Head MicroGEL Radical Mid Plus (Demo)

Rating:	★★★
Category:	Other

Again, I borrowed this racquet from Dr.Racket.com, Head distributor in Thailand. They are nice enough to restring the racquet for my demo. In general, MG Radical MP has the same dampened and muted feel like my MG Prestige. It's pretty comfortable racquet to hit. The racquet is too light to my taste. It's no surprise that MG Radical MP has a stability issue, but not as bad as Dunlop AG300. Even worse than that, I can't hit backhand (both one-handed and two-handed) effectively with this stick. There is no power behind my backhands. On a positive side, MG Radical MP is a very good stick for aggressive shots. I can hit hard with confidence, and it feels so good if you hit the sweet spot. That's the only strength I saw from this racquet. If you are an aggressive basliner, get this one. Otherwise, look for something else.

Review at Tennis Warehouse: http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Reviews/HMGRAD/HMGRADReview.html

Head MicroGEL Extreme (Demo)

Rating:	★★★★
Category:	Other

I just borrowed this demo racquet from Head distributor and already hit for a few times. In overall, it swings pretty easy due to low swing weight. A lot of people say it plays similar to Babolat PureDrive (PD). It could be right, but there are significant differences to place 2 sticks in different segments. First of all, the head shape of MG Extreme is rounder while PD's is oval. Secondly, MG Extreme has lower power than PD, but a lot more spin potential on both sides. Touch and feel, PD is much softer due to Woofer grommet. Unlike other MigcroGEL racquet lines, the MG Extreme creates so much pinging sound. I recommend using a vibration dampener for more comfort. After hitting for a while, I found that I can use compact swing to hit forehand with good depth and control. To be honest, it swings pretty much more like Head Radical OS than PD. On backhand, I can generate a good spin on my one-handed backhand while PD is good for two-handed backhand. If you are flat hitters, go for PD. But if you spin a lot, get MG Extreme.

Review at Tennis Warehouse: http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Reviews/HMGXP/HMGXPReview.html

Dunlop AeroGel 300 (Demo)

Rating:	★★
Category:	Other

I demoed this racquet just one time, so I don't really have much feedback about it. Unfortunately, I captured more negative feedbacks than good ones. The demo unit I played was the lighter version, and was strung with Wilson Hyperlast (hybrid). AG300 looks really good and equally balanced. It swings easily on both sides. However, I don't like it because it's too light (295g unstrung), a little stiff, and hollow for me. This results in instability on hard hitting or playing new balls. That's all I can comment.

Head MicroGEL Prestige Mid (Marat Safin) -- sold

Rating:	★★★★
Category:	Other

I never thought about buying MicroGEL stick because the cosmetic looks like candy. MicroGEL Prestige is an exception. When taking a close look on the frame, WOW! this is a gem. The classic box-beamed frame is painted with dark metallic-red on glossy pearl white. It reminds me of a famous Formula-1 Ferrari. I can't resist to get one at first sight. I wrapped the 4-1/2" grip with 2 layers of Tournagrip and strung it with Babolat XCel Power at 52 lbs. It feels great in hand. Even though it's heavy (330g unstrung), it's surprisingly maneuverable (probably matched to Wilson PS85). I can easily generate racquet head speed as fast as I want. MicroGEL Prestige feels totally different from LM Prestige, FXP Prestige, and even PC600 that I have ever used. It has more pop, quite a bit springy. The racquet has enough mass to generate plow through the ball smoothly, but not as good as PC600. I can generate powerful flat forehand consistently, but I still need an adjustment on my one-handed backhand. In overall, it's a pretty good mid-sized racquet.

