Yonex Voltric 80 vs Yonex Arcsaber 10

3UG5 Arcsaber 10 vs 3UG5 Voltric 80

Comparison

3UG5 Arcasber 10 = stiff++ flex and even balance+
3UG5 Voltric 80 = stiff flex and head heavy balance

Why this two racquets? Arcsaber 10 is a popular racquet used by professionals in the international circuit. Arcsaber 10 is used more commonly in singles. The Arcsaber 10 is noted for its control, which is critical in singles game play. The Voltric 80 is a new head heavy balance racquet. It plays roughly close to an AT900P and is gaining in popularity...

In terms of singles play, three parameters are important namely:

1) power - like clears and smashes
2) control - able to hit the shuttle to the four corners, racquet head must be stable.
3) feel - the perception the shuttle upon impact at the string bed important for touch around the net, i.e. tumbling net shots

In my previous rating (which may vary under different people) which is consistent with my string tensions and grips. Both racquets are stiff (aiding in accuracy of shuttle) and I standby my ratings as follows:
Arc10 Vs. Voltric 80
Power 8.5//10
Control 9.5//9.5
Feel 9.0//9.5

Therefore, under my testing and preference, I find the Voltric 80 to be a better singles racquet. Imho, the power and feel of the Voltric is the decider.

If one takes into consideration parameters like maneuverability and defense, the Arcsaber 10 is better than Voltric 80. The balance point definitely played a role here.

Arc10 vs Voltric 80
4) Maneuverability 8.5//8
5) Defense 8.0//7.5

Conclusion: The Voltric 80 performs better than Arcsaber 10 as a singles racquet (primarily based on the power and feel) whereas Arcsaber 10 is better as a doubles racquet owing to the better maneuverability and defense.

Disclaimer: This is my opinion and people may have different preferences, opinion and needs. This comparison serve as a rough guide to inform people who plans to choose which racquet to buy. In no way, I am promoting any of the racquets. Regretful purchase is the player's own responsibility.

Yonex Voltric 80 vs Yonex AT900P

3UG5 AT900P vs 3UG5 VT80


Frame. The VT80 is more aerodynamic than AT900P. AT900P is more boxy in the frame


Shaft. The VT80 shaft is the thinnest (by Yonex) at the moment. A few micrometers thinner than AT900P's shaft. The shaft of AT900P is made from ultra high modulus graphite + elastic Ti, whereas VT80 is made from nanopreme+ultra PEF+ high modulus graphite.

What's the difference between these two racquets?

3UG5 AT900P vs 3UG5 Voltric 80

Comparison
3UG5 AT900P = stiff flex and head heavy balance
3UG5 Voltric 80 = stiff flex and head heavy balance

Why this two racquets? AT900P is a popular racquet used by professionals in the international circuit. AT900P is used more commonly in singles. The AT900P is noted for its power and control, which are critical in singles game play. The Voltric 80 is a new head heavy balance racquet. It plays roughly close to an AT900P and is gaining in popularity...the branding of Yonex and the high profile player that uses this racquet, namely Lee Chong Wei made it well known.

In terms of singles play, three parameters are important namely:

1) power - like clears and smashes
2) control - able to hit the shuttle to the four corners, racquet head must be stable.
3) feel - the perception the shuttle upon impact at the string bed important for touch around the net, i.e. tumbling net shots

In my previous rating (which may vary under different people) which is consistent with my string tensions and grips. Both racquets are stiff (aiding in accuracy of shuttle) and I standby my ratings as follows:
AT900P Vs. Voltric 80
Power 10//10
Control 9//9.5
Feel 9.5//9.5

Therefore, under my testing and preference, I find both racquets are equally good as singles racquet. Slight edge to VT80 in control.

If one takes into consideration parameters like maneuverability and defense, the Voltric 80 is better than AT900P. The aerodynamics of VT80 definitely played a role here allowing better defense

AT900P vs Voltric 80
4) Maneuverability 8//8
5) Defense 6.5//7.5

Conclusion: The Voltric 80 is overall a better racquet than AT900P owing to the better control and defense. This advantage of VT80 boils down to aerodynamics while maintaining the power and feel of the AT900P. AT900P has a longer handle which allows it to be held up the shaft, this allows it to maneuver pretty well for a head heavy racquet.

Disclaimer: This is my opinion and people may have different preferences, opinion and needs. This comparison serve as a rough guide to inform people who plans to choose which racquet to buy. In no way, I am promoting any of the racquets. Regretful purchase is the player's own responsibility.

What's the most satisfying shot in doubles?

In doubles, we often forget what is the purpose of a smash?

More often, it's to plant the shuttle on the floor.

