I wouldn't normally bother reviewing a racket whose prototype I own and (have already reviewed), but I have to append something official about the looks. I tried to take a pic of a strung Rev, but my card reader died, so I'll just have to describe it. I thought the lettering would be silver... it's not. It's a pearlescent, hologram-effect, like the cone of the old NS9000X. Impossible to catch in a photo, but the light really sparks off it at the right angles. And that gold butt cap? Where on earth did that come from? Well done, OEM - whoever you are. I'm really glad the hoop has been left alone - the carbon weave speaks for itself. Play-wise, I've had my Rev for a couple of months now, but I've been stadily getting better with it lately. Very odd, but it could easily be that my use of NS30 has "activated" it.
Funnily enough that buttcap looks exactly the same as the Adi Das ones (only different in colour and logo). Have to say it is one good looking racket for sure. Is that pearlescent effect the same thing the Forzas etc. have? Only thing that still looks out of place is those Li-Ning like random arrows left and right of Revelation "<< REVELATION >>"
Yes, but not quite as much "colour travel". Those chevrons should have been gold to match the caps. Failing that, make the lambda/capital "A" gold.
Panda Power Revelation Short Review 285mm BP 87g ZM70@27lb 286mm BP 85.9g ZM70@26lb Racket Impression: With the transparent coating on the shaft and frame, the woven texture speaks for itself. Looks high tech and stylish, the simple design only makes this racket more appearing. The original grip that comes with the racket looks cool and feels good. Better than the grip that comes with the previous Panda Power rackets. Power: The syncnergy of this racket is obviously better than any of the racket that I’ve tried before. It would definitely give more power if compare to any other rackets with the same weight/BP/shaft stiffness. Control: The sweet spot seems to be slightly bigger for some reason which makes this racket more forgiven. The control of the racket is superb and more directly. Vibration from the strokes is minimum, the feeling of the shots are more alive. Conclusion: I ordered two more.
Just when I thought I had nothing else to say... the production Revelation plays better with paint on than the naked prototype. Nuts.
Update: Specs have been match for most buyers, and I'll be ordering strings first thing tomorrow for those who wanted theirs strung. Pending refusal from a couple of pre-orderers, there may be two or three spares - specs to follow.
Yep - assuming strings arrive on Tuesday (W&D are usually very good), strung rackets will start leaving the nest on Weds. UKers should have theirs before the end of the week.
Randomlegend, if it is any consolation during your long wait, I've had my Revvy for almost a week but have not had the chance to try it yet. (You are suffering a long engagement before the wedding whereas I've had the ceremony but can't seem to get on to the honeymoon.). Good luck.
Waiting to hear from the last two buyers - if they both give me a thumbs down, I will have three going spare - most likely in the low 3U, low-mid 290's region.
A truly beautiful racket. Mine's a 87.2g with BP 302mm (says on the wrapper). Strung with BG80 @ 28lbs. The control was there but I couldn't access the power that was there. Probably the rust from not playing in long time. Need more time with it to see how good it is.
holy **** this is turning into a nightmare. tracking says delivered before noon. made a quick trek back to my building and the concierge says he hasn't seen anything (and he's SEEN bamboos from pandas come in before) so ****ing pissed at the mail system right now
Time for some piccies of the Revelation, I think... Not the best quality, as the lighting sucks and my camera is just an ancient (3 megapixel) point-and-shoot type thingy. From top to bottom: Ultra Pro - unpainted graphite, Revelation - unpainted woven carbon fiber, Precision Pro - matte black graphite. The PPro and Revelation share the same frame design (note how the grommets at the top of the frame are not recessed in a groove), but obviously the Revelation's is woven. Black BG80 (sorry Mark) The very shiny new butt cap By best (but still not very successful) attempt at capturing the iridescent finish. I might post a review when I've actually played with it a bit, although I'm obviously going to be biased...