Yonex EZONE 2020 AO

D

Deleted member 768841

Guest
You say that like its a bad thing...
DAMN.
tenor.gif
 

gutfeeling

Hall of Fame
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.
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.
 

FIRETennis

Professional
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.


Damn that paint job on the EZONE looks fantastic. The single color tone of the EZONE looks way better than the lime/gray/black of the Blade.
Pattern looks tighter to my eye too, more like a 18x20 on the EZONE.
 

jackcrawford

Professional
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! :)
The 2020 - haven't tried the weight in the handle, but it sounds promising!
 

PierreMBK

Rookie
What's the best looking like synthetic replacement grip for the Ezone in your opinion?
The stock one isn't sold in Europe. I saw some of you used the Tourna Pro Thin and it's about the same weight but it's thinner. So maybe the Tourna Pro Tour for more comfort?

By the way Babolat discontinued the Skin Feel. Such a shame. There is the Syntec Team instead of but it's lighter and not as comfortable as the stock Yonex, kind of minimalist grip.
 

Thiem's 1HB

Rookie
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)

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.
 

Thiem's 1HB

Rookie
Can anyone compare the Clash Tour and the Ezone 100?

Is it even an comparison though? They're poles apart in terms of stiffness. I would have thought that people will sway very clearly towards one or another - forgiveness and comfort (Clash Tour) or crisp and firm (EZ100). You've also got a noticeable balance difference and distribution of mass - head light (Clash Tour) or head weighted (EZ100). Personally, I love the Clash Tour - I think its the best 16x19 100sq" racquet released since the original Aero Pro - and all things being equal, I would also always favour a constant beam over a variable taper but each to their own.
 
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Dansan

Semi-Pro
Finally got some court time in Orlando with the new 98, epic weather today. I decided this time to see how it plays stock and go from there. Strung it with PTP 1.25 @ 53/50lbs. 327g strung with OG and dampener. Did a quick balance check and it's around 6.5pts HL strung. Was super easy to string, love how their grommets just make sense and have logical directional entrances/exits. The grip does feel a tad fuller to me as others have noted. Not a big deal to me.

First thing I noticed is how light it feels. I'm coming from the range of 355-365g. I was not sure...kind of felt like a toy and had some doubts at first playing mini tennis. It's easy to maneuver, and It took some adjusting just to recalibrate my swing. I played a hard hitting 5.0 ex college player, so was receiving balls with some steam. Backing up to hit at baseline I found it does have pop for such low SW. To me, felt effortless power and ease of use/sense of forgiveness. It could have something to do with the type of frames I've been using....so my opinion could be totally relative.

The big takeaways for me: Easy to play with, remarkably stable for the weight and SW, forgiving, has power on tap, maneuverable, feels direct and not gimmicky, comfortable, high on control for a 16x19, really big sweet spot, middle of the road spin and launch angle for a 16x19. Walked away impressed and excited to try a leather grip and a bit of lead to 3 and 9 and try again....but honestly, I thought it played great as is...just shows there's a lot of potential.

PTP was great BTW at this tension. If there were one area that I had some trouble with...it was double handed backhand. I think it was just adjusting to the light weight, It took me some time to find it - but once I did, I had no problems generating power. Without being too long-winded this is a winner. Like it more than the blade for reasons that I can get into later, but I'll probably be switching since it met and exceeded expectations. It's just very versatile and has a lot of strengths.....It's not the best in any category per se, but it's really damn good at all things which is what makes it a weapon.
 

FIRETennis

Professional
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.
 

gutfeeling

Hall of Fame
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).
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.

Mine were 307 sw before adding 4 grams spread along the bumper inside the hoop. When I replace the bumper I will move the lead underneath it. Basically you can get a high performing setup under/around 330 grams static weight (including overgrip and dampener) which is good for my level of play and most competitive players imo. If I ever need more stability/plow, I will add more lead under the bumper/to the handle as needed.
 
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Hung.khuu

New User
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.

Very interesting observation, and I will take that into consideration in the next string job. The difference tension was meant to allow the mains greater ease of sliding and snapping back to improve spin potential, especially in a smooth poly like PTP 1.30. My kick and slice serve does have fair amount of spin to it, but to be fair my only point of reference was with syn gut, so I can't say for certain if the differential tension caused that or not. Tough to try out many things if I don't string for myself.
 

Dansan

Semi-Pro
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.

I also have played quite a lot with the RF97A. I found that with the Ezone 98 even at such a low SW/static weight was able to return fire in a rally just as hard and deep as with the RF. The launch angle is lower with the ezone, but the big difference for me was how easy (and early) I was able to get into position and time the contact with the ball moving forward. Getting tired in a session with the RF my timing would be late, even just a milisecond late, and my momentum would be moving backwards at times. With the ezone, I can set up quickly and drive forward. Directional control was just easier for all of those reasons, and as I'm learning....high static weight is not really a substitute for timing or head speed at a lower weight. The ezone is quite stable at this lower weight, that's the key I think they achieved. Everything was just more consistent with the Ezone 98, whereas even the slightest misstep with the RF would send the ball long usually, or things would get erratic. That's just an honest reflection of where I'm at as a player, and I can't extract the greatness out of the RF....just like I can't play golf with the thinnest blades out there. I need a little help, not full on game improvement or full tweener mode - but somewhere in the middle.