Review at Tennis Warehouse: http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Reviews/MGPMID/MGPMIDReview.html

Tecnifibre TFight 335 (18x20) -- sold

Rating:	★★★★
Category:	Other

After studying the spec of T-Fight 335 for a month, I set an expectation that TF335 will be a replacement of my FlexPoint Prestige MP. The cosmetic looks really beautiful, and the racquet comes with a spare grommet. The racquet cover quality is also the best I have ever seen. I think Technifibre pays attention to every detail of their products. Two thumbs up! On the playtest, TF335 does deliver everything that FXP Prestige does. It has the same soft buttery feel on groundstroke that FXP Prestige has. TFight plows thru the ball better than FXP Prestige. However, the ball does not dwell on string bed as long as it does on FXP Prestige, but no dampener is required. In other words, TF335 is a little stiffer than FXP Prestige. Combined with 18x20 string pattern, the box-shaped frame offer great stability on hard hitting and produces good spins/slices. On the downside, extra weight seems to kill my arm on my one-handed backhand. I think this racquet will satisfy those who have two-handed backhand. In overall, TFight 335 is a favorite of baseliners and hard hitters. So what would you choose - TF335 or FXP Prestige? Here is simple answer. Aggressive baseline game --> TF335. All-court game --> FXP Prestige.

Wilson nBlade 98 (Demo)

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

Actually, I don't own this racquet. I borrowed nBlades from my friend, who is Wilson professional. I had a chance to hit both versions - mid+ and oversized. For oversized, I think the racquet plays very similar to Head LM Radical in every aspects. I'd skip this nBlade OS review. For mid+ version, I found nBlade 98 a fun racquet to play with. It feels totally different from other typical Wilson frames. The strung (hybrid) weight is about 300g (too light for me) and equally balanced. Because of even balance, the racquet has extra power on your stroke. Take a closer look throughout the frame, the craftmanship looks just ok. The matt black and glossy gold make nBlade looks really classy. The cross section of nBlad frame looks kind of odd. It has semi-circular shape with foam-filled core called nFoam. This is a real highlight of the frame. The benefit of foam insider the core is to minimize the vibration. Let me talk a little bit about vibration. There is a different between "impaction" and "vibration." Impaction is the feel transferred from stringbed to frame right upon the ball impact, while vibration is a frame shake after impaction. Vibration normally last longer than impaction. The longer the vibration time, the more painful your arm is. Vibration can also cause of tennis elbow if you don't warm up long enough. Ideally, we want a frame with good ball impact feel and a short vibration time or zero vibration. Unfortunately, most vibration reduction technologies today get rid of both impaction and vibration. This is an exception for nBlade. With this nFoam, nBlad remains classic Wilson feel without too much vibration. I think nFoam is the only anti-vibration technology that works as advertised. Combined with a generous sweet spot, nFoam will add a huge "FUN" factor to your game. I enjoy groundstroke both FH and 1HBH without tiring my arm. It's highly recommended for your game as well as your health. Give it a try.

Yonex Super RD Tour 95 -- Sold

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

One word I can say right now about this racquet.....AWESOME! I searched SRD 95 everywhere, but didn't seem available today even in a used market. Couple weeks ago, I got SRD95 from a guy who sold Head PC600 to me for 1900 Baht. It's in very good condition and I just couldn't wait to try it. I cut old string right away and strung it with my favorite one - Babolat Exel Premium 16 @ 55 lbs. Wow!, the racquet is rock solid and by far better than any other Yonex racquet today. The feeling on ball impact is so very unique that you cannot find from other racquet. It has more pop and feel than my RDS 001. There is no muted feeling that most racquets today have.The power level is perfect for my groundstroke. My 2-handed backhand is very powerful. I really enjoy playing this racquet. It deserved 5 stars.

Prince Original Graphite Oversize (Michael Chang) -- sold

Rating:	★★★
Category:	Other

With a lot of positive feedback from users, I was so excited about this racquet - Prince Original Graphite (POG). It's a 20 years old racquet with a lot of good histories behind. A lot of players like Michael Chang, Andre Agassi, Juan Carlos Ferrero have grown up playing POG. Actually, some ATP players today are still using it. I have also heard from my friend that it's really good. Well, the honeymoon is over after trying it. All my excitements are gone as I don't see anything special about it. May be one good thing I can feel is the softness of open string pattern. Other than that, I found the racquet performing on the average, nothing special. Among oversized racquets, I love Head Radical Agassi Limited the most.

