Curiosity Series 276 — Bonny STAR SHADOW

Karry September 20, 2024 0

Playing badminton has become a luxury beyond my reach. Even during work events, my physical condition no longer allows me to accelerate and exert power like before; I struggle more often now. Although it’s not the first time I’ve faced this situation, a friend still recommended to me the Star Shadow, Star Illusion, and Star Cloud.

Specs:
4U G5, with base grip. Total weight: 92.4g in playing condition. Balance point: 283mm. Shaft length: 220mm, flexible shaft. Fluid box-shaped frame, 76-hole string bed, grommets at 9–3 o’clock, tension limit of 26 lbs, strung with 24-26lbs VBS66N.

I know that Babolat’s recent “Sky Series” includes three models, with slight differences in their paint jobs but a consistent overall style. The Star Illusion features a rose gold and cream white color scheme, giving it a warm and cozy feel. There are orange and light green stars and stripes on the frame for decoration. Although simple, the design is harmonious and not overly flashy, emphasizing a refreshing look. Unfortunately, the painting technique isn’t top-notch, as the surface has a rough texture. There’s an old saying: “The pinker the racket, the stronger the smash,” but the “Sky Series” rackets are quite rare in that their appearance lacks any aggressive vibe, making them likely more appealing to players who focus on the joy of badminton itself.

I already knew this was an entry-level racket, but when I first held the Star Shadow, I was still charmed by its lightness. Although it has a box-shaped frame, the thickness of the frame is relatively thin, and the beveled edge design aids airflow, giving this 4U racket impressive swing speed. Unlike those ultra-light rackets with extremely high balance points and very low weight, it still feels like a normal racket. There’s no “flail” feeling while swinging, and although the shaft is soft, it still feels responsive. The lower balance point provides agility without sacrificing a solid, reliable grip. Even female beginners with less power can feel that this is a racket they “can handle.”

After testing many high-end rackets designed for victory on the court, using extreme head-heaviness or swing speed, and employing a lot of calculation and resources to create unique feels, the Star Shadow is simpler, offering a natural feeling with a high level of usability.

Of course, any racket should be tested on the court to see how it performs. The Star Shadow‘s long, flexible shaft makes it easy to generate shaft flex during swings, and in all shots like clears and smashes, you can feel the shaft’s elasticity at work. While the elastic quality doesn’t exceed its price range, the ease of accessing that flex gives players confidence in their tactical moves. The Star Shadow feels like a beginner tutorial in a game, making it easy for both me and beginners to hit clears effortlessly to the backcourt. Only after completing this “beginner village” task and gaining a sense of achievement can you start optimizing your clear strokes. With its easy power, fast swing, and reliable feel, the Star Shadow naturally becomes a great first racket for a beginner.

This performance naturally reminds me of the lower-spec NF600 (aka Bluebird), but the Star Shadow feels a bit more refined, both in appearance and in subjective feel.

However, I can’t avoid discussing its competitive performance. The racket’s elasticity and moderate head heaviness are not outstanding, but the overall tuning of the Star Shadow gives it two key strengths: speed and stability.

The Star Shadow has fast swing speed and perhaps the best shuttle-holding ability I’ve seen in recent entry-level rackets, allowing it to handle slightly faster-paced exchanges.

Speed is easy to understand, but its stability comes from its high forgiveness. I used to attribute increased forgiveness to the string bed and sweet spot size, and while these are indeed strengths of the Star Shadow, its ease of use is also key. With this racket, you don’t need to be overly tense; even if you can’t always find the optimal hitting point, its easy-to-drive nature helps you recover better. In other words, its performance on defensive shots, such as lifting smashes, feels particularly comfortable. This is something I haven’t experienced in the past three to four months of trialing entry-level rackets.

As for the downsides, they are quite obvious: a lack of absolute offensive power and slower response in fast exchanges, especially the former. Its confidence in downward strokes can’t match some classic entry-level choices, but for beginners or players looking to take it easy, this isn’t critical. What’s important is the feeling of power and shuttle feedback on each return, experiencing the pure joy of swinging the racket and hitting the shuttle, or refining your technique and ball control without relying on technological enhancements. It can be both a toy and a tool. For a racket in this category, and for someone like me who can’t currently face the game with a competitive mindset, it’s more than adequate and excellent.

Currently, the racket is priced at 299 RMB. Even if you’re drawn to it for the aesthetics, paying the full price may not feel entirely justified. However, Babolat rackets are typically offered with discounts by certain retailers, and I think it would be a reasonable purchase if you can get it at a price on par with or slightly lower than the HMR.