Best Raquet For Me(help please)

[AzNbOi2747]

i am planing to buy a racquet with my own money... something that is under 100 dollars in us and that is offensive... i am planing on the carbonex 23, muscle 55, and
the carbonex 20... any suggestions???:)

[ronk]

What weight, balance, and type of materials do you want for your racket? What style do you play (offensive only is not much to go by)? Do you want a well established brand like Yonex or Carlton, or would you go for a no-name brand where you can get more bang for your bucks. At the $100 price point, you will not have that much choice if you go for Yonex (you were listing Yonex models), but you might get something that is top of the line if you go for a no-name brand. The Cab 23 is not considered an offensive racket and the MP55 is not that highly rated (I find that it is okay but prefer the MP 77, MP 99, and MP 100 in the MP line).

For Yonex, the best models for the offensive player are MP100, MP99, and Iso TI 10, and all these rackets are beyond your price point.

In another thread, the Genji brand was discussed and based on the specifications, the 360 series looks promising. Some of the other clonex might also provide better bang for the bucks.

Link for the Genji brand (http://shop.store.yahoo.com/ebadminton/racket.html )

Ron

[LazyBuddy]

Agree with "ronk". If u go with Yonex, u won't have too much choices, since their high end ones are more like USD$120+ (Ti SwingPower, MP100, MP99, MP88, MP77, etc). The ones I can think for u, will be Cab23, Cab20MS (an excellent balanced racket, however, more toward all-around type) , MP55 (not 100% positive reviews). For reference, u can check these sites:
1. www.badminton.net/yonex.htm
2. www.badmintonsupplies.net

If u r willing to try for relatively less known (I don't like the term 'no name') brands, here are my votes:

1. Yangyang: check www.badmintonalley.com

2. Winex: check www.badmintonalley.com, also, ask suggestion from "West Winex Can".

3. Babolat: check http://members.aol.com/jumpsmash/jumps.htm

4. Victor: check www.badmintonwarehouse.com

[bigredlemon]

Originally posted by LazyBuddy
For reference, u can check these sites:
1. www.badminton.net/yonex.htm

For the description of mp100:
"Bright Red graphics Supercharged Power!

LOL! They fogot a typeR sticker for maximum performance!

[Yodums]

Hi-Qua seems to have a good racquet for 109.00 on their website:

http://www.hiquasports.com/badminton/hq3500.htm

Reviews can be found here:

http://www.badmintoncentral.com/badminton-central/newreviews/review.php?brand=hiqua&model=hq3500

I seem to like Hi Qua as I've never heard anything bad about them. They are like the bang of the buck of badminton unlike Yonex which is rather expensive.

[AzNbOi2747]

the reason i am getting a yonex is because my coach is telling me to get one..
he says "its the best racquet on the market" i believe he is a C player... i want to
get the cab 23 cause i am using the cab 20 right now and i am used to it... maybe
if i get a different racquet i wont get used to it and i will miss alot of shots... well
thanks for your advice and the reason i wasnt thinking about other racquets is
because i havent used them yet only yonex... i will try it out... thanks:)
one for question what raquet you guys think would be the best around 100 dollars
us???

[bigredlemon]

Originally posted by AzNbOi2747
the reason i am getting a yonex is because my coach is telling me to get one..
he says "its the best racquet on the market"

Yes, just like Sony monitors are best on the market. But their low end 17 inch flat screen is $500 CDN. Viewsonic's high end 19 inch is only $430, and is nearly identicle to sony's high end 19 inch (they used the same tube anyway.)

If you have $500, would you buy a Sony 17 inch or a Viewsonic 19 inch? No one would dare to say that a sony-made 19" trinitron tube looks better than a 17" sony-made trinitron tube.

Same thing with racquets. High end clonex racquets are better than low-end yonex racquets and cost less too. If your wallet is too heavy, then sure get the high end yonex. Don't spend $100 on a mp55 when there's better racquets on there. (Unless you really like the mp55 of course--many people do not)

[eagle84]

very nice analogy bigredlemon... lol... :D

[LazyBuddy]

Originally posted by AzNbOi2747
the reason i am getting a yonex is because my coach is telling me to get one..
he says "its the best racquet on the market" i believe he is a C player... i want to
get the cab 23 cause i am using the cab 20 right now and i am used to it...

Well, I won't say Yonex is the best in the market, but would rather say, Yonex is a safe choice, if u don't have much experience with rackets. Yonex offers a relatively larger "pool" of selections, as in MP, Ti, Cab, etc series.

As for the term "best", I won't submit my vote just for a particular brand, but on specified models only. Also, this could be greatly varied by different ppl, since it's more like a own preference issue.

If u really want to stick with Yonex, here are my choices in US market for around $100:

1. Cab 8200
2. Cab 20MS
3. Cab 23
4. MP 55 - well, as u know, a lot of ppl seems don't like it.

[flipinese_azn]

mmm...best racket?...lets see...

