[POLL] your lifetime of a racket

I hope I don’t miss any rules as set by the thread originator.

I too think this is a very good topic to be investigated. Definitely manufacturers are releasing models way faster than b4 and using the naming game to entice buyers. Hint hint YY. But this is all marketing 101 and capitalism.

My current go to racket is Victor 100X 4UG5 (1yr+ and counting). I switched permanently from Astrox77 1st Gen 4UG5(2yrs?). And before that, Nanoray Z Speed (2yrs).

However in-between Z Speed there were many other short flings….mostly didn’t last me afew mths or so. Just wanted to try the feel of LN, Mizuno, Gosen, Apacs. However non of them offered me anything great enuff for a switch so I stuck to my Z Speed. Cos my favourite player used it and is used to set the fastest smash record. Small head and stiff shaft…very fast to me.

Then Astrox 77 came, offering me a difference that I can feel. I tried the other models from the Astrox series, felt some difference but not good/significant enuff for me to change. The ArcSaber Pro…all the hype…but that’s it to me. Then Nanoflare this I feel the diff and the 700 made it into my bag.

Victor then released the synthetic handle. Again is a diff that I can feel and nobody else has it and I tried it and I got the 100x as my defector racket.

LN for most of their release offer me nothing significant. Was it Aeronaut series with holes at the T joint area? Total rubbish. After many years still same only approach with no innovation just a new paint job.

As another user has pointed out, age and financial standing also made a difference. As we age, I reckon we just like to keep things simple, stay within comfort zone. So the I’m way less likely to change.

Bottom line is, I will only change racket only it claims to offer me something different from what I’m using now. A diff than can be felt. Not some mkt crap like how many % sharper, faster or powerful….is the feel the most important.

Take Gosen twisted frame for example, it offers almost zero diff to the play feel. Just pure cosmetics. Like wise the slots on the LN raket…it says more aerodynamic! Another load of crap.

And I almost forget to mention the Doura series by YY. 1 side for forehand and the other for backhand? Like who the hell can tell in one of the world’s fastest game.

And 1 final point, not only are the release too fast for us the consumers. It’s too fast for the Pros too. How often do we see players either not swapping or swapping back to their OG rackets? Not many are immediate adopters. Many actually don’t change. Until that model reaches end of production.

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