Yonex Protech 8

[demolidor]

Yonex' new toy (supposedly making a debut during/@ the Olympics)




Thx to the boys @ AT700

[Mark A]

The thread title got me really excited... but I'm not keen on the looks at all. Kind of spindly, and the backwards-canted puller just looks wrong. A bit of a mish-mash: I see hints of Baiardo (arms), Technifiber (turntable) and Victor (tensioner).

However, it does seem Yonex has beefed up the clamp rails - the last picture looks like a "before" shot - so they shouldn't bend any more under tension. Any idea what the tension resolution will be?

Hopefully this will drive down the ES5 and PT prices... but it's equally likely to turn them into collectors' items.

[kwun]

Toyo has awesome engineers, hopeless designers.

[kwun]

like the huge diablo. will reduce marring even more although the plasticy clamps hardly mar strings.

[kakinami]

I will let you guys know when I get there!!!

[kwun]

we need photos!!!! more more more photos!!

[Pete LSD]

We need the specifications too!

[kakinami]

Saw a few pics from London, looks like ES5 Protechs with no logos.

[JoeCalby]

I had a fiddle with this at the Yonex shows in Osaka. Much easier than the ES5 to raise and lower, and goes up to adequate height for my 196cm easily, where as the ES5 I use is sitting on a 15cm pedestal
The large 'shield' around the turntable is a bit clunky in comparison with the ES5. When locking the turntable underneath I felt exposed springs and other things that I thought might slice my finger off, but that's probably only because I was reaching for it the first time.
The last 2 pics in the OP show a better setup for maintenance of the rails.

The touch driven puller is pretty cool... but the touch screen is very selective about where it wants to be touched. Seems like a capacative shield over the regular LCD, nothing like a smartphone/iPad in terms of intuitive touch.

[kakinami]

Took it out of the box today, only 1 at Wembley and unfortunately the public cant see it, only players and staff. Stringers next to practice courts at Wembley

[kwun]

AK can you take pictures for us?

[kakinami]

AK can you take pictures for us?

You can post Aug 5

[kakinami]

we have machine #203002

[Mark A]

I've only seen one string go so far - I hope this machine is getting a workout...

[Mark A]

AK can you take pictures for us?

Sod pictures - VIDEOZ!!!.

[demolidor]

Since Kamilla Juhl just threw her not even publicly announced yet NanoRay 800 in the stands a mere video shouldn't be a big deal

[Mark A]

Since Kamilla Juhl just threw her not even publicly announced yet NanoRay 800 in the stands a mere video shouldn't be a big deal

If this was a marketing ploy by YY, very clever. Very clever.