BOUBOS1957
Regular Member
The Revelation was such an excitment for everybody; where are those reviews ???
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Panda Power: A Racket That Can Take 40lbs. String Tension!
- Thread starter DinkAlot
- Start date
Hello all,
I'll try a quick review of the revelation here, i've received the racket on thursday and played 2 hours with it yesterday so im not really used to it yet but i think i can give my first impressions. My rackets are 3U (87gr) with 297mm balance point
Look :
The racket look gorgeous, the nacked woven fiber with the pearl white inscriptions on it is just terrible. It gives a little hologram effect to the racket which is really great looking.
From far the best looking racket i've ever seen, simple and nice.
Warm up:
The first few hits with the revelations showed an incredible speed, when you play with it you feel like being able to defend like god it's quite nice.
Feel is great, a little less crispy than the PPro but i didn't notice my performance at net play and precision shots decreasing with this racket.
The sweet spot is the thing that increased the most between the PPro and the revelation. It's much more easier to play with this racket, mishits don't result in punishment anymore.
Match play :
Starting with double game i think this racket suits perfectly with that. The speed gives you nice defense and drives are extremly good due to that. As the head speed is very high, im now able to turn down the racket very quickly when driving with oponents.
Precision is very good as said before but the thing i regret on this racket is the lack of power compared to my victor MX JJS. I need to hit much more harder to get the power. Maybe im not yet used to the racket but as it feels much more lighter, i think it's not abnormal.
Im thinking of ordering two more but heavier maybe it would be better.
Thank you .
I'll try a quick review of the revelation here, i've received the racket on thursday and played 2 hours with it yesterday so im not really used to it yet but i think i can give my first impressions. My rackets are 3U (87gr) with 297mm balance point
Look :
The racket look gorgeous, the nacked woven fiber with the pearl white inscriptions on it is just terrible. It gives a little hologram effect to the racket which is really great looking.
From far the best looking racket i've ever seen, simple and nice.
Warm up:
The first few hits with the revelations showed an incredible speed, when you play with it you feel like being able to defend like god it's quite nice.
Feel is great, a little less crispy than the PPro but i didn't notice my performance at net play and precision shots decreasing with this racket.
The sweet spot is the thing that increased the most between the PPro and the revelation. It's much more easier to play with this racket, mishits don't result in punishment anymore.
Match play :
Starting with double game i think this racket suits perfectly with that. The speed gives you nice defense and drives are extremly good due to that. As the head speed is very high, im now able to turn down the racket very quickly when driving with oponents.
Precision is very good as said before but the thing i regret on this racket is the lack of power compared to my victor MX JJS. I need to hit much more harder to get the power. Maybe im not yet used to the racket but as it feels much more lighter, i think it's not abnormal.
Im thinking of ordering two more but heavier maybe it would be better.
Thank you .
visor
Regular Member
Update:Whoa! Just came back from 2 solid hours of non stop playing with my new Rev and old PPro!
And I gotta say the Rev is brilliant, it's scintillating!
My Rev specs (88.0g bp292mm) was carefully chosen to be very similar to my PPro (87.9g bp295mm). As a matter of fact, I brought my digital scale to my very accomodating local distributor (he had this surprised look on his face) in order to weigh the head on a level surface. The PPro was 38.3g and the Rev was 38.2g, bare unstrung and no overgrip. Very closely matched. I wanted it this way so that I can easily compare the 2, and also because from experience, that is the optimal head weight for a good balance for attack and defence for *me*.
Both were strung with zm62 (my new favourite string... i just love the amazing sound, repulsion, feel, control, and especially tension retention) at 22x23 lbs, pinging at around 1100 Hz. Any higher than this and I break the strings too easily on mishits.
On playing, the Rev shaft is obviously slightly more flexy than the PPro. So the Rev is more user friendly with easier swings for effortless clears forehand and backhand. Net kill is also easier with just finger power. Defending smashes is likewise easier to whip it across court backhand or forehand. Power is very easily accesible.
The PPro, however, due to its stiffer shaft, is more accurate in drives, smashes, and attack clears to the back tramlines.
Feel wise, the Rev manages to communicate a tad more to the hand, despite having a slightly flexier shaft. So, short backhand serves, blocks, net and drop shots, are easier gauged and can be hit closer to the net tape.
Too late in the night now... will write more tomorrow...
Some observations after a few more sessions.
- finally managed to find a low enough tension of 22x23 lbs on the white zm62 such that the string doesn't disintegrate at the slightes mishit
- very generous sweetspot, larger than P Pro
- just when i thought i had reached max power of the racket, there's more power to be had when i really wailed on it some more! maybe it's the woven frame or perhaps it's the slightly flexier shaft, but i think i've been coddling the racket too much as it's still relatively new... but now i'm finding that the angrier that i hit it, the more power i'm unleashing from it in clears, smashes, kills... if that makes any sense.
and i'm not even close to near the limit yet...