Wilson ProStaff 6.0 85 (Pete Sampras)

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

This racquet is not a surprise to me as I am used a lot of Pro Staff series since 2003. I ordered PS 6.0 from Tennis Warehouse.com in 2007 because I cannot find one in Thailand. If you want it during these days, check out eBay.

Look: The racquet comes in semi-gloss black with 2 yellow-red strips. It looks really clean and classic. Remember, PS85 is over 20 years old with a legendary Pete Sampras's success behind it. So it could be considered collectibles rather than an actual racquet for a modern game today. There must be something really good about it to keep Wilson manufactures this PS85 until 2007.

Feel: I have PS85 strung up with Babolat Xcel Premium 17@50 lbs. The overall stiffness is quite high on the spec, but I don't think it's that stiff. Actually, the throat is somewhat flexy and the hoop is quite stiff. The raw feel of graphite/kevlar of PS85 is simply unmatched. There is no springy or muted feel of those modern racquets today. It's just very raw and solid. In comparison to PS90 Tour, N61 Tour, and a recently lauched K61 Tour, PS85 is superior to all of them. PS85 is heavy, but it's surpringly easiest to wield around.

Serve and Volley: At net, PS85 is maneuverable and stable! Although the headsize is small (85 sq.in), but it feels really good if you hit the sweetspot. I've found PS85 hitting consistently accurate volley with good depth. For serve, I never serve because of my backpain.

Ground stroke: After a lot of mishits and shanking during first hit, I start getting groove on this stick. I found this racquet very stable on groundstroke both forehand and one-handed backhand. One-handed backhand is very sweet on this stick. However, long loopy swing is required. One strength of this racquet is on the running forehand shot. PS85 is the best among mid-sized racquets that generate most power with incredible angle on a running forehand.

Power: The power level is low on typical shots, but it has a lot of "hidden power" inside. Since the sweetspot is small and the mass is high, you need to be super accurate to get that blasting power. It's really fun playing this racquet. Highly recommended!

Review at Tennis Warehouse: http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Reviews/60/60Review.html

Head Prestige Classic 600 (Goran Ivanisevic)

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

หลายๆคนอาจจะพอเคยทราบว่า Head Prestige Classic 600 (PC600) เป็นไม้ตระกูล control ที่ ATP Pro หลายๆคนเคยใช้ เช่น Goran Ivanisevic กับ Marat Safin ตอนที่มันเข้ามาเมืองไทยครั้งแรกนี่ราคาเหยียบหมื่น เลยอาจจะมีไม่กี่คนที่ได้ครอบครองไว้

มันถือว่าเป็นหนึ่งในไม้แห่งตำนานมาจนถึงทุกวันนี้เลยก็ว่าได้ กว่าผมจะรู้เรื่องราวเกี่ยวกับไม้รุ่นนี้ PC600 ก็ได้หมดไปจากท้องตลาดแล้ว ถ้าอยากได้ต้อง ebay อย่างเดียวเลยครับ เมื่อตอนที่ได้เจ้าตัว PC600 มาใหม่ (ถึงแม้ว่าจะเป็นไม้มือสองก็ตาม) บอกได้เลยว่าชอบรูปทรงและสีแดงเข้มแบบเม็ททัลลิกมากๆ ดูแล้ว classic ดี สภาพไม้ mint พอควรน้ำหนักไม้รวมเอ็นน่าจะเลย 350 กรัม ไม้นี้มาพร้อมกับเอ็น poly จำความตึงไม่ได้แต่สภาพยังใหม่อยู่

