I recently hurt my elbow and wrist by playing with a very heavy racquet, since my Carbonex 9 Tour had to be restrung. A quick background... I've been playing regularly for close to 7 years and am considered a good club level player, mostly doubles. I'm predominantly a backhand player, with good backhand control and powerful backhand clears. I can flick the shuttle from the back-hand corner underarm (below waist level) to the baseline. But I have a weak forehand underarm, though I have poweful smashes, deceptive drops and half-shots, if the shuttle goes below my waist level in the forehand, I have a weak return. In fact I cover my forehand while receiving shots and have a good shot return on my backhand. Even if the shot goes to my forehand a feet or so away from my body, I still rotate my wrist and reach for it in the backhand. Wierd, but that's the way I play. So, I put my thumb under a lot of stress all the time. When the string on my Carbonex 9 tour broke, I borrowed my friends back-up racquet (Fei, ever heard that name?) which seemed to weigh more than double my 2U carbonex. So, I hurt myself now, and I'm experiencing pain behind my thumb. So, I'm looking at buying a lightest racquet possible, with good control and not compromising the smashes. The leaves me with 4U MP88 or AT700. What would be the suggestion? Thanks a bunch!
I have a 4U MP88 and although it is head-heavy, it feels very light when you hold it and swing it. Very fast and great for defense, but it's no smash-machine. It also have a 3U MP88 which feels just as light & fast as the 4U but is better for smashing. Both are excellent on control. The AT700 is extra stiff and extremely head-heavy. It appears light on paper because of the 4U weight but I'll feel heavy when you swing it because of it's head-heaviness. IMHO, not a good choice for you with your thumb problem. Have you looked at other brands? A girl in our group plays with Kimoni racquet that is absurdly light at 78g.
... MP-88 no smashing machine ??..... I had a 3U and it was a pretty darn good one until it broke.... was a very good control racquet but one has to get used to the combination of extreme headheavy with flexible shaft....
I suggest looking at the Kason Lepton, Carvel, and Legerity series. They're 5U rackets(less than 80grams) and they play very well. You can search for them on this forum and you'll find some reviews.
ns8k is a head light racquet that acts like a head heavy one in that it delivers very powerful smashes and good control. If ns9k is too stiff or 'wrong' feeling to you, ns8k would probably work wonders. Personally it was my favorite racquet out of all the ones i demoed at a yonex demo night. Too expensive for me though quick note: the ns8k is not the light racquet by far (far=5grams or so) but IMO it compensates in 'touch' and power as well as being head light.
If you read my post again you will find that the smash-machine comment was for the 4U version and I did say the 3U is better at smashing. I'm not saying you can't generate decent smashes with the MP88 but it won't be the first choice for a smash-happy player. The MP77/99/100, NS8K/9K and the ATs will all be better choices for smashing. I also don't think the MP88 is extremely head-heavy. My 3U strung with BG-80 has a BP of 298mm which should make it only slightly head-heavy. The AT700 is one that is extremely head-heavy. Re. the original post, the Carlton Powerblade Superlight is another light racquet. It's 4U, head-light and mid-stiff.
Thanks everyone for chiming in. I did check out Kimoni...here is the e-mail conversation I had with them. ------------------------------------------- Good pm, Thank you for showing interest in our product. We would advice that you use the MP7003 which has a maximum tension of 28 tension and the weight is 78g +/- 2g. Balance point is 295-305 mm. The cost is $ 121.00 Regrettably we do not have an USA distributor. We accept wire transfer and we can send the items by Fedex. but have to shoulder the shipping charges. Thank you Kimoni Phil. inc. > Hi, > I'm interested in purchasing a Kimoni racquet. I'm > interested in a very light racquet ( less than 80g) > with good balance, control and mid-stiff. Looking at your web-site, I > shortlisted MP7003 and KP50. Please let me know, given my > requirements, which would suit me best. > > Also, how do I purchase the racquet in the USA. Is > there a dealer\distributor in North America? > > Thanks, > Sarathy ----------------------------------------------------------------- For the price and shipping charges, not to mention lack for facilities for warranty work (though they hve a 2-year warranty), I feel it would better to stick with a known brand with US presence. I do like the specs for the Kimoni racquet, though.... Keeping my fingers crossed!
See below for the Kimoni Canadian distributor. They only carry a few models but you might be able to order the model you want. http://www.winningbadminton.com Also check out http://www.puppysports.com in HK. They are almost half the price as the Phils. distributor. The model the girl in our group uses is the KP50 - 77g, 295-305mm BP, mid-stiff, 28lbs max tension.
This might sound odd, but I'd suggest the NS6000. For some reason (maybe I'm just weak) I can get better smashes out of it than a MP77, and it's equal to my Ti10, better when I'm tired. Very light, good control, and surprisingly good power. Cheap, too.
Gee, so surprised no one has mentioned Kason rackets.... Check out Kason Carvel U3 and U4, 77g, ultralight racket. You'll love it. available at www.e-badmintonusa.com
are you sure you want such a light racket? if you've played with 2U's and especially a cab9 for such a long time a 4U can feel vert light..let alone a 5U... my vote goes to the ns8k 3U. it's not that light but is headlight... other than that the woven 6 (Sotx) is very stable for such a light thing...
I had the same concerns going from a 2U to a 5U, but I might still go for it considering the state of my thumb. I've ordered a Karakal SL70 from badmintonwarehouse....I'll let you all know how it shapes up against my preference. Thanks y'all for your responses.
Ok...played with Karakal SL70 today. On the plus side, my thumb was not that sore after playing with this, but on the downside, I have to do a lot of work to clear and smash. If I use the same head speed that I used in CAB9, then it doesn't carry the shuttle too far. So, I have to generate more racquet speed...which is not much of an issue given the light weight of the racquet, but it messes with my timing. Probably will get used to it over time. Am I happy with this racquet. Not sure...time will tell.
Not bad, except for the Balance. I'd have perferred a slightly head-heavy racquet. I haven't re-strung it...still at factory tension. Will try something like 25lbs or so to see if it improves the smashes. Overall, I like this racquet so far.
I tested the SL70 Karakal last week....BG85 strung at 10.5 kilo...the balance point of this racket is 300cm which gives it even balance because the racket is 675cm long...Control was excellent and smashes were strong but not overwhelming but considering the weight of the racket (actually 74gr) it will produce good smashes...Your timing will be off for a week or so but dont worry it will come and so will the smash... Also if YangYang is available try the NanoSensation extra lite # 7 headlite or the Extra lite # 3 which is head heavy balance....
if budget is not a concern, how bout an NS9000 S-type. most male & female pros use it & there are a lot of good reviews bout it. i have no experience w/ the new AT's but they also have good reviews (3U versions) here in BC. for older AT's, the AT700 is an awesome all-around racket. im not crazy bout the AT800's but they are relatively good rackets.