Hi guys,

I have more info on racquet distributors in Canada.
I just received my Karakal product catalog in the mail today, they sent it priority post!!! Very impressive, Yonex, who's located in the same city as me, takes two weeks! Which is pretty pathetic since I can just drive down there to pick one up... hehehe...

Ok, I've been in contact with the Yang Yang distributor in Canada, a very helpful gentlemen by the name of Mark Lee.

the website is at
http://www.maakl.com
and the contact info is at sales@maakl.com
Ask for Mark, and say Kelvin sent ya. ;)

Another good thing is that they're located in Alberta! :)
Also they distribute directly to the public!

As for Karakal themselves, they have an email contact at karakal@magma.ca
Ask for a person named Jeff.
Also say that Kelvin referred you.
They are located in Ontario, but they do not distribute directly to the public.
However they will refer you to your nearest retailer.

After a short review of the catalog...
Karakal appears to have contracted out their racquet manufacturing to Dunlop sports, this I'm almost sure of.
As for their shuttle manufacturing... the "largest shuttle manufacturer" in the world produces their shuttles, and after looking at the designs of the feather, and nylon shuttles, I'm almost positive it's Yonex themselves!

Also Karakal places a lot of emphasis on the technology that they use in their racquets to make such "high quality" designs.
It's in general a very nice overall presentation on their part.
Heck their cover is even a really nice glossy finish!
Better than the Yonex ones I'm used to... hehehe... enough of this stingy garbage though...

I'm thinking about giving at least one of their racquets a try, just so that you guys out there can learn more about them.

Kwun, what do you think?
I am voluntarily trying out stuff so that everyone else can see what there is out there, and I'll even sell the racquet at a lower price if someone tells me that they're interested in the product!

We should have like a small board of reviewers, to get a good overall opinion though.
That would probably be the most efficient way, of reviewing products.
As for what's new, and coming up in 2002, stay tuned, as I'm going under cover for some snooping to see if I can't dig up any info from Yonex Japan LTD.

:) :( :o :D ;) :cool: :P :? :X

Actually... I've tried out a couple of their racquets. Pretty nice all around. The thing that detoured me was the price. Jeff is located in the Ottawa Valley, he's a professional squash player I believe.

Which karakal model are u trying out

I have bought SL80, SL70, Ti75, TGR700...very impressive racquets! I haven't touch a Yonex racquet ever since :)

These racquets are light, but head heavy as well...w/ so great power for smashing as well as defending because it's light so it speeds up your reaction.

I love the designs and not that much people know about this brand of racquets yet...

Kelvin,

i like that idea! you always come up with good ideas. :)

the logistics may be a problem though. how can we send these rackets all over the continent?

also, since you have the Karakal catalog, can you send me the list of models so i can add them to the review section?

kwun

well he can send to ppl in north america ^_^

hi, i'm from vancouver and am looking for a YY isometric 900 sp... anyone know where i can find one??

thanks :)

Hmm... Vancouver had some pretty big sports equipment stores last time I went there, you and the product is still available from Yonex Canada.
Call your local Yonex distributor, it should have a phone # in the yellow pages.
Anyways, they'll refer you to a store, seeing as they don't sell directly to the public, which I believe, deters a few sales.

Yang Yang apparently wants my business pretty badly. :)

I'm actually getting a good deal from them as well!
Better than buying from the US!

If any of you are looking to try some let me know, and I'll give you the pricing info.
thanks.

Like I said, I'm going to be trying out different brands, just to see what they offer to us, again Karakal is on my list... and I'm thinking possibly even trying out some of those new Carlton racquets.

In anycase... if any of you have any questions, drop me an email at
mr-armani@home.com

Yonex, is a bit sketchier... it's actually cheaper to buy them in Asia... that's really unfortunate, because they honestly do offer some of the best equipment out there.

Email me for details. I have a dealer in Toronto that can get you the best deal across North America.

Kelvin

What's the nearest retailer for Karakal in Calgary?

Unfortunately it's a dealer in Edmonton. :(
They haven't found a reseller in Calgary yet, unless of course you're interested ;)
Pssssst * I'll give you a little hint... see if they can get you to become a reseller for the company, that way you can get some sweet deals for yourself! also it's a good way to help promote the sport, but you didn't hear this from me.* ;)
Here's the address, and contact info.

Contact The Sweetspot in Edmonton
who mail order.
http://www.sweetspotcanada.com
or call 780-432-0350 or
toll free
1-888-377-spot

Hope this helps!
Oh yeah... apparently Yonex doesn't necessarily have the highest price racquets anymore... because on average, these Karakal racquets cost every bit as much!!!
Oh well... I guess we pay for the science, in engineering such lightweight products.