Category Archives: 360+
Full Custom Racquets in Video
We want to have a discussion of “Full Custom Racquets” and this to be the best we can do at the moment!
Full custom components
Click on Full Custom Racquet to see the short video, and thank you for watching!
We believe this is an exciting step forward in specialized tennis racquets and preparation.
We are anxious to hear your thoughts on this move to better racquets for everyone…especially you!
Head Graphene 360+ Gravity MP/Tecnifibre RPX
Normally our racquet reviews are when a racquet is brand new; however, this is a case where the updated string, RPX, from Tecnifibre is an excellent opportunity to add another review to the site!
There are some excellent reasons to review the same racquet again with different string or tension settings.
- It allows us to evaluate new strings for comparison purposes.
- It will enable the player to demo the same Racquet with a different string.
- The string can affect the overall weight to a small degree but significantly impact swing weight.
For example, this racquet with Victrex 7718 PEEK string (15.9grams installed) has a swing weight of 318. With the new Tecnifibre RPX (18.0 grams installed), the swing weight is 325. That is not huge, but it is different.
Lead tape, commonly used to increase swing weight, weighs in at 2.8 grams for 12 inches! So, slightly over 2 grams of additional string weight in the strung area contribute to the difference between these strings.
Of course, this also means that swing weight can be reduced, somewhat, by using lighter string! We weigh all of the string we test for Power Potential, so we know which string can benefit either swing weight preference.
| Manufacturer | Head |
|---|---|
| Racquet Model | Head Graphene 360+ Gravity MP |
| Reference Tension | 55 lbs - 24.9 k |
| String | Tecnifibre RPX 16 |
| Machine Used | True Tension Professional |
| ASPS, RDC | 53 |
| ASPS, FlexFour | 62 |
| Racquet Flex, RDC | 59 - After stringing |
| Racquet Flex, FlexFour | 54 |
| Weight, Grams | 322 |
| Weight, Ounces | 11.36 |
| Balance, mm | 337 |
| Balance, Inch | 13.27 |
| Length, Cm | 68.6 |
| Length, Inch | 27.008 |
| Head Width | 9.92 |
| Head Length | 12.85 |
| Head Area, cm2 | 645 |
| Head Area, Sq. Inch | 100 |
| Beam Width, mm, Shaft, Center, Tip | 22, 22, 22 |
| In Plane Stiffness, Pounds/In | 381.0 |
| In Plane Stiffness, Kg/cm | 68.12 |
| Number of Main Strings | 16 |
| Number of Cross Strings | 20 |
| Ratio Cross/Mains | .617 |
| Main String Grid | 7.75 |
| Cross String Grid | 10.37 |
| Density (% of head filled with string) | .784 |
| Average Cross String Space | .480 |
| Average Main String Space | .520 |
| Dynamic Tension, Kp, ERT | 36 |
| Dynamic Tension, Lbs/in | 201.35 |
| First Moment, Nm | .843 |
| Polar Moment | 339 |
| Torsional Stability | 14 |
| Swing Weight, Kg/cm2 | 325 |
| Swing Weight, Ounces | 11.46 |
| Swing Weight Calculated | 365.7 |
| Power, RDC | 46 |
| Control, RDC | 56 |
| Manueverability, RDC | 70 |
| Power, Calculated | 1938.8 |
| Head Points | 1.89 (negative = head heavy) |
| Head Weight, % | 49.1% |
| Center of Percussion | 20.7 |
| Dwell Time, ms, No Swing | 8.74 |
| Effective Stiffness - lbs | 27.9 |
| K, Lb/In (SBS) RDC | 169.87 |
| Recoil Weight | 146.57 |
| Twist Weight | 236.38 |
| End Weight | 119.8 |
| Tip Weight | 202.2 |
| Total Weight Check | 322 |
| 9 O'Clock | 102.3 |
| 3 O'Clock | 101.4 |
| Butt Cap | 117.9 |
| Total Weight Check | 321.6 |
Head Extreme Tour
Head is, I believe, going to expose and promote the Extreme Series to a greater extent than before.
Why do I think that? Because I am holding in my very own hands a Head Extreme Tour! This 98 square inch racquet continues the Graphene 360+ technology which has become popular in the last several releases of Head Racquets!
The new Extreme series will be shipping in July so we can’t show many pictures except the all-black version I am holding.
Head Extreme Tour
The other Extreme models will be:
Extreme MP – 100 square inch head size, 300 gram
Extreme S – 105 square inch head size, 275 gram
Extreme Lite – 105 square inch head, 265 gram
Extreme PWR – 115 square inch head, 230 gram
Extreme Jr – 100 square inch head, 240 gram
All of this series continues the “extreme” optic yellow colorway but it is now complemented by a really nice grey upper shaft and hoop! The optic yellow grip may be over the top but that is easily changed.
