Category Archives: String – New
New string information
Head Graphene 360+ Speed Lite
As you probably guessed, this is the lightest of the Speed Series, 100 square inch head size, at a weight of 281 grams (9.91 ounces)!
There are several positive features in this racquet and one is the reasonable flex (stiffness) of 63 RDC, plus the uniform string pattern that provides a consistent hitting experience needed by developing players. This pattern should contribute to extended string life as well.
Head Graphene 360+ Speed Lite
As with all light racquets, this one can be customized as the need or desire arises, and I think that will happen more quickly than most other racquets.
This is just too light, in my opinion, for players wanting to improve all aspects of their game. Remember, weight is your friend! However, if you prefer a light racquet for any reason this is a top choice!
As I am working on this post I realize how much trouble it is to switch between racquet reviews for comparison so here is a link to the Head Graphene 360+ Speed Series Comparison.
| Manufacturer | Head |
|---|---|
| Racquet Model | Head Graphene 360+ Speed Lite |
| Reference Tension | 56 lbs - 25.4 kg |
| String | Victrex PEEK fiber Experimental 7718 |
| Machine Used | True Tension Professional |
| ASPS, RDC | 56 |
| ASPS, FlexFour | 68.5 |
| Racquet Flex, RDC | 63 - After stringing |
| Racquet Flex, FlexFour | 43 |
| Weight, Grams | 281 |
| Weight, Ounces | 9.91 |
| Balance, mm | 345 |
| Balance, Inch | 13.58 |
| Length, Cm | 68.5 |
| Length, Inch | 26.97 |
| Head Width | 9.71 |
| Head Length | 13.06 |
| Head Area, cm2 | 640.8 |
| Head Area, Sq. Inch | 99.6 |
| Beam Width, mm, Shaft, Center, Tip | 25, 25, 25 |
| In Plane Stiffness, Pounds/In | 422.5 Lbs/In. |
| In Plane Stiffness, Kg/cm | 191.6 Kg/cm |
| Number of Main Strings | 16 |
| Number of Cross Strings | 19 |
| Ratio Cross/Mains | .626 |
| Main String Grid | 7.30 |
| Cross String Grid | 9.53 |
| Density (% of head filled with string) | .710 |
| Average Cross String Space | .503 |
| Average Main String Space | .463 |
| Dynamic Tension, Kp, ERT | 36 |
| Dynamic Tension, Lbs/in | 201.4 |
| First Moment, Nm | .758 |
| Polar Moment | 311 |
| Torsional Stability | 18 |
| Swing Weight, Kg/cm2 | 293 |
| Swing Weight, Ounces | 10.34 |
| Swing Weight Calculated | 334.5 |
| Power, RDC | 42 |
| Control, RDC | 61 |
| Manueverability, RDC | 91 |
| Power, Calculated | 1838.3 |
| Head Points | -0.79 (negative = head heavy) |
| Head Weight, % | 50.4% |
| Center of Percussion | 20.7 |
| Dwell Time, ms, No Swing | 8.50 |
| Efective Stiffness - lbs | 29.6 |
| K, Lb/In (SBS) RDC | 198.31 |
| Recoil Weight | 126.53 |
| Twist Weight | 198.31 |
| End Weight | 98.6 |
| Tip Weight | 182.3 |
| 9 O'Clock | 90.5 |
| 3 O'Clock | 91.2 |
| Butt Cap | 98.3 |
Head Graphene 360+ Speed MP Lite
The Head Graphene 360+ Speed MP Lite may be the perfect racquet for a player looking for a thin(er) beam, 100 square inch head size, slightly lighter than most MP racquets!
As you will see in the specifications this racquet is about 28 grams (1 ounce) lighter than the MP model, and, just a little more flexible, or better said, less stiff!
Forty-nine point nine percent (49.9%) of the total weight resides toward the head of this racquet, so if you think in terms of “points” it is 0.16 points head light.
Some customization will make this a racquet that you can stay with for a long time. As your skills advance, so can the racquet!
