Victor (Asia)

I personally think that the new releases will not the best move. To much flexible rackets. The SW37, BS12 don't continue the awesome and popular rackets like the BS10 and SW35. Professionals tend to use stiff soldiers in my opinion. The business move to release the Metoer X80 in march was not smart in my opinion. The release of non BKA rackets like the Bumblebees was not necessary. If they loose the Korean national team will decrease their sells. In SSF 2010 they had to advertise the new models more.

 

I don't really endorse this whole 'stiffer is better' mantra that the intermediate to advanced player seems compelled to inflict on everyone regardless of their skill and requirements.

I got sucked in very quickly to the "If you don't have an ultra stiff racket strung at 30 pounds you're nobody" BS that people on this forum espouse whenever anybody asks about any new gear. It's rubbish because it may apply to some people, but the vast majority of people who play badminton don't need SW35s strung at 30lbs.

The problem I have with Victor is the holes in their model range, and the fact that the numeric progression of models aren't a progression in any other way.

For example, the BS10 is stiff and even balanced, the BS11 is medium stiff and medium head heavy, and the BS12 is middle of the road in both stiffness and weighting.

Where is Victors' head heavy attacking singles rackets?

The SW35 and 36 fit the bill somewhat, but I don't find either of them particularly head heavy, and the SW37 seems even less so.

I expected the BS12 to be stiff and head heavy, not a BS09 clone.

It doesn't really make a whole heap of sense.

I'm hoping that the MX80 is part of a new series of rackets that is more head heavy than the BS11.

 

It's a fact that many international and professional Players use stiff rackets.
You are right with this conclusion that nobody can judge the skills of a player depending on stiffness and string tension.
Your point of view of the lines in the Victor range is good. I would wish that Victor should order their rackets in folders.
I'm curios why Victor don't build rackets in 2U for single players.
Yonex is a good example. They have lines with a constant specs. Like Nanospeed most high light, Armortec head heavy an the Arc Sabers even balance to slightly head heavy. In my opinion they cover all category groups.
Victor has their own caprice to build rackets which belong to their lines and it's very chaotic.

 

They do have rackets which are suitable for doubles play namely the SW31,SW32 & certain Explorer models. This was way before they sponsor the Koreans and other national teams. Victor tend to focus more on producing "doubles rackets" was because their most popular and marketable players are doubles specialists.

To me I supposed the BS series is for doubles play and the SW series for singles. Knowing the capabilities of those professionals they can easily pick and choose any model that suits them. The problem of racket set-up is with us amateurs.

 

The Victor rackets that comes in 2U are SW31 and Artery Tec TI99.

 

These aren't new. Where are the new ones for 2010/2011? They mainly concentrate on doubles rackets. The Spira 21 could be interesting as 2U version for singles. They have in my opinion to much 4U versions which are not necessary.

 

I think you speak from the place where you come from. Over here in Asia all rackets are mainly 3U. I seldom see any 4U rackets at least for Victor high end range. Certain models do have 2U but they are not popular amongst buyers but still available in the market here. A head heavy racket that comes with high BP and stiff shaft is more than enough for singles play. Badminton is not about smashing all the time.

In today's game that play with ferocious speed, a 2U racket would definitely lose out in maneuverability.

 

Of every badminton player I've ever met and/or spoken to about rackets, ONE has been a proponent of 2U rackets.

So, although not exactly scientific, I'd say that the fact that 95% of rackets not being available in 2U is probably about right.

I'm sure the Victor sales reps aren't all sitting there thinking "Gee, if we only had a few more 2U models, we'd OWN this market!"

 

When you don't see one it doesn't mean it does not exist. The popular models such as Spira 21, SW35 & 36 do comes in 2U. It just that it wasn't made available in certain places.

 

The Korean Team gear is available now. No need to wait til March (although X80 looks like it won't be available before then.)

 

What certain places are they available then? If not in Asia and not in the international catalogue, then ...?

 

Eric at RKEP has all the latest Victor wear.

 

That certain places where its not made available is outside of Asia definitely. Kindly read my post properly.

Oh ya international cataloque. The makers can illustrates all they want in the "international" cataloque but when it comes to availability.... LOL

 

hai,i'm new here,i want buy SIW 35 for my new racket..But i dunno how to chose it cuz it have to version..
1st is 4U and the 2nd is 3U..I want racket that can make my smash hard..and feel like armotech 900P..
can anyone tell me??

 

is that Superwave 35. 3Uis to fragile..?

 

And 1 more thing,is that Superwave 35. 3U is even balanced in head..