Yonex Extended Racquet: Ezone 98+ vs. Vcore 98+

[flex]

Hard to find reviews of either/both of these extended counterpart of their popular Ezone 98 line and Vcore 98 line...anyone hit with both of these can comment on how they compare? Are reading reviews of the "standard" 27" version indicative of its extended version, would reading a review of the 27" Ezone 98 be indicative or the Ezone 98+ (and likewise for the Vcore 98 and Vcore 98+)?

Which one of these provide more flex at the throat? Or flex overall?

What are the main difference between these and how would one choose one over another?

Yonex VCORE 98+ Red Racquets

www.tennis-warehouse.com

Yonex EZONE 98+ Racquets | Tennis Warehouse

www.tennis-warehouse.com

 

[AMGF]

Been playing with the VC98+ for the last two years. I’m in the middle of a frame switch and bought the EZONE98+ as a possible replacement.

I have no idea how comparisons of their 27in versions compare with the + versions. But the new EZ98+ is softer both at throat and overall. It is more stable at the expense of a bit less maneuverability. The VC98+ has a bit more pop and spin the EZ98+ a bit more control and feel.

For my strokes I love the FH with the Vcore and prefer my bh with the EZone. Mainly because I hate the stiff upper hoop of the VC that seems more apparent on my bh side.

Serves are better with VC but the EZ is no slouch.
Volleys EZ hands down.
Slice EZ.
Slap FH VC.
Return of serve EZ.

To summarize, VC for power, spin and serve. EZ for control, volleys and return of serves. If I play lower ranked players the VC is so fun. Against better players lack of stability costs me points and I prefer the EZ as it can cover a couple mistakes for me.

If you have any question let me know.

 

[flex]

Appreciate your insight @AMGF

> But the new EZ98+ is softer both at throat and overall.
Is there an apparent racquet flex on contact with the ball?

> The VC98+ has a bit more pop and spin the EZ98+ a bit more control and feel.
I'm curious about why this is. On paper, looking at the specs (which are almost identical) I would have guessed that the EZone would be more powerful because of the thicker beam (23mm / 24mm / 19mm ) ...whereas the VCORE have thinner beam (22mm / 22mm / 21mm)
Everything else is nearly the same yet the thinner beam is more powerful...?

Also, curious to hear any string/tension experimentation on your Ezone 98+

 

[AMGF]

Appreciate your insight @AMGF

> But the new EZ98+ is softer both at throat and overall.
Is there an apparent racquet flex on contact with the ball?

> The VC98+ has a bit more pop and spin the EZ98+ a bit more control and feel.
I'm curious about why this is. On paper, looking at the specs (which are almost identical) I would have guessed that the EZone would be more powerful because of the thicker beam (23mm / 24mm / 19mm ) ...whereas the VCORE have thinner beam (22mm / 22mm / 21mm)
Everything else is nearly the same yet the thinner beam is more powerful...?

Also, curious to hear any string/tension experimentation on your Ezone 98+

Flex is a bit more apparent in the throat (a la DR98+) but the top hoop is nowhere as stiff. So the overall frame feels softer. However, it might be the damping material that Yonex uses. But at impact the EZ feels softer especially in the upper hoop.

Power probably comes from higher SW and stiffer hoop despite the frame thickness. Keep in mind I’m talking perceived differences that are small. These two frames are similar (yet different). The most obvious to me is stability for the EZ98+ vs the free power of the VC98+.

On my VC I added lead at 3 and 9 to boost stability, on my EZ I added lead at 12 to boost power. Leather grip added to all my frames. Modified like that both frames are really close, but EZ is more comfortable and the VC still feel more maneuverable. Really tempted to make the switch right now to EZ98+ but I’m still testing along the RF97 and I ordered a VCPro330g yesterday. I will make my choice for the frame I’ll play with for (at least) the next to years then. I hate being in between frames and need to make a switch soon as leagues are now starting for fall/winter.

For the Ezone I tried cyclone which was great. But I wanted more power so I now have gut/poly (lux gut/rpm blast rough) at 54/51. My VC are either cyclone or PTP mid 40s.

 

[flex]

Gotcha, I'm going to go with the Ezone as well on the merit of it being softer. (Also swayed in part by it having a nicer paintjob than the vcore tbh as well tbh)

But from researching, I came across the Ezone Tour as well - which seems to be well received across the board compared to the standard 27" Ezone 98.

Have you compared the Ezone 98+ to the Ezone Tour?

 

[AMGF]

Gotcha, I'm going to go with the Ezone as well on the merit of it being softer. (Also swayed in part by it having a nicer paintjob than the vcore tbh as well tbh)

But from researching, I came across the Ezone Tour as well - which seems to be well received across the board compared to the standard 27" Ezone 98.

Have you compared the Ezone 98+ to the Ezone Tour?

Haven’t tried the Tour but from the specs and reviews so far it looks very good. I have been playing with extended frames for the last 5 years so I prefer the EZ98+. But if I had no interest in xl frames I’d be demoing the Tour for sure.