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

**DinkAlot** · 12-14-2009, 06:03 PM

Originally Posted by shot3gun

Will the T2 use the "new Grommet system" like the ones in Yonex rackets? (or single pass grommets or something like that) and slim shaft and smaller cap?

All the modifications are stated in past posts. Will update the website soon to answer all the questions. But to answer yours, no, it's the old string pattern, normal shaft and normal cap.

**Jasonvan** · 12-15-2009, 01:58 AM

Oh, U3 is under testing phrase... oh you're trying to make me poor! Evillllll

**AurorAX** · 12-15-2009, 08:44 AM

I thought the revelation was going to be released first, followed by a girl's racket, followed by U3? U3 testing phase so fast! @.@

**what07** · 12-15-2009, 09:27 AM

At this rate I'll have to get a job.......

**DinkAlot** · 12-15-2009, 10:21 AM

Originally Posted by AurorAX

I thought the revelation was going to be released first, followed by a girl's racket, followed by U3? U3 testing phase so fast! @.@

Testing doesn't mean it's necessarily going to be produced. Panda's tested many different prototypes.

**AurorAX** · 12-15-2009, 10:22 AM

Ah ic!

I was gonna go find a 2nd job too

**DinkAlot** · 12-15-2009, 10:30 AM

Originally Posted by AurorAX

Ah ic!

I was gonna go find a 2nd job too

It can't hurt in this economy.

And if you're young, it's a good idea to work hard now and save up extra money for the long run.

**visor** · 12-15-2009, 11:01 AM

Speaking of the upcoming "girl's" racket, I'm not sure whether Panda should settle on exclusively labelling it to be so gender specific. I mean, you'll turn off potential male buyers for it, and some females can hit harder than males. Just a thought...

**Random-person1** · 12-15-2009, 10:53 PM

Originally Posted by visor

Speaking of the upcoming "girl's" racket, I'm not sure whether Panda should settle on exclusively labelling it to be so gender specific. I mean, you'll turn off potential male buyers for it, and some females can hit harder than males. Just a thought...

I think Panda will just make the shaft more flexible for females? o.o
Prob still a great racquet like the Arc9 though; I've seen many males use the Arc9.

**jymbalaya** · 12-15-2009, 11:00 PM

Originally Posted by Random-person1

Prob still a great racquet like the Arc9 though; I've seen many males use the Arc9.

Exactly
Gender specific rackets dont really deter players, as long as the racket plays well. I have seen Many Males proudly wield their arc 9's, complete with Pink string and grip. Same stands with the AT600.

**adonis** · 12-15-2009, 11:15 PM

Originally Posted by visor

Speaking of the upcoming "girl's" racket, I'm not sure whether Panda should settle on exclusively labelling it to be so gender specific. I mean, you'll turn off potential male buyers for it, and some females can hit harder than males. Just a thought...

well the arc 9 is sorta like a 'cult' racket that is used by many good male players anyway!

**DinkAlot** · 12-15-2009, 11:18 PM

Originally Posted by jymbalaya

Exactly
Gender specific rackets dont really deter players, as long as the racket plays well. I have seen Many Males proudly wield their arc 9's, complete with Pink string and grip. Same stands with the AT600.

Just because Yonex says or alludes the Arc 9 is made for women, it doesn't mean it is.

I've tried three different Arc 9s now and they are heavy in weight (heavy 3U) and the BP was around 300. So the rackets were all hammers. Even most guys couldn't wield it effectively.

Then I've seen a few that were light 3Us more evenly balanced that were more reasonable for women to use but still not optimized for women.

Based on my experience, the Arc 9 is more suited for men than women.

**visor** · 12-16-2009, 12:00 AM

Dink, a question...

Since you have an extensive exposure to various rackets and strings, what's your experience with plastic birdies?
(I can hear the shock from the gallery now... Heresy! They'd say. But let's forget all the debate about how feather is better... it is better, I've played it. The crack of a perfectly hit shot or the sharp trajectory of a drop is both rewarding and addictive. But plastic is sooo much cheaper for some of us poor sods!)

In terms of playing with plastic birds, I gather that thicker strings at lower tensions are optimal as oppposed to feather; but how about optimal racket characteristics? My intuition says moderately head heavy, but not sure about the shaft stiffness...

I'm interested in your take on it, as I have not seen this question asked before.

**DinkAlot** · 12-16-2009, 12:20 AM

Panda bans plastic shuttles!

Panda has played with plastic a few times and each time either a racket or string broke.

So no plastic for Panda.

If you play plastic, just attack. It's truly hard to play a real skill game with plastic. Just use a cheap racket and a thick string, ZM70, BG65, BG70Pro and pray you don't mishit and break your racket.

**visor** · 12-16-2009, 12:36 AM

Originally Posted by DinkAlot

Panda bans plastic shuttles!

Panda has played with plastic a few times and each time either a racket or string broke.

So no plastic for Panda.

If you play plastic, just attack. It's truly hard to play a real skill game with plastic. Just use a cheap racket and a thick string, ZM70, BG65, BG70Pro and pray you don't mishit and break your racket.

Fair enough. I'm aware plastic is more forgiving of technique and skill.

But if you ever do play plastic, may I suggest using BG65 at 22lb instead of your ZM65 at 32lb, so that strings and rackets are unharmed.

**Blurry D** · 12-16-2009, 12:39 AM

22 lbs hahaa panda will rather not play badminton.

**DinkAlot** · 12-16-2009, 12:43 AM

Originally Posted by visor

Fair enough. I'm aware plastic is more forgiving of technique and skill.

But if you ever do play plastic, may I suggest using BG65 at 22lb instead of your ZM65 at 32lb, so that strings and rackets are unharmed.

When Panda plays plastic, it's always against youngin's to high schoolers. That's when the squash racket comes out.