Before going for my Reviews... It seems that most players In JO prefer the AT800 DF than the OF. Even though they didn't use it during the actual tournament play. They have great impression towards the AT800 DF during practice sessions.

AT800 OF JP (Offensive) First Impression

AT800 3U G4 . Had it strung with BG65 Power at 24 Cross 26 Main Lbs 2 Piece Stringing Method. Had my tension lower due to new racket ( My usual is 29 to 30lbs ) . Stringing the racket with the new pattern is not hard at all. Just that its unusual to have an extra hole 1 string per hole

As much as possible , I will try not to compare the racket with AT700. Later I will give a comparison with AT700 with AT800 DF and OF

As I was holding the racket , and try to weigh it , seems that this racket is almost evenly balanced , slight head heavy. Color wise , its nice and attractive.

Clears are relatively easy i didnt use much power to hit , control was good , but not as good as I expected it to be.. maybe I’m not used to use BG65 P with that tension. However it is good enough for me. Drives are easier , hits are solid.
Defense play wise reaction was good , lifts are normal for me but is much better than AT700. Still trying to get the feel of it.
Attack wise , this racket is much better than At700 in terms of smashes and attack speed reaction. I don’t feel much of the vibration going thru my arms during smashes. My swing speed reaction is faster compare to using At700. This racket is really geared for fast play in doubles. Flexibility is Stiff , i would not rate it Extra Stiff.
This is the initial impression that I got from the AT800 OF
( Offensive ). Will try to exploit it more.

Next review will be the AT800 DF…

sounds like the OF is more balanced than the 700? How does it compare to the muscle power series?

sounds like the OF is more balanced than the 700? How does it compare to the muscle power series?

Its easier to swing the AT800 OF than Mp100. In terms over PowerSmashes , AT Series does have an edge over MP series. Its sturdier. But if compare to AT700 , MP100 is easier to swing because its even balance while AT700 is head heavy. But MP100 lack in Power compare to AT Series IMO. For Mp Series , the best is still Mp90. I think Yonex is trying to develop Speed and Power in this Latest AT800 series.

AT800 and AT700 were designed for different purpose. The AT800 is made for double, and AT700 is more suited for singles. Therefore, any other yonex rackets will feel less head tippy than the AT700.

AT800 and AT700 were designed for different purpose. The AT800 is made for double, and AT700 is more suited for singles. Therefore, any other yonex rackets will feel less head tippy than the AT700.

Yup well Said. :)

tried ot the AT800:s for the first time today.. I didn't trust the stringer and haven't got info yet on what strining pattern yonex recomends for the AT800s, so I asked for a low tension (22x20) nad plan to restring once i can get a hold of a strinign pattern (hopefully ant gets this from JO-stringers?).

When I got the AT800OF and DF from the stringer she tied mains at 6B?!?! and cross at T5 an B8 ?!?! I Doubt this is correct.

Anyway I've played some with the AT800DF (a feeder session and 8 sets of doubles), and I like it alot!!! I have not tried the OF yet for a comparison.

I really like the speed and power of this raquet.. I really like the balance and I think it strikes a better balance between power and control than the AT700 which could be a little slow due to its extreme headheaviness imop. I think that this raqet holds the alll-round-raquet no.1 spot for me right now..Great combination of power AND control..but I haven't tried the OF yet..

cheers,
Twobeer

You should get both OF and DF, twobeer ;)

I had a wee look at them today and thought on first impressions without hiting them about that there was not much difference in the flex between the two where I would have expected the DF to be more flexible.

If I hadn't just bought 2 new AT700's last week I may have substituted for 2 800's if they felt good.

I am thinking getting one/each just for practicing stringing on these things. :)

By the way, tieing knots can be made at many places, you don't have to do it at certain holes only.

The DF is much better than the OF from my comparison of both rackets.. will have the details of my reviews soon. No wonder the pros like it. I think AT800 DF will be as popular as MP90.

For all USA players, I was told the rackets will be in this week! Maybe as soon as this Wed!! :D

You should get both OF and DF, twobeer ;)

I have both.. I just aren't able to play with them both at the same time ;-)

cheers,
Twobeer

I am thinking getting one/each just for practicing stringing on these things. :)

By the way, tieing knots can be made at many places, you don't have to do it at certain holes only.

this is true, but the forces on the racket-frame at high tension will most likely be different with different knot-placement and I think it's wise to stick with what the manufacturer has intended when designing the racket.. If there is no particular reason why not to?!?

cheers,
Twobeer

this is true, but the forces on the racket-frame at high tension will most likely be different with different knot-placement and I think it's wise to stick with what the manufacturer has intended when designing the racket.. If there is no particular reason why not to?!?

cheers,
Twobeer
If that's true, then, we should all stick to the manufactor's recommended tension, and I bet you at least more than 50% of people in the place don't follow that.

Tieing knots is just tieing.....overall, it is still a single piece of string, and tieing is not the most of it.

If that's true, then, we should all stick to the manufactor's recommended tension, and I bet you at least more than 50% of people in the place don't follow that.

Tieing knots is just tieing.....overall, it is still a single piece of string, and tieing is not the most of it.

hmm.. Yes as I said it CAN make sense to do things differentely IF (and only IF) you have a good reason to do so and know WHY.. string tension will of course go all the way to the knot so I am pretty sure the tension on the frame will be sligthly differnt with differnt knot-placement.. If you use single piece stringing... I can only conclude that warranties in Denmark for example is void if you string an MP or AT single string (even within recommended tensions!). recommendation for ISO heads are two piece strining from yonex (of course you can void warranties by stringing at 35lbs as well, but stringing 35x33 probably has a greater chance of not collapsing the frame than 35lbs onepiece stringning does.

cheers,
twobeer

Which one will suit the kind of player who smash and drives alot??
The DF or OF version??
Do they sell it in singapore? can't wait to get my hand on those racket!! :D

For all USA players, I was told the rackets will be in this week! Maybe as soon as this Wed!! :D

I was told san diego badminton got them in last week

Which one will suit the kind of player who smash and drives alot??
The DF or OF version??
Do they sell it in singapore? can't wait to get my hand on those racket!! :D
I don't know if Yonex will sell those in SP area, but my guess would be yes.

From the Yonex data, the OF will suit you (as a doubles player) better.

I was told san diego badminton got them in last weekThat's what I saw on the web, too :)

But $209 USD a piece is just way too expensive. I can get them near dealer's involce price, which is way lower than that. :)

Is the shaft of the AT800 imprinted with the words "ultra light weight/head heavy balance/..."? If not, what is imprinted on the shaft?

Is the shaft of the AT800 imprinted with the words "ultra light weight/head heavy balance/..."? If not, what is imprinted on the shaft?

Yes.

It seems that there are not many people interested on this new racquet (I found this topic in page 2 of this forum).

Actually I got my AT800DF on last Monday but I only have chance to play with it on last Saturday. It is 3UG4, string with BG68Ti at 24 lbs. My 1st impression is very good - don't be mislead by the terms "Defensive" - the DF version is still head heavy balance with very decent power.

I agree with other reviewers that it is less head heavy than AT700 (quite significant for the DF version). However, it still has slightly head heavy balance which is different from MP90 (even balance).

I haven't tried the OF version yet, but the DF version is a very good "all rounded" racquet for doubles imo - good power, good control, good manuverability.

However, I think it is over-priced. :)

AT800 DF Review

AT800 DF JP 3U-G4 , tensioned at 24lbs main 26lbs cross with Bg68ti. 2 piece stringing method.

Suprisingly this racket is fast despite a little head heavy , good manuverability and control. Shaft is more flexible than AT800 OF. But at the same time is does gives power to smashes and returns. Drives are much easier , you can really feel your hits. I think this racket is much better than MP99. Didn't feel much vibration when i smash or hit the shuttle hard.. more solid feel thus you can really have good control of your shuttles. Based on my experienced , for me the performance will be exploited more if i string it at higher tension , maybe around 28lbs to 30lbs.

I had a hit with the AT-800 OF; in short, I didn't like it: too light, excessively head-heavy to the extent that it felt mis-balanced, but it was surprisingly stiff despite its lightness. I think I'll just buy a couple more 2U MP100's. :)

Hmm...

I should have known Ricky would be on top of things as usual :D

How big is your collection now?? :p

I think you can compete with Luxis almost, and open up your own racquet shop LOL

-Kelvin

Yes.

It seems that there are not many people interested on this new racquet (I found this topic in page 2 of this forum).

Actually I got my AT800DF on last Monday but I only have chance to play with it on last Saturday. It is 3UG4, string with BG68Ti at 24 lbs. My 1st impression is very good - don't be mislead by the terms "Defensive" - the DF version is still head heavy balance with very decent power.

I agree with other reviewers that it is less head heavy than AT700 (quite significant for the DF version). However, it still has slightly head heavy balance which is different from MP90 (even balance).

I haven't tried the OF version yet, but the DF version is a very good "all rounded" racquet for doubles imo - good power, good control, good manuverability.

However, I think it is over-priced. :)

i'm trying out both right now. i don't see much difference between the OF and my MP 99 though. does anybody else feel a difference? the DF is definitely different than my MP. I think the swing is faster with the DF. It's also awesome with returning smashes to the back. And drives come off smoother too. As for smashes, I didn't think it would be as good as the OF, but it packs a lot of speed and gets a lot of power from that. very expensive though. I may have to wait a few months until I buy it.

more reviews needed. :(
i can get the JP versions of the two racket but i cant make up my mind yet! i need more help! :confused:

Got my AT800 Defense (tension 24 lbs, BG65Ti) in Tokyo last week and most of the stores I went to were all sold out (Wembley and Windsor) of both the DF and OF models. I was able to convince the store manager in Wembley (Shibuya) to sell me their store demo racket.

My impression is that the racket is less head heavy than the AT700 but definitely head heavier than the MP90 (which i have been using for more than a year) It is a very powerful racket and overhead clears are high and long. My wife is now using this racket since with her MP90, she is not hitting her lobs high and far enough. With the AT800, her shots are stronger (must be due to the slight head heaviness) and the shuttle flies further.

Compared to the MP90, I think the AT800 is stiffer. The MP90 definitely has more flex in the shaft area.

Overall IMO its a great racket.

My impression is that the racket is less head heavy than the AT700 but definitely head heavier than the MP90 (which i have been using for more than a year).


Agree.

I'm not sure whether it is stiffer - my coach said that racket is not very stiff, but I also agree with Ants that AT800 gives very solid feel (in contrast, MP90 3U may be a bit fragile).

Hmm...

