VT80orginal vs AX99 current version

Discussion in 'Racket Recommendation / Comparison' started by lzc3025896, Jan 3, 2021.

  1. lzc3025896

    lzc3025896 New Member

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    My old and faithful vt80 3u original finally has gone for good after a clash at the first day of 2021.
    I used it for singles and slow paced old school lift and smash doubles.My
    playing style is to clear high and deep into opponent's rear court and defend. 4points vs2 points method clear and
    lift with some spin netshot if my opponent hits the drop too slow till my opponent makes mistakes so I gain the attack and finish it with a devastating smash.
    Will ax99 current version suits me as vt80 replacement?
    I have heard ax99 is less head heavy than its intended to be.
    Will it match the power of my vt80 when I gain the attack.
     
  2. visor

    visor Regular Member

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    It should work as it's the head heaviest of the AX series at the moment.

    Sent from my SM-G988W using Tapatalk
     
  3. 7un4tran

    7un4tran Regular Member

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    I have both the AX99 original and the Lee Chong Wei version in 3U and they both feel different. Between the 2, the LCW version feels more similar to the VT80. The original version feels very heavy in comparison and more like a Z Force 1. Are you getting a 3U or 4U, cause that makes a difference. Hell, you might like the AX100ZZ better than the 99 now that I think about it. AX100ZZ is nowhere near the head weight of the 99 and more so a VT80 replacement.
     
  4. lzc3025896

    lzc3025896 New Member

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    I'll grab 3U momota blue&gold version and give it a try ,dunno if it shares the same characters as LCW version.
    Or by original AX99 you mean the first batch crazy head heavy AX99?
    I have timing issues with compact head rackets when defending.
    So I'll leave 100ZZ alone.:(
     
  5. 7un4tran

    7un4tran Regular Member

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    Oh, why didnt you mention that earlier, I wouldn't have recommended the AX99 either if you said that. The AX99 head is noticeably shorter than the average racket. It's actually harder to sweetspot than a VT80 and an AX100ZZ since the upper sweetspot is wider than the AX99. Give the AX88D a shot then.
     
  6. pughon

    pughon Regular Member

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    Don't be misleaded by this. No one will say Astrox 99 has compact frame. Besides, AX99 and AX88 has same head size.

    I second Visor as AX99 is the head heaviest of its line. It is just that rotational generator system might make you feel a bit different.
     
    #6 pughon, Jan 4, 2021
    Last edited: Jan 5, 2021
  7. 7un4tran

    7un4tran Regular Member

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    AX77, 88D, and 88S have the normal size head but the 99 is shorter top to bottom. I don't have 88D on me anymore but that's what my friends and I noticed right away upon testing the 2 rackets side by side. Also the 88D feels more like a VT80 than the AX99 ever could. AX99 vanilla feels like a brick in comparison.
     
  8. lzc3025896

    lzc3025896 New Member

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    So, you compare the heads with string or not. Maybe it's the string tension alterd the size a bit.I do think 99 and 88 shared the same head size.
    By bricks,very hard feelings?
    What string and tension are you using?
    Any string advice?
     
  9. 7un4tran

    7un4tran Regular Member

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    Both were strung and unstrung during comparison my bad people. They were the same until strung. 99 feels like a brick compared to VT80 meaning it feels overall heavier and stiffer. At least when I drive with the VT80 left handed, there's still give in the shaft flexing. The AX99, not so much.
     
    #9 7un4tran, Jan 4, 2021
    Last edited: Jan 4, 2021
  10. lzc3025896

    lzc3025896 New Member

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    Finally I got my hands on the AX99 3ug4.
    I measured its weight and bp.It's 95.7g with nbg95 string and AC102 grip with the factory grip,nearly falls to 4u territory.Bp is somewhere between 305 and 303 mm from the bottom.I recall my VT80 with vbs66n and the same grip weights 98.4g and bp beyond 305mm.
    So you are half right,the AX99 does feel like brick,though it's easier to swing than my VT80,but it gives way hard feeling than the VT80.I feel like I'm punching the wall with my hands when smashing with it.The last time I got this feeling is from a DZS.I've prepared for this and strung it with the second softest yonex string,but I was still shocked by how it feels.
    This racket is so weried,it feels not that hard when I play soft shots.When I lift,it's unstable,I lift short or long with nealy the same movement.
    Need time to get used to it I think.
     
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  11. 7un4tran

    7un4tran Regular Member

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    It's definitely weird feeling. Might be the technology behind the racket (rotator generator system). Btw, did you get the blue version or orange AX99? If the blue is anything like the LCW version being much less like a brick, I want to get one.
     
  12. lzc3025896

    lzc3025896 New Member

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    Planned to get the blue one, ended with the orange one, cause there are no g4 new ones around only g5 ones.Dealer had a hard time getting 1 with g4 handle.
    Mine is 310882DW,2021now and I got a fairly old 1.
    You definitely got one of the first batch ones which are pretty damn HH.
     

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