Probably the least string movement I have ever encountered, actually - three sessions in and it just won't go anywhere. It's better without a stencil than everything else is with one!
I played with the new ZM62F tonight and will compare it to NBG99, both at 30lbs. Quite frankly it was rubbish. The first racquet snapped after 1 game and the other 3 games. Control wasn't that great as the shuttle was going wide too often. Netting was hard as it bounced too much and wouldn't tumble. The only thing good about the ZM62 was the sound and power as there was a bit more than the NBG99 but think of it more of a loose cannon and precision shots. I hear so many people saying they can't snap the ZM62F after weeks but I have no idea how you guys do it. I managed to snap 2 in 4 games. Guess I'll be sticking with NBG99 from now on.
Different results here. Dink really likes NBG98 and NBG95 is a good durable thicker string but he does not like NBG99 at all. It feels dull. To each his own Dink thinks.
Didn't like this ZM series either. It's repulsive but not in a favorable way. You can bounce the shuttle out with very little effort, but with more power added the return is not noticing. Control wise, it's too repulsive for control, especially at net play. this kind of property reminds me of NBG98. For thin gauge strings, I would rate R4X100 the best one. R4x100 is excellent in every aspects but durability. easily snap on machine and last for only few days or few hours. However, if I wanna have an ultimate playability, say birthday celebration,r4x100 is my go-to.
Dink feels this a matter of what you are used to and/or prefer. Dink knows 20+ people here locally from beginner to professional that use the new ZM62 Fire and have no problems with it being too repulsive for control. As for R4X100 (haven't tried it in 3+ years), Dink agrees, it's an excellent string for playability and has a different repulsion feel than ZM62 Fire. However, like you stated, the durability is very poor and it does not hold tension well. It's interesting to see how people have varying preferences/styles/feel.
Deliberate mis-hit takes all the bounce out for me when I want control. I think Cai Yun said he did this for serving (that repulsion is nice for flick serves)
Yep, don't hit in the sweetspot if you want control and not too much bounce. Eg. use edge of stringbed at 1-2 o'clock for short serve, use lower half of stringbed for net play. This is where the pros hit when you watch the slow mo replays.
Ok time for my 2nd review on the ZM62F. I think I am in love now :O Restrung my other racquets and will play again tonight @ 29lbs. I think I found my new go to string The control took a few games to get use to but netting was easy. Smashing was amazing and the angle was consistent. The only downside was the strings kept sliding around but once i break them in more this should stop happening.
Dink thinks he knows why; it's all about what we are used to and the comparison begins there... ...once you get used to something, that's what you perceive to be the benchmark. If something new comes along and it's different, regardless whether it's good or bad, it's perceived bad because it's different from your original benchmark. It's not comfortable, it's new, it's different. Once you get used to the new, it may or may not be better than your original benchmark but you are more accustomed to it. In this case, perhaps better. Of course if the new string was less durable and less repulsive, then dismissing it would be prudent. In this case, initially the string was more repulsive but not favorably for you, not the way you are used to. But after getting more familiar with the string, it's now becoming more favorable... ...sound about right?
Yep, and that's why we should really take 2-4 solid sessions with a new string or racket before we review on it.
[MENTION=59291]ucantseeme[/MENTION] ZM62 Fire is improved over 62 in terms of noticeably better tension retention and durability (tougher jacket and core) so it can withstand higher tensions than before... especially at the crazy high 29x31 lbs that you go for. Repulsion, control, feel and crispness, I feel it's just slightly less, but as Dink says, once you get used to it, it becomes your new normal. It has for me. You should definitely try it! And if you really liked the ZM62 gen 1, then you would be happy to know that Ashaway will supposedly be doing more testing on some prototype of *ZM60 Fire*, which I've heard thru the grapevine that they may release next year if there's demand for it. I had a chance last October to try one set and damn was it ever amazingly crisp and repulsive and with great control and feel! Can you imagine in every way better than ZM62? I've never felt my racket being an extension of my hand to this extent before until then. Every hit was like a mini orgasmic experience! Until I can get more of it, I still won't cut it from my racket, even though it has nicked and frayed so much that I can't really play with it anymore...
I ordered a reel of ZM62F in orange from UK for 70GBP shipped. Looks like that will be my yearly supply right there.
[MENTION=57143]visor[/MENTION] Thanks alot, dude. My impression is that ZM62 2nd Gen. is thicker. I compared it to strung and unstrung BG80 in the same color and it was just slightly thinner and hardly noticeable. I guess that Zm62 is a 0.66 string but not real 0.62, but I don't have any instruments to verify my impression.
You did put the string in your racket, right? Yeah, it definitely looks that way. One or two people on these forums have measured it and found it to be about 0.66. Ashaway are filthy liars, but I forgive them because they make nice string.