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BOUBOS1957
Regular Member
Vizor, which version of the ZM62 are you playing with???
The original version, which was about 58mm, the second generation that was 62mm or the latest version, which is supposed to be a tad heavier??
Myself; I find out that with the second generation, I cant go over 23 lbs without breaking too often.
With the original version (58mm) it is 19 lbs; if more tension and any mishit break it, with no mercy.
Supposedly Ashaway will review its gauge, hopefully Dink will soon advise and explain.
Because, except on some durability problems, it is surely an awesome string.
The original version, which was about 58mm, the second generation that was 62mm or the latest version, which is supposed to be a tad heavier??
Myself; I find out that with the second generation, I cant go over 23 lbs without breaking too often.
With the original version (58mm) it is 19 lbs; if more tension and any mishit break it, with no mercy.
Supposedly Ashaway will review its gauge, hopefully Dink will soon advise and explain.
Because, except on some durability problems, it is surely an awesome string.
BOUBOS1957
Regular Member
Dear Vizor,
This whole story is a bit confusing.
- The first test version of the ZM62 (Platinum) that was initially planned, but I believed never sold to the market, was supposedly 58mm.
I think it did not go thru, even if very high-performance, because it was not durable enough for a company to market.
But if you are still interested, check with Dink, he can inform you better about the product, but I don't know if he still has any of it: ZM 62 Platinum (58mm). But remember that 18 lbs tension of this string, is like 23-24 lbs with a regular 62 mm. (the white one you have if it is the current one)
- From what I understand; the version that went to the market, (what you have in hands) ZM62 is 62mm.
- Now I've heard rumors in an another version; the ZM62 might become 65mm, unless I misunderstood the latest news, because of durability ???
From previous testing, the 65mm one is very powerful and durable, it should give you the best of the 2 worlds.
- And I am not aware of a ZM58 prototype???
Everything seems confusing with Ashaway, but they make a hell of a good string.
Hope it clarify, otherwise, check with Dink, who is the one with the most knowledge.
This whole story is a bit confusing.
- The first test version of the ZM62 (Platinum) that was initially planned, but I believed never sold to the market, was supposedly 58mm.
I think it did not go thru, even if very high-performance, because it was not durable enough for a company to market.
But if you are still interested, check with Dink, he can inform you better about the product, but I don't know if he still has any of it: ZM 62 Platinum (58mm). But remember that 18 lbs tension of this string, is like 23-24 lbs with a regular 62 mm. (the white one you have if it is the current one)
- From what I understand; the version that went to the market, (what you have in hands) ZM62 is 62mm.
- Now I've heard rumors in an another version; the ZM62 might become 65mm, unless I misunderstood the latest news, because of durability ???
From previous testing, the 65mm one is very powerful and durable, it should give you the best of the 2 worlds.
- And I am not aware of a ZM58 prototype???
Everything seems confusing with Ashaway, but they make a hell of a good string.
Hope it clarify, otherwise, check with Dink, who is the one with the most knowledge.
BOUBOS1957
Regular Member
Great, in a perfect world, with no mishit, the strings would last a lot longer, but with the speed of today's game, who doesn't???
I really like the 62mm, but once I will be finish with my reels, I will defintely move the 65mm one.
Again, I believ, it is more of an all around string with the best you can get for durability and performances.
I really like the 62mm, but once I will be finish with my reels, I will defintely move the 65mm one.
Again, I believ, it is more of an all around string with the best you can get for durability and performances.
demolidor
Regular Member
Until folks around here came up with the v3 term regarding Zymax the only ones I knew about where simply: old vs new packaging (v1-v2; which also coincided with a change in the string of course, not just for re-packing/marketing purposes). Old packaging had the platinum colour and was left out and replaced with red for the new packaging which now has black added as a fourth colour ...
But I'm sure it will be cleared up for good at some point
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CanucksDynasty
Regular Member
No more love for the Revelation?
visor
Regular Member
@CanucksDynasty
How're you doing with yours after you restrung?
I'm loving mine more and more with zm62 @ 23lbs (1070 Hz).
But the specs we chose are meant for some heavy hitting, so I'm finding that I get better results when I play "angry" and hit hard.
BOUBOS1957
Regular Member
OK guys, sorry, I wanted to wait for more time with the racquets, but here is some of it...
I received my 2 Rev's 10 days ago, 85 gr BP 288, and strung with the ZM62 Platinum at 18lbs(should play like 22lbs). Played 2 times with them, did not like the string/racquet set-up.
I had them restrung with same string at 20lbs, played once, much better, but for I don't know what reason; I am having difficulties adapting to the racquet.
Sometime, especially when I am playing more aggressively; it plays like a magic weapon, and sometime I have trouble getting the best out of it; so I will wait to have more time with it, before posting a definite review. But I can give you my initial thoughts. Here they are.....
