Wilson Six One Team

My take on TN review, in brackets:

Judging from the responses of our playtesters, the 2012 update to the Wilson BLX Six.One Team is going to turn some heads [not sure when compare to 90s Wilson Ultra that I used previous this one]. The new Amplifeel technology uses an innovative handle system to reduce harsh vibrations, and the switch to an open string pattern has expanded the sweetspot [certainly different that other racquet handle]. Together these changes add up to more comfort -- a fact not lost on our team [not sure]. In addition to comfort, Wilson has kept this racquet very maneuverable, which explains why our testers were able to position the racquet so quickly and explode through contact [agree, maneuverable]. With its 95 square inch head and lighter weight, the new BLX Six.One Team errs on the side control [good control racquet]. While our testers occasionally had issues with the power level and stability, none of them walked away disappointed. Ultimately, Wilson has created a very comfortable all court racquet for the intermediate to advanced player who places a premium on maneuverability, comfort and precision [set the standard].

Prince Warrior 107

Coming from Pro Staff 97, I looked for nice and easy OS racquet as I enjoyed Rad OS on fast court. So, I had my eyes on Prince Warrior 107. I finally got this racquet, a special edition with blue rather than red (rather the red version, but this is rarely exist in Indonesia). After playing with it for several games, I thought this racquet is too powerful. I just have to be careful when swinging it, especially on backhand (cannot swing long with this one). Here is the review summary from TN and my remarks in brackets:
Like the other racquets in the new Prince Textreme line, this Textreme Warrior 107 took our playtest team by surprise [not sure yet]. A 107 square inch headsize often qualifies as what we like to call a "game improvement frame" that is ideal for players with shorter, slower strokes who want help generating power [i could not swing big with this one]. However, the Warrior 107 reminded our testers of classic oversize frames like the Head Radical OS and Prince Original Graphite 107 [played with Rad Youtek OS and not the same], which appealed to a wider range of players, including more advanced ones [maybe]. This Warrior 107 had plenty of power and forgiveness [true], so our testers could swing big [not me] without fear of missing the sweetspot, but it also provided good control and exceptional feel from almost everywhere on the court. While it didn't quite provide the level of control [agree] of a more traditional player's racquet, this oversize offering truly impressed our team and is worth a demo for almost any level of player.

Racquets lineup

3 racquets on current line up would be: 1) Wilson PS97, 2) Head Radical OS, and 3) Prince Textreme Warrior 107. Each of them played differently; however, now I have come to the following summary:
1. PS97: rally from baseline; plow through; serve; small headsize; tad heavy; very good for single
2. RadOS: defense; headsize for volley; power; overhead; need to swing hard; oval grip; good for single/double
3. W107: defense; return; so far played for 3 double matches (1-2) and 1 single match (0-1).

Note:
1. playing with RadOS rediscover how to strike forehand with power and control
2. different racquet DO affect your stroke especially on serve

Start of 2020

So, at the start of 2020:
- teeth are align, yay, after 2 years (all teeth connected to the wire in Dec 2019)
- playing tennis with Head Radical OS Youtek (great for doubles but on the lighter side), change with leather grip and might tip the balance... (will write review in near future)
- just recently (a week) improving tennis forehand (see control and power video, check on Fed left hand and shoulder); pic from nerdtennis.com

Light tennis racquet

So I have played with light racquet before. The first time was using Six One Lite (SOL), a 249g unstrung racquet with the same cosmetic as Six One Team (SOT). The SOL was very light though and have even balance thus it was low powered and possibly hurt my hand due to vibration from the stiff construction. It is retired now, I change the grip to leather and eager to try it again for recreation only. I bought a second light weight racquet, Prince Textreme Tour 100L (TTL), a 279g unstrung headlight 4pts racquet. I customed with a leather grip and 2 strips of weight on 9 and 3 o'clock head. Two weeks ago, I brought it to practice and lo and behold, I beat the guy I rarely beat, twice on same day. So, what happened? This TTL was very maneuverable, no need for proper prep just like PS97 but still hefty enough for rec play. The thing is, the PS97 is awesome for straight hard balls but not easy on slow balls, no power from it. TTL is good for blocking back, not hitting it back, and good for hitting those slow balls and add some spin. In conclusion, use racquet for the type of game you play. Heavy racquet can be unforgiving especially for weird and awkward overhead.

