How many racquets?

[Brett]

It seems like quite a number of people in this forum have more than just one or two racquets. How many racquets do you all have and which brand and model are they?

I have a Carbonex 8300, which I am thinking of replacing soon, as well as an old Carlton aluminum/steel racquet (the head is warped and bent >3cm, but I think its metallic red paint job is still one of nicest looking racquets I have seen).

[marshall]

2 Yonex Isometric 300, and 1 Isometric 600. These are my regular racquets.

For lending to other people, I have a t-joint Carbonex 9, a Victor graphite (don't know the model, very light), a low-end Pro Kennex, and a Wilson long (last 2 were door prizes at tournament dinners). The Cab 9 is the most popular among those who borrow racquets (his racquet being re-strung, girlfriend borrowed his spare racquet, and so on).

[kwun]

guilt guilt guilt...

2x Isometric 900SR
2x Isometric 600
carbonex22
carbonex8dx

i use the SR and 600 regularly.

[zhijun]

I once had 8 Yonex raquets. Then I sold two of
them. Recently I bought a new one. So I have 7
now. They are all Yonex, 3 Ti10's, 2 Iso800's, 2
Cab20's. I choose they for my games usually according
to my mood and physical conditions:-)

I also have 4 raquets at my parents place, one
is Yonex 8500, very very old model. The other 3
are non-Yonex. Surelly I have not touched them for
years.

[Zclyh3]

I have 2 rackets.

Yonex Isometric Titanium 10
Yonex Muscle Power 100

I even plan on buying another racket, I had a Ti-Swing Power in mind..but people say I should adapt to just one racket. Trust me, I'm a Yonex fanatic. I pretty much know what there is to know about Yonex products.

[kwun]

hi all,

when you start itching for a new racket, do you always try out a new model, or do you always ended up buying the models you are comfortable with?

i know that if i am comfortable with a racket and decide to stick with it, i want at least 2 of them, in case string/racket breaks. etc. but i do go out and try out different models once in a while. most of the time though, i ended going back to the old ones.

i know that i am really comfortable with the 900SR and the Iso600. i choose depending on how good i feel that day. the next racket i'll buy and stick with is probably the MP100. that'll be quite an investment though.

[Brett]

Kwun, from your review of the Cab 22, it sounded like you loved it - why have you switched to using the two Isometric models? Which gives you a more powerful smash - the Cab 22 or the Iso 600?

Seeing others with many racquets makes me feel less guilty about my plans to acquire a new one. As a friend of mine stated upon his purchase of a new racquet last week, the good thing about acquiring a top-level racquet (assuming it generally fits a player's style) is that it eliminates any excuses about the equipment.

[Zclyh3]

Hey Kwun, when I buy a new racket, I don't even try it out. I just look at the specs and if it suits my playing style. Then, when I go buy it, it's just what I had in mind. To tell you the truth, I never tried out the rackets I have right now. I just went out and bought it.

[kwun]

i find the description in the Yonex spec are quite thin, and not enough to discriminate between good/bad.

eg. cab22 and iso600 are both rated at stiff, 2U, same weight, same length, the only difference is the isometric shape. i find that the two rackets are extremely different. the iso600 is head heavy, and the cab22 is extremely head light.

[kwun]

yeah. i did like the racket at the beginning. but like most relationships, the love fades after a while. after a while playing with other rackets, i got accustomed to the isometric weight distribution (head heavy) and the cab22 suddenly feels powerless. whenever i try using it these days, i found that i have trouble adjusting to the balance and feel, my shots become weak. so from then on, i stopped using it..

[Thomas]

I have three for my regular games:
* YANG YANG Swing Power 900 Isometric
* YANG YANG Titanium Woven Ti-8.0 Isometric
* YANG YANG Titanium Mesh Tit-11 Isometric

All are above are 3UG2 specs.

