Yonex Armortec 900 Technique
If you’ve already read my other reviews, then you’ve already noticed certain similarities in basic Yonex racquet design. Notably, they are a good solid racquet with little “lateral” twist due to the built-in T piece.
As this is another top of the range racquet, it is strung slightly tighter. I do wish at times that all racquets were sold to retailers unstrung so that you can then decide on the racquet of your choice with the string and tension of your choice. It’s very popular in Europe but sadly not over here. I guess there are too few sports shops that have the ability or skill to string a racquet well.
Straight out of the bag, this racquet had a very different feel to it. This is because of the balance and weighting in the lower part of the racquet head, more towards the T piece. Whereas the Arcsaber 10 felt like an old friend or a comfortable pair of shoes, this feels like the same pair of shoes that have been re-soled and re-heeled – not quite right at first.
That’s not to say it’s a good racquet, because it is. It’s because this weighting is unusual and takes a while to get used to. Being fair, I didn’t play with the racquet all night to see if my opinion changed at all. I gave it a fair amount of hitting, about the same as I’ve done for my other reviews.
The Yonex Armortec 900 Technique racquet is designed to give the player more control, to paraphrase Yonex’s description of this racquet. Perhaps. It certainly wasn’t a slouch in the power department, as there’s plenty of power to draw upon when required.
For all aspects of the power game the racquet performed well. I had to adjust a little because of the difference in balance, but after that it was OK. The racquet also performed well in defence and around the net. It was fast and sharp.
I understand what the control element of this racquet is about. With a stiff shaft and the weight shift, there does seem to be a “delay” in the hitting zone. It’s almost a different solid hit as the focus in feel moves towards the T piece rather than the top of the racquet.
I began to wonder what type of player this would suit and it soon became evident that if your style of play is accurate placement to hurt your opponent, then this racquet delivers by the bucket load. I don’t know whether it will suit a power player, so if that’s your game you’ll need to try it for yourself. But, for a thinker and a good tactician, this could be a potent weapon.
I rated the Yonex Armortec 900 Technique just under 4 stars in my system. Again it lost a star in the general value for money criteria. At RRP £150 it’s expensive. Best you try one before you buy one, as you would with any racquet to make sure you’re really happy with it before parting with your hard-earned money. Look at www.yonex.co.uk “demo days” for one appearing near you. Make sure you take the opportunity to test as many racquets as you can.
When I was initially testing racquets to choose for next season, I got my choice down to 4 racquets, Arcsaber 10, Arcsaber 7, Armortec 900 Power and Technique. This was such a hard decision. Having played with them all and I then spent another hour mulling over which one I’d choose. For some strange reason, that I don’t know to this day, I kept returning to this racquet, trying it again and then putting it down. I must have done this 6 or 7 times before eventually ruling it out. It just seems to be one of those racquets that’s got a piece of magic but you really can’t explain it.
As you know, if you’ve read my other reviews, I eventually opted for the Armortec 900 Power as my racquet of choice. I could easily have chosen any of the 4 racquets and been happy. To this day, I don’t know why I continue to wax lyrical about this racquet – it’s just got that kinda something to make you want to pick it up and play.
I am an avid reader of this forum, a keen observer rather than a contributor in terms of writing articles.
Some known disclaimers:
As Paul has repeatedly mentioned, each racquet appeals to each person differently.
So this is my view of the racquet, it could be a stark contrast or maybe not.
At this point in time, I compelled to pen my thoughts into words.
My journey on finding the perfect racquet for me started from
1) Yonex Carbonex SP 21
2) Decatholon Artengo 900 P
3) Decatholon Artengo 960 P
4) Ashway Arcblade 7
5) Yonex Arcsaber 7
6) Voltric 80
7) My joy of joys, MY love and MY perfect racquet “Armortec 900 Technique”
As much as I wanted to like and adopt V80 as my racquet of choice, it just never clicked for me.
I gave a week’s time but things really did nt improve towards my liking.
I decided to follow my heart and got the Armortec 900 Technique.
I could immediately connect with the racquet and I know that this is the ONE for me.
1) The clears were good
2) Net play was spot on
3) Smashes were not bad well. Once the plot was set the finish with a smash was very easy.
4) Backhand was perfect, I felt the blessing of Taufik
This is an amazing racquet with exceptional control and speed.
It excels in defensive & offensive play
I like the fact that there is a sligh feel of the head but
the racquet moves with some of speed that you start enjoying picking up smashes.
With a good swing action, it generates good amout of power as well.
Dare it say it!! This is my holy grail.
I just hope Yonex never discontinue this or they need to ensure they come up with a worthy successor.
I am even tempted to stock a couple of AT900T s
Raajks
Another great example of players personal choice.
Yes, AT900T is a lovely racquet. Sadly, you may find that it will only be available this season as Yonex will be discontinuing the range very soon.
As Lee Chong Wei has moved over to Voltric, I suspect Armortec range will cease production sooner rather than later.
Paul
Hi Paul,
I love the AT900T in my opinion it suits my game very well.
Could you some more pointers towards the future of AT900T
Is this raquet here to stay? (I see that you have mentioned that they will have short shelf life)
Will there be a replacement for AT900T?
