As an owner of the Pure Strike 97 & previous Percept (Vcore Pro 97). I can attest to the differences, Yonex is easier to use but when right the Babolat gives you more. I personally prefer the Babolat now because of the extra power. I found myself always fully swinging through to add power with the Vcore Pro 97. I was looking for a controlled oriented racquet with a little bit more power, thank you Babolat. I'll take suggestions on another similar racquet style
In summary: Smaller sweet spot in Babolat, leading to less forgiving (in control, spin, power) and Babolat has less feel; hence Percept 97 is the winner!
For me the PS97 has a bigger sweetspot because it is way more stable : higher swingweight, stiffer and larger frame (profile). Also I prefer the feel of Babolat, Yonex is too muted. The Percept is more maneuvrable, comfortable, better control, spin but less power.
I really didn’t want to like the PS VS, but I just kept winning more than other racquets. It’s obviously going to be different for others, but this thing is point and shoot and very maneuverable. I picked up a gen 4 97 and it sounds and feels slightly better. If you don’t mind the slightly more hollow feel of the PS VS then save your money and buy those.
It is strange I have seen this video a few times and I have been currently testing the pure strike 97 , percept and wilson ultra pro 97 for 4 days now . My range of rackets is 95 to 97 . For the first few days with a stiff feeling poly , they were controled . Yet , the percept felt like a point and shoot heavy headed balanced racket while the pure strike feels like a light and nimble one . They have equal yet unique control . The pure strike 97 is a lighter and whippy spin oriented stick . Perhaps it's the RA of 63 or the flex that you have mentioned . The percept lossed the pro aspect of the previous edition and losses its backhand low height skidding shot . The percept could benefit with added weight in the head but to stabilize the purestrike , you require it at 2 and 10 . 1.8 gram dampeners each , changes this racket from night to day . There is very little to no room under the but cap to counter weight , what is put in the head on the pure strike , unless you silicone inject . The vdm in the percepts grip is protected and there is no real way to put weight under it. You must hit the pure strike in the sweet spot , but it makes your playing skill better and becomes fun with its added stabilization and manuversbility . It has a decent reverse twist serve yet none surpass the volkl c10 evo . The stability and control is there now with the added weight . The pure strike 97 does loose its power / control balaced feel on the forehand. vs in the previous VS edition . The pure strike is not muted like the percept . The percept does not give you the touch and feel like standards , as you would receive from the cx 200 tour 18 x 20 . The purestrike 97 feels like it competes along side the solinco white out and the prince ats textreme tour 98 but in a 97 frame . I put the percept in the box and have been only testing it against the wilson ultra pro 97 . Two different styles of serve capabilities . One is a razorblade and the other an all around weapon . Each is uniquely for or the similar player , but the Ultra pro eats up strings quickly and prefers high tensions or it becomes useless . Tech is neccesary to preserve the string tension in the ultra pro . The wilson can get a bit heavy , but it is a weapon yet comfortably muted vs the percept . The purestrike also seems to work well at lower tensions like 38 to 40 lbs while the wilson ultra pro seems to prefer the higher tensions . It stands on its own with and without weight , at lower tensions , weight supports the 63 RA . All 3 rackets were using TW generic grey poly . The poly drops tension quickly in 3 days . They also standardized on 16 gauge . This destroys the foundation of the test . It alters the base parameters . 17 gauge is recommended by the designers for all of these racquets .
PS Tour is awesome. Thinking about buying the 2019 version. I demoed it and it is a tank, brutal spin and such easy power. For me the most effective stick if I want to win a match. Only downside is the feel. It so boardy and stiff and no defined sweetspot. But probably that makes it so effective.
Would love to get a comparison between Head Prestige MPL (99sq.in) & Yonex Percept 100. Two 300g static weigh rackets with thin box beam that give you user friendly control.
Great Suggestion! We have a list of different racquet comparison videos upcoming, so we love getting these suggestions! Any other comparisons you would like to see?
Really enjoy your reviews and perspective. I am a strong intermediate club player. Play mostly doubles with big serve and aggressive forehand. Have bounced around from Vcore98 (lacked precision and required spin every shot), Ezone98 (lacked feel and odd throat on ohbh), Percept 97 (felt amazing, but unforgiving when late) and just recently Prestige MPL (tweaking with adding 5g right now to increase plow/solid feel). @@ph-tennis
I'd like to understand the difference between control via more strings say 18x20 on a 100 or 98 or via a smaller head size say 95 with 16x19. Both offer more control but do they offer it differently?
Hey guys @ Babolat pure strike 97 , the specs on screen are way off the production version in terms of stiffness & swing weight , did it change for the production vs pre-production version
But is it easier because the swing weight is way too low on the percept some have measured it as low as 309. You would need to add weight before even comparing them. No way an avanced player will play with 309 sw, !!!!
As an owner of the Pure Strike 97 & previous Percept (Vcore Pro 97). I can attest to the differences, Yonex is easier to use but when right the Babolat gives you more. I personally prefer the Babolat now because of the extra power. I found myself always fully swinging through to add power with the Vcore Pro 97. I was looking for a controlled oriented racquet with a little bit more power, thank you Babolat. I'll take suggestions on another similar racquet style
Great review - love that black PS 97!
In summary: Smaller sweet spot in Babolat, leading to less forgiving (in control, spin, power) and Babolat has less feel; hence Percept 97 is the winner!