The Extreme Tour is fitted with a TK82S grip pallet for a comfortable rounder feeling.
Take a look at the specs here:
| Manufacturer | Head |
|---|---|
| Racquet Model | Head Extreme Tour |
| Reference Tension | 55 lbs - 24.9 kg |
| String | Victrex PEEK fiber Experimental 7718 |
| Machine Used | True Tension Professional |
| ASPS, RDC | 52 |
| ASPS, FlexFour | 63.5 |
| Racquet Flex, RDC | 62 - After stringing |
| Racquet Flex, FlexFour | 40 |
| Weight, Grams | 320 |
| Weight, Ounces | 11.29 |
| Balance, mm | 323 |
| Balance, Inch | 12.72 |
| Length, Cm | 68.6 |
| Length, Inch | 27.008 |
| Head Width | 9.59 |
| Head Length | 12.87 |
| Head Area, cm2 | 625.1 |
| Head Area, Sq. Inch | 96.9 |
| Beam Width, mm, Shaft, Center, Tip | 22, 23, 21 |
| In Plane Stiffness, Pounds/In | 359.5 Lbs/In. |
| In Plane Stiffness, Kg/cm | 163.0 Kg/cm |
| Number of Main Strings | 16 |
| Number of Cross Strings | 19 |
| Ratio Cross/Mains | .627 |
| Main String Grid | 7.12 |
| Cross String Grid | 9.63 |
| Density (% of head filled with string) | .708 |
| Average Cross String Space | .507 |
| Average Main String Space | .445 |
| Dynamic Tension, Kp, ERT | 35 |
| Dynamic Tension, Lbs/in | 195.76 |
| First Moment, Nm | .794 |
| Polar Moment | 322 |
| Torsional Stability | 16 |
| Swing Weight, Kg/cm2 | 306 |
| Swing Weight, Ounces | 10.79 |
| Swing Weight Calculated | 333.9 |
| Power, RDC | 47 |
| Control, RDC | 55 |
| Manueverability, RDC | 83 |
| Power, Calculated | 1856.5 |
| Head Points | 6.30 (negative = head heavy) |
| Head Weight, % | 47.1% |
| Center of Percussion | 20.8 |
| Dwell Time, ms, No Swing | 8.62 |
| Effective Stiffness - lbs | 28.3 |
| K, Lb/In (SBS) RDC | 166.67 |
| Recoil Weight | 149.14 |
| Twist Weight | 220.52 |
| End Weight | 132.8 |
| Tip Weight | 190.4 |
| 9 O'Clock Position | 96.6 |
| 3 O'Clock Position | 98.3 |
| Butt Cap Position | 126.3 |
Racquets Taking Off …and Racquets Crashing!
Sometimes I am surprised at how a tennis racquet will find a new life after a few years of dormancy! And of course, I am astonished at how some racquets are “finished” way before their time!
The new Head Graphene 360+ Prestige is an excellent example of a racquet taking off, and the Head Adaptive Speed is an excellent example of a racquet that was laid to rest prematurely, in my opinion!
Head Graphene 360+ Prestige
Let’s start with the Prestige. One look says this is a racquet you want!
You may not care that this series has been a mainstay on the pro tour for over 25 years! You may not care that this racquet has a unique feel or a magnificent “cap” system.
You may not care that this racquet comes in a model to suit almost any playing style! NO…you care about the way it looks! The rest of the good stuff is just icing on the cake or racquet in this case!
Other racquets that would fit this category are the Wilson Pro Staff and Yonex VCore series.
On the other hand, a racquet that met its demise way too soon is the Head Adaptive Series! If you don’t know much about this series, it is not your fault! It was pulled way before it’s time.
Head Speed Adaptive Tuning Model
The Adaptive series was just that, adaptive! The string pattern could be either 16×16 or 16×19. The length could be increased in increments of .20 inch up to a total length of 27.6 inches (701mm).
Plus, the swing weight can be increased by using the optional heavy side grommet set, and the overall weight can be increase by inserting the “heavy” butt cap!
So, what happened? I think it was just too hard to sell for those places that don’t have hands-on expertise or didn’t want to take the time to explain the benefits of this concept!
Because the grip pallet was designed to be removed, it is likely that, if not done correctly, there would be some squeaking. That is not good, but it is not a problem that should keep a great idea from being a great racquet!
We still believe this is a good idea and if you do too, and want to take a look at this great idea, we have some in stock!
Racquet Quest, LLC
