In the next racket update, I'll have the old Ti10 review up, as well as some new rackets. I didn't buy any new Ti10s because some experts told me it was too flexy for my tastes.
Dinkalot, aren't your choices of best rackets heavily influenced by your playing style and level of play? Kind of like string tension?
All reviews are biased of course. Dan is probably going to say something about how its all relative to other rackets and of course his playing style, maybe something about other stuff like oval or iso who knows? What i do know is and dan will agree this review is not definite/ultimate. Dan right now likes to use heavy rackets, so naturally a lot of his choices will be more 2U or 3U than 4U, and also stiff and head heavy. None the less many pro's and advanced players use the same type of head heavy and stiff racket. Just cause Dan says its a great or excellent racket doesnt mean it'll work for everyone. You also have to consider dan has made revisions. I havent seen enough revisions to see rackets pulled down from great or whtever to good or not good, but this review is also (somewhat) time sensitive. For all we know in 15 years all these rackets might be trash (probably not tho) My point here is its relative to playing style, and whats available. For me I look at the chart, see what racket i use, and find something with similar properties or characteristics and go from there. I found the woven 7 was too heavy so i went for a more balanced racket, and voila the woven 8 was a perfect choice, much more control, harder smashes, just awesome, pw12 was also fun to hit with, seemed to be feelin the sotx line tho. Then again, thanks to dink for a great in depth review of so many top of the line rackets. A great reference for any player.
I don't know about you guys, I loved the old Victor rackets, like the Super Ti line and stuff. They were great. But these Power Waves.... I really really wanted to like them. I really did. I have a PW11, but I'm just not feeling it...it doesn't respond to me. Its sluggish, way too stiff, and the stringbed feels hollow. I guess its rather powerful....but for its weight class, its not really....mine must be 2U, but my 3U Ti10 is much much more powerful....to me... I have to try the PW12, but if Dink says its not more flexy by leaps and bounds, then I'm not sure I'll like it.
my contribution to dan's thread: tried the D600, it's awesome!!! dunno what the grip size or weight, but it's just a tad heavier compare to my 4UG5 AT700. the grip size is perfect too. (I have to reduce it, take off the original grip and put 2 layer of super grap over grip) clear is easy to do, smash is sharp and defense is a breeze. tension is something at 27 lbs... now If only I can convince my stringer to string my AT700s at that tension. he won't do much more than what the sticker said (24 lbs)
too bad he has strung my racquet before... and knows what's the max tension is; he owns a couple of them. most yonex don't have more than 24 lbs recommeded tension (I know they will take more), but since he's the only decent stringer in town, lets avoid awkward situation ( ie. broke my racquet when stringing above rec tension or the racquet brake during play -> I mad at him, he mad at me. we play at the same club, not good). About stiffness, I would say D600 is stiffer. Maybe higher tension contribute to this feeling, but I feel the power transfer to the shuttle is better on the D600 compare to AT700 maybe I'll use out of town stringer once I get a chance