MX80 is not being offered in Europe - only UK. So unless you ask your retailer for it you will not see it. This is also same for MX90, Thruster 9000 & Thruster 6000. Paul www.badminton-coach.co.uk
Apparently it's because Victor Europe don't sell many MX80's in Europe, they sell more of the lower end rackets, for example the Total Inside Waves 6600BT and in the upper tiers the bravesword range. Although in the age of the internet and global communication having this product mis-match between Asia and Europe is not ideal, let alone between UK and the rest of Europe. Especially as the general consumer has no idea why it is happening.
Not just talking about the Mx80, but also the 2 TK models. Otoh its no wonder sales arent looking great when the Thruster 8000 (btw, still a RIDICULOUS name for the range) was priced on par with the ZForce....like it or not, Victor is not recognized as equal to Yonex, so pricing the same will lead many to choose YY. Personally I cant blame them and would probably do the same, based on customer service and availability. I'm really not convinced the premium pricing and market separation are a good strategy. The delay compared to Asia is humiliating enough, keeping half (or more) the collection from Europe is really a sign of a company struggling hard.
The Victor specifications are quite weird. I have a brave sword 12. The seller where I bought it says it weighs 94g. So I have the 3U version? For the MX80N there are 3U/G4.5 and 4U/G5. The original MX80 had 3U/G3 ? Note that for Victor G4 is thicker than G3 (other as with Yonex). If the data above is correct than the new MX80N has nothing to do with the MX80...
I can't speak for the team at Victor in Germany. There are numerous trading difficulties with Asia and delivery times are constantly moving which isn't helping. With regard to the choice of racket across Europe I don't understand the logic however I do not have access to the numbers which may explain a lot. I do know that the people make good business decisions. Looking at Yonex range this year, it is clear they have introduced more 4U versions and this would suggest a trend towards lighter frames. Beyond that I cannot offer any explanation with regard to decisions taken. Paul www.badminton-coach
The move to 4U has to be based on something, and I can see it being one or more of a) Yonex's move to lighter rackets, b) it's more of a gamble to sell two weights in Europe because of the extra cost, c) data from Asia suggests that 3U don't sell enough I wasn't keen on it to begin with - seemed like Victor (and Yonex) were telling us what we want instead asking us - but it does make sense at the back end. One good thing has come of it: all rackets can now be had in G5.
They (the racket makers) should bring more G6 as well. And also, please retain some 2u in head light range.
Lost my first MX80 to a mishit today. The frame caved-in at the 10pm point when I swung too hard driving back a smash. :crying:
That musta been one serious drive... Btw we usually refer with "am"... this is the first time I've seen someone use" pm".
That's because I am a PM kinda guy. All I know it was one serious mishit This could open the door to a MX90 perhaps?
Well, you can build a G5 up to a G4; we can't make a G4 into a G5 without serious work. Really curious, now, to see how the change to 4U affects the MX80N - IMO the TK are right to be 4U, but the JS are wrong... how will the "middle child" fair?
MX80N is finally available at central sports in the UK. According to the description 86g ~ 4u However it states "Ultra stiff" but on the Victor stiffness indicator it doesn't seem to be as stiff as the old MX80. Stiffness wise, MX90 is 4/5, MX 80N is 5/5, however the occupy the same space on the stiffness scale. Can Paul or Mark confirm this in your tests? Unsure if this is a typo on their website, but assuming it is a 4u, I am also intrigued if the head contains new material that enables it to be strung up to 30lbs. Can't wait to hear the reviews!!
3U vs 4U MX80 is very much at the top of my list of questions - I happen to think the 3U MX80 is one of the best rackets Victor has ever made, but I suspect it'll be the only Meteor that won't be made worse by going down to 4U. I think the "response indicator" points to power, rather than stiffness - there's absolutely no way a TK9000 is stiffer than an MX80/N.
I can definitely vouch that a 3U TK9000 is not even remotely close to the stiffness of a 3U MX80. I think the 3U MX80 is the stiffest racket i've ever swung. (i own 6 x JJS by the way as a frame of reference and have played with the original Ti-10)
