Yonex Voltric Z-Force

There's a huge buzz in the badminton world about Yonex latest racquet, Voltric Z-Force.

Preliminary specs suggest it has a very head heavy balance. Another thing is the new shape is in the mold of Arcsaber Z-Slash.

One can hypothesize that it won't be a racquet that suits the majority of players (social/amateurs at least) especially the 3U version.

Yonex marketed it as, 'Massive heavy smash' racquet.

The maximum recommended tension is similar to Voltric 80, i.e. up to 27lbs for a 3U version.

So most likely, a 4U version will end up wielded by my G5 hands...

Badminton 2012

Barely two weeks into the new year 2012, witnessed the completion of two major Super Series open, the Korean and Malaysian Open. 

As always, new year, signify the release of new racquets, by racquet manufacturers. Namely we were teased by Lee Chong Wei's mysterious new Voltric. 

Victor and Li Ning also has a new range coming up...

Fischer Badminton racquet impression.

Coming soon. Tested a couple of Fischer badminton racquets.

The thing that strikes you is the weight of the racquets, Fischer makes very lightweight racquets, in the 4U and 5U range.

Surprisingly, the racquet can be strung at high tensions above 25lbs.

A brief review of Fischer 4UG2 Black Granite Comp

Balance unstrung, 285mm.

Strung + Grip/overgrip = 288mm

Grip: Yonex Aerotec + Toalson overgrip

String: Yonex BG66 @ 24lbs

Control:  8
Power: 8
Defence: 9
Maneuverbility: 9
Feel: 5

Review: 


Pros:
For its price, one should expect a compromise.
An even balance racquet, this racquet is good in backhands and forehands.
Basically this is a light weight racquet, hence great defence and maneuverability.
It's very fast and easy to swing.
Power and control is very good.
Clears, drops and drives are very good.

Cons:
However, I found this racquet to have a flaw in the feel when smashing.
There is a problem of excess vibration where I can feel it up to my joints (wrist/elbow).
Perhaps it's the lightweight of the racquet and lack of a Yonex style internal T-joint that cause the bad vibes.
The vibes is enough to throw off the control of the the smash wide.

Suitability:
Best use by players playing defensive players or aggressive front court doubles player.
It's not a back-court smasher racquet but more of mid-court racquet and frontcourt.

Victor Brave Sword 9 review

Victor Brave Sword 9
Review Date : 25 December 2011
Racquet Type : Victor Brave Sword 9
Specs : 3UG2
Flex: Medium Stiff
Balance: 285 mm (Even Balance)
Strings: Yonex BG66 Ultimax
Tension: 24lbs, pre-stretched using Yonex ES5PROTECH
Grip: Gosen PU grip + Toalson overgrip
Technology : Sword (aerodynamic design), Inner Waves, Shockless and Nano-tec
Shuttles used: Apacs Aeroflight 700

First Impression: 
Yeah, yeah...I know.
This racquet has been in existence for more than a couple of years.
I'm taking the plunge to wield this racquet.
This racquet needs no introduction since practically this racquet has been Lee Yong Dae's racquet ever since he converted to Victor.
On hindsight, Lee Yong Dae previously used a Yonex AT800 Defensive, hence it's no surprise the specs of Bravesword 9 is not too far off  from the former to suit Lee Yong Dae.
This racquet looks somewhat plain Jane in silver colour overall with red/white highlights.
The racquet felt roughly even balance towards head heavy balance and felt semi stiff.
The frame felt solid and the swing felt pretty fast.
The racquet has 'sharp' edges for aerodynamics hence, the moniker, Sword.

Warm Ups:
Warming involves baseline to baseline forehand clears.
Clears are long and far owing to the aerodynamic and the flex of the racquet.
If one word is to describe this racquet is 'comfortable'.
Drives are pretty fast owing to how the racquet cuts through the air.
The racquet shaft is relatively thick and stable whereas the frame is aerodynamically shaped.
What this does is it made the racquet cuts through the air very fast while making it stable enough to control shots.
Generally, it plays quite similar to a Yonex Arcsaber 7 if there is ever a ballpark figure equivalent.

