Badminton Racket Review: Yonex ArcSaber 8DX

First impressions here.

I've probably spent the most consecutive hours on this racket than any other... And not because it feels so good, but because I'm trying to get something good out of this racket.

I mean, it's a Yonex right?

 Note. This review is my opinion of the racket from using it in my games. Take this with a pinch of salt since we all play the game differently. I'm here to tell you, in as much accuracy as I can, how my games went with the racket. Comments welcome!

Ok here goes.

Yonex ArcSaber 8DX
Est Dry Weight: 98g (3U)
Grip Size: G5
Balance: Even
Stiffness: Super
Strings: Yonex BG80 Power @ 23lbs

I recommend this racket for singles play.

Defense
Have you ever played video games and saw this big heavy dude with a gun? The Yonex ArcSaber 8DX makes you feel like that guy. Everyone thinks you're a pushover and takes a shot at you, only to have you have no choice to soak up all the damage because the darn racket won't allow you to move fast at all.

For smashes, it's too heavy to get a decent lift. The followup smash will be painful. For drives, it's too heavy to give a decent return. The followup smash from the front of the net will be painful. For drop shots, it's too heavy to give you decent movement on the court. The weak return drop will give a painful net tap.

Two things from the ArcSaber 8DX will be your challenge - its weight and its staggering stiffness. Both too difficult for me to overcome.

Attack
You know that big guy you always liked to aim at? He also always happens to have a big gun. The 8DX gives you a pretty good attack, what with the weight and the stiffness. Solid hits from the overheads have got to be its few redeeming qualities.

Shuttles will fly off fast from its string bed, and it will be a threat from the back court, but watch for that return drive because it'll be your downfall.

Control
Because it's an ArcSaber, the control that be that far off. The 8DX gives you a good sense of the shuttle, but seldom did it make me feel in control because of the lack of flex in the shaft.

Something so stiff gives every hit a dull feel, and that makes calculating the shot that little bit harder. From the drops to the clears to the smashes and drives, there's just that little bit of accuracy missing.

Looks
Classy. The Yonex ArcSaber 8DX combines white, red, black and bronze into a very nice combination. The beauty is also in the details - how the bronze becomes glossy at the ArcSaber's signature Carbon Nanotube decal at the head frame, the textured shine at the ArcSaber lettering down the shaft, and the bronze / gold finish at the cone when you hold it to a light. Delicate.

Yonex ArcSaber 8DX

Defense: 5

Offense: 7

Control: 7

Looks: 8