Need recommendation of light racket for beginer

**rickzhang** · 03-12-2009, 03:34 PM

I am a totally beginner of badminton game, but I enjoy it very much.

My wife and I decide to excise our body through badminton. Our purpose is pure exercise and having fun. Improving skill of badminton is just an extra for us, not our main purpose.

Right now I have a Prince Axis 65 which I bought 4 years ago for around 30 bucks. I feel it's very light and comfotable compare to some head racket my friends bought.

Now I need to buy one for my wife, hopefully even better than my Axis 65, so that we can play together in the sports center near our home.
We prefer a light and comfortable one, so that we can play longer before getting too tired and lost fun.
Lightweight, easy to control is my main focus, and for the price, although it's not my first concern, I wish it's below 50$.

Could anyone here help to give me suggestion which racket I could choose?

I tried to read some post here and there, and I found the 2004 yonex cab 30ms could be a good choice. But I am not sure, and the price is a little bit over my budget.
I wish I could make decision after I got some suggestion from professions here.

Thanks a lot.

**Danstevens** · 03-12-2009, 03:47 PM

If you're looking for a light racket, go for the Karakal MTec 80. It's reasonably light but not too light for a beginner and not too expensive. It's being discontinued so if you wait a short while, you may get an even better price.

**rickzhang** · 03-12-2009, 03:56 PM

Thanks a lot for the response.
I searched MTec 80. It's around 90$ right now.
Lot people suggest AT250 and cab30ms in the forum. How does MTech 80 compare to these two?

**rickzhang** · 03-13-2009, 04:42 PM

Danstevens, Thanks for the advice. But I can't find MTec 80 anywhere except on ebay. After reading post, and researching on the web, I finally decided to buy a SOTX woven 7 for 80$ including tax and shipping.
Was trying to buy woven 8, but can't find it either, woven 7 seems more powerful, I hope it would not be too heavy.

**phandrew** · 03-13-2009, 04:55 PM

SOTX Woven 7 would be too stiff for a beginner. I suggest you look at the Diamond Fighter series.

**rickzhang** · 03-13-2009, 05:58 PM

how is Carbonex 8600Ti-Strung? I heard it's good for beginners and cost around 50$.

**aikakira** · 03-13-2009, 06:13 PM

Hey mate I found the Kason Swift F4 very good! only <79g 5u

strung it to 27x29 no probs

great for beginners! Its used by the young professional kids in china at the mo

**rickzhang** · 03-13-2009, 06:20 PM

Thanks a lot, is it available in US?

Originally Posted by aikakira

Hey mate I found the Kason Swift F4 very good! only <79g 5u

strung it to 27x29 no probs

great for beginners! Its used by the young professional kids in china at the mo

**rickzhang** · 03-13-2009, 06:50 PM

By the way, what would happen if a racket is too stiff?
I thought stiff means easy to control?

Originally Posted by phandrew

SOTX Woven 7 would be too stiff for a beginner. I suggest you look at the Diamond Fighter series.

**aikakira** · 03-13-2009, 06:52 PM

not too sure if you can get it in the U.S i can help you pull some contacts to buy it and send to you U.S for you if you like?

**rickzhang** · 03-13-2009, 06:59 PM

Thank you for your kindness, but that sounds too complex to buy an entry level racket for a beginner like me. I am sure there must be other choices available.

Originally Posted by aikakira

not too sure if you can get it in the U.S i can help you pull some contacts to buy it and send to you U.S for you if you like?

**aikakira** · 03-13-2009, 07:05 PM

I did a little search on ebay for you, the sellers buy it now price $61.67 plus $16 for shipping.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Kason-SWIFT-F3-B...3A1%7C294%3A50

This is the Swift F3 not F4, F4 difference is the paintwork to be honest haha

**12etsam** · 03-13-2009, 07:44 PM

personally i would prefer the kason carvel
http://cgi.ebay.com/Kason-CARVEL-U3-...3%3A1|294%3A50

its very light (79g) and its also head light. its flexible, and low tensioned for more power

**aikakira** · 03-13-2009, 07:53 PM

Originally Posted by 12etsam

personally i would prefer the kason carvel
http://cgi.ebay.com/Kason-CARVEL-U3-...3%3A1|294%3A50

its very light (79g) and its also head light. its flexible, and low tensioned for more power

hmmm never actually tried that one, F3 & F4 both have long shafts, tried comparing the smash power with a head heavy racket, there is less power but its very marginal, maybe 10-20% compared to my AT900T

**Licin** · 03-13-2009, 08:54 PM

If you can find MP 88, it is good for beginner.. and also MP 22LT, and MP 45..
erm AT 500...is good as well..

**Deathsticks** · 03-13-2009, 09:08 PM

MP 22lt if you need arm training

**rickzhang** · 03-14-2009, 01:22 PM

Thank you all so much. Especially thanks aikakira so much for searching ebay. However I am a kind of guy who don't like to buy stuff from EBAY.
I found the MP 22lt on online retailer, the description looks good. But I also found the 08 yonex AT250 at 85$. I can't decide which of the 2 will be better for me.