Babolat Pro Hurricane/ N.Vy Hybrid Tennis String Review

Babolat Pro Hurricane/ N.Vy Hybrid String. Image retrieved from http://www.tennis-warehouse.com 6/7/2012 

I was in search for a new tennis string to replace my 2-year old setup. I've been using the Babolat Pro Hurricane (not Tour) for more than 2 years (plus) now and it was time for a change. I didn't agree with that decision at first. The PH has been an absolute wonder but I needed to experiment with other strings just for the fun of it. Before the PH, I used a couple of other strings like Ashaway Crossfire (Kevlar/poly hybrid), Wilson Stamina, Wilson Sensation and the Babolat Pro Hurricane Tour. I toyed around with them but somehow they never suited my playing style. So I picked up the PH and immediately it was love at first sight.
So I stuck with it for 2 years, varying in tensions and gauges until the last one broke. And so my search began...

With budget in mind I wanted a string provides me excess spin without the need to spend a lot of money. Sure there are strings like Technifibre Black Code, Babolat RPM Blast (next review, perhaps?), Gamma's polygon strings and so forth but they're all expensive. NOTE: Malaysian tennis scene isn't that big so the stuffs here are generally very expensive - a full Natural Gut bed costs RM250 average (that's like US$80).

Surveying a lot of tennis shops (retail and discount) landed me with this string: the Babolat Pro Hurricane/ N.Vy Hybrid. It was on sale and it wasn't far from my previous set up so I decided to give it a shot (cost around RM30 I believe). After 2 months of playtesting this, I was ready to write a review.

The Review
I didn't expect much from a budget string, to be honest. I never heard of this string nor did I check any reviews online before buying it (helps eliminate biasses). The setup is simple: buy 2 packs for both my racquets (Wilson K6.1 95 and Babolat AeroPro Drive Cortex) and string them with equal tensions. I'm no expert in string setups so cut me some slacks, okay? =)
I strung the mains with the PH at 50lbs and crosses with the N. Vy (which is Nylon by the way) at similar tensions.

Initially the power provided was excellent. I liked the way it feels though the I immediately noticed the lack of spin potential off the string bed. I kept a positive mind: I knew it wasn't a full fledge spin-friendly string so I kept going. It didn't take long before I notice that this wasn't the string for me. Here's why:

1) Power
Fresh off the stringing machine, this string has tremendous amount of power. Based on online reviews, it wasn't hard to see why juniors and people with strict budget chose this particular string. After 2 hours or so you'll definitely notice a difference in tension and a drop in power. Ball bite isn't really there either. If you're that type who loves being aggressive and enjoys playing with flat shots, this isn't the string for you.

2) Spin Potential
The PH and nylon's textures really helped in this department. For the first 30 minutes the string provides enough spin to (almost) always keep the ball in. It isn't as explosive as other spin-friendly strings but it's adequate for people who blend both flat and top spin shots together.

3) Durability
When it comes to budget strings, durability can play a huge role in deciding what to get for your tennis racquet. Whilst this string is average in power and spin, its long-lastingness isn't that great. My gripe about this string is that top spin shots can be abrasive to the nylon's texture and after a week or so I noticed some of the threads have snapped. I immediately changed my play style to flat shots (which I'm terrible at. I love top spin). I'm not a string breaker so it lasted almost 2 months before the entire thing snapped (and broke my K 95 in the process). My advice: Buy bulk and string often if you're planning to get this.

4) Feel
Another big issue about tennis strings is the way it feels off the racquet. Simply put it I didn't like how this one feels. It was rough and sounds horribly without a dampener (even worse on the APDC). If you're a fan of that 'stiff' feeling then this might be for you.

All in all, this string is for people who don't feel like spending that much on strings or tennis beginners feeling unsure what to buy. It's definitely not long lasting and the tension drops after 2 hours of play. The nylon's quality is atrocious and snaps after being abused to much. Over 5, I rate this at 3.5.

A closer look at the hybrid. Pro Hurricane in blue and N. Vy in white  

DEATH! Don't mind the dampener. Cheapest solution out there and it never comes off.  

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Randomousity Part 1

Do I really have to start with how long have I been absent from the blogging world? Meh, I don't care. Ever since I started Vlogging (youtube.com/meisternicshow) I rarely think about writing anymore.

