Need to pick FREE racket now! Help!

[mike1234]

Okay, I need help fast, guys. I am a beginner with a Yonex Isometric 75MF Light. My boss for the summer is awesome and a lavish spender, and he knows I am really into badminton, so he said he would buy me any racket as an ending bonus! The problem is, I really don't know what to get...

I want to get one of the top rackets for advanced players, and then grow into it later once I get my technique down. I haven't tried any of the expensive rackets besides the MP99, which was cool but didn't amaze me at the time (probably cause I don't have the swing for it yet). I know its all about preferences, but try to answer the question anyway. I guess if I had to come up with something, I'd say 3U, head heavy, lots of tension, stiff shaft, isometric. But don't let that limit you.

So what would you guys pick and why? Your dream racket! Hurry! I am supposed to tell him tomorrow! Thanks!

-Mike

[pb_aznstyle]

Try an armortec 500 or 700. 700 will be more powerful but harder to get used to... as in balance is mroe extreme, and its stiffer. 500 is still a great racuet and will be easier to use and pleny powerful. All armortecs are considered more head heavy than even.

[mike1234]

How does armortec compare to muscle power?

[pb_aznstyle]

Power wise, both are great. Feeling wise... armortec kinda has a metallic feel and sound that some hate and some love. Muscle power has a more traditional pop to it. It's all personal preference but most muscle powers are even balance. Both are great lineups from yonex.

[BoboTheBadder]

If you can get your hands on a Ti-10, that would probably be nice. Otherwise if you didn't like the MP99 very much (which is my fav. racket BTW), I would go for the AT-700 based on the preferences you stated.

[LazyBuddy]

. I guess if I had to come up with something, I'd say 3U, head heavy, lots of tension, stiff shaft, isometric.

Sounds like AT700 is the one. However, depend on how "stiff" u really want. Compare to some other high end yonex racket, AT700's shaft is not that stiff. Hey, but it's free for u... :p

[ants]

My personal recomendation is that you go for AT700. You will not go wrong with it. 3UG4. :)

[GTO-demon]

i would go for 2U or 3U Ti-10... awesome power and great looks =)

[mike1234]

What is the deal with Armortec 700? Here you guys say its head heavy, but on the internet I found it as head light, so I want to be sure.

Are the armortecs head heavy, the muscle powers balanced, and the nanospeeds headlight? What other series are supposed to be best? The Ti's? Are they balanced? I guess I just want something that isnt head light.

Oh and does armortec come in 3U? or just 4U? All I saw on Yonex's site is 4U, which I don't want.

[ants]

What is the deal with Armortec 700? Here you guys say its head heavy, but on the internet I found it as head light, so I want to be sure.

Are the armortecs head heavy, the muscle powers balanced, and the nanospeeds headlight? What other series are supposed to be best? The Ti's? Are they balanced? I guess I just want something that isnt head light.

Oh and does armortec come in 3U? or just 4U? All I saw on Yonex's site is 4U, which I don't want.

At700 is a head heavy racket. It comes in 3Us and 4Us. You will not regret getting this one.

[mike1234]

haha ants, you are very into the armortec 700 i see. ;)

[theasiandude88]

if you can get a armortec, i recommend getting at least a 3U and 2U best. I find the 4U a bit on the weak side. I would'nt recommend the nano series since I heard of a lot of breakage, but they are powerful if you like headlight. since you dont seem to like mp99, the armortec series seems like the only way to go

[mike1234]

What characteristics does the Ti-10 have, since that's the other racket you guys are saying?

[Javalina]

Get the Naonspeed 8000 man! It performs like Ti-10 but not as powerful and it is the most expensive racquet on the market right now. I will get three of them if I were you.

[cooler]

ti-10 isn't available in north american stores for years.


