YONEX EZone 98+ first look?

[rvernsey]

Received a few today, first impressions are good. I believe YONEX was back and forth on whether or not to create this frame but I have a few in my possession today. I think it will have a little more of an all court ability at 305 grams and maybe swing weight in the high 330's with a .125 and the RA is seemingly going to be similar to the DR - I'll know better later when I string one up.

 

[Tuskarr]

Have you used the Dr 98+? Curious in the differences

 

[rvernsey]

I have used the DR98+ quite a bit... as soon as I string this up and hit with it I'll let you know.

 

[MajesticMoose]

They're probably exactly the same... different cosmetic.

 

[rvernsey]

They're probably exactly the same... different cosmetic.

Definitely not. Different mold, grommets, flatter at 12 and 6. EZone DR 98 and EZone 98 are not the same frame.

 

[AMGF]

PJ looks good. It is a bit light at 305g. I’m looking forward to the rest of the specs.

 

[SpinToWin]

Please come to Europe please come to Europe please come to Europe please...

 

[Sardines]

Is this the replacement for the DR98+? No wonder they took that off the Yonex website!

 

[achapa8807]

Holy momma. Gonna have to try this stick out. Didn’t have the best time with the DR98+. I do love my regular EZONE 98s though.

 

[AgressivelyFrames]

OH NOOOOOO i just started flirting with a Blade 98 18x20 and now this??!! Welp can't say the title didn't warn me. DARN YOU RACKETAHOLISM!!

 

[Nick777]

Beautiful

 

[AMGF]

Any update?

 

[achapa8807]

UPDATE?

 

[fundrazer]

On the TW vlog today

 

[achapa8807]

I’m curious if it plays like mine set up with leather and lead.

 

[AgressivelyFrames]

Thanks for posting that video, fundrazer. Specs seem pretty beefy, which personally concerns me a bit because the standard length felt like a twig to me. And this 336 swingweight they mentioned in the video is a little over my range on first glance. Still going to try it though for sure lol.

 

[achapa8807]

There’s also a video from Lafino and it looks like they had the EZONE 98+ and possibly the VCORE Pro in Plus as well. Interesting to see if they launch the VPro 97 and 100 in plus.

 

[Swan Song]

The EZONE+ is official:
http://www.yonexusa.com/company/news/tennis/the-new-ezone-for-power-and-reach/

 

[AMGF]

Don’t you love it when new frames come out and have 7% bigger sweet spot then the out going generation? In a few years sweet spots are gonna be so big they won’t fit in the trunk of the car...

 

[Sardines]

Don’t you love it when new frames come out and have 7% bigger sweet spot then the out going generation? In a few years sweet spots are gonna be so big they won’t fit in the trunk of the car...

Mathematically speaking, it should be around 1400% larger now since the R22! haha
Then again many believe the RF97 to be the best racquet since the PS90, and the sweet spot is really less than 10% larger! haha

 

[A_Instead]

I want 2...

 

[AggieJason]

Mathematically speaking, it should be around 1400% larger now since the R22! haha
Then again many believe the RF97 to be the best racquet since the PS90, and the sweet spot is really less than 10% larger! haha

Loved my R-22!!

 

[achapa8807]

Buying.

 

[kimguroo]

There’s also a video from Lafino and it looks like they had the EZONE 98+ and possibly the VCORE Pro in Plus as well. Interesting to see if they launch the VPro 97 and 100 in plus.

I am not sure there will be pro 97 extended version.
Looks like vcore 100 was extended but it’s part of a custom fit program in Yonex Japan.

 

[achapa8807]

I am not sure there will be pro 97 extended version.
Looks like vcore 100 was extended but it’s part of a custom fit program in Yonex Japan.

I wouldn’t doubt if they release it. Like you mentioned, I’m sure it may just be a part of their custom fit program. Interesting to say the least.

I’m still planning on ordering one and putting it up against my standard 98 with lead and leather.

 

[time_fly]

I wonder how it stacks up against the SV98+. The EZONE is supposed to be stiffer and more powerful than the DR; sounds like the SV.

 

[achapa8807]

I wonder how it stacks up against the SV98+. The EZONE is supposed to be stiffer and more powerful than the DR; sounds like the SV.

Not quite. The new EZONE is between the two.

 

[dje31]

So, does this magically transform it into something special following the "meh" response to the standard length EZONE 98?

I mean, I'm open to it...

 

[achapa8807]

Probably does. I added leather and lead to mine, and it really helped the overall feel and playability of the frame. Hoping the 98+ will be just that without adding everything and just include a higher SW.

 

[AgressivelyFrames]

The itch was too compelling for me so i bought one a few days ago and it should be here tomorrow by 3 pm central time. I'll throw my trust hyper g 16L in at around 50 lb and i'll give it a good hit and soon-after, report my findings here. Hoping to be impressed because this is one of the last rackets on my have-to-demo list. Mostly because of the extra length as i had a love affair with the pure aero plus and have been looking for a soft, extended length 98 sq. in. racket ever since.

 

[achapa8807]

The itch was too compelling for me so i bought one a few days ago and it should be here tomorrow by 3 pm central time. I'll throw my trust hyper g 16L in at around 50 lb and i'll give it a good hit and soon-after, report my findings here. Hoping to be impressed because this is one of the last rackets on my have-to-demo list. Mostly because of the extra length as i had a love affair with the pure aero plus and have been looking for a soft, extended length 98 sq. in. racket ever since.

I’m hoping this adds a little softness to the racket as well. Wanting it to fall in between the DR98 and EZONE 98. Mine should also be here tomorrow. I’ll probably end up doing a comparison review on this and the regular version.