For me the PS97 has a bigger sweetspot because it is way more stable : higher swingweight, stiffer and larger frame (profile). Also I prefer the feel of Babolat, Yonex is too muted.
The Percept is more maneuvrable, comfortable, better control, spin but less power.
these videos make my day, love the comparisons
Glad you like them!
I really didn’t want to like the PS VS, but I just kept winning more than other racquets. It’s obviously going to be different for others, but this thing is point and shoot and very maneuverable. I picked up a gen 4 97 and it sounds and feels slightly better. If you don’t mind the slightly more hollow feel of the PS VS then save your money and buy those.
Great review guys. I play with the Pro staff X but considering changing to the Yonex Perception. This was very helpful
It is strange I have seen this video a few times and I have been currently testing the pure strike 97 , percept and wilson ultra pro 97 for 4 days now . My range of rackets is 95 to 97 .
For the first few days with a stiff feeling poly , they were controled . Yet , the percept felt like a point and shoot heavy headed balanced racket while the pure strike feels like a light and nimble one . They have equal yet unique control . The pure strike 97 is a lighter and whippy spin oriented stick . Perhaps it's the RA of 63 or the flex that you have mentioned .
The percept lossed the pro aspect of the previous edition and losses its backhand low height skidding shot .
The percept could benefit with added weight in the head but to stabilize the purestrike , you require it at 2 and 10 . 1.8 gram dampeners each , changes this racket from night to day .
There is very little to no room under the but cap to counter weight , what is put in the head on the pure strike , unless you silicone inject . The vdm in the percepts grip is protected and there is no real way to put weight under it.
You must hit the pure strike in the sweet spot , but it makes your playing skill better and becomes fun with its added stabilization and manuversbility . It has a decent reverse twist serve yet none surpass the volkl c10 evo . The stability and control is there now with the added weight . The pure strike 97 does loose its power / control balaced feel on the forehand. vs in the previous VS edition .
The pure strike is not muted like the percept . The percept does not give you the touch and feel like standards , as you would receive from the cx 200 tour 18 x 20 .
The purestrike 97 feels like it competes along side the solinco white out and the prince ats textreme tour 98 but in a 97 frame . I put the percept in the box and have been only testing it against the wilson ultra pro 97 . Two different styles of serve capabilities . One is a razorblade and the other an all around weapon . Each is uniquely for or the similar player , but the Ultra pro eats up strings quickly and prefers high tensions or it becomes useless . Tech is neccesary to preserve the string tension in the ultra pro .
The wilson can get a bit heavy , but it is a weapon yet comfortably muted vs the percept .
The purestrike also seems to work well at lower tensions like 38 to 40 lbs while the wilson ultra pro seems to prefer the higher tensions . It stands on its own with and without weight , at lower tensions , weight supports the 63 RA .
All 3 rackets were using TW generic grey poly . The poly drops tension quickly in 3 days . They also standardized on 16 gauge . This destroys the foundation of the test . It alters the base parameters . 17 gauge is recommended by the designers for all of these racquets .
The new Pure Strike 100 16x20 vs Percept 100d is a comparison that needs to be made.
Will Babalot come out w a Pure Strike Tour? I have the most recent tour and love it. Thanks guys, enjoy your content!
PS Tour is awesome. Thinking about buying the 2019 version. I demoed it and it is a tank, brutal spin and such easy power. For me the most effective stick if I want to win a match. Only downside is the feel. It so boardy and stiff and no defined sweetspot. But probably that makes it so effective.
Please compare also the 100s!
first time here, it is fun and qulity content.
Interesting to see some 100 sq.in. control racquet comparison. Like Percept 100D vs Gravity Tour.
Would love to get a comparison between Head Prestige MPL (99sq.in) & Yonex Percept 100. Two 300g static weigh rackets with thin box beam that give you user friendly control.
Great Suggestion! We have a list of different racquet comparison videos upcoming, so we love getting these suggestions! Any other comparisons you would like to see?
Really enjoy your reviews and perspective. I am a strong intermediate club player. Play mostly doubles with big serve and aggressive forehand. Have bounced around from Vcore98 (lacked precision and required spin every shot), Ezone98 (lacked feel and odd throat on ohbh), Percept 97 (felt amazing, but unforgiving when late) and just recently Prestige MPL (tweaking with adding 5g right now to increase plow/solid feel). @@ph-tennis
I'd like to understand the difference between control via more strings say 18x20 on a 100 or 98 or via a smaller head size say 95 with 16x19.
Both offer more control but do they offer it differently?
using ezone 100, I want a bit of control, shall I go ezone 98 or percept 100?
Please review the Percept 97L as well. Most recreational players play with a lighter, more manoeuvrable racket.
Head prestige 2023 vs wilson blade v9 ??
More interested in a 18x20 pure strike review.
yes, the 18x20 vs the 97
Pure strike 97 feels too light to be a players racquet. I’m going to try adding some weight.
Hey guys @ Babolat pure strike 97 , the specs on screen are way off the production version in terms of stiffness & swing weight , did it change for the production vs pre-production version
The specs on screen are the true specs of the frame used - the difference is to account for manufacturing variance!
I have the babolat and I don't think the stiffness is 67 (it's 62-63) or the swingweight is 295 (it's 315)
But is it easier because the swing weight is way too low on the percept some have measured it as low as 309. You would need to add weight before even comparing them. No way an avanced player will play with 309 sw, !!!!
First comment yo