Category Archives: Testing Devices
Questron Cycle Update
Every string that enters the World Headquarters of Racquet Quest goes through the Questron cycle. We have posted images of the product of the cycle, but not the entire process that the Questron goes through to create these posts.
The following video is the entire process from start to post. We look forward to your comments!
If you have a string, or strings, that you would like to know more about, please let us know. We may have already put them through the Questron Cycle.
I mistakenly said “Z” axis when I meant “X” axis, if you caught it.
Comfort is the new Soft!
Over the years descriptive terms for tennis strings have endured many mythical, and even wrong, definitions.
One of the terms we continue to hear is “Synthetic Gut”. First of all, in terms of tennis string if the material is not from a once living animal it is “synthetic!” The term “synthetic gut” was responsible for relegating “nylon™” to the very lowest of low end tennis string, however, even today Nylon™ makes up a substantial percent of the tennis string material!
Now comes “Comfort” trying to relegate “Soft” to the scrap heap!
What difference does it make? A lot. Seasoned players know what works for them and they don’t care what anyone calls it. On the other hand those just beginning or wanting to improve their game do care.
With our in-house testing device, Questron, we test every string that goes into a racquet, and every string that comes into the World Headquarters . The graphs have been posted on this site a few times but just in case you missed them here is a graph:
This graph represents two (2) polyester strings and one (1) natural string because it was handy.
In the simplest terms the quicker (shorter deflection) the string reaches 50 pounds the “stiffer” or less “soft” it is. Neither of the polyester stings are “soft” compared to the natural string, however, one polyester string is “softer” than the other polyester string but not by much.
We have tested many strings that are now available in a “soft” version and the “standard” (not soft) version.
Whatever string version you choose use it because it works for you whether is it marketed as Comfort or Soft!
More Linearity
Every string we use and even string we do not use goes through our Questron testing cycle. We have discussed this before, and a video on this site shows the Questron in action. We have updated the Questron significantly since the video was made…and it isn’t quiet.
We want to discuss “linearity” and how it can help when choosing a string setup.
We used these strings recently, and they were not chosen for any reason other than availability.
The first graph shows highly linear strings. The straighter the line from “0” to “fail,” the more linear and consistent the string is throughout its life.
So, what does linearity do for me?
- Maintains tension
- Minimizes energy loss
- Maintains playability
- Maintains consistency
- Maximizes control
- Maintains predictability
- Provides confidence throughout your match
This property is essential to us. That is why we offer an alternative to non-linear strings.
If you would like this information for your favorite string, please let us know, and we will try to provide it for you nd all other readers!
Power from Head Radical Pro
As with many of the Head “Pro” series racquets, they have been considered control racquets, not necessarily powerful.
Head Auxetic 2 Radical Pro
We set out to see what kind of “power” number we could get using string bed stiffness only. Obviously, more swing weight and maybe more overall weight would do it, but the Head Radical Pro is already at the top of these specifications.
The following video is a look at our software data.
Racquet Quest, LLC
