Yonex ezone xi vs ai vs dr?

[nvr2old]

So I just picked up a new old stock Yonex ezone xi 98. Really impressed with the racket. I feel it's actually fairly similar to my Yonex vcore tour F 97. Just curious how the ai differs from the xi and dr lines or if the differences are just mostly marketing and cosmetics versus real actual performance. Thx.

 

[dje31]

EZXi98 head is more squared, typical Yonex isometric shape. Ai/DR are less square, more rounded at top op hoop.

Demoed the EZAi98 and VCTF97 together, the former for my wife, the latter for myself. Oddly, in contrast to your experience, we both hated the Tour F.

I bought 2 EZXi98 on TW closeout and love them.

Most folks who've tried the line don't notice a huge difference between iterations...which is smart on the part of Yonex. Don't mess up a good a thing that plays and sells well.

FWIW, the 2018 EZone goes back to the Xi squared mold.

 

[DJ-]

Xi98 - raw, not many technologies just a solid frame, felt a bit clunky at times but a beautiful frame, Ai98 buttery smooth, great allrounder very flexy at the throat needs a bit of lead in the hoop. Dr98 more crisper than Ai98.. And as mentioned above the more squarer shape on Xi... Looks like the new ezones gone more in the square direction also!

 

[DJ-]

EZXi98 head is more squared, typical Yonex isometric shape. Ai/DR are less square, more rounded at top op hoop.

Demoed the EZAi98 and VCTF97 together, the former for my wife, the latter for myself. Oddly, in contrast to your experience, we both hated the Tour F.

I bought 2 EZXi98 on TW closeout and love them.

Most folks who've tried the line don't notice a huge difference between iterations...which is smart on the part of Yonex. Don't mess up a good a thing that plays and sells well.

FWIW, the 2018 EZone goes back to the Xi squared mold.

Judging by your avatar you love Yonex as well. I grew up using Rossi's and I think the shape of them and Yonex plays a part in liking them so much

 

[dje31]

Judging by your avatar you love Yonex as well. I grew up using Rossi's and I think the shape of them and Yonex plays a part in liking them so much

Guilty as charged. I had an ambassador-type of sponsorship with Rossignol in the early 80s. They'll always have a place in my heart.

Plus as a skier, I have an affinity for brands that also do skis, Yonex notwithstanding.

 

[DJ-]

Guilty as charged. I had an ambassador-type of sponsorship with Rossignol in the early 80s. They'll always have a place in my heart.

Plus as a skier, I have an affinity for brands that also do skis, Yonex notwithstanding.

A few of us hoping they re-invent a new line one day.... it was nice seeing 'made in France' writing on a racquet! Their ski's are top notch also

 

[nvr2old]

EZXi98 head is more squared, typical Yonex isometric shape. Ai/DR are less square, more rounded at top op hoop.

Demoed the EZAi98 and VCTF97 together, the former for my wife, the latter for myself. Oddly, in contrast to your experience, we both hated the Tour F.

I bought 2 EZXi98 on TW closeout and love them.

Most folks who've tried the line don't notice a huge difference between iterations...which is smart on the part of Yonex. Don't mess up a good a thing that plays and sells well.

FWIW, the 2018 EZone goes back to the Xi squared mold.

Xi98 - raw, not many technologies just a solid frame, felt a bit clunky at times but a beautiful frame, Ai98 buttery smooth, great allrounder very flexy at the throat needs a bit of lead in the hoop. Dr98 more crisper than Ai98.. And as mentioned above the more squarer shape on Xi... Looks like the new ezones gone more in the square direction also!

Awesome thx. I love both of my Yonex sticks. May pick up a xi to try too. I love buying new old stock vs new. Truly believe great deals to be had with little tech downside.

 

[DJ-]

The Japanese always seem to test the new releases before many others...

 

[TennisHound]

"...hate..." is a pretty strong word for the VCTF 97

 

[dje31]

Thanks for the video. Thoughts:

- not bad, but I like the videos from Fukky's better;

- those courts look like arse, and desperately need resurfacing;

- the guy is a mile behind the baseline during the rallies.

 

[dje31]

"...hated..." is a pretty strong word for the VCTF 97.

Well, it's quicker than saying, "it had no redeeming qualities for me, my wife, or our game / strokes."

The paintjob wasn't bad...there, I said something nice about it.

 

[nvr2old]

Well, it's quicker than saying, "it had no redeeming qualities for me, my wife, or our game / strokes."

The paintjob wasn't bad...there, I said something nice about it.

HAha. Funny stuff.

 

[TennisHound]

 

[dje31]

Those guys rule when it comes to new tennis gear videos

 

[n8dawg6]

the xi is the gender-neutral version of this racquet

 

[peterpenhk]

Great video, a racquet intro/review somehow becomes 11mins of entertainment

 

[TennisHound]

Great video, a racquet intro/review somehow becomes 11mins of entertainment

I know. These Fukkyn guys are the best!

 

[UCSF2012]

the xi was the best of all of them. the wider head made it easier to use. You can feel more off-centered shots from the ai and dr. Even more so from the si version.

The newest ezone is def something worth trying if it has that same wide head.

 

[dje31]

the xi is the gender-neutral version of this racquet

Which, in itself, is odd / ironic, because when it was released, it was pitched as the racquet of choice for Ana Ivanovic...and yet, even today, it's still Nick K's RoC, underneath a DR paintjob.

But then, given the times in which we live, maybe that's what makes it gender neutral.

But I'm a cranky old fart, so what the hell do I know? Let alone whether that matters...