YONEX ASTROX 99 (AX-99)

Discussion in 'Badminton Rackets / Equipment' started by konww002, Jul 2, 2018.

  1. Ch1k0

    Ch1k0 Regular Member

    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2012
    Messages:
    5,754
    Likes Received:
    1,353
    Occupation:
    N/A
    Location:
    Singapore
    That's why my ignore list isn't single digit anymore

    Sent from my SM-G975F using Tapatalk
     
  2. Charlie-SWUK

    Charlie-SWUK Regular Member

    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2014
    Messages:
    4,398
    Likes Received:
    1,223
    Occupation:
    N90 sycophant
    Location:
    SW UK
    It was 4U and I never said harder :p
     
  3. Duy Bui

    Duy Bui New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2017
    Messages:
    7
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Uniter Kingdom
    Done some plays yesterday's with AX99 3ug5 JP stock, AB Boost @27lbs, OG grip removed and put on 2 AC102EX
    I have DZS 3ug4 BG80 @28lbs - OG grip + AC102, AX88S 3ug5 BG80@ 28lbs - OG grip + , Arc11 3ug5 OG @BG80 24lbs - OG grip removed 2*AC102
    I used to have zf2 3ug4, D10 3ug4, LDF 3ug4

    My usual go to is DSZ - Sporadic use on AS88
    I found that G5 fits my hand more so my comparisons to DZS might not be accurate for those who are using G5
    Frequent reluctant net player in MDs
    Sporadic XD plays

    My first impressions:
    + Over-head clears: Really pleasant, there is a bit of lagging compared to DZS and AX88S - you can really feel the weight after sending the shuttle away
    + Smashes: do have more power and angle is a bit steeper (probably because of moving from stiffer shaft and less head-heavy DSZ)
    Drive: expected from head-heavy, not too much punching but the hold time that the offered by the frame did make some surprised factors exchanging flats
    Feedback: when smashing is not as good as AX88S (maybe because of string - BG80 is all-time hard feeling and ear-sounding ping)
    Defence: Significantly less manoeuvrable than the rest. But if you can anticipate then the return of smashes is really rewarding (shuttles are punched to further towards baseline)... One point to note is that smash-blocking with this racket is effort-less
    + Drops/Slices and half-smashes: This is where the racket really shine as the frame glides smoothly and sends the shuttles at speed with better angles.
    Net interception: probably not the best candidate in this criteria - But the racket and the specs are not for MDs front court anyway :p

    I will need to have more time on the rackets to have a more connection :) - but so far so good ( will probably keep my AX88S :D )
     
  4. llrr

    llrr Regular Member

    Joined:
    Dec 24, 2017
    Messages:
    1,337
    Likes Received:
    565
    Location:
    Somewhere
    Finally got to do some weight measurements lately. Head weight of zf2: 45g, ax99: 45g, 900C: 44g. All 3U racquets. Is the 4U ax99 really 4-5g lighter in the head?
     
  5. Ch1k0

    Ch1k0 Regular Member

    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2012
    Messages:
    5,754
    Likes Received:
    1,353
    Occupation:
    N/A
    Location:
    Singapore
    Sounds about right. My initial 2 pieces of 4U AX99 that I got from my retailer's first batch were consistent measuring in the 41.5g region with BGAS and original grip only. Take out the AS and it should be the rough 40g region.

    Sent from my SM-G975F using Tapatalk
     
  6. llrr

    llrr Regular Member

    Joined:
    Dec 24, 2017
    Messages:
    1,337
    Likes Received:
    565
    Location:
    Somewhere
    But I thought the average difference between a 3U and 4U in total is around 5g. So in this case all of the weight got taken out of the head? Sounds like a completely different racquet to me..
     
  7. Ch1k0

    Ch1k0 Regular Member

    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2012
    Messages:
    5,754
    Likes Received:
    1,353
    Occupation:
    N/A
    Location:
    Singapore
    Beats me mate. I still found it in that form to be really unwieldy.

