Yonex Head to Head - RDS 003 vs. NSRQ-7 MP

[netman]

I have acquired one NSRQ-7 MP and two RDS 003 racquets over the last few weeks. The NSRQ-7 has been cut down to 27.25 to match the RDS 003 frames. All three have 4 grams of lead at 2:30 and 9:30. All are strung with Gosen SM 17 at 58 mains, 56 crosses. This is a head to head comp of a thinner tip, thicker throat frame (NSRQ-7) vs. a thicker tip, thinner throat frame (RDS 003). After 3 weeks of play, interesting profiles are emerging.

Serves. The NSRQ-7 gives phenomenal control on serves. The ball goes exactly where you want it to go with good pace and spin. The RDS 003 hits a monster flat serve. While control with the RDS 003 is less than the NSRQ-7, pace is substantially higher and the ball comes off the court like a bullet.

Groundies. Again, control is the NSRQ-7's forte. Needs a full swing to generate any kind of depth and pace, but its very easy to carve up the court with angles, spins and placement. The RDS 003 is no power stick, but it still needs a touch of topspin to keep hard hit shots in play. Where it shines is on shots where prep time is short. Its a stiffer frame and can bail you out when you don't (or can't) prep early enough.

Volleys. Both volley well, but again the stiffer RDS 003 bails you out on reaction and half volleys. If you don't have good form, the NSRQ-7 generates a wimpy volley. However, good form is rewarded by the NSRQ-7 with more control and touch options. The RDS 003's stiffness makes touch shots more demanding, but reaction volleys winners.

Overheads. RDS 003 is a monster. Period. NSRQ-7 flex gives more spin options, but a well struck OH with the RDS 003 takes divots out of the court.

Service returns. Better take a good cut with the NSRQ-7 or you get a flutter ball. RDS 003 blocks back shots with more authority, but returns can sail on you if you take too big a swing without adding some topspin.

Comfort. Both frames are amazingly comfortable. I've got old joints and even after 3 hours of hard play (and plenty of mishits) there is no lingering pain.

Summary. I tend to hit high on the frame. So the RDS 003 with a thicker tip and thinner throat matches my style well. I find myself using it most of the time. But occasionally I pull out the NSRQ-7 because it allows you to carve up the court with touch and angles. If I find my shots and serves going long, the NSRQ-7 tames things and gets me back in the groove. All in all, I am totally impressed with the quality of these Yonex frames. Will up date as I get more play time.

-k-

 

[scotus]

Comfort. Both frames are amazingly comfortable. I've got old joints and even after 3 hours of hard play (and plenty of mishits) there is no lingering pain.

As comfortable as your PK 5g?

 

[netman]

As comfortable as your PK 5g?

Amazingly, yes. I have a simple comfort measurement. Does my elbow or shoulder hurt the next day after a long match or practice session? So far, there has been no pain with the Yonex frames. This matches my 5g. And the RDS 003 has more pop than the 5g. In fact the lower weight of the RDS 003 doesn't tire me out as quickly as the 5g either.

Never thought I'd find an equal to the 5g for joint comfort, but at least the Yonex frames aren't worse.

-k-

 

[armand]

All three have 4 grams of lead at 2:30 and 10:30.

You put the ass in assymetric

Just kidding, natch. Good review, thanks. I gather the 003 has a larger sweetspot due to stiffness and iso-whatever head orientation. Does it? And by how much?

 

[fielders_80]

How would you compare the power of RDS003 vs. RDS001? I know RDS003 is more powerful, but is it by much?

 

[Sagittar]

good article .. enjoyed reading

 

[netman]

I gather the 003 has a larger sweetspot due to stiffness and iso-whatever head orientation. Does it? And by how much?

Yes, the RDS 003 has a bigger sweetspot, mainly in the upper hoop area. I have found stringing it at a lower tension helps as well. It is very sensitive to tension, losing a lot of its comfot and feel above 60 lbs.

