Jayce
I originally thought that the METEOR series only had the JJS player edition left, but then a friend suddenly asked if I had ever tried the Olympic Commemorative Edition.
What? I checked the equipment database, and sure enough, there is such a racket, which reminds me of the unfortunate fate of the HX800LTD.
Specifications:
3UG5, without a grip, total weight in use is 95.4g, balance point at 293mm, 7.2mm shaft, 215mm in length, high stiffness, octagonal aerodynamic frame, 80-hole string bed, 9-3 o’clock string grooves, warranty up to 28 lbs, strung at 25-27 lbs with Gosen R4X Momone strings.
Hmm, very British. You can see that Victor tried to incorporate elements of the UK flag into this commemorative edition as much as possible, including adjustments in the colors and lines. The full paint coverage is also a bit of an exception. But if you ask whether it looks good, I’d say the regular edition looks a bit more imposing. Moreover, isn’t the light blue of the MX30, the mango yellow of the MX60, or the metallic silver of the MX70 more impactful than pure white?
When I picked it up, it felt very familiar, as if I had just used it recently. Looking at the stiffness and head-heavy feel, wow, it’s very similar to the MX90. Could it be just a re-skinned version? But there are some differences—the London edition has a 7.2mm shaft, unlike the 7.0mm of the MX90. And speaking of timelines, the London edition came out two years before the MX90, so if anything, the MX90 should be considered the re-skinned version of the London edition.
So, could this be a product made with the MX80 foundation, tuned to the MX90 specs? Hey, I really think that’s the case. The slightly heavier swing weight and slightly better drivability of the shaft’s stiffness, yep, it feels just right. If I had to further differentiate, I’d say the racket’s stiffness is between the MX80 and MX90, but the current tension of the Gosen R4X strings is already a bit stiffer than the KT66f, so focusing on too many details isn’t necessary.
For players with good strength and technique, it’s obviously easy to handle. Even if you can’t feel the shaft flex, the inertia of the head and the power of the string bed are enough to send the shuttle to the opponent’s baseline with a high trajectory, provided you hit the sweet spot and execute the clear properly. As for the feedback, it still has that slightly rigid feel characteristic of the METEOR series. You might say it feels “wooden”? I used to agree, but “wooden” is a subjective term that every player interprets and tolerates differently, so now it’s a matter of personal preference. I actually enjoy the sensation this kind of feel brings.
However, if you haven’t mastered your power stroke, don’t force yourself to use it—you might risk injury.
Right from the start, I tested its various shot-making capabilities. Clears, of course, felt great; the touch for slicing and net shots was stable; drives and blocks were strong, but the slightly higher swing weight made it less agile during fast exchanges, making it harder to maintain continuity and find small windows for quick power shots. Defensive shots were also a bit uncomfortable… This really does resemble the MX90.
Well, that’s that. Let’s see if I can get my hands on a JJS.
