Want an all-round workhorse of a racket, a safe sure bet, one that I can pull out of the bag for all occasions. Looking to purchase one with: - weight: 3U - balance: balanced to slightly head heavy - stiffness: medium to medium stiff (as a reference point, APACS Tantrum 200 was too stiff for me) - to be used: predominantly men doubles and slight mixed - brands: Yonex, Victor and Li-Ning only (cause my local store sells them and I would like to support them) - budget: none really but within reasonable means Play style: - more comfortable playing at the front and mid court area - lack of a big smash - tends to force the point when I am in the back court List of rackets (after reading threads and posts): - Victor SW310/SW37/BS11 - Li-Ning TP100B/C (heard about its massive sweet spot - unconvinced about how it can have a bigger sweet spot than the above Victors?) - Nothing from Yonex at the moment (insane prices) Thanks! Justin.
Thanks to all that have replied with recommendations - perhaps I should have set a budget - so a tops of USD$150 and that rules out the N77 (and I think its flexible and head light too?), ARC10 and MX70. Would prefer some weight in the head as I tend to double grip, so any even balanced will end up being head light; so that rules out BS09 and BS12 (I think they are both head light-ish/balanced to begin with) Will have a dry swing of the BS11 and TP100C in the next few days - think it'll end up being either of these two or a SW37 (if stock arrives soon) Justin
I see - always had the impression that the BS09 is headlight/balanced. Anyway the shop does not have the BS09 in stock so I'll see how it goes. If the bug bites, I'll settle for something on the rack unless shipment in soon - which I do not know. Other than that, keep the recommendations coming in! (if any) Justin
I'd just go for an ARC10 or a NR700RP. Since you're mostly into doubles, I'd lean towards the NR700RP (or FX but you'd really need to try each out to see what suits/grabs you, in the end.
Havnet tried SW310, but SW37 is pretty balanced so you would be better off with something with a heavier head. BS11 would fit the bill. My recommendation however is Voltric 5, its slightly heavy head and medium stiffness. Good for drives and smashes and using the new voltric tech, a decent defence and pretty accurate placement too. The cherry on top is that its sold at RM230 before discount, so maybe you can get it around RM170 if you hunt around.
My advice is to stay away from VT5 if you are not a complete beginner who likes überflexible rackets with cheap graphite.. It does not even have the nanopreme material in the shaft, the only thing you get is the fatter parts of the frame really (and a nice looking design)...
have you even tried it? there are many reviews on how great they are. sure, its not top of the line but the guy did say he had a budget.
Had a play with the VT5 and didn't like it - felt more head heavy than the BS11 or TP100C so not considering it any further but thanks for the recommendation. N55 would be above my budget so unfortunately, that is off my list straight up. Had a play with both BS11 and TP100C and to be honest, I'll be happy with either. Kind of hard to pick one over the other, the BS11 swings faster than the TP100C and flexes easier. The TP100C on the other feels much more solid and has a conventional head (i.e. not the sword design of the BS11) that I am more used to and is substantially cheaper too. So all in all, TP100C leads the race at the moment - which I'll probably end up purchasing in the next few days once I have done all my other shopping. Thanks all! Justin