Head Light Racquet

So I have been trying to follow RF forehand since I am most comfortable using eastern grip since forever same as him. I currently use Pro Staff 97 with no modification. When I first started using PS97, it felt pretty heavy compare to Six One Team or Lite that I use, but now I am quite comfortable with it. It is so easy to serve with, it has bigger sweet spot than my SOT and softer on the arm. Yet, I rarely restring unless it broke, and it may started to get harsh and sends vibration to the arm. I also have been wanting to change the grip of the PS97 but risking getting it even heavier.

I noticed that with existing grip and added a thick and thin overgrip, the grip feels round with slight bevel corner. Reading from the forum, some the advantages of using leather grip are better feel of the grip, added weight, thinning the handle, and long last.

And so, I replaced one of PS97 and then I use only one overgrip. I though the leather grip is thicker than the original faux leather grip installed. I played with it once and I got lighter head than before and guess what, less vibration on arm. The late wrist movement to generate spin were better. No wonder RF97 has 3 point more head light than PS97. So in conclusion, for a heavy racquet adding more weight on the handle for more head light could be better but depends on your tipe of swing. On the minus side, I could not serve flat as before but the kick improve on the plus side. I also changed the other one with leather grip as well. The feel of the bevel certainly helps especially 

on serve and volleys.

Serving ritual - bouncing

I rarely bounce the ball before serving, until very recently. Maybe before, I dont really good at bouncing the ball, I would rather hit the ball with the racquet to the court several times before tossing it. But few weeks ago, I played on a granite court, which was strange to me because the surface was not flat, so I bounced the balls couple of times to get the feel of the court. I think the idea was good that it forces you to check the bounciness of the court. But, then I get the second benefit from bouncing the ball, which will be explain next. I modeled my serve on Federer serve because 1st, I dont move me back foot when serving and 2nd, it is in between flat and kick serve. The next puzzle, I learn was that you need relax shoulders before tossing the ball and bouncing the ball helps that. You kind of need to bounce the ball, relax your shoulders by hunching them a bit and then open up when tossing the ball. It definitely helps to hit the ball by the sweet spot.

Poly string

So I made a gamble last week by bringing only one racquet, the six one team (SOT) with poly string. The string was wilson spin cycle that has cutting cross of a triangle strung at 55. The racquet perform well the week before after I played two matches indoor with PS97 which are heavier (maybe the weight just fit and it was a hot night). With SOT I can strike faster thus not as much late as before. So what happened was that after just a few hits, my arm could not bear the shock, I was hitting using the wrist movement. After the first game, I hit with the racquet and found that the sweetspot was now below the head mid point, so afterward I am for it but it was such a small sweetspot. So, I read about poly and with a full poly, I should have strung it at 10% lower maybe at 50 or lower. Plus, I read that about what happened when string goes dead. I never thought about dead string before, but when it goes dead, it hurts your arm. And so, I replaced it with a syn gut and see how the SOT will perform again. #tennis #racquet #sweetspot #poly

Quad helix is out

The quad helix was taken off on 11/24. Better eating now, no more veggies getting stuck. By the way, the dentist (drg Maya) compare it with before and the change was drastic, not underbite as before, and that to me is a big thing.

Another PS97 and on the string

So, I bought a new (old) racquet. It is a brand new old stock, red PS97; so I have two now. It cost a bit than my previous same racquet. I just felt so comfortable with this racquet (though bit heavy sometimes, must be from playing lighter racquet; hopefully). In addition, the string of the 1st one felt loose and need spare too. It turns out, the 1st one due need replacement cause I played with the 2nd one (same type of string with same tension) and felt better. But, I will, cross my finger, replace when the string broke. For history, prince topspin 16 at 55lb (mind the picture). About old new stock, the grip was starting to peel when I opened the plastic wrap.
#tennis #racquet #syngut #wilson #prince

Tennis: team playing

After non-playing for more than a month, I play again, yay. Played three games: win, lost, lost. You dont talk about the win. You learn from losses. 1st lost: trailing 5-4 then opponents want play til 8, OK we said. We got 7-5 but then partner missed easy shot that might got her nerve. Then lost at 8-7, a a bummer but good game. 2nd lost: play with same opponents but different partner; trailing 5-3 but then easing to 5-5. Got 5 from playing aussie formation which was awesome, should do it again but depends on the server call. Lost the last game from opponent playing poach. They well aware of my return and try poach it; cant blame them.