U sound like just starting out.

try 4U AT800DE, 3U nanospeed 8000, get bg85. The 3U mp99 is pretty good too. All these are expensive rackets and u will max out the bonus :)
Do u think your boss know much about badminton rackets? I hope he is prepared when he see your receipt LOL

[mike1234]

MP99 might still be good... I didn't really try it out that much. Is 99 the one to go with in the muscle series? And are there other differences between it and the armortec 700 besides the metalicness that was mentioned before?

[ants]

haha ants, you are very into the armortec 700 i see. ;)

I do use AT700 but i'm not really into it. I can also recomend you ti-10. But it is not a easy racket to use and adapt to. That is why i suggest you to get AT700 since its almost an all around racket both for doubles and singles play.

[mike1234]

haha he doesn't know anything about them, but when he said any racket i warned him there are $200 rackets... What can i get these rackets for, anyway? Do you know any cheap online places that deliver to the US?

[cooler]

haha he doesn't know anything about them, but when he said any racket i warned him there are $200 rackets... What can i get these rackets for, anyway? Do you know any cheap online places that deliver to the US?

get it from an US online dealer, it will come with warranty.
try badminton alley or San Diego Badminton. U need to tell them the exact specs u want, the U's and G's, the string, and the tension

[mike1234]

Okay, thanks guys... I guess I will get an Armortec. One last question: how do the 700 and 800s differ? And the 300 and 500 too, I suppose.

[Jansenkzh]

Anyway, since its free, get nanospeed8000. its the most expensive.


haha he doesn't know anything about them, but when he said any racket i warned him there are $200 rackets... What can i get these rackets for, anyway? Do you know any cheap online places that deliver to the US?

[Gollum]

Normally, I recommend that people demo a racket to find one that suits their style. But your style is not developed yet, and you're being offered a free racket, and you have to choose it really soon.

Given that, I'd recommend either a 3U Mp99 or a 4U At800-def. Both of these are hard to go wrong with.

If I had to choose one, it would be the At800-def. Now, it IS the racket I play with, but the reason I recommend this is that so many people have said it is a very forgiving racket (I agree). It will suit pretty much any player, although for many it will not be the best.

[mike1234]

Why 4U? And why the defensive one? I think I will be playing more singles than doubles and I could use a racket with some power to it, so I am just concerned it will be weak. I feel like I want something stronger than what I already have, which is the Iso 75 MF light (3U).

[Gollum]

Why 4U? And why the defensive one? I think I will be playing more singles than doubles and I could use a racket with some power to it, so I am just concerned it will be weak. I feel like I want something stronger than what I already have, which is the Iso 75 MF light (3U).

Like I said, because it's a very forgiving racket.

But if you want something a bit "stronger" (since when did rackets give you strength?), the mp99 might suit you. At least that would get you over the mental block engendered by the word "defensive" on the shaft :rolleyes:

But hey, if you have something in mind, go for it. It's your racket, after all.

[silentheart]

Okay, thanks guys... I guess I will get an Armortec. One last question: how do the 700 and 800s differ? And the 300 and 500 too, I suppose.

PM LazyBudy and ask if you can meet him in NY and try out some of his racquet. May be buy him a dinner after that.

[mike1234]

By "stronger" I meant "having more power". Even though rackets don't have power either, that seems to be a more acceptable phrase in the badminton world I guess. The point is I don't want to have to swing it at a million miles an hour to get the shuttle to go anywhere. Oh and I just asked about the defensive characteristic because I figured it translated to something like lighter or differently balanced, since I am assuming the 800 offense and defense aren't the exact same racket with a different paintjob. I know you could use it for something other than being defensive, it's just that you would think there must be a reason they called it defensive in the first place.

I won't be able to make it to New York since I'm going back to college in Chicago in a few days, but thanks for the suggestion. Anyway, I got my boss to give me the money instead of a racket on the condition that I get a racket sometime with it. So that's good news. I can hopefully try some out at school and find something I actually like. So that's that. Thanks everyone.

[quik_silver]

ti-10 isn't available in north american stores for years.
...
...


cooler...I just got a Ti-10 Long in Toronto like a 2-3 weeks ago...It's avaliable in Toronto..

