Curiosity Series 117— Victor HYPERNANO X DF 09

Karry September 13, 2024 1 0

Do you remember the Yu 09 that I wrote about before? It’s understandable if you don’t, as such a basic entry-level racket rarely interests anyone and hardly sells, with its circulation being close to zero. The reason I mention it is that the Yu series is a successor to the HX series, but the HX series models were generally quite obscure.

I’ve already reviewed the more advanced HX series models, so it’s time to try out this “featureless” entry-level model. Its “fast food” simplicity fits my needs at the time.

Specifications: 4UG5, with a base, total weight 89.90g in use, balance point 292mm, 7.0mm shaft, length 215mm, medium-low hardness, diamond-cut wind frame, 72-hole string bed, 9-3 o’clock string grooves, warranty 23 pounds, strung with 24lbs BG6.

Surprisingly, this basic entry-level racket comes in only one color. Nevertheless, for a low-priced product, its appearance is quite good. The lake blue paint with an asymmetric frame design, and the dark-colored split at the 2 and 8 o’clock positions, give the 09 a distinctive look and a clean, fresh appearance. The racket has no advanced technology, and the use of water decals is minimal, providing a simple visual experience, cleaner and more straightforward than the summer models.

When the HX09 came out, it didn’t have the advantages of the Yu 09, and could only use a 7.0mm shaft, so its elasticity is limited. This allows for a clearer experience of its smooth swing and power feel through the low swing weight and high swing speed. It encourages users to focus on short, powerful strokes and offers a comfortable hitting feel. Although officially marked as the lowest hardness, it still has a bit of “resistance” subjectively.

The swing speed of this racket is genuinely high. Combined with its low power difficulty, it offers excellent continuity, with great feel for mid-court and net play, almost effortless. It seems lighter than the Yu 09 and better aligns with my aesthetic preferences.

Although the frame doesn’t withstand high tension well, it’s better than using FRS, which makes an already uncomfortable low-end racket even more sluggish. I quite like the feedback from the HX09. While it can’t finish off opponents with a single hit, enjoying its power and compression is quite nice, somewhat like the Wave Power 9001. Moreover, the shaft isn’t as lacking as expected. When I decide to powerfully smash, it provides decent ball speed without losing balance, allowing for some sudden shots. It somewhat resembles the overlooked HX30.

Additionally, the racket excels in one area that’s guaranteed for products in its class: its low power requirement for passive shots makes it very suitable for transitional shots. Speaking of which, why has the classic diamond-cut wind frame become so rarely used?