Control - great. Defense - Commendable. Attack - Awesome!
Badminton Racket First Impressions: Carlton Powerblade 9902
Sweeeet.
Control - great. Defense - Commendable. Attack - Awesome!
Control - great. Defense - Commendable. Attack - Awesome!
Badminton Racket Review: Carlton Air Blade 30
I love Carlton rackets. They're not high and mighty like Yonex is, and so their rackets are nicely priced for the amount of quality that they give. I've got a few of them up on my wall, and I've only ever been kinda disappointed by one of them (which I hope to soon fix...).
In the previous tries with this racket I've commented on its speed and agility, but also the lack of power to get the shot done. Here's a more complete view of the racket.
Let me first state that I am no pro, and this is just my evaluation of the racket to my playing style and experience with it, If anything, I'm a low-intermediate level player looking to improve myself by playing more often and taking the lessons that I learn from the court away with me as pointers for the next session.
With that said, on to the review.
Carlton Air Blade 30
Dry Weight: 82g (4U)
Grip Gize: G5
Balance: Head-Heavy
Max String Tension: 28lbs
Flex: Stiff
Strings: Yonex BG6 @ 26lbs
I've mainly use this racket for doubles play.
Technology:
Ti Wire Reinforced
Defense:
This racket is among the fastest I have in my arsenal. Taking action at the net is easy with the Air Blade 30, and it gives me the confidence to be able to step up and stand my ground. The light weight of the racket allows fast movements and increased reaction speed.
The heavy head added to this by giving the added power boost for when you need it. Receiving smashes and sending the shuttle far to the other corner are simpler and effective, though at times I find the drives and pushes a little lacking in distance.
But fast straight drives to the opponent are brilliant because of the maneuverability, and that is what my doubles game is all about.
Attack
The Air Blade 30 comes with a shorter handle, and that makes you hold the racket at the maximum allowed length which translate to the most amount of power when it comes to smashing. Despite being light weight (easily 10-15g) lighter than most singles racket, the Carlton racket packs quite the punch though nowhere as potent as its 3U counterparts.
Another thing that caught my attention was the yellow rubber grommets at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions, which reminds me of the V12 grommets from the earlier Carlton Vapour Trail and Air Rage series. The principle behind this is that the softer grommets allow for more stretching of the string (perhaps to simulate lower tension) which translate to higher repulsion and power from strings even at higher tensions.
Control
Just as you would expect from a Carlton racket, the Air Blade 30 handles with ease, giving you more time to think about strategy than worrying about whether you're hitting the shuttle right.
Carlton has somehow managed to make the racket in just the right way that it gives you the most of everything you need and makes the game a whole lot easier and fun.
Drops to the net and tight net shots come off the arm like second nature. I was able to feel the shuttle right off the strings and confidently move to the next anticipated spot ready for the return.
But the light weight of the racket plays to your disadvantage when you need to send the shuttle far from the backcourt. Often I find myself using more strength than usual and watching a less than satisfactory shot being delivered.
Good thing the speed allows for a little saving grace following the setup for my opponent...
Looks
This is a fierce-looking racket, with red and black as it's primary color set. Yellow streaks run down the head, adding to the fiery image, and the light hint of gold and silver delivers the swiftness. Dark Vengeance.
Comparison
The last doubles racket I used was the Victor Meteor X80, which gave more powerful shots due to its super stiff shaft. The Carlton Air Blade certainly loses out in the power department, but I think the speed that this racket offers kinda of suits a more defensive game in which you plan to move the opponents around the front of the net.
In the previous tries with this racket I've commented on its speed and agility, but also the lack of power to get the shot done. Here's a more complete view of the racket.
Let me first state that I am no pro, and this is just my evaluation of the racket to my playing style and experience with it, If anything, I'm a low-intermediate level player looking to improve myself by playing more often and taking the lessons that I learn from the court away with me as pointers for the next session.
With that said, on to the review.
Carlton Air Blade 30
Dry Weight: 82g (4U)
Grip Gize: G5
Balance: Head-Heavy
Max String Tension: 28lbs
Flex: Stiff
Strings: Yonex BG6 @ 26lbs
I've mainly use this racket for doubles play.
