They started the Meteor series with the 80. Maybe they're following suit for this new line, just as Yonex typically starts their series with the 7.
Based on my source, they are telling me that the Thruster price will be expensive. My guts telling me that it is gonna be priced slightly above MXJJS.
but yonex has put out a Arcsaber I-Slash as well... i don't know should i wait for thruster or bite the bullet get the islash...
Victor series are usually based on technology. so we should expect some other differentiation on the Thruster series other than just full Graphene. i don't think they can maintain a whole series on Graphene alone. there gotta be some other new design that they are incoporating in this to justify a new series.
they have been putting out new series more than before. but seems that they have problem fully developing the branding. Spira came out with just 2 rackets and now retired, BS has only a handful of models still in circulation. and looks like Superwave is on its way out also. right now, only Meteor and Bravesword are the "hot" series. Victor seriously need to work on their marketing. too confusing and not much differentiation between series.
i think the K8000 is supposed to be replacing the Super Waves series. Despite the reputation of the Super Waves, Victor has nothing that competes with the 305mm+ balance points rackets like the Voltric. The super head heavy and light weight (low 3U or 4U) spec seems to be in fashion right now and Victor has a hole there. seems to be a indication since the SW35 will be retired.
In my opinion, too many of new rackets coming to the market from one brand will get the customers bored. A considerable interval between one new racket to the next new racket is a good choice, since some customers might think that new racket has been embedded with latest technology with interval used as R&D process, fixing here and there, etc. It will make consumers more cautious about the new racket. If the interval is too near, they might think that there is nothing special with it and eagerly wait for a review first rather than testing it by themselves. Of course by using a brand ambassador will drive the sales much, but if the interval is too near, Victor will attract those from the small pie not from a big pie.
Yeah there's nothing over 300mm in the Victor range except a freakish SW310 which I have in my bag which is 305. I too like 'heavy 4U/Light 3U' rackets in the 304-8mm range and Victor just isn't making anything there. For some reason, only Yonex (and Kason with the C7) appears to be able to make rackets that very obviously carry their head weight at 12 o'clock. The heavier rackets in the Victor range such as the SW35 carry their weight evenly which is a feel I don't like. I'm keen to see how this new racket pans out, but........Thruster??? Ungh. Why not 'Asteroid'? hehe.
I think maybe if you got a heavy SW35 it might feel vaguely like a ZF, but really, Yonex' head heavy banger rackets really don't have any comparable Victor you can put them next to. The MX80 is nothing like anything in the Yonex range either. LiNing is the only company that 'cloned' the current Yonex rackets at the time, because they had a slew of Yonex sponsored Chinese players that they poached. Everyone else tries to be different or unique, because distancing yourself from existing brands is how you create loyal customers.
there are various factor determining how heavy a head heavy racket feels. Yonex seems to be going the route of extreme balance point (310+mm) together with a low 3U total weight. rackets like ZF, VT70, VT80 are all in this category. while other manufacturer are more conservative on their balance point (295->300mm) but they have a higher mass. K8000 falls into this category along with SW36, MX70. both style of design ends up with a similar swingweight. the former/Yonex design requires more extreme material distribution, thin shaft, extra weight on the top end, while the latter/Victor design requires more conservative design, even weight distribution on head and shaft. as for which one is better, it is up to your personal preference. but as far as swing weight is concerned, they are mostly comparable. just to say a word about the MX80, the MX80 is at most considered as a medium swing weight and by no mean near the top in terms of swingweight when it comes to Victor rackets.
the head heaviest Victor rackets are actually something more surprising: BS LYD (1st gen) MX70 Meteor London i am sure there are some Super Waves too but i don't have access to any 3U ones to measure with. all the ones i got my hands on are 4U so they aren't very heavy.