squash review

wilson poster wilson

Wilson have released a new technology which has been incorporated into their [K] Factor series squash rackets. The new FX technology features as the ‘Quad Shaft’ construction for extra torsional stability. The ‘Quad Shaft’ is located in the rackets throat area to provide an improved distribution of weight. Quad Shaft basically means that the racket has four shafts leading to the racket head instead of the standard two, which in turn brings better stability. This new FX technology produces 23% extra torsional stability and much better control for the player. There are already four other [K] technologies that make up the [K] Factor FX line which are;

[K]arophite Black

This technology is a proccess at nanoscopic level, it is a network of tiny fibres that are mixed with the silicone dioxide in the older n-code technology which actually bind to the carbon fibres. The rackets end up 40% more stronger and stiffer than the n-code rackets which increases the control through less frame distortion.

K Factor

2 . [K] Zone

This a combination of power holes and power grooves where the strings meet the frame creating a larger sweet spot for more controlled power.

3 . [K]ontour Yoke

The new frame engineering technology that enhances stiffness at key stress points on the racket for improved stability.

4 . [K]ontour Frame

The new industrial design innovation that improves the overall feel and handling for better maneuverability.

Three [K] Factor rackets have been upgraded with the new FX technology including the [K] Sonix, [K] Blade and [K] Sting. Each racket brings a slightly different benefit to game play so the player can decide which one suits their own game type. All rackets are available from May 2009.

Wilson [K] Sonix FX

The new [K] Sonix offers the maximum head size allowed in a squash racket to date and is designed for players seeking extra controlled power.

Specifications

Head Size – 500 cm 2
Weight – 145 g
Balance – 36 cm
String Pattern – 14/18
Beam – 18 mm Dual taper
String – Helixx

Wilson [K] Blade FX

The Wilson Blade FX has a tighter string pattern for extra accuracy and control.

Blade fx

Specifications

Head Size – 477 cm 2
Weight – 142 g
Balance – 355 mm (head heavy)
Length – 685 mm
Beam – 18 mm Dual taper
String Pattern – 16/19
String – Helixx

Wilson [K] Sting FX

The Wilson [K] Sting FX is a mid head sized racket for a perfect balance of power and control.

sting

Specifications

Head Size – 477 cm 2
Weight – 147 g
Balance – 345 mm (head heavy)
Length – 685 mm
Beam – 18 mm Dual taper
String Pattern – 16/19
String – Helixx

Wilson rackets are relatively new to me as I have never really used them for any length of time. I think the last Wilson I used was a sledge hammer which I broke fairly quickly and put me off buying another. That happened a long time ago so I was interested in how the rackets had progressed since then.

All three rackets felt very similar with only a slight difference in weight and leaning towards head heavy which was fine. They all felt solid with plenty of power and they all seemed very stable on off centre shots which is always good for retrieving. The Blade and the Sting are nicely balanced rackets offering great control but I definitely favoured the Sonix out of the three. It felt better for my game with the larger head size which added a little more power to my shots and hit the ball crisply under pressure. Overall a really nice set of playable rackets which had enough stiffness and stability to control the more powerful shots. The new [K] FX technology certainly gives the rackets a very different but very sturdy feel which offer bags of control and excellent touch.

ktechnology

stars-4

4 Star rating for the FX series

The links below will take you to the best deals I could find for these rackets. (Choose by country).

Wilson [K] FX Sonix Squash Racket

Wilson [K] FX Sting Squash Racket

United States

Wilson [K] Sonix FX Squash Racket

Wilson [K ]Sting FX Squash Racket

dunlop-sports

The Dunlop Aerogel series proved to be very popular among all standards of players. A complete range of rackets using the new Aerogel technology which incorporates the word’s lightest solid (a strength of 4,000 times its own weight). This produces greater stiffness and increased power without adding extra weight to the racket.

The Next Generation Of Racket Technology

img-aerogel_closeup

The Aerogel construction is coupled with M-Fil (Multi Filament) which is a combination of three types of material which are placed into the hitting zone of the racket head. This 3D braided structure enhances torsional stability at the point of the ball’s impact to create better control and feel.

Enhanced Touch and Feel

img-m_fil_closeup

There are five rackets in the Dunlop Aerogel range – The Ultimate, Elite, Tour, Pro and Pro GT. All the rackets are quite similar weights but have slightly different benefits to suit the type of player. Below are some brief descriptions and some comments on the rackets which I hope you find helpful.

