Hi, looked for this thread but couldn't find any that matched. I have always found other peoples opinions on rackets interesting and having tested many in my time, i wondered what was the BEST RACKET EVER! (old or new) :confused:

So, feel free to comment, give the racket name and reasons :D :p

I personally like the Carlton Megaflex F3, mainly because it is a forgiving racket and when my clears and smashes weren't as powerful as they are now, it sort of gave me a boost and enabled me to use these shots effectively.

Leo29:D

Everyone has different skill levels and playing styles so each person's favorite racket is going to be different.

With that said, here are my favorites with both pros and cons.

SOTX Woven 11
+Most powerful racket I have used to date
+Extremely stable
+Can take high tension (32lbs. = piece of cake)
-Relatively speaking, defense is not as good its peers
-Snapped 6 handles
-Limited availability (in the U.S.)

Yonex Cab 20 Tour/Tour Special
+Very Powerful Racket
+Very responsive, excellent control
+Very inexpensive and available in Asia (Tour Special)
-Paint chips easy (on Tour Special)
-Defense is good but like the Woven 11, not as good as its peers
-Yonex Cab 22 is its heir apparent

Yonex Cab 22
Never had the opportunity to do a full test, shame.

SOTX Woven 8
+Excellent control and response
+Excellent stability
+Excellent defense
+Low price/bang for the buck
-Power lacking relative to Woven 11
-Limited availability (in the U.S.)

Yonex Nano Speed 9000-X
+Tremendous Power for a 3U, near Woven 11 (2U) power.
+Fast head speed (also a detriment for me)
+Very good durability for a new/current Yonex racket (Elastic Ti works!)
-Control and defense marginal
-Racket Head Speed Too Fast for me (makes me frame a lot of shots)

Yonex Armor Tech 700
+Incredible power for a 4U racket (never tried 3U, not available in the U.S.)
+Very good control
+Very good defense
+Very responsive
-Racket frame weaker than its peers

Yonex Armor Tech 800 DE/OF
+Good Power (DE), Very Good Power (OF), all in a 4U!
+Very good control (OF), First-rate control (DE)
+Very good defense (OF), First-rate defense (DE)
+Both very responsive
-Racket frame weaker than its peers

Oh, my current go to/favorite racket is the Yonex Cab 20 Tour Special because it's readily available and a very good price.

If I'm to control my swing more, you'll see 5 Yonex Nanospeed 9000 Type Xs in my racket bag. :p

DinkAlot (http://www.badmintoncentral.com/forums/member.php?u=8430) do you try ns9k type S?

My personal favorites are Ti-10 (old color) and Cab30ms. I like the stiffness of both racquets and power for smashing. Although, the old Ti-10s are not available anymore but I managed to give 4 total. Cab30ms is a relative cheap racquets in the US compared to other high end Yonex racquets. It is durable and powerful. Both racquets took skill to manage and to realize their true powers.

For Dinkalot, I wonder how do you rate Ti-10 and Cab30ms. Your opinions are highly appreciated. BTW, I am dying to get my hands on Sotx Diamond fighter series. Anyone know where I can find one. I have tried ibuysports.com but they are still listed as coming soon.

DinkAlot (http://www.badmintoncentral.com/forums/member.php?u=8430) do you try ns9k type S?

Yep, slightly better balance and control than the X but not as powerful.

It's up there too and what I would recommend to most people but it, like the X are not for me. At least not right now. Sometimes, too much of a good thing is just that, too much. I am even less consistent with the S.

If I learn to control the X, you can be sure I will be using it. Until then, the 20 Tour will be my go to racket.