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DAMN.You say that like its a bad thing...

DAMN.You say that like its a bad thing...
Just so you know, it has plenty of pop for a 320 swing weight stick. You may find that you do not need the extra power from the gut.Max Power is very stiff ~ 4G like. I am not sure how it would play in that frame. I used it as a cross with natural gut in a Pure Aero Tour and that felt stiff so I cannot imagine a full bed. Stiffer than 4G as a cross even!
Andy from TW did a Babolat VS Touch playtest way back with this DR98 with I believe Tour Bite in the crosses. He said that was absolutely the best spin/feel/power combo he ever played with (at the time).
If I pull the trigger on the EZONE 98 2020 I'd definitely try the guy/poly combo. It has to be tried at least once in life. It actually lasts way longer than full bed poly and can end up costing the same in the long run.
I hit the Blade v7 16x19 and 18x20 extensively before choosing the 18x20. I actually liked the "rubbery" feel. The 16x19 put nice action on the ball and was pretty maneuverable at the listed spec with a 325-330 swing weight. I ultimately chose the 18x20 because it was more stable and had more plow even though it was a little more demanding. At the listed spec the 18x20 was 335 swing weight and significantly more head heavy.
The 2020 Ezone 98 is more stable than the 16x19 v7 Blade, it has a more linear response, the hoop is firmer, and it is as or more maneuverable in my opinion. Here is a pic which shows the string spacing which is pretty similar for both in that they are relatively dense for 16x19 patterns.
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The 2020 - haven't tried the weight in the handle, but it sounds promising!You have the 2018 version or brand new 2020 ? Cause I have the Ezone 100L 2018 and recently tried the 2020 and found it more more powerful, with higher SW, a bit less manoeuvrable but really stable and powerful for this category of racquets. Definitely one of the best lightweight frame, champion in his category (285g unstrung, 100 square inches racquet) in term of stability, power, comfort, crispness and overall categories. Better than my old Pure Drive Team IMHO, in term of feel and precision also but less manoeuvrable.
The only things is the balance 32,5 unstrung instead of 32 compared to the Ezone 100 300g. Maybe with some added weight in the handle it would be perfect? [emoji38]
I was also interested in the more weighted version, standard version of 100 and 98, that's why I asked the difference between 2018 and 2020 versions, cause we can find big discount in the 2018 version now, even 2020 in TWE [emoji16][emoji106]
@gutfeeling thanks for your feedback!![]()
You say that like its a bad thing...
What is your recommended string(s) to try with this 2020 EZ100? So far I'm having YPTP 1.30 (52M / 49X) on it and feel a bit too much power/not good control. @TagUrIt is also using the frame and suggesting Hyper-G so I will try that next, but I'm also looking for more poly options with good tension maintenance + good control + affordable (I don't have a stringing machine)
Can anyone compare the Clash Tour and the Ezone 100?
14.27. The increased stability on this model is noticeable.What is the twist weight of the 2020 EZONE 98?
Is it 14.27 or 13.37?
DR 98 was 13.69
TWU's twist weight list shows a few entries, assuming some are for the previous EZONE model....
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14.27. The increased stability on this model is noticeable.
I agree. The head weight distribution on the older models was different. Yonex basically decreased the swingweight and increased the twistweight to make the 2020 version maneuverable and stable, which imo is not easy to do. I think the 2020 plays well stock so long as the swing weight is around 320. If not, a little lead at the tip does wonders. Otherwise the racquet may lack some plow due to its overall lightness and flex at the throat.Considering this twist weight, a couple grams at 12 or 10/2 makes more sense than at 3/9 (where as the older DR 98 benefited more from weight added at 3/9).
Strings are very much a personal preference IMO, and I haven't actually used the EZ100 so I'd be loathe to make a recommendation.
That said, I'm curious as to why you have a tension difference between your mains and crosses. Crosses tend to end up with lower tension anyway due to the increased friction when weaving/pulling tension, so I'm not sure why you'd want to increase that tension difference? It's a while since I tried that but from what I can remember, it didn't play any better. If anything, it played worse as the crosses are no longer supporting the mains as well, and there's less of a consistent stringbed stiffness. Over time, the mains will just go dead quicker, lose tension faster etc etc.