Technology:
Ti Wire Reinforced
Defense:
This racket is among the fastest I have in my arsenal. Taking action at the net is easy with the Air Blade 30, and it gives me the confidence to be able to step up and stand my ground. The light weight of the racket allows fast movements and increased reaction speed.
The heavy head added to this by giving the added power boost for when you need it. Receiving smashes and sending the shuttle far to the other corner are simpler and effective, though at times I find the drives and pushes a little lacking in distance.
But fast straight drives to the opponent are brilliant because of the maneuverability, and that is what my doubles game is all about.
Attack
The Air Blade 30 comes with a shorter handle, and that makes you hold the racket at the maximum allowed length which translate to the most amount of power when it comes to smashing. Despite being light weight (easily 10-15g) lighter than most singles racket, the Carlton racket packs quite the punch though nowhere as potent as its 3U counterparts.
Another thing that caught my attention was the yellow rubber grommets at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions, which reminds me of the V12 grommets from the earlier Carlton Vapour Trail and Air Rage series. The principle behind this is that the softer grommets allow for more stretching of the string (perhaps to simulate lower tension) which translate to higher repulsion and power from strings even at higher tensions.
Control
Just as you would expect from a Carlton racket, the Air Blade 30 handles with ease, giving you more time to think about strategy than worrying about whether you're hitting the shuttle right.
Carlton has somehow managed to make the racket in just the right way that it gives you the most of everything you need and makes the game a whole lot easier and fun.
Drops to the net and tight net shots come off the arm like second nature. I was able to feel the shuttle right off the strings and confidently move to the next anticipated spot ready for the return.
But the light weight of the racket plays to your disadvantage when you need to send the shuttle far from the backcourt. Often I find myself using more strength than usual and watching a less than satisfactory shot being delivered.
Good thing the speed allows for a little saving grace following the setup for my opponent...
Looks
This is a fierce-looking racket, with red and black as it's primary color set. Yellow streaks run down the head, adding to the fiery image, and the light hint of gold and silver delivers the swiftness. Dark Vengeance.
Comparison
The last doubles racket I used was the Victor Meteor X80, which gave more powerful shots due to its super stiff shaft. The Carlton Air Blade certainly loses out in the power department, but I think the speed that this racket offers kinda of suits a more defensive game in which you plan to move the opponents around the front of the net.
Carlton Air Blade 30
Defense: 10
Attack: 6
Control: 8
Looks: 7
Badminton Racket First Impressions: Carlton Air Blade 30
I'm sure most of you would have a preferred racket for doubles and singles games. The game of singles requires solid placement and allows you a slower pace as compared the the doubles games. That's probably why so many people swear by the head-light Yonex Nanospeed or simply a 4U racket that gives you the added maneuverability at the cost of power.
I've got a nice mix of 3U and 4U rackets, and I've been gradually trying them out to see if I can find myself a nice staple to settle down on instead of changing rackets (and strings) every other session.
This time round it's fallen onto the Carlton Airblade 30, a relatively light racket with a head-heavy disposition, most probably to minimize the loss of power from the 10g disadvantage the frame brings.
To sum it up, the Air Blade 30's got most of what I need from a doubles game, especially in defense. I was thoroughly impressed by how fast and accurate the racket could go, and it's warranted itself a second go.
I've got a nice mix of 3U and 4U rackets, and I've been gradually trying them out to see if I can find myself a nice staple to settle down on instead of changing rackets (and strings) every other session.
This time round it's fallen onto the Carlton Airblade 30, a relatively light racket with a head-heavy disposition, most probably to minimize the loss of power from the 10g disadvantage the frame brings.
To sum it up, the Air Blade 30's got most of what I need from a doubles game, especially in defense. I was thoroughly impressed by how fast and accurate the racket could go, and it's warranted itself a second go.
Badminton Racket Review: Victor Meteor X80
I've always doubted Victor rackets. Something about Taiwanese graphite versus Japanese graphite and that whole experience with the Spira 21 left me thinking that it's just a whole lot of marketing by the Korean National Team.
