Conclusion of Japan Open 2010

Almost a clean sweep by China Badminton team.

The best match was the men's singles between Lin Dan (CHN) vs Lee Chong Wei (MAS).

The match was a rubber game more than 1 hour long, which was very closely fought.

The game was exactly a test of fitness as some of the rally really stretch the physical limits.

There is very little seperating the two players except perhaps luck and self-belief.

Anyway, a very good game for purist badminton enthusiast.

Japan Open 2010 semifinals-thoughts

As expected, in men's singles, Lin Dan (CHN) over came Peter Gade (DEN) to set up a meeting with Lee Chong Wei (MAS) [who beaten Boonsak Ponsana (THN).

Tmrw, would be interesting to see the Men's doubles and Men's singles, which will be Malaysia vs China.

The Chinese badminton is so dominant at the moment, as China kept producing young talents to complement and supplement their current talent.

Unfortunately for World general interest, the other disciplines of Women's singles and doubles and the mixed doubles will be a internal affair of China.

So far in WD and XD, only South Korea can challenge China, with the unexpected decline of Indonesian talent. Whereas, in WS some talents from other countries may occasionally win some Super series titles but she still have to beat the gauntlet of Chinese female shuttlers.

China may sweep all the titles tmrw at Japan Open.

Thickness of Voltric 70 frame vs Armortec 900s

VT70 is in the middle flanked by AT900T and AT900P
I just realised that the thickness of the frame of voltric 70 is reduced compared to Armortec 900 T/P.

The lateral part of the frame is generally thinner with the exception of the 'bulge' at the Tri-Voltage system.

The VT70 has the same thickness of the frame as AT900 at the Tri-Voltage system 'bulge' area, whereas, the tapered frame is thinner than AT900s.

I supposed this reduces the air drag and hence improved upon the Armortec series.

I guess, that's good news for folks who like head heavy balance racquet with reduce air drag.

Yonex Voltric 70 review

Voltric 70 SP
Review Date : 21 september 2010
Racquet Type : Yonex Voltric 70 SP
Specs : 3UG5
Flex: Stiff-
Balance: 290++mm
Strings: Yonex BG66 Tension: 25lbs , 2 Piece Stringing
Grip: Yonex cyber plus beta + Yonex overgrip Technology : Isometric head, Tri-Voltage system, Ultra PEF, new Control Support cap and New T-joint
Shuttles used: Protech Pt-10, speed 77

First Impression:
This racquet is the new flagship Yonex head-heavy balance racquet to replace the armortec series. This racquet is overall black in color. There are bright white/chrome color at the 10 to 11 o'clock and 1 to 2 o'clock position and flanking the T-joint. There is some form of black 'plastic material' lining the lateral side of frame at the Tri-Voltage system area. This black plastic material occupies roughly a similar position to the armortec series 'Power armor system' Titanium-mesh tape. These 3 so-called 'joints' formed the Tri-voltage system and create a 'bulge' on the frame. The top of the frame at 12 o'clock and the rest of the frame is tapered. The tribal tattoo-like motifs highlights the frame from 7 to 9 o'clock and 3 to 5 o'clock. The lateral view of the frame is black in color except the 7 to 9 o'clock and 3 to 5 o'clock which is metallic red. The CS cap is similar to the Arcsaber Z-slash octahedron shaped CS cap.

Warm Ups:
Just based on the swing alone, I can feel this racquet is head-heavy, probably around the same class/balance as AT900T. The shaft is pretty slim. The overhead swing, I can hear a different 'swoosh' sound compared to Amortec series. The swing sound is quite close to the Arcsaber 10/Z-Slash but the racquet head is noticeably heavier. The flex of the racquet felt rather stiff. As usual, I start off with a basic overhead clear, baseline to baseline. The clear is generally excellent and the feel of the shuttle leaving the string bed can be felt, but the feeling is a bit different, owing to the 'new sound filter' . Then I tried the flat push or drive, which is generally easy and relatively fast. The new CS cap (similar to Arcsaber Z-slash) is ergonomic and easily aid in the short handle grip. When it comes to drop shots and net play, I guess the general 'feeling' of the racquet is there. The control is above average as the selected shot goes where it is supposed to go. The unique tapered frame and the 'bulge' at the Tri-Voltage area has a different 'feel' to the cutting/slicing of the shuttle. The smash is excellent as a combination of aerodynamics of the racquet and heavy balance. Generally, overhead shots like smash, clear and drops are excellent, very similar to the very best other Yonex racquets in the market.