....i think that the mp 77 2u is good if u r a hard hitter with alot of wrist and upper arm strength it gives alot of power..and its good for drop shots...where as u only have to tap it cuz the strings can usually hold 22....and its easy for clearing

i know this racket may not be very popular...but the isometric 60 MF light is a very good racket for beginner to advanced players because of its light weight and the flex on it....its great i used it as a starting racket and i use it on my "off" days where as i use my mp 77 on my good days...

the isometric 60 light is also another one i dunno if they still manufacture it but it is a very very good racket for only 60 dollars...and it is really light about 81 - 85 g i think? lol...yes its done my friends very well i like it also...yes i hope this helps..

[Yodums]

I don't think the MP77 is that great if you're a hard hitter. The 2U version is just a heavy piece of heavy steel and it's rather flexible.

Go to the store, pick it up and you'll see what I mean.

[zero]

Originally posted by Yodums
I don't think the MP77 is that great if you're a hard hitter. The 2U version is just a heavy piece of heavy steel and it's rather flexible.

Go to the store, pick it up and you'll see what I mean.

I have tried it and I like the power it gives. It is a really powerful racquet is you have enough power because you need to puut some effort. Compared to Ti-10, the MP77 2U is only yeilds slightly less power than the Ti-10. But of course, the Ti-10 requires less effort.

It seems that you have not developed enough strength to use the MP77, or you do not have the correct technique to unleash the power....:p

IMO, the only downside to the MP77 is that it feels sluggish and less manueverable compared to the Ti-10.

[thezone]

"I'm also an intermediate and I highly suggest you increase your budget whether it is going to not eat lunch for 1 week or whatever. Unlike many other hobbies, buying a badminton has both short and long term benefits. Long because it'll last you and short because you can accelerate the way you play as soon as possible whereas with another raquet you may not work to 100% of your potential."--Yodums

what Yodums said to me would apply to you it will make a difference paying that extra bit more and make sure you try the raquet before you jump in to buy it.

[LazyBuddy]

Originally posted by thezone
"I'm also an intermediate and I highly suggest you increase your budget whether it is going to not eat lunch for 1 week or whatever. Unlike many other hobbies, buying a badminton has both short and long term benefits. Long because it'll last you and short because you can accelerate the way you play as soon as possible whereas with another raquet you may not work to 100% of your potential."--Yodums

what Yodums said to me would apply to you it will make a difference paying that extra bit more and make sure you try the raquet before you jump in to buy it.

But he already put in USD$100, which is not such a small investment already... heheheheh...

If he goes for relative less-known brands, he could already get the top of the lines.

[Pecheur]

Originally posted by thezone
"I'm also an intermediate and I highly suggest you increase your budget whether it is going to not eat lunch for 1 week or whatever. Unlike many other hobbies, buying a badminton has both short and long term benefits. Long because it'll last you and short because you can accelerate the way you play as soon as possible whereas with another raquet you may not work to 100% of your potential."--Yodums

what Yodums said to me would apply to you it will make a difference paying that extra bit more and make sure you try the raquet before you jump in to buy it.

Will it really make such a difference to you? Honestly a Cab 8200, or Cab 20 MS are great racquets and when you're at that standard of racquet, it's not the racquet that's holding back your improvement :P

Sure a $20 steel job will screw up your technique, and mean you won't probably learn how to use your wrist properly, but any racquet close $100 should be fine. Buy any racquet you can test and find that you're comfortable with that's within your budget.

Realistically within the same brand the difference between a $65 racquet and $100 racquet may be quite large (maybe %20-30%), but add another 50% in price to $150 I think you'll find that the difference compared to the $100 racquet would be at most 20%, most likely only around 10%. The law of diminishing returns is definately in play when talking about cost of badminton racquets.

If you think a Cab 20MS can hold you back, go watch Sigit play a bit ;)

[ronk]

AzNbOi2747 wrote:

the reason i am getting a yonex is because my coach is telling me to get one..
he says "its the best racquet on the market" i believe he is a C player... i want to
get the cab 23 cause i am using the cab 20 right now and i am used to it... maybe
if i get a different racquet i wont get used to it and i will miss alot of shots... well
thanks for your advice and the reason i wasnt thinking about other racquets is
because i havent used them yet only yonex... i will try it out... thanks
one for question what raquet you guys think would be the best around 100 dollars
us???


Az, you should not worry about getting used to the racket as the best racket for you in the long run may involve you changing your style and improving with the new racket. Which Cab20 are you using as the Cab20 can vary from the original Cab20 to various updates? I don't particularly like the original Cab20 and never did. If you like the Cab20, then get the Cab20MS as that seems to be within your price range. If you like light rackets, there are many top-of-the-line models lighter rackets from other manufacturers including Karakal that you can get for under US$100. Most Yonex rackets are in the 89gms or 94gms range, and if you go out of the Yonex range, there are many lighter rackets, including the ultralight Karakal SL70 at 70gms, in your price range. I like U2 rackets and Yonex suits me fine. I also like the MP99 and MP 100 but they seem to be outside your price range unless you start saving for a few weeks by skipping lunch.

Ron

[LazyBuddy]

For Cab20MS, it appears to have 2U (94 g) and 3U (87-89 g).

