Jayce
Adhering to the principle of choosing new over old, I haven’t yet explored the Victor JETSPEED and LIAN JIAN series since I already have the神速 series. However, the two flagship models of the JETSPEED series, the JS10 and JS12, continue to be produced, and there are even follow-up versions, proving the success and maturity of these models and indicating that they still have room for development (commercial exploitation value).
Of course, both the Watermelon Knife and JS12 have become widely known. It’s rare for high-end rackets to maintain such long-term popularity, so this time I decided to test the mid-range JETSPEED 12 Youth Edition (JS12TD) strongly recommended by Coach Pang Hu. I suspect many players bought this racket during the Double Eleven shopping festival.
Specifications: 4UG6, with base grip, total weight 95.0g, balance point 293mm, full wind-breaking frame, 10-4 o’clock string groove, High Modulus Carbon shaft length 210mm, medium stiffness, string tension 24 lbs VBS66N.
I’m not sure what others think of this new color, but to me, it looks quite fresh. The blue-and-white design, small patterns on the inner 12 o’clock side of the frame, and milk-white accents make it look very youthful. It should appeal to players who care about aesthetics.
When holding this racket, there is a slight head-heavy feel, which might be more pronounced for players who use base grips. Thanks to the wind-breaking frame, the swing speed is excellent. Although Coach Pang Hu mentioned that the 12 o’clock wind-breaking feature isn’t as sharp as the JS12, I couldn’t compare it directly, so I can’t comment on that. Based on the empty-hand feel, the racket feels suitable with a manageable load, making it appropriate for beginners as well.
As a mid-range racket, it should meet the requirement of not having too high a threshold. Victor’s High Modulus Carbon has always been known for its stiffness. While it has excellent explosive power, it also has a high entry threshold. At this price point, Victor has still equipped the JS12TD with a good quality shaft. The shaft’s elasticity is noticeable during high clears, providing good leverage, and the ball speed after shaft deformation is satisfactory, akin to “syrup”. However, personally, the ball output feels a bit lukewarm, as if the string bed is too sticky. This may reflect the compromise between shaft stiffness and ball feel.
Indeed, the JS12TD shows some drawbacks in smashes. To simplify things and accommodate my physical condition, I used a lower tension string, which made the string bed’s energy storage and rebound feel insufficient. Although the downward feel is good, it lacks the definitive attacking power. In theory, using higher tension strings could compensate for this shortcoming, but unfortunately, the JS12TD only has a 26 lbs warranty, and combined with its slightly less stiff shaft, it has limitations in powerful smashes. Nevertheless, this does not significantly impact scoring, as it still has excellent consistency, maintaining smashes without excessive physical exertion.
It is worth noting that this racket performs quite well in defense and passive escapes. Receiving smashes and lifting them to the opponent’s backcourt is smooth, especially when leveraging for high lifts. The large frame provides high forgiveness, making it easier to handle smashes and maintain competitive play. Similarly, the JS12TD lowers the threshold for backhand shots. For backcourt drop shots, it performs above average, with a high feeling of string bed wrap, though the suddenness of the shots could be better, putting limited pressure on opponents.
At this price point, it is a rare value-for-money racket. While players who focus on smashes might not prioritize it, for beginners and intermediate players on a budget, it’s a top choice among the major brands in the 300 range. Plus, the shaft material is better than the 神速50. The racket overall provides a “syrup-like” feel, and for players who have already purchased it and are looking to advance, it should serve well until they reach the limits of the JS12TD’s attacking capability and need to upgrade to a higher-end model.
My body hasn’t recovered yet, and I caught a cold, but with a backlog of rackets, I forced myself to play a few shots despite the limitations. Please don’t imitate this.