In term of finish; it is the best looking one of the Panda line, the clear coat is definetly a must for any future racquets, and no more racquets should be done without it. The quality clear coat is from the major league.
Althougth it is the exact same specs; (weight and BP), as my Precision Pro's, the REv's feel heavier and play a bit slower then my PPro's, but I can't figure out why. (Probably material composition ???)
In term of power (clears/smashes/drives); definetely more power then any other Panda's so far, at least at the same specs. But again, I have not been consistent with it.
The racquet head is very stable, this gives a lot of control at net play, and very precise for shot placement.
So far at net killing situation; I feel the racquet head slower and heavier, so I will have to adjust my timing and position for those situation.
Sweet spot seems a lot larger then previous Panda's, this allow me a lot better control and power on shot not perfectly hit.
Playing more double than anything, defence and racquet speed is important, and as stated above, I feel it slower; will need some adjustment, not yet ready to comment properly.
One more thing: after increasing string tension to 20lbs(ZM62 Plat.), I feel like I could get up more tension to enjoy the racquet better. I feel like the racquet is asking me more. I will soon have one of them restrung at 22lbs(which will give me around 26lbs) to compare. I think that this racquet needs to be played at high tension to be able to deliver what it can.
Probably Dink, who must have tried it at many different tension, could comment???
I will review this initial review; when I have more experience with the racquet.
I received my 2 Rev's 10 days ago, 85 gr BP 288, and strung with the ZM62 Platinum at 18lbs(should play like 22lbs). Played 2 times with them, did not like the string/racquet set-up.
I had them restrung with same string at 20lbs, played once, much better, but for I don't know what reason; I am having difficulties adapting to the racquet.
Sometime, especially when I am playing more aggressively; it plays like a magic weapon, and sometime I have trouble getting the best out of it; so I will wait to have more time with it, before posting a definite review. But I can give you my initial thoughts. Here they are.....
In term of finish; it is the best looking one of the Panda line, the clear coat is definetly a must for any future racquets, and no more racquets should be done without it. The quality clear coat is from the major league.
Althougth it is the exact same specs; (weight and BP), as my Precision Pro's, the REv's feel heavier and play a bit slower then my PPro's, but I can't figure out why. (Probably material composition ???)
In term of power (clears/smashes/drives); definetely more power then any other Panda's so far, at least at the same specs. But again, I have not been consistent with it.
The racquet head is very stable, this gives a lot of control at net play, and very precise for shot placement.
So far at net killing situation; I feel the racquet head slower and heavier, so I will have to adjust my timing and position for those situation.
Sweet spot seems a lot larger then previous Panda's, this allow me a lot better control and power on shot not perfectly hit.
Playing more double than anything, defence and racquet speed is important, and as stated above, I feel it slower; will need some adjustment, not yet ready to comment properly.
One more thing: after increasing string tension to 20lbs(ZM62 Plat.), I feel like I could get up more tension to enjoy the racquet better. I feel like the racquet is asking me more. I will soon have one of them restrung at 22lbs(which will give me around 26lbs) to compare. I think that this racquet needs to be played at high tension to be able to deliver what it can.
Probably Dink, who must have tried it at many different tension, could comment???
I will review this initial review; when I have more experience with the racquet.
Low String Tension
I was under the impression that everyone can control drop shots better with high tension. But I also remember Dink saying that every player should use the lowest tension possible at which they feel they retain good control. Since Visor and Boubos can retain good control at lower tensions which is hard to do for most players, I guess it means that they are very skilled players. I don't see how they do it.
Reading both Visor's and Boubos1957 posts about string tension and their Revelation rackets, I am struck by the low tensions mentioned, 23 for Visor and 20 for Boubos. I am a fairly new convert from racketball to badminton, about two years into badminton. But it seems when I try any racket and any string type at these low tensions, the bird becomes very bouncy and hard to control on drop shots. But get the tension up closer to 30 lbs. and I can "spoon feed" the net drop shots with much better control.
I was under the impression that everyone can control drop shots better with high tension. But I also remember Dink saying that every player should use the lowest tension possible at which they feel they retain good control. Since Visor and Boubos can retain good control at lower tensions which is hard to do for most players, I guess it means that they are very skilled players. I don't see how they do it.
BOUBOS1957
Regular Member
BsMITH: We are playing at these low tension numbers, because we are playing with Zymax 62 Platinum, which is a very thin string, that plays around 4 to 6 pounds more. So my 20 is more like a 25 and the Visor 22 is like a 27 lbs.
CanucksDynasty
Regular Member
@CanucksDynasty
How're you doing with yours after you restrung?
I'm loving mine more and more with zm62 @ 23lbs (1070 Hz).
But the specs we chose are meant for some heavy hitting, so I'm finding that I get better results when I play "angry" and hit hard.
Haven't change strings yet. Trying it once more with BG80. If I don't like it...I'll change it to thinner strings. I think thin strings would match the racket better.