S, then Juice Pro. With the denser mains on the 95S, off center hits are still more controllable and less erratic than one the 99S. And off center shots on Juice Pro are like hard taps and must less effective of a shot on an off center shots.