Whoops, forgot about this been busy. Here are some images, details tomorrow, going to play baddy now.
The Titan II has not been scrapped but on standby as I have found a worthy - no - significantly better successor to the black Precision Pro. This new PT Precision Pro has been thoroughly tested. More on this in another post to follow shortly.
This new Precision Pro is better than the previous black PPro because: 1) Much tougher, stronger graphite. 40T vs. 46T with Hot Melt process for better consistency and durability 2) Much bigger sweet spot The two drawbacks of the previous black PPro (aside from the matte black finish that chipped) were its small sweet spot and relative durability (no problems if stringing 28 or lower). These have all been addressed. Loosely based on the Victor JetSpeed 12 frame, it's been tested at 34lbs. multiple times, no problems. The racket is very strong. Additional benefits, an improved T-Joint that minimizes torqueing and adds a bit of power transfer. There are some other added minor technological improvements but I'll discuss at a later time. For now, here it is. Will come with U-Shaped Grommets of course. Specifications: Weight: 82-86g BP: 295-305mm Stiffness: 7.8 - 8.2 Isometric Reinforced Aero Frame 46T Hot Melt Carbon Fiber Frame 46T Hot Melt Carbon Fiber Shaft
Update: I have been actively looking for a new racket manufacturer for the better part of 3 years. I have contacted 6 racket manufacturers, two in Taiwan and four in China. I have tested many of their top rackets extensively and found one manufacturer in China I think is best. Their communication and customer service are first-rate. I feel the products are first-rate as well. They produce some of the top rackets currently available on the market. Obviously, I cannot say for whom. So, this should be a significant improvement in quality and performance across-the-board for Panda Power rackets.
Where do we sign for samples? Looks interesting, is the line going to broaden to more spec choices? I don’t think I could use a super stiff 4u, but then the n7-2 surprised me too, so maybe it’s is doable.
Sorry, no samples available, at least not free. I've spent well over $1,000 on prototypes as these companies don't give out custom specified, one-off prototypes that made to order, by hand, for free. I do have a few extra prototypes left that I may let go in the near future. Thanks but not taking orders at this time; when released, the rackets will be readily available. ETA is about 3 months. Price on the new Precision Pro, limited time promotional price: $125.00 including string and stringing and free shipping the U.S. After the promotion it will be $125.00 for the racket only. The N1 and N2, I still need to do more testing on which one I want to produce and to confirm it's a significant improve over standard non-woven carbon fiber rackets. This will be more expensive, ~$175.00 each. But if produced, I need to make sure it's absolutely worth it. So far it is, IMHO. Yes, "my" 8.0-8.2 stiffness is stiff to stiff+ but there's very accessible power as it is not too demanding. Though racket manufacturers use the same scale, the actual values may vary, sometimes greatly. For instance, I requested 8.0-8.2 stiffness from 3 different manufacturers using the same material, their best 40T carbon fiber, same 6.8mm diameter shaft and if Company A was the benchmark 8.0-8.2, Company B was about 8.5- 8.7 and Company C was 8.8-9.0. This is a 1.0 difference in stiffness, pretty scary. So for Company C to match Company A's stiffness of 8.0-8.2, I would have to request ~7.3-7.5 (stiffness ratings are not linear) from Company C, which is crazy. More clarification: if I wanted a stiffness of 8.0-8.2. In order for Company A, B, and C to have the same stiffness, these would be the numbers I would have to request: Company A: 8.0-8.2 Company B: 7.5-7.7 Company C: 7.3-7.5 For you mathematicians: Company A's 8.0-8.2 = Company B's 7.5-7.7 = Company C's 7.3 = 7.5
Both the N1 and N2 target specs are: Weight: 82-86g BP: 295-305mm Stiffness: 7.8 - 8.2 N1 Frame: Isometric Reinforced Knife-Edge Aero Frame (similar to the Jet Speed 12) N2 Frame: Isometric Reinforced Rounded-Edge Aero Frame (similar to the Arc10) I go with these specifications because I find it to be the happy medium, where most people find it usable for doubles and mixed. For serious singles, I do feel a racket should be a bit heavier with a bit more flex, for instance: 84-88g, BP300-310mm, Stiffness: 8.2 - 8.5.
Sounds promising. It's a pity you don't sell these prototype rackets, I would love to have one. The woven carbon frame looks absolutely stunning, I just hope it won't get a whole other paintjob once it's released.
What makes a good racket? I've gotten a few e-mails recently asking about racket technology and what makes a good racket. I've said it before a few times, but not so boldly as to what I'm about to say. I am (at least I strive to be) 100% transparent and try to offer the best information possible. So, what makes a good racket? Answer: using the best material available (within reason) and finding the optimum synergy between the frame and shaft, finding that ideal combination where 1+1 = 3, where the result is greater than the sum of its parts; this is 90% of a good racket. The remaining 10% is from improvements in minor things. A few companies proved this to me (unknowingly*) many years ago. *Unknowingly meaning I went and purchased rackets and discovered certain things and these things have stood the test of time.