The Dunlop Aerogel Ultimate

The Dunlop Aerogel Ultimate is a very popular racket and was used by Amr shabana during the 2008 season. The Ultimate is ideal for the intermediate to advanced player, among its features are the widened throat area and longer handle for more control plus the over sized head for extra power. The Ultimate is concentrated on being a pretty much all round racket so it hasn’t been designed to excel in any one area which is great for players who like good touch and some power.

Specifications

Construction – Aerogel / M-Fil
Head Size – 500 cm 2
Weight – 137 g
String Pattern – 16/19
Balance – Head light
String – M-Fil TS
String Tension – 20/30 lbs

Click on the links to view the best price or purchase the Aerogel Ulimate. (choose by country to get the cheapest postage if any).

Dunlop Aerogel Ultimate Squash Racket

United States

Dunlop Aerogel Ultimate Squash Racket

The Dunlop Aerogel Elite

The Dunlop Aerogel Elite is the same in design as the Ultimate except it is slightly more heavy and has a different string pattern. This combination produces more power. Once again it is aimed at the intermediate to advanced players with the the head light pro frame. The racket looks nice finished in gold and plays just as well as the Ultimate and is just down to what you prefer, it is used by selected players on the PSA world tour.

aerogel_elite

Specifications

Construction – Aerogel/M-Fil
Head Size – 500 cm 2
Weight – 140 g
String Pattern – 14/19
Balance – Head light
String – M-Fil TS
String Tension – 20/30 lbs

Click on the links for your country to find the best price on the Aerogel Elite.

Dunlop AeroGel Elite Squash Racket

United States

Dunlop Aerogel Elite Squash Racket

The Dunlop Aerogel Tour

The Dunlop Aerogel Tour has been tweaked to suit a more advanced player with the 14/18 string pattern and smaller extra light head to enhance the control, touch and feel. The overall weight of the racket is slightly more but the extra light head creates better manoeuvrability and what it loses on power is made up by more control. The Tour was used by former world number one Lee Beechill.

aerogel_tour_angled

Specifications

Construction – Aerogel/M-Fil
Head Size – 470 cm 2
Weight – 145 g
String Pattern – 14/18
Balance String – Extra Head Light
String – M-Fil TS
String Tension – 20/30 lbs

Dunlop Aerogel Tour Squash Racket

The Dunlop Aerogel Pro

The Dunlop Aerogel Pro is once again aimed the more advanced players with the same smaller head as the Tour. This racket has an even balance which means better swing momentum and results in more power to your shots. The Pro fame is the best design and constructed with the graphite carbon for the even balance and pushes the ‘Pro’ frame legacy forward. A very nice racket which performs all round.

aerogel_pro_angled

Specifications

Construction – M-Fil/Carbon
Head Size – 470 cm 2
Weight – 140 g
String Pattern – 14/18
Balance – Even
String – M-Fil TS
String Tension – 20/30 lbs

Use the links below to get the best deal on the Aerogel Pro.

Dunlop Aerogel PRO Squash Racket

Dunlop Aerogel Pro Squash Racket

The Dunlop Aerogel Pro GT

The Dunlop Aerogel Pro GT is based on the best selling Pro racket and is again aimed at the more advanced player. In addition it has the widened throat area and longer handle and is head light for more control. The Pro GT is the most used racket on the professional word tour. A very nice racket that would suit all types of players which why it has proved to be so popular.

aerogel_progt_angled

Specifications

Construction – Aerogel/M-Fil
Head Size – 470 cm 2
Weight – 137 g
String Pattern – 14/18
Balance – Head Light
String – M-Fil TS
String Tension – 20/30 lbs

Use the links to find the best deal on the Aerogel Pro gt.

Dunlop Aerogel Pro GT Squash Racket

United States
Dunlop Aerogel Pro Gt Squash Racket

Although the New range of Dunlop rackets are launching this year they will have to do well to live up to this exceptional range which have set the standard very high. I have played with all these rackets and to be honest could pretty much play with any one of them without any real problems. As these rackets are designed for intermediate to more advanced players who know their game well could pick a racket that suits their style the most. My favourites are the Ultimate and the Pro GT simply because of the way they felt, both had great control and were not as powerful as some of the others which was good for me. I am probably more of a shot player and I don’t hit the ball hard all the time so having good control is what I look for in a racket rather than power.

