Ooooooo SHIIIIIIINEY! Part II: SOTX CP5000

[DinkAlot]

Per a few people's request, here are some pictures of my new SOTX Circle Power 5000s (CP5000).

Thanks to a guy named "Jerry" at www.sotxsports.nl (http://www.sotxsports.nl) for delivering the rackets so fast. :p

I haven't tried the CP5000 yet (just received them late yesterday) but here are some initial impressions:

+the frame is an iso-oval-aero shape making it swing through the air quite effortlessly. Oh my did I say "effortlessly"? Eeepak must be rubbing off on me. :D

+the CP5000 frame is a bit thicker than normal frames. Initial impression, it hits quite solidly, feels very stable.

+the logo on the end cap is finally etched and not some sticker that will fall off in 5 minutes. Maybe SOTX does listen to me. :p

+Though not a great design (it's pretty good in my book), it's far better than SOTX's previous designs. Except for the 7i, I feel SOTX is improving on its racket designs. Kudos!

+The electro shiney paint is pretty cool. This racket is definitely eye-catching.

+The circle power "bulges" are only at the 3 and 9 o'clock areas. The RSL X2 Pro has the bulges all over.

+Finally! A larger stock grip. The SOTX 3 1/2 is about a Yonex G3.

http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/2333/cp50001ti8.jpg
http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/1656/cp50002mh0.jpg

[Hierkommtnils]

You should work as a photographer! :-)

[-Silver-]

nice photo, look forward to the full review!

[fallout]

awesome racket. The weight seems quite odd though, I thought the cp5000 was suppose to weigh between 82-88g, yet yours 88.8. Did you get to chose if you wanted the racket weight closer to 82 or 88g?

Looking fowards to your full review.

[DinkAlot]

awesome racket. The weight seems quite odd though, I thought the cp5000 was suppose to weigh between 82-88g, yet yours 88.8. Did you get to chose if you wanted the racket weight closer to 82 or 88g?

Looking fowards to your full review.

The weight of the racket includes the string (I weighed the rackets). I believe the SOTX stated weight does not include the string.

I wanted my CP5000s to be 91-92 grams. With an additional overgrip, they are about that.

[Blurry D]

Wow cool rackets looks a bit like the RSL Milienium X2s..Besides that I have never used a SOTX before..

[LouisW]

I think it is over price in Singapore. The CP-5000 if I'm not mistaken it cost around SGD$ 320-00. :eek:

Btw, what does the "Circle Power" means ? It is related to the design of the frame just like RSL "Pulse" system frame ?

[Blurry D]

What technology is that and how does it improve a player's game?

[david07]

OH! nice looking rackets, can't wait for your full review Dan

[twobeer]

What technology is that and how does it improve a player's game?

judging from the pictures, "Circle"-technology by SOTX is similar to Victors new "Inner Wave" technology.. I have been testing Victor Total Inside wave 5000, which could be described as bumps on thtronside of the frame between the string holes.

I love the Victor.. So The technology is very promising, cant wait to try the new SOTX:es...

I also think Chen Hongs new Victor racket has this tech..

Cheers,
Twobeer

[Pete LSD]

Master NGP, how stiff is the shaft again compare to CAB 22?

[DinkAlot]

Master NGP, how stiff is the shaft again compare to CAB 22?

Based on the stiffest rackets I've tried from 1 to 10, 10 being stiffest...

[DinkAlot]

Based on the stiffest rackets I've tried from 1 to 10, 10 being stiffest...

Whoops, lemme do a chart...

[DinkAlot]

Whoops, lemme do a chart...

Sorry, no time, better just list it:

Stiffness from 1 to 10, 10 being stiffest:

10.00 = Yonex Cab 22, 2UG5
9.25 = Yonex NS9000-X, 3UG4
9.00 = RSL X2 Pro, 2UG5
9.00 = SOTX CP5000, 3U+G3 (best guess)
8.50 = Cab 20 Tour, 2UG4
8.50 = SOTX Woven 7i, 3U+G5
8.25 = RSL X1, 3UG4
8.25 = Woven 11, 2UG5
8.25 = SOTX D600, 3U+G5
8.00 = Cab 20, 2UG5
8.00 = DHS Top VS 3000, 3UG4
5.00 = Yonex MP88, 3UG4
3.50 = Eepak E1000, 4+UG4
1.00 = Gosen FP-6, 3UG4

[chrishin]

what's shop exclusive sell?