I should have known Ricky would be on top of things as usual :D

How big is your collection now?? :p

I think you can compete with Luxis almost, and open up your own racquet shop LOL

-Kelvin

There is no way I can compete with Luxis as I'm using an enthusiatic amature player (Luxis started manufacture their own equipments recently, some rackets are not bad fyi).

Actually I just know someone who can get the racket early than the 22-Apr-04 (the official release date of AT800 in Japan). :)

Question on length....

I noticed that in some cases "defensive" models such as the ISO 900 SA and the AT500 are somewhat shorter than the "offensive" models such as the ISO 900 SX and the AT700.

Are the OF and DF models the same length?

Question on length....

I noticed that in some cases "defensive" models such as the ISO 900 SA and the AT500 are somewhat shorter than the "offensive" models such as the ISO 900 SX and the AT700.

Are the OF and DF models the same length?

Actually, I don't think AT500 or ISO900SA is shorter than AT700 or ISO900SX as I've both 500 and sx and i've compared both of them w/ my friend's 700 and SA. They're all long length and I believe both OF and DF should be the same in this case. It's usually the balance point that make the difference. ;)

vc

Hero, the 500 is definitely shorter than the 700. if you put the 2 side by side you can see the difference.

In Hong Kong, I found both AT800 OF and DE versions in one shop in Mongkok sold for HK$1,600 each. Both are JP version in 4U/G5 and sold out the day after.

I will buy two MP99 instead of get this AT800! :p

In Hong Kong, I found both AT800 OF and DE versions in one shop in Mongkok sold for HK$1,600 each. Both are JP version in 4U/G5 and sold out the day after.

I will buy two MP99 instead of get this AT800! :p

do you not have a normal AT800? a SP version or something?
i don't want to buy a JP version....to expensive...heck at800 is too expensive :o

In Hong Kong, I found both AT800 OF and DE versions in one shop in Mongkok sold for HK$1,600 each. Both are JP version in 4U/G5 and sold out the day after.

I will buy two MP99 instead of get this AT800! :p

HK$1600 each and sold, I think the economy of Hong Kong is really recovered. :p

Should the shop be Emmy??

HK$1,600 for an AT800, JP version, is too expensive in Hong Kong? I understand it has now gone up to HK$1,700! No, it is not too expensive. It is the market price; it is determined by demand and supply.The price is high because the supply, now limited and restricted to only JP version, cannot meet the demand. So something strange happens : the price goes up to reduce the demand to a level that now says demand=supply and that means HK$1,700. But the very people that sell you the JP version are pre-ordering huge quantities of the AT800 SP version, as a hedge. Remember people in Hong Kong are natural niche marketers. The AT800 HK$1,700 story, albeit not for long, is a typical example. You seldom find such things happening in other countries.

HK$1,600 for an AT800, JP version, is too expensive in Hong Kong? I understand it has now gone up to HK$1,700! No, it is not too expensive. It is the market price; it is determined by demand and supply.The price is high because the supply, now limited and restricted to only JP version, cannot meet the demand. So something strange happens : the price goes up to reduce the demand to a level that now says demand=supply and that means HK$1,700. But the very people that sell you the JP version are pre-ordering huge quantities of the AT800 SP version, as a hedge. Remember people in Hong Kong are natural niche marketers. The AT800 HK$1,700 story, albeit not for long, is a typical example. You seldom find such things happening in other countries.

Hei Hei, this is a lesson of "quantity demand" in Econ.

If using HK$1600 to try a racket and which may/may not suit me, I would wait for the SP verison and save up the money for a buffet dinner, a racket bags, many shuttlecorks or two lessons with a coach.

But I know the value of a racket would be different for different persons.

The AT800 HK$1,700 story, albeit not for long, is a typical example. You seldom find such things happening in other countries.

You guys should all be happy. In the Philippines, the AT800 is rumored to cost around $360 (or HK$2,800), and that's not even a JP version. Demand and supply doesn't work here, but more of greed. ;)

You guys should all be happy. In the Philippines, the AT800 is rumored to cost around $360 (or HK$2,800), and that's not even a JP version. Demand and supply doesn't work here, but more of greed. ;)

Yes, it does. The demand, maybe from less than 10 people who must have it any cost, was probably knocked down to a demand of one to match the supply of one. The chap paying HK$2,800 was the winner. Or fool?

You guys should all be happy. In the Philippines, the AT800 is rumored to cost around $360 (or HK$2,800), and that's not even a JP version. Demand and supply doesn't work here, but more of greed. ;)

How are the price of other rackets in Philippines?? Also are so high?? Or, just the AT800 is so expensive.

In the thread about the carbonex power series, Crazy_smasher said it was $585SGD, which is around $360US also. There seems to be a vast difference in prices of this racket, as in UK you can get it for £105= $180US (Half the price)

Oh No!!! Philipphine and Singapore should be selling SP rackets as per HK, I guess the price in Hong Kong may be similar when the AT800SP arrival due to the same Main Distributor. :eek:

The AT700 sold for US$300 or so at the "official" Yonex retail store.

The AT700 sold for US$300 or so at the "official" Yonex retail store.

What price is it there now?

That may give an indication of what price the at800 will be soon.

The AT700 sold for US$300 or so at the "official" Yonex retail store.

If both are AT700SP, then HK is only cost around US$135, it is cheaper than the price in Philipphine. I hope the price of AT800 can be lower in HK.

I have a brand new AT700 4UG4, SP model with hk on the cone, and it comes with a one year Hong Kong warranty, and I am asking for only HK$910 fob HK.

Well James, the price hasnt changed all that much. I have heard people say that they can get it locally for US@225-ish, though.

Just got my AT800DF this afternoon. This is my first JP racket and its 3UG4. What can i say? Great! I couldnt resist so I had to slip out of my office for a couple of hours and try it out. My clears were effortless. Drives were so much faster too! What is amazing is that recovery time with this racket is excellent. Drops, netshots were also very good. Very nice control and feel. My smashes were also good, almost as good as using my Ti10. This racket is slightly, just slightly head heavy. So those people who are used to even balanced rackets could move up to this one without experiencing much trouble. So far I believe Yonex came up with a winner with this one. Probably the best racket they have ever made. This is in fact the only racket ill probably get a second one. Havent tried the OF so cant comment on it, although I personally think the DF is better. Only thing I didnt like is the color. Its like pale yellow and not very attractive at all. By the way I used my usual BG85 at 22lbs. Next time ill probably have it strung to 24lbs and check it out.

Oh and ants thank you so much for your help! I owe you one :D

Which is the better AT800 DE, the 3U4G or 4U4G? What about the AT800 OF? Is it really a poor companion to the DE? I don't see any ringing endorsement of the OF, which is rather surprising as there must be a lot of attacking doubles players amongst us. Or could it be that the DE is even better than the OF for offensive players. It cannot be, can it?

I dont really know much about the OF except that it is head heavier than the DF, but not as head heavy as the AT700. I was originally thinking of also getting the OF, but after playing with the DF, I am now having second thoughts. The DF is that good. Very nice all round performance and dont let its name fool you, it is a very powerful offensive racket too! I plan to also use this for my singles game. I believe ants has tried both so maybe you can PM him. He now has the DF but he is planning to get the OF in a couple of weeks maybe, once there is supply. Maybe i'll go get another DF then :D

Which is the better AT800 DE, the 3U4G or 4U4G? What about the AT800 OF? Is it really a poor companion to the DE? I don't see any ringing endorsement of the OF, which is rather surprising as there must be a lot of attacking doubles players amongst us. Or could it be that the DE is even better than the OF for offensive players. It cannot be, can it?

The 3UG4 is much better than 4UG4 IMHO. More stable and balanced in terms of the overall racket weight and performance. AT800 OF is not a poor companion of the DF. Both of them have different characteristic. OF version have slight disadvantage in terms of aerodynamic and racket movement than the DF version. But OF does gives you more power and solid plays than the DF version. Recovery can be slower as well. As it say.. its an offensive racket. Defence we need fast movement and fast recovery and a more lightweight racket, thats why DF is made that way. Well maybe not many pll is using the OF version yet. But DF version does made an impact on the professional circuit. More players are already using it in the Thomas/Uber Cup in Indonesia at the moment.

Hey ants who are the pros using the DF now? I would like to know:) Maybe it just shows that the DF is better all around racket than the OF, thats why pros are using it. I mean, i am sure Yonex offered them both and still they choose DF :D

Hey ants who are the pros using the DF now? I would like to know:) Maybe it just shows that the DF is better all around racket than the OF, thats why pros are using it. I mean, i am sure Yonex offered them both and still they choose DF :D


same reason why mp99 is popular with pros too.
i havent played the DF yet but my rough guess at the moment is it's similar to MP99 but stiffer.

To find out if the top players are using AT800 DE and OF at the T/U cup tournament, maybe someone in Singapore can get this information from Sunrise in Singapore. Sunrise is Yonex's distributor in SE Asia and is probably sponsoring the T/U cup Finals in Jarkata. Incidentally, the AT800 defensive racquet is referred to as Amortec 800-DE, not DF. The offensive one is correctly referred to as OF.
I would have thought that the 4U AT800-DE would be the racquet of choice and preferred over the 3U one, for sheer defensive speed. In the same vain, the AT800-OF 3U would be better than the 4U one, for more attacking wallop.

Hey ants who are the pros using the DF now? I would like to know:) Maybe it just shows that the DF is better all around racket than the OF, thats why pros are using it. I mean, i am sure Yonex offered them both and still they choose DF :D
http://www.yonex.co.jp/badminton/event/y-open2004/list-at800.html

According to the Yonex website, 12 players used the AT800 in JO. 5 of them used OF, the rest used DE.

anybody ever compared the AT500 with the AT800 DF/OF ?

anybody ever compared the AT500 with the AT800 DF/OF ?

The AT500 is a lower level Amortec series than the AT700 and AT800 as it doesn't have Ultra H.M. Graphite in the frame and UltimumTi in the shaft that the two higher-number models have.

i'm talking about the way it plays, the way it compares in terms of power, stability, control etc.