The chance came to get this racket at a reasonable price, and I jumped to see what it could do. The racket was of the lighter build, and I took it to my doubles games.
Initial experiences were pleasant, and here's the full-on.
Let me first state that I am no pro, and this is just my evaluation of the racket to my playing style and experience with it, If anything, I'm a low-intermediate level player looking to improve myself by playing more often and taking the lessons that I learn from the court away with me as pointers for the next session.
I play a mix of aggression and control, alternating between drop shots and sharp smashes to get the job done. I believe that the main goal of the wonderful game is to get your opponent moving so much they can't reach the shuttle eventually, and the loud thunderous smash is just a bonus that you get in between. As such, footwork is key, and technique supplements that so that you get the most out of your strokes.
With that said, now on to the review.
Victor Meteor X80
Dry Weight: 84g (4U)
Grip Size: G2
Balance: Head-Heavy
Max String Tension: 27lbs
Flex: Very Stiff
Strings: Yonex BG66 @ 24lbs
Technology
- Octablade
- Peakwaves
- Nano Tec
- Carbon XT
- Eighty-80
Defense
Being 4U, this racket was naturally quick on the get-go. There wasn't any need to get accustomed to the weight and swing speed, so I'll say the MX80 is a pretty nice racket to just pick up and go. Very forgiving, and very gentle on the arms despite being very stiff.
The weight in the head can hardly be felt when you swing it, but the moment the strings come into contact with the shuttle you can feel the power from the shaft going to the shuttle; a quick flick of the wrist is all you need to make the shuttle travel to the far ends of the court, and I found myself throwing the angles a little too much sometimes.
That being said, receiving smashes with the Victor Meteor X80 is a breeze. The light weight allowed quicker response from the wrist and the weight transfer upon hitting took care of the distance.
Thanks for the weight transfer, clearing to the backcourts were also easy, even if I were thrown off position and had to force a clear from a lower angle.
Attack
Head-Heavy + very stiff = very good for smashing. Quick drops, fast smashes, check smashes and drives, all good with the MX80. I was comfortable with the speed of the smashes, which were reasonably hard to return.
This coming from a 4U racket is good enough for me. I'm not a hard hitter so this one's not very vital.
Control
I would like to add that the grip size for the MX80 seems a scale lower than the Yonex equivalent. For example, I've found Yonex's G6 to be like Victor's G2.
That's a good thing, because the MX80's smaller grip size gave me loads of control around the court. From performing the deceptive drop shots to placing the smashes down the line, I've got a pretty good grasp of direction as far as the MX80 goes.
One thing I did observe was that because of the lighter weight of the 4U racket, I've seen myself throw the shuttle off the sides a little too much. Might want to take better control of the wrist for future games.
Looks
I also have a thing for cell-shaded graphics, and the Meteor 80 fit right in. Somewhat similar to the Yonex Voltric 80 in color scheme (and some might argue, design), the MX80 is definitely a looker.
Red, black, white and GOLD in a combination of ferocity and swiftness. Quick, sharp edges dominate the principal markings on the racket shaft and head, with the grand touch of gold shaded to accord it the higher.
Comparison
I'm going to pit the Victor MX80 against the Carlton Fireblade FX8, which I find to be more of lass the go-to racket for me if I wanted to have a good game.
The MX80 wins in the speed department; I found myself vexing the weight of the FX8 after I picked it up for a game of singles right off a couple of doubles. From then on, the FX8 just felt too heavy and not very comfortable to use and control.
Using the MX80 for singles games, I felt that I missed the ease of control that came with the FX8. There were instances where I could've pushed the shuttle further and hit a little harder if I had the added weight of the Carlton Fireblade with me.
But since this is a doubles racket, I'd like to compare it with the S-Lite. But first I'll have to get more playtime off the Carlton head-light racket.
The chance came to get this racket at a reasonable price, and I jumped to see what it could do. The racket was of the lighter build, and I took it to my doubles games.
Initial experiences were pleasant, and here's the full-on.
Let me first state that I am no pro, and this is just my evaluation of the racket to my playing style and experience with it, If anything, I'm a low-intermediate level player looking to improve myself by playing more often and taking the lessons that I learn from the court away with me as pointers for the next session.