However, the smash loses much speed as it travel down from the halfcourt position to the opponent's mid court area.

I believed the smash or the (advanced player's) jumpsmash is to setup the netkill.

I like to call it the one-two punch or two hit combo. Jumpsmash-netkill combo. Ok, here is the 2 hit combo...make it a 3 hit combo.
GIFSoup

The most satisfying shot in doubles imho is the netkill.

It's aggressive, it's fierce and it's is often terminal...

Nothing is 'more in your face' than a netkill.

GIFSoup

Fu Haifeng's smash

One of the best smasher technique-wise and power-wise.

GIFSoup
Cai Yun's job is very easy, going for netkills.

Weight performance of 3U vs 4U (AT900P G5)

A question that has been asked often:

What is the difference in performance between the different weighted racquets?

For example 4U vs 3U?

Under Yonex specs: 4U is defined as dry weight between 80 to 84.9g

whereas 3U is defined as dry weight between 85 to 89.9g

There is a 5 grams difference. So what? It's only 5 grams...

Let's see

For example: my Yonex AT900P 3UG5 and below my AT900P 4UG5

As I have played with both specs for more than a year, I believed I can offer some opinion on the matter.

Using AT900P as an example. This racquet has the sepcs of being head-heavy and stiff.

Head heavy balance is the optimised specs for the overhead stroke like clear and smash. The added weight at the head facilitates the racquet to swing down faster/forceful in a downward stroke like a clear or smash.

The Chinese like to call the head heavy balance as the forehand racquet whereas the head light balance as the backhand racquet.

However, owing to the ease of a downward (pronation), it sacrifices the ease of an upward stroke (supination). Supination is the wrist/arm movement of the backhand swing.

To maneuver well, the supination stroke is important especially in a fast game. For example: a backhand drive, a flick serve, a netkill and the backhand lifts.

(Taking stiffness out of the equation)I can safely say that 4U version is more easy to maneuver and defend. 3U on the other hand is more solid and slightly more power (given equal swing).

The pros of a 4U:Speed, speed and more SPEED (we know speed kills). Also allows one to play with less muscle fatigue.

The cons of a 4U:sacrificing a little bit on power, feel and control (i.e. frame stability)

The pros and cons of a 3U is the inverse of the 4U.

My personal opinion is the 4U performs better than 3U. This is because I play doubles where defence and speed is important. The 4U also makes you less tired if you play in long game or in a tournament. (e.g. in a rubber game stretching to 1 hour)

A singles player will find 3U better since speed is not so important but stability of the racquet head and feel is more important.

The speed of the shuttle in singles and doubles is different. The doubles game is a faster game whereas singles is a slower game. Singles places more emphasis on movement pressure (footwork) whereas doubles is more shot making pressure (quick handling of the racquet).

Pumped up Lee Chong Wei fan at the All England Finals 2011

I cannot forget this fanatical Lee Chong Wei fan. GIFSoup

Screaming out to give his support to Lee Chong Wei.

Very pumped up. I salute you.

All England 2011 finals aftermath- the autopsy

1. WS-Wang Shixian (CHN) vs Eriko Hirose (JPN)
Winner: Wang Shixian 24-22, 21-18.
Synopsis: Eriko played very well to reach the finals. Endurance and fighting spirit is a plus for Eriko. However, skill wise, footwork and anticipation of opponent's shots, Wang Shixian seems to be better. A pretty close game, but the skill of Wang Shixian carried her through.

2. MD-Boe/Morgensen (DEN) vs Koo/Tan (MAS)
Winner: Boe/Morgensen15-21, 21-18, 21-18
Synopsis: Probably the best game of the day and the only one to reach rubber game. Koo/Tan played very well to reach the finals beating Fu/Cai and Kido/Setiawan along the way. They seemed like destined to win the finals. 1st game was all Koo/Tan, but the second game was a close game, very tightly fought game. 3rd game saw Koo/Tan leading much of the game, but Boe/Morgensen played steady. Boe/Morgensen made a lot of mistakes in the begining but held the fort. Unable to force the lift, Koo/Tan was instead forced by the Danish pair to lift. The height and speed of Boe at the net made the difference. The drives and lifts by the Malaysians were time and again intercepted and killed by Matthias Boe.

GIFSoup

3. WD-Yu Yang/Wang Xiaoli (CHN) vs Mizuki Fujii/Reika Kakiiwa (JPN)
Winner: Yu Yang/Wang Xiaoli 21-2, 21-9
Synopsis: The most lobsided game of the day. The attacking play of Yu Yang/Wang Xiaoli against a relatively younger and less experienced pair, saw the Chinese pair romped their way to an easy victory. The Chinese coaches during intermission seemed very relaxed and casual. Yu Yang even throwed in some jumpsmashes to entertain the crowd. In short, this is a game of (All-star) athletes in their prime vs inexperienced rookies. A game of women vs girls.

