astray? trinity based on the ti10...hmm...interesting ultra based on the at700...hmm...even more interesting
Ahhh, no. The UK is not whippy. The frame shape is similar to that of the AT700/AT900P. The shaft is not similar. The UK is stiffer, less "whippy".
Review Panda Power Ultra Pro Kevlar 295/85, VS850 @ 30x32 Impressions I’ll be honest, here: I wasn’t keen on the old Ultras - they were niche, but not my niche, and I found them very unco-operative. However, my racket specs have changed since then, so I gave this one a go. The frame is a back-to-basics OSP, thick and strong along the lines of the old Armortecs, and the shaft is a double-taper rated in the low 8’s. Looks Based on the renderings, I didn’t think I’d like it - it didn’t seem to have a “signature colour”. In person, though, it’s much better. Black is always a good base, and the Kevlar weave running around the outside turned out to be a nice design feature, while the flashes of gold lift things up just enough. Understated, but aggressive. The paint itself has been done well, and the lacquer has good depth and shine. Excellent fit-and-finish. Stringing – 10/10 You’ll have seen the old Ultra Pro take a 46 lb string job. Now add Kevlar. This was only ever going to be an OSP, given the design intent (and the A5 and B6 holes are now single rather than double, so this frame is as strong as it was ever going to be). Power – 9.5/10 Put briefly, the hardest hitting of all the Pandas to date, and straight into my Top Five of all time (and certainly the most powerful of this balance). Smashes are almost shocking in their force – the sheer weight of shot is something I don’t normally see outside of the freakish 310+ rackets. Drives are really crunchy and penetrating. Indeed, the power turned into a bit a problem: my partners were complaining because I was lifting and clearing two feet out the back to start with; never have I had to adjust downwards so much. And, to top it off, even the sound is stop-and-turn. Here’s the key, though: it’s not difficult power, the way it was with old Ultras. This new shaft hits like an 8, but kicks and recovers like a mid-7. Best of both worlds, basically; if you liked the early Trinities, this will be right up your street. Stability/Control – 10/10 An Ultra with Kevlar? What else could I possibly give it? It’s almost cartoonishly strong; under playing conditions there will be no undesired movement whatsoever no matter how hard it’s hit. I could change my mind as many times as I liked during a shot and the UPK just didn’t care - it ploughed right through the shuttle with absolutely no regard for the anything but the last shot I decided on. The shuttle went where I wanted it to, and only where I wanted it to. I did catch a few off the frame while getting used to the new timing, but again, it didn’t care. In fact, there’s so much frame that the vibration barely registered. The shaft is more of the same: bends exactly the right amount with no flop or whip to speak of. Defence – 7/10 It felt a bit slow and blocky to start with, but it’s because I was treating it like a Rev and expecting it to move of its own accord. However, once I clocked that I had to “take hold” of it a bit more, everything fell into place, and it defended as well as any Arcsaber. Once the lack of frame speed is overcome, the aforementioned stability really contributes to the defence. Some of our lads can hit pretty hard – hard enough to force a racket off line on a block – but the UPK coped beautifully. When I started to get the head where it needed to be, the control really opened a lot of defensive options and angles. Feel – 8/10 I was told that the production UPK had ended up being reminiscent of the old Cab 20… and now I can’t get that comparison out of my brain. The sensation that accompanies a well-hit smash becomes addictive pretty quickly – a really meaty, thundery punch. I really didn’t expect such a bulky frame to be this talkative. I marked it down slightly on the Rev because it doesn’t manage the latter’s delicacy on softer shots. Still, the head seems a lot more connected than most. I think the situation can be summed up in that the Rev was a “feel” racket that happened to hit hard, and the UPK is a hard-hitter that happens to have good feel. Conclusion This being an Ultra, I might never have tried it, but I’m very glad I did – thanks to the new shaft it’s not the one-trick pony of old. Yes, there is a definite bias toward power, but the other aspects of its game don’t suffer anywhere near enough to put me off. If you’re used to more aerodynamic stuff you will probably have to spend some time showing it who’s boss, but it’s more than worth the work. + Strongest and most stable badminton frame I’ve ever encountered Extraordinary power Feel on well-struck smashes and drives Excellent value for money - Looks might be a bit plain for some tastes Not particularly aerodynamic Not as good an all-rounder as the Rev (if you need it to be) No free lunch; it has to taken charge of to get the most out of it (Addendum - played a league match with it last night and didn't drop a game... then we played the opposition's A-team and took them to 20 and 17).
Oh, don't say that! The Ultra's looked like one PP that I could easily resist buying... but now you have gone and compared it to the Trinities. (The T1 is the 'Jane Eyre' of PP products-- kinda plain to look at, but has depth of character.)
It'd be more than fair to say it has the playability of the old Trinity with all the roid strength of the Ultras.
Oh man.. The UPK could very well be the racquet I'm looking for after reading that review and the specs given lol. I was originally looking for a back-up racquet but who knows, it may even become my goto. Of course, I'll test it first with Noah's demo!
Played a few hours and agree with your review. In an earlier post you mention you were trying it out and having a hard time putting it down. Found the stability and control of the racket intoxicating once I started doing drops from mid and back court. Ended playing doubles all 3 hours with it and cranked the hardest smash this year out of it. Found I needed to relax more and concentrate on positioning more as it is a bit slower in defense. Cool part it clears easily so when things were getting out of control could get back in position. Good addition to the Panda lineup and stiffness feels like a good match for the frame. If I was a singles player or a more advanced doubles player would offer my buddy who had one a Gatorade to try for sure. Save another Gatorade if you hit anyone's racket with it as I am pretty sure they will be on the losing end of the deal and need a beverage. Hope to see a few more reviews and see what they think as well.
Update - the dust has settled at my end, and two Ultra K are now for public sale. 293/84.9 and 294/85.8. There were three... but I kept another one for me (so look for a Meteor for sale shortly). First come, first served as always - $125 plus shipping and stringing.
Has anyone used the UPK and Adidas Adipower Pro? I'm currently using the AP and interested in a comparison.
Wow... with all that kevlar, I'll know which racket to use next time I need to defend myself from flying bullets.
