Hi everyone, first time post here. I played badminton in high school about 12 years ago, just started playing again this fall, and am shocked that I forgot how much fun it is!

Anyhow I just got myself a new racquet to replace my black knight EPEE 585 from highschool, makes a pretty big difference. I almost splurged on a nice racquet like a woven 8 or MP, but realized that at my level of play (non-competitive) and with the type of racquet I'm coming from (aluminum head, stock 12 yr old strings) I should maybe ease into it, plus I play with very varied skill levels so clashes *will* happen and I can't afford to buy a new $80 racquet every year.

Anyhow, I got a Wilson v14 for about $40 USD, totally different from my old raquet, feels faaaaast and light, but maybe a bit lacking in power... which shouldnt be a probem as I'm a pretty big & strong guy (by badminton standards anyway). I did notice that I use my wrist for power a lot more than my arm with this racquet, big change from the old one. Haven't had a chance to try many drops/smashes with it, so I'll have to see how those are. I'm used to smashing almost every shot I can, but am trying to refine my game into a more balanced or finesse type game.

So I have 2 questions:

1. Anyone have any opinions on the v14 racquet? Is it a decent one, or are there other <$80 USD racquets that are significantly better?

2. Should I get it restrung? The strings it came with are much tighter than my old ones (make a nice 'ping' sound like the serious players' racquets do), and I've read that you can wait till your stock strings break, but I've never broken a string before so don't know if that will happen anytime soon. Would it make a big difference on this guy?

TIA for any advice

IMHO

1) Do you like the light and fast feeling? Are you winning game or playing good? If so, it is a good solid racquet for you now.
2) If you play and smash a lot, it is very possible the sting tension is less than optimal already. However, if the ping sound is still there and the no wear can be see on the string, wait a little longer.

1) well I was feeling very composed and conistent during the play... but, it was not super competitive, so I wasnt pushed into making any really difficult shots, wasn't forced to do back-back clear, smashes or drops. So I'll have to see. I definately feel much faster... On thursday I'll play with the 'club'
players and see how harder games go. I was just curios what the overall feeling is about this racquet, because I've not tried any Yonnex or other popular racquets in the last 10 years to compare it to.

2) Thanks, thats what I will do. I will get my old racquet restrung (it needs it badly) and compare the string tension/feeling to the new one.

also sorry I didnt mean to make my whole 1st post bold, not sure how that happened :)

1>If it suits you its fine.
2>Probably not yet.

The tension will lose as time goes, I suggest, just keep it. Unless you can't play with it anymore.