New Victor Racquet - The Meteor X80 ( MX80 )

**j4ckie** · 09-30-2011, 05:41 AM

Originally Posted by 57.Christ

After about 10 hours of playing with this, I could say that I love it more and more IF I am in a good condition.. If I am on a bad condition, I HATE this racket bcoz it just makes it worse.. so, it's like a double edged sword to me..

btw, I think 2 lbs different from an 'ordinary-cheap' racket is not enough.. In the past, i can hit comfortably with 27lbs on my old racket.. but now on MX80, even with 25lbs it still feel like i'm hitting the shuttlecock with a wood.. -_-'

yeah.. what I am afraid it's not the paintchips.. but the after-effect of it, like maybe the strength will go down so the next time i mishit/have clashes again, it will break or something like that..

so, u mean VS-850 is elastic-type string??

Huh. Weird. Personally, I can't feel much difference regarding the string tension - my BS10s are strung with a ~28lbs BG80, just like my MX80s. Honestly, I don't see a difference in string/tension feel. The racket is stiffer and heavier, but the string really doesn't seem different.
Once I got really used to the MX, clears were just as easy as with the BS10, although when I'm really adapted to THAT, smashes are somehow a tad stronger. Probably a combination of the softer shaft and faster swing.

Regarding the VS850 - I wouldn't say it's more or less elastic than other strings, it just loses tension. If you string it at the same tension as, say, a BG80 without pre-stretching either, the VS850 will be noticeably softer after just 2 training sessions, and will 'stabilize' about 2-3 lbs lower than the BG80. In the beginning, the playing characteristics are very similar to the BG80, but to me, the VS feels 'dead' pretty quickly, which is one of the reasons I don't use it.

**57.Christ** · 10-01-2011, 09:48 AM

Originally Posted by j4ckie

Huh. Weird. Personally, I can't feel much difference regarding the string tension - my BS10s are strung with a ~28lbs BG80, just like my MX80s. Honestly, I don't see a difference in string/tension feel. The racket is stiffer and heavier, but the string really doesn't seem different.
Once I got really used to the MX, clears were just as easy as with the BS10, although when I'm really adapted to THAT, smashes are somehow a tad stronger. Probably a combination of the softer shaft and faster swing.

Regarding the VS850 - I wouldn't say it's more or less elastic than other strings, it just loses tension. If you string it at the same tension as, say, a BG80 without pre-stretching either, the VS850 will be noticeably softer after just 2 training sessions, and will 'stabilize' about 2-3 lbs lower than the BG80. In the beginning, the playing characteristics are very similar to the BG80, but to me, the VS feels 'dead' pretty quickly, which is one of the reasons I don't use it.

no, mine didn't come from BS10, but from a cheap (US$30) racket, headlight and flexible.. i think i 'jumped' too high to MX80..

but it's ok, even though it's progressing slowly, i'm starting to get the feeling..

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Since I don't have any racket with the same spec to compare, and i'm still not a good badminton player... so, let me give a 'noobs' comments about MX80:
- Smash ( forehand+backhand ): Definitely ur power will raise a bit bcoz of using this racket, even though i gave it to a woman, she can smash a lil bit faster than usual ( not steeper, but faster ). One thing that I notice is, if u can do a wrist smash ( overhead smash using wrist power ) this racket will be so deadly.
- Drive: Like anyone said, this racket is made to do drive.. even if u're not good at drive ( like me ) u will eventually love it, bcoz the accuracy is so good.
- Lob: A little bit slower, maybe due to mine is 87g ( my previous one is 4U ), and 1 problem, if I late just for a millisecond, I can't hit it long... maybe due to my wrist is not good..
- Defending ( forehand+backhand ): at first i'm afraid i can't hit it long due to the heavy racket... but i'm shocked, the ball is almost always out if I defend, like u got more swing speed than the light racket..

Note:
- Really not recommended for beginner.. and not really recommended for intermediate who used headlight-flex racket before, as maybe u'll have a little hard time adjusting to it..

That's it, comments are really welcome.. overall i'm very happy to play with it.. especially in singles... doubles? I have a hard time adjusting the speed and the heaviness of the racket..
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**samsudd_s** · 10-01-2011, 09:54 AM

thanks for the comments...mostly same opinion as mine.

**Blackmambaz** · 10-04-2011, 07:42 PM

Still looking for mx80 in Melbourne, anyone selling it?

**Maklike Tier** · 10-04-2011, 08:16 PM

I think Lucas at the Victor shop at 429 Clarendon St Sth Melbourne probably has them in stock.

**shaz`** · 10-07-2011, 06:17 AM

I'm looking to get this racket but difficult to find in the UK, one vendor selling it but they are pretty overpriced.

Any vendors who will ship to UK that are known and sell Victor rackets?

**j4ckie** · 10-07-2011, 11:05 AM

badmintonshoponline.us is where I got mine, shipment to Germany was really, really quick (once it got out of Hong Kong, 2 days). If you want to choose weight/grip, e-mail them first if it's available, the mail address is the one shown as msn contact. They usually respond within 24 hours on working days.

It's released in Germany as well now, so if you can read German, you could get it here as well. Price is not very different, I think bso is a bit cheaper, but doesn't have 3UG3 in stock, whereas that's the standard we get here.

**CanucksDynasty** · 10-07-2011, 11:06 AM

Played singles with my MX80 all night last night. Went 2-1 for the night. I found the MX80 to be stiffer than my Yonex VT80. I was not able to draw out enough power from my MX80 to make my smashes comparable to my VT80. I was quicker in defending against smashes and drives with the MX80. I was slightly better at net play also with the MX80. I think I will stick with my VT80 (smashing) for singles and MX80 (quickness and accuracy) for doubles.