Tonight I got hold of the AT800 SP versions. I was comparing them to my JP version and I didnt notice any difference, in weight, workmanship and stiffness. They feel the same. So I guess these SP versions are good. Anyway I tried swinging the OF version and it is definitely more stiff and head heavy than the DE version. Tomorrow ill have it strung with BG85 and check it out. I will then be back with a review on the OF :)

Quote: Tonight I got hold of the AT800 SP versions. I was comparing them to my JP version and I didnt notice any difference, in weight, workmanship and stiffness. They feel the same. So I guess these SP versions are good. Anyway I tried swinging the OF version and it is definitely more stiff and head heavy than the DE version. Tomorrow ill have it strung with BG85 and check it out. I will then be back with a review on the OF

I suppose for the few initial batches from production, the quality between JP, SP or CN are the same because the moulds are new and thus the tolerance is insignificant. Once the production is high, the mould would expand/deteroriate and here is where the problems crap in. Hence, YY may sort out the good batch and label it as JP or CN while others with SP or other labels.

Therefore, even the price is higher initially, you can still get a bargin with SP (quality same as JP at less cost) OR you can buy cheaper if you purchase later (at real SP quality standard).

You know what fatbird, this is actually the second time I have heard this exact comment. I remember ants telling me that the first one or two batches of SP rackets are exactly similar to the JP/CN/CP versions, thus it is wise to get them early. After that, the quality of SP rackets start to go down. Anyway I still have to verify wether this is indeed true.

Well tonight i was finally able to play with my OF AT800 SP 3UG4. I had it strung with BG85 at 22lbs. I usuallys string my new rackets at 22 and slowly work its way up to 25 with each stringing, at an increment of one lbs every time. Anyway, initial observation about this racket proved true. It is indeed stiffer and head heavier than the DE. Surprisingly, I didnt have a hard time adopting to it. Maybe because I have always used head heavy rackets. This racket is very stable, maybe even more than the DE. And it is more powerful. Smashes are alot stronger and faster. Somehow my swingspeed isnt as fast as the DE, maybe bec the frame is less aerodynamic. Or maybe bec of the head heaviness. Maneuverability is somewhat slower than the DE too since it is heavier. But still alot faster than say my 2U Ti10. Overall I am very satisfied with this racket. I am thinking using this racket for my singles game and using the DE for doubles, which need quicker response.

Final word, you cant go wrong with either rackets. Choose one according to how you play, and how you plan to use it. The DE is alot more forgiving IMHO. Somehow I believe even a newbie can use the DE and improve their game tremendously. As for the OF, I believe that an intermediate player will have the full benefit out of this.

Quote: [COLOR=Silver]

I suppose for the few initial batches from production, the quality between JP, SP or CN are the same because the moulds are new and thus the tolerance is insignificant. Once the production is high, the mould would expand/deteroriate and here is where the problems crap in. Hence, YY may sort out the good batch and label it as JP or CN while others with SP or other labels.

Therefore, even the price is higher initially, you can still get a bargin with SP (quality same as JP at less cost) OR you can buy cheaper if you purchase later (at real SP quality standard).

I think you are talking nonsense. All racquets come out of the same production line. The SP is marked on the shaft and the country code is chipped on the cone. Common sense would tell you an AT800 is an AT800, irrespective of the country code. Don't tell me you are so gullible as to be so easily duped by fast-talking salesmen. I would only believe it if Yonex comes out with an AT800 upgrade and designates it with a different model name, like AT801 Improved. To say that one AT800 is better than another AT800 because of different country codes or distributor marks could be tantamount to misrepresentation and could land you in legal trouble if you were a shop selling them.

Quote: Tonight I got hold of the AT800 SP versions. I was comparing them to my JP version and I didnt notice any difference, in weight, workmanship and stiffness. They feel the same. So I guess these SP versions are good. Anyway I tried swinging the OF version and it is definitely more stiff and head heavy than the DE version. Tomorrow ill have it strung with BG85 and check it out. I will then be back with a review on the OF

I suppose for the few initial batches from production, the quality between JP, SP or CN are the same because the moulds are new and thus the tolerance is insignificant. Once the production is high, the mould would expand/deteroriate and here is where the problems crap in. Hence, YY may sort out the good batch and label it as JP or CN while others with SP or other labels.

Therefore, even the price is higher initially, you can still get a bargin with SP (quality same as JP at less cost) OR you can buy cheaper if you purchase later (at real SP quality standard).

Erhhmm, there are arguments for cases that are reverse of your thinking ;)

Confusing huh guys? There are 3 different ways one could judge a SP, LOL :cool:

If the SP version is priced 300% more, everyone might sing a different tune.


:D

I totally agree with taneepak.

Don't be so childish and cheated by the salesman.

I think everyone will agree that different country codes' AT800 are come from the same production line. But I definitely believe that the quality of rackets produced from the same production line will vary in an acceptable range. So in the same batch of rackets, some will be better in quality over others (all passed the QC process). From this point of view, I think the rackets with better quality

I think everyone will agree that different country codes' AT800 are come from the same production line. But I definitely believe that the quality of rackets produced from the same production line will vary in an acceptable range. So in the same batch of rackets, some will be better in quality over others (all passed the QC process). From this point of view, I think the manufacturer definitely can sort out some rackets with outstanding quality for special purpose or market such as sponsor China National Team, JP rackets...

I think everyone will agree that different country codes' AT800 are come from the same production line. But I definitely believe that the quality of rackets produced from the same production line will vary in an acceptable range. So in the same batch of rackets, some will be better in quality over others (all passed the QC process). From this point of view, I think the manufacturer definitely can sort out some rackets with outstanding quality for special purpose or market such as sponsor China National Team, JP rackets...
Adding some materials to this topic! I talked to the boss of a factory which manufacturies badminton rackets in Taiwan. We talked of the rackets for pro players. He said among one hundred rackets in every production(using the same machines and materials and processes), there are ony 3~4 rackets fitting the spec. for pro players(including stiffness of shaft, balance of the racket....etc). Among these 3~4 rackets, there may be some defects on other place(appearance....etc). So one can just find out 1~2 "perfect" ones among one hundred rackets! He also told me pro players always like stiff rackets........ :D This is just for reference. I think the CP/CN rackets should be the best ones from Yonex but not sure about JP.

I think you are talking nonsense. All racquets come out of the same production line. The SP is marked on the shaft and the country code is chipped on the cone. Common sense would tell you an AT800 is an AT800, irrespective of the country code. Don't tell me you are so gullible as to be so easily duped by fast-talking salesmen. I would only believe it if Yonex comes out with an AT800 upgrade and designates it with a different model name, like AT801 Improved. To say that one AT800 is better than another AT800 because of different country codes or distributor marks could be tantamount to misrepresentation and could land you in legal trouble if you were a shop selling them.well said taneepak. hooray!

I think you are talking nonsense. All racquets come out of the same production line. The SP is marked on the shaft and the country code is chipped on the cone. Common sense would tell you an AT800 is an AT800, irrespective of the country code. Don't tell me you are so gullible as to be so easily duped by fast-talking salesmen. I would only believe it if Yonex comes out with an AT800 upgrade and designates it with a different model name, like AT801 Improved. To say that one AT800 is better than another AT800 because of different country codes or distributor marks could be tantamount to misrepresentation and could land you in legal trouble if you were a shop selling them.well said taneepak. hooray! :D

Good job!

You had solved my puzzle about racket production.

I know every identical model have 'individual' character. I believe the QC is unable to make each racket identical. The above thread proved it.

I think you are talking nonsense. All racquets come out of the same production line. The SP is marked on the shaft and the country code is chipped on the cone. Common sense would tell you an AT800 is an AT800, irrespective of the country code. Don't tell me you are so gullible as to be so easily duped by fast-talking salesmen. I would only believe it if Yonex comes out with an AT800 upgrade and designates it with a different model name, like AT801 Improved. To say that one AT800 is better than another AT800 because of different country codes or distributor marks could be tantamount to misrepresentation and could land you in legal trouble if you were a shop selling them.


i think everybody is allowed his/her own views eg whether christianity is better than buddhism, whether Toyota is better than Nissan, whether a particular TV model that has moved it's production from Japan to Zimbabtu is the same quality... so i think we should respect their views and not insult each other.

I am a believer of country codes, why? because i have felt it, i have held mp100 cp, jp and sp all side by side, and they all play differently. Hey~ maybe it's just psychological, or maybe it's true... we dont know. :)

Adding some materials to this topic! I talked to the boss of a factory which manufacturies badminton rackets in Taiwan. We talked of the rackets for pro players. He said among one hundred rackets in every production(using the same machines and materials and processes), there are ony 3~4 rackets fitting the spec. for pro players(including stiffness of shaft, balance of the racket....etc). Among these 3~4 rackets, there may be some defects on other place(appearance....etc). So one can just find out 1~2 "perfect" ones among one hundred rackets! He also told me pro players always like stiff rackets........ :D This is just for reference. I think the CP/CN rackets should be the best ones from Yonex but not sure about JP.

how do u know what u hear is what he meant? I think it is no more or less rubbish than talking to a salesman. In spec, do you know what are their spec? This 1-2% ratio, maybe because they are using inferior equipments, hey, it's made in TW u know. :rolleyes: Maybe their 'perfect' ones can be classified as rejects from a 'better' manufacturer point of view and spec tolerance. Ie, Lexus may view the 'perfect ford focus or dodge neon' as junk.
'
There are many pros using flexy rackets like mp88 and AT700, singles and double. I like stiff racket (really), am i a pro?

i think everybody is allowed his/her own views eg whether christianity is better than buddhism, whether Toyota is better than Nissan, whether a particular TV model that has moved it's production from Japan to Zimbabtu is the same quality... so i think we should respect their views and not insult each other.

I am a believer of country codes, why? because i have felt it, i have held mp100 cp, jp and sp all side by side, and they all play differently. Hey~ maybe it's just psychological, or maybe it's true... we dont know. :)

I think the problem lies with the fact that it's a mixture of both actual quality and psychological interpretation. I'm not sure what is the case for Yonex racquets, but as an example, when Sony and Panasonic started having factories in both Japan and overseas, the quality of the electronics would vary greatly depending on where it's from.

Good job!

You had solved my puzzle about racket production.

I know every identical model have 'individual' character. I believe the QC is unable to make each racket identical. The above thread proved it.

If only life is that simple cut and dry, black and white. :rolleyes:

Has anyone able to try out the AT800 US?
I believe it was released the same time as JP,
But do they feel the same? :confused:

Well just need to know how the AT800 US feel.
Thanks

Has anyone able to try out the AT800 US?
I believe it was released the same time as JP,
But do they feel the same? :confused:

Well just need to know how the AT800 US feel.
Thanks

2 ladies from my local club are using 800OF. I can ask them for their "review". However, I won't be able to do that until next sat (5/29), as I have a party to go this sat. ;)

2 ladies from my local club are using 800OF. I can ask them for their "review". However, I won't be able to do that until next sat (5/29), as I have a party to go this sat. ;)

Thanks alot LZBud
I'm looking fwd in reading their comment

Since i have both JP and SP version of the AT800 DE and OF. What i can compare is that , both are equally identical. However JP version is slightly heavier than the SP.

