Yonex Vcore Pro 97HD vs Yonex Vcore Pro 97D

I have played with both the 97D and 97HD and I am ...

  • Staying with the 97HD

    Votes: 51 50.0%

  • Switching to the 97D

    Votes: 32 31.4%

  • Undecided for now

    Votes: 14 13.7%

  • Keeping both in my bag

    Votes: 7 6.9%
  • Total voters
    102
dontran said:
Volkl natural gut at 48 pounds in the mains and Toalson Asterista syn gut 130 at 48 pounds in the crosses? This is the first time I seen natural gut and syn gut below 50 lbs. no trampoline effect?
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My HD was 52lbs gut mains poly crosses and even that felt too powerful initially.
Once I got used to/it settled in it was incredible though. Thoroughly recommend natural gut mains in the HD.
 
cortado said:
My HD was 52lbs gut mains poly crosses and even that felt too powerful initially.
Once I got used to/it settled in it was incredible though. Thoroughly recommend natural gut mains in the HD.
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I will try this set up before going less than 50 lbs with gut/syn gut.
 
dontran said:
Volkl natural gut at 48 pounds in the mains and Toalson Asterista syn gut 130 at 48 pounds in the crosses? This is the first time I seen natural gut and syn gut below 50 lbs. no trampoline effect?
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I just hit with my second freshly bought HD today that I had strung with all poly at 48, and after playing with loose tension'd nat gut this summer, I dont think I will ever be able to return to polys. Playing them side to side: the difference in comfort, feel and power, inside the world's finest racquet, in a word: sublime. No trampoline whatsoever, just heavy precise balls that rewards the player who honors his kinetic chain responsibility. Might even venture down to 46 pounds, or for early xmas present go full bed gut
 
professorMoriarty said:
Hello my good tennis folk! 4.5-5.0 OHB player here.

so I’m an RF97 user at heart. That is my favourite stick—for 30min.

Frustrating because conflating the first half hour of play vs an entire session has been costly for me at tournaments and the lighter PS97 just feels like a different racket all together. So I made the tough decision and maybe the worst decision to go down the rabbit hole of racket switching/testing for a couple of months each time with different strings/tensions/grips/mods.

I tried the Pure Strike 16x19, too much spin and power, launch angle is too pronounced for me, so I landed on the 18x20 which was amazing for everything but for the most important part of my game. Serves. I like this stick so much that is my plan B racket in case I can’t find something “better” for my game.

Switched to the VCORE 95, underpowered but with mods, loved the serves and the feeling behind the baseline, but wasn’t my favourite at net or the slice, yet my tournament results suggest it was a vast improvement than playing with the RF97.

I went on vacation without my tennis gear thinking I needed a break except I was staying at a resort which had beautiful maintained courts in the mountains. So I drove to the local tennis shop and gambled on the 97D.

I’d previously tried the HD, but it felt as sluggish as the RF97 without the legendary feel and precision. I described my ideal racket and the guy said I was describing the 97D that was slightly lighter 320g. they didn’t have a demo in, so ai gambled and he gave me a stick with a swing weight of 322? (292 unstrung) and a static weight of 321g.

I’ve had the racket for a month now, strung it at 55, 50 and 48, I tried Gut/poly, full-bed poly, decided I wanted more spin so ended with RPM blast 18g at 48lbs. Maybe a bit too spin friendly now but I’m still working on finding the best set up at least I have a feel for the racket with different gauges and tensions!

