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

**cayzi** · 02-09-2011, 08:11 AM

Originally Posted by DinkAlot

2) Most of the rackets are in 83.5-86.0g weight range

If I understood target weight then this is ok, just BP is a little low or not reached from 291 to 300.

Right?

**Alpinerock** · 02-09-2011, 08:24 AM

Originally Posted by j4ckie

Okay, thats unusual - why do you keep the plastic underneath? I've only seen that with testing rackets before....

Because that extra little thickness of plastic gives me the prefect grip size. I have had no problems doing this. Weird I know!!

**DinkAlot** · 02-09-2011, 09:03 AM

What's Panda up to? Hmmmm, let's see...

**OliverHH** · 02-09-2011, 09:18 AM

Have I missed something or do you live in heaven?

**Fidget** · 02-09-2011, 09:20 AM

Those pictures are great, Dan.
I just wonder if the police ever drive by at weird hours and wonder what's going on in that place.

Imagine a narcotics team bustin' in with guns drawn at 0500h, looking for a grow-op ...
What would be their expression when they saw Dan -- adrift in all that badminton paraphernalia -- soothing his tired paws on the foot massager and eating noodles?

**j4ckie** · 02-09-2011, 09:27 AM

Looks very nice

I'm a bit jealous about the machine (especially the WISE), must be nice to work with, especially as you can do it standing - I have to sit, which takes a toll on my (still young) back when I have to string more than 2 rackets in a row...do you, by any chance, need an assistant?

**volcom** · 02-09-2011, 09:33 AM

Originally Posted by j4ckie

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.]

Damn your strings last long even using it for 10hrs per week

...
Mine usually last 3-4 weeks max

**j4ckie** · 02-09-2011, 09:42 AM

Originally Posted by volcom

Damn your strings last long even using it for 10hrs per week

...
Mine usually last 3-4 weeks max

Hehe. Perhaps a mix of slow swing and clean hits??

Ahh but you're still doing okay, a friend from training just recently broke his strings when testing the shuttle speed....I believe he uses up at least one string every 2 weeks, although he strings at 24lbs and trains for less than 8 hours a week...

**dimcorner** · 02-09-2011, 09:46 AM

I would SOOOO get that machine!!!!

I think once I buy my house I can set that sucker up!
Unfortunately I have been living in apartments for the last... WOW 7 years!!!

Makes it hard also to work the the B5S4 when you don't have driveway/tools

BTW, Panda should get into a new TTRS when it comes out

**volcom** · 02-09-2011, 09:50 AM

Originally Posted by j4ckie

Hehe. Perhaps a mix of slow swing and clean hits??

Ahh but you're still doing okay, a friend from training just recently broke his strings when testing the shuttle speed....I believe he uses up at least one string every 2 weeks, although he strings at 24lbs and trains for less than 8 hours a week...

Wow that is pretty frequent haha...
If I string with bg66 at 27lb tension it usually breaks in 1-2 weeks.
But when using bg65 at 28lb it lasts the 3-4 weeks

... Must be too many mishits XD.
Although I played up to 25hrs a week max and change rackets here and there a little bit.

...

**dimcorner** · 02-09-2011, 10:05 AM

Ungh, I hate USPS.
Last 2 night the status was USPS received electronic notification that the package was ready to mail, but is not necessarily with USPS. This morning the stats is that the package is out for delivery.

Nothing against using it, is just that the status updates sucks.

But anyway... OMG OMG OMG ITS GOING TO BE HERE!!!!!

**j4ckie** · 02-09-2011, 10:15 AM

Originally Posted by volcom

Wow that is pretty frequent haha...
If I string with bg66 at 27lb tension it usually breaks in 1-2 weeks.
But when using bg65 at 28lb it lasts the 3-4 weeks

... Must be too many mishits XD.
Although I played up to 25hrs a week max and change rackets here and there a little bit.

...

Whoa. Awesome, I want to have 25hrs a week, too^^ Sadly, not many share my enthusiasm here... <.< And training time is limited

**Avenger** · 02-09-2011, 04:09 PM

Originally Posted by j4ckie

Whoa. Awesome, I want to have 25hrs a week, too^^ Sadly, not many share my enthusiasm here... <.< And training time is limited

I would be pretty exhausted if I play badminton 25 hours per week
8-14 hours per week seems nice
yet I only play 3-5 hours per week right now

**maa2003** · 02-09-2011, 04:30 PM

Originally Posted by DinkAlot

hi Dink, how is the performance of Michal's side support ?

**DinkAlot** · 02-09-2011, 04:51 PM

Originally Posted by maa2003

hi Dink, how is the performance of Michal's side support ?

Done "modifying" the Chudak supports but need to string about 10 more rackets to give a complete review.

Initial thoughts: the Chudak supports are definitely well-made, strong and easy-to-access the string.

The only improvement (at least for this Panda) needed is the yellow shrink tubing for cushioning is a bit too hard and slippery (again for this Panda). It's no harder than the expensive stringing machine PU mounts but Panda wants the ultimate in racket frame protection: a bit more cushioning and more grip to hold the racket in place better so there's no movement.

Panda went to Home Depot and found the ideal cushioning: Watts Clear Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC), Model # SVHF20, 7/16" outer diameter, 5/16" inner diameter x 20' = ~$6.00! (In the U.S.)

The tubing fits perfectly into the supports. Will take pictures and do a more detailed write-up in a few days.

More info here: http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...1&ddkey=Search

**singnflip4life** · 02-09-2011, 05:16 PM

The only thing the Panda machine needs is one of these: http://www.gelpro.com/

I plan on getting one asap.

Also... Got a nice box today. Seems to have a black exterior and a green interior...

What's this?! Orange?! Mmm this looks delicious. Time to string it up like a roast and feast...