Played with AS30 again. And again the feathers last only 1 game. But the bright side is that I'm almost finished up the tube. So onto the next brand to try...RSL Classic Tourney.

**awekuda** · 10-07-2011, 11:32 AM

Originally Posted by CanucksDynasty

RSL Classic Tourney.

I think you would finish it faster than AS30

....really like to know the end result

...

**j4ckie** · 10-07-2011, 11:32 AM

If AS30 weren't durable enough, Classic Tourneys will disappoint you rather strongly. I was delighted with their flight, but could never get one to last more than 1 game. Even in singles where the hardest smash was probably only 100kph

For me, there are 2 shuttles I like to play - Oliver Apex 100, not because of their nice durability or quality, but because we get them for 10€ per tube in our club (we have a contract with Oliver, I think), or AS40 when I want the shuttle to last and fly better. Some days, you just have bad luck and pull 3 Apex 100 fresh out of the tube and they all wobble...anyhow, don't get your hopes up too high for those RSL

I got an interesting problem - I just restrung one MX and re-gripped both of them, but just as I was about to use them, I ran out of grip powder. So, with the towel grip fresh and slippery, I can't test the new string at all (NBG98@28). D: Waiting for the grip powder are the longest 3 days of badminton so far, I was never so unsure which racket to use

Doesn't help that the BS10s string snapped after less than 40 minutes. Seriously, the NBG98 feels great, but is just as brittle as the BG66.

**visor** · 10-07-2011, 12:46 PM

Originally Posted by CanucksDynasty

Played singles with my MX80 all night last night. Went 2-1 for the night. I found the MX80 to be stiffer than my Yonex VT80. I was not able to draw out enough power from my MX80 to make my smashes comparable to my VT80. I was quicker in defending against smashes and drives with the MX80. I was slightly better at net play also with the MX80. I think I will stick with my VT80 (smashing) for singles and MX80 (quickness and accuracy) for doubles. Played with AS30 again. And again the feathers last only 1 game. But the bright side is that I'm almost finished up the tube. So onto the next brand to try...RSL Classic Tourney.

Do you steam the shuttles 2 days before playing? They tend to survive better in our cold dry north American climate.

**madbad** · 10-07-2011, 01:37 PM

Originally Posted by visor

Do you steam the shuttles 2 days before playing? They tend to survive better in our cold dry north American climate.

Haha, if you want dry and cold, try Calgary. You'll literally cry as the shuttle disintegrates before your eyes with every hit. The conditions there are brutal on shuttles, steamed or not.

I gave the MX-80 I ordered through you a real run this week. On Monday, after I broke the strings on the other one, I was able to use it for about 1.5 hours. Because the strings (VS-850) were still pretty much at the ordered tension (28 lb), all the shots felt crisp, strong and precise. This racket was a little lighter than my other one and there was a better feel with the maneuverability. Still no complaints about the power at this point.

Using the same racket, yesterday started well. Again shots were crisp and feedback was as I expected. 2 hours later, the tension had dropped noticeably and the feel was softer and more muted. I seemed to be increasingly mistiming my shots and clears were not reaching the back (based on my normal swing). After a while I stopped smashing altogether. So it's true what they say about the VS-850 string and the tension loss.

Fortunately I got the other MX-80 (slightly heavier one) restrung so can go to it again.

**CanucksDynasty** · 10-07-2011, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by visor

Do you steam the shuttles 2 days before playing? They tend to survive better in our cold dry north American climate.

No. Straight out of the tube. Might as well be consistent with all of them. I'll start to keep them in the bathroom (ie. like kwun does) once I settle on the shuttle.

**visor** · 10-07-2011, 03:44 PM

Originally Posted by CanucksDynasty

No. Straight out of the tube. Might as well be consistent with all of them. I'll start to keep them in the bathroom (ie. like kwun does) once I settle on the shuttle.

No, still best to do it this way, 2 days before using. Boil water in kettle. Open both ends of a tube of shuttles. Place one end over the exhausting steam for 2 mins. Close the tube both ends and store for 2 days in cool place for 2 days. Guaranteed to last much longer!

**visor** · 10-07-2011, 03:51 PM

@madbad: Try prestretching vs850 before you give it to your stringer, it'll hold tension better. I prestretched mine by 7 inches and it only lost 2 lbs over 6 weeks of intense play. I prestretched another by 9.5 inches, will be picking up today to try out tonight! The feel and repulsion of the string is just too addictive!

**CanucksDynasty** · 10-07-2011, 03:54 PM

Originally Posted by visor

No, still best to do it this way, 2 days before using. Boil water in kettle. Open both ends of a tube of shuttles. Place one end over the exhausting steam for 2 mins. Close the tube both ends and store for 2 days in cool place for 2 days. Guaranteed to last much longer!

I can just imagine the looks I'll be getting from my wife

**madbad** · 10-07-2011, 03:59 PM

Originally Posted by visor

@madbad: Try prestretching vs850 before you give it to your stringer, it'll hold tension better. I prestretched mine by 7 inches and it only lost 2 lbs over 6 weeks of intense play. I prestretched another by 9.5 inches, will be picking up today to try out tonight! The feel and repulsion of the string is just too addictive!

I agree with you about the feel and repulsion of this string. Way too addictive!

Let me know when you will be putting in the next RKEP order. Strings are on the agenda. Thanks