Game Time:
Testing the undearhand shots like backhand serve, lifts and defensive drives: This racquet like all head-heavy racquets are in general slightly less responsive in defensive stroke. On the one hand, the new slim/aerodynamic desgin improved on the defensive capabilities of this racquet. I would say that the defense of this new racquet is better than most of the armortec series. Lifting smashes is pretty comfortable for a head heavy racquet. The net play is generally good and quite comfortable to netkill using the short handle grip. Serving backhands and forehands are good so is the receiving of service like push/drive shots. Drives are superb, as counterattacking with offensive drive is very responsive. For offensive strokes like punch clear, smashes and fastdrop, this racquet is excellent. For defensive stroke like receiving smashes, this racquet is excellent, roughly the same class as AT900T/Arcsaber 8DX. After 2 hours of play, I did not feel lactic acid building up on my wrist. I found this racquet comfortable to use for all around play and in my humble opinion is a keeper.

Conclusion: 
This racquet has superb combination of offense and defense. One can confidently smash and drop with this racquet. Not only that it is very good for counterattacking smashes by drive and lifts. This racquet is an aerodynamic version of the armortec series but the feel of the racquet is different from the armortec series owing to the thinner shaft/frame and new sound filter. The thin frame felt less solid than the armortec series.

Feel: 8/10 
Control: 8.5/10 
Power: 9/10 
Defense: 9/10 
Maneuverability: 9/10

Pros: Reasonably priced, new technology, excellent power and defense

Cons: almost none, except for the less solid 'feel' of the racquet compared to the armortec Yonex racquets.

Suitability: 3U suitable for both doubles and singles. (4U primarily for doubles) For all around player and counterattacking player

Skill level: intermediate and advanced.

Footnote: this review was done as a hobby and as an interest to inform fellow badminton enthusiast. This is my personal opinion and in no form to promote this racquet.

Conflict of interest: None

Reference: Yonex website (accessed @ 20/9/10) Badmintoncentral.com (accessed @ 20/9/10)

YONEX/Sunrise sports recommendation for player type:
Brand new Tri-Voltage technology. For professional and advanced player looking for power and fast handling.

Yonex rating 1-5
Power 5
Control 5
Flex 5

(Ref: Yonex badminton chart)

Voltric 70 SP
Review Date : 21 November 2011
Racquet Type : Yonex Voltric 70 SP
Specs : 4UG5
Flex: Stiff-
Balance: 290++mm
Strings: Yonex BG66 Ultimax (Pre-stretched)
Tension: 25lbs , strung with Yonex ES5 PROTECH
Grip: Yonex cyber plus beta + Yonex overgrip Technology : Isometric head, Tri-Voltage system, Ultra PEF, new Control Support cap and New T-joint
Shuttles used: Yonex AS40 Speed 2

Pros: Reasonably priced, new technology, excellent power and defense 

Cons: almost none, except for the less solid 'feel' of the racquet compared to the armortec Yonex racquets.

Feel: 7.5/10 
Control: 8.5/10
Power: 8.5/10
Defense: 9.5/10 
Maneuverability: 9.5/10

Yonex Voltric 70

I just got my hands on the Yonex latest racquet, Voltric 70.

The specs I got is a 3Ug5.

First impression of the racquet:
The color is beautiful, quite a departure of red/bright color of the arcsabers.
There is a tribal-tattoo like motif flanking the frame.
The 3 new Tungsten joint makes the racquet 'fat' on the 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock part and the T-joint as well.
The grommets seem thicker than the armortec series and the shaft is roughly the same thickness. The shaft has the following label; 'ultra light weight, head heavy balance, made in Japan' and on the other side: 'high modulus graphite and super slim shaft'.

Composition (Frame): HM graphite + Tungsten
(Shaft): HM graphite + Ultra PEF
Technology: Ultra PEF, Tri-Voltage System, New T-joint, New cs cap, new grommet system, isometric head


Will update the review soon, once I played some games with it.

But all I can say at the moment is the racquet feels head heavy..

ASG 800 Vs Yonex Arcsaber 10

The color of the two racquets are pretty similar. Therefore, I am doing a comparison just for fun.

A general comparison:

Yonex Arcsaber 10 vs ASG Tornado 800
Even Balance+ vs head heavy balance
Stiff +++flex vs Stiff flex
USD 200 vs USD 90
Strings used for both Yonex BG66 @ 25lbs Yonex grip and Toalson red overgrip

Excellent control vs very good control
Excellent feel vs above average feel
Very solid feeling vs solid feeling
Excellent paint job vs average paint job

Yonex Voltric 70 (released late September 2010)

Yonex is releasing the new line of racquets- the Voltric series.

This usually conincide with Japan Open 2010.

The specs is head-heavy, with Tungsten used to tip the balance point above 290mm.

It's about time Yonex, revamp its line of head-heavy racquets. Most pros, prefer the head-heavy racquets as the attacking shots like smashes are becoming more important in the rally point system.

Looking forward to write a review on it if...if I managed to get it.