These are for lending:
* PRO KENNEX Carbon Pro 727
* YONEX Ti-3
* YONEX Blacken full-aluminium

[Cheung]

Wouldn't quite agree with the "extremely" head light description of the cab 22.
However, I personally wouldn't go for a Ti Swing Power. My wife's Ti Swing Power doesn't seem to have any solidness, but it's very light. This is the 2nd head heavy version (sorry, get confused with the letters. I think it's SS version). This is one racquet I would definately say "try before you buy."

[Cheung]

The mind is willing but the arm is weak!
Come back to HK for some training.

[Cheung]

4 cab 22 used regularly for doubles.
1 cab 20 used for singles.
1 Slim10 - cracked.
1 cab 9 tour - cracked
1 Cab 9 T-joint - good for wrist training.
2 prokennex 787 - in cold storage.

[Byro-Nenium]

I have 4 rackets and kind of 5 but definately 4. I have a Yonex Ti-3, Ti-10 and carb 8. And i have a Fleet Ti-99.

And a winex Aerodynamic 200 which i borrowed from someone and they never asked for it back even when i want to give it back they always say later......

[Ricky]

Here are the racquets I've :

Mizuno Mystic Power 100
Yonex MP-100 SP
Yonex Ti-10 CN
Yonex Ti-8 CN
Yonex ISO900SX CN
Yonex Isometric Slim 10
Yonex Cab 23 SP
Yonex Cab 22 SP
Carlton AS-1
Gosen BR-3000

In addition to the above racquets, I've a few very old and low-end racquets which I normally don't use (e.g. Hi-Qua, RSL, etc.).

Some of these racquets were bought when I gone out (e.g. Gosen and Carlton), I bought them simply because they were not available for sales in HK.

Among all these racquets, my favorite is the Mizuno - no other racquet can come close ! However sometimes I use a less handy racquet for training (other than the Mizuno, I normally use the ISO900 or MP100), and use the Mizuno only for games.

I've no plan to buy any Yonex racquet unless they come up with some new model above the MP-100. However I do look forward for the Mizuno Mystic Power 300 (to be released in Japan in Feb-2001), I'll probably try to get one imported unit directly from Japan.

[zhijun]

I believe to have at least a pair of one model is necessary
for the reasons Kwun mentioned.

I once really wanted YY MP100. But finally I decided to buy
one more Ti10, my favorite. As you know, different models
have quite different tast. To be able to make all the delicate
net shots, one needs quite some time to build up the 'feel.'
So I like to stick to my Ti10. If I go to MP100, although
they might fit me better, I need a lot of training to rebuild
the 'feel' and I have to buy at least two of them. Then what
I am going to do with Ti10's? I feel very comfortable with
Ti10's.

I use Ashway MicroLegend for practice and BG85 for serious
games. Though MicroLegend is not as good as BG85, it is much
cheaper in Reels (I kill strings quite often). So I may need
one or two more Ti10 raquets.

[zhijun]

I once decided to sell my Cab20's aftern I got the Ti10's.
But After quite a long time switching the raquets according
to my mood, finally I understood that all the three models
I have are wonderful. For example, the cab20's are realitively
headlight, they give me more freedom when I try to use my
wrist, and I can move the raquet faster for some movements.

I believe that all the successful raquets are masterpieces
of art. We need to learn how to appreciate them. I never
tried cab23 or something like that. But it never get the fame
as cab20, I believe. So there must be some reasons from
its own.

By the way, I once used a cab9, the very famous old model.
It is headlight and very soft. But I like it very much.

Really good raquets have their own tasts. The tasts are quite
different. The common feature of them is that they give you
the perfect unique tast of their paticular style. No one else
can close to them.This is their inner buauty.

[Brett]

Thomas, how do you like the Yang Yang racquets? In which country did you buy them? Are they modeled after any particular Yonex racquets or are they unique designs?

[Thomas]

I have been using Yonex rackets for the last 20 years and in my recent switch to Yang Yang rackets, I find they are on par or even better (depends on individual evaluation) at a much lower price. Designed and tested by former world champions Yang Yang and Zhao Jianhua of China, they are manufactured in Taiwan and are of hi-tech and quality. One of my favourite is the Yang Yang Tit-11 Isometric and it's an all-rounder professional racket, light yet powerful and fast. The shaft has real Titanium mesh (visible on the shaft) which adds on to the power and the Titanium Woven series, the latest, also have Titanium mesh as well as a second kick-point. But if one is not used to isometric, there are the wide-body non-isometric headshape models to choose. Both Ti-8.0 and Tit-11 are original designs whereas the SSP900's design is of the Yonex SP900 and it's performance and quality are equally superb.

