We have now 2 kind of rackets for double : AT800 OF and AT800 DF. Let's say (in double) : You are some one who love to attach, but can't do a hard smash. You are better as a net-man, but no bad as a back-man. You have a killing instinct if you stand close to the net. You have a very good drop short. You like to do speed badminton and almost always win. Quenstion : If you have to make a decision, which AT 800 do you choose ?
I would have thought the other way round, the OF because it is stiffer and should be better for dropping and net play depending of course on your ability to use it well. If you were wanting help with the smash element then I would have suggested the DE as it compensates because it is more flexible. But if the racket is for you and you want help choosing, I suggest playing a game with both and making your decision based on that. Do a search because some people are saying the OF is difficult to get used to and utilise and the DE is easier, as you would expect. But you are not the same as anyone else so you need to try before you buy!
If u have the chance to demo, try both then make the decision. If u have the make the decision, purely by specification, I would pick DE as a conservative choice, as it's easier to get used to, and should have the better chance to get a faster movement(swing), as it's more flex.
Choose DE I've definitely suggest you choose DE since you got only 2 choices. I don't have access to a DE but I have an Offensive which definitely killed my arms. I just went back from a play and my elbow hurts like hell. the head-heaviness and stiffness definitely made the OF very difficult to adjust to. My 2 cents. again - i've never tried a DE before. My suggestion is based solely on my bad experience with the AT800 OF.
I would also recommend a DE due to the fact that the OF is almost as extreme as the MP-100. Unless you are like the pros who can handle such extremeness in a racquet as the MP-100, you will appreciate the fact that the DE is a bit more forgiving if you have yet acquire good techniques. Edit: Also, as always try the racquets out before buying if possible. All of these suggestions are great as they are but really useless because everyone has different styles and desires.
Thanks for all your opinions. The problem is, I don't have a chance to try both of them. I mean try them on field. Sure I can do a swing in the store. Say.... I add MP-99 to my choise. What then ? Still go for DE ?
the OF an unfavorable review from me. given that i have only used each racket for a minute or two, i liked the DE more than the OF. the DE was light, and felt rather lively on my hands, it will be a good driving racket but a bit too light for offense. the OF was the other way around. it is DEAD. at least the one i held, there is no livelines to it. it impacts, vibrates like crazy and the shuttle doesn't go very fast. overall, i wasn't too impressed by the OF. so if i am given only the choice of the two and no other rackets in the world, i will choose the AT800 DE.
Kwun would you relate the OF to the MP100, I found that far too stiff to be used properly but so far have not had a chance to try the AT800's. Is the OF similar to the MP100 in your opinion?
Yup I would go for the DE. I have some MP-99s, MP-100s, Ti-10, ISO800, Cab20L, and some low-end racquets and I think the AT-800DE surpasses all of these in terms of the feel that it has. Most of my high-end racquets are extra stiff (I think the ISO800 is stiff) and the AT-800DE is just stiff which may explain why I like the feel of that racquet more than the ones I currently own. I really want to get an AT-800DE to add in my little collection but the problem is finding the right seller at the right price. If anyone here who has an AT-800DE still in very good condition and wants to sell it, let me know and we can work out a deal.
not really. i actually like the MP100 more than the OF. granted that it is personal preference of heavier racket, i find that 4U (or is it 3U?) lightness of the OF difficult to adjust to. when i swing a racket, i prefer to give it momentum and let the weight do the job when impacting the shuttle. the MP100 (i have a 2U) does have that while the 800OF lacks in that dept. the MP100 also have a more lively and more stable feel than the 800OF. but as i said, this is my personal preference, i have reverted to old school 2U rackets in the past year or two and all my 3U and lighter rackets have been collecting dust.
I use MP-100 (U2) and AT-700 (U3) for single and MP-99 for double. Personal preference, I like AT-700 over MP-100. Now, I am looking for a new racket for double. My heart is heading AT-800DF, but MP-99 is not yet disappear from the list. I have red this thread , maybe I will go for AT-800DF.
I think you shouldn't put yourself in the position where you have to choose from only those 2 without being able to play with them beforehand. (unless you can either return them to the shop for refund or exchange, or you know you can sell it if you don't like it) P.S. if you can add MP99 to the choice, how about also adding NS7000 ?
I tried out the OF and DF last night and liked the OF much more, I found the DF kind of weak. I don't find the OF as stiff as everyone makes out though
I just though that NS7000 would be better at the net than either AT800. Are you after a racquet to a) enhance what you are already good at (net play and fast reactions) b) to maybe trade some of that off to help out you weaker areas (power) Have you used the AT700 for doubles?
So, NS7000 is better at the net than AT-800DF . I think that I go after the racket for both of reasons those you mentioned. Yes, I have used AT-700 for doubles, but I prefer MP-99 than AT-700. I find that AT-700 can give me more power (smash), but a little difficult for me at the net and mid-court. Beside, AT-700 is a head-heavy racket. I like AT-700 very much for singles, not doubles.
NS7000 is even/head-light balance. Less power, more control I'm not sure you can achieve both a) and b) from 1 racquet NS7000 would be more for a) the AT800s would be more for b) that was sort of what I was trying to get at. AT800s are head heavy also. Not as much as the AT700, but you may find you don't like them for doubles either. Or maybe you will, it's really hard to predict. I am in a similar-ish situation to you. I prefer my Ti10 (2U) for singles, with MP100 (2U) as a backup. But for doubles I prefer something lighter or less head-heavy for faster reactions. I currently use Carlton Superlite Yong Hock Kin and Carlton Airblade AS-Ti
Thanks Neil, Ofcourse we can't get evrything we want in one racket. I like MP-99, in the other hand I want to try AT-880s. BFers suggest me to try them first before buy. But the problem is I have no opportunity to try. So, I don't know the characteristics of AT-800s. Now I see that most of world double players use AT800s. It seems that they have changed for MP-99 to AT-800s. Beside a commercial reason from Yonex, I am sure that they find that AT-800s racket meet their way of play. I do the same as you, for singles I use a head-heavy racket for singles. And a head-light racket for doubles. If you said that AT-800s racket less head-heavy than AT-700. Maybe I can get use with it.
