I am currently playing an Astrox 88D, 4U and I am mostly happy with. Love the control, the feedback it gives me, stiffness, etc. For singles I see no need to look for a different racket. However i play mostly doubles - for fast paced doubles it is playable, but frame speed is a bit too slow. Back court is fine, but I find a bit lacking in front and mid court. So basically I am searching for something similar but with a little bit higher frame speed. A bit more flex would be ok (but not too much). It doesn't have to be as fast as a BS12, but frame speed should be somewhere between an AX88D 4U and a BS12 3U. Options I know and would love to get feedback on (other recommendations also highly appreciated!): N9ii/TC75 in 3U: maybe too flexy? Also maybe too fast when compared to AX88D? N7II/TC70 in 3U: Maybe too fast of a frame? AX88S in 3U: Not sure if it is really faster. Also it didn't feel as good feedback-wise as the AX88D (too flexy?) Help is much appreciated!
3U, N9ii VS 4U 88D. Headweight: N9ii > 88D ( N9ii slightly heavier ) Swing Speed: N9ii>=88D ( slightly faster or same) Smash power: N9ii>=88D ( 88D had the punch feel which u might feel more power) Defend: N9ii=<88D Control / Accuracy: N9ii<88D ( 88D will have better control, but once u get used to N9ii, its about the same) Rapid Smash: N9ii>88D Overall, it come down to individual skills. If you ok to change from a solid feel to a whippy feel. N9ii will be a good choice.
Interesting, the Nanoflares weren't on my radar. Thanks I did a quick round of reading for NF800 (will do more) and from what I have read so far they might be a good alternative (box frame, solid feel but faster - which is good) Any reason you suggest 4U? I would have thought a 3U is still fast enough (since they are faster and not as head heavy as AX88D) and 3U would provide more power.
Thanks - but is a 3U 88S really faster than a 4U 88D? Also 3U 88S is unfortunately not available in Germany. I could order internet/overseas but that would be a lot of money for not being sure about that racket....
I think 88S is in general faster than 88D even when it's 3U vs 4U because it's simply not as head heavy. 88S 4U is too light imo for anyone with decent strength.
Indeed, NF700 seems to be 4U and 5U only (at least in Germany) However NF800 I found a 3UG5. (Why would they not sell 3U for head light / even balance rackets ? )
Thanks! Is Aeronaut the Astrox equivalent line from Li-Ning (esp. box frame)? And I am not finding the 9000 on LNs racket matrix, any hint regarding specs?
If the thin Astrox frame at 4U isn't fast enough, you can dismiss the KitKat Chunky Aeronaut Frame. Why not giving the AX77 as try? I mean it is not as prestigous as an 88, but still a good frame. As 4U it is very slightly above 40g wet. IMO much better than the 4U AX88S playwise. Demoed both and the 88S was quite disappointing. IMO a good step to stay inside a line and fine tune instead of looking for a complete different racket, from a different brand.
If someone is alright with the stiffness of 88D, is there even a better all-rounded option? 3u 88S is definitely slower than 4u 88D You're going to sacrifice your power if you want more speed. There's the 4u 77 but i'd say it's more about flex than the racket being faster You'll have to pick your sacrifice, either stay with 4u 88d and learn to read the shuttle and move faster, or switch to a faster racket but learn how to put more power on smash, in which case, Nanoflare 800 3U or JS10 / One of the Auraspeed
I think that recommending a racket which is a few days out without getting the chance to read some reviews isn't a sure shot. We have seen here the first cracked racket of NF800. The Jetspeed 10 has its issues in long-term testing. If the racket should be faster by a bit less head weight, a slightly more flex, don't matter. It seems that some people here are allergic to anything which is softer than stiff. IMO most players would be better off and with the AX77 you don't get a wet noodle.
