Yonex V core Pro 97 and V core 95 vs Pro Staff 97 (non countervail)

[CQ007]

Hello -
I’m a former Pro Staff 97 user and just moved over to the new V Core 95. I love the V Core 95 from the baseline, OHs and serving however I find it unstable at the net and lacking punch when not swinging 90% RHS or greater. I have reverted back to my Pro Staff 97 (all black non countervail version) and appreciate the stability of this racquet even more. Can anybody tell me where the V Core Pro 97 sits relative to the V core 95 and Pro Staff 97? What I am after in a perfect world is a V Core 95 feel, precision and RHS with the stability a slight power bump of the Pro Staff 97. Is that asking too much (-;

Hoping Sean from TW can chime in also as his review of V Core 95 was dead accurate and he had much praise for the VCore 97.

All input appreciated
Chris

 

[JoaoN]

I am currently rotating the Vcore pro 97 310g and the RF97 trying to figure which one i will choose as my main stick. I really love the Vcore pro 97 , and i am assuming you are asking about the 310g. The only one thing i don't like about it is the stability, it isn't bad, but since i am comparing it with the RF97, it is a little unfair.

I might try some lead at 3 and 9 or 2 and 10 on the Yonex to see how it plays, but overall, it is a great racquet, good power, control and spin. And i love serving with it.

 

[CQ007]

Thanks for the info - should have clarified. I’m referring to the 310 version of the V core pro as well as the standard PS97 (non RF). I actually find the standard PS97 to be pretty solid from a stability point of view. I plan to play test the V Core Pro 97 310 after the holidays but am trying to figure out if it is worth my while and how it compares to the Pro Staff 97. As I mentioned i like the pro staff 97 but would like a touch more control without giving up the stability - thanks

 

[JoaoN]

Thanks for the info - should have clarified. I’m referring to the 310 version of the V core pro as well as the standard PS97 (non RF). I actually find the standard PS97 to be pretty solid from a stability point of view. I plan to play test the V Core Pro 97 310 after the holidays but am trying to figure out if it is worth my while and how it compares to the Pro Staff 97. As I mentioned i like the pro staff 97 but would like a touch more control without giving up the stability - thanks

Well i think it is worth demoing the vcore, i really like both touch and control of it.

 

[TW Staff]

@CQ007

In a perfect world, the VCORE Pro 97 310 would be able to do everything you asked, and although it isn't quite as soft as the VCORE 95, there is more feedback and a crisper feel. I think it's probably pretty similar in terms of stability compared to the VCORE 95, and so it might not be as forgiving in the top of the stringbed as you're looking for. There are a couple ways of dealing with that though — you could add a smidgen of weight or sting it looser and that should help quite a bit.

What's holding you back from trying the VCORE Pro 330 or as @JoaoN said, putting some weight on the VCORE 95? I found both of those options to be exceptionally stable, but I often prefer manueverability to stability, hence my preference to the 310.

One more thing... I always feel like I serve really well with heavier racquets, but struggle with other areas of my game. The point is that there is no perfect racquet or string that's going to be ideal, there are always going to be trade-offs. It's all about finding something you are comfortable and can trust so you can fill in the gaps through practice and work.

Happy Hitting and Holidays!
-Sean, TW

 

[CQ007]

@CQ007

In a perfect world, the VCORE Pro 97 310 would be able to do everything you asked, and although it isn't quite as soft as the VCORE 95, there is more feedback and a crisper feel. I think it's probably pretty similar in terms of stability compared to the VCORE 95, and so it might not be as forgiving in the top of the stringbed as you're looking for. There are a couple ways of dealing with that though — you could add a smidgen of weight or sting it looser and that should help quite a bit.

What's holding you back from trying the VCORE Pro 330 or as @JoaoN said, putting some weight on the VCORE 95? I found both of those options to be exceptionally stable, but I often prefer manueverability to stability, hence my preference to the 310.