4. XD-Chen Xu/Ma Jin (CHN) v Sudket Prapakamol/Saralee Thoungthongkam (THA)
Winner: Chen Xu/Ma Jin 21-13, 21-9
Synopsis: The 2nd most lobsided game of the day. The class of the Chinese pair saw them overcome the veteran Thai pair in an easy victory. The player of the match here is Ma Jin. Her setup play and net play saw the Chinese pair dictate the play. The most memorable part of the game was in the 2nd game, when the Chinese pair was leading 20-9, Sudket conceded defeat, allowing Ma Jin's serve to hit home. Sudket walked straight up to a surprised Ma Jin to shake her hand.

GIFSoup


5. MS-Lin Dan (CHN) vs Lee Chong Wei (MAS)
Winner: Lee Chong Wei 21-17, 21-17
Synopsis: The battle between the top two players in the world served as a finale of the 2011 All-England. The 1st game was a closely fought game, Lin Dan was playing steady in the beginning and Lee Chong Wei kept the game close. After the intermission, Lin Dan made many mistakes and allow a disputed line call to affect him, which allowed Lee Chong Wei to pull away. The 2nd game was a close game as well. Lin Dan was playing Lee Chong Wei point for point and neck to neck, until the score reach 17-17. For some reason, Lin Dan fell victim to Lee Chong Wei's drops/smashes and was caught out of position. The unforced errors of Lin Dan also began to exceed Lee Chong Wei and was probably the difference in a close match.

Yonex Voltric 80 vs. Victor Meteor 80

Initial thoughts: I tested a 3UG2 Victor MX80 today.

Disclaimer: I did not play a full game with MX80 but played warm up for about 5 minutes.

Racquets used: 3UG5 Yonex Voltric 80 and 3UG2 Victor Meteor 80.

I find the MX80 is more comfortable to use than the Voltric 80 owing to the lighter head of the MX80.

Victor rated MX80 as extra stiff (on the cone of MX80, 5/5 dots), I find it not much stiffer than Voltric 80.

However, I found the Voltric 80 more head heavier than MX80. (Victor rated MX80 in terms of 4/5 dots in balance)

Since I play mostly doubles, my brief impression on MX80 is that it is more comfortable to maneuver and defend better, again owing to the less weight on the head.

In terms of of power, perhaps the Voltric 80 imho is better but not by much.

On the cost issue, MX80 is 15-20% cheaper than Voltric 80.

Performance wise, I find the MX80 faster and better in defence.

The Voltric 80 is perhaps better in attack and control.

In terms of feel, the Voltric 80 is better, but again not by much.

Conclusion

The 2 newest racquets looks and plays very well. The 3U MX80 is easier to play in doubles whereas the 3U Voltric 80 is probably better in singles. However, like all racquets, the differences may not be too great to make a difference in court performance. It boils down to preferences, feel and what type of player you are.

Yonex Voltric 80 review

At last I've put enough hours into this racquet to made a final updated comprehensive review on this racquet. (Updated19th March 2011)

I played mostly doubles (and half court singles)

TOC (time on court) when making final review:
8 x Warm ups (Half court singles) + 28 x (21 point doubles games) = total 16 hours game play

Specs: 3UG5 SP version
Balance: Head heavy
Stiffness: Stiff
Shuttles used: (speed 2) Yonex AS40
Strings: Yonex BG80 tension 27lbs
Grips: original + Karakal overgrip

Racquets Specs: please see manufacturer's website

Review and breakdown of shots tried:

Power: 10/10 (4U may be lesser)

Synopsis: Felt that the racquet is rather solid ala AT900P and packs an umph when clearing full court and smashing. I felt the head is rather heavy and lactic acid (owing to the weight on the head) builds up quickly on the wrist. Same class as AT900P and AT700 in terms of power. Smashes are sharp and crisp, during play the shaft doesn't feel that stiff , which allows steeper smashes. Clears are effortless and so is a forehand drive baseline to baseline. The 3U in this regard I believed should be for singles and the 4U (lighter) should be for doubles.

Clear: back-court to back-court and crosscourt full length clear to opponent's backhand side.
Smashes: Straight and crosscourt
Drives: hard straight and forehand/backhand to the corners


Control: 9.5/10 (4U version may be similar or lesser)

Synopsis: Felt that the racquet is rather solid and stable while cutting through the air, hence it's easy to control shots to the four corners of the court. The sweet spot is rather large (compared to a Z-Slash) and less likely to hit an off-centered shot. I include netshots here as the stability and aerodynamics of the racquets allows it to play deceptively fast and well at the net.

