being unable to test any racquets (dnt belong to a club, my shops dnt offer a demo service), i am really have a hard time picking a suitable racquet! i currently am using a MP23 (2004 model) and consider myself as an above average intermediate player, but unfit, i am soooo bummed out after a long rally lol. I normally play defensively but when the oppotunity comes I play offensive.

I have however narrowed it down to about 4-5 racquets

MP88 - as a defensive player, i feel that a 4U version of this seems perfect, bu I am worried that when i 'up' my game (smashing), this racquet wont produce the power that i want, even if I am a wristy smasher.

MP99 - seems an good all-round racquet, but I am havin second thoughts on its defensive capabilities.

AT500 - never really played with a head heavy racquet, i feel that my defense will drop if I play with this racquet, but can rely on it for smashing

MP66 - from reading the reviews on this site, it DOES sound like my kind of racquet, but is it a big step from my MP23?

NS8000 - would love to have this, seems perfect to me also, as a defensive player the head lightness would be great, but I havent got the money lol

what should i go for? or should i look at other racquets?

Stick with your mp23 and wait it out till you've had a chance with testing other racquets. Off all the low end mp series I consider it one of the best ones to have in the bag :D:D. Unless you have lots of cash to burn I reccomend waiting till you can demo a racquet.

If you just want a new feeling try restringing and regripping the racquet.

(dnt belong to a club, my shops dnt offer a demo service)

"Your" shops? "Your", like you have some special loyalty to them?

Try phoning around for some other shops in your area. Be systematic - look up shops in the phone book, on the web, and create a list of names with telephone numbers. Then phone each shop, and ask about their demo policy.

In my opinion, when shopping for rackets, trying is essential before buying. I would never buy a racket without testing it first.

i forgot to add local lol

Do you have a badminton shop in the centre where you play? They might be a bit more expensive, but usually they let you try the racquet first (with no cost). Their staff usually know the equipment pretty well too.

A YY CAB MS 30-3U is about 115 - 120 USD and you will not regret after trying it!

A YY CAB MS 30-3U is about 115 - 120 USD and you will not regret after trying it!

In Uk, they only have the 2U version if I'm not mistaken. :p

i broke my mp99... twice! :mad: where abouts can i buy a ti-10? maybe a 3U if possible?

i broke my mp99... twice! :mad: where abouts can i buy a ti-10? maybe a 3U if possible?

Emm.. what has this gotta do with the topic...?

Anyways to answer your question, you can only get Ti-10s in asia. That's the only place.

Try Tisp-ss, you will love it.

Well it seems like youre the person for an Armortec800DEF. You dont like head heavy but the 800DEF doesnt feel head heavy at all. Its more durable than the mp99 because of the doubles design. Its also great for defence(hence the name) so you wont go wrong with this if ur a defensive player. The quickness of the racket head allows quick powerful smashes and returns. The downside is that its a bit expensive.

Well it seems like youre the person for an Armortec800DEF. You dont like head heavy but the 800DEF doesnt feel head heavy at all. Its more durable than the mp99 because of the doubles design. Its also great for defence(hence the name) so you wont go wrong with this if ur a defensive player. The quickness of the racket head allows quick powerful smashes and returns. The downside is that its a bit expensive.
i second that. (was going to reply, until i reached this reply at the bottom, which had my thoughts exactly laid down for me :D )
i have an AT800DE, although i think i'm a little more offensive than i'm defensive. its very fast on defense, and packs a good punch for a defensive racket. as many people stated, its really (and i mean really) hard to go wrong with this racket. i dont know if the price of this racket will be a big concern though, and i recommend you try different rackets before buying ;)

cheers

Don't belong to a club??? At least, there are some ppl u can play with right? Maybe u can ask them to lend u a racket, at least for several swing and light drills. ;)

Out of ur list, I think u should be easily adopted to AT500 or MP88. MP99 is a good all around racket, but it migh take u a bit time to get use to. ;)

being unable to test any racquets (dnt belong to a club, my shops dnt offer a demo service), i am really have a hard time picking a suitable racquet! i currently am using a MP23 (2004 model) and consider myself as an above average intermediate player, but unfit, i am soooo bummed out after a long rally lol. I normally play defensively but when the oppotunity comes I play offensive.

