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8:50 pm
October 5, 2013
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Hi All,
I came across this website whilst searching for racket info. I've been playing for 35+ years since a youngster. Played at county League level in Essex and always had a love for the game. Had a motor cycle accident approx 15 years ago which caused a bad knee injury. I had a good surgeon and whilst I'm not 100% I can still play a reasonable game. I took my level 1 coaching approx 3 years ago and just recently took my level 2. I coach 6-17 y/o around 7 hours a week and thoroughly enjoy it. I have a concoction of rackets in my racket bag and looking to have a serious thin out and put some quality in there. Currently play with an old Nanospeed 500 and love the balance & feel of the racket, but want to treat myself, only two months to Christmas! Any advice welcome.
11:42 pm
February 15, 2011
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Hi Bob
Welcome to the forum.
In answer to your question, what exactly are you looking for. A coach and player with such experience as you have generally knows that they like and dislike in a racket. So help us out a little and we may have a few ideas for you. Other than that, feel free to email me directly.
Paul
11:57 am
October 5, 2013
Offline Hi Paul,
The last time I splashed out on a couple of rackets were back in the days of MP88's and since then I've made do with whatever was cheapish and felt okay waving about in the shop. I have always had a neutral weighted racket (such as the MP88) and remember trying an MP99 at the time and feeling as though I was mistiming everything, but would like to progress to a more head heavy option for the obvious benefit. I do appreciate I may lose some net/touch control and having read you review of the MX60 thought it looked a possibility. I would also like to know of any demo days and where best to find information on these as there is no substitute for trying a racket out.
Bob.
1:33 am
July 15, 2013
Offline 
Hi Bob,
Welcome to the forum! I've been looking at racquets this year as my Yonex Armortec 800 Defensives are over 7 years old now and shows many signs of battle! I've narrowed my search down to a medium flex, medium balance racquet. I started this journey by trying a few friends racquets from my club. I also went to a Yonex demo day but didn't get sufficient time with any particular racquet to be able to make a decision.
I was also fortunate to be able to test Paul's stock of Victor demo racquets at a recent residential weekend course. I think the ones I tested were too stiff for me as I had a lot of control but could not hit my smashes and clears as hard as normal.
Most recently, I arranged for a local Birmingham sports shop to come down our club night with their bag of demos. They were Yonex and I've now shortlisted two – the Nanoray 700FX and the Arcsaber i-Slash.
That same sports shop will be coming again in a couple of weeks with some Adidas racquets as well as the two that I shortlisted so I'm looking forward to trying those out before I commit to one.
Depending on your budget, you might like the Arcsaber Z-Slash or the Arcsaber 11 if you're looking for a bit more head weight than what you're used to but definitely try some of these out first as my original shortlist from online research alone looks nothing like my shortlist now.
Happy hunting!
Chen.
9:55 am
VIP Coaching Program Members
December 4, 2010
Offline Hi Bob, I think a good place to start is using badminton direct sports racket finder which takes into account your preferences i.e budget, head heavy, flex etc. Paul undertakes racket reviews on most of the top rackets. Like Victors meteor JJS the Broadswords 12 & LHI. I believe this will help narrow down the search, as you mention there’s no substitute for getting the racket in your hand. I have had it drummed into me that a racket preference is an individual feel as to what is right for you. Good luck
11:01 am
October 5, 2013
Offline Thanks people,
Exactly the sort of info I am looking for. I live in Essex and unfortunately most of our “sports” shops consist of Sports Direct selling £15.00 carltons and the like. How I wish we had a decent racket shop nearby. I looked at the Arcsaber 11 as a possible, had slight palpitations at the price as I'm determined to get two rackets the same, but it is nearly Christmas, so what the hell! As an aside, if anyone knows of a decent racket supplier in Essex I'd love to know.
Regards,
Bob
12:25 pm
February 15, 2011
Offline Bob
You can also contact Victor direct and they will post demo rackets to you. There is also a Victor retailer (Rudy) in the London area. He has demo rackets too so you may find plenty of opportunity to test the rackets you are most inerested in.
Players on my weekend coaching courses always have the opportunity to test rackets which consists of the entire range of league standard rackets. Sadly, it's a shame there aren't enough retailers providing demo rackets because they have to purchase the rackets.
Paul
9:47 pm
October 5, 2013
Offline Hi Paul (& others),
Tried another coaches Z-Slash last night. Felt very nice generally. With my limited know how, my comments are; it felt “quick” through the air, nicely weighted in the hand, with a stiff shaft that meant I had to work hard to get the best out of it. I didn't feel I lost any touch around the net, my main concern was in the clear/smash area, where I felt I had to work hard to get the best from the racket. Does this sound right or am I talking my usual rubbish?? 
11:37 pm
July 15, 2013
Offline Hi Bob, have you tested any others since your last post? Personally I concur with your thoughts and it is what I've found in my recent tests – that the stiff racquets need extra work. The Z-Slash is an extra stiff racquet. That's why for me, I'm looking for a medium flex racquet. In my tests, I found I liked the Yonex Nanoray 700FX and the Arcsaber i-Slash. It gave me easier power for clears and smashes and still gave me good control.
I will be testing these 2 racquets again next Monday, as well as the Adidas racquets and provide an update on what I decide on 
9:13 am
July 15, 2013
Offline I was able to test the Nanoray 700FX and Arcsaber i-Slash against the 2 top end Adidas racquets, the AdiZero Pro and the AdiPower Pro last night, along with a wildcard entry, the Nanoray 500 (on sale). Wow, I must say I was left with a difficult choice.
First impressions of the Adidas racquets are that they are the smartest looking racquets I've ever seen. They have a terrific paint job, looks a really attractive shape and I love the silver cap at end of the handle.
AdiZero Pro – I liked this. Really nice balance to it for me and smashes and clears were decent and good all round control.
AdiPower Pro – This felt more flexible than the AdiZero and I could feel a snap in the head when I follow through. The resulting smashes and clears were awesome – really nice, crisp and hard. No problems with control and timing either.
Arcsaber i-Slash – Head light and flexible. I enjoyed this racquet the first time I tested it a couple of weeks ago, but tonight I found the racquet a bit too head light. No problems with generating power for smashes and clears but the main reason I'm looking for a new racquet is to try to generate a little bit more power than my current racquets can offer.
Nanoray 500 – I had THE best control game with this racquet. All my serves, drops and drives were inch perfect. Smashes and clears were decent with it which surprised me given that it felt so light (head light, medium flex) but I guess that because it is lighter, it should be zipping through the air quicker.
Nanoray 700FX – Very similar to the 500 in terms of balance but has a little more head weight. Control not quite as inch perfect as the 500 but had a bit more power.
In the end, I've gone ahead and ordered the 700FX but the 500 and AdiPower Pro were very close.
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