-k-

 

[netman]

How would you compare the power of RDS003 vs. RDS001? I know RDS003 is more powerful, but is it by much?

Sorry, I can't compare them. Have never hit with an RDS 001. Perhaps someone else can chime in on this one.

-k-

 

[netman]

You put the ass in assymetric

Good catch. That should have been 2:30 and 9:30.

-k-

 

[counterpuncher]

How would you compare the power of RDS003 vs. RDS001? I know RDS003 is more powerful, but is it by much?

I play with an RDS001 and have had a brief demo with an RDS003. I found that in coming from an RDS001, I could not afford to hit flat with the RDS003 otherwise the balls would sail long.

As the there is also about 20 grams of weight difference in going from one to the other you would really need to slow your swing down or brush up a lot more aggressively to hit with more topspin.

If I had to put a figure on it, I would say that the RDS003 has about 20% more power.

 

[onkystomper]

I would say that the rds 003 is 25% less powerful than the rds 001. The sweetspot is also a fair bit larger. Even larger than the extra 2 sq " should make it.

 

[counterpuncher]

I would say that the rds 003 is 25% less powerful than the rds 001.

Did you find it less powerful than the RDS001?

 

[fielders_80]

Thanks for the info.

I play with an RDS001 and have had a brief demo with an RDS003. I found that in coming from an RDS001, I could not afford to hit flat with the RDS003 otherwise the balls would sail long.

As the there is also about 20 grams of weight difference in going from one to the other you would really need to slow your swing down or brush up a lot more aggressively to hit with more topspin.

If I had to put a figure on it, I would say that the RDS003 has about 20% more power.

 

[Noveson]

Did you find it less powerful than the RDS001?

I think that just must've been a typo. Everyone I know found the 003 more powerful, not to mention all the users on ths board.

 

[netman]

Update. Now have 3 hard league sets on the RDS 003. It is very sensitive to string. I changed from the Yonex 850 multi to my standard Gosen SM 17 and the difference was eye opening. Sharp, crisp volleys that can be placed on a dime, monster overheads and flat serves, drop shots that stick to the court and greatly improved "feel". Groundstrokes do require a touch of spin, flat ones tend to fly. Slice and topspin serves require a big cut, otherwise they fly long.

In comparison to the PK 5g, the RDS 003 (as I have it configured) plays like a slightly more powerful 5g with a bigger sweetspot. Its also not as muted on contact, which I actually like. Still no arm or shoulder pain so I'm comfortable the RDS 003 won't cause any long term problems. If you like the 5g or 7g but want a touch more power and better "feel", the RDS 003 is worth a demo.

The NSRQ-7 has been in the bag recently as the RDS 003 continues to work better for me. Also changed it to Gosen SM 17 which did improve feel and crispness. Will give more court time in the future.

-k-

 

[coolblue123]

Hi netman:
That's what I did converted from as well. I was using a 7g, now using a RDS003. The only thing i can complain about is the touch and feel. Really hard to do drop volleys. Thinking about switching strings, I've been using el-cheapo Gamma's cause I break them twice a month. i was wondering if you could recommend a 16 gauge string for the 003? thx

 

[a guy]

What is your opinion on the volleys with the 003?

 

[Nastase]

I have been hitting with the 003 a bit...coming from a POG OS which I have used for years. I am a former college player. As I have aged (over 40 now) I have given thought to something a bit easier to play with, but still control oriented, etc...I must say I never thought myself a Yonex guy (square head, chick stick reputation, I despise Hewitt, ect) but this is one sweet hit...easy to play with, power is decent but not huge , sweet spot is big, controllable = this is no Pure Drive...I am going to give it a few more days but if the honeymoon lasts I my get a few...there is so much talk about the 001 here, and its a nice hit as well, but the 003 seems to be a racquet that could apply to a lot of folks across a pretty big playing strata.

