WHICH IS HARDER TO PLAY AND HAS MORE CONTROL? DUNLOP CX 200 TOUR 18 x 20 VS BABOLAT PURE STRIKE 97

[@thedungeon1288]

People tend to think of weaker, thinner, and smaller rackets are “less forgiving” but I find them more forgiving because they hit less hard which means that the ball goes in more often.

[@Enjoywatchingyoutube8227]

I use the Dunlop CX 200 Tour and really like it. It is a controlled racket and less powerful then the other due to the string pattern. Surprised you compared 2different type string patterns vs 2 rackets with 18x20. My opinion is that if you hit a clean ball and have the right preparation you can offset the power with the control by hitting a cleaner ball. I would rather hit more balls in then out😉.

[@thedungeon1288]

That is my thinking. Control rackets are true forgiving rackets because you get more balls in. Not forgiving to hit a ball a a few inches out.

[@MrDeathmute]

My mindset is the same. Every time I give a little more force to the 100-inch clash, the ball too often goes out. Then, I start hitting with very scary strokes because I fear hitting out, and that's not a good thing in topspin strokes. Hopefully, this racket will take some power off my strokes so that I can hit hard topspin with a peaceful mind more often!

[@thedungeon1288]

If my tennis store had the Dunlop 200 to demo I would be tempted because are VT Hokie colors.

[@westscotian]

I would like to add the Head Extreme Tour to the list of rackets which are very muted and hard to generate any power. PS has much more power in my opinion.

[@CB-mr1ci]

What’s your strings ? Because the extreme is a fairly powerful racquet.

[@westscotian]

@@CB-mr1ci I have tried a few set ups. Full bed of RPM rough at 53, then lowered to 50. Also Head Hawk at 52 and hyper G at 50. Still not able to generate anywhere near the power I get from PS or Pure Drive. Great control though. I am in my 50s but former college player and nationally ranked, etc - back playing ITF Masters and not used to not being able to generate power. Maybe I am the problem.

[@CB-mr1ci]

@@westscotian oh yeah if you compare it to a pure strike or a pure drive I’m sure it doesn’t have the same power. Babolat racquets are generally more powerful than other brands like head. The extreme tour is kinda like the pure aero 98 because it’s a spin racquet with more control.

[@youngsuit]

Surprisingly the cx 200 tour 18 x 20 is easier for me than the wilson ultra, it seems to just be better spaced, not too tight. Just needs a thin poppy string

[@Weltbummler23]

Hard to compare these 2 stock as the cx200 is a prostock-type racket with very low swingweight thats intended to be customized, whereas the purestrike 97 is a bit closer to most people’s needs out of the box. This is why there was a loss of ballspeed and power on the dunlop.

[@hybrid11theory75]

If you add even more weight to the Dunlop, it becomes a sledgehammer...

[@Weltbummler23]

@@hybrid11theory75 even with a few more grams around the hoop its still lighter than an RF97

[@derekpappas1556]

If you prize precision , both of these rackets are excellent for that . Both rackets have a different feel to them because of the head sizes , color frequency effects and balances . In the previous gen of the cx 200 tour 18x20 , in which I own 2 of , the crosses were tighter and needed an 18 gauge to open them up . Once the crosses were opened from the flat game to a more spin one , this racket would allow for an easier play with power and height over the net . It is a different game with these rackets . The pure strike 97 has been tested and one that I probably will purchase is similar . It is a more open spin pattern while super precise and crisp with a full poly . It is very controled and yet to do that you must hit it in the clearly felt sweet spot . These are both attacking player rackets . The weight is similar to my lighter version of my cx at 310 vs the 315 standard spec version . The strings must be different to make up for the weight performance characteristics in a heavier vs head lighter balance . I only wonder how hard a hit , the pure strike can take on court . Doubles and doubles clay is the key tester . If you are an all court serve volley player and you have a size 2 grip these rackets are 2 of the few choices to optimize in play . The 97 will keep you on your toes and nimble . As you get older this is what you will need . You must add weight at 2 andv10 1.8 to 2 grams in the hoop per side for stabilization . If you choose the cx 200 tour 18x20 stockbup on grommets because as an 95 18x20 , there is less demand for it and if the mold changes again , you are out of luck on grommets vsvits 16x19 sister . I would put the 16x19 cx tour version closer in comparison to the pure strike 97 vs the 18x20 . I have tested the 16x19 cx 200 tour 2024 as well .

[@mteca5093]

2024 16x19 is it rounder head shape or oval like pro staff 97....I'm having hard time choosing cause there is no demoing here

[@derekpappas1556]

@@mteca5093 the cx 200 tour 95's are a rounder head shape that allows for a larger sweet spot and more overall space at 3 and 9 .

[@mteca5093]

@derekpappas1556 new cx200 tour has higher RA 66 AND more open string spacing like the Angell tc95...that would be great video to compare tc95 and cx200 tour

[@derekpappas1556]

@@mteca5093 I have asked a person who owned the tc 95 and contact angell himself . The tc range has an issue with too much ball height and grommets tearing while it's designed for control , the cx is designed to improve power while maintaining control . The newer version of the cx range was meant for more comfort and more of the general masses .

[@TheBlessedLion]

I switched from Prince Phantom Graphite 97 to TOALSON S-Mach 97 295. I play with both, but the Toalson is easier to swing and has more pop….

[@derekpappas1556]

Unfortunately it seems like the phantom in the current update , is not producing the 97P and the Mach 97 bu toalson is expecting an update poss next year . Have you tested the other 97 optio s to compare to the toalson racket? Donnay is not poss to test , just seeing reviews of it and held in hand at a shop in manhattan . The octacore 97 by donnay felt energeticly and visually perfect . The key though is in its testing beyond its feel in hand.

[@TheBlessedLion]

@@derekpappas1556 I only played the Graphite 97, not the 97P, because I played the 100P before. Quit a good racket, but I was looking for something easier to play with, I am 55… I stumbled over Toalson on YT and found a dealer in Austria. I tried the S-Mach 97 310 and the 295. The weight by both rackets was higher than the specs, but in this case for me, a good thing. The 310 is a canon, when the racket goes through, the ball flys…🙃 The 295 is easier to move, specially you use your wrist for spin… The overall quality is fine, the finish too, I like this rackets and have fun… On Sunday I will get my second 295 with the Toalson Laser string 1,25….😁 The saison on clay can start…

[@derekpappas1556]

@@TheBlessedLion It sounds like the toalson Mach 97 is a point and shoot racket vs a razorblade , similar to the percept and others . Roalson has a distribution location in NY where I am , but in the borough of Queens in NYC .

[@TheBlessedLion]

@@derekpappas1556 …it’s easy to play..!!!

[@TheBlessedLion]

@@derekpappas1556 It’s worth a try… The rackets are slightly muted, no vibrations on the arm… Something I never played before and I played a lot over the decades…

[@davidmaloney9505]

All a moot point. The Wilson Pro Staff Fed 97 is the hardest to play with followed by Yonex percept 97H.

[@boogie7778]

Agree with PS Fed 97, but the new Percept is so similar to a Blade..not nearly as difficult to play with. For me, currently playing with PureStrike 3rd gen and ready to switch to the new Yonex Vcore 98..

[@cadethompson3617]

@@boogie7778 vcore 95 best racquet

[@boogie7778]

@@cadethompson3617 I ended up with the vCore 98 and love it. Yonex makes some amazing rackets with amazingly high quality. Hopefully other manuf can take notes.

[@ATA-wi2lh]

Third

[@LTBlightthebeam]

Second

[@tomathome77]

First!!