This is what i found out as well when i compare my AT700 Jp with a AT700 SP and TH in terms of weight. Except the At700 Jp paint job is much better than the TH.

how do u know what u hear is what he meant? I think it is no more or less rubbish than talking to a salesman. In spec, do you know what are their spec? This 1-2% ratio, maybe because they are using inferior equipments, hey, it's made in TW u know. :rolleyes: Maybe their 'perfect' ones can be classified as rejects from a 'better' manufacturer point of view and spec tolerance. Ie, Lexus may view the 'perfect ford focus or dodge neon' as junk.
'
There are many pros using flexy rackets like mp88 and AT700, singles and double. I like stiff racket (really), am i a pro?
No, he is not a saleman, he has a factory and manufacturess badminton rackets with his own brand. He also supports some pro players in Taiwan. The "perfect" one is not everying is perfect. He will let the pro players try out thier rackets and give him some suggestions. I mean the rackets which meet the spec. for pro players and many pro players like stiff shaft. I don't say every pro players like stiff shaft in my post. Please check it again. He told me the most difficut part to meet the spec. are balance and stiffness of the shaft.
You can buy these rackets with the same appearance on the market but in fact they are different. Besides stiffness of the shaft, the balance(not the balance point) of the whole rackets is also an important part. You can roll your rackets on your hand to check the balance. Of courese, it is a rough measuring method. I use this method to check some my rackets. I would say most of YY's rackets are better. Believe it or not. I just share my informations with guys, I would not mean my informations are golden rules in the world. This is a free world,right....... ;)

:D some parts of the world aren't free yet ;)

Yes, i do many things to a racquet beside bending them :)

"huijun: Believe it or not. I just share my informations with guys"

Is that so.. ;).

:D some parts of the world aren't free yet ;)

Yes, i do many things to a racquet beside bending them :)
Ha ha! Yes, some parts of the world aren't free yet...... :D
Since you make a lot of investigations on badminton rackets, Do You consider running a badminton company in the future....... :p

Ha ha! Yes, some parts of the world aren't free yet...... :D
Since you make a lot of investigations on badminton rackets, Do You consider running a badminton company in the future....... :p
or it would be really interesting to see if Yonex hire Cooler as a QC inspector :D

Hahaha, thanks fellas but i maybe bias, making special production runs for CD only :P :cool: I think there are still many technical advancement can be made to badminton rackets ;)

I think you are talking nonsense. All racquets come out of the same production line. The SP is marked on the shaft and the country code is chipped on the cone. Common sense would tell you an AT800 is an AT800, irrespective of the country code. Don't tell me you are so gullible as to be so easily duped by fast-talking salesmen. I would only believe it if Yonex comes out with an AT800 upgrade and designates it with a different model name, like AT801 Improved. To say that one AT800 is better than another AT800 because of different country codes or distributor marks could be tantamount to misrepresentation and could land you in legal trouble if you were a shop selling them.

It is no secret that Japanese manufacturers keep the superior products for domestic market and shipped the others to overseas. Eg., if you think the Japanese beer that you buy at local supermarket with "Made in Japan" label is same as the one you get in Japan, you are naive. It applies to everything, from instant noodles to hi-tech.

I can say this because I spent 8 years in Japan and know how Japanese manufacturers classify their products (not related to badminton). I'm still in trading business with Japanese and if you want the products that was destined for Japanese market, they will either say no or sell you at a premium.

If your common sense is /Quote[Common sense would tell you an AT800 is an AT800, irrespective of the country code.], then your common sense is no sense at all. By the way, legally speaking, same products with different country codes or distributor's marks do represent differences in quality or ingredients, eg., for packaged foods, the same product sold in Japan can have perservatives not legally allowed in Hong Kong. However, their package, brand and product name are the same. So, no need for you to worry that it /Quote[could be tantamount to misrepresentation and could land you in legal trouble if you were a shop selling them.] One more thing, I'm not shop owner selling badminton rackets. I'm a recreational player.

Other thing I know and you don't know is that: my friend had arranged to sold old Japanrese badminton moulds to Chinese manufacturers and he can talk hours about racket manufacturing and YY.

this thread is fast becoming a "debate" of country codes... isnt this thread abt at800 reviews? irregardless or country codes?

this thread is fast becoming a "debate" of country codes... isnt this thread abt at800 reviews? irregardless or country codes?

Agree, I think we side-tracked a bit. The topic is about two AT800 models, the DE and OF. Lets forget the country codes and distributor codes, otherwise we will end up with perhaps a hundred types of AT800 and endless debate who is no. 1 (JP?), no. 2 and so on, including last(ID=India?).
Much against my earlier inclination to hold off buying the AT800DE because of the high price, I did finally buy one last tuesday for HK$1,150. I played about 4 hours with the racquet and I like it very much. It is lightning fast and is excellent for defence. It is however not as powerful as the AT700 for smashes. Now, I am wondering if the AT800OF will fill this smashing void? But I can't really play with two racquets-DE and OF-at the same time, can I?.

personally, i'm eyeing the OF. People here seem to favors the DE only because more pros use DE than OF instead of asking what fits them personally. Of course both OF and DE are nice but in there own ways.

Taneepak : of course you can use both DE and OF. I tried using it and it does work for me , i don't have problem adapting to both of it anytime.

Cooler : AT800 OF is a good racket for most of us. The Reason for pros choosing DE rackets is that in doubles , they need fast reaction and good defence as they are being bombarded by smashes and lightning fast reactions by the opponents. PROS can already generate alot of power in their smashes and they need more speed in their defence and wristwork. For us we may not have powerful smashes as they are , thats why At800 OF is a good buy for those who need relatively fast defence and at the same time powerful smashes.

Same with me. I have been using both models and I can easily switch between the two. So I guess getting both models instead and use one that suits your game type at the moment. The OF is indeed more powerful owing to its more stiffness and head heavier, although only slightly, against the DE.

Oh by the way, I agree that we should stop debating about country codes. To those who are interested on the country code issue, I remember that a similar thread about this exist in the forum. It was a very long thread, with pros and cons about each. Do a search :)

Hey you guys, I was just wondering if you people play competitively? The reason that I ask is that I know people who switch between different models of rackets during a match, but that just seems rather silly. As I have mentioned previously, I have decided to purchase 4 x AT800 DE partly because this way, the strings will be kept at higher tensions for longer if I switch between the rackets, but mostly, should one of them break, I wouldn't have to readjust myself to the different feel. I mean, surely, when under pressure, most people have one particular racket that they would wish to rely upon, right?

F-man, i know what you mean, but i think unless really playing competitively, there is no need to get 4 of the same racket. what are the chances of spoiling 2 rackets on the same day for us?

i would prefer to get 2 of 2 types of racket. So after a few months, you can switch to the other one and experience a different feel!

personally, i used to have 2 mp100 and 2 mp77. Each time i switch, the mp77 will surprise me with its power and the mp100 will surprise me with its stability.

and besides, having 4 of each model means if you want to totally change to a new model, you would have to sell 4 rackets at one shot! :eek: the pros can just chuck it one side, they get it for free anyways. chuck it one side and maybe show it to their kids' kids later :D

Hey Iris I remember there was a time when you always gets all the new rackets that come out :) So what are you waiting for now? Go get the AT800. Its good. You wont regret it :D

I think it is a good idea to get 4 if you like the racquet a lot.

I recently just bought another 2 MP99, and now I have 4 of them :)

Sometimes, when bad days come, it is possible to break 3 of strings within one day, and you will be relying on the forth one.

(However, I don't think AT racquets is for me.....I have tried 700 and 500....didn't like them both. Perhaps I will give 800 a try some time this summer.)

Personally I think having four of the same rackets is kinda overkill for me. Two would be more logical I say. But if you have the spare cash, why not ;)

I have been using the AT800OF 4U w/ BG85 for a couple of weeks now and found it much better than the Ti-10 3U (which I have been using previously) in terms of power and control. I guess that's probably because Ti-10 just isn't the racket for me. My smashes just didn't come out right when I use the Ti-10. However, with the AT800OF, I can swing the racket around a lot quicker and smash a lot harder even though it's a 4U racket (I also found the CS cap very useful when defending and doing backhand serve). Even my friend noticed a big difference in my smashes once I switched to the AT800OF.

I just ordered the DE version yesterday and will probably receive it in 2-3 weeks. Hopefully I will like it as much as the OF version.:)

Sometimes, when bad days come, it is possible to break 3 of strings within one day, and you will be relying on the forth one.



3 in one day, man, u have something in common with Lin Dan now. :D

3 in one day, man, u have something in common with Lin Dan now. :D

My worst was a tournament where in a single game i broke two racquets, and in the two days i broke 3 sets of strings on top of that! :(

On a more related note I haven't tried the AT800's just yet but they sure sound really exciting! :)

The thing is, this season, over the course of one semester at university, I had to get my rackets restrung 6 times! It cost me ten british pounds to restring each one even though I had supplied my own strings (BG68ti). 60 pounds is enough for me to buy a new racket, fully strung, and some badminton accessories in Taiwan. So, there is some financial sense to my decision even though it may not appear so to people in this forum.

So far i haven't break any rackets yet.. but they are some that is already cracked so i didnt give them any chance to break. The worst in string breakage is twice a day , same racket. The new string last me for less than 10 smashes! So far i think many pll who used ti-10 now is beginning to like AT800 OF.

Is it too early to ask for reviews comparing the different weights of the same racket?

ie (AT800OF 3u vs AT800OF 4u)

bump!

anyone have any further details?

such as when this becomes available in Bangkok? =)

My worst was a tournament where in a single game i broke two racquets, and in the two days i broke 3 sets of strings on top of that! :(

On a more related note I haven't tried the AT800's just yet but they sure sound really exciting! :)
Wow ! Breaking 2 racquets and 3 sets of strings in 2 days ! I take pride in breaking strings because it makes feel like I am smashing hard and playing like a Pros. The moment I heard my string breaks, I would walk off the court like a Pros and exchange for another racquet :D

I am currently using MP-99 for doubles and I play mostly smash and drive. I tried AT-800 DF and OF last week and as a result, I fell in love with AT-800 DF. Previously, I owned AT-700 3U but traded it for MP-100 instead because I did not like AT-700.