The one handed backhand is where this shined brightest for me. I felt I could confidently swing and generate good depth, spin and pace (regardless my setup). 10/10

Backhand slice was a little less effortless and controlled as I would like, I felt I was creating different launch angles each swing, with the RF I feel each swing is going to produce a beautiful and identical knifing low slice, with this, Ifelt like I really had to time the ball perfectly and hit it below the shoulder level, something I didn’t have to worry about as much with the ProStaff, but the OHB was so good that this was probably better for my game since I was on the offensive more and at the same time, the slice was better than the Vcore 95, but not as good as the strike 18x20.
7/10

Forehand slice, I never really use this shot, but felt the same 7/10

Volleys. Felt great, good pocketing, nice depth, good control 8.5/10

Feel was good, a little dampened but I hit few drop shots without any issues, again, like the slice, cutting the ball after coming from the RF97 is going to make any racket feel slightly duller but it did it’s job each time 8/10


Forehand, maybe it was the swing weight (320-322) I think) but this felt whippy, I generated a ton of spin. Felt like the Vcore 95 with great directional control and more forgiveness, very nice behind the baseline BUT with the same lack of power of its smaller brethren which made it tough to put away winners. Need to add some led. I’m thinking a swing weight of 327ish would be ideal for me. So will try adding 1g at 12 and will report back. No grade for now.



Serves. Perfectly arm friendly and precise with A LOT of pace. My arm always tingles or has a day of tenderness after 2-3 sets with the RF97 or the PureStrike. Loved serve and volleying. I found myself serve and swing volleying winners a lot with this stick too. I had a lot of confidence for my service games. I was able to produce a lot of kick and the slice of my second serve, in fact I won more second serves than with my flat firsts oddly enough 9/10.

In conclusion, I really like this stick. I’ve only played it in stock form for now, but I’m confident with my strokes so I’m ordering a second stick, hopefully matched to these specs. I definitely felt this had more manoeuvrability than the HD or the RF97, obviously, the swing weight being as low as it was helped. Looking forward to playing this in my league. Still not sure if it’s better than the Pure Strike 18x20, but I’m winning more service games, but losing more return rallies! All in all 8/10 or 8.5/10 for me!

best,

Professor Moriarty!
Click to expand...
Nice detailed review, especially your section on serves. For me, the D's new design and tech seem to shine the most on serves.
 
For those who have played the HD and the D, do you believe TW measurement of 15 for the twist-weight on the D?
The HD supposedly has twist-weight of 14. I'm surprised it has increased so much on the D? I realise 1mm thicker beam, but weight and balance are the same.
 
cortado said:
For those who have played the HD and the D, do you believe TW measurement of 15 for the twist-weight on the D?
The HD supposedly has twist-weight of 14. I'm surprised it has increased so much on the D? I realise 1mm thicker beam, but weight and balance are the same.
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I find the D to be more stable for balls contacted outside of the sweetspot but would not have guessed 15.1 vs 14.1.
The 97H has a twistweight of 15.4 so we can only assume that TW's measurements/calculations are accurate and that the additional 1mm together with the higher stiffness, new throat design and tech cause a higher twistweight.
Regardless, I am enjoying the added stability, power and plow.
 
cortado said:
For those who have played the HD and the D, do you believe TW measurement of 15 for the twist-weight on the D?
The HD supposedly has twist-weight of 14. I'm surprised it has increased so much on the D? I realise 1mm thicker beam, but weight and balance are the same.
Click to expand...

I don’t know what a 14 vs 15 difference would feel like but it’s most certainly higher on the D.

Intuition tells me the answer to your question is ...yes, I believe it. I think. Is there another racquet you know of with one of 15?

Actually it looks like the Pure Drive Tour also seems to have one of 15.something.

If that’s accurate, then yes I believe it.
 
professorMoriarty said:
Forehand, maybe it was the swing weight (320-322) I think) but this felt whippy, I generated a ton of spin. Felt like the Vcore 95 with great directional control and more forgiveness, very nice behind the baseline BUT with the same lack of power of its smaller brethren which made it tough to put away winners. Need to add some led. I’m thinking a swing weight of 327ish would be ideal for me. So will try adding 1g at 12 and will report back. No grade for now.
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How's the forehand after adding weight at 12 o'clock?
 
10S-Junkie said:
How's the forehand after adding weight at 12 o'clock?
Click to expand...

