PREVIEW: Carlton Vapour Trail Tour / Elite

**j4ckie** · 10-30-2011, 04:07 AM

Originally Posted by riuryK

But 2 grams is ridiculous, I mean you don't even notice it. Not even 5-7 grams, I would say.

Of course you can - I notice anything from 1,5 upwards. Not necessarily in a way that it disturbs me, but I notice it. 5-7 grams is the whole difference between 3U and 4U rackets - you will most definitely notice that. The same racket in 82 and 89g will feel like two completely different things - if not, you could as well use a wooden one, you won't notice anyway.

**allyjack110** · 10-30-2011, 11:54 AM

Originally Posted by jerby

I heard from 2-3 players that the "new" VT Elite was 1-2grams heavier than the old one. I even saw one player who got a bunch of the new ones switch back mid-game to his old rackets, so maybe there is a difference?

Your right. Both the new Tour and Elite are heavier than their predecessors, albeit by a few grams. The new Elite weighs 90g. I think 1-2g makes a huge difference to the overall feel and playability of a racket. I never played with the old Elite but I loved the Tour. Apparantly Joachim Persson is now using Carlton rackets - the Razor.

**NickHolland** · 10-30-2011, 02:58 PM

Hi there, in my expirience 1-2 grams is very hard to feel, but 1-2mm in balancepoint is almost
radical.

**NickHolland** · 10-30-2011, 03:12 PM

@jerby, If you played a whole season with the "golden" rackets, you might have to get familiar with the
new ones, I always expirience a little "extra" stiffnes in the new rackets and strings.

**j4ckie** · 10-31-2011, 05:38 AM

Originally Posted by NickHolland

Hi there, in my expirience 1-2 grams is very hard to feel, but 1-2mm in balancepoint is almost
radical.

For me, it's just the other way round - 1-2mm are not that important, but 1-2g are much more of a difference (of course, 1-2g are about 1-2,5% weight difference, while 1-2mm are only 0.3-0.7% BP difference)

**Maklike Tier** · 10-31-2011, 05:59 AM

Originally Posted by allyjack110

Your right. Both the new Tour and Elite are heavier than their predecessors, albeit by a few grams. The new Elite weighs 90g. I think 1-2g makes a huge difference to the overall feel and playability of a racket. I never played with the old Elite but I loved the Tour.

I'm the same. Currently looking back at all the rackets I've had over the past 3 years and wondering which ones I regret selling.....and I only sold the VTT for superficial reasons (too much chrome!)

The VTT is maybe the only racket I thought was a superlative all-rounder so I think it might be time to revisit

**allyjack110** · 10-31-2011, 11:02 AM

Originally Posted by Maklike Tier

I'm the same. Currently looking back at all the rackets I've had over the past 3 years and wondering which ones I regret selling.....and I only sold the VTT for superficial reasons (too much chrome!)

The VTT is maybe the only racket I thought was a superlative all-rounder so I think it might be time to revisit

Likewise. I've bought and sold around 20 rackets in the last three years, searching for the Holy Grail of rackets. With hindsight, selling my VTT was my biggest regret. Looking back I can't think of the reason why I sold it in the first place. I loved the chrome-affect, the flex and the compact hitting head. Anyway, I have now settled on a very similar racket, the Ashaway Viper XT-900. If I see the old VT Tour on offer I will probably buy it again with the intention of keeping it this time.

**Maklike Tier** · 10-31-2011, 04:55 PM

The XT has a really nice spec. Where did you buy it from?

Tennisnuts seems to have the older model VTT for £89.99, and the 2011 model for £99.99

**allyjack110** · 10-31-2011, 05:28 PM

Originally Posted by Maklike Tier

The XT has a really nice spec. Where did you buy it from?

Tennisnuts seems to have the older model VTT for £89.99, and the 2011 model for £99.99

I bought my Viper XT-900 from TennisNuts for £69.99, although I have seen several online stores sell it for even less. You might want to try Sweatband. That's another decent store.

**Maklike Tier** · 10-31-2011, 05:33 PM

I don't think Sweatband delivers to Australia. Very few UK stores ship internationally.

**Skanbuzz** · 11-20-2011, 04:41 AM

Hi,

I am new to Carlton
I am seeking a similar specification or feel racket to the Yonex Armortex 900power for my son
can any Carlton fan recommend which model he can try?

Thank you

**DinkAlot** · 11-20-2011, 05:20 AM

Originally Posted by jerby

I heard from 2-3 players that the "new" VT Elite was 1-2grams heavier than the old one. I even saw one player who got a bunch of the new ones switch back mid-game to his old rackets, so maybe there is a difference?

Panda has a new VTE (silver with gold text) is pretty beastly, about ~g, BP310-315. A great racket. Strung it up to 34lbs. with no problems. Stiff shaft, strong frame, excellent quality, fit and finish. Plays well.

Oh, did Panda mention: it's one of the best looking rackets currently available; just elegant, gorgeous!

**DinkAlot** · 11-20-2011, 06:00 AM

Ooops, meant to type ~90g, BP310-315.

Originally Posted by DinkAlot

Panda has a new VTE (silver with gold text) is pretty beastly, about ~g, BP310-315.

**Benwilluk** · 11-20-2011, 06:17 AM

Originally Posted by Skanbuzz

Hi,

I am new to Carlton
I am seeking a similar specification or feel racket to the Yonex Armortex 900power for my son
can any Carlton fan recommend which model he can try?

Thank you

Hi - if I remember rightly the 900 Power is stiff and head heavy. The Carlton rackets which have similar specs to this include the Vapour Trail Elite and the Razor V1.1. Both have a stiff shaft and are head heavy aimed at the more offensive player.

**dr_lager** · 11-20-2011, 11:58 AM

Originally Posted by allyjack110

Likewise. I've bought and sold around 20 rackets in the last three years, searching for the Holy Grail of rackets. With hindsight, selling my VTT was my biggest regret. Looking back I can't think of the reason why I sold it in the first place. I loved the chrome-affect, the flex and the compact hitting head. Anyway, I have now settled on a very similar racket, the Ashaway Viper XT-900. If I see the old VT Tour on offer I will probably buy it again with the intention of keeping it this time.

There seem to be a few of the older model popping up on ebay.co.uk at the moment. I just bought a couple, sold as new. I'm getting mine posted to the USA. I'm not willing to see if those extra 2g on the 2011 model do make a difference, for it to then be too late!

**Guillaumeg** · 12-05-2011, 01:41 PM

Thanks for your reaction. (i know it has been a while...)

It is a difficult racket to master, and I am not sure if i want to take my time and get used to it. ( I do like my sotx woven 9 now, but it lacks some power).

I'm just not getting the power out of this racket. However, net shots are great
Any advice concerning "fast wrist" technique?

Al bedankt Nico

, carlton lijkt me wel populair in Nederland

**dr_lager** · 12-06-2011, 06:01 PM

Originally Posted by Guillaumeg

I'm just not getting the power out of this racket. However, net shots are great

I'm with you on that - but as I came to badminton from tennis I just don't have the good wrist technique and might be too old to learn

.

My two VTTs arrived from UK yesterday. I was expecting 2 of the 2010 model (as per the picture posted) but got 2x 2011 model instead sent for a pretty good price. I've got to wait a bit to compare with the 2010, but have to admit that I prefer a black (over white) grip, but preferred the 2010 bling over the 2011 bling. It still feels pretty light, so I'm not sure that the extra 2g will make much difference. But I guess I'll find out on the court!