Following this thread, I guess it is hard to say DF is better than OF or vice versa, it really boils down to what you are used to. Like myself, DF is more appealing because the weight is distributed more evenly (balance like MP-99) and it feels more stable when returning hard smash (improvement over MP-99)

On the other hand, I feel OF is going for extreme in terms of head-heavy effect. It generates more power when smashing, but I need a strong wrist to react fast with the racquet in a fast doubles game. MP-100 2U would be my preference if I am into power play.

In short, I am getting AT-800 DF very soon :D

On the other hand, I feel OF is going for extreme in terms of head-heavy effect.

In short, I am getting AT-800 DF very soon :D

Thats my problem. Is the OF (especially at 4u) exceedingly head heavy? My perception from the reviews posted earlier was that it was not as head heavy as the AT700.

A lot of us are already using this racket, I use a 4u for doubles, and if the OF is not as head heavy as the AT700 then its not as extreme, yes?

Hey stantan, dont worry about the AT800s headheaviness. I have both and they are nowhere as headheavy as the AT700. Remember that these rackets are designed for doubles, so they cant make them too headheavy since it would hinder quick returns. You cant go wrong with either the OF or the DE. I cant decide myself which I like more :D

In any case, you must try any racquet before you buy. As to OF or DF, it is merely subjective judgement. I made a mistake once before when I decided to get AT-700 after reading reviews from various sources, without trying it first. Then I found out I was not used to the racquet after I played with it. So, I ended up trading it for MP-100.

I have friends who prefer OF because DF is too light for them, so it is just a matter of what type of "feel" you are used to.:)

Having tried the AT800 OF for the first time today, I have to say that it is a real STINKER! It does not feel as head heavy as the AT700, but one must remember that the AT700 has a "stiff" shaft whilst the AT800 OF has an
"extra stiff" shaft.

I see no reason why existing owners of " head heavy" rackets such as the MP100, Ti 10, AT700 would wish to switch to the AT800 OF. It is powerful, but not enough to make any impressions. If anything, it feels like a MP100, except the cosmetics has been updated. In any case, it's best to try these rackets out before making any purchases.

However, the AT800 DE performs like a dream! This is undoubtedly the best overall doubles racket around! Try it!

thanks for the input guys,

as a suggestion, could I ask the people posting reviews to specify whether the racket they were using is a 3u or a 4u? this may help.

thanks again!

thanks for the input guys,

as a suggestion, could I ask the people posting reviews to specify whether the racket they were using is a 3u or a 4u? this may help.

thanks again!

yah, even better, also tell us the grip size.
a g5 will feel different than a g3, even if the U is the same

I got my AT800DE 4UG5 last thursday. After playing with it for a couple of club sessions, I am amazed at how easy it was to control the shuttle and receive shots with this racquet. I can now return shots that I had trouble with returning before with other racquets. Smashing and clearing are ok, definitely not as good as the OF version (the one I have is 4UG4).

I like both of my AT800OF and DE . But I won't say one is better than the other simply because they both have their strengths and weaknesses.

i just got the OF version 3UG4, JP version. and my first impression is that it's great!

i had a chance to compare both 3ug4 version OF and DE and it's true, the OF is more head heavy and more solid, reminds me of mp100/mp88 while the DE is more even balanced like the mp90.

So when the OF is compared to:

MP100 2ug3
the OF is more stable and packs more punch! a lot more power! and coupled with it being lighter, i'm switching! the OF also feels more solid than the mp100. i'm still not sure about stability wise.

MP77 2ug4
mp77 by itself is more powerful than mp100, but the OF is still better. however, the mp77 is not as stiff. but manoeverability wise, the OF kicks ass!

AT500 3ug3
power wise, the OF is comparable with this, however, my OF feels lighter. however, in terms of solid feel and stability, 500 is still the best!

so all in all, the OF is the best in my racket collection. but i'm a little skeptical as more likely than not, we'll love new rackets! i'll post another review in a few weeks time and give a more balanced view =)

i hope this helps. i know how tough it is to choose between OF and DE! i know...

Like I said before, get both :D

Question to all the people who have seen the DE and OF-

When I bought my MP99 I noticed that the length of the racket was long, as long as say, my ISO Ti SS or my AT700 now.

But I noticed that compared to those 2 rackets, the shaft of the MP99 was shorter and the length was made up by having a long grip.

Can anyone who has both the DE and OF versions of a racket do a simple check and look if the rackets are of the same length? and are the dimensions the same? Do they have the same length shaft/grip?

thanks

Both the OF and DF are exactly similar in shape, length etc. The only difference is the paint scheme, and how they play

Both the OF and DF are exactly similar in shape, length etc. The only difference is the paint scheme, and how they play

Kukula,

are the dimensions of the AT800 the same as the AT700?

also, since you post from Manila, does that mean you have the rackets with you? where do you play?
:)

Sadly I dont own AT700 so I cant compare it at the moment. Yup I play in BBA (Banawe Badminton Arcade) Its located in QC

Kukula,

are the dimensions of the AT800 the same as the AT700?
:)

The AT700 has a longer shaft but a shorter handle than the AT800.

The AT700 has a longer shaft but a shorter handle than the AT800.
Is AT800 1 cm longer on the handle like mp-100 and mp-99?

Is AT800 1 cm longer on the handle like mp-100 and mp-99?

The total length and the length of the shaft of both the AT800 and MP99 are exactly the same.

Read the earlier reviews about that At800. I think i did mention some difference between At700 and At800. Plus the comparison of DE and OF.

Both the OF and DF are exactly similar in shape, length etc. The only difference is the paint scheme, and how they play
...and the cross section of the frame near the T-joint. the DEF has an aero shape while the OFF has a box shape.

Hmmmm i forgot about that :o Thanks for reminding me bambini :p

:rolleyes: i was able to get an at800 def finally. yahooo! i knew it was kinda expensive (php11k) for a TH version. but that is the cheapest price in manila. price range in malls is between php16-20k (US$250+). i hope i'll like it. btw, is there a diff in weight if you get a smaller grip size? i.e. 4ug4 vs 4ug5?

Yup. The smaller grip size means less wood, and consequently lesser weight and different balance :D

:rolleyes: i was able to get an at800 def finally. yahooo! i knew it was kinda expensive (php11k) for a TH version. but that is the cheapest price in manila. price range in malls is between php16-20k (US$250+). i hope i'll like it. btw, is there a diff in weight if you get a smaller grip size? i.e. 4ug4 vs 4ug5?

I think a 4UG4 racquet weighs the same as a 4UG5 because the U designation refers to weight. The handle may come in different circumferance but a G5 should weigh the same as a G4. A G5 will have a shorter hollow tunnel than a G4, making it a little heavier, inside the handle to offset its smaller size.

thanks for all the feedback!

I think a 4UG4 racquet weighs the same as a 4UG5 because the U designation refers to weight. The handle may come in different circumferance but a G5 should weigh the same as a G4. A G5 will have a shorter hollow tunnel than a G4, making it a little heavier, inside the handle to offset its smaller size.

I believe a G5 will weigh a little lighter than a G4 (maybe 2 grams). Take note that there is a weight range of 5 grams for each U designation which I think is needed due to the difference in grip sizes.

I modify racquets to experiment with their playability and the handle is often one area where I make the most changes. If you remove the butt cap, you will see a tunnel in the middle of the wooden handle. The length and sometimes the diameter of the tunnel do vary, which do affect the overall racquet weight. Some tunnels are 2" long, some 2.5" and a few 4" long. A longer tunnel means a lighter handle, all things being equal, as there is less wood (unseen from the outside).
The +/- 5gm in racquet weight is just a manufacturing tolerance, as it is possible to get 2 identical racquets, 4UG4, with a 5gm difference.

This is my 2 cents on my 2 weeks old AT800 OF and DE:

Both of them are 4UG4 strung w BG68Ti at 24 pounds on a YY ES5 Pro machine.

AT800 OF

This has a stiffer shaft with a bit more power; slower through the air than DE but not slow, say, when compared to AT700; Ti10 etc. String on OF also feels a little "tighter" and shuttle stays on string bed a little shorter than DE, I think because of the stiffer OF frame. Mongoose described this as "tension sensitive" and I cannot put it any better.

OF is not as head heavy as AT700 though no less powerful.

This is a fairly demanding racquet. Not quite in the Ti10 class but I'd imagine it would better suit an advance player for a number of reasons: stiffness of frame/shaft; head heavy and most importantly imho, a smaller sweet spot than DE.

AT800 DE

DE is highly manourverable; quick and does not lack power. It feels more aerodynamic through the air than OF. It is NOT a defensive racquet (see Cai Yun). I would say the sweet spot of DE is bigger than OF and I suppose if the string bed is tighter, the sweet spot becomes smaller.

I can understand why DE is more popular with more people. It has control; power and manourverability. It is forgiving so slightly mis-hit shots are acceptable. Shots are predictable and it does what you want it to do on court. As I said to IRIS: what more do you want (in a racquet)?

I don't think there are many better racquets out there for doubles players. I have tried many over the years, and the DE is one sweet racquet. In fact, my OF has not been able to get any play for the last few sessions and I don't know when it will get played again :)

Though both my AT800s are 4u, they don't feel light weight and filmsy. Swing weight is quite nice with a "solid feel" because of the head weight from the Armotec frame.

Conclusion

The OF is an excellent racquet and I can see it having a cult following like Ti10 but the Green Lizard (to borrow a golfing term for NV65) is something else. I don't know if it's value for money but it's a heck of a racquet. A modern classic in the making.

I just got the AT-800 DF yesterday! The price is NT 3700 including the string. But I don't have any chance to play with it. The shaft is imprinted with the word "ultra ligh weight/head heavy balance/..." Comparing to mp-90, AT-800 DF is more head heavy than mp-90. The dimensions are the same with mp-90, slim shaft, 1 cm longer on the handle. The boss of the sport store told me that he think the design of the frame of the AT-800 series is not good, because the string is "floating" outside the frame. If you used to pick up the shuttle with the rackets, the string will contact with the ground. This will make the life time of the string shorter. Anyway, I will play with it on Saturday..... :D
ps. The retail price of AT-800 is more expensive than mp-100 in Taiwan. This make me a little surprise.... :rolleyes:

I just got the AT-800 DF yesterday! The price is NT 3700 including the string. But I don't have any chance to play with it. The shaft is imprinted with the word "ultra ligh weight/head heavy balance/..." Comparing to mp-90, AT-800 DF is more head heavy than mp-90. The dimensions are the same with mp-90, slim shaft, 1 cm longer on the handle. The boss of the sport store told me that he think the design of the frame of the AT-800 series is not good, because the string is "floating" outside the frame. If you used to pick up the shuttle with the rackets, the string will contact with the ground. This will make the life time of the string shorter. Anyway, I will play with it on Saturday..... :D
ps. The retail price of AT-800 is more expensive than mp-100 in Taiwan. This make me a little surprise.... :rolleyes:
I am getting one myself also from my relative in Taiwan, BUT IT COSTS NT 4100 !!! damn, your deal is better than mine, which store did you get it ? My relative told me he got it from a store close to National Taiwan University. I was ripped off !