[mongoose]

Currently having these rackets in my racket bag:
Carb 20, Carb 20 Power, 2 x Gosen Roots 1500 Ti.

Spare rackets:
Isometric 200 Power, Proace DMS 99, Hart Maestro Slim

Lent out:
Prince Whiplite 700, Carb 8

Cracked rackets:
Isometric Tour 800, Carb 25, Carb 20

[kwun]

Cheung,

ok. "extremely" is a bit strong... but "quite" head light. you do agree with "quite", right? i remember you had to tape up the top of the racket coz you think it was too light...

[Ricky]

Isn't the Cab 22 a relatively light and head light racquet in Yonex family ? I got this feeling when I compare it with all the other Yonex racquets I've (all of them are 3U).

As far as I remember, Cab 22 is your favorite, but I found that it doesn't suit me very well (I always prefer racquets with Isometric head shape).

[Cheung]

Correct.
Only for three out of the four though.

[Q-Man]

I am on my THIRD Ti-10 the other two cracked and i got them replaced.

I have a Isometric Ti Swing Power SX.....you must try this racket before you buy it.

Isometric 900 SX
Carbonex- 22-cracked
Carbonex- 23
Isometric-750 Muscle
Iso. 600- cracked
Aerotus-77
Ti-7 another one of those rackets you should try before you buy.

I tend to use my Ti-10 and Carbonex-23 on a regular base. The others one i just use whenever i feel like it.

[Cheung]

How did you crack your cab22? Mine seem to be really tough.

[g2k]

MP-100 x 2
ISO TI Swing Power SR x 1
CAB 20 Tour x 1
ISO 800 x broken

Trying hard to make the transition from CAB 20 to MP-100.

[AF]

Pro Kennex 787? Is that the white ceramic one????

Cheung wrote:
>
> 4 cab 22 used regularly for doubles.
> 1 cab 20 used for singles.
> 1 Slim10 - cracked.
> 1 cab 9 tour - cracked
> 1 Cab 9 T-joint - good for wrist training.
> 2 prokennex 787 - in cold storage.

[AF]

Wow,

How many racquets, that is a hard question to answer. I will go in chronological order I guess.

Black Knight Lance - storage
Carlton 950 - warped head
Yonex Cab 21 - broke
Yonex Widebody 30 - sold for $90 and subsequently broke on first day after sale
Yonex Cab 20 + $50 - traded for YY bag, Cab 15, Pro Kennex 808
Yonex Cab 15 - lent out, never got it back
Pro Kennex 808 + YY bag - sold for $75
Yonex Cab 21 - gave away, retired for one year
Yonex Cab 21 - sold for $50
Yonex Cab 8 original - sold for $30
Yonex Iso 500 original - lent out, never got it back
Pro Kennex Isodynamic 28 (2) - 1 broke, other sold but not paid yet
Yonex Iso 100 - sold for $95 and subsequently bit the dust after selling
Sider 100 (2) - sold both for $50 each, 1 yet to be paid for
HiQua Slim 10 (4) - currently using, 2 strung up for play, 1 broke due to anger and 1 unstrung
Yonex Cab 8TI - new and have yet to try it out really

Brett wrote:
>
> It seems like quite a number of people in this forum have
> more than just one or two racquets. How many racquets do you
> all have and which brand and model are they?
>
> I have a Carbonex 8300, which I am thinking of replacing soon,
> as well as an old Carlton aluminum/steel racquet (the head is
> warped and bent >3cm, but I think its metallic red paint job is
> still one of nicest looking racquets I have seen).

[Mag]

How about the HiQua Slim 10? Obviously you liked since you use it, but would you recommend it? Are they durable?

