Yes, F5. I was considering P7 but ended up with F5 since it feels better on the hand (I brought my beloved AT800D as benchmark). The shop strings my F5 with main knots at B8 and cross knots at B7 & T14.
That's about right. Just the cross tieoff should have been at A5. Maybe they went from A6 to A14 just for the knot but I'm just guessing here. I'm not a fan of long strings on the outside of the frame but if the job feels good you shouldn't bother too much. I'm curious. What made you choose the F5 over the P7?
They follow the pattern exactly as post #297 in this thread (from Adidas booklet which I've got along with the cover). Reasons of going F5 instead of P7: I brought an Yonex AT800D as a benchmark racquet. Compared against many racquets; narrowed it down to 3: AX88S, P7 & F5. F5 is the most similar to the benchmark. P7 is super duper close but feels slower. Adidas chart shows F5 & P7 very close to each other, with F5 the "faster" option. F5 feels the best on hand (subjective). P7 has more tech on paper, but features look gimmicky (special grommets sticking outside the frame = less aerodynamic = slower). P7 plastic cap feels cheap (it's supposed to be a feature - dampener of some sort, but it feels plasticky). P7 frame has thicker points (greater air resistance = slower). I'm also slightly worried it can't be mounted on my stringing machine. Shop only has 1 F5 left The only minus of F5 is the stringing pattern (which I can live with). I have it strung with Aerobite at 25/26 & will play tomorrow (yay). To be honest if I like it I'd most likely get P7 as well. It's hard to find Adidas racquet here in Melbourne so I might as well stock up. I figure I can always go back to Yonex if Adidas doesn't suit me (but I will give enough time to adjust to this new weapon). As a side note I might've discovered what makes it hard to find AT800D replacement - the shaft's really short (like 3cm shorter than F5). In any case will report back if anyone is interested to hear an oldie's feedback
First of all, I hope you'll be happy with the F5 she if you do get the P7 as well, please share your opinion! I highly doubt though that the P7 is slower due to larger air resistance. It has a significantly smaller head than the F5, thus the strung area is much smaller. I highly doubt that the slim frame profile and less dense stringing pattern of the F5 can make up for this. When stringing your F5, I'd use the Babolat-like pattern, tying the mains off at the top and then doing all the crosses bottom up without anything weird. That's the older recommended pattern and the factory strings are still strung using those. I did like the Überschall rackets much better with thicker strings compared to what I like on other rackets, but that's very personal, I guess.
so one of my F5's had very close encounter (the biggest clash I ever had) with voltric 80 e-tune - RIP to the voltric.... apparently F5 cuts through that most beefy racket like knife through butter F5 has chip/scuff without structural damage, voltric frame has diagonal breakage through whole frame...
Thanks for the tip! I'll string with Adidas pattern for warranty purposes. After warranty period I'll experiment Do you happen to have link to the particular Babolat pattern? The P7 feels slower on dry swings. Like I said, the difference's super small. It only loses out because it has more cons on my list. I'm glad yours survived. I just notice mine has scuffs on the inside of 12 & 6 o'clock - looks like from the stringing machine mounts. I won't let the shop string it next time.
I think F5 has way less total surface which faces air resistance during swing than P7/P8, because percentage wise smaller head makes only around 3-4 percent less of total facing surface at most, but if one rackets frame is twice thinner than the other then total surface is much much lesser (since it is pronounced through out the most areas of whole racket head), then aero profile still influences resistance during swing (full swing speed is usually more than 200km/h) and uberschall's have more aero profile.
Spent some quality time - 3 hours - with the F5 last night Still adjusting so I cannot unlock it's full potential yet. But it's a super fast racquet. Almost fast to a fault as I timed many shots too early. The only faster racquet I've ever tried is the Gosen Inferno Ltd, but unlike the Inferno the F5 packs a decent punch. As per its spec it's fantastic at control shots. I wish I could say the same about the string. It's my first time using Aerobite (recommended by the shop) & it's a bit meh. It feels dull at 25/26. I'll give it more chance but will most likely change it to my usual Lining #1/ BG66UM. I also put an RKEP overgrip on the stock Adidas one & I think this is a mistake. With 1 overgrip the F5 will be much better for my smashes. Extremely tempted to get the P7 too now as I'm pleased with Adidas' quality.
I've got some testing to do! And talking nicely to my stringer!!! A months trial to see which I like. Thanks to Adidas and Specialist Sports. Reviews to follow...
List from left to right Spieler A09.1 Spieler F09.1 SL Uberschall F3 Uberschall F5 Wucht P3 Wucht P7 Wucht P8 Kalkul A3 Kalkul A5 E66 string
Ah man, that's a great haul. Could you do a comparison of F3 vs F5 and let me know if there's a great difference between the two. I got an itch for an aero frame. Sent from my MI 8 using Tapatalk
I wish I could keep them all!!! I think the P7/P8 will be too extreme for my dodgy shoulder now but will get them strung and try my best.
Yeah I will do, the F3 and F5 seem to be strung with decent string to a reasonable tension so will try them when I play next. The unstrung ones and a couple of others need stringing so will talk nicely to my stringer and test them as soon as possible. I'm liking forward to trying the E66 string too.
Initial weighing of F3, strung, original grip and plastic wrap - 90g overall, 43g head weight. F5, strung, original grip but no plastic wrap - 89g overall, 41g head weight.