Panda Power: A Racket That Can Take 40lbs. String Tension!

**Alpinerock** · 02-07-2011, 03:22 PM

Originally Posted by Mark A

Payment has just gone in for the UK/EU shipment, so any specs I have for you are now locked. I got two more than the number of pre-orders, so these will be up for grabs until I get the rackets and they go public - spec unknown as yet, but I'll find out when I open the box

.

GBP/EU price, on today's Paypal exchange rate, is now fixed at £83/99 Euro (with the usual 10% multi-buy discount and combined shipping applying).

Hopefully my prompt payment will mean my guys get the pick of the specs from the second half of the shipment...

Great work Mark!

Any chance of getting hold of the specs from Panda prior to him shipping?

When you mean 'second half of the shipment' do you mean that which will be with Panda in a couple of week?

**DinkAlot** · 02-07-2011, 04:02 PM

Originally Posted by cayzi

Maybe know what were the racket spec?

Coach D didn't get any rackets because Panda didn't have any extras with him.
He tested Panda's ~86.0, BP290.

**Mark A** · 02-07-2011, 04:19 PM

Originally Posted by Alpinerock

Any chance of getting hold of the specs from Panda prior to him shipping?

I can always ask - I got a huge ream of them over MSN earlier (only to be told they were all off-limits

).

When you mean 'second half of the shipment' do you mean that which will be with Panda in a couple of week?

Thats' the one I mean. Would be double the shipping AND customs if I did it in two batches, so it's a case of waiting an extra fortnight so I don't have to jack the price up to cover

.

**Alpinerock** · 02-07-2011, 04:23 PM

Cheers Mark

What do you mean off-limits?

**visor** · 02-07-2011, 04:30 PM

Originally Posted by DinkAlot

Coach D didn't get any rackets because Panda didn't have any extras with him.
He tested Panda's ~86.0, BP290.

Both he and you have good tastes, because that's exactly what I've pre-ordered!

***jamesd20*** · 02-08-2011, 02:39 AM

Originally Posted by Alpinerock

Cheers Mark

What do you mean off-limits?

I assume not for UK market (pre sold by Panda to others I imagine...)

**Alpinerock** · 02-08-2011, 02:59 AM

Originally Posted by jamesd20

I assume not for UK market (pre sold by Panda to others I imagine...)

Hmmmmmmm!!!!!

**j4ckie** · 02-08-2011, 04:17 AM

Originally Posted by Alpinerock

Hmmmmmmm!!!!!

I know. I feel it, too

**amleto** · 02-08-2011, 06:53 AM

Originally Posted by visor

Both he and you have good tastes, because that's exactly what I've pre-ordered!

ditto!!

...........

**Avenger** · 02-08-2011, 09:38 AM

Originally Posted by j4ckie

I know. I feel it, too

the only thing we can do is wait

that means around one month before we can try the Tpro which is almost easter (and in easter, I can play with it almost everyday)

**Hotsauce** · 02-08-2011, 10:55 AM

I think that this should actually go in the "String" sub-forum, but I feel like this thread has a little bit of everything, plus the people here seem to be the most informed about PP rackets, as they should.

I have been using a Panda Power Precision strung at 24 lbs. for quite a while now. When I first started using it, I noticed a dramatic increase in my smashing speed. However, as time has gone on, it's started to drop more and more, and now my smash is no longer an effective shot. This obviously is a problem. I don't think that my technique has gotten any worse, and I have had people watch me to make sure I'm using correct form. I have tried just about everything to fix this problem.

Now, my string is broken. This is where my question is. Should I drop my tension down to 22? I know that the Precision is a defensive racket, and I really like that, but I need some strength behind the smashes. 22 lbs. seems like the right thing to do. Or does it?

**j4ckie** · 02-08-2011, 10:57 AM

Originally Posted by Avenger

the only thing we can do is wait

that means around one month before we can try the Tpro which is almost easter (and in easter, I can play with it almost everyday)

Well, at least it won't distract me from my last two league matches - although Easter is gonna be a bad thing for my usual training schedule as most gyms are closed in the holidays. That'll probably mean a 60% reduction in training (2 instead of 5)....so it'll take longer to review as I want to fully adapt to the racket before forming an opinion...
I'm gonna re-try my other PP's in that time

lately I felt a bit weak at times, so they'll be a nice alternative in doubles^^

**visor** · 02-08-2011, 10:59 AM

Hotsauce,

What string?

Probably lost tension after so many months.

Should keep the same 24lb, don't use 22, that'll feel like a pillow!

**what07** · 02-08-2011, 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by visor

^^

What string?

Probably lost tension after so many months.

Should keep the same 24lb, don't use 22, that'll feel like a pillow!

Agree with visor. I don't understand why you would want to lower the tension after you notice a decrease in "smash speed" after a period of time, surely the tension has dropped so you should either restring or raise the tension a bit.

**j4ckie** · 02-08-2011, 11:07 AM

Originally Posted by Hotsauce

I think that this should actually go in the "String" sub-forum, but I feel like this thread has a little bit of everything, plus the people here seem to be the most informed about PP rackets, as they should.

I have been using a Panda Power Precision strung at 24 lbs. for quite a while now. When I first started using it, I noticed a dramatic increase in my smashing speed. However, as time has gone on, it's started to drop more and more, and now my smash is no longer an effective shot. This obviously is a problem. I don't think that my technique has gotten any worse, and I have had people watch me to make sure I'm using correct form. I have tried just about everything to fix this problem.

Now, my string is broken. This is where my question is. Should I drop my tension down to 22? I know that the Precision is a defensive racket, and I really like that, but I need some strength behind the smashes. 22 lbs. seems like the right thing to do. Or does it?

Actually, it's gonna depend on the string used - thinner strings give more power and can be strung at higher tensions without making it more difficult to play hard/high shots. On the other hand, they lose tension sooner. If you were happy with 24lbs and your smash got weaker, that's probably due to the tension dropping with time, so using less tension to begin with would probably make it worse.
What string did you use? Perhaps you could go with one that holds tension a bit longer - BG80 and VS850 both hold tension pretty well in my experience, BG65, BG66, Accupower62 don't. Anyhow, my advice would be to use 24 or 25lbs, while the 25 might be a bit harder to use initially, the tension loss will not affect you as much.
Re-stringing your racket every 2 months is also something you should consider as ALL strings will lose tension (&elasticity) and perform worse as a result. Depending on your amount of training, it should be less than the costs of your shuttles.....

[I restring rackets as soon as I notice a significant decrease in tension and power. Normally, that takes 1-5 months, depending on the racket, as I use some more than others. On my N50II, which I use approximately 10hrs a week or more, the last string lasted me 8 weeks. The one on my N70 broke after 5, but was still pretty good. The N50 has the same string for 5 or 6 months now, but went unused for a long time. It's not gonna last much longer though.]

**Hotsauce** · 02-08-2011, 01:17 PM

BG65. These responses make a whole lot of sense. I always just attributed it to my gameplay. So what do you all suggest? Back to 24? Or a little bit higher so that it will drop down to 24?

**BOUBOS1957** · 02-08-2011, 01:24 PM

After 2 weeks, the BG65, will get down about close to 3 lbs. Since you are looking for more power from the Precision, why don't you try the BG80 at 23 lbs for the mains and 25 lbs for the crosses. Might feel a tad tight the first week, but you should noticed the benefits after one week. It might also give you a bit more control around the net and it should retain it's tension longer.