Thing is I have a lot thing to spit out. Good things, bad things, rants and raves, oh you know, the usual stuff from me. I’m in the middle of a 3 weeks long exam and so far I’m doing alright. I know my limitations. I won’t have any trouble with questions involving maths but when it comes to reading and memorizing stuff – oh, the pain! – I suck big time! I’ll just have to deal with that; and my neater-than-a-woman’s handwriting. That’s another thing that holds me back. I take a longer time to write than most guys and girls in the exam hall. Changing my handwriting for the better good? No way. I love my penmanship. It’s better than yours.

Tennis is a big part of my life; everyone around me agrees. I’m addicted to it. I think about it all the time; in the showers, during study sessions, eating, lectures, you name it. Tennis is always in my mind. Anyway, I just got back from an average session today. Yesterday was worse. I couldn’t hit anything. I broke my main racquet (which has serviced me for 2 years) and now I’m back to my previous racquet which is (how do I put it?) TERRIBLE. Adapting to change can sometimes be bad. Now I know why tennis professionals hardly change their gears. I can’t wait to get a new racquet once the new semester starts. No point buying it now because I’m almost done.

Having my practical (WORK OMG) after this. I’ve never done part time jobs in my life so this would be an (read: INTERESTING) experience for me. Nervous? Definitely. But I’m no quitter.

Today I read an article on Zerotohundred about Aston Martin releasing the new V12 Vantage Roadster. It’s amazing how AML (Aston Martin – Lagonda) is releasing new models in a short period of time. They’re turning into a mainstream production company now and it kind of bugs me. I love Aston. I love their heritage, the beauty of their cars and I definitely love how they sound. It would be a dream to own one. Honestly, I’m working my way to owning an Aston (preferably the DB9 but any model would do). DB9’s the cheapest: about RM400k+ for a second hand. Sounds achievable? That’s before considering the road tax: RM18, 000 annually. My hopes should be shattered, don’t you agree? I’m a positive thinker. I know I can own one. I didn’t say I have to get one at a specific age, right? So what if I get to buy one at 50? The goal is to attain an Aston Martin supercar.

If you’re thinking I’m jumping topics too fast and it’s annoying I suggest you read the title of this blog. There’s a reason why I call is Randomousity.

Over lunch, the people I went out with were constantly talking about marriage. I for one dislike the topic and they know it but I’ve no rights to complain. I prefer getting married at the age of 30 (I’m 22 this year) but not them. They wanted it ASAP. I don’t give in to this whole start a family idea. I want to marry (yes, I totally do) but only after I think my single life becomes ultimately boring. You may say I’m afraid of responsibility. I say I enjoy being free from obligations. Spouses will hold you back, believe me. I hate kids, by the way :P

I think about my future but not in a typical fashion: I dream BIG. I’m not sure what would make my life complete but I know this: I want my own tennis court, I want my wife and kid(s) to love tennis and I want an Aston Martin. There are other things in between but let’s keep that for another time, shall we? By not achieving these it doesn’t mean my life would suck. I learn how to appreciate.

That brings me to the final topic: Appreciating. I have had to deal with this word since God knows when. People around me need some drilling in their heads so that they would start appreciating others. I don’t say much to them because it’s in their nature to be like that. Are other people around the world different? I hardly think so and that is why I’m able to adapt. If I don’t like them I just say it. I curse a lot and I’m not ashamed of people looking at me in another way.

Oh! Hold…

(Went to eat my chocolate lava cake)

Okay I’m back. Thing is people in Selangor (that’s where I’m at) and Kuala Lumpur (the place I always hang out at) are not the appreciative kind. Saying thank you and giving them a smile seems to be a big deal for them to do. How hard is it to look in someone’s face, smile and say thank you? How hard? I was once in Giant (hypermarket) and this Indian cashier looks like she was about to give up life (no, seriously I’m not kidding). The woman before me was giving her a lot of pressure and after all the trouble the cashier got into, not a single sign of thank you was given to her. My principle is to say thank you first without waiting for the other to do it. When I praise someone for being pretty I do expect a “Thank you” or “I’m flattered” but I what I usually get is “I know” and “Tell me something I don’t know”. Sigh.

That will be all for now. I need to continue studying the most boring subject ever. Before I end this I would like to say that I’m not specifically pin-pointing anyone in this blog. I’m speaking in general terms so don’t take heart. I love you all and I mean it. Except to the ones I dislike; that’s like less than 5 people.

Until then, hobey-ho! Let’s go!
MeisterNic