[cooler]

cooler...I just got a Ti-10 Long in Toronto like a 2-3 weeks ago...It's avaliable in Toronto..

from yo?
he prolly imported from asia.
Is your ti-10 CD? i dont think so

[pb_aznstyle]

By "stronger" I meant "having more power". Even though rackets don't have power either, that seems to be a more acceptable phrase in the badminton world I guess. The point is I don't want to have to swing it at a million miles an hour to get the shuttle to go anywhere. Oh and I just asked about the defensive characteristic because I figured it translated to something like lighter or differently balanced, since I am assuming the 800 offense and defense aren't the exact same racket with a different paintjob. I know you could use it for something other than being defensive, it's just that you would think there must be a reason they called it defensive in the first place.

I won't be able to make it to New York since I'm going back to college in Chicago in a few days, but thanks for the suggestion. Anyway, I got my boss to give me the money instead of a racket on the condition that I get a racket sometime with it. So that's good news. I can hopefully try some out at school and find something I actually like. So that's that. Thanks everyone.Well the real point is that any racuet will be powerful with the right technique. Head heavy and stiff is harder to use good technique while flexible and even balance is easier to use good technique. A headlight and stiff racquet is very easy to control your good technique and can also be powerful as shown with the ns8000. Head heavy is harder to control but easier to get power with. The question is do you want to be powerful cause of good technique or cause you have a powerful racquet? I bought an mp100 when i was still a beginner and that was a mistake. I have had to correct my stroke because of that. Now after using a racuet that suits me, and i corrected my technique, i go back to my mp100 and it's way way way more powerful than I ever thought it was. I can now also use that power more consistently. If i had only kept using such a stiff racuqet, i never would have gotten past that point because then, i couldn't even feel feedback from the racuet. Now i can play with it better than ever before and i know how to cope with it's weight and stiffness. I must say, that singles isnt all about power either. You need a relatively fast racquet to be consistent and to give you room to be deceptive.

[Midget_Boy]

Well the real point is that any racuet will be powerful with the right technique. Head heavy and stiff is harder to use good technique while flexible and even balance is easier to use good technique. A headlight and stiff racquet is very easy to control your good technique and can also be powerful as shown with the ns8000. Head heavy is harder to control but easier to get power with. The question is do you want to be powerful cause of good technique or cause you have a powerful racquet? I bought an mp100 when i was still a beginner and that was a mistake. I have had to correct my stroke because of that. Now after using a racuet that suits me, and i corrected my technique, i go back to my mp100 and it's way way way more powerful than I ever thought it was. I can now also use that power more consistently. If i had only kept using such a stiff racuqet, i never would have gotten past that point because then, i couldn't even feel feedback from the racuet. Now i can play with it better than ever before and i know how to cope with it's weight and stiffness. I must say, that singles isnt all about power either. You need a relatively fast racquet to be consistent and to give you room to be deceptive.

Heh, I've had a similiar situation, my first racquet was a MP-44 and while using it I didn't generate enough power in my shots, and not too long ago bought an MP-100, thinking it would improve my power, was I wrong! It was a very stiff racquet, hard to time and swing if not used to it, or even harder if your technique isn't well trained (like mine was). I found my shots either too weak, or too powerful and I couldn't control them, always went out. Several times I wanted to smash but couldn't adjust to the stiffness and head heaviness, instead it came out a drive or didn't make it above the net. I've also had a lot of mishits, resulting in shuttle marks all over the frame(luckily not permanent). In the end I put it away until I could properly use it, and went back to technique training with the much easier to use, and cheaper MP-44.

[mike1234]

Interesting stuff. I never thought about a really good racket hurting your training. I just figured you wouldn't be able to use it to its full potential, not that it would teach you bad habbits. I don't understand why that would happen though. Don't you need better technique to be able to hit hard with a stiff racket than a flexible one? So wouldn't it be advantageous to use a stiff racket to force yourself to learn it right? What am I missing?