I ended up adding 2grams at 12 o’clock and that pretty much did the trick, didn’t need more, started with 1.5grams and even that could be enough but I like the extra plough. 2g Took the racket to a 335 SW (343 static weight with over grip and stock grip). I played two high level matches and won both. Felt like I could put the ball away with ease this time! I had access to great topspin and it was still manoeuvrable enough to whip a buggy forehand ala Nadal style against those mean low slices which is a shot I usually struggle with. This racket really loves the one handed backhand but the forehand is only one point behind 9/10 when customized.

I also want to address the slice, previously I had it at 7/10, I’ll bump that up to 8.5/10 with the 2g.
I’ve decided to make the switch!

I’m a Vcore 97D pro user now!
 
professorMoriarty said:
I ended up adding 2grams at 12 o’clock and that pretty much did the trick, didn’t need more, started with 1.5grams and even that could be enough but I like the extra plough. 2g Took the racket to a 335 SW (343 static weight with over grip and stock grip). I played two high level matches and won both. Felt like I could put the ball away with ease this time! I had access to great topspin and it was still manoeuvrable enough to whip a buggy forehand ala Nadal style against those mean low slices which is a shot I usually struggle with. This racket really loves the one handed backhand but the forehand is only one point behind 9/10 when customized.

I also want to address the slice, previously I had it at 7/10, I’ll bump that up to 8.5/10 with the 2g.
I’ve decided to make the switch!

I’m a Vcore 97D pro user now!
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Congrats on the victories and finding your magic!
 
FuzzyYellowBalls said:
Had 2 weeks now with my Vcore D and Solinco Hyper G 17 at 48 and cross Klip Legend Natural gut at 49. I like the way the Hyper G reels in the power of the gut a little bit and then the gut balances out the harshness of the poly. I'm not that string sensitive really, but I think the general category of poly mains and gut crosses works very well.
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FuzzyYellowBalls said:
Not too much to add here, I've commented in this thread. It's great, I play very well with it, it's just a minor tweak to the vcore 95 with the extra weight and almost as plush and precise as the HD. I used the 95 and HD for over a year at least and like them both, I just like the compromises the D makes a little bit better. I like the launch angle of the D over the 95 and I like the small power boost the stiffness of the D has over the HD.
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The HD model from my experience using a hybrid with Gamma Live Wire Professional at 59lbs in mains and Tourna Black Zone at 57lbs in crosses is the best. Using this combo gives me some free power and feel. Using a full bed poly doesn't really work from my experience with the HD frame. I just took out the 97D demo to see how it compares and it didn't disappoint. The string in the frame was a Yonex Polytour at 53lbs, which I thought would've been an adjustment, but the transition was instant. I felt that the 97D had easier access to power, stability and spin especially but then again its a full poly setup and not my usual setup. I feel at times with the HD I could get picked on a bit at times, but with 97D even in defensive positions I could hold my own a bit better. From the baseline the 97D felt more maneuverable and more solid when taking hard deep shots, easier access to spin and control was not lost- nearly identical to the HD in terms of control. When it came to approaching the net and volley's the 97D feels more stable and solid at the net and half and low volleys feel easier with the update compared to its predecessor. I feel more connected to ball, especially with touch shots. Now the serve definitely offers an increase in free power without sacrificing any control. Besides that nothing really changed with the serve. With the 97D I feel like I have options when it comes to string. I can go to my usual hybrid or I can try a lot more options, which is great if you're looking to try new setups.
 
What lifespan are people getting out of multi/poly hybrids in the HD/D?
Gut/poly lasted me nearly 3 months.
I'd like to try a similar feel but avoid gut during wet winter months.
 
cortado said:
What lifespan are people getting out of multi/poly hybrids in the HD/D?
Gut/poly lasted me nearly 3 months.
I'd like to try a similar feel but avoid gut during wet winter months.
Click to expand...
I currently have Kirschbaum Max Power Rough 17g in the mains and Tourna Syn Gut Armour 17g in the crosses of my 97HD and they're still playable after around 6 - 8 hours but will likely restring after another 1-2 hours as you should restring poly after about 10 hours.
I have HyperG 18g in the mains and HyperG soft in the crosses of my 97D. Played about 6 hours so far and need to restring now as shots are starting to sail long. Will string at a slightly higher tension this time.
 