One more thing... I always feel like I serve really well with heavier racquets, but struggle with other areas of my game. The point is that there is no perfect racquet or string that's going to be ideal, there are always going to be trade-offs. It's all about finding something you are comfortable and can trust so you can fill in the gaps through practice and work.

Happy Hitting and Holidays!
-Sean, TW

Hey Sean, thanks for taking the time to comment above. A bit about me - 4.5 Western aggressive all court player. Last 10 yrs - Prince EX03 Tour (18x20), Ai98 and DR98 with 2 Gr @ 3&9. I’m a pretty devoted Yonex guy and really agreed with your VCore 95 commentary on your review. I can swing for the fences and still manage to hit my targets with amazing control because the spin is so tight and the racquet responds so well to big cuts. However at the net or in a tight dubs exchange the stability is simply not there. The pro staff 97 is just 5g more @ 315 and provides way more stability in those situations but lacks the ball crushing racquet head speed from the Vcore 95 that is so addictive. I get it - there is no perfect stick. I have messed around with some lead on the VCore 95 yet all of the attributes that make it great from the baseline are deminished when I do so. I may just stay with my Pro Staffs and call it a day however I do like your VCore Pro 97 330 idea as it sounds like a solid stick. I guess I’ve always considered anything out of the box that was 330g to be a lot to manage as I’m entering a third set. If the Vcore Pro 97 310 is around the same stability as the Vcore 95 then I’m out for that option. Appreciate you taking the time to comment and Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and your family.
Really like this forum and am a big TW fan

Keep up the great work
Chris

 

[Ufukozg]

Hey Sean, thanks for taking the time to comment above. A bit about me - 4.5 Western aggressive all court player. Last 10 yrs - Prince EX03 Tour (18x20), Ai98 and DR98 with 2 Gr @ 3&9. I’m a pretty devoted Yonex guy and really agreed with your VCore 95 commentary on your review. I can swing for the fences and still manage to hit my targets with amazing control because the spin is so tight and the racquet responds so well to big cuts. However at the net or in a tight dubs exchange the stability is simply not there. The pro staff 97 is just 5g more @ 315 and provides way more stability in those situations but lacks the ball crushing racquet head speed from the Vcore 95 that is so addictive. I get it - there is no perfect stick. I have messed around with some lead on the VCore 95 yet all of the attributes that make it great from the baseline are deminished when I do so. I may just stay with my Pro Staffs and call it a day however I do like your VCore Pro 97 330 idea as it sounds like a solid stick. I guess I’ve always considered anything out of the box that was 330g to be a lot to manage as I’m entering a third set. If the Vcore Pro 97 310 is around the same stability as the Vcore 95 then I’m out for that option. Appreciate you taking the time to comment and Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and your family.
Really like this forum and am a big TW fan

Keep up the great work
Chris

Have you tried the new VC98 ?

 

[CQ007]

Have you tried the new VC98 ?

Yes I have and also had a brief encounter with the SV98. I find them both a bit too stiff for my taste and just like how the ball sinks in on the VC95. I have a history with racquets with a softer feel - EX03 Tour 18x20 and Ai/Dr98s

 

[counterpuncher]

The VC 98 is less stiff than the SV98.The VC98 (or Ezone 98) with some lead at 3 & 9, is what I would recommend. I also am a PS97 user along with a Yonex fan.

The only other options i'd say are close are the Project One Strike, which has better stability in stock form than the PS97 or the Graphene Touch Radical Pro.

 

[CQ007]

The VC 98 is less stiff than the SV98.The VC98 (or Ezone 98) with some lead at 3 & 9, is what I would recommend. I also am a PS97 user along with a Yonex fan.

The only other options i'd say are close are the Project One Strike, which has better stability in stock form than the PS97 or the Graphene Touch Radical Pro.

