Badminton Racket Victor JETSPEED S 12TD Reviews

Karry September 29, 2024 0

Based on the principle of preferring new over old models, I haven’t explored Victor’s Speed series yet, especially the Brave Sword and JetSpeed series, as I already own rackets from the God Speed series. However, the continued production of the JetSpeed 10 and 12, and the development of subsequent models, indicates their success and maturity, and shows that these models still have room for development (commercial potential).

The JetSpeed 12 and the Sword series have been widely recognized. High-end rackets with such long-lasting popularity are rare for me, so this time I decided to test the mid-range JetSpeed 12 Youth Edition, the JetSpeed 12 TD, which was strongly recommended by Coach Fat Tiger. I estimate that many players might have bought this racket during the Double 11 sales.

Specifications: 4UG6, with a grip weight of 95.0g, balance point of 293mm, full wind frame, 10 o’clock to 4 o’clock string grooves, 210mm length of Babolat carbon shaft, moderate hardness, and string tension of 24lbs with VBS66N.

The new color of this racket feels quite refreshing to me. The design includes some small patterns inside the 12 o’clock frame and a milk-white accent, making it look very youthful and appealing to players who value aesthetics.

The racket feels slightly head-heavy when held. For some players who prefer lighter rackets, this head heaviness might be more pronounced. Thanks to the wind frame design, the swing speed is indeed excellent. However, Coach Fat Tiger mentioned that the wind frame at 12 o’clock is not as sharp as the JS12, but I couldn’t experience this due to the lack of comparison. In terms of the empty racket feel, it’s suitable, and the load is manageable, making it also appropriate for beginners.

As a mid-range racket, it needs to meet the requirement of not having too high a barrier to entry. I recall that Victor’s Babolat carbon has always been tuned to be relatively stiff, offering great power but with a higher barrier to entry. For the price range of the JetSpeed 12 TD, Victor has still used good quality materials for the shaft, which is commendable. The elasticity of the shaft is evident in high clears, providing good leverage and satisfactory speed after the shaft deforms, producing a “syrup-like” effect. However, personally, I found the shot speed a bit sluggish and felt that the string bed was too sticky. This might reflect the trade-off between shaft hardness and performance.

Indeed, the JetSpeed 12 TD has some shortcomings in smash performance. To simplify and accommodate my physical condition, I used strings with slightly lower tension, and I clearly felt that the string bed lacked the energy return and explosive feel on smashes. Although it has good downward pressure, it lacks a decisive offensive capability. Ideally, using higher tension strings could address this shortcoming, but unfortunately, the 12 TD only comes with a 26lb warranty. Coupled with the slightly less elastic shaft, the 12 TD has limitations in smash power. Nevertheless, it has excellent continuity and can maintain downward pressure without significant physical strain.

Moreover, the racket’s defense and passive play are quite commendable. Returning smashes and high clears to the opponent’s backcourt feels smooth, especially with the high frame tolerance. It’s also less challenging when dealing with low net shots, allowing for more struggle space. Similarly, the JetSpeed 12 TD lowers the barrier for backhand shots. For controlling high drops from the backcourt, it’s above average, with a higher feeling of ball contact on the string bed, though the suddenness of the shot could be improved, causing limited pressure on the opponent.

In this price range, it’s a highly cost-effective option. Players who favor smashes might not prioritize it, but for those learning continuous skills and on a budget, it’s a great choice among the top three brands at this price. Moreover, its shaft material is better than the God Speed 50. Overall, the JetSpeed 12 TD offers a “syrup-like” feel and can be a good companion for players looking to advance until they need to switch to a higher-end model. I haven’t fully recovered and also caught a cold, so my testing was limited; please take this into consideration.