Jayce
The pit of the orthodox sequence of high-end rackets in the Victor JETSPEED series is one that I haven’t even finished filling in for the versions that haven’t been iterated yet. The JETSPEED 8PS, a racket launched ten years ago, was once used by Ahmad T and Liu Dan (who seems to have tried every racket). Its popularity has always been relatively low. There’s nothing that can be done; the 10/11/12/12F models have stolen most of the spotlight, and even the JETSPEED 9 managed to grab attention with discount operations by vendors. This has left the position of the JETSPEED 8 twins in a rather awkward situation.
However, when it comes to using a racket, it’s all about the actual performance, not the advertisements.
Specifications: 3UG5, with grip, total weight 96.01g, balance point 294mm, 7.0mm shaft, 215mm in length, medium-high stiffness, aerodynamic frame, 76-hole string bed, 9-3 o’clock grooves, 27lbs warranty, strung at 25-27lbs with VBS68.
In my opinion, the appearance of the JETSPEED 8 isn’t as eye-catching as its other siblings, and the color scheme is one of the issues. The silver-gray and blue of the 8ST aren’t very attractive, while the bronze color of the P82 is slightly better, making it more recognizable. However, compared to the fluorescent yellow of the JETSPEED 7 and the bright red of the JETSPEED 9, the bronze is relatively dull. The inner side of the frame is coated with silver-gray particles, similar to the configuration of the 8ST, and the 4 and 8 o’clock positions on the frame have stickers for visual separation. Despite its good layering, the 8PS still doesn’t quite captivate me.
Moreover, the 8PS is undoubtedly positioned as a high-end racket, but the fact that its shaft material isn’t the now well-known Pyrofil carbon nor the once-popular Flash Shaft is quite disappointing. Although the shaft uses Nano Fortify, and the frame incorporates the then-unique Syonic fiber, it might still cause “material enthusiasts” to worry about its elasticity.
Currently, the more affordable options available in the market are mostly 3U specifications. I’m not too picky, but the 3U of the 8PS indeed doesn’t feel heavy, with no particularly noticeable swing weight. The aerodynamic frames of the high-end JETSPEED series have always been quite aggressive in reducing wind resistance, which, when combined with the balance of the 8PS, gives a feeling of stability and speed. The power transmission feels good, with a slight sense of borrowed force, and the racket face is very large, making it easy to find the sweet spot and generate power. Even when caught off guard and forced to handle a high clear with a forehand drive, it’s easy to generate enough power to escape the situation due to its low power requirement.
However, I was surprised to find that the use of Syonic fiber resulted in a racket with a stiff shaft but a soft frame, giving the string bed a very soft feel, like adding a filter when taking a photo. The advantage is that it doesn’t sting the hand and improves control in net play, but the downside is that the shots feel mushy, lacking crispness, with a delay between exerting force and the shot leaving the string bed. If you look at the official hardness rating on the shaft, it’s hard to reconcile it with the actual feel of the racket; the overall performance isn’t as unyieldingly stiff as one might expect.
The JETSPEED 8PS is said to be fast, but that doesn’t necessarily equate to agility. In the 3U specification, there’s still a sense of restriction in fast-paced flat drives and blocks, and it’s not always easy to handle shots to the body or underarm. Additionally, the racket face often gives the impression of being “not crisp enough,” with the rhythm of short bursts of power feeling slower compared to the speed rackets I usually play with. Although the final shot result is stable and powerful, it’s not quick enough to seize the initiative. When using the 8PS, I tend to position myself half a step back compared to my usual stance in doubles.
I mentioned earlier that its feel for net play is quite good, and indeed it is. If you’re not seeking to dominate the front court with aggressive, decisive shots, the 8PS provides a very nice touch. Despite being heavier and stiffer than the 8ST, I find it characterized by stability and speed. Although its continuity is somewhat limited, its first shot reaches the target quickly, making it more suitable for front-court players to suddenly block the opponent’s return and play a soft, controlled shot, as well as for more delicate net play in the first three shots of a rally.
Moreover, as long as the user isn’t in a hurry, its power rhythm can handle most passive shot situations. When being controlled in both corners repeatedly, actively slowing down the pace, transitioning with a net shot, or even driving the shuttle to the backcourt, the 8PS instills confidence in its ability to handle the situation. Additionally, its large and slightly sticky racket face makes it easy to defend against and counter powerful smashes from the opponent, either by blocking or redirecting the shot to the crosscourt.
The most controversial aspect is the power transmission. I really didn’t expect a racket once favored by professional heavy hitters to have such a mushy feel when smashing. After exerting force, the energy that should have been concentrated at the shuttle head seems to get lost at the racket face, making the feedback less satisfying. Although the actual shot result is decent, it undermines my confidence in my offensive game, leading me to switch to drop shots more often than I usually would in the backcourt, thinking my previous shot wasn’t precise. Reflecting on it, the only racket with Syonic fiber that I’ve recognized for its smashing feel is Ahmad T’s.
The JETSPEED 8PS isn’t exactly a racket that you can forcefully attack with, even though it’s not difficult to use and has a high ceiling. However, its peculiar racket face might not be well-received by consumers. The frame is genuinely fragile; there are many repaired 8PS rackets on the second-hand market, and the 27lbs warranty might not be sufficient. Its temperament is somewhat quirky, unlike the straightforward and combative feel of the JETSPEED 9; like the 8ST, the 8PS requires the user to take some time to adapt.