Like I said its all down to personal preference, the rackets are all very similar but when you get to a good standard the different benefits of each of these rackets can help enhance your game further. You need to pick the racket that is the right weight, the right feel and has the right amount of power. All these rackets have combinations of the above which makes the Dunlop range versatile and the preferred choice of top flight players.

dunlop

head

HEAD have been designing and producing squash rackets succesfully for many years and for the 2009 season have added extra muscle into their new line. HEAD rackets are very popular and are used by many players on the world circuit. The most recent and famous being the endorsement of top Egyptian squash player and world number one Karim Darwish who has moved to HEAD as from the 1st January 2009.

Karim Darwish who became world number one in the PSA rankings in January said.

“I am very excited to become part of the HEAD family. It was an easy decision to switch brands due to the quality products that HEAD offers. I can’t wait for the upcoming tournaments to get out on the court and play with my new racket”.

karim-darwish

The six rackets in the 2009 range all have the new Corrugated Technology as an added feature for explosive power and extra stiffness. The Corrugated Technology is a new shaft designed to enhance the power, torsion, bending and handling of each individual stroke. Corrugated rails are incorporated into the racket’s shaft resulting in 12% extra stiffness than a standard conventional shaft. This new technology along with the Microgel construction will help in reaching more power and overall improvement of the players game. The Microgel construction already in place is a revolutionary silicone-based material which is combined with stiff carbon composite fibres which deforms and compresses on impact. It absorbs and disperses the ball impact to the entire frame which results in a rock solid feel which superior touch.

microgel

corrugated-shaft

corrugated-technology

The HEAD 2009 range has four new Microgel CT rackets. The Ct 130 and 150 which are basically the same racket but different weights. These rackets have the bridge in the throat and are presented in blue and silver.

HEAD CT 130

Specifications

Composite – Corrugated Technology
Beam – 18-22 mm
Head Size – 500 cm 2
Weight – 130 g
Balance – 375 mm
String Pattern – 16/17

HEAD CT 150

Specifications

Composite – Corrugated Technology
Beam -18-22 mm
Head Size – 500 cm 2
Weight – 150 g
Balance – 335 mm
String Pattern – 16/17

I had a test with both weights but preferred the 130 as it is roughly the same weight as my own racket. The racket had a good firm feel with good touch as well. Lots of power is delivered when needed yet it felt a lot more controlled than past HEAD rackets I have tested. This seemed a well balanced all round racket with a lot thought gone into how the racket feels for the players on a variety of shots rather than just trying to use extreme power on every stroke.

stars

4 Star Rating

Click on the image below to go to the cheapest deal Icould find for these rackets. (choose country for cheaper postage if any).

Click here for CT 130

Click here for CT 150

United States

HEAD 130 CT Squash Racket

HEAD 150 CT Squash Racket

The second two rackets in the CT range are the CT 115 and the CT 135, both have the tear drop head shape with no bridge in the throat. These rackets look great as you can see below.

HEAD CT 115

Specifications

Composite – Corrugated Technology
Beam – 20 mm
Head Size – 500 cm 2
Weight – 115 g
Balance – 370 mm
String Pattern – 12/17

HEAD CT 135

Specifications

Composite – Corrugated Technology
Beam – 20 mm
Head Size – 500 cm 2
Weight – 135 g
Balance – 370 mm
String Pattern – 12/17

I tested both these rackets and was very impressed with the feel and comfort. I have tested HEAD rackets in the past which emphasise totally on power and had far too much vibration and not enough touch to enhance the whole of my squash game. This is a breakthrough for HEAD in my opinion because these rackets were exceptionally comfortable to play with. There is no doubt that these were the most powerful rackets I have used so far, but with an added controlled touch which was very unexpected. The racket could take the pace off the ball for drop shots with precision or be wound up for attacking shots like a Jekyll and Hyde. If you enjoy aggressive squash or simply play lob and drop games these rackets will suit it all.

5-stars

5 Star Rating

Click on the links below to go to the cheapest deals you will find, hurry while stocks last, you’ll know why when you see the prices!