Actually I am still happy because it costs USD$219 in US.

I just got a AT800-OF 4UG5 at 22lbs and I noticed that the birdie flew faster when I smashed than my mp-100 3UG4 at 20lbs. Although my smashes were better, I had a hard time getting used to dropping from the back with this racquet. Blocking smashes was not a problem. Overall, I thought it was a pretty good racquet. I might get an AT800-DF soon to see which one is better... :p

I just got a AT800-OF 4UG5 at 22lbs and I noticed that the birdie flew faster when I smashed than my mp-100 3UG4 at 20lbs. Although my smashes were better, I had a hard time getting used to dropping from the back with this racquet. Blocking smashes was not a problem. Overall, I thought it was a pretty good racquet. I might get an AT800-DF soon to see which one is better... :p
My last racquet was crashed .Today I just got AT800-OF including string @NT3700 by South_Sea store .

Hmm... please do give an update about how you feel about it. BTW, what string did you get and what was the tension of the string?

Haven't heard of Nan-hai old master in Kwan-hwa market for a while.
Yes, they indeed offer badders some very good deals.
Do you happen to know how much they charge for other raquets such as MP99 and AT-700?
Have fun!
-SC
My last racquet was crashed .Today I just got AT800-OF including string @NT3700 by South_Sea store .

i somehow agree with JHL abt the tension sensitivity, try lowering the tension a little if you feel that the OF is hard to use... i dropped 2 lbs from my usual tension for this racket

The string model is BG-65 which 21 lbs.I donot know the price of MP99 & AT-700.Maybe you can get a reference from http://www.mattshop.com.tw/ .According to the price which minus NT300~400
is dealing price.(including BG-65string) :p


Hmm... please do give an update about how you feel about it. BTW, what string did you get and what was the tension of the string?

Haven't heard of Nan-hai old master in Kwan-hwa market for a while.
Yes, they indeed offer badders some very good deals.
Do you happen to know how much they charge for other raquets such as MP99 and AT-700?
Have fun!
-SC

I just got a AT800-OF 4UG5 at 22lbs and I noticed that the birdie flew faster when I smashed than my mp-100 3UG4 at 20lbs. Although my smashes were better, I had a hard time getting used to dropping from the back with this racquet. Blocking smashes was not a problem. Overall, I thought it was a pretty good racquet. I might get an AT800-DF soon to see which one is better... :p
i fell in love with my AT800-OF... hehehe
my smashes are super fast and my drops are great too.
best racquet i've used so far. easily replaced my mp-100. now i can't switch back to my mp-100 for some reason... ahahaha

I have checked the price recently of AT800DF here in Singapore
and the TH cost around S$250 and the SP cost around S$320.

S$70 is a lot of money for the same model with different code.

What will I buy? the TH or SP? :cool:

pls check the market place. there's a guy from sing selling his at800 jp for less than sg$300.

I purchased a AT800 Defensive racket a couple of weeks ago. I love the racket. Before i purchased this racket, i was using the TI swing power. It was an easy change over to the AT800. Smashes are much stronger, and everything feels great. Excellent racket!

pls check the market place. there's a guy from sing selling his at800 jp for less than sg$300.
the guy you are talking to, pm me but it is OF.. I want the DF.;)

does any one kno where to get a cheap price for the AT 800 OF & DF. (it's okay if itz international..) thanx:D (itz also best if you give an address, telephone or website...)

does any one kno where to get a cheap price for the AT 800 OF & DF. (it's okay if itz international..) thanx:D (itz also best if you give an address, telephone or website...)
For those of people who are looking to "buy" the racquet, you should check the markets section. This is the "Reviews" thread of AT800.

Also, please don't always looking into the price only. Sometimes, service and warranty and other factors are more important than the price.

Finally, a suggestion for people: Please define what "cheap" means. You should always give a range of $$ when asking questions because cheap to you might means something under $50USD, but to me might mean something that is close to $100. Try to use real numbers than the ambiguous wordings.

For those of people who are looking to "buy" the racquet, you should check the markets section. This is the "Reviews" thread of AT800.

Also, please don't always looking into the price only. Sometimes, service and warranty and other factors are more important than the price.

Finally, a suggestion for people: Please define what "cheap" means. You should always give a range of $$ when asking questions because cheap to you might means something under $50USD, but to me might mean something that is close to $100. Try to use real numbers than the ambiguous wordings.

Sorry about that (first timer...) as for your comments, i thank you for them. i of course am lookin for both, the OF and DE versions, but i am looking for stores that give good services and warranties. ( i have checked out badmintonalley.com in the united states as well as other websites internationally.)
As for the word "cheap" my definition would be around $130USD for one racket. (looking for a little less, like by 5 or 10 dollars.)
Anyway, my apologies for posting in the wrong forum.:o

Do you think that this racket at800 off. or de. has a stronger frame than at 700

Do you think that this racket at800 off. or de. has a stronger frame than at 700

not exactly sure, but one thing is for sure, the armortec frame is much stronger than the MP and the TI series.

AT frames are much durable and tougher than Mps rackets. But among the AT frames... personally i think AT700 is the toughest so far.

I am one of the lucky owners of an armortec 800 OF 4U japan version with the recommended BG88TI string. Its one of the best reacquet I have ever tried. Its kinda completely different from the DF version so it usually depends on player's personal preference. In terms of power, this racquet is beyond that of the DF model but as for control , the DF is a tad higher than the OF... So best is to get both like what others have said..

Want to get a badminton racket. I am new to badminton but not racket sports. My girlfriend likes bad, and I have gained the interest. I am looking at buying the Armortech 800 OFF or the Rasmussen Tour. Is the 800 OF more suited to doubles AND singles play than the 800 DE? How much control does the 800 OF concede to the 800 DE? Is the 800 OF still pretty manuverable compared to cheap rackets? Also is it a suitable racket for an improver?, the money not being an issue. How forgiving is the 800 OF compared to the DE and the rest of the Muscle Power series. Intend to go to a racket specialist PWP.com and try them for feel.

AT frames are much durable and tougher than Mps rackets. But among the AT frames... personally i think AT700 is the toughest so far.

I just hope I never find out :)

Is it too early to ask for reviews comparing the different weights of the same racket?

ie (AT800OF 3u vs AT800OF 4u)

I have both Of and Df rackets and I bought two AT800 Of, 3u and 4u ea. The 4u is lighter than the 3u obviously but the 3u is better balanced. The 4u seems to be heavier at the head and lighter at the shaft making the racket feel weird than the 3u, which is much more balanced although still a little head heavy. I bought and sold my AT800 4u Of and exchanged it for a 3u because of that.

How are the price of other rackets in Philippines?? Also are so high?? Or, just the AT800 is so expensive.

FYI: At present you can get original AT800 Of & Df in the Philippines, both at the cost of roughly $US150 (or even lower), if you acquire these thru friends who peddle them by rounding badminton clubs and not at the stores, which is a hell of a lot expensive. Country code though is TW, at least like many I've come accross, so I wouldn't know if that makes a cost difference with the others. Many rackets of different brands cost roughly anywhere from $30 to $100 but only Yonex seems to be the most expensive in terms of brand line spread. Many fakes abound too like the AT800 fakes here which cost anywhere between $25-$30.

Well, I just got an Armortec 800 OF today. It's the 4U4G version. It is stringed w/ BG65 strings at 24lbs. The color design of this racket looks really good! Anyways, I have not played w/ this racket just yet. But I will try this out next Sunday, so I will give feedback about the racket later. I can't wait to try this racket out!

*have a nice day*:D

Is it more powerful than Ti 10? which one do you prefer Ti 10 or AT800? why?

In my country AT800 price is $142 ( Rp 1,300,000). I still confuse choosing a powerful racket between Ti 10 and the other. Is AT800 OF better than Ti 10?
I'm affraid I'll regret after buying Ti 10. What is the excess of AT800of compare to Ti10? as the price of Ti 10 is $98 (Rp 900,000) and I can get AT800 by adding $44 more if in fact that AT800 is better than Ti 10.
One thing, is it because AT800 contains UltimumTi so it is more expensive than Ti 10 which only have TitaniumMesh?
Thanks.

Is AT800 suitable for single player?

Is AT800 suitable for single player?

Both AT800, DE and OF, are intended by the manufacturer, Yonex, for doubles play.

Is AT800 suitable for single player?
If you insist, you can use them in singles, but originally, they are designed for doubles usages. (All the techs)

I think....most of rackets can be used in singles, but not all rackets can be used in doubles (especially for the durability issues, such as Slim10)

oh I see, can AT700 be used for both Single and Double play? I wonder what part is added by YONEX so AT800 only suitable for double, I mean what's the Negative things will happen if I used the Double's racket such AT800 for single play, would it be that it's not enough power to single play due to it's design for speed play in double?

Power comes mainly from yourself.....also the AT800 comes in 3U (heavier than 4U) which i suppose you could use for singles if you felt the racket was too light. Also, doubles usually requires just as much power as singles...maybe the shots need to be played faster as there is a faster pace. Professionals use the MP88 for singles play, so you should be able to use the AT800 for singles as well.
========================
i guess the AT800 has been advertised for doubles play because Yonex don't want it to compete with the AT700 (the other expensive racket in AT range).

Power comes mainly from yourself.....also the AT800 comes in 3U (heavier than 4U) which i suppose you could use for singles if you felt the racket was too light. Also, doubles usually requires just as much power as singles...maybe the shots need to be played faster as there is a faster pace. Professionals use the MP88 for singles play, so you should be able to use the AT800 for singles as well.
========================
i guess the AT800 has been advertised for doubles play because Yonex don't want it to compete with the AT700 (the other expensive racket in AT range).

The AT800 DE and OF come in both 3U and 4U. Yonex states that the AT800 series is the world's first racquet to be developed exclusively (Yonex's exact words) for doubles. The AT 800 shape is slightly different from the AT700's.

which is better for single AT800OF 4U or AT800DE 3U?

which is better for single AT800OF 4U or AT800DE 3U?
Neither :)
There is nothing is better.