FuzzyYellowBalls said:
Pretty similar to my thoughts, although I liked the HD more than this reviewer while agreeing with his assessment of the HD weaknesses or better put characteristics.
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Agreed. Reviewer did a good job of comparing the characteristics of each. The marginal differences in flex and power may sway players to one more than the other, which the poll results seem to show so far. I'm a racquetaholic so I'll enjoy playing with both. For competitive play, I would grab the 97D though just because my serves are a bit more accurate and powerful with it.
 
For those interested, tennisnerd has a recent review on the current control/18x20 racquets including the Vcore Pro 97D.
tennisnerd.net

Control Racquets - Best rackets for control

All of our recommendations for the best control racquets. Tips for tennis players looking to get more control.
tennisnerd.net tennisnerd.net

From the tennisnerd link:
If you want a bit more power than the Prestige MP/Pro, you should look into the Yonex VCORE Pro 97D. They bumped up the stiffness a bit compared to the excellent Yonex VCORE Pro 97 HD, so this one offers more power than the predecessor. But I can’t help but feel like I prefer the previous generation slightly, but in essence, they are both good.

The head size says 97 sq inches, but the isometric head shape of Yonex racquets creates a more generous sweet spot more like a 98 or 99 sq inch racquet.
 
Just hit with the D for the first time and really enjoyed it. I can't help but feel the outer most mains and crosses are making this pattern more open than a dense one ought to be, but it still hits very nice. I'd rather just find a tight 16x19 and save myself the extra 5 minutes of string time that the 18x20 takes me.
 
Curtennis said:
Just hit with the D for the first time and really enjoyed it. I can't help but feel the outer most mains and crosses are making this pattern more open than a dense one ought to be, but it still hits very nice. I'd rather just find a tight 16x19 and save myself the extra 5 minutes of string time that the 18x20 takes me.
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Yes, although it's 18x20 it is mainly dense towards the center of the head. The pattern is not that different than the 16x19 of the 310 and 330 models. Someone actually posted a split image of the 97HD and 310 in one of the Yonex threads I believe and the outermost mains and crosses are spaced very similar.
Although stringing will take a bit more time, the trade off is better stability and control in my opinion.
Did you find it comfortable for your tennis elbow?
 
10S-Junkie said:
Yes, although it's 18x20 it is mainly dense towards the center of the head. The pattern is not that different than the 16x19 of the 310 and 330 models. Someone actually posted a split image of the 97HD and 310 in one of the Yonex threads I believe and the outermost mains and crosses are spaced very similar.
Although stringing will take a bit more time, the trade off is better stability and control in my opinion.
Did you find it comfortable for your tennis elbow?
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Seemed pretty good on the elbow to me. It really felt like a heavy sturdy shot. The weight alone helped insulate my limbs and joints pretty well.
 
Curtennis said:
Seemed pretty good on the elbow to me. It really felt like a heavy sturdy shot. The weight alone helped insulate my limbs and joints pretty well.
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Glad to hear it (y)
The new tech, flex/throat design and low vibration produces comfortable, controlled power that is a joy to hit with
 
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I demoed the HD, but could not gel with it. I ended up going with the Blade 98 v7 18x20 at the time. But with this new D, I absolutely love it. I have strong with Solinco Confidential 18g at 49 lbs.
 
Interesting poll results so far. Obviously a small sample size and from a rather small subset of the statistical population, but I suppose if it hypothetically is representative, Yonex did a good job with the 97D if half the 97HD users opt to make the switch.

I’m getting my third 97HD; can get one for $174 with a code from one of the retailers. Y25. ;)

On a tangential note, my hitting partner (his stick is the Radical MP) is interested in trying the VCP 97 310, which does seem to have specs I imagine are in his wheelhouse given how much he’s improved over the past year and a half. He figures he should try the 360+ Radical MP as well, which makes sense.
 
