Hot Melt 200G vs Pro Staff 97

I tested both racquet, but this time with modified Pro Staff 97. I changes the grip with synthetic ones (no leather grip) to reduce the static weight and put long Dunlop dampener. The result was that the Pro Staff is less stiffer, the power still there. Now that I have accustomed of using low powered 95 square inch raquet, using PS97 feels like using oversize with its power. However, the stiffness still there. Also, we did not use new balls, so the balls are softer/mushier and prefer PS due to HM low power. 

Prince Warrior 107: slice and dicer

Hitting out with Warrior 107 yesterday, the racquet is such a slice and dicer. It has a lot of power, unless you like to generate massive spin, slicing and dicing could be the way to tame this racquet. Lost the game because could not push opponent just with slice and dice.

 

Balancing Hot Melt 200G and CX 200 Tour

I added more lead to the CX 200 Tour and put it to the test at Friday night on the indoor court where ball slides hard. Played with HM 200G first and then try the CX 200. The verdict is that, the CX still lighter than the HM but not as lopsided as before. 

The HM is very good with groundstroke but feels heavy when serving, CX 200 is easier on when serving without as plow through. Sunday morning where I played outdoor, I test the CX 200 again. Played 4 sets doubles, winning just 1; was playing easy but the opponents coming out hard and played against higher rating opponent. 

Verdict is that the CX 200 Tour leaded up does not need high swing speed, you can but the weight is already there unlike before the lead.

Dunlop Hot Melt 200G and Head Pro Tour 2.0

I recently got myself a new old stock Dunlop Hot Melt 200G and the specs are close to recently released Head Pro Tour 2.0, see below table for comparison. I change the leather grip of the Hot Melt. Stiffness still lower in HM and lower swing weight too. So, 6 out of 8 is about the same. So, I can say yeah, I got a Pro Tour 2.0 for a bargain. Comparing, the string pattern, the Pro Tour is much tighter in the center area and thinner loop and throat.

	Hot Melt 200G	Pro Tour 630/280	Pro Tour 2.0
Head size (sq inch)	95	95	95
Weight (strung grams)	331 (synth grip)	340	343 (synth grip)
Length (inch)	27	27	27
Swingweight	316	n/a	335
Balance	5 HL	8 HL	6 HL
Strings	18x20	18x20	18x20
Stiffness	60	58	65
Beam width (mm)	20	20	20

Grip pallet

The grip pallet taken from TW website: Pro Staff, Radical, Textreme Tour, VCore. Noticed the Radical shape is very rectangular.

     

Dunlop Hot Melt 200G and CX 200 Tour

I just bought a brand new old stock, Dunlop Hot Melt 200G. The unstrung weight are 322g. I changed the grip to leather and strung it up with Prince Syn Gut Duraflex 17g at 50lbs. Played with the HM on Friday night, it felt good: plow through yet plush. Afterward, I hit with CX 200 Tour 18x20 and the CX felt so light. The next day, I weight them (HM and CX) and added 3 grams to the CX to make the balance the same. I weight them and about the same at around 345-350grams. Played using the CX on Sunday and the racquet changed from low and flexible to more plow, more power (not over) though not as plush, more modern feel, no need for 2 handed backhand because the power already there. Take away, HM 200G is such a gem, a bit on the heavy side but could be pro stock none the less. Picture below: leaded CX from tennisnerd.

String types (and gauge)

I dont really tinker the string much, I feel that tennis performance is as follow, racquet choice is 90% while string is 10% or less. I have tried syn gut many times, multi several times, and poly once. The only time, I hurt my arm from using poly, I have then stop using it. So, I did some readings and the result for the different types are based on the following categories (see below table). My take is that I have been using syn gut since the early days. On the gauge, I used 16 on open pattern and 17 for tight pattern.

Type	Power	Spin	Stiffness	Other
Multifilament	High	Low	Low	Loose tension fast Soft on the arm Less control
Syn Gut	Med	Med	Med	Loose tension moderate Depends on tension Med control
Poly	Low	High	High	Loose tension fast Need low tension High control