Badminton Racket Yonex CARBONEX 8000N Reviews

Karry September 30, 2024 0

As soon as I see the Carbonex series, it feels like paying homage to an ancestor. This series is one of the oldest in the Green Factory’s history, and for that matter, in the entire badminton manufacturing world—it was around before I was even born. However, according to a friend, the series has continued to produce mid-to-low-end models, and indeed, the official YY website still lists some of the rackets in this series. The models still in production retain clear signs of their era—like the oval head frame.

So, thanks to my friend for lending me a racket, it’s time to take a trip back in time.

Specifications:

Weight: 3U G5, without grip tape
Total Weight in Use: 95.0g
Balance Point: 286mm
Shaft Length: 205mm
Flexibility: Low
Frame Type: Box-shaped
Stringing: 72 holes, 9–3 o’clock grooves
Warranty: 20 lbs
String: Strung at 25–27 lbs with Babolat iFeel 70

The 8000N, produced in Taiwan, has a classic look with a red, white, and black color scheme, a design echoed in many other rackets. Even though it’s an oval head, the racket face is large, which instantly reminds me of the Kason TSF86ti. The frame is quite thick, giving a solid and sturdy appearance, so despite the 20-lb warranty limit, I still strung it at 25–27 lbs.

The racket has a moderate weight and is balanced, making it a reliable choice for doubles play. The shaft is not very stiff, but it’s relatively thick, and its elasticity is vastly different from the performance you’d feel in most high-end Yonex rackets. The feel is much more dependent on the characteristics of the string.

The string has good elasticity and explosiveness, making the 8000N feel comfortable and responsive when hitting. You can rely on the string to generate a good amount of deformation and power. However, the oversized head somewhat detracts from the concentrated power typically felt in oval frames. It’s easy to use, but it lacks distinctiveness.

The 3U version has consistent shot direction without much drift, offering good control for clears and rallies. The lower power threshold makes it comfortable for control shots, but in drives, it lacks some speed at the tail end. The racket’s downward pressure is noticeable, but as mentioned earlier, it depends more on the string bed’s performance to maintain the power in smashes. This racket seems designed to help players feel the process of generating power and executing shots smoothly, rather than achieving instant knockout power.

While the balanced specs make it comfortable to use, and there are no significant flaws in feedback, it falls short when it comes to fast-paced exchanges.

Shots tend to feel soft, and the shuttle lingers on the string bed for a noticeable time. The shaft lacks snap, making shots feel slightly sticky. Additionally, the 3U box frame only delivers adequate swing speed, but not enough sharpness. During fast exchanges, it’s easy to struggle when trying to block or drive. Defensive shots, such as returning smashes or handling heavy attacks, feel average, and when attempting to counterattack with cross-court returns, there’s a tendency to lose power, causing shots to fall short.

On the plus side, the racket performs well when using backhand drives and shots, making it comfortable when covering for a teammate’s gaps.

Overall, there isn’t much more to say about this racket—it would probably receive a score in the low 60s in an equipment review. It’s usable, but not particularly outstanding—price unknown.