    Sent from my SM-G975F using Tapatalk
     
  8. frostcone

    frostcone Regular Member

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2010
    Messages:
    189
    Likes Received:
    11
    Location:
    CA, US
    I did not find any ax99 4u5 produced on or after 10/2018 with a head weight >38g dry, >41.5g wet. The bp of that is 38g/84g * 675 = 305 unstrung, ~315 strung. Anyone able to get a head heavier ax99 4u5 that is produced after 10/2018? I want a head heavier ax99, and 3u is too heavy :eek:
     
    #1188 frostcone, Jun 4, 2019
    Last edited: Jun 4, 2019
  9. Junye

    Junye Regular Member

    Joined:
    Oct 18, 2005
    Messages:
    930
    Likes Received:
    428
    Occupation:
    Evening Badminton Player.
    Location:
    Singapore
    Milking Datuk one more time[​IMG]
     
  10. Mark A

    Mark A Regular Member

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2005
    Messages:
    7,170
    Likes Received:
    695
    Location:
    St Helens, UK
    That's one fine-looking Z-Force II AS99, there!
     
    Carbonex_7 likes this.
  11. WhitePants

    WhitePants Regular Member

    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2015
    Messages:
    22
    Likes Received:
    5
    Location:
    Singapore
    Been following this guy on instagram and he seems to have news of the latest stuff. If this is indeed the new AX99 LCW I'd be a little disappointed.. Frame looks like a cheaper AX88S. I'm wondering why they would use this colour scheme which looks cheap imho.
    [​IMG]
     
  12. Ch1k0

    Ch1k0 Regular Member

    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2012
    Messages:
    5,754
    Likes Received:
    1,353
    Occupation:
    N/A
    Location:
    Singapore
    It's YY mate. They rely on brand name and athletes names to sell now more than releasing an actual exceptional product.

    Sent from my SM-G975F using Tapatalk
     
  13. WhitePants

    WhitePants Regular Member

    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2015
    Messages:
    22
    Likes Received:
    5
    Location:
    Singapore
    Can't comment much because its working on me:confused: Probably still gonna have to buy this AX99 LCW because it's likely the last LCW (at least cosmetic wise) racket. I actually would've preferred the previously leaked AX99 LCW with the pink decals. I thought the colour scheme would've been pink blue or yellow:(
     
  14. Junye

    Junye Regular Member

    Joined:
    Oct 18, 2005
    Messages:
    930
    Likes Received:
    428
    Occupation:
    Evening Badminton Player.
    Location:
    Singapore
    Anybody needs closeups?[​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG]
     
  15. WhitePants

    WhitePants Regular Member

    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2015
    Messages:
    22
    Likes Received:
    5
    Location:
    Singapore
    If I grip my usual way past the cone, this new AX99LCW is probably gonna look identical to the AX88S..
     
  16. badmintony

    badmintony Regular Member

    Joined:
    Jul 3, 2016
    Messages:
    1,370
    Likes Received:
    275
    Location:
    San Andreas
    Hmm. If it basically looks like an AX88S, i'm still sticking to the former. Loving it lately and not thinking of getting the 99

    Sent from my JSN-L22 using Tapatalk
     
  17. Junye

    Junye Regular Member

    Joined:
    Oct 18, 2005
    Messages:
    930
    Likes Received:
    428
    Occupation:
    Evening Badminton Player.
    Location:
    Singapore
    Comes in 3, 4u g4, G5, g6
    Preorder in August [​IMG]
     
  18. movingbase

    movingbase Regular Member

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2019
    Messages:
    24
    Likes Received:
    4
    Location:
    Singapore
    Thanks for the pictures. I'm reeally finding it hard to understand Yonex's rationale on its price tag of 27,000 Yen.
    Yes, it may be a LCW limited edition racket.. but it is surely a steep price, having to just put his design/logo on it..
     
  19. WhitePants

    WhitePants Regular Member

    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2015
    Messages:
    22
    Likes Received:
    5
    Location:
    Singapore
    I'm pretty sure when it arrives in Singapore you'll be able to get it at a discount.. I don't think it will make sense for a AX99LCW to cost $300+ when the regular AX99 was on sale for $180. Can't speak for the rest of the countries though..:(
     
    movingbase likes this.
  20. offbad

    offbad Regular Member

    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2007
    Messages:
    770
    Likes Received:
    270
    Occupation:
    student
    Location:
    USA
    woulda been nicer if more purple and more of a callback to shb 02 ltd/lcw
     

Share This Page