So it's been just over 2 months for this poll/thread and it's not a surprise to see that it is split right down the middle before this post today.
TBH, I expected it to be fairly close as more members tried the 97D.
Bit of a surprise though that "Keeping both in my bag" only has 3 votes.
Therefore, question for those that are switching to the 97D: What did you do with your 97HD's?
 
I had short spree with 97HD, loved many aspects however found it underpowered and not stable enough for my game (even with some lead) with hard hitters with lots of spin. So I was sticking to me weighted Vcore 95 until I recently tried 97D, and really liked it. Not yet ideal specs in terms of string and swingweight, but could really hold up to strong hitting more than 97HD (and Vcore 95) and defend good as well. Slices and one handed backhand were magical with 97HD, but the stability and forehands were better for me with VCD. Yes HD feels more maneuverable, more spinny and more attacking oriented frame, however stability and defense were what I was looking for, and transition from my weighted VC95 was quite easy and shots didnt land in the net like with HD... will tinker with some lead and string setups, and maybe switch as my main racket...
 
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Kurt0707 said:
I had short spree with 97HD, loved many aspects however found it underpowered and not stable enough for my game (even with some lead) with hard hitters with lots of spin. So I was sticking to me weighted Vcore 95 until I recently tried 97D, and really liked it. Not yet ideal specs in terms of string and swingweight, but could really hold up to strong hitting more than 97HD (and Vcore 95) and defend good as well. Slices and one handed backhand were magical with 97HD, but the stability and forehands were better for me with VCD. Yes HD feels more maneuverable, more spinny and more attacking oriented frame, however stability and defense were what I was looking for, and transition from my weighted VC95 was quite easy and shots didnt land in the net like with HD... will tinker with some lead and string setups, and maybe switch as my main racket...
Click to expand...

If you have your 97HD still, try adding weight at 2,10, 4, and 8 o'clock (maybe 0.5-1.0g, depending on preferences)... it really made a difference for me. I also added weight at 12 o'clock, but it was when I added it to the aforementioned locations that the magic started to happen for me (I took what was at 3 & 9 and transferred it to 2,4,8, and 10).

Glad you're liking the 97D... I am waiting for a demo (for months now - in Australia), but hope I don't like it as much as the 97HD as I have enough racquets and don't need more. Time will tell.
 
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Classic-TXP-IG MID said:
If you have your 97HD still, try adding weight at 2,10, 4, and 8 o'clock (maybe 0.5-1.0g, depending on preferences)... it really made a difference for me. I also added weight at 12 o'clock, but it was when it added it to the aforementioned locations that the magic started to happen for me (I took what was at 3 & 9 and transferred it to 2,4,8, and 10).

Glad you're liking the 97D... I am waiting for a demo (for months now - in Australia), but hope I don't like it as much as the 97HD as I have enough racquets and don't need more. Time will tell.
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I completely agree, adding very marginal weight to the HD turns it from a 9/10 to a perfect 10/10. Just 1.5 grams split evenly between 3, 9 and 12 has weaponized my HD and quelled any need to flirt with other raquets. More plow on baseline, increased stability on volleys, all the while the extra weight is unaffecting the legendary, GOAT-tier precision of the HD. 342 g static weight, low tensioned nat gut, absolutely unrivalled stick.
 
Phat Dave said:
I completely agree, adding very marginal weight to the HD turns it from a 9/10 to a perfect 10/10. Just 1.5 grams split evenly between 3, 9 and 12 has weaponized my HD and quelled any need to flirt with other raquets. More plow on baseline, increased stability on volleys, all the while the extra weight is unaffecting the legendary, GOAT-tier precision of the HD. 342 g static weight, low tensioned nat gut, absolutely unrivalled stick.
Click to expand...

The only thing that would make the 97HD better, for me, would be if it was just a bit less muted. It took me a while playing with it to trust that when I hit the ball in a certain way, with a certain amount of force, it will land in a certain spot (whereas, the G360+ Prestige MP was a little crisper and better in this respect). Once I trusted this feeling, I was able to put the ball where I wanted it with the 97HD more times than not.