The best price I can find is:

www.badmintonsupplies.net: $90 + string (another $10- around)

However, seems they only have 2U in stock back then. U should check with them.


The other good choice is:

www.badminton.net : $99 + string
Seems they have both 2U and 3U.

[AzNbOi2747]

Originally posted by LazyBuddy
For Cab20MS, it appears to have 2U (94 g) and 3U (87-89 g).

The best price I can find is:

www.badmintonsupplies.net: $90 + string (another $10- around)

However, seems they only have 2U in stock back then. U should check with them.


The other good choice is:

www.badminton.net : $99 + string
Seems they have both 2U and 3U.

yeah i know.. i live near the store.. but then i cant decide between the cab 20 and
the 23 i mean whats the difference??? the cab 23 is only ten dollars more... which one is really good???:confused:

[ronk]

It depends on which racket fits you better. You will need to try both to find that out. Buy both rackets and see which you prefer :). My guess is the Cab23 has a stiffer frame and is longer. The Cab20MS has the muscle power feature and a frame that is not as stiff as the Cab23 (but it may still be a stiff frame). The muscle power feature is where the frame is rounded around the strings to reduce the tension of the strings at the grommet. The Cab20MS is a newer model. Unless you play with both for a quite a bit, you will not know model you prefer. I have not tried either racket and the all-graphite Cabs I have tried are the original Cab20SP (17 years old) and a newer Cab 25SP. I no longer use either racket any more.

Ron

[AzNbOi2747]

Originally posted by ronk
It depends on which racket fits you better. You will need to try both to find that out. Buy both rackets and see which you prefer :). My guess is the Cab23 has a stiffer frame and is longer. The Cab20MS has the muscle power feature and a frame that is not as stiff as the Cab23 (but it may still be a stiff frame). The muscle power feature is where the frame is rounded around the strings to reduce the tension of the strings at the grommet. The Cab20MS is a newer model. Unless you play with both for a quite a bit, you will not know model you prefer. I have not tried either racket and the all-graphite Cabs I have tried are the original Cab20SP (17 years old) and a newer Cab 25SP. I no longer use either racket any more.

Ron


wow thanks ron i didnt really know all that... thanks for the advice and info:D

[LazyBuddy]

Originally posted by ronk
My guess is the Cab23 has a stiffer frame and is longer. The Cab20MS has the muscle power feature and a frame that is not as stiff as the Cab23 (but it may still be a stiff frame).


Agree with the stiffness, no idea about which one is longer.

I have a cab20ms 2U, and played with my friend's cab23 once. Cab23 is stiffer than cab20ms, and for a player who has no power, I prefer cab20ms way over cab23.

[Cheung]

Originally posted by AzNbOi2747
[B]the reason i am getting a yonex is because my coach is telling me to get one..
he says "its the best racquet on the market" i believe he is a C player... i want to
get the cab 23 cause i am using the cab 20 right now and i am used to itB]

Interesting opinion from you coach. I don't see what advantage a cab23 has over cab20. In fact, if you are thinking about changing from a cab20, well, I think you already got a perfectly good racquet for the time being. (unless it has some cracks).:)

[AzNbOi2747]

Originally posted by Cheung
Interesting opinion from you coach. I don't see what advantage a cab23 has over cab20. In fact, if you are thinking about changing from a cab20, well, I think you already got a perfectly good racquet for the time being. (unless it has some cracks).:)


well it does have some cracks and one big one at the top plus its an old version, it doesnt have the muscle power frame... i think both of the new cab 20 and 23 have the muscle power frame... another question... does the square head shape from the muscle power and isometric have any advantages to the carbonex shape???

[LazyBuddy]

Originally posted by AzNbOi2747
well it does have some cracks and one big one at the top plus its an old version, it doesnt have the muscle power frame... i think both of the new cab 20 and 23 have the muscle power frame... another question... does the square head shape from the muscle power and isometric have any advantages to the carbonex shape???

For the muscle power frame, I think it's more like ppl's own preference. MS frame suppose to let gromments hold string with better angel, to maximize the performance. However, I can't really feel too much difference between them, or just because my tension is not high enough? (20 - 22 lb)

The new cab20 is traditional oval head, cab20ms has the muscle power frame, these 2 are different models.

[AzNbOi2747]

Originally posted by LazyBuddy
For the muscle power frame, I think it's more like ppl's own preference. MS frame suppose to let gromments hold string with better angel, to maximize the performance. However, I can't really feel too much difference between them, or just because my tension is not high enough? (20 - 22 lb)

The new cab20 is traditional oval head, cab20ms has the muscle power frame, these 2 are different models.

yes i know that... but i was wondering if the square head shape had and advantage and i was prefering to the can 20 ms and the cab 23:)

[LazyBuddy]

Originally posted by AzNbOi2747
yes i know that... but i was wondering if the square head shape had and advantage and i was prefering to the can 20 ms and the cab 23:)

Truly speaking, I can see any significant advantage one over another. It's more like a personal preference issue to me.