I have however narrowed it down to about 4-5 racquets

MP88 - as a defensive player, i feel that a 4U version of this seems perfect, bu I am worried that when i 'up' my game (smashing), this racquet wont produce the power that i want, even if I am a wristy smasher.

MP99 - seems an good all-round racquet, but I am havin second thoughts on its defensive capabilities.

AT500 - never really played with a head heavy racquet, i feel that my defense will drop if I play with this racquet, but can rely on it for smashing

MP66 - from reading the reviews on this site, it DOES sound like my kind of racquet, but is it a big step from my MP23?

NS8000 - would love to have this, seems perfect to me also, as a defensive player the head lightness would be great, but I havent got the money lol

what should i go for? or should i look at other racquets?

If you anticipate that opponents are able to force you into long rallies often, and you think you are "unfit" and feel physically strained after a long rally, the NS8000 may not be the best choice for you.

NS8000 is a rather unforgiving racquet. Compared to a more forgiving racquet, you will likely find that you make a lot more errors with a NS8000 when you are tired in a game and late getting to the bird.

being unable to test any racquets (dnt belong to a club, my shops dnt offer a demo service), i am really have a hard time picking a suitable racquet! i currently am using a MP23 (2004 model) and consider myself as an above average intermediate player, but unfit, i am soooo bummed out after a long rally lol. I normally play defensively but when the oppotunity comes I play offensive.

I have however narrowed it down to about 4-5 racquets

MP88 - as a defensive player, i feel that a 4U version of this seems perfect, bu I am worried that when i 'up' my game (smashing), this racquet wont produce the power that i want, even if I am a wristy smasher.

MP99 - seems an good all-round racquet, but I am havin second thoughts on its defensive capabilities.

AT500 - never really played with a head heavy racquet, i feel that my defense will drop if I play with this racquet, but can rely on it for smashing

MP66 - from reading the reviews on this site, it DOES sound like my kind of racquet, but is it a big step from my MP23?

NS8000 - would love to have this, seems perfect to me also, as a defensive player the head lightness would be great, but I havent got the money lol

what should i go for? or should i look at other racquets?

If you can't produce power with MP88 you won't do any miracles with other mentionned racquet.

From reading your description its the one that fits you the best.

If you anticipate that opponents are able to force you into long rallies often, and you think you are "unfit" and feel physically strained after a long rally, the NS8000 may not be the best choice for you.

NS8000 is a rather unforgiving racquet. Compared to a more forgiving racquet, you will likely find that you make a lot more errors with a NS8000 when you are tired in a game and late getting to the bird.

i actually dnt get forced into rallys, but I at least have 1 long rally per game, and its normally in the middle of the rally, so I'm practically bummed out for the rest of the game :(

Don't belong to a club??? At least, there are some ppl u can play with right? Maybe u can ask them to lend u a racket, at least for several swing and light drills. ;)

Out of ur list, I think u should be easily adopted to AT500 or MP88. MP99 is a good all around racket, but it migh take u a bit time to get use to. ;)

I play with people, but some are just crap, and the real real good one that I normally play with their old racquet as they trust it and are used to it (like some professionals stick to their Ti-10)

i actually dnt get forced into rallys, but I at least have 1 long rally per game, and its normally in the middle of the rally, so I'm practically bummed out for the rest of the game :(
It doesn't matter what racquet you use then :p
Working on your fitness will probably give you a much bigger return.

It doesn't matter what racquet you use then :p
Working on your fitness will probably give you a much bigger return.

Agree. and you might want to test out some other brands. You just might be pleasantly surprised

I play with people, but some are just crap, and the real real good one that I normally play with their old racquet as they trust it and are used to it (like some professionals stick to their Ti-10)

You are looking for rackets to demo, not the best coach. Even if a super newbie using a brand new AT800OF, u might still want to borrow and take a swing, even though, this particular player can't really use this racket to its potential.

Borrow a racket is different than purchase it, and has nothing to do with the other owners' skill lvl... :p