I like returning fast and low but they play for the win while I play for the game; just hate hitting those lob. So better try the lob to beat the poach, be a poacher too next time, play when they want to play, try beat them when they want to beat you.

Lob note: aim corner on 1st serve, step up on 2nd serve
Racquet note: not comfortable playing light racquet on doubles, need those slice and dicer and sharp balls.

Tennis: serving

Oh boy, serving. Serving can win or loose you. The key is to own the first serve and if fails then own the second serve. How do you own the first serve? fast serve obviously, but an effective one might just do esp. in doubles. How about second serve? control. At first serve, it all depends on the server; at second serve, depends on the receiver. On second serve, receiver knows that the attempt wont be as fast. This is the hardest stroke to learn among other most used strokes. Forehand is a must topspin or backspin, the same as backhand. Plus you can, go around do forehand instead of backhand and vice verse. But for service, no way around it. Of course, there is underhand but easily returned. I spend a whole of time, practicing and analyzing this stroke. You can practice but if you does not improve that it wont be as effective. Two important things: the throw and the stroke. Cant have the stroke if does not have the throw. In addition, different throw for different stroke. Moreover, different racquet and it could be very different result. Different player have different stroke, thats why I loved it. #tennis #serve

Game of Tennis (doubles)

The blog is about my last week tennis game. I played once in week in tennis courts just inside my housing complex. I play there with bunch a people that been playing for a long time and way older than me. I started playing with them about 2 years ago from my uncle that plays with them. When joining them, I had a decent forehand and need much improved backhand and serves (now, I am better due to better technique, practice, and equipped). But still, when it comes to game time, playing with those older guys were never easy. Even though they play each other every week or even twice or more, the idea of loosing is just not there. At first it is all mental, I mostly lost but now it is about half of the time. And every week it is just different, you play with different partner against different opponent. How they react can just get under your skin.

The key for playing double is playing solid and that is the goal, winning comes second. The strategy always comes to who your partner and who are your opponent. Have to understand your partner as well as your opponent. Some like to play two up front or one front-one back. And when it comes to playing double, avoid the net player; go loop when pushed but needs it to be a good one. And one other thing, breathe.

Remember in game of tennis, even the mighty can lost to an inferior opponent even when already leading.
#tennis #doubles

Sony A6000

So i bought Sony a6000 few months ago for photographing daughter traditional dance at school. The camera came with retractable lens (i dont like retractable lens due to power usage etc). Comparing to my other camera Canon G15, this mirrorless camera is bigger; you need camera bag for sure, cant just dump it in the bag. (continue)

2022 update: bought a used longer lens too

Braces

Starting Jan 2nd week:
So i had lower braces (teeth) installed - at the time of writing also has quad helix expander (tell you later). The first few days wearing braces were grueling. I had saliva issue and end wire poking cheek, it was truly painful. Plus the dentist applied two molar bands for upper jaw to make way for the expander. After a week it gotten so much better, chewing better felt like jaws had adjusted. I had a ceramic type, looks better and not noticeable since they were on the lower only.

Update 4th April 2018:
Moving the premolar is very slow, it might pull the molar to the premolar. It might be a string premolar or other condition. The quad helix is not showing any major improvement, it has been almost three weeks after last adjusment and total 5 weeks installed.

Update 25th April 2018:
The premolar moved, a bit but it moved, yay. The QH showing some signs but real real real slow. No upper braces yet. Had missing band, so need to be back after a week.

Update September 2018:
Been a while, upper braces, had a tooth from lower pulled out, upper jaw further than lower now (teeth perspective); may need to take expander out (how human can get comfortable after period of time with such equipment in mouth is astounding).

Pic from 2021:

Racquet finder (at start)

So i have been looking for the ultimate tennis racquet (for me). Here is my story:

I started with my trusted Wilson Ultra 95 since junior high, used to belongs to my parent. Played it during high school and last time when I played with company I work with occasionally. The Ultra fits playing style in the 80s where many play serve and volley but this one got thicker beam but the grip size was just perfect 4 3/8 (L3). In 2013 I started playing again and this time seeking new racquet.

