My SOTX Diamond Fighter D-500 just broke yesterday. I really liked the weight and head heaviness of the racket but am thinking about trying something new. I have been looking at other SOTX Rackets in the Diamond Fighter/Woven series but am having a hard time interpreting balance points and stiffness into an actual swing. The Diamond Fighter was about 85 grams I believe and had a somewhat medium flex. What other rackets particularly in the SOTX line could you recommend to me that are somewhat similar. Also, because I need to get a defensive racket what is your favorite defensive racket in their line. I have heard good things about the woven 7, but it seems like that extra 5-7 grams might make quite a bit of difference in my playing. If i'm wrong I would live you to tell me. Thanks
There are lots of SOTX experts on BC, so you are sure to get excellent advice as to what is similar to your D500. But may I ask why you want to get something like your D500 instead of getting another D500? Here is what I know. The w7 is a head heavy attacking racket. The w2 is a lighter, shorter (not to mention cheaper) racket but still good for attacking. The w8 is more evenly balanced and quite quick in defense. Good luck.
so, you liek your 670mm, 85grams headheavy D500... and you're looking for... the same? Anyway, the W7 is nice, just like the w7i, and cp6000, and a lot more rackets . But they're far from 'defensive'.... For a defensive racket, a D300 is almost identical to a D500, but it's even balanced. Or the cp5000, which is slightly heavier, but much better power (it's stiffer and longer, but soo fast) Slightly heavier alternatives, the D700 is a very likable racket (to me, at least), stiffer, 5mm longer, 1 gram heavier. Or the D900, which is a lot like the d700, but not so stiff.
D600 is also good for offense, or so I've heard. W11 should also be an SOTX offensive racquet too....but Jerby's the pro here on SOTX
It's hard to beat a Woven 11 in 94-95g, probably the most powerful racket I've ever tried. I just hope they fixed the shaft issue.
Does anyone know how the D-600,700,and 900 compare to the D-500? I mean this as far as their purpose, balance, weight, flex ect. Just trying to make a good purchase. Thanks
D-600 most offensive (headheavy, max long (680mm) ).. D-700 Offensive (similar to 600 but 675mm long, same as most other brands "long" rackets) . D-900 mid balanced racket.. stiffer and better control than the other (675mm) D-500 quicker agile, shorter (670mm) easy handling. D-300 quick headlight.. my 2 cents. /Twobeer
Go with SOTX W7 or W11. DinkAlot if you know that SOTX have fixed the durability issue on W11 shaft can you tell me so i can buy more.
the w7, w11 and d600 are nice rackets, and very powerfull. But about the D500.... Havign played with one for 4-5months, I can safely say the D600, w7 and w11, are a crapload heavier 5-8 grams is quite a big difference Not to mention the 10mm lenght difference between the D500 and w11/D600, and the stiffness...
Hey jerby, Would you rate a woven 9 to be an offensive racket too? IMO, i feel it is slightly more head heavier than woven7, or is it just me?
err... I wouldn't know.... I couldn't draw a consistent line between offensive and defensive rackets... I like the w9, but it's just too light for me.... Why would you even want to know?
I wiew it as an offensive racket for "whippy" type players.. (nothing for bigger swing arm-players imop) /Twobeer
well....no... the w9 is light fast, and if you ask me, more flexible than the w7 (siding with twobeer here). So most armplayers don't like it, because they can't hit hard with the light stuff, they simply can't accelarate it enough. Wristplayers, or players with a correct technique (), can play with any weight, it is just dependent on the strength of your wrist/ speed of your swing and off course your personal preference (most of all)
Gentlemen, Just a quick qn... most of the recommendations for SOTX rackets seem to be for w7 / w7i, w9, w11 / w11i. Any particular reason why w12a, w13 et al are considered? Interested to know if the consideration is price vs amount of improvement, or if there are other factors. cheers
Well, the wovens are recommended the most. Because they're familiar to people.... The w12 is nice, but quite a lot like the w8.. If you ask me, if you want to spend 150usd, I'd say the cp5000 is a nicer racket.... The w13 is actually a very good racket, and worth the money (for me) very stable and 'sensitive' (don't have the right word). I guess most people don't want to recommend the most expensive stuff. People on BC are very polite Dinkalt has a nack for cracking it's shaft But, in all honesty, he's still the only person I know who can do it so consistently. (and actually, I've never had a broken w11 returned to me...yet *touches wood*)
I'm an equal opportunity racket breaker. Yesterday busted a new purple Ti10 after some hard mishits, no clashes. The purple Ti10 is a great racket, reminds me of the Woven 7 only stiffer and more solid.
