I thought this day would never come. A few months ago I was deciding between the Voltric 80 and the ArcSaber Z-Slash for my racket, and I eventually chose the lather.
Which was a good decision because I've come quite a way in terms of skill and technique and I wouldn't have been able to handle the Voltric 80 back then.
So now, with 4 hours of playing time in the bag, I've decided to write a review for this ridiculously overpowered masterpiece.
Let me first state that I'm no pro, and this is just my evaluation of the racket to my playing style and experience with it. If anything, I'm a high-beginner level player looking to improve myself by playing more often and taking the lessons that I learn from the court away with me as pointers for the next session.
With that said, now on to the review.
Yonex Voltric 80
Dry weight: 89g (3U)
Balance: Extremely Head-Heavy
Max String Tension: 27lbs
Flex: Stiff
Strings: BG66 @ 24lbs
Technology
- Nanopreme
- Tri-Voltage System
- Ultra Slim Shaft
Defense
This thing is heavy, and I found myself using a little more effort when it comes to defending against quick shots. But that doesn't mean I end up giving away points though - the Voltric 80's high level of control affords its user an increased accuracy when it comes to both offense and defense.
The weight of the head-heavy monster also lends that little ummph when you want to return a lift from your opponent's smashes.
Attack
Straight drives, IMBA. Smashes, ridiculously fast. Get ready to break the sound limit with the Yonex Voltric 80. With every attack you can basically feel the strings wrap around the shuttle head and throwing it out with as much force as the racket can muster. Sweet.
Control
Pinpoint accuracy to every corner of the court, with ease too. Clears and drops come easy, but I found that the brute strength granted by the racket left me hungry for smashes, neglecting the softer approach altogether.
That aside, despite being power-hungry I was still able to get my hits right where I want them (newbie miscalculations not-withstanding).
Looks
Too tribal and wild for my liking, but the white shaft and gold streaks down the side does help a little. Had an idea to wrap around with a purple grip but stuck to the safer black and gold conbination.
Comparison
This racket is used by the World-Class players, and there's a reason why. The Legendary Yonex Voltric 80 Badminton Racket is without a doubt one of the best rackets that I've ever had the chance to use. It's going to be tough for Yonex to top this, but I sure hope as hell hope they'd try.
Yonex Voltric 80
Defense: 8
Attack: 10
Control: 10
Looks: 8
*side note: it's been a day after the shuttle abuse by the Voltric 80, and my arm's suffered some stiffness and aches... looks like it's back to the dumb bells for me!
*side note: it's been a day after the shuttle abuse by the Voltric 80, and my arm's suffered some stiffness and aches... looks like it's back to the dumb bells for me!
41 comments:
I have both the voltric 80 and the arcsaber z slash I think in my opinion that the z slash is far better than the VT 80.the attack on both are fantastic as well as the smash but on control the z slash wins.overall the arcsaber looks ten fold better and generally better racket.if you can put up with chips and scratches on your racket and want to play at a new level then the z slash has your name written all over it.������������������������������
I agree! Been testing a lot of rackets lately and I've grown quite attached to the even-balanced ones. Being able to make the racket around faster does quite a lot for my game.
Hi, can you compare the head size between armortec 900 power and voltric 80? are they of the same size?
The size of the racket head varies with stringing patterns used and the tension of the strings. You're better off heading to the stores to compare the head frames without strings.
To me the Voltric 80's head frame appears to less boxy, more rounded.
Thanks. I like ur reviews regarding volt80. i would not have written it any other way. Keep up the effort.
Thanks for the encouragement! The Voltric 80 remains one of my favorite rackets to use. :)
hey! enjoyed reading your blog and racket reviews. been thinking bout getting the VT80 as well. seems to have the qualities that complement my style of play. i love the head-heavy weight distribution while still being good defensively. im also really looking forward to the control and accuracy that can be had if i can tame this beast of a racket. if you dont mind me asking, how much does the VT80 sell for in Singapore currently?
Hi, thanks for reading! Nice to know that my reviews came into use. :)
I can't you much with racket prices as the prices vary from seller to seller, but most top-of-the-range Yonex rackets are $240-$260.
alryt! thanks so much for the info. really hoping to get one soon! :D
Which racket do you like the better: Voltric 80 or Li-Ning N90 II for singles play?
Currently it's the N90-II because my VT80's strings are still on 24lbs with Yonex BG66 (coz they come in gold).
The N90-II is on 24lbs with Yonex Nanogy 98. Not my ideal but it still beats the BG66 on feel and control.
