A quick search looks like also Australia has G4 as well. The authorized dealer in Canada is having trouble trying to get G6 in. The shop told me they kept placing orders for G6 several times (they still are) however they keep getting sent G4(s) and G5(s)!
Well... I tried the FB and decides to sell it... Below is my 2cents, it might not apply to the others... Netshot, Drop, Drive Shot: Due to it shaft stiffness and light weight, it really excel in this part. In drive shot, FB shines and found it very easily change direction and return the drives. Netshot is superb as well as I perform more birdie is climb over the net. Drop shot was good and place it just over the net area. Arc-FB > Ryoga Tenbu > RKEP Pro6000 > RKEP Pro9000 Forehand/Backhand Clear and Lift: FB is head light racket, I found it requires more powers to clear from back court to back court compare to my head heavy racket. A misshit or insufficient power, it will turn into nightmare mid court shot. I found it is stiffer than my Tenbu (stiff rated too) and requires more wrist power to life the shuttle. RKEP Pro9000> RKEP Pro6000 = Ryoga Tenbu > Arc-FB Net kill and Smash: Well, it does a little suprise me here. I can generates a good smashes with FB. However, the sounds aren't like the head heavy racket. However, you need to use enough wrist power as well else it will easily returned. Net kill was more or less same with other racket, but you able to reach the shuttle earlier and creating shaper angle. RKEP Pro9000 > RKEP Pro6000 > Ryoga Tenbu = Arc-FB Overall, it is a good racket but it is just not my cup of tea. The part the bugging much is the shaft are too stiff to my liking. After two days of game, my wrist starts to feel pain again. Even tho it is rate stiff, I feel it is stiffer than my Tenbu. Maybe this is cause my the head light vs even balance racket. 1 thing I note that, the shaft doesn't feel as repulsive that I wish, It is not that repulsive compare to my Tenbu. I found it is less lively, or in other words, it feel like "wood" on Arc-FB. On the side note, the sounds when you hitting the frame is kinda "hollow" I have to always check on it if I have cracked it. It is just distracting me from the game. Add-on: Mine are F6-G5 SP coded. It weigh 76g (BG66UM 26lbs + original grip). 75g now when i remove the original grip and put an overgrip on it. BP was >300mm when I check, I will get a ruler to measure tonight for accurate one.
[MENTION=98178]cschun86[/MENTION] wow! BG66um at 26 lbs on this racquet will certainly make your wrist work harder! Do you think a lower tension (2 lbs) would help?
Ok, I've just realized the full potential now of this racquet after adjusting to it in three sessions. This racquet is incredible. My smashes are actually more powerful now with the FB. Amazing!!. I tried to break my cracked racquet by smashing as hard as I can only to discover the real potential. Lightning fast defense and drives coupled with fast powerful accurate smashes makes this a deadly weapon.
[MENTION=98178]cschun86[/MENTION] Did you mean even balance? I don't think you mean headlight because Arcsabers is designed to be even balance.
Do agree on lowering the tension. 26lbs is my usual on other rackets but for ArcFB i think it needs 1 or 2 lbs lower due to it's light weight and stiff shaft to ease clears. Not sure if it'll affect other shots or smashes but will give it a try on next restring. Superb racket still and juz needed more time to adapt
Yea, will considering to lower to 23lbs or 24lbs as my usual tension is 25lbs. Anyhow, the shaft isn't that repulsive compare to Tenbu does turn me down a bit. Restring will cost me another $40 >.<"
Well... How I classify head weight is base on below: RKEP Pro6000/Pro9000 (BP 297mm/299mm) --> Head heavy Ryoga Tenbu (BP 296mm) --> Even Balance Arc-FB (BP >300mm) --> Head light It is obvious here I just rate them according to how I feel. Arc-FB racket head itself doesn't bring much momentum and easier to flick/change direction after smash. I think it is not related to the overall racket weight but where the weight is placed. (at the head portion or shaft or handle)
its hard to compare to the ryoga series of gosen, because all their ryoga racquets have very high repulsion.. even the issen feels like a stiff version of the armortec 900T...
I mean head light based on my feeling. RKEP Pro6000/9000 (297/298mm BP)--> head heavy Ryoga Tenbu (295mm BP) --> Even Balance Arc-FB (>300mm BP) --> Head Light It is not about overall weight, it is how much swing weight that it carries that come out above comparison. Issen actually is +2 stiffness compare to Tenbu +3 stiffness. But Arc-FB feels like +4/+5 stiffness to me... However, will lowering down the tension and try tomorrow.
After several more training sessions I really have to say: I f*cking love this racket! It's just so awesome for my playing style! I felt like LCW in this video when defending smashes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArazfUmdEhk
After reading all the reviews I had to order one! Arrived today, UK code G4 NGB 98 at 28lbs. Can't wait to try it. Feels nice and stiff and fairly sturdy too, given its low weight. Love the colour and look of the racket too. Mine feels head heavy balance (happy with that) and now with an RKEP wet grip over the original the total weight is 79G ( is that about right?) Should be good to compare this to my Victor Lightfighter 7400, which with an overgrip weighs 78g.