What do you guys recomend training with to get very good techinique anyway? Should i just stick with my iso 75 mf light? I don't mind buying something else, because it would be nice to have a backup racket.

[Midget_Boy]

You could learn it the hard way...or learn it the easier way, saves more time(in my opinion it does), if you take it one small step at a time, improving more and more, rather than take a big jump and hope you get the racquet quickly. Plus you'll do a lot better in matches against friends, and have an overall more enjoyable time. Plus you may injure youself with a racquet you can't fully control, or worse yet, break a high class racquet without properly knowing how to use it. (I didn't know how my MP-100 felt during the first time, and clashed with another racquet, luckily no permanent damage, and it was a very light clash).

[mike1234]

Okay, that makes sense. Taking baby steps instead of biting off more than you can chew.

[LazyBuddy]

PM LazyBudy and ask if you can meet him in NY and try out some of his racquet. May be buy him a dinner after that.

Lol... I am more than willing to help. However, most of my current collections are Cab30ms. Even the others are all Oval shape, which not fit for his description. ;)

[mike1234]

lol thanks anyway lazy.

[pb_aznstyle]

That's the idea, however, by the time I realized, my mp100 was not too stiff, but too heavy. I was using too much arm to aid in moving the weight. It jsut became natural. What fixed me is using an nanospeed 8000! with the light weight and coaching, I easliy corrected my stroke in a month. So i was strong enough to use stiffness, but i practically had no control. After using the nanospeed, my control started to re emerge from before i had the MP100. My wirst was strong enought to handle the stiff nanospeed and the stiff mp100 because i used the mp100 so much that i felt natural with stiffness. In the end, i found that I need more controllable (but still really powerful) shots from the nanospeed andi can keep my bleoved mp100 for offensive doubeles where i have more oppertunity to really shank it!

[quik_silver]

from yo?
he prolly imported from asia.
Is your ti-10 CD? i dont think so

Yea I got it from Yo's. And my Ti-10 is IP

[hahahalol]

Yea I got it from Yo's. And my Ti-10 is IP


IP? i've never heard of such distributed code..

[ants]

IP? i've never heard of such distributed code..
There is indeed an IP code. btw Mike1234 did you manage to get your racket already? Or you still have no decide what to get. :)

[mike1234]

I didn't get anything yet, ants. I got money to buy something isntead, so I can wait till later. I'm hoping some people I'll be playing with will let me try out some of these rackets (if they even have them), so I can have something to go off of. I guess that armortec 800 DE sounds the best. I know you like the armortecs...do you like that one? What do you think? I mean, I guess I want something pretty versatile, maybe a little more on the singles, offensive side. It should be something that has a lot of potential, but not something that will make me develope bad habbits like people have been talking about in this thread. Or maybe I should just try to delay getting something as long as possible and maybe get some fresh strings on my iso 75. I really ought to have something by Christmas time though, when I might pay my old boss a visit and he'll want to know what I got.

[Midget_Boy]

I didn't get anything yet, ants. I got money to buy something isntead, so I can wait till later. I'm hoping some people I'll be playing with will let me try out some of these rackets (if they even have them), so I can have something to go off of. I guess that armortec 800 DE sounds the best. I know you like the armortecs...do you like that one? What do you think? I mean, I guess I want something pretty versatile, maybe a little more on the singles, offensive side. It should be something that has a lot of potential, but not something that will make me develope bad habbits like people have been talking about in this thread. Or maybe I should just try to delay getting something as long as possible and maybe get some fresh strings on my iso 75. I really ought to have something by Christmas time though, when I might pay my old boss a visit and he'll want to know what I got.

If you may want something on the singles side, and aren't considering other choices (eg. MP-99), you should try AT-700. It is a good AT singles racquet, similar to AT800 OF/DE, but made for singles. And it is also cheaper than AT-800 DE. Pretty much the same, spec wise, only difference between AT-700 and AT-800 is AT-800 has a few more strings up top and slightly different frame design.