Both rackets offer about the same feel, with the N90-II coming in a bit head heavier.
Thank you for the response. I was just wondering how the rackets compare to each other. Currently, I am using the Voltric 70. Have you tried this racket, and if so, how does this compare to the N90II/Voltric 80? (I'm looking into the N90II as my future racket.)
Also, which strings do you prefer more and why? I am using BG80 at 24LBs, but I feel there is a lack of control although it does pack quite a lot of power. (Which string would you recommend if I like a balance between power and control?) Once again, thanks!
The VT70 is a very high-beginner level racket. It's got a nice head-heavy balance and a medium flex to help you with the long clears.
But when it comes to power, the stiffness of the VT80 and the N90-II have got the VT70 beat.
I prefer the N90-II to the VT80 because of the higher level of control it gives me. In fact I'm playing with it tonight :)
As for strings, I use the NBG99 for singles and BG80 Power for doubles.
The Yonex Nanogy 99 is extra braided (according to Yonex) and offers me a little more 'bite' to the shuttles. I string it at 25lbs.
The Yonex BG80 Power feels a little softer than the hard feel BG80, and is ideal for my doubles game when I need that extra power. I string it at 23lbs.
Can u please compare voltric 80 to voltric 70. Vt 60 doesn't come in question here. I can not decide between 70 or 80. Our only dealer in Slovenia doesn't have any testing racqets. And it is to expencive to buy them both. I am afraid VT 80 will be to head heavy for me and that I will get to tired to quickly and I am afraid that VT 70 will be to flexible.
Please compare them. U can answer me on e-mail (tramacus@yahoo.com).
Thanx in advance, Tomas
Hi Tomas,
I'll need to know what sort of a player you are, and what racket you're already using.
There's quite a significant difference between the VT70 and VT80, but it's not in the head heaviness.
The VT70 has more flex in the shaft than the VT80, which may sometimes result in a less pwoerful stroke depending on how you play your game.
Hello Arthur,
I have a low end yonex and a voltric 80. Both are strung using bg80 at 24 lbs by the same stringer. However, the low end racket has a harder stringbed compared to bg 80 in which voltric 80 is a little too soft to my liking. Why is this happening?
Hello Arthur,
I have a low end yonex and a voltric 80. Both are strung using bg80 at 24 lbs by the same stringer. However, the low end racket has a harder stringbed compared to bg 80 in which voltric 80 is a little too soft to my liking. Why is this happening?
Hi Shaun, I'm not an expert at this, but not all strings are made the same, as are rackets.
The difference in string tension you feel can be a result of many things - from the stringing machine used to the rackets and the length of string used.
Afraid it's just a whole lot of trial and error with strings. I'm still experimenting with a few more to see if it'll suit me... the BG80 is in line too.
Not a lot of help, but it's all I have :)
Bro, I have been used voltric 80 limited 4U 3G. I've already using nanogy 99/tension 26 and bg66 ultimax/tension 26. but i still cannot feel the racket. What is ur recommendation 4 string and it
tension? i played singles and like to play attacking and smash.
Hi Hariz, what's wrong with the feel? Is there too much or too little repulsion? Are the strings too hard / soft? Gotta give me more to work with :)
the strings too hard
little repulsion
i need to use more power to handle it
Try lowering the tension to 24-25lbs. The VT80 is a really good racket for singles.
I'm not a strong-armed person and I use it pretty well with 25lbs.
Both the BG66 Ultimax and the NBG99 have been proven strings for me too.
oic. tq. based on ur experience, what is the difference between BG66 Ultimax and the NBG99?
The BG66 Ultimax gives a lot more repulsion than the NBG99, and it sounds a whole lot better.
But I like the Nanogy 99 for its control and net shots. Very good for singles since I like to toss the shuttle around and explore the court.
Hi
Which one is more head heavier ? armotex 900 power or VOT 80 ?
thanks
Hi
Which one is more head heavier ? armotex 900 power or VT 80 ?
thanks
The Voltric 80 is head heavier.
Bro, can u suggest 4 me suitable racket 4 doubles?
I don't know how you play, what you like and your level of skill, so I'll recommend you a Voltric 80.
Easy enough to pick up and start.
Hi Arthur,
I started playing badminton in 2011 using bg 66 strung at 24 lbs. I once tried 25 lbs with the same string but couldn't clear from base to base. Guess that was my limit. Therefore, I always get my racket strung at 24lbs.
Recently this year, I strung it at 24 and all my shots flew out of the court. I couldn't feel the shuttle when I hit.