I play a mix of aggression and control, alternating between drop shots and sharp smashes to get the job done. I believe that the main goal of the wonderful game is to get your opponent moving so much they can't reach the shuttle eventually, and the loud thunderous smash is just a bonus that you get in between. As such, footwork is key, and technique supplements that so that you get the most out of your strokes.
With that said, now on to the review.
Victor Meteor X80
Dry Weight: 84g (4U)
Grip Size: G2
Balance: Head-Heavy
Max String Tension: 27lbs
Flex: Very Stiff
Strings: Yonex BG66 @ 24lbs
Technology
- Octablade
- Peakwaves
- Nano Tec
- Carbon XT
- Eighty-80
Defense
Being 4U, this racket was naturally quick on the get-go. There wasn't any need to get accustomed to the weight and swing speed, so I'll say the MX80 is a pretty nice racket to just pick up and go. Very forgiving, and very gentle on the arms despite being very stiff.
The weight in the head can hardly be felt when you swing it, but the moment the strings come into contact with the shuttle you can feel the power from the shaft going to the shuttle; a quick flick of the wrist is all you need to make the shuttle travel to the far ends of the court, and I found myself throwing the angles a little too much sometimes.
That being said, receiving smashes with the Victor Meteor X80 is a breeze. The light weight allowed quicker response from the wrist and the weight transfer upon hitting took care of the distance.
Thanks for the weight transfer, clearing to the backcourts were also easy, even if I were thrown off position and had to force a clear from a lower angle.
Attack
Head-Heavy + very stiff = very good for smashing. Quick drops, fast smashes, check smashes and drives, all good with the MX80. I was comfortable with the speed of the smashes, which were reasonably hard to return.
This coming from a 4U racket is good enough for me. I'm not a hard hitter so this one's not very vital.
Control
I would like to add that the grip size for the MX80 seems a scale lower than the Yonex equivalent. For example, I've found Yonex's G6 to be like Victor's G2.
That's a good thing, because the MX80's smaller grip size gave me loads of control around the court. From performing the deceptive drop shots to placing the smashes down the line, I've got a pretty good grasp of direction as far as the MX80 goes.
One thing I did observe was that because of the lighter weight of the 4U racket, I've seen myself throw the shuttle off the sides a little too much. Might want to take better control of the wrist for future games.
Looks
I also have a thing for cell-shaded graphics, and the Meteor 80 fit right in. Somewhat similar to the Yonex Voltric 80 in color scheme (and some might argue, design), the MX80 is definitely a looker.
Red, black, white and GOLD in a combination of ferocity and swiftness. Quick, sharp edges dominate the principal markings on the racket shaft and head, with the grand touch of gold shaded to accord it the higher.
Comparison
I'm going to pit the Victor MX80 against the Carlton Fireblade FX8, which I find to be more of lass the go-to racket for me if I wanted to have a good game.
The MX80 wins in the speed department; I found myself vexing the weight of the FX8 after I picked it up for a game of singles right off a couple of doubles. From then on, the FX8 just felt too heavy and not very comfortable to use and control.
Using the MX80 for singles games, I felt that I missed the ease of control that came with the FX8. There were instances where I could've pushed the shuttle further and hit a little harder if I had the added weight of the Carlton Fireblade with me.
But since this is a doubles racket, I'd like to compare it with the S-Lite. But first I'll have to get more playtime off the Carlton head-light racket.
Victor Meteor X80
Defense: 9
Attack: 7
Control: 8
Looks: 9
Moving in doubles
I never really had much experience in doubles despite being part of the school team back in primary school. But then again back then all you had to do was stand there and hit back (though I think it's evolved a lot more since then).
So I had a nice conversation with a nice man today who told me the basic rule of doubles movement. Once again, it all comes down to footwork and coordination, and I wouldn't have it any less.
"If your partner backs off, cover the empty space in front of him."
Sounds easy enough, but wait till I attempt to put it into action...
So I had a nice conversation with a nice man today who told me the basic rule of doubles movement. Once again, it all comes down to footwork and coordination, and I wouldn't have it any less.
