Right here we’re once more with one other racket comparability video. This time we have a look at the Astrox 88 S collection, first launched in 2021.
So you’ve got most likely already seen my evaluation of the model new 88s Professional. So right this moment we’ll examine the 88s Recreation to the 88s Tour and we’ll additionally make just a few feedback on the Astrox 100zz, so we have got so much to cowl right here.
Get loads of questions on what the distinction is between the Recreation, the Tour and the Professional:
- Will I really feel any distinction?
- Is it value spending the additional cash on the dearer Professional?
So let’s reply all these questions for you right here right this moment.
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So let’s get began and discuss in regards to the 88s recreation. So right here we’re with the, with the sport, this is the Professional.
The very first thing you will most likely discover is that the colour scheme is just about the identical. This racket has the logo with Recreation, whereas the Professional solely has Astrox. All of the feedback I hear are: For those who simply have a look at the top form you will note that there’s a distinction and it is a lot rounder on the Professional in comparison with what I might classify as an ordinary isometric Yonex head form.
The racket lengths are an identical, in order you’ll be able to see the handles are an identical, the shaft size is an identical, the heads are an identical in dimension. So it is simply the form of the top that’s barely totally different, but when we glance nearer there are one or two small variations. So if we take a fast have a look at the Professional and have a look at the ferrule right here, there is a very slight distinction from what we’ll see within the recreation. I am unsure in the event you can inform, however the Professional’s shaft thickness is considerably thinner than the Recreation’s.
You may most likely additionally discover that it is a stiff body on the Recreation, which can be slightly extra versatile, so slightly extra forgiveness will certainly be extra interesting to the typical participant who needs a pleasant head-heavy racket, needs a quick body, so If you do not need one thing too stiff, this can instantly be much more favorable for that participant.
Different issues to notice: That is made in Japan, whereas the Recreation and Tour are made in Taiwan. These are all a G5 grip. There’s a G4 grip out there within the Professional, however I am not too certain it is out there within the UK on the Recreation and Tour. I additionally observed that the G5 grip on the Recreation & Tour feels barely thicker than on the Professional. So one thing to pay attention to, it is only a small factor, however I simply need to make that time clear. So principally there are the variations.
One of many different components I need to discuss with the S is that there is a new string sample right here the place we see shared grommets, one, two, three, 4, 5, miss one, and one other shared grommets right here, so a very totally different string sample that we have not seen earlier than.
One of many issues that involved me slightly bit whereas taking part in is the spacing between the strings right here, as you will most likely see, between the 2 grommets due to the top form with this explicit string sample. Whereas, if we have a look at the Professional, that distance is just not there. So now I do not count on it to have a big effect however it’s simply one thing that I observed and wasn’t notably pleased with and on this mannequin it simply looks as if it is just a bit bit huge however it’ll nonetheless holding the shuttle effectively, there should not be any affect points, however it’s simply one thing that, you understand, I did not like with slightly consideration to element. So right here we go.
That is, that is the sport that performs very properly, nonetheless a quick body, it is nonetheless highly effective, that is nonetheless a head-heavy racket, the steadiness level of that is 305. So, nonetheless manner up there when it comes to head-heavy , however you do not You do not really feel the burden on the prime, so the racket retains shifting shortly, excellent for protection and likewise nice across the internet. So if that is your taking part in model, then this may very well be an incredible racket for you.
Let’s proceed with the Tour.
Now the Tour is much more just like the Professional so in the event you’re in search of a less expensive model of the Professional then the Tour is perhaps for you and we’ll discuss pricing quickly. So once more every thing is an identical, besides the picture says Tour versus Astrox on the Professional. All sizes can be found, right here too an identical ferrules. You may most likely additionally discover that it is a slimmer shaft, in order near an identical as potential, but remade in Taiwan, made in Japan. So so much nearer when it comes to feeling.