[DinkAlot]

what's shop exclusive sell?

Where's Super Jerby when you need him? I'm sure Jerby can answer because I don't know.

[Budweiser]

I think it is over price in Singapore. The CP-5000 if I'm not mistaken it cost around SGD$ 320-00. :eek:

Btw, what does the "Circle Power" means ? It is related to the design of the frame just like RSL "Pulse" system frame ?

Louis,
Where did you got the price in Singapore? classic? I thought sotx is out of stock in there?

[FaCai]

I am curious about the stiffness test. How was the stiffness being tested and what reference was used as a standard?

[DinkAlot]

I am curious about the stiffness test. How was the stiffness being tested and what reference was used as a standard?

There is no "test". It's my relative comparison based on use with the rackets. It's not scientific at all, it's my best guess.

[jerby]

wow, nice pics...great photochopping skill!

as for "exclusive shop sell"....I have no idea, my best guess is because we ordered the rackets to be made for us (that's why we have G3's, a 102-A grip and apparantly the "exclusive shop sell" thingy)

I hoep you like them! (and sorry for replying late...Season has now started officially, busy busy :p)

[david07]

So got the full review of the racket yet Dan?

[ants]

The racket seems to be flexible.

[Pete LSD]

Master NGP will compensate for the flexy shaft by upping the tension to 31 lbs X 34.1 lbs :D.


The racket seems to be flexible.

[Jasonvan]

I am more interested in when is he going to be selling them back out hehe...

[LouisW]

Louis,
Where did you got the price in Singapore? classic? I thought sotx is out of stock in there?

Sorry, I quoted the wrong price :p

The Cp-7000 is around SGD$320-00 whereby the Cp-5000 is less than SGD$200-00.

Please call Mr. Lim of Artic Sports.

[DinkAlot]

The racket seems to be flexible.

Nope, the racket is not flexy at all. It's stiff and solid, but in a weird way. Hard to explain...

...best way to explain it is: it's a 90gram racket that swings like a 80gram racket and is super duper aerodynamic, very fast, cuts through the air like nothing.

[DinkAlot]

I am more interested in when is he going to be selling them back out hehe...

Already sold all three. Thanks for your interest. :D

[DinkAlot]

So got the full review of the racket yet Dan?

Yes and no. Yes in that I tested the racket. No in that if I were to give it a review right now, it would not be fair to the racket.

Why? It would take me 2-4 weeks to get used to the racket. I have not been using light rackets for over 6 months. The CP5000 has one of, if not the fastest racket heads I've ever tried. It just slices through the air like nothing. It's a 90gram racket that swings and feels like an 80 gram racket.

So, do I want to play with the CP5000 for 2+ weeks and get "used" to it, all in the name of a review? Or do would I just stick with my 9000-Xs which are currently my go to rackets?

I opted for the latter. So I won't review the racket. I will say it's very different, definitely very good for defense, transitioning, and attacking at the net. As for power, at the time, the CP5000 swung way too fast for me to make any accurate smashes; at least not consistently.

But I can give you a little taste of the racket's potential. As soon as I decided to not use the racket, all three were sold. One on the spot. The other two about 5 hours later. The buyers absolutely love the racket.

If I had to make a best guess, I think the CP5000 would be rated first-rate (for those who like that type of feel). However, it was just too light for me to effectively test...sorry. :p

Once again, thanks a guy named "Jerry" ;) of www.sotxsports.nl (http://www.sotxsports.nl) for getting me the CP5000s in a very timely manner.

[Blurry D]

A little something for Mr. DinkAlot


I feel you creepin', I can see you from my shadow.
He Wanna jump up and Dink as usual
Makes go places and just Dink it, like Panda.
And HDink you over.
Look back and watch Him
Dink that, all on the floor,
Dink that, give me some more,
Dink that, 'till you get sore
Dink that, oooh.
Dink that, all on the floor,
Dink that, give me some more,
Dink that, 'till you get sore,
Dink that, oooh.

Haha i does not rhymes.. :P

[twobeer]

Yes and no. Yes in that I tested the racket. No in that if I were to give it a review right now, it would not be fair to the racket.

