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)
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?
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^^
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!
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.
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.]
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?
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.
Hotsauce, My suggestion is to ditch the bg65 for ashaway's zymax 67. String it 1 lb less than your usual, perhaps 22x23. No prestretch needed. Excellent tension retention. Much better feel and power. Overall much better than bg65. Since I've switched, I have not looked back!
Only about 1/2 of the people in my club like the Zymax strings. Most of the beginner/lower level players prefer the BG65/80 because it "feels" nicer to them. They also complain that the strings move too much.
Since I tried thinner strings, the BG80 feels numb in comparison - perhaps higher tension would help, but I've got enough problems with arm pain as it is :S Oh, and today, I tried the Precision with a slightly different setup - LN Accupower 62@26 lbs instead of the old VS850@24, and it feels a lot better. Very very powerful, fast drives, good, solid high defense, and smashes are actually okay. What I feel is limiting them is now actually the shaft, as I felt it bend when I smashed. It's not a surprise, though, and the awesome properties on the front and mid court are worth the decrease in smashing power most of the time. It actually was powerful enough for a quick XD match, although the other players were admittedly much weaker. I'm looking forward to trying it again tomorrow, hopefully the strings will have settled and move less I'm SO angry right now at the producer of the TPro, splitting the shipment^^ I'm really looking forward to that racket, although I'm beginning to have doubts about the specs. Perhaps I should have ordered 3 or 4?
Errr as far as I remember, 85g 297mm and 86g 295mm, but I'm not too sure about that I think I should get one with 86g 290mm, as thats a compromise between my Precision and the N50, or with an even lower BP, but chances are slim Mark's specs are locked already, so that would be the 3rd. Didn't intend to spend that much....I'll need to get more stringjobs. I'm not working hard enough anyway, and it looks like I could use some extra money
...Existing specs are locked, but there's room for more orders now that we know the shipment has been split in half. I closed the door anticipating they would all arrive with Dink at the same time, but since they haven't I might as well open it again!
I went for similar specs from Mark A - two rackets between 84-86g with BP295. My present T2 has playing specs BP297, not sure about the weight. Perhaps with a thicker grip like an RKEP Ultimate grip the BP will move down on the T-pro.
