Anyone try the Astec Pro 850? I just picked one up and the initial test: very good power, excellent stability, stiff and endloaded. The fit and finish appear to be top notch as is the material used. The Pro 850 reminds me of the RSL X-1. More in a couple of days.
Wow, I wonder how you can get Astec rackets in the USA. I thought it is not available in the USA. Astec is a very popular brand here in Indonesia and some of my friends use this brand. I have tried AS Pro 800 (if I recall the model correctly) and it is stiff, head light, and very fast, and has a very long shaft. I like it a lot. However, in my opinion the racket I tried has a very poor finishing. It is just a plain black racket with some silver thin sticker. Well, it is not an issue to me, but it is to some people Once, it appears in our local ad, there is a high-end model which has chrome look. It is very cool. However, it is expensive. I am looking forward to your review
I have seen this racket (astec brand) displayed at some racket shops but it was some time ago. If it's comparable to the X-1 then it's good quality. Sir Dink, give us your review on this racket.
I have my connections. ... My Pro 850 has an excellent finish, on par with RSL's X-1, better than Yonex. I'll take a picture of the racket when I have time, maybe a few hours.
One thing I did notice about the Pro 850, it has a very, very small grip. I had to remove the original grip, install a thick leather replacement grip, then a thick synthetic overgrip and finally a medium thick overgrip to get the grip size I desired. Crazy.
there you go trying to simulate a g1 grip size again! hahahaha, hmmm, is the original grip similar to the yonex g6?
Yes, my Astec Ti25 has a very thin grip too, thinner than my Yonex G5 rackets. But I prefer thin grips anyway. And the quality of the racket is excellent.
you're right, it is a nice finish. may i inquire how much it costs? first impression i had is, hmmm, that looks like a ti-10. also, i thought susy's name was spelt as susi?
I agree. It's a very good looking racket and from the photos, it does have a good finishing. The "PCF Power System" on my friend's AS Pro 800 is from thin silver sticker. Once he mishitted in that part and the sticker was torn. The white and red color combination makes a very good color scheme. I like it. DinkAlot, may I know how much you pay for this Pro 850? And... we are still looking forward to your review. Thank you for sharing it here.
Me too! But in today's Kompas newspaper (national newspaper in Indonesia), it is also stated as Susy Susanti.
hmmm, very strange then. cause i remember watching her play back when i was in malaysia, and it was always spelt as susi susanti. maybe they just always got it wrong, like with hariyanto arbi, we used to call him heryanto arbi for some reason.
ah..ASTEC = Alan & Susy Technology.. I believe i've seen a similar brand racket when i was in Indo 2 yrs. ago, in Jakarta to be exact, but don't remember what models they were. And i believe they also manufacture other badminton equipments/apparels..
I've only used the racket 2 times. Please give me at least 2 more weeks. Actually, I don't think I'm going to break the Pro 850 any time soon. It's very robust.
Don't know the U.S. pricing. I received a "yo bro hook-up price", though. Yes, back then it was "Susi"; now it's "Suzy", I don't know why.