 

[netman]

Hi netman:
That's what I did converted from as well. I was using a 7g, now using a RDS003. The only thing i can complain about is the touch and feel. Really hard to do drop volleys. Thinking about switching strings, I've been using el-cheapo Gamma's cause I break them twice a month. i was wondering if you could recommend a 16 gauge string for the 003? thx

I'm a hard core Gosen Sheep Micro fan. I try other stuff but always come back. The Gosen SM 16 is almost a 16L. I buy the generic reels for $30 which makes a string job cost less than $2. You might want to give it try. If you break the mains first, you should try a hybrid of SM 16 on the mains and SM 17 on the crosses. I used this on my old Prince Bandit OS which ate strings alive and it almost doubled the time between breaks.

-k-

 

[netman]

What is your opinion on the volleys with the 003?

Once I changed the strings, loved the volleys. I'm mainly a S&V player and the RDS 003 gives a little extra pop at the net but still has great control. I'm finding my volleys are going deeper with same effort which is really nice. I string it toward the low end of the tension range and this actually gave me the added depth without reducing control.

-k-

 

[netman]

...but the 003 seems to be a racquet that could apply to a lot of folks across a pretty big playing strata.

Agree. Its provides a little extra help on the power side without detracting from the control. Definitely seems to be a player racquet that tiptoes slightly into tweener territory. Also my first foray into using Yonex frames and I continue to be impressed by the build quality and almost perfect balance of weight, control and power.

-k-

 

[headfan91]

netman,
what other racquets that you have tried are similar to the 003?

 

[netman]

netman,
what other racquets that you have tried are similar to the 003?

Did this comparative review of TW which included the RDS 003 and two other racquets TW staff felt were similar to it:

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/playtests/NETMAN03.html

Also did a comparative review that included the NSRQ-7. These tests were what first exposed me to the Yonex frames.

-k-

 

[headfan91]

great...thanks for the review.

 

[netman]

Final post to this thread.

Played against a hard hitting youngster fresh out of college. He had massive topspin groundstrokes, big kick serves and decent volleys. Played high school and small college. He hit the ball very hard on both serves and groundies. The RDS 003 took the pounding and dished out as much as it was given. It was absolutely rock solid on every shot I asked it to hit. Had my share of clean winners. I was routinely hitting serves in the low 100s and it just felt as smooth as butter. I focused on taking his serves early and on the rise and the RDS delivered deep drives, down and into the shoelaces. Volleys were a bit tougher. If I was late to the ball it flew out of the court. But good form rewards you with deep volleys that skid off the court. And the RDS played particularly well against all the dippers I kept having to dig out of the court.

I'm too old to go against someone this young, but was able to hang around the entire match. Probably the hardest I have hit the ball for 2 hours in a long time. No elbow or shoulder pain at all. The RDS 003 made it fun and comfortable to play power tennis.

Too wrap up, the RDS 003 has knocked off the 5g and will now be my primary stick. Have it strung at 59 mains, 57 crosses. 4 grams of lead at 2:30 and 9:30, 4 grams at 12. This will be the configuration I use from here on out. This is one amazing, all court racquet that can deliver any shot you ask of it. Congratulations to Yonex for creating such a wonderful frame. Guess I'm now officially a Yonnie.

-k-

 

[Nastase]

good stuff...glad you are happy with the stick. I am gonna stay with the POGs, having used it for 25+ yrs its just like a divorce or something to leave it... but I could use this stick easily.

 

[backcourt]

Great review Netman. I agree with you analysis about how great the 003 is for blockbacks and late volleys, as well as flat serves. I really liked this racquet, and have a history of shoulder problems, which it was good for. I just found its swingweight and balance kept me from being able to get enough kick on my bread and butter lefty kick serve, and i couldn't get the racquet over the ball quick enough for massive topspin on my forehand, which is my other main weapon. Barring these issues it would have been a keeper. Loved it for backhands!