Hehe, fair enough. From what I've read, it does sound like apacs quality control isn't as good as Yonex. However, in my personal experience (perhaps I've just been lucky?), apacs quality control is just as good as Yonex. DinkALot, what country code is your 4U VT80? Regardless, it does sound like the 4U version has a slightly higher Balance Point than the 3U version, on average. Unfortunately, I'm not able to measure the exact "dry" Balance Point on my 3UG5, as it came strung with Yonex BG65 string. Personally for me, the possible Balance Point "error" isn't as important as the fact that it is labelled a 4U and weighs over 86g. By definition, this is clearly an error on Yonex's part, as documented by them. As some have already pointed out, Yonex don't formally release the Balance Points of their rackets, so we can't really say what the intended Balance Point is for the VT80. Regardless, I am more of a believer in going by how a racket "feels" to you, rather than dwelling on numbers. By the way Mark A, it sounds like you can smash quite hard (according to Paul's VT80 review), so it's hard to believe that you are "C-". From what I understand, "C-" isn't a lot better than a beginner. But then I suppose it depends on what grade you go up to. If "Z" is a beginner and you're "C-", then you'd be a very decent player. However, if "D" is beginner level, I'd find it hard to believe that you're "C-". Anyway, I think you're probably being modest hehe! EDIT: just found a great post by DinkALot: I'm probably a "B-" going on to "B". Generally speaking (in my opinion), anyone below "C" would probably find it difficult to handle the VT80.
Ok, so I re-removed the original grip. Decided I didn't like the bumpy nature of it, and preferred to just have a straighter more angular handle. I added some masking tape on to the bare wood and then super grapped straight over. This time I used two layers of super grap, one that covered the whole thing, the other that didn't quite reach the top nor cover the handle end. Weight is roughly the same as is BP, only now the handle feels less squidgy/bumpy compared to super grapping straight over the original grip, and not as harsh as one layer of super grap over wood. Will test on Wednesday to report back.
Hehe - wasn't me (must be another Mark). I tested a number of Victors with Paul, and we've got various brands coming up, but I wasn't there for the VT80 one.
Yes, it is glued on - I replaced it with an overgrip for my review - but the stock grip goes back on perfectly fine (on top of whatever you put down as a base).
Ok, so as mentioned earlier, I removed the original grip, wrapped over some masking tape on to the wood, and then double gripped (two layers) with Super Grap. I had a little hit about today and just didn't feel I could generate as much power as original grip + Super grap, so I tore off one layer of Super Grap and now I'm back to super grap > masking tape > wood (no original grip). Felt much more confident with shots. The racket gives more feedback this way, and seems more maneuverable. The down sides are that the BP has gone up a considerable degree (I believe it's 316mm BP now, so it's a lot head heavier) and it's a bit more uncomfortable on the hands/wrist, but honestly, nothing I can't handle (for now lol). Will test some more and report back. If I find the head heaviness is too much, I might just remove the Super Grap and use RKEP G11 instead. It's basically Super Grap but tackier, more durable and heavier. Only reason I didn't use it before was because it was too heavy, but now I might need the extra weight to lower my BP a bit.
After reading all the hooplas on "super grap on wood", I just got to try it. I had G4 VT80 before , now I got a G3, remove the original grip, put on one layer of hockey tape, and then one super grap AC102. The grip feels slightly smaller than the G4 with original grip plus super grap, but can I ever feel all the impact of bird on racquet. Played for 2.5 hours and loving the new relationship with my racquet. Guess the racquet should have been available as frame and bare wooden handle, then one can dress it up!
Wilkommen! Yes, always feels like a waste removing and pretty much discarding the original grip. Doubly knowing what an original replacement costs
yep, it's a shame when the first thing you do when you go to test your new racketis to remove the plastic wrapper and then the original grip, and replace it with something else. Back to VT80, I am passing I just think I will be better off with something similar to my SW35. need to find a source to buy more as I broke one
C'mon Yoppy-san, TH doesn't use a regular ARC-ZS-TH, so it would be unfair to compare these 2. He plays with a G6, which is evidence that it is already a modification, who knows what else could be different. I'm not saying it is a ARC10 repainted, but it could very well be different from the regular ARC-ZS-TH.
I think Taufik Hidayat uses a Arcsaber 10 look at these pictures below The TH racket shape looks very similar to the Voltric 80
US Code: 4UG4, Weighed: 86.1g, BP321. Unless it's 2g or 3mm on the BP or more, this is not a big deal for me. For Panda how the racket "feels" or "plays" is first and foremost as well. My VT80 felt very unbalanced and did not play well so that's when I measured the racket and the BP321 was part of the result which makes more sense now. Ranking players is very subjective, especially from place-to-place. "C-" here in Southern California is actually quite good, a solid intermediate player.
No. Look at the bottom of the racquet and the handle. If you even bother to zoom in and use a ruler to measure the length of both racquet handles they will be very close minus a little bit of deviation due to camera angle. The Arc10 has a longer handle which can be measured and compared. The amount of how much TH's racquet frame is exceeding LCW's racquet frame is measured to be the amount of how much TH's racquet cone top exceeds LCW's racquet cone top, meaning that both racquets have the same shaft length. Arc10 has a shorter shaft length, period. In the pictures you posted you are also ignoring the fact that TH's towel grip actually extends a few centimetres beyond the bottom cap due to his wrapping method so the racquet handle looks illusively longer (which you now attribute to an Arc10, LOL). You seem to trust your eyes' measurement more than you trust a simple but scientifically precise ruler
I agree on your last sentence. My purpose of posting is to show that to me the pictures show somewhat different frame shape, where in fact they are actually exactly the same. So it may well be that many of us looked at TH Arc ZS held by Taufik and say "hey that ZS is not the same as the original one" where in fact its only colour effects. Once again sorry for the wrong post on the wrong thread
