It is a decently powered stick IMO. At first, I thought the stick was exceedingly low powered with a small sweet spot and difficult to play with. That was before I started working on my stroke mechanics and the kinetic chain. Now I love the stick. The feeling at contact is like butter. I would recommend trying a string like Velocity from Head in the Dr 98. Low powered multi with great feel and comfort. Also, seems to have great durability too. Maybe string higher to hone in that power. Just a thought.What do you mean by feels like a tweener? More responsive? That's what I mean. You see people calling it low powered and then other people are comparing it to APD/PD.
I really like head velocity. Low powered multi with excellent comfort and control for a multi filament. I have heard good things about Velocity mains, and a smooth copoly cross. The school of thought is based on the gut/poly thread you can find on this string forum.Alright guys I'm about to place an order and join the club. Want to order some strings at the same time. What are some good string options? Hopefully ones that last a while.
Arm starting to bother me a bit, particularly if I'm hitting serves. Doesnt always happen after a hitting session, but it's been a bit more frequent. Dunno if I'm arming the ball too much or if it's dead rpm blast crosses(vs gut mains).
Poly string itself doesn't go dead it just locks up by cutting into main, but in the case of natural gut main that doesn't reduce comfort much because the individual fibers snap
Wouldn't thicker polys then last longer? Is there anything you can do about it locking up?
It lasts longer as far as not breaking, but actually thicker poly locks up more (deeper, wider cut-in).
You can slow down the cutting in by reducing friction. One way to do that is to rub on silicone lube to cross strings every 1-2 hours of play.
https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/head-velocity.586942/page-3#post-11172499Hmmm interesting. Would a multi/poly combo have the same advantages as the gut with the individual fibers tearing?
https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/head-velocity.586942/page-3#post-11172499
From my experience, velocity has good durability and snap back. Have not heard of this string fraying early, and I stalk the string forum. I think it's worth a try. If unsure, gut/poly is a tried and true string setup. I just want you to have comfort and control. I know full polys have taken out way too many elbows. The playabiliy duration should be better too.
Hmmm interesting. Would a multi/poly combo have the same advantages as the gut with the individual fibers tearing?
yes, but poly cross destroys multi mains, natural gut lasts many times longer.
I would recommend browsing through the gut/poly thread. Most of those pre-made gut/poly combos are not recommended on the forum. You want a slick poly that is not subject to premature denting. The two I recommended , head hawk and Max power, are not subject to early denting. You could make a post on the gut/poly thread and see what responses you get on your specific needs and setup.So I guess my options are: multi or gut/poly. Are those babolat combo packs (pro hurricane/vs) sufficient? I might try that in 1 racquet and multi in another and compare.
I would recommend browsing through the gut/poly thread. Most of those pre-made gut/poly combos are not recommended on the forum. You want a slick poly that is not subject to premature denting. The two I recommended , head hawk and Max power, are not subject to early denting. You could make a post on the gut/poly thread and see what responses you get on your specific needs and setup.
So I guess my options are: multi or gut/poly. Are those babolat combo packs (pro hurricane/vs) sufficient? I might try that in 1 racquet and multi in another and compare.
It's ok, but I'd recommend Klip Legend 16 with 16L/17 softish slick poly that doesn't lose too much tension. String +3lbs main, +1lbs cross from the usual tension you use.
I assume you guys buy in reels? Because buying 2 different individual packs seems very expensive. Much more expensive than the babolat hybrid. Especially from here in Canada. Unless you can use them both twice.
One way to do that is to rub on silicone lube to cross strings every 1-2 hours of play.
So I gave my DR 98 a second chance. This time the DR was strung with an Alu Power. It took same time to adjust. Forehands felt great at the end. My 2HB was ok, but still room for improvement. However, Iost quite some pop on my first serve. It feels somehow too flexy and the feeling was not nice at all. Maybe it will take some time to adjust, I dont know. My Prestige XT S feels - which the same stiffnessrating - more crisp and I get more pop out of it.
What are your opnions on serve?
Cyclones are my default now for the DR98 (18g or 19g) good value, I bumped the tension up to 55lbs they stay firm and the thin gauge I will play them until they break which I usually don't (well in my APT I've broken them).How long do multis last you guys? I've always used poly. Before that synthetic gut, but always broke them.
Interesting, I like lead in the Ezone XI 98, so when I got my DR98 I put some at 3 and 9 but I didn't like it either so I took it off and it seems to be better with a little weight in the handle (7-8ish HL) with nothing in the hoop.Hi Toaster,
I have tried a few settings on the DR98, I started with 356g with lead on the handle and the hoop. Groundstrokes were good, but struggled to control the big serves.
Took all the lead off the hoop from 2 and 10, serves was a lot better. Racquet at 352g.
Added the 4g lead back to hoop at 3 and 9, again struggled to serve. Racquet at 356g.
Took 2g off the hoop and serves improved a tiny fraction. Racquet at 354g.
Took a further 4g off the handle and serves improved a little. Racquet at 350g.
Took the 2g of lead off the hoop, re-applied 4g to the handle bringing racquet to 352g and it was excellent for serving again.
It seems for me any lead added to the hoop makes me struggle to serve big and control it.
Strung with Gamma Live wire 16g@55IBS for mains and Head Hawk 17g @53IBS for crosses. Also using string savers, Yonex leather grip and blue tourna grip.
And 16 x 18 string pattern!Any possibility of a new EZone launching in August 2017?
Looks like the original DR98 to me.Feel like Andy might be hitting with it in the most recent video they posted, the shoe review of the K-Swiss shoes.
Got to hit with my DR 98 for the first time last night and enjoyed it. Nice and comfy and really liked it on serve. I agree with the statements about the grips being larger. I've come from the traditional Head grips so that may of course have something to do with it.
Also, am I alone in preferring the original paint to the new blue version?
I too much prefer the original paint on the DR 98 to the blue version... although I have never held the blue on in my hand, so maybe not fair to comment...
I want to get a 2nd one and can't decide whether to get the same colour! Although I may wait to see if the new Yonex in August is an Ezone update.
I think waiting is a very good idea... even if it's not, the new version will be launched by next year, at which time (should you not like the new version) the old one will be on sale probably at bargain prices... win/win...
I too much prefer the original paint on the DR 98 to the blue version... although I have never held the blue on in my hand, so maybe not fair to comment...
Having hit with both the standard length yellow version and the blue DR98+, I prefer the blue. Pictures don't do it justice. It's the best looking frame and paint job that I have owned thus far.