This is what we called senseless post

Neither :)
There is nothing is better.

This is what we called senseless post
You mean that whichever I choose is the same?

They are certainly different... but nobody could choose for you. Only person who knows which racquet feels right for you is YOU:D.

You mean that whichever I choose is the same?

They are certainly different... but nobody could choose for you. Only person who knows which racquet feels right for you is YOU:D.
Exactly!!

People need to understand there is something called "Personal Preferences" and there is also something called "Capability".

I see I see :o , but it will be very lucky if I can try those AT800DF, AT800OF, Ti-10, in my usual place where I play, no one use those AT800DF, AT800OF, Ti-10, all they have just MP series ( Majority is MP99), carbonex series, and some clone rackets, and no racket rental too :( .

Bluejeff will you put AT800 on your hamepage soon? the star points and comments is sure very helping

Tried out the AT 800 OF (4U4G) today. It was stringed w/ BG65 strings at 24lbs. (as mentioned before...) the feel when you hit w/ this racket is good (a little nice vibration) and power is awesome. Compared to my Ti 7 (2U4G), the swing speed w/ the AT 800 OF is much faster and my reaction to shots is a little faster than before. The control was also good too.. (did a lot of drops and slices and most of them went just over the net... maybe that was luck...) Overall, I like this racket a lot. As for the head heavyness, I think I got used to it really quickly since I used a 2U racket regularly... Well, I don't know if I should buy the DE version though. Heard it was a really good all around racket in this thread. (I'm a high school student and earning money is a very hard task for me.) So I think I will just stick w/ having only the OF version for now.

As for the question above, I'd just like to say that you can practically use ANY racket for singles, even the AT 800's. As for racket selection, yes I agree, it is a matter of personal preference. You have to try out different kinds of rackets and notice for yourself what kind of characteristics of the racket you like. Then over time, I'm sure you can reach a good decision as to what rackets would fit your style of play. Only YOU know what YOU like.;)

*have a nice day*:D

can someone tell me,

how flexible is the at800de in relation to the mp99?

is it a lot more flexible? or quite similar? (the mp99 i have is 3u if that makes a difference)

thanks

Im looking to get a AT800 (after using Ti-10s for the last 2 yrs) Um... I've read thru the entire thread, and from wut I've gotten from people is that:

OF: more power slower recovery (ie more cumbersome)
DF: lesser power faster speed (more manuverable)

and Im jus wondering how much difference there is in terms of power for these 2 rackets. Significantly different or just slightly different? Because personally I can create quite a bit of power with my Ti-10, and so if the difference is not majorly I think I'll go with the DE instead of the OF (people like OF cuz of the power it can create for them... but I need manuverability instead of power from my racket (without sacrificing too much power that is)

Tips? Inputs? Anything is great! Thanks!

Im looking to get a AT800 (after using Ti-10s for the last 2 yrs) Um... I've read thru the entire thread, and from wut I've gotten from people is that:

OF: more power slower recovery (ie more cumbersome)
DF: lesser power faster speed (more manuverable)

and Im jus wondering how much difference there is in terms of power for these 2 rackets. Significantly different or just slightly different? Because personally I can create quite a bit of power with my Ti-10, and so if the difference is not majorly I think I'll go with the DE instead of the OF (people like OF cuz of the power it can create for them... but I need manuverability instead of power from my racket (without sacrificing too much power that is)

Tips? Inputs? Anything is great! Thanks!
DE version is a beast for defense, it's very fast and you can recover relatively quick. However, its power is significantly less if you're used to a heavier racket like the Ti-10, so it'll take some time to get used to before you'll regain your original power.

OF version is almost a pure attack racket. If you can hit hard with Ti-10 or other heavier rackets, this one will seem equally powerful or even more powerful since you can swing it faster with less effort. Only problem is it's not so good at recovery because you'll swing so hard and fast that you'll have a significantly less time to recover. However, if you ever are on the offensive, your opponent will have a tough time recovering.

Both rackets are good, but pick the one that fits your play-style best.

DE version is a beast for defense, it's very fast and you can recover relatively quick. However, its power is significantly less if you're used to a heavier racket like the Ti-10, so it'll take some time to get used to before you'll regain your original power.

OF version is almost a pure attack racket. If you can hit hard with Ti-10 or other heavier rackets, this one will seem equally powerful or even more powerful since you can swing it faster with less effort. Only problem is it's not so good at recovery because you'll swing so hard and fast that you'll have a significantly less time to recover. However, if you ever are on the offensive, your opponent will have a tough time recovering.

Both rackets are good, but pick the one that fits your play-style best.
Thx!... yah... I was hopin to buff up my recover speed without sacrificing too much of my power. I guess I'll have to giv this more thought.

hey guys! wow this thread is huge..

Just a posing question, i'm currently using a Mp-55, 2U BG65 24lb and because of that I'm very used to the head heavy kind of racquets. I've considered the At700 and the Ti-10, because they're both head heavy, but after reading all these reviews i'm leaning towards the AT800 OF.

I believe that i've adapted soo much to head heavy racquets that when i use a head light or even balanced racquet it feels "different" and uncomfortable eg. Mp-88, Iso slim 10 and even the Mp-99.
Would u consider the upgraded to a At800 OF from a Mp-55 suitable, considering my style of play. or could a DE, be a refeshing change?
Any comments are welcomes

thanks!

AT frames are much durable and tougher than Mps rackets. But among the AT frames... personally i think AT700 is the toughest so far.
I've read another thread that AT700 is fragile beak easily at one clash, and Ti-10 is the most durable, but in this post it said that AT series esp AT700 is very durable, so which one is true?

About power I've read that nothing can beat Ti-10 in term of power, but in this thread it said AT800 OF is more powerful & durable, is that true?

It's really based on your own skill but the AT800 OF is very powerful.

To be honest, I feel that the different in power between the DE and OF are negligible. In badminton, I find myself placing smashes rather than going for a super powerful one. Smashing already means slow recovery, and using a head heavy racket doesn't help (I used to use 2U head heavy rackets and man... that got to be a pain :p ). The quickness of the DE is a lot more important than the power of the OF in doubles IMO.

I found a UK online retailer, which still sell the AT-800 for £108 (all the others have boosted the price to £120-130), so get them while you still can :D

www.prosportuk.com

I just bought an AT800 OF TW vesion four days ago from Blue Sky sports in Beijing, China for $140 approx. I used the very expensive yonex BG-88TI strung at 26lbs which costs $16.

My smashes became really powerful with this one, plus I have no problem continuously driving backcourt which I used to have using my previous head light RSL millenium 4900.

Power and speed wise, I'm satisfied with this racket

But becuase I'm used to a head light, flexible, racket, I have problems recovering.. It slows me down.. guess I still have to get used to this head heavy, extra stiff racket.:)

I just bought an AT800 OF TW vesion four days ago from Blue Sky sports in Beijing, China for $140 approx. I used the very expensive yonex BG-88TI strung at 26lbs which costs $16.

My smashes became really powerful with this one, plus I have no problem continuously driving backcourt which I used to have using my previous head light RSL millenium 4900.

Power and speed wise, I'm satisfied with this racket

But becuase I'm used to a head light, flexible, racket, I have problems recovering.. It slows me down.. guess I still have to get used to this head heavy, extra stiff racket.:)

The AT800 OF is an offensive racquet; it makes no claims to being a quick/fast recovery racquet like the AT800DE. If you think your AT800OF is powerful, wait till you try a La Fleche Ti 500, which is not only more powerful but is sharper! :D

i'll test and measure it if i have one ;)

i think DE has quite a bit of power already~!! i think its comparable to Ti10 too..... i think yonex did a great job on this racket


DE version is a beast for defense, it's very fast and you can recover relatively quick. However, its power is significantly less if you're used to a heavier racket like the Ti-10, so it'll take some time to get used to before you'll regain your original power.

OF version is almost a pure attack racket. If you can hit hard with Ti-10 or other heavier rackets, this one will seem equally powerful or even more powerful since you can swing it faster with less effort. Only problem is it's not so good at recovery because you'll swing so hard and fast that you'll have a significantly less time to recover. However, if you ever are on the offensive, your opponent will have a tough time recovering.

Both rackets are good, but pick the one that fits your play-style best.

Well said, well said.. That quote gives the best description distinguishing the OF from the DE. I sure hope yonex releases a racket combining the OF and DE's capabilities.:D

Well said, well said.. That quote gives the best description distinguishing the OF from the DE. I sure hope yonex releases a racket combining the OF and DE's capabilities.:D

The two are mutually exclusive, so its almost impossible. The AT700 comes closest, but not completely satisfying either. :D

Well said, well said.. That quote gives the best description distinguishing the OF from the DE. I sure hope yonex releases a racket combining the OF and DE's capabilities.:D


Armortec 1600 DEOF :eek:

Makes me wonder if yonex will start a weapontec series :rolleyes:

Just got an AT800DE CP version 3UG4. I'm sold... all the power of my Ti-10 3UG4 US version plus more control and speed. I hardly had to adjust to the new racket...very user friendly. The 4U is too light for me; the 3U is excellent.;)

Commenting on its durability, I've clashed my AT 800 OF TW version four times already. The worst clash was yesterday where in both racquets clashed directly head on. But when I examined my racquet not a single damage was seen, not even the paint job.

It was only marked with the paint from the other racquet but I easily removed it just by rubbing my thumb on it.

This really shows the quality of these japan made yonex racquets.

Does the AT800 OF 3U give more power the the AT700 3U? My recommanded me to switch from AT700 3U to an AT800OF 3U. But I have never tried the AT800OF before so can anyone tell me if the AT800 produces more power and speed in smashes, clears and etc.

Does the AT800 OF 3U give more power the the AT700 3U? My recommanded me to switch from AT700 3U to an AT800OF 3U. But I have never tried the AT800OF before so can anyone tell me if the AT800 produces more power and speed in smashes, clears and etc.
Yup, it does but you have to be careful because it will leave you weaker on defense. It is an purely offensive racquet designed for smashers. But since it is extreme, it is less forgiving on other areas and has a slower recovery time.

It's like you're trading off other areas for purely offense and not everyone can quickly adjust to its extra stiff shaft.

On my opinion, AT800 DE and AT700 are more balanced. But if AT800 OF suits you're playing style then by all means buy it. But I suggest borrowing from others first to check if it suits you.

So pple who tried the AT800 both OF and DE 3U and 4U can u specify how it felt ??

