I find the ArcZ is definitely a hard racket to master. I've always played with ISO rackets and only recently changed into to Carbonex/oval head. My encounter with the ArcZ developed over a series of racket swaps. I've always disliked ovals because I've always believe they are dated technology, until I got a Carbonex 23(ms) which I purchased in a racket bundle on Ebay. After some research on Carbonex and actually using the 23 I realized the beauty on the 'Cab explosion' (thread on BC). Needless to say I found an 3U JP coded ArcZ locally for 85$ with one major chip. I made the purchase, trained with it and tamed it. Here is my review: First impression: The racket is even balance, long thin shaft, iso/oval head and a funky color scheme. When I purchased the racket it was strung at a rather low tension, ~22lbs, which took a long time to get use to. I'm not sure if it was the strings or the racket that created an extra "hold" upon contact but I cant seem to get my shots. I restrung it with 28/30lbs with bg80 hoping there will be difference. Play Since this is a modern racket, it is slightly longer than my go-to Cab23 so it took many sessions to get use to. I find no matter how I time my shots I cannot find the sweet spot on this racket. To compensate the longer shaft and smaller head I decided to hit the shuttle lower on the stringbed than where I would usually hit. To my surprise, all personal POV, the sweet spot on the ArcZ is lower than the normal ISO/Oval head racket. Clears - base line to base line effortless and often out. Drops - need some more practice but its nothing phenomenal. Net shots - similar to any other rackets Drives - very fast and powerful drives can be produced because of the faster swing speed and stiff yet whippy shaft Smash - probably the most outstanding attribute of the racket. the power generated, after many hours of training with this racket, is HUGE! I'm not a hardest smasher in the crowd but I do enjoy smashing. This racket is rather high in my personal ranks because it reminds me of the carbonex explosion feeling. To sum everything up, this thread is right when it states, either you love it or you hate it kinda racket. This racket definitely got me hooked because of its attributes with all round performance plus a major smashing power. 'If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got.' From personal experience with this racket, I found that there is a bigger learning curve than most racket. I definitely don't have the best technique to begin with and sometimes you must adjust to your circumstances if you want to prosper. For those who have given up on this racket and left it in your bag, please take some time to train and learn it because it is a rewarding racket. Pros: SOLID composite - mishitter's dream Frame Stability - stringing is a breeze ISO/Oval head for optimal power Thin Shaft - its stiff for control yet whippy enough to have hard smashes Cons: Color - eye sore Personally, my racket have bulky grommets in the 10/11 and 1/2 o'clock exposing my strings just a tiny bit. Nothing swapping out some grommets wont fix.
I like to hold rackets a certain length from the base. Whereas many of my friends as well as an old coach told me to hold it base on than/cone so all rackets will be similar in length. I find holding from the base will allow me to utilize the full length of the racket. I guess its just personal preference
^ I agree. I don't hold it by 3 fingers by any means. I am just use to having the base rest on a certain part of my palm. Each their own of course
IMO when doing overhead shots where you have plenty of time you should always hold the racket as much down (towards the buttcap) as possible. This is just because the lower you hold your racket, the more power you're gonna get. For short swings it would be easier to generate speed quickly when holding the racket a little bit more towards the cone.
well If you smashing using your whole arm you should hold the racket at the end of the handle but if you use your wrist you could hold slightly closer to the cone to create more of an angle. @Distanc3 If you have a towel grip the towel molds into your hand shape. which helps you hold your grip.
With a longer grip, there should be a potential better angle, because your contact point could be higher, however I do agree that with a shorter grip it is easier to make a more acute angle.
Technology of the z slash racket? what u think? watch the video below. [video=youtube;z_8VyVgFEo8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_8VyVgFEo8[/video]
Sorry , the title should not be z slash technology..but in the video tago was using the z slash so i posted it here LOL.. just watch it..
Thanks Raajks for the compliments. Must thank kwun for providing this platform for all the badminton lovers, either playing or non-playing ones.
U r too humble Ants , ur contributions have benefited many of us. Arc Z has been and will be my main racket for a very long time.
Hi guys.... How does Arc Z performs in comparison to VT 70....any insight? I already owned a VT 70....and planning to get an Arc Z soon. Thanks