[Cheung]

No, you may be thinking of the 858.
787 came in many guises. I think about four.

[Byro-Nenium]

i was given a Pro-Kennex 787 quite a while ago now. It seems very similar to the old Yonex Carbonex 21.

[AF]

Of course I recommend the racquet. Durable, well it is as durable as any racquet, if you hit the floor or clash with another racquet in the right spot, no matter what, it will break. HiQua racquets are very good and I have only broken one, I snapped it in half in the shaft by flexing it when I lost. Oh well, I still have 3 left. I haven't broken one on a shank/hack/shot during play yet.

Mag wrote:
>
> How about the HiQua Slim 10? Obviously you liked since
> you use it, but would you recommend it? Are they
> durable?

[Q-man]

I had my Car-22 at about 23 TENNIS lbs. The stringer i bring it to string up my badimton rackets use his tennis machine to string it up and at 23 lbs which he really would never do on anyone's else racket. I showed one other stringer my Ti-Swing Power which i got it done at 21 lbs., he thought it was about 28 lbs. But since i had my cab.22 done at 23 lbs. it was SUPER TIGHT, and one bad shot with the birdie and it was GONE.

[Mark]

I have the following, more than some, way less than some of you who should start museums! ;-)

Winex T-20
Winex Ti-12 (current favourite)
Winex Kevlar 999
Yonex SP900sr
Yonex ISO 800 tour (my previous favourite - best Yonex ever made!)
Pro Kennex VarioFlex 26
Browning Interceptor (was my first racket)


I notice that not many of you are Winex owners. Where are you all?

Mark

[Cheung]

Mine most definately don't seem like cab 21.

[Erick]

Here is the list:
-3 yonex isometric tour 800 sp
-1 yonex boron 200
-1carbonex 10
-1 hart legend 5500

My fav is the iso 800, it is such a cool racket. Never used the others. String each one with bg 65 ti.

[AF]

CAB 10?

Is this the original 2 piece one? Like the original cab 8 with the aluminum head/graphite shaft but the 10 was a graphite head/graphite shaft.

AF

Erick wrote:
>
> Here is the list:
> -3 yonex isometric tour 800 sp
> -1 yonex boron 200
> -1carbonex 10
> -1 hart legend 5500
>
> My fav is the iso 800, it is such a cool racket. Never used
> the others. String each one with bg 65 ti.

[Brett]

Q-Man,

I am considering purchasing a number of the racquets that you own - could you provide me with some advice and details on them? I am looking for a stiff, powerful, head heavy racquet that excels at smashing, yet has some touch and quickness on defense. I am an intermediate player who mostly plays with nylon birds, and I am used to oval, rather than iso, racquet heads. I am used to a 2U racquet with even more weight on the head (I put some tape on the head to make it more head-heavy), so I probably could play with almost any recent model racquet without finding it too heavy. My upper price range is about US$120, so the Ti-10 or MP-100 are out of my league.

What is the difference between the Ti-7 and Iso 750? They appear on paper to be basically the same head-heavy, offensive oriented, Muscle Power, titanium reinforced racquet - do you prefer one over the other, and why?

I like the idea of the Cab 23 - a traditional shaped racquet with a lot more power than my Cab 8300, which I presume would not require me to spend too much time to become acclimated. The rather sparse comments on the Cab 23 seem to state that it is a good racquet, similar to the Cab 22 but more head heavy and powerful, but weaker for smashing compared to the offense-oriented Iso models. How do you like it and how do you feel it compares to the Iso models you own or have tried?

I am also considering the Iso 600, which I can obtain fairly cheaply (about US$90 out the door including shipping and restringing with BG-70) - how does it compare to the above racquets? It seems that Kwun and several others swear by theirs.

I really hope that you can respond to these questions, with as much detail as possible. It seems from the various comments and reviews in the BC website that you are about the only person who has tried the Iso 750 thus far, so your comments are appreciated.

Thanks

Brett

[Chan]

Winex - Boron graphite raquet (oval head)
Yonex - Ti - 8
Yonex - ISO Swing Power 900 SR