If the 97D is better in this respect than the 97HD, I will have a hard time not acquiring it. Once I get to demo the racquet I will have my answer.
 
Classic-TXP-IG MID said:
If you have your 97HD still, try adding weight at 2,10, 4, and 8 o'clock (maybe 0.5-1.0g, depending on preferences)... it really made a difference for me. I also added weight at 12 o'clock, but it was when I added it to the aforementioned locations that the magic started to happen for me (I took what was at 3 & 9 and transferred it to 2,4,8, and 10).

Glad you're liking the 97D... I am waiting for a demo (for months now - in Australia), but hope I don't like it as much as the 97HD as I have enough racquets and don't need more. Time will tell.
Click to expand...

In fact I still do have my HDs (and a couple of them I wanted to try them in doubles), and will do a side by side comparison again by using such a setup, I did have few grams on 10&2 but didnt think about lower locations and it makes sense. My biggest issue was a lot of forehands were landing in the net and more weight decreases the launch angle even more but does increase the power, so will give it another try. Didnt have this issue with D version. Will be interesting to use them side by side with different setups. Maybe its the way it flexes that didnt work for me..
 
Kurt0707 said:
My biggest issue was a lot of forehands were landing in the net and more weight decreases the launch angle even more but does increase the power, so will give it another try.
Click to expand...

This is precisely what was happening to me.

I was dumping balls into the top of the net when there was no reason it should have been happening. I then changed the weighting to the positions I mentioned (removed from 3 and 9, and split the weight equally to 2,4,8, and 10 o'clock - with the 12 o'clock I initially had staying where it was). I wasn't dumping the ball into the net nearly as much (in fact hardly at all), and my ability to turn defence into offence increased quite noticeably.

Let me know how you go.
 
Kurt0707 said:
In fact I still do have my HDs (and a couple of them I wanted to try them in doubles), and will do a side by side comparison again by using such a setup, I did have few grams on 10&2 but didnt think about lower locations and it makes sense. My biggest issue was a lot of forehands were landing in the net and more weight decreases the launch angle even more but does increase the power, so will give it another try. Didnt have this issue with D version. Will be interesting to use them side by side with different setups. Maybe its the way it flexes that didnt work for me..
Click to expand...

For this reason I've been eyeing some 16x19 frames with a tight pattern.

Like you said, weight seems to lower the launch angle even more...
 
Just played with my 97D and I think I have the optimal setup now. Just measured swingweight for both:

VCore Pro 97 HD: full Klip 1.25 uncoated gut: 331sw
VCore Pro 97D: Klip 1.25 gut/Yonex PolyTour Rev 1.25 purple: 329sw

The HD is stock. First tried 2g at 12 on the 97D. Then tried 1g and felt it needed more. Now I have 1.5g and I think its the perfect balance of plow vs. maneuverability. Its playable at 318sw, but just seemed anemic. The frame comes alive close to 330sw IMO.
 
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Nate7-5 said:
Just played with my 97D and I think I have the optimal setup now. Just measured swingweight for both:

VCore Pro 97 HD: full Klip 1.25 uncoated gut: 331sw
VCore Pro 97D: Klip 1.25 gut/Yonex PolyTour Rev 1.25 purple: 229sw

The HD is stock. First tried 2g at 12 on the 97D. Then tried 1g and felt it needed more. Now I have 1.5g and I think its the perfect balance of plow vs. maneuverability. Its playable at 318sw, but just seemed anemic. The frame comes alive close to 330sw IMO.
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(y) but I assume you meant 329sw (not 229sw)

Are you keeping both of these racquets?
 
10S-Junkie said:
(y) but I assume you meant 329sw (not 229sw)

Are you keeping both of these racquets?
Click to expand...

329 of course :laughing:

Thought about selling my HD but it was a present from my g/f and has sentimental value. Plus its a legendary racquet and wont be available much longer so I might as well keep it around and mess with some more string setups.
 