As far as v7 blades, it feels just as great as the ezone, but once outside the sweet spot then I get a "rubbery" sensation and the ball would respond less predictably. The ezone doesn't seem as phased when hitting slightly outside of the sweet spot. I didn't sense any real harshness. Blade I hit with was 340g with leather grip/OG/dampener...so it had a bit more "plow" and solidness naturally. I will need some more playing time after I add some weight and a leather grip to better compare these two and to figure out how I feel other than the rubbery sensation I occasionally get from the V7. But pound for pound, ezone was keeping up just fine but these two are close and it would probably come down to personal preference on feel.

When the PTP is dead, I'll try a gut/poly just for reference and let you know what I find - but now at least I know where I'm at with full poly, and it's got plenty of power....controlled power is exactly how I would describe it.
 

PMF

Semi-Pro
[/QUOTE]
Anyone string gut/poly in the new EZONE 98? I recall an old VS Touch review of Andy's frsaying VS Touch/Tour Bite was the best setup he's ever played with in his leaded up DR98.
[/QUOTE]

When I purchased my 2020 Ezone 98, I got it strung with VS Touch Black 16 in the mains, and PTP Blue 1.25 in the crosses. I thought that set up worked really good, but I had to tinker with lead at 12:00, starting out with 4g, and settling in with 1g, then adding a Yonex vibration dampener (4g), and no overgrip. The static weight came ot to 323g, and I'm guessing the swing-weight was around to the same. I agree with what others have said. You need the swing-weight to be around 320 to feel the magic! :)
 

phl92

Hall of Fame
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
 

redmini

Semi-Pro
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

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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phl92

Hall of Fame
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?
 

DJTaurus

Hall of Fame
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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So which one you prefer between vc98-ez98 and which one had the best feel/feedback ?
 

Thiem's 1HB

Rookie
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 bare 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.
 
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FIRETennis

Professional
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.

Great work, thanks for that. Would be fantastic if you have a Babolat L3 to measure as well.
Could you clarify if these measurements are with the base grips or just the bare grips?
 

McLovin

Legend
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.

But, If I ever sell them, I’ll put the originals back on and have a more popular grip size.
 

redmini

Semi-Pro
How you rate stiffness and spin between Vcore98 and Ezone 98?

Vcore is the stiffer (and similar to Vcore pro range and it’s Dual G predecessor), it’s sort of firm not stiff. The Ezone 98 is a bit more flexible . Spin, I’d say marginally more with the Vcore but I suspect varying the strings will make more of a difference as the two racquets are quite close. There is less difference between the two 98s than between either of them and their 100” cousins in terms of spin. At least for me.


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redmini

Semi-Pro
So which one you prefer between vc98-ez98 and which one had the best feel/feedback ?

I thought the Ezone 98 has better feel but I like them both a lot. I think I prefer the 100, though had not decided finally before the lockdown. Strings will be a factor as I’m not a fan of poly tour strike as much as the poly tour pro that was in the 100 or the poly tour fire that the Vcore had. Trouble is, they are all good, and the differences aren’t as great as the differences between them and say Wilson or Babolat (or different racquets within those ranges), for me anyway!


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DJTaurus

Hall of Fame
Not trying to hijack your question, but if best feel/feedback is your priority, Prince Textreme is better than anything Yonex produce....

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.
 

fox

Professional
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.
 

phl92

Hall of Fame
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.
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.
 

DJTaurus

Hall of Fame
The problem is feel is subjective. For me Yonexes have better feel and 10 times better quality although Prince line is pretty good too.

Guys lets get to the point. :p

Have you played with beast 98, ezone 98 and v core 98 ?

Your verdict ?
 

Thiem's 1HB

Rookie
The problem is feel is subjective. For me Yonexes have better feel and 10 times better quality although Prince line is pretty good too.

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.
 
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Thiem's 1HB

Rookie
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.

VC98 is more suited to a spin orientated game and has more of an open pattern. EZ98 is a bit more of an all rounder.

Have you played with beast 98, ezone 98 and v core 98 ?

Beast 98 is also a good racquet. A bit like a more useable version of the Blade 98. Flatter ball trajectory than either of the Yonexes with that 16x20 pattern. Were it not for the fact that they put just a little too much weight at the 12 o'clock position (the beam is pretty thick at the tip), it would have been really great racquet. As it is, its a bit tricky to customise. If they made the taper a bit less extreme with the next version, it would be a real contender. Textreme is a great feeling construction though for a modern racquet.
 
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fox

Professional
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.
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.
 
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

 

Maverick13

Semi-Pro
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

It’s like my dream came true! Looks like I’ll by selling two ezone 98s when the tours come out!
 

mscream

Professional
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.
  • 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.
If that is true, it sounds like a winner to me...
 

Maverick13

Semi-Pro
  • 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.
If that is true, it sounds like a winner to me...
Adding a leather grip will counteract the balance but keep the swingweight. Omg am I sold!
 

Jster

Professional
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.

Whisky is out. Extra 10g punch.
 
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