Are you currently using the PS97 as well as the VC98? I find the ProStaff 97 to be fairly stable in stock form and it checks many boxes for my style of play (all court w western grip). I really like the launch angle combined with the heavy spin. Allows me to keep opponents pinned to their backcourt quite well. I hit the Vcore 95 in stock for a bit but unless you are crushing each shot the second you let off it’s easy to leave a short ball. I also didnt don’t it stable for volley exchanges. I have just added some lead at 3&9 with some counter balance in the handle and it feels much better. How would you compre your weighted up Vcore 98 to Pro Staff 97? What is your style of play and what to you like about each stick?

 

[counterpuncher]

Yes i am using both the PS97 & VC98, although tbe VC98 is a recent addition and i haven't hit it much as yet.

As per yourself i find the PS97 stable enough in stock form, but i found the VC98 needed a little lead at 3 & 9 for better torsional stability. The SW was lower on mine, so that could have been the reason.

I am counterpuncher so i will rally with deep shots and only go for winners when the opportunity arises.

PS97 is my comfort stick, i get good power and spin and it is good for me on serves. It also has that extra oomph that i require when i go for a winner. I also like the feel and comfort is decent.

The VC98 from my initial hits feels somewhat similar with a touch more power. I generally play well woth Yonex sticks and so i"ll see in time whether it replaces the PS97 where the Ezone 98, SV98, DR98, etc. have failed. So far the results are promising.

 

[Crocodile]

I also prefer the feel of the V Core 95 and the solution is to add a leather grip and lead at 9 and 3. The current V Pro 98 330 is not as good as previous models particularly the orange version which I think is my favourite. The current version is a bit tinny and unstable. The Wilson, I don't have an opinion accept that it's hard to get consistent specs. Good luck with it.

 

[Galdust]

The VC 98 is less stiff than the SV98.The VC98 (or Ezone 98) with some lead at 3 & 9, is what I would recommend. I also am a PS97 user along with a Yonex fan.

The only other options i'd say are close are the Project One Strike, which has better stability in stock form than the PS97 or the Graphene Touch Radical Pro.

Would you say that the VC 98 and Ezone 98 have a similar feel?

 

[counterpuncher]

Would you say that the VC 98 and Ezone 98 have a similar feel?

Yes they are very similar. You can almost replicate each with an appropriate string choice.

The VC98 for me is a tad stiffer, more solid and powerful and a tad less torsionally stable. They are very close that you can easily switch between the two.

 

[CQ007]

Yes i am using both the PS97 & VC98, although tbe VC98 is a recent addition and i haven't hit it much as yet.

As per yourself i find the PS97 stable enough in stock form, but i found the VC98 needed a little lead at 3 & 9 for better torsional stability. The SW was lower on mine, so that could have been the reason.

I am counterpuncher so i will rally with deep shots and only go for winners when the opportunity arises.

PS97 is my comfort stick, i get good power and spin and it is good for me on serves. It also has that extra oomph that i require when i go for a winner. I also like the feel and comfort is decent.

The VC98 from my initial hits feels somewhat similar with a touch more power. I generally play well woth Yonex sticks and so i"ll see in time whether it replaces the PS97 where the Ezone 98, SV98, DR98, etc. have failed. So far the results are promising.

Thanks for the feedback and also the comments on the V Core 95. I’m going to play around with the lead tape a bit and if it is to my liking I will certainly throw on a leather grip as well. As you mention above the big attribute with the Pro Staff 97 is solid power with great bite on the ball especially when on the run or pulled out wide. It just neutralizes opponents very well by keepin them deep. I’m going to give the Vcore 95 another go this week - Dubs Wednesday and singles Thursday. Thanks again and I’ll update with my conclusion as I am not going to mess around between these two much longer.