The racquet of choice then goes to Wilson Six One Team, a 95 inch head size with a little below 10oz unstrung. I read the review from online store and it was also racquet used by one of germany female player; racquet worthy for trying. I chose Wilson due to experience with Wilson and not going to others like Head or Babolat. I also began to notice Federer playing style because my style was so flat. I remember watching Nadal on TV few years back and recall tennis has become a muscle sport. I guess I wasnt noticing Federer yet. Plus, when I play with office they had no coach or sparring partner, just games and games, and got beaten all the time. In 2013, the office got new playing court with coach and sparring partner, that is where I tennis improved. First with forehand, then backhand, volley, and lastly serve which was a few years back still awful. Talk about the racquet, it has small sweetspot, really, so my serve suffer. But this racquet was my coach for forehand and backhand, a bit struggling to produce fast serve but manage kick serve. It is a tad heavy so I seek a lighter backup. [recent - had poly but maybe too stiff, may need to restring]

In 2014, I ordered the Wilson Six One Lite, a 102 head size but below 8oz weight. I figure good for practice. I did not realize it until I had a wrist injury that I knew that the racquet is too light, thus vibrations got into my arms. Plus, when I play single, people were easily returning my ball unlike when using the team. I tried by adding weight around 6-9g in total but still, the stiffness combined with the weight and powerful string, just not enough for the playground. In the end, this is a good racket for spin and serve, plus, I won a runnerup double with this racquet, speedy at net. I also got the same paint as Six One team. So I seek another one. [thinking of retiring this one or give to nephew]

I then ordered Prince Tour Pro 100 ESP, and here is my first experienced with extreme string pattern and just like other super spin racquet it is just not my type. Plus, I mostly played double and you need different kind of racquet. This racquet was too bouncy and in the minus side, I broke two strings without really spending much time with this one, 16 and 15L string gauge. Moreover, I never really got the feel with its shape, more of an egg rather than oval as my wife said. I later trade this one with Wilson Ultra 100 (review below).

After Federer winning another slam in early 2017, I ought to get his racquet but I chose not the signature one, but the lighter one, a Pro Staff 97, no need to mention the brand. I seriously love this racquet with grip L2 just right for a bit of wrist snap, string it with Prince Spin 16 gauge at 55. I even place two overgrip, one standard and the other thinner. The racquet has the buttery feel. I can hit flat and spin, plus my serve got that oomph maybe due to the weight. Talk about its weight, playing long enough and your shoulder can feel sore and that is where my Six One Team can jump in.

So, I bartered the Tour ESP with Wilson Ultra 100, too a swing with it and it is such a powerful racquet. Might be good for single BUT the width of the head at 25mm is just felt head heavy. 4/4/2018: the racquet is sold and no complain from the buyer maybe since the cosmetics are good.

I recently got a Prince Textreme Tour 100L, a light version, a bit heavier than SOL by an oz. It came with a string but might change it cause it might be a syn-gut and a bit tight. A multifill should be better or lower tension (might try this first). It is def a lighter side prob good for warmup or practice.

(... continue)

javajazz 2018

Went with spouse to JJF2018 on friday only. Saw Vanessa Williams, Lee Ritenour, Dionne Warwick, Jeff Lorber, Maysa Leak, Kennedy Administration, Matthew Whitaker, Harvey Mason, and others. Saw mostly international. The sound was not as expected, some mistakes here and there. Mix crowd due to old performers. Vanessa Williams blew me, she brought her own band and was awesome, worth it.

Juke

So i have been driving this juke from early 2015, it was a 2014 car so got a good bargain. Use the car to commute between jakarta and pangalengan (south of bandung) about 190km one way. Bought this car because 1) safe, 2) performance, and 3) high clearance to avoid flooding; other reason such as familiar with nissan service etc. The engine performance is better than livina because of double injection and cvt plus just notice the compression ratio is lower than livina which prone to engine rattling. Because of the mileage it is quite high now. When selecting the vehile was thinking Rush or Yaris but either has high fuel consumption, the other has low ground clearance. The minus of juke is that i dont like the 17 inch wheel and small rear cabin; cant imagine sitting in the back when there is driver.

i'm back

so i have this blog, will post later on... have so much to tell.

compact SUV

This posting is about my comparison of the new segment so called compact SUV against the previous segment and also too my current ride.

... not finished