Yonex Vcore Pro 97HD vs Yonex Vcore Pro 97D

[robyrolfo]

HDMX in the VCP HD is probably the best full multi setup I've tried so far.
Good balance of pop from multis and control from the poly-like material.
Going to ask my TF rep for a reel of HDMX 1.30mm.

Have you tried Triax? I'm using the HDMX in my 97 310 (and liking it), but my stringer convinced me to try a full bed of Triax (16g) in my 97 HD, and I really like it a lot. Great feel, good performance (mix of power and spin/control), and mine has to be at something like 15plus hours so far with no issues. If I had to chose between the two, I'd go with Triax over HDMX.

4 3/8

Sorry, mine is 4 1/4

 

[janelgreo]

.

Sorry, mine is 4 1/4

All good, thank you though. Ended up just buying the two matched pairs from another retailer.

 

[robyrolfo]

All good, thank you though. Ended up just buying the two matched pairs from another retailer.

Cool, let us know how it goes. With all this talk about the newer batches being lighter, it makes me wonder if I should try to find another one.

 

[janelgreo]

Cool, let us know how it goes. With all this talk about the newer batches being lighter, it makes me wonder if I should try to find another one.

Is it lighter? Static weight wise it looked spot on, or were you talking about SW which seems to be lower across the board compared to the early batches that TW has specs for.

I strung 1 with Hyper G 18 @ 48 and the other with Tour Bite 18 @ 48. I haven’t used Solinco strings before so I’m pretty excited to see what the hype is all about. I’ll continue to use Kirschbaum Max Power Rough as my tourney string, currently use 17 @ 48 but just received 18 in and can’t wait to try it. Should I string higher, lower, or stay the same with the thinner strings?

This is the first 18x20 frame I actually truly enjoy playing with, so it’ll be fun experimenting.

 

[robyrolfo]

Yes, sorry, I was talking about swingweight, as per the comment below from 10-S. My 97D feels noticeably more heavy to swing than my 97HD. It's not a huge difference, but I can feel it immediately.

That said, I just did a little hitting and decided to bring the 97D out, as I hadn't used it for about two months now. I started with my 97 310, so the D felt very heavy at first, but immediately I was hitting harder and heavier balls. It felt great. Tomorrow morning I'm playing some doubles, so I'm going to give it another shot!

As far as string tension with 18g vs 17g, those things always confuse me a bit. I've read a little about thinner strings stretching more as you pull tension on them, thus making them less flexible once strung up, and in my own stringing experience you can indeed observe this phenomenon as you string. So, if I were you, I'd start with the same reference tension you are used to (looks like 48) and adjust from there.

It seems like the initial production run that TW rec'd had a higher SW that was around 330. The two 97D's I purchased from a different retailer around 5 months later have specs similar to yours.

 

[dropvolley123]

Yes, my brief stint with a 97HD, the used one I bought had klip gut mains and Gamma Glide crosses.
It crushed balls and had surprising spin.
No clue the tension but it felt pretty firm.
The racquet didn't feel good otherwise (I think the owner had modded it) so I had to sell it.

Thank you for your kind response!

 

[janelgreo]

Just got my two matched 97D’s delivered today, literally 2 day shipping from another retailer. One strung with Hyper G 18 is 334g strung and the Tour Bite 18 is 338g strung. Racquets were at 324g unstrung. Surprised Hyper G 18 only weighs 10g.

I’m excited to hit with them, they’re almost identical to my main stick I bought used from someone so thank you Yonex QC.

 

[artdeco]

Just got my two matched 97D’s delivered today, literally 2 day shipping from another retailer. One strung with Hyper G 18 is 334g strung and the Tour Bite 18 is 338g strung. Racquets were at 324g unstrung. Surprised Hyper G 18 only weighs 10g.

I’m excited to hit with them, they’re almost identical to my main stick I bought used from someone so thank you Yonex QC.

What's the swing-weight on these?

 

[janelgreo]

What's the swing-weight on these?