Game Time:
I won't go into detail each and every shots tried.
Generally since I am playing doubles, receiving of serve and serve are great as expected for a fast and stable racquet.
The ease of use of this racquet is apparent, as one can comfortably whip the racquet to hit shuttle gently or violently.
On the one hand, the lack of stiffness or weight on the head somewhat negates the control aspect of the racquet.
On the other hand, the racquet is very good on the defence and near the net owing to the medium flex and even balance.
This racquet shines best in the mid court range area as it is both good in attack and defence.
However, at the back court range, the control and power suffers a tiny bit as it it not heavy nor stiff enough like the Victor Super Waves 35 for power smash and perform controlled drops and power clears to the back court.
Nevertheless, the sweet spot is rather large and felt very easy to whip this racquet as the kickpoint is leaning towards the handle.

Conclusion: 
This racquet's playability is great as it is very comfortable to wield this racquet both forehands and backhands.
The thing that strikes you, is how easy to wield this racquet.
Even Professionals like Lee Yong Dae and Nguyen Tien Minh have been using it for a long time and kept returning to it at the expense of newer and technologically advanced models.

Feel: 8.5/10

Control: 8.5/10

Power: 8.5/10

Defence: 8.5/10


Maneuverability: 8.5/10

Pros: Reasonably priced, ease of use and generally an all rounder racquet.

Cons: Almost none.

Suitability: beginner/intermediate/advanced players 3U and 4U

Player type: All rounder.

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: Victor website (accessed @ 24/12/11)

Badmintoncentral.com (accessed @ 24/12/11)

Russian president Dmitry Medvedev playing badminton

A head of State playing badminton.

A beginner playing singles with his mentor,Vladimir Putin.

President Medvedev is even deck out in full Russian national team regalia...

Asics Gel Blade 3 shoe review

Shoe: Asics Gel Blade 3

Technology: I.G.S, DuoMax, Trusstic a, Gel, wet grip rubber,

First impression: This shoe is orange and white/black in color, seems very futuristic with the shining orange.

Fit: The shoe fits good enough but with some break-in period needed.
Size fits as indicated and feels comfortable.
Like all Asics shoe, it has the option to tie the lace snuggly to lock the ankle.
The shoes is low to the ground and is very well cushioned.

Game time: The ventilation is very good owing to the mesh under the midsole area and around the vamp/upper/toungue area.
The shoe felt light when 'standing on the balls of the feet'.
The shoe also felt comfortable and explosive first step is easy to achieve.
In addition, landing from a lunge or jumps felt comfortable with no excessive forced felt on the ankle and knee.
The rounded sole on the heel facilitates lunges and has very good gel cushioning.
Lateral movement is very good too as the shoe is low to the ground and ankle twist is less likely to happen.

Pros: Excellent cushioning and grip. Feels bouncy on the first step and low on the ground

Cons:  The excellent cushioning comes at the cost of heavier weight than the competition.
Is somewhat expensive expected for Asics shoes

Fit: 8.5/10 (has the option to tighten the lace around the ankle are)
Ventilation: 9.5/10
Feel: 8.5/10 (Owing to weight)
Cushioning: 10/10
Durability: 9.5/10
Movement/: 9.5/10
Grip: 9.5/10

Original vs Clone (Fake) racquet

Above a Fleet Volitant 75 (a clone of Yonex Voltric 70) vs. An original Yonex Voltric 70.

The clone cost only 1/4 the price of the Original Yonex racquet (excluding string)

Both are strung with string (BG66 Ultimax @ 24lbs)

Based on economics, the Fleet looks like a bargain, the exterior and colors are similar to the Yonex. From afar, the Fleet could be mistaken for a Voltric 70.

Performance...continue below

Weight: the specs of the Voltric 70 is a 4UG5 whereas the Volitant 75 is 4UG2.

Basic specs: both are roughly head heavy balance...

                   Flex-wise, the Yonex is a tad stiffer.

However, playing in court, the difference becomes apparent.

The control aspect of the original or accuracy is so much better than the clone. The feel is also better with less vibration.

Powerwise, the clone maybe even better than the original but felt somehow unable to control the power.

Of course, if one get use to even the clone one can compensate with its limitation.

Nothing against the clone or the original. But at the end of the day, you still get what you pay for...