"If your partner backs off, cover the empty space in front of him."
Sounds easy enough, but wait till I attempt to put it into action...
Badminton Racket First Impressions: Victor Meteor X80
I had about an hour and a half of doubles using the racket yesterday, and I must admit it gave quite a good impression!
Originally I didn't think I'd like the extreme stiffness of the MX80, as with previous experience with my Victor Spira 21.
During stroking I had a little trouble with sending the shuttle back-to-back, but the quickness and accuracy were more or less present as you would expect from a 4U racket.
Then it came to testing the power and the smashes that the MX80 was known for. Korean champion Jung Jae Sung seemed to have a good time using the racket, so I was expecting something crisp, loud and of course, fast.
And the racket didn't disappoint. The angles I managed to get were impressive, even more so when I switched to using wrist smashes. The speed was acceptable, definitely since it's 4U, and the sound was amazing.
Went on to doubles games and the racket continued to shine. Control, power, speed - all came pretty close to the Yonex Voltric 60.
The next session's in Wednesday, and I'll try to clock in more playtime so I can give a more accurate review.
Because the Spira 21 seemed amazing at first glance too.
Originally I didn't think I'd like the extreme stiffness of the MX80, as with previous experience with my Victor Spira 21.
During stroking I had a little trouble with sending the shuttle back-to-back, but the quickness and accuracy were more or less present as you would expect from a 4U racket.
Then it came to testing the power and the smashes that the MX80 was known for. Korean champion Jung Jae Sung seemed to have a good time using the racket, so I was expecting something crisp, loud and of course, fast.
And the racket didn't disappoint. The angles I managed to get were impressive, even more so when I switched to using wrist smashes. The speed was acceptable, definitely since it's 4U, and the sound was amazing.
Went on to doubles games and the racket continued to shine. Control, power, speed - all came pretty close to the Yonex Voltric 60.
The next session's in Wednesday, and I'll try to clock in more playtime so I can give a more accurate review.
Because the Spira 21 seemed amazing at first glance too.
New Racket: Victor Meteor X80
This here's another cult favorite - the Victor Meteor X80.
I used to own a Spira 21. I didn't like it very much. Let's hope the X80 has a different feel to it.
Oh by the way, it's for sale.
I used to own a Spira 21. I didn't like it very much. Let's hope the X80 has a different feel to it.
Oh by the way, it's for sale.
Badminton Racket First Impressions: Prince Black Pearl XP
Coming off the Voltric 60, I've developed a very high standard for control-rackets. Unlike the powerhouses like the Voltric 80, I've grown to love the slightly lighter and in exchange more nimble rackets.
The Prince Black Pearl XP was purchased because of its very sleek chrome finish and its oval shaped head. I've had a lot of isometric and optimetric rackets lately and it's fresh to see one traditional-shaped for a change.
I brought the racket along when I took the VT80 out for its first run, and I must say it's a bad way to start it off. The Black Pearl was soon placed back into the bag since the VT80 was so addictive a racket.
So I gave the racket a shot today with a 2-hour singles session, and I have good things to say.
The XP in the name means extra power, but sadly I own a VT80 and there's very little rackets out there that can compete with that one on power. So not surprised that the Black Pearl didn't meet expectations on the smashing power department.
But I'm more of a control player, and that's where the Prince racket shone!
My buddy who played with me that day said something that gave the rackets extra points - headless chicken.
Will do more rounds with the racket and give a full review soon.
The Prince Black Pearl XP was purchased because of its very sleek chrome finish and its oval shaped head. I've had a lot of isometric and optimetric rackets lately and it's fresh to see one traditional-shaped for a change.
I brought the racket along when I took the VT80 out for its first run, and I must say it's a bad way to start it off. The Black Pearl was soon placed back into the bag since the VT80 was so addictive a racket.
So I gave the racket a shot today with a 2-hour singles session, and I have good things to say.
The XP in the name means extra power, but sadly I own a VT80 and there's very little rackets out there that can compete with that one on power. So not surprised that the Black Pearl didn't meet expectations on the smashing power department.
But I'm more of a control player, and that's where the Prince racket shone!
