Badminton Racket VICTOR HYPERNANO X 500 Power Reviews

Jayce October 12, 2024 2 0

I really don’t like the “soft” feeling of durable strings; whether it’s in smashes or drives, it always gives me a sense that the shuttle isn’t coming off the racket properly, and the feedback isn’t clear enough. The more I use it on high-end rackets, the more I feel it’s a waste. Although I’ve used a few rackets paired with BG65 strings that played well, they still ended up being unpopular.

Recently, I’ve almost completed the full exploration of the Victor HX series. At this point, I encountered another high-end racket that plays well even with BG65 strings. The Hypernano X series is truly a regrettable line.

Specifications: 3UG5, without grip tape, total weight 94.9g, balance point 300mm, Pyrofil carbon shaft, length 205mm, slightly stiff tuning, 76-hole diamond-shaped aerodynamic frame, 8-4 o’clock grommet, warranty for 28 lbs, strung at 27 lbs with BG65 string. The HX500P, when in good condition, has an appearance that I really like, characterized by its layered design. The dark gray parts of the racket are painted with a shiny finish mixed with glitter, giving it a very nice texture when viewed up close. Apart from the dark gray on the racket head and T-joint, the shaft and wings feature an asymmetrical design with a mix of fluorescent yellow and white, offering a rich visual experience. The technologies used in the racket are clearly labeled.

However, the paint quality is quite poor, which was a common issue with Victor products during that period—extremely prone to chipping, especially on the cone. Even without mentioning the paint chipping at the junction with the shaft, the Victor logo on the cone can be pulled off just by repeatedly sticking tape to the grip. However, the frame itself feels quite sturdy, giving off a sense of robust power similar to the HX900X, possibly due to the wide wind-facing surface of the diamond-shaped frame.

The racket feels noticeably heavy in hand, clearly showing its “power” characteristics as suggested by its name, offering a solid experience. Although I’ve mentioned many times the performance issues with the diamond-shaped aerodynamic frame, compared to other models, the HX500P’s swing is smooth, but not to the extent of being agile and quick.

On the court, the “power” attribute comes to the forefront. With a 3U weight, a high balance point, and an impressively elastic shaft, every clear hit after setting up is delivered with speed, depth, and angle—very solid and reliable, with excellent borrowing of power. Usually, such a slightly heavier racket might be at a disadvantage in prolonged rallies, but the HX500P doesn’t feel burdensome. The smooth swing allows for more natural completion of strokes during controlled rallies.

The frame incorporates our familiar core-filling technology, which provides reliable stability in the boxier diamond frame. As a result, it performs excellently in terms of accuracy, which becomes more apparent during drills like drives and defense—every return feels predictable, enabling accurate placement. Sometimes, a forehand low drive can have unexpected effects. With added stability, a larger sweet spot also brings higher forgiveness, making this one of the few rackets where I rarely mishit during the break-in period.

I must emphasize that the HX500P is not a speed-oriented racket, as reflected in its moderate swing speed and the noticeable shuttle-holding feel of the string bed. At the net, if the opportunity isn’t right, it’s not advisable to push or drive too aggressively; the heavy head is more likely to cause the shuttle to go long when you’re eager to smash. Instead, it’s better to utilize its solid strengths to create more favorable situations through variations in net play, like drops or cuts.

Even though the HX500P isn’t speed-oriented, it can still handle the demands of men’s doubles or mixed doubles male players. While the excellent shaft recovery speed compensates for some of the slower swing speed, the racket often maintains a neutral position in fast exchanges, rather than dominating. However, once you gain the upper hand, the HX500P can efficiently complete the next task—smashing! The racket at this point reminds me of the HX80 and HX900X; with a heavy head and large inertia, it drives the shaft better during active power shots, and the shaft’s elasticity plays a role in storing energy. The heavy smashes are impressive, and even with BG65 strings, it can deliver a powerful enough offense to intimidate the opponent, with shots that are strong, fast, and well-placed. When the string bed compresses, the feedback is very clear, making downward shots highly satisfying.

Unfortunately, the relatively stiff and heavy setup also makes it less effective when the user’s stamina is low. The addictive nature of heavy smashing further increases stamina consumption, especially in mixed doubles. And although the HX500P suits me well, it’s still not a racket that can be used recklessly. When I lent it to a teammate on the day I tried it, the mismatch in swing speed and weight often led to mishits. However, my teammate still used it for a few more games because of its excellent downward pressure. To me, this racket is somewhat similar to the HX900X.

Speaking of which, I used 4U specifications for all mid-range HX models, but for the high-end series, except for the HX900, I’ve used the heaviest specs. This might be related to the lower acceptance of 3U rackets among players. As my strength has improved, I can feel that 3U rackets often better match my performance when I’m in good condition. For 3U balanced rackets, there’s no need to resist too much—once you get used to it, you may find it comfortable. Persisting with 4U might even be an unwise decision, like confining yourself to a comfort zone.

In any case, the HX500, which has strong competitiveness under 600 RMB, is becoming increasingly rare, and it remains in a lukewarm state of popularity.