Here I compare 2 Yonex Badminton Racket giants – the new Arcsaber Z Slash vs the Nanospeed 9900 – this is designed to compliment my recent written review of the Z Slash.
Badminton Racket Review – Arcsaber Z Slash vs Nanospeed 9900
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Hi Paul,
Hits are getting better after approximately 10 hours of play with the VT80. Enjoying the game the more I spend time with it. One thing I noticed was how I hard time “feeling” the shuttle when it hits the racquet. Is this because of the racquet or stringing? Stringer put in Yonex BG80 with 27 lbs of tension. Should I change type of string, amount of tension, or is it part of what’s to be expected from the VT80? Any info regarding would be much appreciated. Thanks again for the help!
– Marcus
Marcus
Marcus
I don’t know what string tension you had in your previous racquet but it could be that the string or tension or both just doesn’t suit you. Sadly, testing string is another time-consuming and expensive element of badminton but it’s well worth it when you find what works best for you.
Paul
Hi Paul,
Thank you for the prompt response! Really appreciate the time you set aside to attend to these. Anyway, I decided to get a couple of Voltric 80s instead. Since I was going to get a pair, I was just thinking that it would be too much of an expensive gamble to get the Z-Slash with all the feedback on how it can be very unpredictable and the considerably longer adjustment phase.
I was finally able to give the VT 80s some playing time yesterday and I do like them a lot. I was amazed how, despite being relatively stiff and head-heavy, it went very fast with the overhead shots. I think because of this, I was mishitting maybe 40% of the time and also I guess it was my first time to use them extensively. I did start to get a better feel for it after a while.
It was a little frustrating and sometimes even down right awful when I mishit but I knew that there will be a getting-to-know phase for any new racquet. I was thinking, “If I’m getting frustrated with this, what more with the Z-Slash?”. However, during the times that I did hit the sweet spot, I felt like I had this stupid grin on my face as if the good times are gonna start rolling pretty soon 🙂 Smashes seemed to have more meat in them and I was able to direct shots better with the control. Compared to the RSL Millenium Attack Ti 3200 that I was previously using, the VT80 was a beast! Prior to the RSLs, I used to own a Muscle Power 88 Ti and an Armortec 800 Offense. I think this would be a good coming-back-to-terms with my Yonex roots.
I look forward to really enjoying the game again as opposed to focusing on getting my timing right. I do think that, once I’ve adjusted, enjoying the game will be sweeter.
Thanks again for the help!
Marcus
Marcus
I expect you’ll soon get used to the racquet and then consider it your best friend.
Keep in touch so we know how you’re progressing.
To your success
Paul
Hi Paul,
I’m probably a Class B player and thinking of getting the Z-Slash. I have read your reviews on have seen your video on this and you mentioned that you were going to make a follow-up review for the next time you test it. Have you had another chance at the Z-Slash since your previous review on it? I am contemplating on whether to get this or the Voltric 80. I have tried both but not extensively. The impression I got from the Z-Slash was how quick it was at the net while the Voltric 80, a little stiffer, but seemed to pack more power with smashes.
I was favoring the Z-Slash more because of the stiffness of the Voltric 80. But since I was not able to try it out extensively, I’m afraid that I was not able to see the Z-Slash’s “mis-hit”-abilitiness (for lack of a better term). However, I am quite intrigued by your concept of “taming the beast” though. Adds a little more spice to the game if you’d ask me.
What are your thoughts on this? Would love to hear any more observations you had made with the racquet. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks.
Marcus
If you have doubts about the stiffness of the VT80, then why not look at the VT70? There are a lot of pro players using this racquet.
You may notice that there are very few players on the circuit using Z Slash. Most have moved over to Voltric 70 or 80.
Unfortunately I didn’t get time to film another video on Z Slash. My “taming the beast” came about by a lot of time on court. At the end of the day I still felt the racquet was unpredictable. I now use VT80 which was so easy to use for me. Z Slash is still a good racquet but it certainly doesn’t have as broad appeal because of its characteristics. I’ve known many players invest in Z Slash, only to give up on it and sell the racquet within a month or so. That’s not good.