Head Graphene 360+ Speed MP Lite
As I am working on this post I realize how much trouble it is to switch between racquet reviews for comparison so I am including a link to the Head Graphene 360+ Speed Series Comparison.
| Manufacturer | Head |
|---|---|
| Racquet Model | Head Graphene 360+ Speed MP Lite |
| Reference Tension | 56 lbs - 25.4 kg |
| String | Victrex PEEK fiber Experimental 7718 |
| Machine Used | True Tension Professional |
| ASPS, RDC | 51 |
| ASPS, FlexFour | 62 |
| Racquet Flex, RDC | 60 - After stringing |
| Racquet Flex, FlexFour | 49 |
| Weight, Grams | 293 |
| Weight, Ounces | 10.34 |
| Balance, mm | 342 |
| Balance, Inch | 13.46 |
| Length, Cm | 68.5 |
| Length, Inch | 26.97 |
| Head Width | 9.68 |
| Head Length | 13.06 |
| Head Area, cm2 | 640.8 |
| Head Area, Sq. Inch | 99.3 |
| Beam Width, mm, Shaft, Center, Tip | 23, 23, 23 |
| In Plane Stiffness, Pounds/In | 307.3 Lbs/In. |
| In Plane Stiffness, Kg/cm | 139.4 Kg/cm |
| Number of Main Strings | 16 |
| Number of Cross Strings | 19 |
| Ratio Cross/Mains | .624 |
| Main String Grid | 7.30 |
| Cross String Grid | 10.62 |
| Density (% of head filled with string) | .780 |
| Average Cross String Space | .559 |
| Average Main String Space | .456 |
| Dynamic Tension, Kp, ERT | 35 |
| Dynamic Tension, Lbs/in | 195.76 |
| First Moment, Nm | .782 |
| Polar Moment | 323 |
| Torsional Stability | 15 |
| Swing Weight, Kg/cm2 | 308 |
| Swing Weight, Ounces | 10.86 |
| Swing Weight Calculated | 342.7 |
| Power, RDC | 46 |
| Control, RDC | 57 |
| Manueverability, RDC | 81 |
| Power, Calculated | 1835.6 |
| Head Points | 0.16 (negative = head heavy) |
| Head Weight, % | 49.9% |
| Center of Percussion | 21.0 |
| Dwell Time, ms, No Swing | 8.91 |
| Efective Stiffness - lbs | 27.6 |
| K, Lb/In (SBS) RDC | 163.46 |
| Recoil Weight | 138.67 |
| Twist Weight | 205.8 |
| End Weight | 105.8 |
| Tip Weight | 186.5 |
| 9 O'Clock | 95.1 |
| 3 O'Clock | 94.5 |
| Butt Cap | 103.0 |
Head Graphene 360+ Prestige MP
We are finally getting the time to work on these marvelous new racquets from Head! In this case, it is the Head Graphene 360+ Prestige MP.
The Prestige is a fascinating series for Head, but I think it is often overlooked when considering a new racquet purchase. I believe the “performance” category excludes a lot of players that could very well use this racquet if it is appropriately set up. Secondly, I think players have the mistaken feeling that the Prestige series is too stiff!
I believe you will see by the following specifications that neither are necessarily true!
The Prestige series is, in my opinion, the best looking new racquet in a long time. However, in a performance racquet, what does “looks” have to do with it? In my opinion, a lot!
This racquet is the “true” 98 square inch (630 cm²) head size with an 18 x 20 string pattern and, of course, the excellent “cap system” that contributes to the performance of this racquet. You will see in the specifications that the swing weight is on the “light” side, allowing for customization to suit any player.
Head is now including a CPI, “Control Power Index,” and this racquet ranks as a CPI 200 compared to the Prestige Pro at CPI 300. The difference is a function of the tight string pattern and flex. The thin 20mm beam throughout contributes to the nice flex of RDC 58 after stringing.
A lower CPI indicates to us that the racquet will do no more than you ask of it! If you want the ball to go fast you swing harder! The racquet will not force to to “fear” your stroke!
If you are considering an 18 x 20 string pattern this racquet should be right at the top of the list.