Drops: checked/slice/reversed to the 2 front net corners
Netshots: Crosscourt net
Netshots: hairpin/tumbling netshot
Clears: to the 2 back court corners
Smashes: down the line
Push: flat and low to half court

Defense: 7.5/10 (4U version may be better)


Synopsis: Surprisingly, despite the weight of the head, the racquet is easy to defend. I managed to backhand lift smashes to the backcourt a few times but drive return is a better option with a head heavy racquet. However, owing to the weight, lifting tires the wrist pretty fast, hence a slightly lower rating. The aerodynamics of the racquet somewhat compensates for the heaviness of the head(since the racquet head moves very fast to intercept the shuttle). Be sure to do some weight/resistance training on your wrist/fingers if you want to defend well with the backhand...in a long match.

Lifts: backhand and forehand full court
Drive: backhand and forehand drive return
Block: backhand and forehand straight

Maneuverability: 8/10 (4U version may be better)

Synopsis: This racquet is surprisingly agile, though not in the class of a top headlight racquet. The racquet head speed is very high and the the swing is fast. Possibly, if the handle was slightly longer, then it would be even more maneuverable...(It's no fault of the racquet but my preference). The (slim shaft & frame) aerodynamics improved the handling of the racquet. This is true when near the net, like doing a netkill. I also find that catching body smashes and doing last minute double action shots are pretty fast and comfortable.

Crosscourt net shot
Crosscourt smash return block and crosscourt whip
Defending body smashes: reflex block, between the leg/behind the back defensive block
Tight netkills
Hold & flick shots


Feel: 9.5/10 (4U may be the same or lesser)


Synopsis: The racquet felt solid owing to the 'meatier' head compared to the more frail VT70. Felt close to AT900P hence I gave it a high rating. I guess the manufacturer fix the feel of the previous VT70. The stiffness of the racquet also helps to channel the bounce of the shuttle on the stringbed to my hand. No bad vibration...only good vibes. The audio provided by the manufacturer's sound filter makes for some nice 'music' to boot. (apologies for the sound filter joke, can't help myself)

Total rating: 8.9/10


Pros : Tremendous power, excellent control & feel with good defence and very good maneuverability. Smashing racquet par excellence.

Cons: cost and not suitable for beginner who are not used to a stiff and real head-heavy racquet. A bit tiring to use for a long but fast game.

Suitability : aggressive attacking or all-around players.
Need skill level of at least intermediate/advanced.
For singles 3U is better...(4U for doubles).
Not suitable for beginners or defensive players.

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 @ 01/03/11)
Badmintoncentral.com (accessed @ 01/03/11)

YONEX/Sunrise sports recommendation for player type:
For players looking for a stiff racquet with an ultra long shaft that delivers an explosion of power with every swing.

Yonex rating 1-5
Power 5
Control 5
Flex 5

(Ref: Yonex badminton chart)

Review: 4U VT80 
Date: 30th November 2011
Racquet Type: Voltric 80 4UG5 SP
Strung with Yonex BG66 Ultimax @ 24lbs using Yonex ES5 PROTECH
Grip: Karakal Super PU
Shuttle used: Yonex AS40 speed 2

Power: 9.5
Control: 9.5
Defense: 8
Maneuverability: 8.5
Feel: 9


Conclusion: 
Very similar to the 3U version but notably faster and agile. The racquet still stings with its head heavy momentum but having better handling. Better suited to doubles game than 3U version but equally good for singles.

VT80 vs Arc-Z slash

Comparing it with a Z-Slash, the frame is standard size isometric, hence wider frame than the Z-slash

With regards to the shaft, the shaft length is roughly similar +/- a few mm, (kindly ignore the right vertical arrow)...the handle is pretty short just like a Z-slash.

Voltric 80 initial thoughts

Just managed to get my hands on a 3UG5 VT80 Sp specs. Initial thoughts-the racquet is definitely an upgrade on VT70. For about 20-30 bucks more, you will get the following improvements over the VT70.

Improvements are:
1) higher string tension, e.g a 3U version can take up to 27 lbs
2) stiffer than VT70 with new Nanopreme material on the shaft
3) the (slightly)slimmer shaft made the head slightly heavier (vs. VT70) with less air drag. Maneuverability somewhat improved? (This has to be tested to confirm)

The colors are the polar opposite (of VT70) with white as the dominant color.
My impression of this racquet is it felt similar to an arc Z-slash with a bigger head(frame)...need further testing to evaluate the racquet on court.