Category Archives: True Tension

Head Radical MP 2023

You have seen the pretty pictures; now see the specs of this new Radical series!

We are starting our property review with the Head Radical MP 2023.  The MP version will probably be the most popular due to the very lovely weight and “player” style head size of 98 inches!

Head Radical MP 2023

The Auxetic component should contribute to a comfortable but aggressive racquet.

As you look at the following specifications you may notice the addition of some “numbers”, specifically “beam width”.  

We have been taking this number for many years but now believe it is time to expose it to you, the readers.  

Briefly, the beam height-to-width ratio contributes to in-plane stiffness which is important for consistent string bed stiffness (SBS).

ManufacturerHead
Racquet ModelHead Radical MP 2023
Reference Tension55
String
MonoGut ZX Pro
Machine UsedTrue Tension Professional
Static
String Bed Stiffness - RDC53.0 Units
String Bed Stiffness -FlexFour64.9 pounds
String Bed Stiffness - SBS51.8 pounds
String Bed Stiffness - ERT35 Kg/Cm
Racquet Flex, RDC65 - After stringing
Racquet Flex, FlexFour44.5
Racquet - In Plane Stiffness379.7 lbs/Inch
Weight, Grams326
Weight, Ounces11.50
Balance, mm333
Balance, Inch13.11
Length, Cm68.57
Length, Inch27.00
Head Width9.63
Head Length12.79
Head Area, cm2623.0
Head Area, Sq. Inch96.7
Beam Height @ Grip, mm21.0
Beam Height @ Mid, mm22.5
Beam Height @ Tip20.5
Beam Width @ Grip, mm12.5
Beam Width @ Throat, mm11.5
Beam Width @ Mid, mm12.8
Beam Width @ Tip, mm12.8
Number of Main Strings16
Number of Cross Strings19
Ratio Cross/Mains.634
Main String Grid7.18
Cross String Grid9.44
Density (% of head filled with string)69.6%
Average Cross String Space.494
Average Main String Space.449
Dynamic
Dynamic Tension, Kp, ERT35
Dynamic Tension, Lbs/in195.76
First Moment, Nm.841
Polar Moment347
Torsional Stability16
Swing Weight, Kg/cm2331
Swing Weight, Ounces11.68
Swing Weight Calculated361.5
Power, RDC52
Control, RDC49
Manueverability, RDC66
Power, Calculated 2101.4
Head Points3.15
Head Weight, %48.5%
Center of Percussion21.1
Dwell Time, ms8.74
Efective Stiffness - lbs29.2
K, Lb/In169.87
Recoil Weight156.44
Twist Weight226.48
End Weight 126.0
Tip Weight 197.7
9 O'Clock105.1
3 O'Clock104.7
Butt Cap115.6
COF, Main.416
COF, Cross.388

Head Boom Team 2022…BOOM!

It is here, and I bet you heard another big BOOM recently!

The Head Boom Team 2022 has arrived and is ready for you to try! The Boom Team is a valuable addition to the Head lineup.

For years players have been asking for a 102 square inch racquet that has the “player” characteristics they wanted.

Player characteristics can mean different things to different players, but here is what the Head Boom Team 2022 has:
A fairly thin beam
A thin head cross-section
A modified box beam shaft cross-section

This racquet continues with Graphene and fresh Auxetic material that has been popular in the Boom Pro and Boom MP!

All specifications are in the chart below but suffice to say; this is a significant step in the right direction!

Looking at the inside of the shaft, you will notice the transitional shape from a thin box beam into a slightly thicker trapezoidal beam.

The head shape also continues with the broader upper section like the Boom Pro and Boom MP. Most “aggressive” shots are hitting the string bed in this area, so giving it more energy makes sense!

The density of the string in that area should contribute to good string life.

The first thing you notice upon pickup (first moment) is the weight distribution. While this is still a “headlight” model (see the specs below), the weight is toward the tip of the racquet.

We have had great results with the Boom Pro and Boom MP in both “retail” and full custom racquets, so, If you are considering a racquet upgrade, this one should be on your list!

