I'm still very much into badminton gear actually. I guess what I was trying to say is that the better I get at badminton, the less "importance" I feel the gear becomes when it comes to my performance - you only need to read some of the reviews on this forum to see how much a racket seemingly changes performance, whether it be achieving faster smashes or better defense etc. Another thing I've noticed is that you really need to use a racket for at least a few months (unless you're playing with it daily for several hours at a time) before "writing it off". If you struggle with a racket for the first several sessions, and you're an "above average" player, chances are that you simply need more time to adapt to it. Whether you want to take more time to adapt optimally to it is completely up to you. What's for certain is that you'll never know how "good" the racket could have been for you if you don't make some effort to play well with it.
It works the other way as well. I lay my hands on a new racquet and inexplicably fall in love with it, and think this is "The One" for me. The honeymoon lasts maybe 2-3 weeks and then it's just a lifeless piece of @%^%*(&(*$??!%# and I wonder why I wasted any time with it. Happened to me, sadly...
Very interesting, yes that sort of happened to me with my T300, except not as extreme. First time playing with it, I thought it was at least one of the best rackets I'd ever used. From the second time on, it was "merely" a good racket hehe.
. Your 5u must be another brand, don't think Yonex has that weight! even if Yonex really has a 5u and comparing 3u, there is a huge difference. This vt80 4u still got the head heavy feel I must say
Its the BP that gives it the "head-heavy" feel. I think the VT80 has a general BP of around 310, right?
A lot of people seem to prefer the 4u it seems... Personally I LOVE my 3u... It's the perfect weight for me And despite what people say... I think my defense weight up with the VT80 compare to the AT900P...
I really don't know what is the balance point. But I know its head heavy with a stiff shaft. If you don't have the arm strength with a good whip, You ain't getting the best from this racket
I stopped using my vt80 for singles. I def found it to be a doubles racket. In singles it's good for effortless clears and power smashes but when playing a good opponent u need accuracy with drops and tight net shots too...vt80 had less "feeling" in these areas. After swapping over to my Apacs 900 I won more points. I didn't really want 2 separate for singles and doubles but it's looking that way!
I see you're an "upper league" player (presumably well above "average"), and it's good to hear that apacs is serving you well, despite also having a much more expensive racket (VT80). I feel pretty much the same with my apacs rackets and my VT80, although I find the 3U VT80 an excellent singles racket too - but for me, it's just as good (if not better) for doubles play.
Just bought the Voltric 80 and have not string it yet..Just wondering since i just read about "2lbs extra on the cross string" thread..what tension should i use for the main and cross strings if i want to achieve 24lbs? Also does this "cross string" thingie applies for new racket like the VT 80?