Nate7-5 said:
Just played with my 97D and I think I have the optimal setup now. Just measured swingweight for both:

VCore Pro 97 HD: full Klip 1.25 uncoated gut: 331sw
VCore Pro 97D: Klip 1.25 gut/Yonex PolyTour Rev 1.25 purple: 329sw

The HD is stock. First tried 2g at 12 on the 97D. Then tried 1g and felt it needed more. Now I have 1.5g and I think its the perfect balance of plow vs. maneuverability. Its playable at 318sw, but just seemed anemic. The frame comes alive close to 330sw IMO.
Click to expand...
I'm currently playing both VCoreHD and Prestige Mid. I like them both but I find myself leaning towards the HD actually. I can't see any HDs for sale in 4 3/8 anywhere now.
How does the D feel compared to HD? Is head shape the same? Would you be able to take a photo of HD/D side by side and one top of each other for comparison?
 
cortado said:
I'm currently playing both VCoreHD and Prestige Mid. I like them both but I find myself leaning towards the HD actually. I can't see any HDs for sale in 4 3/8 anywhere now.
How does the D feel compared to HD? Is head shape the same? Would you be able to take a photo of HD/D side by side and one top of each other for comparison?
Click to expand...

Hard for me to compare the feel into words, but the "flex fuse" technology in the 97D does make a difference. Ill have to play with both of them side by side with no tension dampener and a similar string setup.

I think I can explain the minor differences better than with a photo. If I hold both racquets together, the 97D is just slightly wider at 3 & 9, and this extra space appears to come from flattening the top of the racquet. Also, if you measure from the top of the Yonex logo to the end of where the throat splits, its 1/2inch on the HD and 1/4inch on the 97D (12.7mm to 6.35mm).
 
Nate7-5 said:
Hard for me to compare the feel into words, but the "flex fuse" technology in the 97D does make a difference. Ill have to play with both of them side by side with no tension dampener and a similar string setup.

I think I can explain the minor differences better than with a photo. If I hold both racquets together, the 97D is just slightly wider at 3 & 9, and this extra space appears to come from flattening the top of the racquet. Also, if you measure from the top of the Yonex logo to the end of where the throat splits, its 1/2inch on the HD and 1/4inch on the 97D (12.7mm to 6.35mm).
Click to expand...
Hmm. Not sure I want it wider.
 
Nate7-5 said:
329 of course :laughing:

Thought about selling my HD but it was a present from my g/f and has sentimental value. Plus its a legendary racquet and wont be available much longer so I might as well keep it around and mess with some more string setups.
Click to expand...
Yes, hold on to the 97HD for both reasons. But mainly for the first reason! :D
 
Nate7-5 said:
We're talking like 1mm here. The differences between them are very minor. The 97D seems to be slightly more powerful which helps me dump fewer balls into the tape.
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On your HD, try putting a small amount of weight at 2,4,8, and 10 o'clock (0.5g even in each location) and counter-weight it in the handle. This solved the issue of me hitting the tape more often than with other racquets.

Just a thought.
 
Classic-TXP-IG MID said:
The only thing that would make the 97HD better, for me, would be if it was just a bit less muted. It took me a while playing with it to trust that when I hit the ball in a certain way, with a certain amount of force, it will land in a certain spot (whereas, the G360+ Prestige MP was a little crisper and better in this respect). Once I trusted this feeling, I was able to put the ball where I wanted it with the 97HD more times than not.

If the 97D is better in this respect than the 97HD, I will have a hard time not acquiring it. Once I get to demo the racquet I will have my answer.
Click to expand...
Did you receive your demo yet? Looking forward to your review.
 
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ttlapointe
ttlapointe
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Grommets for the last generation yonex Vcore Pro 97D 18/20, same as the Percept 97d Grommets?
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ozbikebuddy
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Feedback requested: Vcore Pro 97 vs Vcore Pro 100 vs Vcore 100
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MikhailT
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jdeloach
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nvr2old
nvr2old
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