For someone in love with AT900T could you suggest an alternative.
Regards,
Raaj
Hi Raaj
Many thanks for your enquiry.
At the moment it’s not clear regards the future of AT900T. Personally I think the current success of Voltric will result in the demise of Armortec range in 2011. I’m not sure what will replace AT900T at the moment, we’ll all have to wait and see.
Paul
Hi,
I’ve heard a lot of AT900 Series (T and P) sunken at area 4-5 o’clock (grommet number 5-6, 7-12 from the T-Joint shaft.
Therefore, Yonex has release Strip Grommets for many racquets.
It is available for Arc7,10, NS9900, AT900, AT700 and many more.
The strip grommet pack contain 2 pieces of short strip (like the U-type), installed on grommet number 5-6 , right after the second U-type gromment; also there are another 2 pieces of long strip, installed on gromment number 7-12.
The strip gromments really big help for the sunken frame caused by string, especially on high tension string.
Hope this could help.
Andy
Andy
Any useful information for readers is always welcome on this blog.
Many thanks
Paul
I broke three AT900 Techniques in 18 months. Once was after a clash of racquets but the other two times I just noticed that the frame was cracked between points. Sometimes I hit the floor after a shot but nothing I haven’t done with all my other racquets.
I love this racquet and I’ve never found one I like as much but I can’t keep spending £120 so I’m back on a £35 Carlton. Very frustrating.
This is the first time I have ever heard of AT900 T breaking and in circumstances other than a clash.
As you say, at £120 a time, you simply can’t continue replacing them. Have you considered sending them back to Yonex for comment? You never know, it may be worth a try?
I suppose it’s always worth asking, what tensions the racquet were strung at, as it’s one of the first things Yonex ask? If higher than 24 lbs, no doubt you’ll be quoted the invalid warranty over tension in excess of recommended levels.
Paul
Paul, Cja,
Four and a half years down the line or so and my Armortec 900 Technique finally broke on me- the frame snapped during regular play. It didn’t really surprise me as I have it strung fairly tight (around 23 lbs), play pretty regularly (about 2-3 times a week). After it broke I didn’t really hesitate to order a replacement as, having tried and tested many other top of the range rackets, this has always been the one I seemed to gravitate towards. However, upon ordering a replacement, it too broke in just two weeks through regular play (again a slightly snapped frame from a hard smash). I couldn’t believe it as I’ve only ever broken one other racket (an old muscle power) through regular play before. I did end up receiving a replacement from Yonex though it took about 3 months and a lot of persuading. I just wanted to mention this to share my own experiences with the racket.
With regards to the racket itself, I couldn’t agree with you more Paul that this racket has an inexplicable “magic” to it that is very hard to quantify. For me, I’d have to say that the balance of the racket is unlike any other (according to Yonex, despite being a lighter racket, the balance lies very heavily in the head) and it makes me play shots with a certain style, whilst hitting with a “crispness” and control that I’ve never come across with any other racket. What’s perhaps more interesting is the fact that I’m very much a “power” player, with my key shot certainly being my smash and to an extent my clear- I tend to avoid dropping from the back where I can use a smash and I’m not very comfortable with net play, though I do play a good mixture of both singles and doubles. I’ve found this racket to excel particularly at blocks, drives and drop shots, though interestingly enough, I’ve found this racket to enhance my smashes significantly, not on the power front but on the placement front- I can place both straight and cross-court smashes right on the line. As you say, this racket certainly suits a good tactician more than any other player but its that “je ne sais quoi” value that makes it something truly special.
Oli
Oli
I hear Yonex may be withdrawing this racket so now could be a good time to stack up. No matter what I have tested there isn’t a racket to replace this beauty so make the most of it.
To your success
Paul
By far my favourite part about this racquet is how it seems to do half of the defending for you! It’s quite hard to explain without experiencing it for yourself, but I found that the racquet seemed to just move into position in a split second to play defensive shots. Needless to say this made playing deeper defence (other than blocks) unbelievably easy. I’d say the only issue I ever found with it is how “brittle” the frame is, I’ve already broken the frame of mine twice through really very light knocks whereas my other two favourite racquets (AS10 and ASZSlash) seem somewhat invincible up to now.
Hi Paul,
Is it advisable to string at 22 or 24 lbs in BG65 for a immediate player? If i feel AT900 power (24 lbs in BG65) heavy to play and get tired my arm after a while, is it advisable to use this AT900 technique and what tension i should use?
Thanks in advance for your advise.
Desmond
Desmond
This is a tough question as string tension is personal. Generally I use the rule that you only increase tension if your technique is good and you’re finding that you’re not getting what you want from your racquet. Then you test by increasing your tension 1lb at a time.
If your arm is aching, then the suggestion here is that your tension is too high for you. However, reducing from 24lbs to 22lbs may feel spongy at first but you may find your arm is OK.
Let me know how you get on.
Paul
Hi Paul,
Are you refer this racket to be a 3U5G or 4U4G? What about the tension and the string gauge?
Hi there
This racquet was a 3U G4 strung in BG65Ti at 20lbs. In UK we don’t get 4U or 5u racquets.
Paul