 

[max]

Hey Sean, thanks for taking the time to comment above. A bit about me - 4.5 Western aggressive all court player. Last 10 yrs - Prince EX03 Tour (18x20), Ai98 and DR98 with 2 Gr @ 3&9. I’m a pretty devoted Yonex guy and really agreed with your VCore 95 commentary on your review. I can swing for the fences and still manage to hit my targets with amazing control because the spin is so tight and the racquet responds so well to big cuts. However at the net or in a tight dubs exchange the stability is simply not there. The pro staff 97 is just 5g more @ 315 and provides way more stability in those situations but lacks the ball crushing racquet head speed from the Vcore 95 that is so addictive. I get it - there is no perfect stick. I have messed around with some lead on the VCore 95 yet all of the attributes that make it great from the baseline are deminished when I do so. I may just stay with my Pro Staffs and call it a day however I do like your VCore Pro 97 330 idea as it sounds like a solid stick. I guess I’ve always considered anything out of the box that was 330g to be a lot to manage as I’m entering a third set. If the Vcore Pro 97 310 is around the same stability as the Vcore 95 then I’m out for that option. Appreciate you taking the time to comment and Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and your family.
Really like this forum and am a big TW fan

Keep up the great work
Chris

Volkl C-10 for you, my friend! Have a good 2019.

 

[Syfo-Dias]

Thanks for the feedback and also the comments on the V Core 95. I’m going to play around with the lead tape a bit and if it is to my liking I will certainly throw on a leather grip as well. As you mention above the big attribute with the Pro Staff 97 is solid power with great bite on the ball especially when on the run or pulled out wide. It just neutralizes opponents very well by keepin them deep. I’m going to give the Vcore 95 another go this week - Dubs Wednesday and singles Thursday. Thanks again and I’ll update with my conclusion as I am not going to mess around between these two much longer.

Adding a leather grip and lead tape to the VC 95 makes a big difference. I put 5" long strips at 3 & 9 Wawrinka style and it improved stability a lot.

 

[CQ007]

Yes i am using both the PS97 & VC98, although tbe VC98 is a recent addition and i haven't hit it much as yet.

As per yourself i find the PS97 stable enough in stock form, but i found the VC98 needed a little lead at 3 & 9 for better torsional stability. The SW was lower on mine, so that could have been the reason.

I am counterpuncher so i will rally with deep shots and only go for winners when the opportunity arises.

PS97 is my comfort stick, i get good power and spin and it is good for me on serves. It also has that extra oomph that i require when i go for a winner. I also like the feel and comfort is decent.

The VC98 from my initial hits feels somewhat similar with a touch more power. I generally play well woth Yonex sticks and so i"ll see in time whether it replaces the PS97 where the Ezone 98, SV98, DR98, etc. have failed. So far the results are promising.

Hey, just following up to see how the weighted up V core 98 has worked out in the long run compared to the PS97 (stock)? I’m still hitting the ProStaff97. Thx

 

[counterpuncher]

Hey, just following up to see how the weighted up V core 98 has worked out in the long run compared to the PS97 (stock)? I’m still hitting the ProStaff97. Thx

I ended up staying with PS97. The other two main sticks in my bag are the Pure Strike (PO7) and Pure Aero Tour, usually for doubles.

 

[CQ007]

Thanks for the reply - I have also stayed with the PS97 but was curious what specs you had set up the Vcore 98 at if you stuck with it. I tried all kinds of different weight set ups and strings and just never got it to perform quite like my PS97.

Thx

 

[BLACKOUT]

Weighting up the VCORE 95 is key. Mines are coming in at 345 grams, 30.5cm unstrung. Leather grip and weight at 10 & 2

 

[counterpuncher]

Thanks for the reply - I have also stayed with the PS97 but was curious what specs you had set up the Vcore 98 at if you stuck with it. I tried all kinds of different weight set ups and strings and just never got it to perform quite like my PS97.

Mine had 4 grams of lead tape (total) at 3 and 9, everything else was stock. With regards to string, Black Widow I found worked well as it does for me in the PS97 and PO7. I usually string low around 45lbs/42lbs. For me the lower tension on the crosses improves the feel and sweetspot significantly.

 

[Prince Vegeta]

I would just add some lead to the Yonex 95. Problem solved.

Edit:

I now see this thread is from last year. Whoops.