Thoughts on Prince's EXO Rackets.

[loudriver23]

I'm a bit curious as to what the general consensus is on these beasts. Sure the invent of the O3 system is a PITA for stringers, but as a player what do you guys/gals think of these rackets?
I personally am not a big fan of them, they just don't seem as crisp or offer as much "feel" as a racket with a standard grommet system.
My wife used to hit with the Speedport Black Team which had that interchangeable grommet system. I thought that was a great compromise, you still got the "benefit" of the speedports, but the guide holes offered a significant improvement on "feel".
It appears that with the EXO rackets, with the possible exception of the Graphite series this is no longer an option.
That said, why doesn't Prince make ANY new rackets available in the states without this EXO technology. I used to love prince rackets but I can't find anything in their entire line I could get along with.
What are your thoughts?

[Gerwalk]

I would never play one because they're unattractive to me but I can see the benefits. I swung a friends and it really felt like there was much less wind resistance. I wasn't to hip to the feel but I like racquets with RA's in the 50's. I can see how they would help people generate more head speed even if it's just a little bit.

Those paint jobs on the players frames are atrocious though. Yech! No offense to anyone playing them.

[loudriver23]

After a little bit of research I've discovered that several of Prince's rackets do offer the "Hole Grommet" accessory option.

EXO Rebel, Ignite, Black, and Graphite rackets all have customizable grommet systems.
Very interesting!!!!!

[The_Question]

I've a Speedport Tour w/string hole grommet set, it worked pretty good. One can easily generate swing speed. I've also test played an EXO3 Ignite Team, I wasn't that impressed at all. The traditional 3 & 9 o'clock seriously lacks balance. Worse of all, it feels very hallow. The O ports doesn't increase sweetspot, but rather damp the feel, hence, a false claim of enlarged sweetspot...

[PerroToro]

I would never play one because they're unattractive to me but I can see the benefits. I swung a friends and it really felt like there was much less wind resistance. I wasn't to hip to the feel but I like racquets with RA's in the 50's. I can see how they would help people generate more head speed even if it's just a little bit.

Those paint jobs on the players frames are atrocious though. Yech! No offense to anyone playing them.


So Prince markets the speedports as reduced wind drag - correct? Are there other benefits Prince suggest? Does anyone agree with these suggested benefits? Thanks!

[GLM_PHILLY]

I went from the Prince More frames to the O3 and on to the Speedports. They cut the air faster for me. Feel is fine, but string life decreased since they tend to move more. A little more shot length than a non-port Prince at the same Power level.
The EXO upgrade did not make me want to change, instead I stocked up on the Speedport Gold which has the extra 1/2 " in length I prefer vs the EXO Blue which they made as a 27,25 frame.

[FIT410s]

I was sure I would never switch from the prince tour graphite ( current pog ) 107. Well after I hit with the exo3 black I was hooked. I did have to use the string hole inserts to keep as much feel as possible. I switched the main grip for a leather grip, and added some lead in the throat. It now matches the 12.6 oz weight strung with 2 over grips of the POG. Its much stiffer and powerful, but still feels arm friendly, go figure. Serves/overheads and volleys are the biggest improvement having more power at the top of the frame.

I cant go back to the pog.

Only negative: string wear out faster in the stiffer frame

[GLM_PHILLY]

I feel that the increased string wear is not due to the stiffness, but the _Port technology that allows more movement My More 1500 is just as stiff as my current Golds.

[FIT410s]

I feel that the increased string wear is not due to the stiffness, but the _Port technology that allows more movement My More 1500 is just as stiff as my current Golds.

yes you are correct. i can only imagine how much more wear with open ports.

also i would guess there would be less chance of breaking a string on a sharp grommet mis-hit?

[GLM_PHILLY]

I string for a player who has used both systems in his Blacks. String wear is about the same. The relief from sear mishits is slight in my experience.

[The Racket Barn]

The speed ports, EXO, holes. What ever you want to call them to help with swing speed and they also open up the sweet spot as the strings are able to flex more. This can be great but I think you lose a lot of feel this way. So adding the grommets in the EXO range has been an excellent choice.

Slightly larger sweet spot, easer to swing through the air. It gives people an opportunity to use a racquet that is a little heavier but it feels like the same weight the used to use when swinging.

[bigmatt]

Has anyone had the wonderful experience of replacing a grommet set in an EXO3 frame? The Energy Bridge comes off (and you must be careful not to break it); the side grommets at the throat (with different numbers of holes) sit on top of the Bridge; the bumper guard sits underneath it; and there are 2 sets of grommets that sit at about 11 and 1 o'clock (also with different numbers of holes) that sit on top of everything. Not too much to think about, eh?
Prince has hit us with 2 really bad sets of design work lately: the throat pieces on the SpeedPort frames, and now this.

[JPtennis]

I think the Prince engineers try to figure out designs that torture stringers. Sometimes they want you tie off the crosses on a string that doesn't even have room for a small knot because of the proximity to the main string and the frame.

But they make a nice playing racket.....