First Hit: พอเริ่มซวิง บอกได้เลยว่าหนักมากๆ เอาใช้เป็นดรัมเบลไว้ออกกำลังแขนได้เลย พอเอาลงสนามแล้วลองหวดลูกดูครั้งแรกๆนี่ผมยอมแพ้เลย มันแทบจะไม่มี power อยู่ในนี้เลย หน้าไม้แข็งมากตี forehand หรือ backhand ลูกไม่พุ่งเลย โดยเฉพาะ backhand มือเดียวผมตีแทบไม่ได้เลย สปินไม่ต้องพูดถึง เกือบ 0 หลังจากนั้นผมก็เก็บมันไว้ในกระเป๋าตลอดอีกหลายเดือนอยู่จนวันนึงผมสั่งพวกกริปกับเอ็นล๊อตใหญ่มาจากอเมริกา ก็เลยลองเอาเจ้า PC600 มาผ่าตัดใหม่ ผมรื้อกริปเก่าทิ้งหมดแล้วหุ้มด้วย Gamma leather grip พร้อมกับตัดเอ็น poly ทิ้งแล้วขึ้นเอ็นใหม่ Babolat Xcel Premium 17 ที่่ 50 ปอนด์ ไม่น่าเชื่อไม้ดูดีขึ้นเยอะ (รู้สึกเอง)

Revisit: ผมเอา PC600 ไปลงสนามอีกทีกับน๊อกเกอร์ ปรากฎว่าความหนักของไม้ยังเหมือนเดิม แต่ว่าเอ็นนุ่มขึ้นหน่อย หลังจากนั้นผมก็เล่นมันมาตลอด ผมใช้เวลาอยู่นานพอสมควรที่จะปรับการตีกึ่งแฟลตกึ่งสปิน มาเป็น 100% flat ก็ปรากฎว่าผมเริ่มเล่นดีขึ้น ทั้ง forehand และ backhand แล้วก็รู้สึกชอบมันมากขึ้นทุกครั้งที่เล่น ความรู้สึกเมื่อลูกกระทบเอ็นหนักแน่นมากๆ ไม่เด้งดึ๋งดั๋งและสะท้านเหมือนพวก Microgel รุ่นใหม่ๆ เพราะฉะนั้น groundstroke ไม่มีปัญหา ส่วน volley ก็เจ๋งเช่นกัน หน้าไม้ดูดบอลได้ดีก่อนที่จะดีดบอลออกไปทำให้กะทิศทางได้แม่นยำ ตัวเฟรมมีความมั่นคงสูงไม่บิดไปมาเมื่อต้องรับลูกหนักๆ จุดเด่นของ PC600 คือการใช้น้ำหนักของไม้สร้างโมเมนตัมแทนการใช้ความเร็วการเหวี่ยงไม้ - ไม่ต้องซวิงยาวหรือเร็วๆเพื่ิอให้ได้ power มากๆ ผมเล่นไม้มาหลายรุ่นแต่ยังหาอะไรที่ใกล้เคียงกับ PC600 ไม่ได้เลย

บทสรุป: PC600 เป็นไม้ที่เหมาะทั้งการเล่นท้ายคอร์ทและหน้าเน็ทแต่คุณต้องฟิตพอสมควรเลย ตัวไม้ flex พอควร ฟิลลิ่งสุดยอด น้ำหนักไม้สร้างโมเมนตัมได้ดี ตอนนี้ PC600 เป็นไม้หลักที่ผมใช้อยู่ครับ เมื่อประมาณต้นปีก็เพิ่งได้มาอีกอัน สภาพดีเช่นกัน ก็เลยเก็บอันนึงไว้ที่บ้าน อีกอันไว้ที่ทำงาน ถ้าคุณหาไม้ตัวนี้มาใช้ได้ เก็บมันไว้ดีๆนะครับ

--------------------------------End of Thai Version--------------------------------

Updated: As I am playing more and more with this stick, I really like it a lot. PC600 has a very unmatched feel that you cannot find from any other racquet. With its weight, PC600 can plow thru the ball smoothly with a lot of hidden power and amazing control. It is super rock solid at baseline and at net. However, it's still very demanding racquet. You need to be physically strong and prepare your swing very early. Compared to LM Prestige, FXP Prestige or even the latest MG Prestige, PC600 is by far the best I have ever experienced with. It is now my main stick. Actually, I have 2 of them now - one at home and one at work. Unfortunately, PC600 has been discontinued from Head production line. If you have one, use it with care.

