Great insight, tks! TK-6ooo is a wonderful racket! My 4u is great in fast, flat rallies. Reckon that's the trade off between 3u n 4u. Indeed, we r very grateful to Paul n Mark for their honest reviews. Keep them coming!
I how I've copied the right image (thanks [MENTION=43065]phaaam[/MENTION] for posting it). Does this show a starting knot in the same hole as first cross? If so, how? It looks very neat. Also I like the addition of the extra top cross and lack of bottom cross. I will have to try this. Reason I am posting here and not in a stringing thread is because it's easier to quote, and I just ordered my XP70. 87-88g 297-300bp. Can't wait to try it. Yet again, will arrive just before a tournament
Heh I can explain this since I did it. Just for reference I do a standard starting knot and Parnell knot for tie-offs: http://www.keohi.com/tennis/misc/knots.htm#Starting Knot Tip: for a larger grommet/hole that you're going to use for a starting knot, do three loops instead of two. To relate this post back to the XP70, I had an interesting experience stringing it for the first time back then. My tie-offs for mains were in the same hole as my first cross strings because it was the widest grommet. You can also see the missing cross that DuckFeet mentioned in this image. Enjoy the XP70 and good luck with that tourney!
Ran out of time to edit so this was what I wanted to say: I did the starting knot at the 6th grommet at the top (T6), threaded it down and through T8, back up through T6, pulled tension, then threaded it through T10. I did it this way so that I could clamp T6 and T8 with a regular Yonex flying clamp. Also, I was experimenting with top-down stringing and I prefer my top cross string to be as high as possible, for three reasons: 1. I didn't string at high tension (23x25) 2. I wanted to protect the mains that would have otherwise been vulnerable to breakage from a mishit. 3. Aesthetics: to me it looks better having an asymmetric distribution of crosses between the top and bottom of the frame with the bottom having more space between the frame and the first cross. Just for reference, I do a standard starting knot, and a Parnell knot for tie-offs: http://www.keohi.com/tennis/misc/knots.htm#Starting Knot Tip: for a larger/wider grommet/hole that you're going to use for a starting knot, do three loops instead of two.
Where do you put your tie offs for two piece stringing? I just broke a main trying to mine it for the last cross. I want going to do the last cross but I decided I needed to to free up the last shared hole for a knot. Really annoyed as it's a waste of string and I was going to test it tomorrow. 4 days delivery from Taiwan to UK. Amazing! Review will have to wait.
I did a Yonex double back on the last crosses and put 3 strings through the last shared hole. Seems ok. Yellow strings looking very nice. Z65@26lb ish.
I didn't think such a fast racket would be good for singles but it's awesome. Now my go to for singles, doubles, plastic, feather, everything! So much control I'm thinking I can lower my tension for more power. Also I think it's the best looking racket, cheers everyone that reviewed them and answered my PMs about them. Special thanks to Eric of course! At the price they are I'll be ordering another. More detailed review and comparison to MX60 and VT5 to follow.
Dear Badminton Central Forumers, I'm looking to upgrade from my Apacs Tantrum 200 to the RKEP70. But how do I choose the spec (weight and BP) that suits me better? A lot actually went for the 4U 85g 295BP XP70, which makes me wonder why? Is it because it's more similar to the Victor MX80? Also what's the difference between the XP70 and the XP80?
^ XP80 stiffness is like BS12, quite flexy. MX80 is crazy super stiff. Having swung a T200 before, an XP70 around 86-87g bp300mm should be about similar.
So ... XP60 = 5/5 Stiffness XP70 = 4/5 Stiffness XP80 = 3/5 Stiffness Hows the control on the XP80, am I going to sacrifice control for a bit more flex ? Was actually thinking of going for the XP70 85g 295BP and see if I can maintain control whilst improving defense and smashes with the lighter racket (to replace my T200).
Yep. I like mid stiff rackets for my control play style, so XP80 didn't work for me (head lag) but XP60 was too stiff (no power), so XP70 was just perfect. Re XP70 85g 295BP, I'm not sure if Eric has anymore of those specs.
I'll ask him about that spec later when he comes back. But according to your experience the XP70 has a similar stiffness to the T200 correct? Dang I guess I just need to buy those rackets to find out. Or better buy both LOL!
So just to confirm my choices ... Just comparing Victor MX, RKEP XP and my T200 rackets, so I know where I stand. Stiffness MX80=XP60 > MX90 > MX70=T200 > MXJJS > XP80 > MX60 Agreed?
I'd put it as: MX80 > XP60 > MX70 > MXJJS > XP70=T200 > XP80=MX60 I took out MX90 because we don't really have any real life experience with it yet. All the other ones, I've played with before.
So the verdict ... XP80 or MX60 - Both is within budget - From what I hear the MX60 is a tad stiffer than the XP80 Anybody can shed some light on the performance of both of these? The review on first post did not draw a clear line.
I've got MX60 and XP70. So far the MX60 is slightly more powerful, maybe thats the flex helping, but the XP70 is catching up. The MX60 stays in my bag now as the XP70 is SO fast I don't mind sacrificing some power. Also it's about half the price. In short I would go XP80 over MX60.
Here is my 2 cent. I've been using the MX-60 (2) and XP-70 (1) over 6 months now (longer with the MX-60). I love the MX-60 and did not really like my XP-70 until last month. No idea why the racquet feels better now than when I first got it though I felt the MX-60 feels a bit more solid for me than the XP-70. My XP-70 has a bit more power than MX-60, maybe because it's 300mm. Some how BG-80 and BG-99 plays better on MX-60 and Zymax 65, 62 plays better on XP-70. I would have hard time choosing which one to get if both prices are the same ...just got anothe XP-70 last week Hope I did not mess up your choices. good luck!
Noted and thanks ... Just some stuff to share here ... http://reviewsahmad.blogspot.com/2013/07/best-badminton-string-what-to-choose.html So regardless of what racket I'm buying I'm definitely stringing it with the ZM65
