check out http://www.badmintoncentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47165 I beleive there are also other posts about Woven 5/5A (5 and 5a is the same just different colors). /Twobeer
weird. I did a search on the 5a before posting and that thread didnt show up. anyways, what i want to know is how good the 5a is in terms of smashing,defense, and net play. that thread only says that it is very stiff and light. i'm getting a new racket and i'm on a tight budget. i read somewhere that the 5a isnt really woven. is that true??
no complains from me; my woven 5a is still running strong even though i've had a decent number of clashes (i even hit the wall once while sitting and swinging while waiting for a court LoL). It's relatively short and really light, so defense is superb w/ the 5a. Haven't had any problems w/ the net play or smash either, but the smash doesnt pack as much sting as it could if it were a heavier racket i suppose...and i dont really think net play has too much to do w/ the racket...moreso the string; also, make sure a stiff racket is indeed the kind that fits your playing style or else you probably wont get any power for your smashes at all. In short, it's a pretty damn nice doubles racket; my only pet peeve would be that it only comes in black and blue...im totally more into brighter colours lol.
I think the w5a is definatly a nice racket, but just too light for me...defence, netplay, drives, it's all amazingly quick...I just lose track of my racket head when I have to smash . Amazingly stable for 84grams as well, better than the w6. The newer version for 2006 is btw the woven6i...670mm, 84grams, 285mm and 8,0-8.5 stiff. I haven't reviewed it yet though
i was looking at the woven 2 but the sotx dealer (who is a great player by the way) i talked to recommended the 5a instead even though the 2 is a bit more expensive. i told him i'm more of a defensive/net player but i also like to smash from time to time. My smashes are ok but i want to put more power into it. i'm thinking of getting the 7 but i think its too heavy for me.
if you're looking at woven 2s and 5a...a w7 is a whole lot heavier! I'd say something lighter that packs mroe power than the w5a. Maybe the 85grams, slightly headheavy D500 is a good choice. or the 85grams, even balanced, 675mm, extra stiff CP5000?. Or the 84grams (just like the w5), 675mm, head heavy, woven 9 does the trick?
i'm thinking of waiting a while longer in buying to save more money so i can get a better racket. what do you think about the d300? its about the same price as the 8a. which would give me more smashing power ? the w8a or the d300?
the w8 and the D300 are almost exact copys of each of each other...I wouldn't say there's much of a distinguishable difference.. That's why I said D500..because it has more 'power' the both the D300 and w8..
the d500 is just way too much money for me to spend on a racket. i wish to spend as less money as possible. the d300, wovens 8a,5a,2 and the stb 8080+ are my choices.
5a length=670 balance point=280-290mm 5L length=675 balance point=285-295mm http://www.sotxsports.co.uk/racket_specs.htm#Powerboss%20Wovens
i will be buying here in the philippines. the d500 cost around $154 US (107 euros). the d300 cost around $136 US (94.5 euros) i will be buying directly from the distributor here
i wish i'm in hongkong right now pricing here is kinda weird the woven 2 is actually more expensive than the 4a and 5a the 4a and 5a have the same price. around US$100
i'm using a fake at700. its the only racket i have now. i just sold my rsl laser 6800 a few days before breaking my chao pai racket. both the rsl and chao pai are on the flexy side. the fake at700 is stiff and heavier. i noticed my smashes are harder now with the at700. im looking for a not too heavy power racket with at least decent defense.