My buddy who played with me that day said something that gave the rackets extra points - headless chicken.
Will do more rounds with the racket and give a full review soon.
For tomorrow
This here's the Prince Black Pearl. I've had this racket in the rack for awhile now, and I think tomorrow's the time for the debut.
First Impressions soon.
In the rush of the rain
I am a snail.
When you think of me, you think of slow things. When you see me I am usually crushed and run over by ants, or on a tray with butter and garlic garnished with coriander.
Other than that you do not see much of me. I like to be hidden, away from the rest of you, because when I appear and you see me it's usually not a good end for me. Like you, I dislike dying.
I slither. I slide. I move slow. I like it when it's slow; it's a nice pace to see the world, and there is so much to see. You don't know I'm there, watching, because you're too much in a hurry to notice me. It's amazing how much you don't see when you're rushing off wanting to see everything.
I like it when it rains. I get to feel fast because when it rains the world becomes slower than I am. In my snail eyes, I see the world stop.
And when it gets really heavy, it becomes like in those old movies, where streaks of white blaze down the monochromatic scene, cutting the single frame into millions of small segments, each a different size than the others. The sound breaks, screeching and scratched by the falling raindrops hitting the pavement.
Now you're thinking that I can't hear. But I can, and I do. You should try seeing the world from un-you. Then you probably can see me.
In the black and white of the rain, I see people standing, looking up expecting to see something there that would make it all stop. There are those who walk in the rain, like I do. It gets wet you see, and for someone who breathes through their skin I need to get to higher ground or I die again.
Those that walk in the rain, they look out for me. It's nice to be noticed.
I am a snail, and you see me when it rains. Not because I come out, but because you wanted to.
When you think of me, you think of slow things. When you see me I am usually crushed and run over by ants, or on a tray with butter and garlic garnished with coriander.
Other than that you do not see much of me. I like to be hidden, away from the rest of you, because when I appear and you see me it's usually not a good end for me. Like you, I dislike dying.
I slither. I slide. I move slow. I like it when it's slow; it's a nice pace to see the world, and there is so much to see. You don't know I'm there, watching, because you're too much in a hurry to notice me. It's amazing how much you don't see when you're rushing off wanting to see everything.
I like it when it rains. I get to feel fast because when it rains the world becomes slower than I am. In my snail eyes, I see the world stop.
And when it gets really heavy, it becomes like in those old movies, where streaks of white blaze down the monochromatic scene, cutting the single frame into millions of small segments, each a different size than the others. The sound breaks, screeching and scratched by the falling raindrops hitting the pavement.
Now you're thinking that I can't hear. But I can, and I do. You should try seeing the world from un-you. Then you probably can see me.
In the black and white of the rain, I see people standing, looking up expecting to see something there that would make it all stop. There are those who walk in the rain, like I do. It gets wet you see, and for someone who breathes through their skin I need to get to higher ground or I die again.
Those that walk in the rain, they look out for me. It's nice to be noticed.
I am a snail, and you see me when it rains. Not because I come out, but because you wanted to.
Something unexpected
Pearl Harbored
US /ˈpɜrl.hɑr•bər/ phrasal verb [M]
Definition: To have lost the fight before it's begun, or to have been caught so far up the ass you're shitting out your mouth to keep your feet straight.
Mum totally pearl harbored me with this rant about how we don't respect her enough after we took her out for her birthday that weekend.
The effects of proper footwork
I've been having some 1-to-1 training for about 2 months, and there've been some noticeable improvements to my game.
But none more than the higher level of efficiency that I possess to get to the shots. And for this I have footwork to credit.
Before every session there's a footwork drill to warm the muscles up and also to put into practice the steps that it takes to move around the court with less effort.
Though some of the ok habits still remain, I'm still glad I got started on the lessons.
One more bonus perk - my knees no longer hurt in the morning.
But none more than the higher level of efficiency that I possess to get to the shots. And for this I have footwork to credit.
Before every session there's a footwork drill to warm the muscles up and also to put into practice the steps that it takes to move around the court with less effort.
Though some of the ok habits still remain, I'm still glad I got started on the lessons.
One more bonus perk - my knees no longer hurt in the morning.