Unfortunately I can’t measure, and haven’t really tried the TWU method. Maybe I will at a later time but unstrung they were at 294 and 295.

 

[phil7777777]

looking through the posts it seems like the TW initial specs were high for SW, personally happy to hear as they were beefy. Was there a final consensus on the production SW for 310, D, H models?

 

[FuzzyYellowBalls]

These are all unstrung of course....
Vcore 97 D TW matching service results:

#1: W:323.89g Bal:31.4cm SW:297
#2: W:325.60g Bal:31.4cm SW:300
#3: W:324.28g Bal:31.1cm SW:292
#4: W:324.28g Bal:31.1cm SW:292
#5: W:323.42g Bal:31.4cm SW:297

I asked TW for the lowest SW H they had in stock and got these 2: (Vcore H)

1) 11.69oz, 10.5 HL, 303 SW

2) 11.71oz, 10.5 HL, 303 SW

Apologies for format, copy/paste issue.

Highly recommend the TW matching service, excellent and thorough.

 

[Trip]

@FuzzyYellowBalls - Did you pull the trigger on multiple 97D's and/or 97H's?

 

[FuzzyYellowBalls]

@FuzzyYellowBalls - Did you pull the trigger on multiple 97D's and/or 97H's?

Yes, 2 and 2 of them. But, sold them. Using the Regna for now. The D and H are great sticks though. I don't play incredibly different with them. I did find the H amazing on serves, but it takes a full body effort and frankly for 3 singles matches or more in a weekend of 100 degree heat, was fun, but not needed to win and very tiring.

 

[Phat Dave]

Yes, 2 and 2 of them. But, sold them. Using the Regna for now. The D and H are great sticks though. I don't play incredibly different with them. I did find the H amazing on serves, but it takes a full body effort and frankly for 3 singles matches or more in a weekend of 100 degree heat, was fun, but not needed to win and very tiring.

Regna is a perfect name for a tennis racket; because it's "anger" backwards...

 

[phil7777777]

Has anyone done a side by side comparison of the launch angle of the HD vs. D either stock or modified?

 

[GummiiBear]

Has anyone done a side by side comparison of the launch angle of the HD vs. D either stock or modified?

It’s been a while since I tried the 97D but if I recall correctly the launch angle of the 97HD I feel is more amenable to spin-y shots. The 97D was also less maneuverable? I may be conflating the two factors.

 

[10S-Junkie]

97HD hits a bit spinnier. 97D hits a bit heavier.

 

[Strayfire]

It’s been a while since I tried the 97D but if I recall correctly the launch angle of the 97HD I feel is more amenable to spin-y shots. The 97D was also less maneuverable? I may be conflating the two factors.

Racquet head speed helps you produce spin.

 

[Dado111]

thinking of buying 97D... a bit worried about different sw ppl reporting....

how is it possible if the racquet have correct 320g and correct 31cm balance to have a different sw? am i missing something?

 

[janelgreo]

thinking of buying 97D... a bit worried about different sw ppl reporting....

how is it possible if the racquet have correct 320g and correct 31cm balance to have a different sw? am i missing something?

I don't think the SW's have been that different, looks like the recent batches have been ranging from 320-330 depending on the strings you use. A lot of people, including myself use thinner gauge strings on the 97D due to the 18x20, strings will be lighter thus SW will be a tiny bit lower but it shouldn't be crazy. All mine when using 1.25 strings were right at 331 (2 matches and 1 purchased used)

 

[Dado111]

ah ok, that make sense then...bcs iirc when i tested that, there were a 10sw difference between the thinnest 1.18 and thickest 1.30 msv co focus on my racquets...bcs of 2g weight diff between different gauges (1.18, 1.23 and 1.30), so 4g diff in total in head weight

 

[Rasheeq Haq]

So I currently love my Yonex Vcore 97 HD version. Been playing with it for 2+ years now. RPM 17 cross at 45lbs and VS Gut 17 main at 47lbs. I also added a slight bit of led to the hoop (since this racquet really sucks when it comes to extra pop) about 4 grams total. I'm a high 4.0 (low 4.5) that plays competitively 3 times a week. Eastern forehand grip and single handed backhand with an aggressive all court game.