[mike1234]

Oh, cool, finally somebody gave me a difference between the armortecs! Thanks. I would still consider the MP's maybe. I'd consider anything I guess. As far as the armortecs go, most people go with 4U I would think, right?

[pb_aznstyle]

If you may want something on the singles side, and aren't considering other choices (eg. MP-99), you should try AT-700. It is a good AT singles racquet, similar to AT800 OF/DE, but made for singles. And it is also cheaper than AT-800 DE. Pretty much the same, spec wise, only difference between AT-700 and AT-800 is AT-800 has a few more strings up top and slightly different frame design.
The difference is a that at-800 has 1:1 grommet ratio and at 700 has traditional stringing pattern. AT-700 is also stiffer, and more head heavy thatn the defense and not as head heavy as the offense but the difference with the offense is little.

[Gollum]

Note that the At-700 and At-800De are totally different rackets. Just because the names and numbers are close, does not mean they are similar!

Since you now have time to choose carefully, why not demo a load of these rackets? Not too many; maybe demo:

At-700
At-800De
Mp-99
optionally + some other racket you are interested in

Then you can make an informed decision.

[mike1234]

Yeah, sounds good. I just have to hope I meet some people with these rackets, cause the US sucks for not having a single sporting goods store that sells a racket better than the Yonex B-460. If only the internet was sophisticated enough to teleport the rackets to my house so I could try them...:p

[fast3r]

[QUOTE=Gollum]Note that the At-700 and At-800De are totally different rackets.
QUOTE]

they are similar. all racquets feel similar. what is the difference between these racquets?? 800 slightly less flex, but u will feel minimal difference i can guarantee u

[Gollum]

they are similar. all racquets feel similar. what is the difference between these racquets?? 800 slightly less flex, but u will feel minimal difference i can guarantee u

I've tried them both, so it appears your guarantee isn't worth much.

In my hands, one of them felt like a club; the other like a samuri sword. That's the difference :D

[fast3r]

For every one who thinks that a new racquet will make them world champ...
http://www.badmintoncentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10543&goto=newpost

I have also tried them both and i can say that the difference is... nothing.

[mike1234]

Don't worry fast3r, we get it. "Footwork is really important and expensive rackets won't make you good." is fairly obvious and has been said about a million times on this site. That's not the issue here. When you get offered a free racket, you try to pick one out. You don't say, "Since footwork is more important, I'm not even going to take this free racket!" :cool:

[Gollum]

I have also tried them both and i can say that the difference is... nothing.

No, the difference is nothing TO YOU. Other people are sensitive enough to notice the difference between rackets.

[kmodak]

haha he doesn't know anything about them, but when he said any racket i warned him there are $200 rackets... What can i get these rackets for, anyway? Do you know any cheap online places that deliver to the US?

Mike 1234
Here is a thought. You have tried the MP 9 9and foud that the actual diff to the game is negligible because remember that a good player will make any decent racquet look good.

My advice to you will be to get another Yonex ISOMETRIC 75 MF light. At the beginner level it will provide you with a great backup racquet.

Just a thought.

[LazyBuddy]

Yeah, sounds good. I just have to hope I meet some people with these rackets, cause the US sucks for not having a single sporting goods store that sells a racket better than the Yonex B-460. If only the internet was sophisticated enough to teleport the rackets to my house so I could try them...:p

If possible, visit the local dealers (usually they might also operate a local club/gym) and borrow/rent a demo. If u happen to know any fellow club players, borrow from them could be an alternate way as well.

Just don't even bother to visit the big chain stores.

[fast3r]

Don't worry fast3r, we get it. "Footwork is really important and expensive rackets won't make you good." is fairly obvious and has been said about a million times on this site. That's not the issue here. When you get offered a free racket, you try to pick one out. You don't say, "Since footwork is more important, I'm not even going to take this free racket!" :cool:

sorry... bit off topic:o That said i would try out not only Yonex racquets but other brands too, if possible. Some of these can be really good