ManufacturerHead
Racquet ModelHead Boom Team 2022
Reference Tension55 lbs - 24.9 kg
String
Head Reflex MLT 17
Machine UsedTrue Tension Professional
Static
ASPS, RDC48.0
ASPS, FlexFour64
Racquet Flex, RDC61 - After stringing
Racquet Flex, FlexFour45.0
Racquet - In Plane Stiffness389.6 lbs/Inch
Weight, Grams300
Weight, Ounces10.58
Balance, mm337
Balance, Inch13.27
Length, Cm68.6
Length, Inch27.008
Head Width9.97
Head Length13.065
Head Area, cm2659.7
Head Area, Sq. Inch102.3
Number of Main Strings16
Number of Cross Strings19
Ratio Cross/Mains.642
Main String Grid7.80
Cross String Grid10.80
Density (% of head filled with string).845
Average Cross String Space.568
Average Main String Space.500
Dynamic
Dynamic Tension, Kp, ERT33
Dynamic Tension, Lbs/in184.57
First Moment, Nm.786
Polar Moment320
Torsional Stability15
Swing Weight, Kg/cm2305
Swing Weight, Ounces10.76
Swing Weight Calculated340.7
Power, RDC46
Control, RDC54
Manueverability, RDC83
Power, Calculated 1921.4
Head Points1.89
Head Weight, %49.1%
Center of Percussion20.8
Dwell Time, ms9.18
Efective Stiffness - lbs26.9
K, Lb/In153.85
Recoil Weight138.76
Twist Weight222.21
End Weight 114.3
Tip Weight 187.8
9 O'Clock91.5
3 O'Clock93.6
Butt Cap114.8

Head Prestige 2021 Series Comparative Data

Jumping back and forth between reviews and data is not fun nor is it efficient so we have been posting comparative data. Now all the important stuff is in one place.

All of the data is based on a “play ready” racquet.  That means an overgrip and vibration damper, and unless otherwise noted…string!

As you are looking at the data try to determine which numbers mean the most to you and how you could use them.  For example, the Pro has an overall weight of 342 with a swing weight 318.  How does that compare to the MP?

Keep in mind that weight and swing weight can increased but not easily decreased.  No, making the racquet more “head light” statically does not reduce the swing weight as recorded on testing devices that grab the racquet 10cm from the end!  That is why static balance (CG) should not be used as a performance metric.

Click here to see the data!

 

 

Prince RipStick 300

I am not saying the is not a serious tennis racquet but the first descriptor that come to mind is “fun”! And who does not want to have a little fun while playing tennis, huh?

RipStick 300


This is one of the remaining racquets with the “O” Port technology which is very large string openings instead of small grommet holes. The design allows for much more string movement and the 16×18 string bed helps!  The “O” Ports create an effective head size of 105 in a racquet that measures 100 square inches.

But, just look at those colors!  I think they are awesome!

This is a constant taper beam starting at 22.5mm going up to 27mm so if you are “thin beam” person you may hesitate to hit with this racquet, but we think you may be missing out!

If you just look at the racquet you may think it to be quite stiff.  That is not the case!  With an RDC stiffness of 62 after stringing we arrive at an effective stiffness of 30.2 with this string setup.  Not bad!

Take a look at the specs then come get the demo and see what all these numbers mean to you!

ManufacturerPrince
Racquet ModelPrince RipStick 300
Reference Tension60 lbs - 27.2kg
String
Prince Premier 16
Machine UsedTrue Tension Professional
Static
ASPS, RDC59
ASPS, FlexFour64.5
Racquet Flex, RDC62 - After stringing
Racquet Flex, FlexFour46.6
Racquet - In Plane Stiffness504.2 lbs/Inch
Weight, Grams328
Weight, Ounces11.57
Balance, mm323
Balance, Inch12.72
Length, Cm68.6
Length, Inch27.008
Head Width10.00
Head Length12.87
Head Area, cm2645
Head Area, Sq. Inch100.1
Number of Main Strings16
Number of Cross Strings18
Ratio Cross/Mains.694
Main String Grid7.56
Cross String Grid9.12
Density (% of head filled with string).679
Average Cross String Space.531
Average Main String Space.469
Dynamic
Dynamic Tension, Kp, ERT36
Dynamic Tension, Lbs/in201.35
First Moment, Nm.814
Polar Moment337
Torsional Stability17
Swing Weight, Kg/cm2320
Swing Weight, Ounces11.29
Swing Weight Calculated342.2
Power, RDC43
Control, RDC58
Manueverability, RDC73
Power, Calculated 2095.5
Head Points6.14
Head Weight, %47.2
Center of Percussion21.2
Dwell Time, ms8.28
Efective Stiffness - lbs30.2
K, Lb/In189.10
Recoil Weight159.2
Twist Weight256.05
End Weight 134.9
Tip Weight 194.5
9 O'Clock100.8
3 O'Clock97.3
Butt Cap130.2

 

 

 

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