My only problem is when I start hitting with solid 4.5 players who counterpunch deep with spin. No matter how hard I strike the ball, I find myself getting pushed further and further back and eventually concede to a short or less than ideal shot. Would one recommend that I take a look at the Vcore pro D for the extra pop/spin?

Not sure how the newer one plays and I hate switching racquets, so looking for some guidance here. I played with the 330 in the past, but for some reason that racquet feels like a brick, even relative to the Wilson RF 97.

 

[Romix]

So I currently love my Yonex Vcore 97 HD version. Been playing with it for 2+ years now. RPM 17 cross at 45lbs and VS Gut 17 main at 47lbs. I also added a slight bit of led to the hoop (since this racquet really sucks when it comes to extra pop) about 4 grams total. I'm a high 4.0 (low 4.5) that plays competitively 3 times a week. Eastern forehand grip and single handed backhand with an aggressive all court game.

My only problem is when I start hitting with solid 4.5 players who counterpunch deep with spin. No matter how hard I strike the ball, I find myself getting pushed further and further back and eventually concede to a short or less than ideal shot. Would one recommend that I take a look at the Vcore pro D for the extra pop/spin?

Not sure how the newer one plays and I hate switching racquets, so looking for some guidance here. I played with the 330 in the past, but for some reason that racquet feels like a brick, even relative to the Wilson RF 97.

After playing with the 97D definitely has more pop from personal standpoint 97HD has more spin. Also i felt that the 97 D has a little too much weight in the head making it feel sluggish so i put weight in the handle to fix that.

 

[jalapeno74]

The differences between the HD and the D are noticeable, they are in the same ballpark but are different at the same time

The D is heftier and packs an extra punch. So when playing strong opponents the D gives you more counterstrike abilities.

The HD however has more finesse, so if you work a lot with drop shots, S&V, speed breaks - this one gives you more options.

It is a trade-off (as usual). I prefer the D nowadays as my opponents usually give me a lot of pace with their incoming shots and I can generate more depth and heft with the D. I also heard that quite often that they dont like me playing the D

 

[Rasheeq Haq]

That's interesting to hear... it seems like they fixed the dead hoop issue on the HD version (the reason I was adding 4 grams of lead to the top). Maybe the stock D version plays similarly to my modified HD!

Unfortunately just hard to demo given that I'm rather sensitive to string and tension with my racquets. Not sure anyone would have a D with Gut / RPM on it for me to play test!

 

[Trip]

@Rasheeq Haq - I think you'll find the D plays more-than-well-enough without any lead whatsoever under most conditions. The hoop is extremely stable, top to bottom, left to right. Along with the 97H, simply one of the most stable retail frames in stock form of anything out there (save for the RF97, but they're close).

TL;DR - After reading your initial post, I'm not sure the D is going to give you enough of a boost in that way you need, as, yes, it will have more pop and "thud factor" than the HD, but it will also be a bit more of bear to wield, especially in moments where you have to flick it quickly and/or make a reaching, extended, counter-punching forehand or backhand deep in the back-court. Just to be sure how much free power you really need, you might want to demo something like an Ezone 98, regular (with lead) or the Tour, or both. That will let you know more definitively what your upper bounds is for added free power.

 

[robyrolfo]

The differences between the HD and the D are noticeable, they are in the same ballpark but are different at the same time
The D is heftier and packs an extra punch. So when playing strong opponents the D gives you more counterstrike abilities.
The HD however has more finesse, so if you work a lot with drop shots, S&V, speed breaks - this one gives you more options.
It is a trade-off (as usual). I prefer the D nowadays as my opponents usually give me a lot of pace with their incoming shots and I can generate more depth and heft with the D. I also heard that quite often that they dont like me playing the D

Was going to say almost the exact same thing. While they are overall fairly similar racquets, in many ways they are actually quite different.

