Hi MetalOrange, Ants and all masters here, A stupid question to ask... I always see you guys string a racket in different tension, like yours of 28/30. Is that correspond to the main/cross tensions? How do you compare in the performance between: 1. single tension for the whole racket 2. higher tension in the cross 3. higher tension in the main? Thanks a lot!!
Personally i prefer Bg66 or Bg66Maxima. Better touch and feel. Unfortunately thin strings break faster. Another alternative is Nanogy98. Some of the test rackets from Yonex are strung with Nanogy 98.
Panda The Clown! OK, Panda had a chance to test the Arc Saber Z-Slash for about three hours. Specs: Dry Weight: 87.5g Play Weight: 89.5g (with string, removed original grip add one overgrip, double overlapped) Play Weight BP: 300 (would be around 290 with original grip) String: MP White @ 29lbs. Initial thoughts: +Very powerful, but shaft too flexi, don't know how long it will last but lasting for now. +Frame is thick but racket moves surprisingly well through the zone +Paint and clearcoat finish are very durable and nice -Looks like a modified oval head and plays like it, small sweetspot -Not into the color scheme, looks like a "clown racket" but after a while, you don't really notice, you just notice the "BOOM" and the opponents shaking their heads. Panda can definitely see the Arc-Z hitting as hard as Yonex claims. But then again, the AT900P can do it too. The Z is definitely one of the hardest hitting rackets available today. And for it's for it's dry weight: 87.5g (moderate 3u) one of the Top 3 hardest hitting rackets. The sweetspot is small and unforgiving but that's what Panda expected from this "oval". Yonex calls it an "isometric slim head" but it's basically an oval with the Arc Saber string pattern. Don't be fooled. For this Panda, the Z is ideal for singles, not so much for doubles unless you're the backcourt guy and have excellent defense. Though Panda didn't have any trouble defending or transitioning with the Z, the shaft is just too flexi to feel very confident. It's accurate enough, but just not ideal for doubles transitioning. The most impressive aspect of the Z is the shaft. The shaft was intially "stiff"-" based on Panda's Reviews but after 30 minutes of use the shaft has become "flexible+". It's on par with an MP88 shaft in flexibility now. Normally, when a shaft becomes this flexible, it's ready to break. But so far, not with the Z. Though the shaft on the Z is flexible, it continues to generate power, tremendous power. It puzzles this Panda how a shaft can become so flexible, yet generate so much power, yet not break. Anyway, Panda needs to find out Yonex's new secret. Here are the preliminary DinkALot Panda Ratings (subject to change, if any). Also, Dinkie is changing his reviews to a numerical scale for easier understanding and comparison, it will be a few more weeks before that's published. Racket: Arc Saber Z-Slash US Code 3UG4 Dry Weight: 87.5g BP300 String: MP at 29lbs. ECP Overall Rating: Excellent (9.5/10) for Singles; Good+ 7.5/10 for Doubles Attacker, 10 being a SOTX Woven 11 Ideal For: Singles Play Style: Attacking Stiffness: Stiff- (7.0/10) initially, Moderate- (5.5/10) currently, 10 being Panda Power Ultra Balance: Moderate+ to Head Heavy- Frame Feel: Good+ Frame Stability: Excellent+ for on center hits (10/10), off center: Average-(4.5/10) Racket Power: Excellent (9.5/10) Racket Defense: Good- (6.5/10) Racket Durabiliity Frame/Paint/Shaft: Excellent/Excellent/Excellent+ so far
Thanks Sir Dink for the thorough review. In a way i kinda agree with you. Just got my SP version 3U Z slash in malaysia. Tried it for 4 hours so far, and i like it for the smash especially. But for defense and net play during double, i still cant find the "joy" out of it compared to my LN N55. Will do a small review after few rounds of try. But i have a rather "stupid" question here to any experts: The racket head of Z slash is composed of multiple colours. and at each of these color zone , it feels like a "joint" of different metal, i.e u can feel the "lines" on each of these colors. Is it suppose to be this way? In contrast , my LN N55, also with multi color at the racket head feels smooth throughout the whole head surface. Just wonder why Yonex design it this way since i thot not smooth surface might actually increase air drag? (Sorry if this is a stupid question)
Hi, i got it in AJ Racket Mart in Puchong for RM699. Inclusive of a Yonex Arcsaber racket full body cover, karakal grip and Yonex BG series string + free stringing. 2 more left on that day i purchased. (05 Oct 2009) Good luck
ooo. do you see any AT 900 p or t racquets there ?? sorry not much familiar with Puchong area .. is it somewhere near IOI ??
Err i believe they have a lot of high end Yonex rackets. They even have Li Ning N series rackets. The shop is opposite Bumbu Bali (an Indonesion food restaurant). For exact location, i think u can search the thread on equipment shops. There is a whole review on AJ racket mart there. Cheers Note: USD206.7 for all that is ok price, but not dirt cheap. And mind you, it is SP i.e singapore version, not JP .
Anyone care to share my concern? Is the racket head of Z manufacturered this way, i.e not smooth at all , seems like a few diff color metal strip paste onto the racket head?
A smooth surface is not necessaraly the most effective structure in terms of aerodynamics. For example the riblet effect may reduce the air drag.
Advise needed? RM699 for a badminton racquet! Honestly, is that racquet really that good? I am a social player, I dont play frequently and my skills are ok ok I guess. For a social player like me, do you think I should get this racquet? I am in between now, after reading some of the feedbacks in this thread. Part of me is curious to find out and I would love to dish out 400kmh type of smashes. No clubbing for 3 weeks or so ... I should be able to have the budget for this racquet.