Fantastic review @Dansan
I usually play with heavy 350-360g static frames and 340-345SW (Pure Aero Tour and RF97A).
I've been curious to try a lighter faster swinging racquet like the EZONE 98 due to some lingering shoulder soreness.
I'm worried that going -30g static and -20 SW will affect the plow and heaviness of the balls of an attacking game but we will see, maybe swing speed will make up for it.
Anyone string gut/poly in the new EZONE 98? I recall an old VS Touch review of Andy's from TW saying VS Touch/Tour Bite was the best setup he's ever played with in his leaded up DR98.
In a perfect world I can test them all but .... guys let me know.. the power difference of the Ezone 100 and 98 is huge? I was going to demo the 100 because of the good feedback here but now I am not sure. I liked the power the Vcore 98 had.. I didnt like though the feel and the quite high launch angle. Is the Ezone 98 enough power? I heard it slightly more powerful than the Vcore98
How you rate stiffness and spin between Vcore98 and Ezone 98?I’ve tried all three at stock weight. Strings varied a little though with poly tour strike in the ez98, ptp in the ez100 and poly tour fire in the Vcore 98. The latter recorded a higher tension by about 5lbs on Racquettune app. Personally I found the ez100 to have a bit more power than the ez98 but this was more accessible consistently with a bigger sweet spot - as you’d expect from the specs. Also both were good on flatter shots and as the 100 is more spin friendly it enabled me to create power and keep it under control on big swings. It was better on blocks. Less flexible though so feel probably best with the ez98. Both were very controllable. I found that the Vcore98 sits sort of in between. It’s a little more stable than the Ez98 but a little less than the ez100, and more powerful than the ez98 despite the higher string tension, so whilst it’s still good it had less control relatively to the ez98. It’s debateable which had the more spin of these two though. I found more easy spin with the 100 size of the Ezone or Vcore. Hope that’s a help.
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How you rate stiffness and spin between Vcore98 and Ezone 98?
I’ve tried all three at stock weight. Strings varied a little though with poly tour strike in the ez98, ptp in the ez100 and poly tour fire in the Vcore 98. The latter recorded a higher tension by about 5lbs on Racquettune app. Personally I found the ez100 to have a bit more power than the ez98 but this was more accessible consistently with a bigger sweet spot - as you’d expect from the specs. Also both were good on flatter shots and as the 100 is more spin friendly it enabled me to create power and keep it under control on big swings. It was better on blocks. Less flexible though so feel probably best with the ez98. Both were very controllable. I found that the Vcore98 sits sort of in between. It’s a little more stable than the Ez98 but a little less than the ez100, and more powerful than the ez98 despite the higher string tension, so whilst it’s still good it had less control relatively to the ez98. It’s debateable which had the more spin of these two though. I found more easy spin with the 100 size of the Ezone or Vcore. Hope that’s a help.
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Bored to shreds during this lockdown, I decided to bust out the calipers and pull off some butt caps and measure the cross section of the handles.
Wilson Grip 3
L: 32mm
W: 28mm
D*: 32mm
Yonex Grip 3
L: 33mm (33.1mm)
W: 29mm (28.9mm)
D*: 32mm
D = diagonal across the cross section of the handle
Obviously the grip size is about the same if you use the stock Yonex grip (its thinner and lighter than most standard replacement grips) but if you decide to replace the stock grip, bear in mind the slightly larger bare handle size.
Not only did ‘bare it in mind’, I used it to my advantage: bought 4 3/8, replaced grips w/ Tecnifibre Xtra Full, and ended up w/ close to 4 1/2, which I prefer.Obviously the grip size is about the same if you use the stock Yonex grip (its thinner and lighter than most standard replacement grips) but if you decide to replace the stock grip, bear in mind the slightly larger bare handle size.