I agree that the D is much better at dealing with incoming pace, and that it comes at a sacrifice of some maneuverability. It forces you to prepare early and always be focused.

I'm still switching between both racquets (and the 310), and enjoying them both, but the 97D does indeed give me the occasional satisfaction of seeing an opponent struggle with the pace/weight of my shots (which doesn't happen often for me).

 

[tele]

how is it possible if the racquet have correct 320g and correct 31cm balance to have a different sw? am i missing something?

bc weight is not evenly distributed, weight and balance alone do not determine swingweight, to the chagrin of those of us without a swingweight machine. yonex has a good reputation, but as @FuzzyYellowBalls mentioned, if you are picky, the tw matching service is money well spent

 

[delosalpes]

I've been playing between the new VCore 98 and the new VCore Pro 100, with leather grips and overgrips as sole mod. I was favoring the 98 for a while, but recently added with 3 grams (total at 10 and 2) to the 100 and played my best tennis. However, after reading this thread, I wanted to give the 97D a shot. TW Europe had a nice Halloween discount, so I pulled the trigger. The 97D is on its way! New racquet day coming soon!

Have any of you tried a NG hybrid on the 97D? I'll be stringing it with VS Touch 1.30 and Poly Tour Fire 1.20.

 

[artdeco]

I've been playing between the new VCore 98 and the new VCore Pro 100, with leather grips and overgrips as sole mod. I was favoring the 98 for a while, but recently added with 3 grams (total at 10 and 2) to the 100 and played my best tennis. However, after reading this thread, I wanted to give the 97D a shot. TW Europe had a nice Halloween discount, so I pulled the trigger. The 97D is on its way! New racquet day coming soon!

Have any of you tried a NG hybrid on the 97D? I'll be stringing it with VS Touch 1.30 and Poly Tour Fire 1.20.

I had natural gut mains poly tour pro crosses in the HD I bought from **** (it came strung like that). Apparently 52lbs mains and crosses. It was very powerful and soft and I struggled to adapt initially. I would go higher if I strung this again. Might even go 60lbs on the gut mains.

 

[Fairhit]

I had natural gut mains poly tour pro crosses in the HD I bought from **** (it came strung like that). Apparently 52lbs mains and crosses. It was very powerful and soft and I struggled to adapt initially. I would go higher if I strung this again. Might even go 60lbs on the gut mains.

Monday I strung with Dynawire, 10% pre stretched, 50 lbs mains and 48 lbs crosses, I'm hoping it retains tension better.

 

[Rasheeq Haq]

I had natural gut mains poly tour pro crosses in the HD I bought from **** (it came strung like that). Apparently 52lbs mains and crosses. It was very powerful and soft and I struggled to adapt initially. I would go higher if I strung this again. Might even go 60lbs on the gut mains.

Had the total opposite experience with the HD. Were you using 16g for both strings? I'm at 17g VS Gut and 17g RPM blast and I have to string at 48/46 to the right amount of power and spin.

 

[delosalpes]

I currently have my VCP100 strung at 24.5kg on the gut mains and 23.5 on the PTF crosses. Butter.

 

[robyrolfo]

Have any of you tried a NG hybrid on the 97D? I'll be stringing it with VS Touch 1.30 and Poly Tour Fire 1.20.

After using only full beds of poly, a few weeks ago I restrung mine with a multi (Multifeel) in the mains, and poly (Ghostwire) in the crosses. The feel is fantastic, and plenty of spin for my game. I strung the mains at 47 and the crosses at 44, and if anything I would go up in tension slightly as I really prefer low powered setups and this one gives me plenty of pop.

 

[AmericanTwist]

Tonight I determined that a 97D strung at 40 lbs with syn gut 15/16 (which is probably down to 32 lbs by now) is too low for control for indoor play. For outdoor play down to 27 or 28F this low tension plays great. The D is nimble enough for dubs at 365g.

If anyone is looking to sell any 97HDs in 4 3/8 please let me know.