What racket in the market meet this criteria? 1. Regular length ( How long is regular length and "long" length?), no kids length size racket though. 2. Isometric head ( as much head surface area as possible) 3. Not too stiff 4. Frame vertical thickness( when racket is on the ground) is large. Frame thickness horizontally ( when racket on ground) reasonable thin. 5. Make a lot of wind sound on short arm whip/swing, "vmmm..., vmmm...." [ the more sound the merrier ], sort of aerodynamic sound, actually this is my weirdest but most important requirement, haha!! 6. Not too heavy, 3U will do. 7. At least can take 23lbs stringing 8. Even balance or slightly head-heavy. 9. Some titanium around sweetspot if possible 10. Not exceed S$100-$120 if possible 11. Not obsolete model, can find in current market I know nowadays regular length racket is rarer and rarer as most are long size. I know yonex iso 800 is one of them, but i think it is a little too stiff and heavy. Any brand i do not care. Any one has any idea? Please share. Rgds CS
What posts to read before asking such a question Yes, I have an idea. That idea is to search the archives before posting such a query. The ultimate lowdown on everything racquetish is here: http://www.badmintoncentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=605183#post605183 It's the Official Dinky Panda Guide To The Stringed World The most comprehensive advice on selecting gear is here: http://www.badmintoncentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21851 Although over two years old, Kwun's article is as valid as it was then. Happy reading, CS.
i was thinking someone should build a spreadsheet with all these options which spits out potentially suitable racquets.
racket What is wrong with posting this specific query? I know how to search. I have searched this forums for hundreds of hours/times and i know the characteristics of many rackets and used/selected many of them. I asked this question because as far as i know none of the threads discussed covers all of these requirements together, they meet only a few of these requirements. The two threads you suggested are too generic topics. Saint Dragon, JianKAISG, thanks for replies. MP88, i think is LONG length, not regular. Morewood, is carlton aeroblade regular length / not too stiff/heavy? I have held one before, it felt all like 2U to me and quite stiff. drifit, I never used/seen the RSL X2-SP racket, is it regular length? thks and rgds CS
you may refer this www.rslcanada.com/Racquets/specifications.htm or to their main webpage at www.rsl-1928.com your mean of regular length is 670mm? 1. the Diamond X2 SP's shaft is more flexible than others, if you prefer this. 2. lightweight, average at 83grams. 3. iso head 4. you need titanium for balance hit? the design for X2-SP is very good, hit it hard, no vibration. 5. at least 23lbs, this racket can go up to 28lbs. 6. X2 SP is even balance, hardly feel head heavy. 7. lastly? price? in malaysia, costing ard RM280 = racket + string + grip + bag if i left out anything, pls remind. thanks......
Hi CS, You should be able to find some models from these companies which still produce regular length rackets (Assume regular length = 670mm) Apacs Ashaway Proace (eg. Sweetspot 1000 - clone of the Yonex Iso800) Sotx (eg. D500 or Woven series) Not sure what you mean with regard to your frame criteria. Those aerodynamic frames (profile similar to Yonex NS7000) might suit your requirement on the 'sound' criteria. Cheers
The SOTX Woven-8, D300, D500, CP3000 are all 670mm. They meet all your criteria except for #9 (no Ti). If you buy from Asia they should also cost within your price range. BTW, that wind sound in #5, isn't that made by the string bed? You won't get a sound if you swing an unstrung racquet unless you swing at Mach 1.
I second what Sealman said. But at your budget of SGD100-120, SOTX is out of your range and that leave Apacs/Asahway/Proace to choose from. I would have added RSL (RSL 6800 specifically as it seems to fit your descrption, except the Ti and the sound part! ) but RSL is not that easy to find in Singapore compare to Apacs/Asahway/Proace. Your preference on sound is rather unique I must add!
Thanks for your replies Drifit, thks for the link, i will check it out. i do not know much about RSL as its shuttlecock is well known but rackets i never tried. i am not sure if regular length is 670mm, but my reference will be iso 800 which i did not have chance to measure. Sealman, i will check the series you suggested, but i always have a feel that APACS armortech/nano clones are definitely LONG as compared to ISO800 length. Hmm proace sweetspot also seems long, maybe i will check it out in the shop when i have the chance. Nanospeed profile in terms of frame looks a bit similar to one i want but length wise, i am not sure. SOTX racket looks a good candidate as one model-WOVEN 6 i know is quite short but i never really have chance to try one. Pedro22, thanks i will check out ur suggestions. wakloo69, Ti10 is LONG (few of them as regular) and very stiff/heavy, i got one and i put it aside already Rgds CS
The difference between long and regular size is I think only 10mm. Adjusting your grip a little can make a long size racket the same as regular size anyway.
I have tried the Proace Sweetspot1000 (old version), Apacs Nanopro 8000/9000 and Nanopower 555/7700/8000 and can confirm that they are shorter than a Yonex MP100 (long).
I found the Carlton Powerblade Tour recently on sale for 48.77 USD (down from 167 USD) over here. I bought it just for kicks but was so pleasantly surprised it became my regular racket. It fulfills all of your requirements (yeah, including the sound providing your strokes are correct) If you want something a bit more expensive, I've heard very good things about the Carlton Powerflows. I just don't remember which model.
muscle power 88, i have one, its no longer made by yonex, but its great adn meets most of your criteria
I'm just wondering why you're picky about the length of the racket. As Saintdragon said, it's easily adjusted. If you don't really care about length, as some have said, MP88 falls into almost the exact characteristics you've mentioned. I'd also recommend the Ti-7 (not the light version) since it's slightly head light/even balance, ISO, and Medium Flex (I think, I know it's not that stiff), but the drawback for you is that it's a 'long' racket. My other recommedation is probably SOTX Woven 8 or 7. Woven 8 is even balance and I believe Woven 7 is slightly head heavy. You'd have to research their stiffness though, I'm not sure about that. Most of the are also 3U. One thing I can say is that they're some of the most stable rackets I've ever used.
