That's a huge letdown, at least for me. The N50III is a beautiful racket (also with the airstream system), but I hate the flexible shaft... That's probably the reason why the CHN national team still uses the older generations mostly. They don't like these soft noodles and want something stiffer or at least medium stiff. Even FHF uses the TD version of the N9 if I'm not mistaken.
I'm in the same boat as Rob3rt. The N50 III is basically perfect, but the shaft is too whippy. It's an amazingly powerful and fast racket, but I feel like I'm not necessarily able to tap into more potential from the racket because the shaft takes too long to return to its normal shape. I was really hoping for a 310/stiff racket from the N99.
I mean, it's good on my right hand because I can't overhit the shot like I did on my ZF2 Makes me less injury prone y'know. It's also nice being able to perform a lot of shots just from the wrist, I don't really need to put much arm into it at all. But that's very lazy badminton I think they've made a mistake with the N99. At this point LN have nothing that really compares to the ZF2. Maybe that's why Lin Dan switched (other than oodles of $$$). He wanted to build on the N90, but Li Ning couldn't offer it.
What is the difference between TD's and N's? I have started to notice a huge increase in TD versions lately.
TD rackets are usually stiffer versions of the same racket. N9 TD for example is medium stiff, whereas the N9 is flexible. But TD stands for 'take down', so they are not of the same quality as the N-rackets.
Yep, so you end up at round about 350$ until you finally hold it in your hands over here. And best the thing: If you believe the shop's website, it's already heavily discounted from the standard price.
I'm just disappointed with the specifications, and from what Rob3rt said, the N80 II isn't exactly the wonder racket he was hoping for either. I ordered a ZF2 4U. I don't understand what their aversion to stiff shaft rackets is; it doesn't make sense that the N99 has the same specs as the N50 III. Why do that? Why not just make the N50 III Zhang Nan edition or something?
True that. I really expected the N99 or the N80II and Li-Ning rackets in general to become one of my next testing candidates. But so far, they are doing almost everything possible to lose my attention again. The only thing currently left are the stunning looks of both of them.
Don't let my review get you down, the N80II is by no means a bad racket, I'm just not sure that it will replace my N80 as a go-to racket. Maybe after a few more hours of play I will know; I'm pretty picky. The advantages Li-Ning rackets offer in my opinion: - excellent feel - take high tensions (easily)/very solid - good looks (the newer generations) But as you already noticed, they are very expensive - especially just after the release - and kind of hard to get here.
Maybe my expectations were just to high since I was hoping for some kind of sensation (just like Charlie obviously). I hope that at some point in time, racket-outlet gets the N80II and/or the N99 as test rackets.
The longer I am scanning the available Li Ning rackets more in detail, the more I am amazed by their design. If there was an award for the best looking rackets, Li Ning would win it in a row! Just look at that that gorgeous N55-3 in silver: Not bright and shiny like most of the latest Victor and Yonex designs, just elegant and smooth. Somewhat like an Aston Martin amongst badminton rackets. In the past, I have never cared a thing about the looks of a racket but Li Ning has got me hooked with their designs somehow.
Yeah, this racket is a real beauty. But also a beast - hard to tame. It's as head-heavy and heavy as the N90, it's faster because of the airstream slots, but still the weight is there.