HEAD Microgel 115 CT Squash Racket

HEAD Microgel 135 CT Squash Racket

United States

HEAD 115 CT Squash Racket (Strung)

HEAD 135 CT Squash Racket

The next rackets in the range are the are the vector 155 CT which I have not tested and the Xenon 135 CT which is the the racket Karim Darwish is currently playing with.

The HEAD Vector 155 CT

vector-155

Specifications

Composite – Corrugated Technology
Beam – 18-22 mm
Head Size – 460 cm 2
Weight – 155 g
Balance – 335 mm
String Pattern – 14/16

The HEAD Xenon 135 CT

Specifications

Composite – Corrugated Technology
Beam – 18-22
Head Size – 460 cm 2
Weight – 135 g
Balance -380 mm
String Pattern – 14/16

The Head Xenon is my favourite out of this range because of its versatility and looks. Not quite as powerful as the open throat models but certainly more than I could ever need. I felt I found my range and pace very quickly, hitting nice lengths with ease and the touch control was there when using a drop shot. Once again I was impressed how good this racket was because i was expecting to be fighting with the power and over hitting or under hitting my shots. The whole feel of these rackets have changed and are all very playable, Head are keeping up with other major brands on the technology and design front which is certainly not going unnoticed.

5 Star rating

Click on the links below to see the best deals I could find on these two Rackets.(choose by country for cheapest postage if any).

Head Vector CT 155 Squash Racket

HEAD Microgel Xenon 135 CT Squash Racket

United States

HEAD Microgel Vector 155 CT Squash Racket

HEAD Xenon 135 CT Squash Racket (Strung)

tecnifibre

The tecnifibre dynergy series consists of just two rackets, the dynergy tour 125 and the dynegy max 145 both of which are top range. The 125 tour is the preferred choice of Egyptian top flight player Wael el Hindi who has been using this racket for some time even though it is new for April 2009. His comments on the racket include “this racket gives me the benefit of increased power to my shots. I love the new x-one strings which are also more powerful”.

dynergy-tour-125

wael-el-hindi2

Unlike the carbonflex series these rackets emphasise on strength and power buy using the ‘Black Weave’ and ‘Jumbo shaft technology’ which provides the player with exlosive power. By providing 50% more resistance to flexing than the carbonflex the dynery tour can produce the power a player needs to take the game to the next level.

specifications

Frame weight – 125 grams
Balance – 350 mm
Frame 490 cm
Beam – 25 mm
String – X-one Biphase
Grip – Tec Dry

On trial this racket certainly exceeded the expectations on the amount of extra power it generates. Getting a good length was absolutely effortless even on a relatively cold court with a double dot ball! Although the Dynergy Tour is probably a much lighter racket than I normally would use the weight is nicely distributed for a better balance to help you keep your shape whilst taking a stroke. The racket does boast excellent power but I found it hard to find good touch especially judging the weight of a drop shot or taking the pace off an attacking drive. This might just mean adjusting and getting used to the pace and feel of the racket but after my test drive I knew this racket was not for me. I found because of the extra power I was over hitting my my shots especially my lengths which were bouncing of the back wall like I was playing with bouncy ball. Drop shots were hard to keep tight because of the pace and when I adjusted the pace I seemed to hit the tin far too much as I found it hard to judge. I’m sure this racket will suit some players, especially the players who like to grind out a result by keeping the ball tight and the rallies long. I, however felt the power was too relentless for my style as I could not find a happy medium to play my range of shots and the different paces I needed to be effective and much preferred the Carbonflex model.

The Dynergy Tour seems to be a little dearer than The Carbonflex at about £9o but you do get a free racket bag with some deals.

stars-4-0__v45457020_1 4 star rating

Here is a link to the best deal around, just click on the link below.

Tecnifibre Dynergy Tour 125 Squash Racket

Squash Racket Review

A brief look at the new squash rackets and equipment available for the coming season

All posts tagged squash review

Wilson [K] Factor FX Technology Series Squash Racket Review – Sonix FX – Blade FX – Sting FX – Review

The Dunlop Aerogel Range Squash Racket Review-Ultimate-Elite-Tour-Pro-Pro GT-Review

Head Corrugated Technology Squash Racket Review – Microgel CT115 – CT130 – CT135 – CT150 – Xenon 135 CT – Vector 155 CT – Review

Tecnifibre Dynergy Tour 125 Squash Racket Review

Top Rated

Search for equipment

Top Posts

Categories

Pages