Original Comment: PC600 is an all-time classic stick. It's introduced in 1993 and used by many ATP pros in 1990's. I just got a used one in a mint condition for 3,200 Baht. On the first touch, it's quite heavy to wield around. I had hit with it for 10 minutes and felt extremely tired. There is zero power from this racquet. I thought the weight is the main pain for me. I feel like I am swinging 2 racquets at the same time. It could break my wrist if I keep playing one-handed backhand with it. May be the string is also a problem. This week, I tried it again with new string. I strung it with my favorite string - Babolat Exel Premium 17 at 50 lbs, with the hope that PC600 will be more arm-friendly to me. Today, I play it again. It's a little bit better. However, I still cannot generate enough power on my forehand. My backhand is even worse. The weight and balance of this stick does not really allow me to hit one-handed backhand with power. I cannot hit 2 handed backhand either because the racquet headsize is so small. Ok, I think I give up with this stick, but will keep it as a collectible items.

Head Prestige Club: http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=126544

--------------------------------End of English Version--------------------------------

Dunlop Aerogel 200 (James Blake)

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

คราวนี้ผมได้มีโอกาสเป็นเจ้าของไม้ Dunlop เป็นครั้งแรก ที่ผ่านๆมาผมรู้ว่า Dunlop เป็นผู้นำเรื่องการออกแบบและใช้วัสดุที่ดีที่สุดรายหนึ่ง แต่ดีไซน์ไม้แต่ละรุ่นดูไม่ค่อยโดนเท่าไหร่ แต่คราวนี้ AeroGel ชนะใจผมครับ สีสันเตะตาสุดๆ ผมก็ไม่รู้เหมือนกันว่า AeroGel มันดียังไงแต่รู้ว่ามันเป็นวัสดุที่ใช้ทำยานอวกาศนอกเหนือจากไทเทเนียมที่เคยถูกนำมาใช้ช่วงปี 1995-2005 แล้ววัสดุที่ทำยานอวกาศจะมาแทนที่กราไฟต์ของไม้รุ่นเก่าๆได้เหรอ เพราะมัน stiff เหลือเกิน เคยลองไม้ไทเทเนียมมาหลายอัน ไม่ชอบซักอัน ด้วยความสงสัยเลยลองสั่งไม้ AG200 จาก Holabiard ดูแล้วให้เพื่อนหิ้วมาให้ สมัยนั้น Dunlop Aerogel ยังไม่มีขายในเมืองไทยเลยครับ ผมขึ้นเอ็น Babolat Xcel Premium 17 ที่ 55 ปอนด์มั๊ง ถ้าจำไม่ผิด

นิยามของ Dunlop Feel
ทันทีที่ลองเอาไปตีผลคือ "Sweet" มากๆ ไม่รู้จะอธิบายยังไง คือมันทั้งนุ่มและแน่นเหมือนไก่ทอด KFC เลย ยิ่งเสียงของมันนี่เหมือนกับเสียงจากไม้เทนนิสยุคเก่ายังไงยังงั้นเลย คลาสสิกจริงๆครับ ผมว่ามันเป็นผลของการใช้วัสดุ mfil ที่มีความอ่อนตัวตรงบริเวณ 3 และ 9 นาฬิกา มาเสริมเฟรมที่มีส่วนประกอบของ Aerogel และ Hot-Melt Graphite

จุดเด่น
อย่างที่บอก feeling ของไม้ตัวนี้สุดยอดจริงๆ 18x20 string pattern ไม่ได้สร้างปัญหาในการสร้าง power แต่อย่างใด แต่มันกลับเสริม feeling ให้แน่นขึ้นอีก บวกกับ sweet spot ที่กว้างใหญ่ทำให้เพิ่มความนุ่มนวลของหน้าไม้ เล่นโต้ forehand และ backhand จากท้ายคอร์ทได้สบายๆ หน้าไม้นิ่งไม่บิดไปมา นอกจากนี้รูปทรงของ AG200 ยังเอื้ออำนวยต่อการตี backhand มือเดียวอีกด้วย ถ้ามีใครเคยเล่น Yonex RDS001 MP กับ Head FXP Prestige MP จะพบว่า AG200 จะอยู่ระหว่างไม้ทั้งคู่