There’s another factor I forgot to say in regards to the recreation, this may even really feel slightly lighter. The top, the top weight is slightly bit lighter than the Tour and the Tour is so much nearer to the burden that you will really feel on the Professional, however there’s nonetheless slightly distinction, so in weight, head weight phrases Professional is the heaviest, Tour is the center one and Recreation might be slightly lighter than that, however it’s marginal.
So we all know the Tour has loads of comparable points to the Professional, so what’s totally different?
There might be some materials variations, clearly we all know that it’s also constructed overseas, however it is rather much like the Professional, so in case you are in search of a racket that might be cheaper than the Professional, however clearly appears to be like virtually an identical, then the Tour could be the racket for you.
Once more, G5 grip, barely bigger than on the Japanese model, however once more, it is solely slightly bit, so it is nonetheless value trying out this racket. BP on this Tour was 307, so not a lot distinction between the Tour and the race. So fairly pleased with this racket, felt nice to play with. Once more, it is quick, it is snappy, it is simple to maneuver nice across the internet, nice in protection, it is acquired a bit extra punch within the again half in comparison with the sport and solely a tiny bit lower than what you get on the Professional you can find.
So I acquired loads of stuff for it, however considerably cheaper. So once more, very glad together with his racket. We have already lined the Professional and I’ve already made a video in regards to the Professional and all the advantages of this racket, and I in contrast it to the 88D, so we have already had loads of data for you about this explicit racket. BP on this one is 310, so slightly greater when it comes to development, as I discussed to you earlier than.
After we have a look at the worth, there may be fairly a distinction. As you’d count on, the Professional sells within the UK for round £150, and that is with out the case. None of those rackets include these full size covers anymore. That is a part of lowering waste and discovering many racket covers find yourself in landfill, so nowadays you simply get the racket. So chances are you’ll need to purchase a single headgear to guard the top, if not, it’ll match simply positive in your racket bag. So round £150 within the UK for the 88s Professional.
Wanting on the Tour this might be round £115 so £35 saving on this one and the most affordable of all £80 £80 for the 88S Recreation. So a major value distinction. For those who have a look at the Recreation versus the Professional, we’re roughly shopping for 2 of those for 1 of those. So for somebody who needs to have a spare racket and decides that he doesn’t want all of the attributes of the Professional model, then the sport could be an absolute saver for you relating to getting two an identical rackets and subsequently in the event you break a string simply transfer on to the following one and you’ll proceed your taking part in with out actually feeling a distinction.
So right here we go, 3 totally different rackets. I actually like that Yonex tries to seek out alternative ways to go well with totally different budgets and never have an excessive amount of distinction within the precise rackets themselves. I believe they did an incredible job with the Astrox 88 collection. I’ve already achieved a separate video on the 88Ds, so all the data I am providing you with right this moment is actually the identical on the 88D, so I am actually glad that I examined these and now perceive them and might discuss them with rather more confidence.
So in the event you get the possibility, give these rackets a strive. You could discover that the sport for you is simply good and strikes effectively, performs effectively and is effectively inside your finances and you’ve got an incredible racket.
For others shifting in direction of the center floor and the Tour might be completely good for you. It is so much nearer to the 88S Professional, as I mentioned earlier than, and there is solely a slight distinction in grip dimension, so I am certain you’ll be able to determine that out. However a really, excellent racket, retailing for round £115 or so, and for others: there’ll all the time be gamers who need to get the perfect and discover that the 88S Professional is the racket for them.
One factor additionally, you will discover, which I’ve observed while you play with this racket: it feels very, very compact, particularly with this new string sample, for some motive, a really totally different feeling on the racket. However I in contrast the top dimension to the Astrox 100ZZ, actually it is an identical head dimension, only a barely extra rounded form on the 88S, however the precise head size is an identical. So for some motive this has a really snappy however compact really feel to it.
Similar goes for the D model too however performs nice, I actually love the upgrades they made on the 88 collection and I am certain there might be a combined opinion between liking the originals and somebody who comes alongside and actually likes the brand new model as effectively.
So right here we go, that is the Astrox 88S Recreation, Tour & Professional
See you on one other video