Our COF numbers are quite good which indicate a positive contribution to “spin” considering the tight string pattern.
| Manufacturer | Head |
|---|---|
| Racquet Model | Head Graphene 360+ Prestige MP |
| Reference Tension | 55 lbs - 24.9 kg |
| String | Victrex PEEK fiber Experimental 7718 |
| Machine Used | True Tension Professional |
| ASPS, RDC | 58 |
| ASPS, FlexFour | 67 |
| Racquet Flex, RDC | 58 - After stringing |
| Racquet Flex, FlexFour | 39 |
| Weight, Grams | 337 |
| Weight, Ounces | 11.89 |
| Balance, mm | 313 |
| Balance, Inch | 12.32 |
| Length, Cm | 68.6 |
| Length, Inch | 27.008 |
| Head Width | 9.47 |
| Head Length | 13.05 |
| Head Area, cm2 | 625.9 |
| Head Area, Sq. Inch | 97 |
| Beam Width, mm, Shaft, Center, Tip | 20, 20, 20 |
| In Plane Stiffness, Pounds/In | 359 Lbs/In. |
| In Plane Stiffness, Kg/cm | 162 Kg/cm |
| Number of Main Strings | 18 |
| Number of Cross Strings | 20 |
| Ratio Cross/Mains | .653 |
| Main String Grid | 7.50 |
| Cross String Grid | 10.25 |
| Density (% of head filled with string) | .792 |
| Average Cross String Space | .513 |
| Average Main String Space | .417 |
| Dynamic Tension, Kp, ERT | 37 |
| Dynamic Tension, Lbs/in | 206.9 |
| First Moment, Nm | .803 |
| Polar Moment | 326 |
| Torsional Stability | 15 |
| Swing Weight, Kg/cm2 | 311 |
| Swing Weight, Ounces | 10.97 |
| Swing Weight Calculated | 330.2 |
| Power, RDC | 39 |
| Control, RDC | 62 |
| Manueverability, RDC | 79 |
| Power, Calculated | 1749.9 |
| Head Points | 9.29 (negative = head heavy) |
| Head Weight, % | 45.7% |
| Center of Percussion | 21.0 |
| Dwell Time, ms, No Swing | 8.35 |
| Efective Stiffness - lbs | 29.0 |
| K, Lb/In (SBS) RDC | 185.9 |
| Recoil Weight | 160.4 |
| Twist Weight | 226.8 |
| End Weight | 149.2 |
| Tip Weight | 189.9 |
| 9 O'Clock | 98.2 |
| 3 O'Clock | 98.8 |
| Butt Cap | 140.3 |
2020 is Coming Into Focus!
2019 came and went in a blur! In a few days it will 2020 and with it will come some exciting new tennis stuff, for sure!
I am not so good at predicting things but I do it anyway! Here are a few predictions I will make for 2020:
- Tennis racquets will become more expensive, but only slightly.
- On-line sales of tennis racquets will increase. See this previous post.
- Customer satisfaction with on-line sales will decrease.
- Small specialty tennis shops will be the source of information, then #2, and then #3.
- Players will stick with a racquet longer, making customizations as needed.
- String and stringing will become a more important component of a racquet purchase. See below!
- Tennis related injuries will continue to be a problem for the sport going forward.
No Underage Polyester, Please!
Thank you for thinking about the “long term” for all tennis players!
There are no bad strings just bad applications!
The right equipment is crucial to the long term enjoyment, and winning, of tennis!
The local representatives I deal with are committed to our “well being” even though some may feel like they are facing “extinction”!
An excellent example of what we are talking about just walked in! Two (2) new racquets so poorly strung it is shocking!
The customer is having serious arm issues with an excellent racquet, with a terrible string setup! But the string setup is probably considered by many to be the ultimate combination, that is RPM Blast in the main and VS Touch in the cross! That combination is coming out in a few minutes! No more polyester!
The quality of the stringing is what is so wrong! Had you or I received this racquet, we would have returned it at once! Why? Because it exemplifies the attitude of so many stringers that is “who cares”!
Happy New Year!
Jack Wins at Eddie Herr International!
Congratulations to Jack Anthrop for winning the Boy’s 16 Singles at the Eddie Herr International Tournament!
Those who know Jack know that he has made steady progress on his quest to become a really great player!
However, here are some things you may not know:
Racquet: Head Graphene Touch Prestige Mid (93) 16×19 string pattern.
String: Pre-production Zyex monofilament, 16L gauge. Prior to this was Ashaway MonoGut ZX. Jack has been using Zyex (PEEK) material for well over six (6) years!
Tension: 56 (25.4kg)
In addition to Jack’s tennis skills he is also highly proficient at cutting and removing string from racquets!
Congratulations, Jack!
Racquet Quest, LLC