Badminton Racket Review: Carlton Vapour Trail Vanquish
I remember the day I saw this racket. It was one of those that made you say "I'll buy this one." The weight feels good and the design's great - what else is there to ask for?
When it was time to take it to the courts, it only got better. The most impressive shot I managed to perform with the Vanquish was a cross court backhand from corner to corner. I've since changed the strings to a 24lbs BG66 instead of the original 26lbs BG 66 Ultimax, and it's impacted my game positively.
Let me first state that I am no pro, and this is just my evaluation of the racket to my playing style and experience with it, If anything, I'm a low-intermediate level player looking to improve myself by playing more often and taking the lessons that I learn from the court away with me as pointers for the next session.
I play a mix of aggression and control, alternating between drop shots and sharp smashes to get the job done. I believe that the main goal of the wonderful game is to get your opponent moving so much they can't reach the shuttle eventually, and the loud thunderous smash is just a bonus that you get in between. As such, footwork is key, and technique supplements that so that you get the most out of your strokes.
With that said, now on to the review.
Carlton Vapour Trail Vanquish
Dry Weight: 84g (4U)
Grip Size: G5
Balance: Even
Max String Tension: 28lbs
Flex: Medium
Strings: BG 66 @ 24lbs
Technology
- Pro V12 Grommets
- Bi-Axel Dynamics
- Optimetric Head Shape
Defense
Fast. Fast. Fast. I'll start by crediting the slim head shape that Carlton calls 'Optimetric'. Basically it's an in-between of the isometric and the oval, and it gives a nice slim top to the head, kinda like the Yonex ArcSaber Z-Slash.
That allows the faster swings and response time needed for defensive players like myself. The slightly larger head area and sweet spot (compared to the ArcSaber Z-Slash also allows better control and less mistakes). Add the lightweight 4U frame into the mix and you've got yourself a nice and fast racket in the Vapour Trail Vanquish.
I've a personal liking to shorter grips, and the Vanquish follows in the fashion of the Carlton Fireblade FX8, offering up a grip that fits my hand perfectly and allows a very fast grip change for when you need it most.
Attack
If you've had the chance to hit a proper smash with the ArcSaber Z-Slash and saw how fast the shuttle can go, then you'll be left with the same experience when you hit a smash with the Carlton Vapour Trail Vanquish. Smaller head and shorter grip ensures the player's smashes are optimal and sharp; all you've got to do then is watch the opponent pick up shuttles from their side of the court.
The guys I played with also noticed a nice sound when I hit smashes with the Vanquish. That's a plus point for most players I guess.
Control
The last time I wrote about the Fireblade FX8 I praised it's high level of control and how it allows me to worry about tactics instead of whether the shuttle's flying off-course.
The Vanquish actually gives slightly more control than the Fireblade FX8 because of the even weight distribution. While punching clears might require a little more elbow grease, the accuracy trade-off is well worth it. Drives left and right that I use to throw opponents off-axis are easily executed without fear of the shuttle going out the sides or the back.
Net shots are compromised slightly because of the smaller head size, but the quickness of the racket allows one to give more allowance when attempting the trickier ones.
One more thing to add is the nice and small cap that allows people with smaller hands more comfort when handling the racket in defense.
Looks
The Carlton Varpour Trail series of rackets all come in the same design, so it's just the color-code that separates one from the rest. The Vanquish is a combination of yellow, lime green and olive, and it turned out pretty ok to have had me say yes to parting with my money from the get-go.
While Yonex tends to use tribal marks and swishes into its current range, Carlton's sharp and short curves makes the design stand out more to me. Selective chromatic finishes to the text also give a level of depth absent in the other rackets that I've seen.
Comparison
The Carlton Vapour Trail Vanquish is one of the rare rackets that I'll use for both singles and doubles play. Because of the flexibility of the racket, I'll rate this among my most favourite rackets, probably next to the Fireblade ahead of the Voltric 60.
But mind you, that's not by a lot either. The Vanquish made my games fun, calculative and very dangerous at the same time. I was able to slow my game down and consider more adventurous shots when the others rarely give me the chance.
