Panda Power: A Racket That Can Take 40lbs. String Tension!

Discussion in 'Badminton Rackets / Equipment' started by DinkAlot, Apr 22, 2009.

  1. Ramcov

    Ramcov Regular Member

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    well after reading all these great reviews of the UPK i think i'll post some noob thoughts… on the rev :D.

    received from mark real quick about a month ago, don't remember the exact bp or weight but basically 3U/295 in ZM67 @ 24 lbs. Compared to the PP definitely feels slightly flexier which i now much prefer over the PP. Feels like kinda TP stiffness- well that's the only other racket have to compare so :S.

    Don't really know how to review so i'm just gonna say the it feels really good! and is also very stable you can feel small net shots as well as smashes on the racket- don't really know how to put it. String felt(and still feels) great. Oh and the buttcap looks amazing:) and the whole racket really- definitely the best looking racket i've had- so much better than in the pics.

    just dropped by to say how awesome it is really. would definitely recommend this to people who like… badminton:D

    Many thanks to Mark A and Dink
     
  2. Mark A

    Mark A Regular Member

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    After the confidence I gained from this week's stringing, mine is going right to the limit:D. Let's see how VS850 at 33/34 gets on...
     
  3. Mark A

    Mark A Regular Member

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    There is still one UPK left, by the way - if it doesn't go soon, I'll have it myself!
     
  4. paroxysmal

    paroxysmal Regular Member

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    Need one UPK. Can this racquet be shipped to US?

    The website says, currently not racquets available.
     
  5. paroxysmal

    paroxysmal Regular Member

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    My 65yr old dad has performed some miracles on the court with Revelation, has stolen it from me and refuses to give it back. What am I supposed to do now?

    By the way, he asked me to say thanks to it's inventor.
     
  6. DinkAlot

    DinkAlot dcbadminton
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    If you're in the U.S., there are still a few UKs and Revs available, thanks.

    P.S. Thank you and your father. :D

     
  7. DinkAlot

    DinkAlot dcbadminton
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    Clarification: the current Ultra is the Ultra Pro and it has kevlar reinforcement around the frame.

    Some are confused about the name.

    Technically it's the Ultra Pro but people have called it the:

    1) Ultra
    2) Ultra Pro
    3) Ultra Pro Kevlar
    4) U
    5) UP
    6) UPK
    7) UK
    8) Some other iteration of initials.

    They all refer to the same racket and there's only one version.

    It's probably best to call it the Ultra Pro Kevlar (UPK) to differentiate it from the past Ultras. :)
     
  8. Jacob mm

    Jacob mm Regular Member

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    Do you guys wanna see a UPK with a broken shaft? :(
     
  9. Tactim

    Tactim Regular Member

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    As long as you provide an explanation :p. I'm sorry that you broke it already though. Do you plan on getting another :D?
     
  10. DinkAlot

    DinkAlot dcbadminton
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    Broken shaft or handle? And how did it break?

    Please contact Panda and we'll try to get it replaced under warranty, thanks. :)
     
  11. DinkAlot

    DinkAlot dcbadminton
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    Update: some prototype Trinity Pro Kevlars are coming for testing. We'll see how that goes. :p
     
  12. Jacob mm

    Jacob mm Regular Member

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    Today at everything was going fine, it (UPK) played as normal. I went down to hit a big smash, at impact I heard a loud cracking noise, and I looked down I stood there with only the handle in my hand. The frame had flown and hit the wall, so the racket cracked at tree spots. It was strung at 31LBS if that matters. This must definitely be a manufactor fault
     
  13. Jacob mm

    Jacob mm Regular Member

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    Broken shaft
     
  14. bobbinbette

    bobbinbette Regular Member

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    I wonder what kind of characteristics the trinity pro kevlar will have. I've never played with a trinity, not since the first gen of trinity 2 came out.

    Dinkalot, do you plan any stiffness changes for the TPK over the Trinity Pro like the UPK has over the UP?
     
  15. DinkAlot

    DinkAlot dcbadminton
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    The TPro plays similar to a 1st Generation Yonex Ti10 except the profile's a bit thinner. The added kevlar weave to the TPK (Trinity Pro Kevlar) will make it stronger and should be more stable and add an even more solid feel.

    As for shaft stiffness, the sweet spot seems to be around the Precision Pro to Revelation stiffness. Around 7.8-8.0 ideally and that will be the target (7.7-8.1)


     
  16. Teebs

    Teebs Regular Member

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    Oh my god, TPK, this is like a dream come true!

    I suppose it's a bit early to ask for a time frame?
     
  17. DinkAlot

    DinkAlot dcbadminton
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    2 weeks of testing...if good, 1.5 months for production...if available, ~late May 2014.

     
  18. cobalt

    cobalt Moderator

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    I've been mulling this over, and have a couple of Noob questions for Dinkalot... :)

    What exactly is the difference between the Kevlar and the woven technology? How does the user experience this difference, if there is any? And what is the difference in terms of consistency of the racquet performance over time?
     
  19. DinkAlot

    DinkAlot dcbadminton
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    Dink is not a materials expert but in general, for badminton purposes, the main difference is the state of being: woven graphite is just that, graphite fibers that are woven into sheets and then rolled/shaped. Kevlar reinforcement on a racket is added to the outer side of the frame. Again, for badminton purposes, kevlar fibers are woven as well.

    So, woven graphite is the core material itself (stronger and better than normal graphite) while kevlar reinforcement is added to promote additional stability and strength to the racket frame.

    As for performance/feel/experience: it's different for everyone. We only add/modify material if we find it benefits the racket. On paper it always does but in real world testing not necessarily.
     
    #6879 DinkAlot, Mar 18, 2014
    Last edited: Mar 18, 2014
  20. Penguins

    Penguins Regular Member

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    Panda Power Ultra Pro Kevlar (UPK) Racket Review

    Specs
    Weight: 85.5g
    Balance Point: 290mm
    String: Ashaway ZM70 Red @ 32lbs & Ashaway ZM62 @ 30lbs


    The racket overall is very stable, solid, and powerful. The shaft is relatively stiffer compared to most rackets. The frame is also very strong and holds tension well.

    I have never felt a racket more stable and solid than this one. This racket feels solid when hitting with it and the feedback it gives is amazing.

    Clears: Hitting with the UPK gives a really nice solid feel and it generates power with no problem

    Smashes: Same as clears and can hit bombs. Very powerful racket!

    Drops: The UPK gives great feel and touch when doing drops shots from both the net and backcourt.

    Drive/Defense: The UPK may feel slightly slower to maneuver compared to narrow frame/faster rackets that are more aerodynamic, but not too much of a significant difference for me. It plays very well defending and driving.


    Conclusion:
    The UPK’s performance is outstanding. The racket frame is also very strong and stable.I will give this racket a 10/10 rating.
     

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