 

[AgressivelyFrames]

I’m hoping this adds a little softness to the racket as well. Wanting it to feel in between the DR98 and EZONE 98. Mine should also be here tomorrow. I’ll probably end up doing a comparison review on this and the regular version.

Oh i'm sure it will. In the video teaser posted in the thread above, i think Chris Edwards noted something about how the stiff upper hoop feeling is remedied in this iteration. Ahh that's a great plan I wish i had a dr98 to test side by side but I think my memory will work well enough if i do decided to compare it. Since i've been using a Project one seven for the past few months, that's what i will be primarily comparing it to in terms of just about anything you can think of. The pure strike's great, it's just the stiffness that bothers me and the temptation of the extended length. If the 98+ can give me a softer feel but still have that solid putaway power, there's a good chance i'll be switching.

 

[achapa8807]

Mine just came in. Going to give it a rip later after school gets out!

 

[AgressivelyFrames]

Mine just came in. Going to give it a rip later after school gets out!

Sweet! Let us know how it is. I'm sure the consistent lurkers in this thread would love to hear how it plays.

 

[1990's Graphite]

Interesting racquet! I wonder if tw will do a review

 

[achapa8807]

Okay. Just got through playing two sets with the racquet. I definitely had to adjust to it on serves, but everything else was great. Ended up playing much better in the second set!

Enough about me.

So, compared to the standard EZONE 98, this frame has definitely come to life. There is more flex, feel, power and spin. I will definitely say it’s closer to the DR98 series than the standard EZONE 98. While I will say it’s closer to the DR, it’s not as muted but still has great feel and you’ll be able to tell. Volleys were amazing! Ball pockets nicely in the racquet. People are going to like this way better than the stock 98. I feel like this is the racquet Yonex intended to produce. My modified 98s play like this frame spin and power wise only. I really like the flex I’m getting with this one - not too flexible and muted as the DR98+ and not as stiff as the stock EZONE 98.... just right.

 

[A_Instead]

The million dollar question is...
"How does it compare to the DR 98???
As the DR 98 + was approaching perfect...

 

[achapa8807]

The million dollar question is...
"How does it compare to the DR 98???
As the DR 98 + was approaching perfect...

I’d say it’s close to the DR98. It’s definitely closer to the DR than it is EZONE. Again, I think people are gonna be surprised with this frame. It’s what Yonex should have put out in the first place. Glad I ordered!

 

[A_Instead]

The 10 million dollar question is...
"How does it compare to the DR 98 + ???
As the DR 98 + was nearing perfection...

 

[achapa8807]

The 10 million dollar question is...
"How does it compare to the DR 98 + ???
As the DR 98 + was nearing perfection...

Hahaha.. knew it was coming. Man, it’s hard to say. I would say it’s close but not as plush. It definitely flexes more than the standard EZONE 98, so it definitely has more feel and a more plush feeling at impact; it isn’t as buttery. That being said, it’s still a vast improvement on the EZONE 98. I really enjoyed it last afternoon. I’d have to hit with it again head to head to give a direct comparison.

 

[alidisperanza]

Is this the new Kyrgios color-way? Beautiful frame. Wish you had some full-length pics instead of the angled ones.

 

[achapa8807]

Is this the new Kyrgios color-way? Beautiful frame. Wish you had some full-length pics instead of the angled ones.

It is the Kyrgios PJ as well as Osaka. What are you looking for specifically? I can try and upload some later on.

 

[alidisperanza]

Just an overall pic of the frame a bit zoomed out. Looks great! Ty

 

[achapa8807]

Working on images but I just did a review over the racquet. I can answer anymore questions here.

 

[A_Instead]

I love to hear when a typical std length player says "I can actually play and like a plus racket" ..I am the same way.. to me that is an indication of a properly speced racket...
I am trying to switch to the SW Blade 104.. to me it does not feel 28 inches long..

 

[West Coast Ace]

OH NOOOOOO i just started flirting with a Blade 98 18x20 and now this??!! Welp can't say the title didn't warn me. DARN YOU RACKETAHOLISM!!

There are a lot of good sticks on the market these days.

I'm sticking w the Duel G 330. Hopefully.

 

[BAAllen]

Working on images but I just did a review over the racquet. I can answer anymore questions here.

Forgive me if you called this out in your video, but how is the spin potential?

 

[achapa8807]

Forgive me if you called this out in your video, but how is the spin potential?

Spin is just as good as DR. Even with the standard EZONE, I found a nice amount of spin when paired with any poly. 4G, Alu Power, Cyclone, Hyper G.

 

[Unforced Terrors]

Hahaha.. knew it was coming. Man, it’s hard to say. I would say it’s close but not as plush. It definitely flexes more than the standard EZONE 98, so it definitely has more feel and a more plush feeling at impact; it isn’t as buttery. That being said, it’s still a vast improvement on the EZONE 98. I really enjoyed it last afternoon. I’d have to hit with it again head to head to give a direct comparison.

Great Video! Have you ever hit with the VCore SV 98+? Is this EZONE 98+ really in between the SV and the DR like others have speculated?
I love my SV98+ but that flexy feel from the DR is so nice and addicting. Something in between would be perfect.

 

[achapa8807]

Great Video! Have you ever hit with the VCore SV 98+? Is this EZONE 98+ really in between the SV and the DR like others have speculated?
I love my SV98+ but that flexy feel from the DR is so nice and addicting. Something in between would be perfect.

If that’s what you’re looking for, you will be in for a good surprise. After playing the stock DR98, DR98+, and SV95, I can say it’s pretty close to being right in the middle.

1. DR 98+
2. DR 98
3. EZONE 98+
4. EZONE 98
5. SV95
6. SV98