จุดด้อย
กริปมันเล็กและเหลี่ยมไปหน่อย ผมว่ามันเล็กกว่าขนาดที่บอกไว้ 1 เบอร์นะ สั่ง 4-1/2" ได้ 4-3/8" ในบรรดาไม้เทนนิส ผมชอบรูปร่างกริปของ Wilson มากที่สุด ไม่เหลี่ยม ไม่มนเกินไป อีกอย่างผมเคยลองเอากริปหนังมาใช้กับ AG200 ไม่เวิร์คครับ synthetic อย่างเดิมน่ะดีแล้ว

บทสรุป
Dunlop AeroGel 200 นอกจากจะเหมาะกับ All-Court Game แล้วยังเหมาะกับ All Player Level ด้วย

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This is the first time I try Dunlop racquet. Dunlop is always the first mover in terms of racquet material technology. Now they come up with a new material used in an aerospace industry "AeroGel." I am curious if it will make a difference. Dunlop does not market Aerogel racquet line in Thailand, so I have to order one from the US and I just got it yesterday (June 2, 2007).

One word to describe: Sweet

Like:
The paint job looks very cool, I love it off the ground. After hitting for a while, I found AG200 very solid on groundstroke both forehand and one-handed backhand. It has enough power to exchange groundstrokes from behind the baseline. With the string pattern of 18x20, AG200 provides a lot of feel. Sound from ball impact is very good, it reminds me of a wood racquet. It has that old school feel. In addition, I can feel a generous sweet spot and comfort from a stringbed. Its playability is pretty much in between Head FXP Pretige MP (flex) and Yonex RDS001 (crisp).

Dislike:
One thing I don't like about this racquet - grip.
1. Size: I think the grip is one size smaller than indicated.
2. Grip shape is rather square, I prefer a Wilson's.

In summary, AG200 is good for all-court player, but baseliners seem to benefit the most. I love this racquet and will keep it in my collection.

Review at Tennis Warehouse: http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Reviews/DAG200/DAG200Review.html

Dunlop 200 Series Club: http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=160595

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Wilson K Factor KSix-One Tour 90 (Roger Federer) -- sold

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

I have heard a lot of buzzes and speculations about this racquet before its official launch in late January 2007. Maybe the spec of K.Six-One is pretty close to what Roger Federer is actually using and it just keep tempting people to try. The cosmetic looks really good and it has Federer's signature on the side of the frame. It's pretty cool! The racquet comes with no cover, but Amersport Thailand is nice enough to give a six-pack thermal bag for early adopters :) Since I owned 2 previous versions of this racquet, I know well what kind of string and tension will fit to this frame. I strung it with Babolat Excel 17 at 54 lbs. Even though they both have the same spec, but K.Six-One is totally different from n.Six-One. N.Six-One swings easier than K.Six-One, but K.Six-One generates more power and feel. Feeling is the most important factor that most players today desperately seeks for. I am sure that part of it is a result of new material called [K]arbon Black. At the time I am reviewing it, Wilson has not announced what K-Factor or [K]arbon Black technology is. Most people said it feels pretty much like pure graphite. Whatever the material is, I love this frame. Like its predecessor, K.Six-One still requires full and fast swing with good tactics to generate good punches and spins. This stick has a lot of hidden power. You just have to find it out. On the spin, you won't believe this small frame has a good spin potential. With more open string pattern, the K.Six-One can brush and slice the ball as effective as other 95 sq.in frame. One unique characteristic of all Wilson Tour 90 frames is on the backhand side. You can swing one-handed backhand naturally and powerfully as if it's a part of your arm. The racquet is good in many aspects. In overall, I give this racquet a 5-star rating. For those who wants a small headsized and traditional-felt racquet, K.Six-One is the frame for you. Give it a try!

Roger Federer Foundation: http://www.rogerfederer.com/en/rogers/foundation/
Review at Tennis Warehouse: http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Reviews/K61T90/K61T90Review.html