For me, it’s a high risk investing in a Z Slash and I would much rather consider a tested and proven racquet – but that’s me. I can’t speak for you.
Let me know what you decide to do.
To your success.
Paul
Hi Paul,
I’ve been playing socially with a NS9000 racquet (string BG85, 23lb) for a couple of years and generally happy with it. Now I’m looking to improve my smashing as it is not as ‘lethal’ as I would like. I’m thinking of buy the ArcSaber Z Slash. My question is:
– Will the ArcSaber Z Slash help improve my smashing speed/game?
– As the timing for ArcSaber Z will be different to NS9000, is it difficult/recommended to using these 2 racquets along each other (in the sense switching racquet between games/day)?
– Should I try increase tension for speed?
Thanks,
David
PS: more info: I play socially with players who play comp in B grade, so you know what level I’m at. And I mostly play double. And I’m in 30s.
zcooler
Many thanks for your questions.
As I see it, the difficulty with head light racquets is that you’ve got to have good technique and natural power to be able to get the best smash from this racquet. If this is not you, then you’re correct in thinking that a different racquet will help your smash. However, you also have to remember that you will need to work on your defence and net area because the racquet you choose will be heavier in the head than you’re used to and this will slow your reactions down. To help this, follow my armchair exercises, especially with your new racquet and this will help you adjust quicker.
The Z Slash is a very powerful racquet, however, it’s not for everyone. The smaller head can be difficult to master, resulting in more frame shots. Before you buy, it’s better if you can test one because you may love it, or you may be another victim of its mis-timing issues.
If this is the case, then it may be worth looking at alternatives. I would suggest you look at Arcsaber 10 or 8DX or the new Voltric 70 (see my reviews). They all have plenty of smashing power. Personally I use 8DX but the Voltric is rapidly growing on me because it has similar aerodynamic qualities of Z Slash but with conventional size head, and it’s got more weight in the head.
It is worth considering the tension in your strings before changing racquet as you have considered. What is your current tension and are you playing feather or plastic shuttles?
Paul
Thanks Paul,
My current tension is 23lbs and I played with feather shuttles.
My friend had a ArcSaber 10, and I had a few hits with it before. I felt the ArcS 10 has smaller sweet spot compared to my NS9000. But when it hits the sweet spot, it flies pretty well. Maybe I should borrow that racquet and have a few games with it first.
I just did some reading on the Voltric 70 and it’s attracted to me. Here is Australia we already have it in a few sports stores (earlier release compare to UK?), and it’s the same price as the ArcS ZS (AUD $179). But I will wait to read your ‘updated’ review on it.
David
Thank Paul,
I suspected that would be the case and i’m waiting for my Nanospeed 200 to arrive as we speak.
I am a social player who has been at it for a few months now and i’m looking to buy a better racquet than the dire Carlton Aeroblade i bought to get started.
I have been looking at the Yonex Nanospeed 200 as a suitable upgrade.
I have come across some ‘clone’ rackets of the arcsaber on ebay labelled grade As and Grade Bs and i was wondering whether there is a massive difference between the real mcCoy and these chinese imports.
Richy
Many thanks for your question.
As you can imagine, you get what you pay for. There are a lot of so-called “clone” racquets sold on ebay. Some will say “Chinese” version rather than actually say they are a fake.
I have had the pleasure of holding a fake Arcsaber 10. Yes, the paint job is similar, but as you would expect from a fake, it does not play like the real thing.
Richy, stay clear of these racquets as you will not be happy with your purchase. These are really cheap copies with a half decent paint job and that’s the best I can say about them.
Nanospeed 200 is a nice racquet and is pretty amazing for the price. As you improve, you’ll begin to develop a feel for the type of racquet you like in terms of balance, weight and shaft flexibility. This will help you choose your next racquets a little easier.
You really can’t go wrong with a Yonex – just make sure you purchase it from an authorised dealer.
To your success
Paul