Why? It would take me 2-4 weeks to get used to the racket. I have not been using light rackets for over 6 months. The CP5000 has one of, if not the fastest racket heads I've ever tried. It just slices through the air like nothing. It's a 90gram racket that swings and feels like an 80 gram racket.

So, do I want to play with the CP5000 for 2+ weeks and get "used" to it, all in the name of a review? Or do would I just stick with my 9000-Xs which are currently my go to rackets?

I opted for the latter. So I won't review the racket. I will say it's very different, definitely very good for defense, transitioning, and attacking at the net. As for power, at the time, the CP5000 swung way too fast for me to make any accurate smashes; at least not consistently.

But I can give you a little taste of the racket's potential. As soon as I decided to not use the racket, all three were sold. One on the spot. The other two about 5 hours later. The buyers absolutely love the racket.

If I had to make a best guess, I think the CP5000 would be rated first-rate (for those who like that type of feel). However, it was just too light for me to effectively test...sorry. :p

Once again, thanks a guy named "Jerry" ;) of www.sotxsports.nl (http://www.sotxsports.nl) for getting me the CP5000s in a very timely manner.

I am puzzled why you choose the CP5000 to purchase and not the CP6000 (which is more heavy / head-heavy according to specs)..

Why?

/Twobeer

[pedro22]

The CP5000 has one of, if not the fastest racket heads I've ever tried. It just slices through the air like nothing. It's a 90gram racket that swings and feels like an 80 gram racket.


Do all the CPs share the same head design? I'm thinking of getting a CP-1000 since it is the closest spec-wise to the D-500 that I'm using. It would be great if it also had the same head shape as the CP-5000.

[DinkAlot]

I am puzzled why you choose the CP5000 to purchase and not the CP6000 (which is more heavy / head-heavy according to specs)..

Why?

/Twobeer

Jerby's recommendation, his go to racket. :)

[jerby]

the stiffness and because sotx "said" they were all 90grams...

turns out they were first strung, then QC'ed (hey, whatyaknow, they're all 90grams and 303mm headheavy....)

though the cp6k feels liek the cp5k, but because of the flex it's not as solid/crisp, hard to explain...

[twobeer]

the stiffness and because sotx "said" they were all 90grams...

turns out they were first strung, then QC'ed (hey, whatyaknow, they're all 90grams and 303mm headheavy....)

though the cp6k feels liek the cp5k, but because of the flex it's not as solid/crisp, hard to explain...

I don't follow you.. All 90g/303mm ??? CP1K,3K,5K,6K,7K ??????

CP6K is supposed to be longer as well... /T

[Dreamzz]

There is no "test". It's my relative comparison based on use with the rackets. It's not scientific at all, it's my best guess.

hey dink, care to add to that stiffness chart?
i'm particularly interested in the usual suspects ....

mp77, mp99, mp100
ns5k, 6k, 7k, 7.7k, 8k, 9k s
at500, 700, 800 d and o, 900 t and p
ti-7, 8, 10 new and old

if you've tried them of course ....
cheers!

:D

[jerby]

I don't follow you.. All 90g/303mm ??? CP1K,3K,5K,6K,7K ??????

CP6K is supposed to be longer as well... /T
all the CP's I got in were 3-5 grams over specifications, so the 85+-2gram cp5k's were all 89+-1 (in my case) and they were also all 5mm overspec the balancepoint (301+-2 mostly).

and with the cp5k being 675mm (Dink's review indicated all 680mm rackets as singlesrackets...) and it being the stiffest off all, I reckoned it a fair choice for Dink.

In the end it seemed the "overspec" was just the string (weighed/balanced áfter stringer...weird...)



The racket seems to be flexible.
:confused: it's a picture, how do you tell?:o

[DinkAlot]

Check my racket reviews, they have the approximate stiffness of just about all those rackets you mentioned.



hey dink, care to add to that stiffness chart?
i'm particularly interested in the usual suspects ....

mp77, mp99, mp100
ns5k, 6k, 7k, 7.7k, 8k, 9k s
at500, 700, 800 d and o, 900 t and p
ti-7, 8, 10 new and old

if you've tried them of course ....
cheers!

:D