Kason C7 vs TSF500 SHOOTOUT!

[Maklike Tier]

Okay, so I just received a 2nd hand TSF500 from a forumite, and naturally I thought it a good idea to have a shootout between my much loved C7 and the 500 over the next couple of weeks.

Before I received the 500, I had a sneaky suspicion that it would be the same racket as the C7 just with different specs, but I couldn't be more wrong. Physically, the only thing they have in common is the basic shape of the head and the Arcustec grommet strip!

In essence, the TSF500 is an 'inside out' C7 with a much thinner frame - more like a Bravesword almost. Where on the C7 in inner surface of the frame is flat and the outer surface is curved, on the 500 in the inner surface is pitched and the outer surface flat (slightly curved in actuality).



At the T, the C7 is much squarer and fatter than the 500.



The overall head shape is the same on both, but the 500 is ever so slightly narrower.



The shaft on the 500 is a whopping 13mm longer than the C7, meaning there's a shorter handle on it and less grip, so I expect that to tip the balance point more head-heavy. Won't know the actualy BP of the 500 until I get is strung.



Stiffness on both feels the same, but that's really academic at this stage.



Short and mid-term comparison once I get the 500 strung up!

[justinwyyau]

Hmm .. makes me wonder if I should have gotten the TSF300Ti too! Ah ... new toys ... can't wait for your write up

Side note: Didn't realise that both Kason had that 'frame guard' thing at the top. Any use? Glued on?

Justin

[Maklike Tier]

300Ti Gold is definitely next on my list

The 'frame guard' thing is essentially a 'muscle power' type grommet strip. I think all the TSF models have it.

[zombie0517]

300Ti Gold is definitely next on my list

The 'frame guard' thing is essentially a 'muscle power' type grommet strip. I think all the TSF models have it.

The colour scheme of TSF500 is really nice just curious where did you get the Kason stencil from?

[Maklike Tier]

The quality of the Kason graphics is top shelf. I can see why LiNing bought the company. The paint is actually a pearl that changes colour in the sun - at the top it's black but flips to purple, and on the inside of the frame near the T, it's sliver but it flips to light blue.

The Kason stencil actually comes with the C7. It's cardboard, but does the job just fine.

[BlueTornado]

Any updates on this, Maklike? How's the 500 compared to the C7 that you enjoy so much?

[Maklike Tier]

Was going to try to get it strung tomorrow but looks like it will have to be Friday.

Still don't know how or what to string it with!! Trying to avoid having to cut the strings of the C7 and I only have red ZM67 and I really want to put yellow strings on the 500.

Yes, I'm that petty.

[BlueTornado]

Thanks, take your time. If you're going to be playing with it, might as well make it look nice!

[James.Foo]

kason stencil ink comes with the racket when you buy C7??

[Maklike Tier]

"The Kason stencil actually comes with the C7. It's cardboard, but does the job just fine."

[Maklike Tier]

TSF500 is strung! BG66 Ultimax at 26lbs. BP 300, net weight 93g. Sweeeeet!

(Which also happen to be the exact same specs as my MX60)

[Licin]

@ Maklike Tier

I am looking forward for your C7 & TSF 500 side to side comparison...

[Maklike Tier]

Let the games begin!

[justinwyyau]

TSF500 wins just on looks alone

Justin

[Maklike Tier]

Okay, I've had a miniscule 2 games on the TSF500. In all honesty, I think 26lbs with BG66U is a pound too tight - the MX60 with 25lbs feels much nicer. However, one thing I wil say with the Kason rackets, is that they have 'feel' down to a fine art. They're just so lovely and tactile feeling rackets. This of course would also be their weakness if you're not really into that sort of thing, which luckily I basically am.

In terms of actual play? In all honesty I played pretty badly with this racket (new string on a new racket, and all), but the potential is definitely there. The C7 feels more like a 'performance tool' with a specific goal, whereas the 500 is like the very grown-up all-rounder.

More to come.

[Erique]

Okay, I've had a miniscule 2 games on the TSF500. In all honesty, I think 26lbs with BG66U is a pound too tight - the MX60 with 25lbs feels much nicer. However, one thing I wil say with the Kason rackets, is that they have 'feel' down to a fine art. They're just so lovely and tactile feeling rackets. This of course would also be their weakness if you're not really into that sort of thing, which luckily I basically am.

In terms of actual play? In all honesty I played pretty badly with this racket (new string on a new racket, and all), but the potential is definitely there. The C7 feels more like a 'performance tool' with a specific goal, whereas the 500 is like the very grown-up all-rounder.

More to come.

Do you mean that C7 is built for fast attacking play? I just had a C7 which has lighter weight than my MX80, shorter shaft, less stiff, and higher BP. With lighter weight I can play more attacking with fast pace.

[amirx2]

but C7 is head heavy rite? i afraid it's more demanding from mx80.