Carlton Vapour Trail Vanquish - the racket with the slow-mo button.
When it was time to take it to the courts, it only got better. The most impressive shot I managed to perform with the Vanquish was a cross court backhand from corner to corner. I've since changed the strings to a 24lbs BG66 instead of the original 26lbs BG 66 Ultimax, and it's impacted my game positively.
Let me first state that I am no pro, and this is just my evaluation of the racket to my playing style and experience with it, If anything, I'm a low-intermediate level player looking to improve myself by playing more often and taking the lessons that I learn from the court away with me as pointers for the next session.
I play a mix of aggression and control, alternating between drop shots and sharp smashes to get the job done. I believe that the main goal of the wonderful game is to get your opponent moving so much they can't reach the shuttle eventually, and the loud thunderous smash is just a bonus that you get in between. As such, footwork is key, and technique supplements that so that you get the most out of your strokes.
With that said, now on to the review.
Carlton Vapour Trail Vanquish
Dry Weight: 84g (4U)
Grip Size: G5
Balance: Even
Max String Tension: 28lbs
Flex: Medium
Strings: BG 66 @ 24lbs
Technology
- Pro V12 Grommets
- Bi-Axel Dynamics
- Optimetric Head Shape
Defense
Fast. Fast. Fast. I'll start by crediting the slim head shape that Carlton calls 'Optimetric'. Basically it's an in-between of the isometric and the oval, and it gives a nice slim top to the head, kinda like the Yonex ArcSaber Z-Slash.
That allows the faster swings and response time needed for defensive players like myself. The slightly larger head area and sweet spot (compared to the ArcSaber Z-Slash also allows better control and less mistakes). Add the lightweight 4U frame into the mix and you've got yourself a nice and fast racket in the Vapour Trail Vanquish.
I've a personal liking to shorter grips, and the Vanquish follows in the fashion of the Carlton Fireblade FX8, offering up a grip that fits my hand perfectly and allows a very fast grip change for when you need it most.
Attack
If you've had the chance to hit a proper smash with the ArcSaber Z-Slash and saw how fast the shuttle can go, then you'll be left with the same experience when you hit a smash with the Carlton Vapour Trail Vanquish. Smaller head and shorter grip ensures the player's smashes are optimal and sharp; all you've got to do then is watch the opponent pick up shuttles from their side of the court.
The guys I played with also noticed a nice sound when I hit smashes with the Vanquish. That's a plus point for most players I guess.
Control
The last time I wrote about the Fireblade FX8 I praised it's high level of control and how it allows me to worry about tactics instead of whether the shuttle's flying off-course.
The Vanquish actually gives slightly more control than the Fireblade FX8 because of the even weight distribution. While punching clears might require a little more elbow grease, the accuracy trade-off is well worth it. Drives left and right that I use to throw opponents off-axis are easily executed without fear of the shuttle going out the sides or the back.
Net shots are compromised slightly because of the smaller head size, but the quickness of the racket allows one to give more allowance when attempting the trickier ones.
One more thing to add is the nice and small cap that allows people with smaller hands more comfort when handling the racket in defense.
Looks
The Carlton Varpour Trail series of rackets all come in the same design, so it's just the color-code that separates one from the rest. The Vanquish is a combination of yellow, lime green and olive, and it turned out pretty ok to have had me say yes to parting with my money from the get-go.
While Yonex tends to use tribal marks and swishes into its current range, Carlton's sharp and short curves makes the design stand out more to me. Selective chromatic finishes to the text also give a level of depth absent in the other rackets that I've seen.
Comparison
The Carlton Vapour Trail Vanquish is one of the rare rackets that I'll use for both singles and doubles play. Because of the flexibility of the racket, I'll rate this among my most favourite rackets, probably next to the Fireblade ahead of the Voltric 60.
But mind you, that's not by a lot either. The Vanquish made my games fun, calculative and very dangerous at the same time. I was able to slow my game down and consider more adventurous shots when the others rarely give me the chance.
Carlton Vapour Trail Vanquish - the racket with the slow-mo button.
Carlton Vapour Trail Vanquish
Defense: 10
Attack: 8
Control: 10
Looks: 7