How you rate stiffness and spin between Vcore98 and Ezone 98?
So which one you prefer between vc98-ez98 and which one had the best feel/feedback ?
So which one you prefer between vc98-ez98 and which one had the best feel/feedback ?
Not trying to hijack your question, but if best feel/feedback is your priority, Prince Textreme is better than anything Yonex produce....
The problem is feel is subjective. For me Yonexes have better feel and 10 times better quality although Prince line is pretty good too.Not trying to hijack your question, but if best feel/feedback is your priority, Prince Textreme is better than anything Yonex produce....
I had the exact same experience like you with the Vcore 98! My OHBH was one of the most stable/powerful with this racket. That's why I gonna demo it again, compared to one of the new Ezones (probably the 98). If the Ezone 98 give me the same accesibility to the OHBH and is similar in spin/power I will take the Ezone for begin the less stiff/firm frame.DR98s feel was and is one of the best out there. What i like with Yonex new direction is that they went down 5gr and decreased SW. My main issue with DR98 was that it felt sluggish and especially on my 1HB. Now it seems no issues. What’s your opinion on v core 98 compared to ezone 98 ?
My 1HB was firing with v core 98 but couldn’t found confidence/control when going for winners or approach shots. Liked it a lot also on serves and touch shots despite being a racquet that has a stiff feel on contact and not so plush like ezones.
The problem is feel is subjective. For me Yonexes have better feel and 10 times better quality although Prince line is pretty good too.
The problem is feel is subjective. For me Yonexes have better feel and 10 times better quality although Prince line is pretty good too.
What’s your opinion on v core 98 compared to ezone 98? My 1HB was firing with v core 98 but couldn’t found confidence/control when going for winners or approach shots. Liked it a lot also on serves and touch shots despite being a racquet that has a stiff feel on contact and not so plush like ezones.
Have you played with beast 98, ezone 98 and v core 98 ?
I didn’t say Yonexes feel better because they have better quality. I said Yonex have both better quality and feel. Depends what kind of feel you like, it is not that easy.Manufacturing consistency isn't the same as quality of feel or connectedness to the ball. The are alot better feeling racquets out there than the current line of Yonexes.
Nice can’t wait until they come to market! Right when they do I’m buying.Plus versions!
It’s like my dream came true! Looks like I’ll by selling two ezone 98s when the tours come out!Anyone else see the official announcement of + models (98+, 100+)? Also a new Ezone Tour! Weighs 315 and looks like its 5mm more headlight and Yonex says it has a "softer base composition". May 22 for the + models and July 24 for the Tour
6th-Generation EZONE: TOUR and extended length models added to line-up
The 6th-generation EZONE series has already achieved global recognition since launching in January 2020. With a focus on easy power and unmatched comfort, the EZONE series features the largest sweet spot1 in Yonex history through ISOMETRICTM expansion and was developed for players of all levels.www.yonexusa.com
Added for the first time to the EZONE series of racquets, the EZONE TOUR features a 98 sq.in. head size and is the heaviest EZONE available, weighing 315g / 11.1oz and comes with an added boost compared to the EZONE 98. With the balance being 5mm more and the base composition being softer, the EZONE TOUR has more power and control for experienced players.
If that is true, it sounds like a winner to me...
- 10 g heavier
- "softer base composition"
- "balance being 5mm more" that sounds like more head heavy to me (+SW), which make sense. Would have been crazy IMO to not add SW.
Adding a leather grip will counteract the balance but keep the swingweight. Omg am I sold!If that is true, it sounds like a winner to me...
- 10 g heavier
- "softer base composition"
- "balance being 5mm more" that sounds like more head heavy to me (+SW), which make sense. Would have been crazy IMO to not add SW.
I am really looking forward to trying this mystery racquet, especially since I don't have my 2020 Ezone 98 anymore.I was literally the first person at my club to get one in January, and after a little bit of tinkering, I was really starting to gel with it. But one of my buddies wanted it so much for himself & his son, I just let him take it over. That was just before the lockdown in March, and I haven't played since.