I borrowed my friend's racket and it my shot were better and I can feel the shuttle on my stringbed. After the session, my friend told me that it was strung at 28lbs from the same stringer I go to. Why does this happen?
Hello! That's a complicated question, but I'll try my best to explain.
I feel that higher tension gives you more control since you get less variation in repulsion coming from the stringbed. But this comes at a price - a mishit can give you very bad results and loss of strength.
Because of the higher tension, you also get more of the vibrations, or feel, from the shuttle when you connect. Perhaps this explains why a BG66 on 24lbs won't feel as nice as a harder string.
String tensions lower over time, and as we play we tend to build up more muscles - which can explain why your shots are hitting out.
I've recently upped my string tension from 25lbs to 27lbs, and I feel that it's effective for only some rackets. This boils down to the frame construction and specifications.
SO my advice would be to up your string tension to about 25-26lbs and give your racket a go.
Take some time to get used to the tension, and if it still doesn't work, you might want to explore another racket, string or tension.
Hope this helps?
Hi there, enjoyed reading your reviews.
I'm planning on purchasing my first 'real' racquet and I severely need some advice.
My current racquet is a armortec 250 with bg65ti strung at 23-24??
I'm an offensive style player that lacks defence. I do admit I like the head heavy racquets but lack stamina and my arms get sore after an evening of playing .
I've been contemplating VT80 3u/4u, z-force 3u, arcsaber 10pg, and at900t..
Please help!
Hey man, thanks for reading!
To me the choice of rackets depends on whether you want to give a heck to defense.
Not really familiar with the AT250, but I'm guessing it's head heavy and cumbersome like the rest of your selection :)
Here's the rackets choices in order of attack - VTZF, VT803U, AT900T, VT804U, AS10PG.
Defense stats are in reverse.
Also depending if you play more doubles or singles.
For doubles I would choose one with better defense, like the AT900T or VT804U.
But still it's up to you. All the rackets you're chosen are top-notch.
Thank you for the reply,
I've since purchased a used VT80 4U and am currently enjoying it.
I've tried the Z-Force 3U and it's way too heavy for me.
However, I did try a Victor MXJJS and the short time i've played with it, I enjoyed it tremendously.
I will be trying out a NRZS and a BraveSword 10 this week!
Hey Philip, nice to see that you've got a racket that you like :)
Keep on smashing!
hello, just found out bout this blog and i really wish you can help out on my dilemma that im having right now. im using VT70 currently, strung at 24lbs Yonex BG66 Ultimax. I had another arcsaber 7 which recently just broke it. its a very evenly balanced and light racket that's just not my type. im a doubles player and i tends to smash the shuttle from rear court quite sometime. but i do rely on my reflexes on drives and also in defense. Currently my problem with it is, albeit being the best feeling racket i've used, it still lacks that omph im looking for. im not a heavily build person, but i can delivers quite a power in my smashes which currently lacks in my smashes. its like it got only 75% of my actual power. im interested in both zforce and vt80, but based on your reviews, zforce seems like not a good choice for me. im looking for a similar stiffness shaft like voltric70 but can gives a bigger punch in my smashes without sacrificing too much in my agility. and btw, i consider myself as a very high level beginner player.
You might want to give teh VT80 a try. It's a little stiffer and a little heavier than the VT70, but it'll give you the power boost you're looking for.
Can anyone compare the voltric 80 to the arcsaber 8dx, because that's the racket I'm using currently and wanted to know how they compare from another player's perspective. Thanks
Hi Arthur! Awesome review! Can i ask something? If you were to choose between these rackets what will you choose in terms of overall play ability of the racket? And what string and tension will you have? (Voltric 80 PG, li ning n90-II, arcsaber z slash TH). Thanks, keep up the good work! :)
Hi! I just found your blog, and I would like you thank you for all the detailed reviews of racquets. I'm thinking about purchasing the Voltric 80, and since a new version, the Voltric 80 E Tune has been released, are there any huge differences between the two? Or is it the same?
Hey there, Gan Weng!
Thanks for reading, and glad you found the content useful. The e-tune to me is a gimmicky product Yonex threw out at a stage where innovation in racket technology was scarce.
The two rackets are largely similar - head heavy Voltric frame and a thin, semi-flex shaft. The e-tune allows users to add more weight to the head for a heavier swing.
This means you will get a harder smash, but the reverse is also true - momentum from a heavy front will make coming back that much harder. Your defensive and flat drive capabilities will hamper as a result.
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