Armortec 500?

[Zr Kaa]

Hey badmintoncentral forum!

I've been playing badminton for nearly 2 and a half years now, off and on.

I am just wondering would any of you guys recommend an armortec 500?

the stats are:

Armortec 500
Standard
67.5 cm
86 grams
3U
21 String

A bit about how I play:

I am mostly a person that relies on strength to win. Clearing and smashing are the main priorities, but I also need a racquet that is at least average at netting and dropping.

I have heard that it is quite head heavy, and I know that will help with the power. But how about the control of the racquet?

Would you recommend this racquet as a balanced one? or just strong but not controllable?

[TedFong]

Actually the at500 has good control plus packs quite a punch. I would not say it is very heavy headed.

[jhirata]

The head-heaviness only affects your netplay in the beginning but once you've gotten used to it, it wouldnt be a problem at all.

[Alaric]

I bought an AT500 about 2 years ago and I love it and now own 3 of them.
It really helped me get more power on my smash and is a great defensive racket as it has an aerodynamic frame which mean you can move it very quickly.

It may have a head heavy balance but I have not found this to be a problem as it is very light anyway.

I knew a few other people who play with an AT500 and I have lent one of mine to various people to play with and I don't know anyone that has had any complaints. In my opinion it is a good all round racket for a decent club player.

I hope this helps. :)

[bapi_sourav]

Well Lin Dan is now playing with a Armotec 900 P . So if you will give him a armotec 500 then also he will play asusual. So racquet is not a big matter in badminton but just the technique you have is important.So Armotec 500 is a nice all rounder racquet, I am personally using it. It is far better than Nanospeed 5000.Dont think much just get it. I will recomend you this racquet because I love it.

[jhirata]

Well Lin Dan is now playing with a Armotec 900 P . So if you will give him a armotec 500 then also he will play asusual. So racquet is not a big matter in badminton but just the technique you have is important.So Armotec 500 is a nice all rounder racquet, I am personally using it. It is far better than Nanospeed 5000.Dont think much just get it. I will recomend you this racquet because I love it.
When did he switch to the 900P ? Lin Dan's still using the AT700 I'm sure, because AT900P is more of a doubles racquet. :rolleyes:

[Ah_Shum]

When did he switch to the 900P ? Lin Dan's still using the AT700 I'm sure, because AT900P is more of a doubles racquet. :rolleyes:

LOLz i laff everytime i see some1 says tht LD is using at900P..people hv forgotten at700 has an old color and yonex changed the color of the at700 this so it does not clash with the color of at900P..people seem to be so oblivious to the fact tht LD is not allowed to use a old racket or sth..lol

[jhirata]

LOLz i laff everytime i see some1 says tht LD is using at900P..people hv forgotten at700 has an old color and yonex changed the color of the at700 this so it does not clash with the color of at900P..people seem to be so oblivious to the fact tht LD is not allowed to use a old racket or sth..lol
I have this problem proving to my friends that Lin Dan uses the old AT700, but not the AT900P. I showed a photo of Lin Dan holding his At700, and my friend says.. 'yes that's an armortec900power. It's different to your armortec700 ( new colour scheme.. ) '. The main noticable difference is the yellowy stripes on the frame, and also the at900p's colour scheme looks more 'matallic' than the 'glossy' at700's colour schemes.

[bapi_sourav]

Dear, 'jhirata' and 'Ah_Shum' are you both really playing badminton and keeping information about my favourite Lin Dan ? What do you think Lin Dan have no money to buy it and please dont laugh on anyone untill you clarify on the topic. Just check it out http://www.yonex.co.uk/Badminton/ . This may help you. And dont be smart by giving old informations here. Who told you that AT 900 P is a doubles racquet ? It is a head heavy racquet which is called a typical offensive and stiff racquet not suitable at all for doubles. One more thing the colour of AT 900 P is very similar to AT 700 but the AT 900P is Dull RED and AT 700 is Bright RED. I can help you here again , just download this below file which is on .pdf format and check out. http://rapidshare.com/files/95166513/2008_Badm_Racquets1.pdf.html

[jhirata]

Were you somehow offended by us.. ? I'm sorry if you were :(.


This is off-topic, and though I believe that this has been discussed about before, to back up our statements.. :

Lin Dan is featured in the Nanospeed series catalogue. An image of him and a NS9K was put together as the main cover. But that does not mean that he uses the Ns9k. It's a part of the marketting strategies I believe. By putting the 'most expensive' or 'higher-end' matter with the 'top player'.
This is the same for the new ArcSaber10 advertisement. Lee Chong Wei ( uses at900P ), Bao Chun Lai ( ti10 ), and peter gade were featured in it, though only peter gade uses the arcsaber 10 ( he was seen playing with the arcsaber10 demo version ).

We know the difference between the AT700 and the AT900P, no need to see.. we have seen enough images to be able to clarifty the difference.
Also once again, remember that Lin Dan is using the 'OLD MODEL' AT700 still, not the 'bright red' 'new model' at700, the one you've mentionned about; nor the at900p.
I actually have the new at700.. so I can tell the difference between the two. You're right partly, because Master Ants have said that Lin Dan uses the at900p sometimes during training:http://www.badmintoncentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=651294&postcount=14

Hmm what else..
Here's a discussion from two months ago:
http://www.badmintoncentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50490&highlight=lin+dan+at900p&page=2

Oh and a picture of Lin Dan quite recently.. still using old at700. notice how it looks very similar to the at900p, but the letterings are in yellow (at700 old ).
http://www.bbeshop.com/star/2007/chn_lindan_66_bwc07.jpg

http://www.bbeshop.com/star/2007/chn_lindan_68_bwc07.jpg

Enough off-topic explanation.. Arguments like this often when the majority disproves one person's statement, he/she ends up quitting BC altogether.


So, lets get back to topic.


IMO, the AT500 is a very suitable racquet for intermediate players. Many of them use this. The price and quality/performance ratio is very reasonable too. Powerful, yet quite maneuverable.

[Zr Kaa]

Well i got my armortec500!

it is a very good racquet in my opinion. my smashes were always strong with the iso75 light, but now its like gunshot sound.

I got yonex BG 80 string, because after researching a bit it seemed to be the best for smashes and power. Can anyone confirm this if they have compared the bg 80 to other yonex strings?

Neways, i'd rate the armortec 500 8.5/10, because there are better racquets out there. but its still very good.

[amenzza]

AT500 is a great racket..... great balanece, control and power.
highly recommend it