How does the Ti10 3U and AT800OF compare, in terms of swing weight, shaft stiffness and frame stiffness?

i like my at800 df 4u a lot better than my old at700 4u. I'm not a particularly powerful smasher but i'm relatively fast at the net, so it suits me very well. the at800 df's smashes are sharper than most other racket's i've used though.

it's defensive capabilies were put to the test during my last tourney when I had to recieve 7 smashes and return them easily, tiring out my opponents. hehehe. perhaps i was just lucky to return them all, but the racket sure made my job easier. :)

i like my at800 df 4u a lot better than my old at700 4u. I'm not a particularly powerful smasher but i'm relatively fast at the net, so it suits me very well. the at800 df's smashes are sharper than most other racket's i've used though.

it's defensive capabilies were put to the test during my last tourney when I had to recieve 7 smashes and return them easily, tiring out my opponents. hehehe. perhaps i was just lucky to return them all, but the racket sure made my job easier. :)
Guess the type of racquet to use really depends on your playing style. One major difference between OF and DE is the OF is made extra stiff to make sure that no power is wasted in the smash.

Does the AT800 OF 3U give more power the the AT700 3U? My recommanded me to switch from AT700 3U to an AT800OF 3U. But I have never tried the AT800OF before so can anyone tell me if the AT800 produces more power and speed in smashes, clears and etc.
I have a chance to play with a OF 3U yesterday. To say the least, it was addictive. But since it was not mine I didn't want to get carried away with it (clash/sctarch it etc). I did manage to borrow it over the length of one game.

It felt much easier to produce power than the 700 3U. But it was so cumbersome that if I used too much force, it would just zoom out over the back line of the court. Drops were also a bit more difficult than the 700 3U. I won a few next exchanges, but my wrist almost died afterwards.

I think that if you want to get a 3U 800, then don't get the 800OF, as it is not very versatile. The only scenario where I would personally use this is for mixed doubles.
jl

hey guys! wow this thread is huge..

Just a posing question, i'm currently using a Mp-55, 2U BG65 24lb and because of that I'm very used to the head heavy kind of racquets. I've considered the At700 and the Ti-10, because they're both head heavy, but after reading all these reviews i'm leaning towards the AT800 OF.

I believe that i've adapted soo much to head heavy racquets that when i use a head light or even balanced racquet it feels "different" and uncomfortable eg. Mp-88, Iso slim 10 and even the Mp-99.
Would u consider the upgraded to a At800 OF from a Mp-55 suitable, considering my style of play. or could a DE, be a refeshing change?
Any comments are welcomes

thanks!wow im surprised someone's usin the same racket (2U)+string+tension as me!! :eek: the balance point on my MP 55 is 287mm (with grip+string on) .. that should be even balanced.. and i dont feel that its head heavy.. anyways.. i got a AT800DE yesterday.. after i try it out for a few days i'll come back and say more about it :) .. even if i'm 5 months late with the reply and you probably got a AT800 already :p.. im sure there are other people wanting comparison between AT800DE and MP 55.. i was one of them :D

I use the OF for singles while the DE for doubles. OF is slower but more powerful which is effective in singles. DE is lighter and faster so more suited for fast doubles play.

The AT 700 is made for singles, but I like the OF better coz it is faster than AT700.

I use the OF for singles while the DE for doubles. OF is slower but more powerful which is effective in singles. DE is lighter and faster so more suited for fast doubles play.

The AT 700 is made for singles, but I like the OF better coz it is faster than AT700.do you play singles and doubles equally? if so, does the different timings required for OF and DE make it awkward at all? thanks for any reply

All around, the DE is, to me, the better racket.

However, I lack power clearing to the backcourt when I am not perfectly placed for the shot so I often use my OF, as it gives me good power for the least work.

Note that the NS7000 clears beautifully. If you hit the shuttle right. I dont always have that luxury :rolleyes:

wow im surprised someone's usin the same racket (2U)+string+tension as me!! :eek: the balance point on my MP 55 is 287mm (with grip+string on) .. that should be even balanced.. and i dont feel that its head heavy.. anyways.. i got a AT800DE yesterday.. after i try it out for a few days i'll come back and say more about it :) .. even if i'm 5 months late with the reply and you probably got a AT800 already :p.. im sure there are other people wanting comparison between AT800DE and MP 55.. i was one of them :Dwell.. i tried it for the first time today (AT800DE with BG65 @ 25lb (BG65@25lb)) and at first the stringbed felt a little like a board compaerd with MP55 BG65 @ 24lb ... could be because of different stringer.. after a while i got more used to the timing and got more centered shots, and the power was pretty good. because my timing still needs work (2U to 3U, plus even balanced to head heavy, plus shorter racket to longer racket), most shots still feel about the same as my MP55, but im able to return a lot more smashes that i would normally miss with my MP55 because it was so heavy, and my backhand shots are a lot better.. didn't try out drop shots because we had no net, will try that this weekend. hopefully after the string loses a little bit of tension it will feel a lot better than it does right now :D (will follow-up later this week)

do you play singles and doubles equally? if so, does the different timings required for OF and DE make it awkward at all? thanks for any reply
No, I play doubles most of the time. So the OF now becomes my spare. I only use the OF when my opponents are always lifting the shuttle for a giveaway smash. :D I have difficulty defending against smashes using the OF in doubles.

Regarding the timing difference, I do have difficulty adjusting from OF to DE on my first game using the DE. Since the DE is very fast, I recalled missing a lot of shots on my first game using it. I swing first before the right time.

So when adjusting from OF to DE, you have to wait a little longer and swing at the last minute.

from what i have read so far in the many comments, i would agree with the people who say that the DE is better :p maybe it's because i have actually tried the DE :rolleyes: . well anyways i got an Armortec 800 DEF, it's the 4UG5 model from Thailand, i have it strung with BG 68-Ti's at 22lbs.

I switched from a MP 44 to this racquet, but compared to that this racquet is very good. i find that my smashes seem easier and that i can smash faster, the control is also very good, and sometimes it's too sensitive..:o , clears are fairly easy, especially attacking clears, net shots are very good this racquet is made for players in doubles who are at the front because it's do fast. maybe it's the strings but i dunno because at the first time i used it i didn't really know why everyone liked it so much, but after playing with it for around 40mins i finlly got the true feeling of this racquet and i started to excel with it. oh yea and the Bg-68'ti's are very good, they make a nice sound when you hit a smash or a hard clear!

ting03 :D

The DE actually uses the same principle as Nanospeed: you smash better coz you swing faster... only better coz the head heaviness of DE adds more power to it.

Although the AT700 and the AT800OF do more solid smashes given same swing speed coz of its extra stiff frame and the box cross section of the OF... the DE compensates because you swing faster compared to the 700 and the OF... and add to that, the fact that you swing fast and usually at the last minute.. your sudden smash sometimes surprises your opponents.

.. and of course.. its forte is really defense, you have a better chance of defending against smashes and drops coz of its speed.

The DE is one of the best racket yonex ever made (the other is MP99).. its even better than the newer Nanospeed series.. the head heavy and speed combo realy works wonders.

But people really have to adjust its swing speed at first, most people who don't like the DE claims it is too fast for them to time it right.. others, esp those who are used to flexible shaft.. finds it too stiff.

But to those who finally adjusted to the DE like me agree that Yonex has a winner in this one.

just saw need to point out that the swingspeed of OF and AT700 should be faster, because they are more head heavy than DE. but DE has a faster recovery time. the extra head heavyness of the OF and 700 gives those rackets more swingpower

well.. i tried it for the first time today (AT800DE with BG65 @ 25lb) and at first the stringbed felt a little like a board compaerd with MP55 BG65 @ 24lb ... could be because of different stringer.. after a while i got more used to the timing and got more centered shots, and the power was pretty good. because my timing still needs work (2U to 3U, plus even balanced to head heavy, plus shorter racket to longer racket), most shots still feel about the same as my MP55, but im able to return a lot more smashes that i would normally miss with my MP55 because it was so heavy, and my backhand shots are a lot better.. didn't try out drop shots because we had no net, will try that this weekend. hopefully after the string loses a little bit of tension it will feel a lot better than it does right now :D (will follow-up later this week)followup again: the strings are a tad bit looser now.. i got to try it out with a net today.. it was probably because of tighter tension (the stringer is the yonex flagship store in taichung.. with their crazy expensive machine :D ), so less bounce.. it took me quite a while of adjusting to get my net shots to go over the net.. and my short serves to be long enough :p (they used to be good, but now they come up short). drops from back court still need fixing, but clears/smashes/drives are still good, and blocking smashes is a lot easier :D

just saw need to point out that the swingspeed of OF and AT700 should be faster, because they are more head heavy than DE. but DE has a faster recovery time. the extra head heavyness of the OF and 700 gives those rackets more swingpower
Hmm.. it seems logical, but based on my experience of using both DE and OF, I was able to swing faster with the DE... that's why I have to wait a split second longer to swing the DE or else my timing will be off... maybe coz the frame of the DE has less air resistance than the OF.. and my string in DE is BG 85 which also has less air resistance being thin.

The OF and the 700 have more swing power being head heavy, the DE swings faster but has less power given same conditions.

It's like comparing the 700 and OF to a sledge hammer and the DE to a lighter weapon. :D

Hmm.. it seems logical, but based on my experience of using both DE and OF, I was able to swing faster with the DE... that's why I have to wait a split second longer to swing the DE or else my timing will be off... maybe coz the frame of the DE has less air resistance than the OF.. and my string in DE is BG 85 which also has less air resistance being thin.

The OF and the 700 have more swing power being head heavy, the DE swings faster but has less power given same conditions.

It's like comparing the 700 and OF to a sledge hammer and the DE to a lighter weapon. :Dmaybe you're right.. i haven't tried thew OF enough to compare the it will DE so well.. :rolleyes: but OF and 700 still have more swingpower because they have heavier heads (and Box shape instead of aerodynamic for DE)

but OF and 700 still have more swingpower because they have heavier heads (and Box shape instead of aerodynamic for DE)
Yup yup..

On my first few games few hours ago...I'm still missing some shots with the DE so haven't 100% fully adjusted to it.

Being also an OF user, its harder to adjust from one racket to another.

Yup yup..

On my first few games few hours ago...I'm still missing some shots with the DE so haven't 100% fully adjusted to it.

Being also an OF user, its harder to adjust from one racket to another.im still adjusting to the DE too.. from MP55 though :rolleyes: im getting my clears good, drives are good.. smashes are more powerful when i hit the center (still need work to make it more consistant), but have only tried short shots one session because i only had a net then :) i can feel the power of the racket already :D