Curiosity Series 159— Victor HYPERNANO X 500 power

Karry September 13, 2024 2 0

I really dislike the “mushy” feeling of durable strings. Whether it’s for smashes or flat drives, it always makes me feel like the shuttlecock isn’t coming off the string properly, and the feedback is also less clear. It feels like a waste, especially on high-end rackets. Although I’ve played with a few rackets strung with 65 strings that felt good, they inevitably ended up being unpopular and discontinued.

Recently, I encountered a high-end racket that still performs well with 65 strings as the HypernanoX series reaches its final exploration stage. It’s truly a pity for this series.

Parameters: 3UG5, with base, total weight in use 94.9g, balance point 300mm, high-modulus carbon middle shaft, length 205mm, stiff tuning, 76-hole diamond windbreak frame, 8-4 point string groove, warranty 28 pounds, strung at 27 pounds with BG65.

The aesthetic of the HX500P in good condition is quite appealing to me, with a very layered appearance. The deep gray part of the paint uses a glossy finish with glitter, which looks quite nice up close. Besides the deep gray on the head and T-joint, the middle shaft and sides feature a non-symmetrical design with fluorescent yellow merging into white, providing a rich visual experience. The racket clearly showcases its technological features with the coefficients marked on it.

However, the paint quality is quite poor, which was a common issue with Victory products from that period. It chips easily, especially on the cone area. Even the tape from the grip can pull off the “Victor” logo on the cone after several wraps. Despite this, the frame feels quite robust, giving a powerful impression similar to the HX900X, possibly due to the wide windbreak surface on the diamond frame.

The racket feels noticeably heavy in hand, highlighting its “power” attribute as the name suggests, offering a solid experience. Although I’ve mentioned many times that the diamond windbreak frame’s performance is well-known, the HX500P’s swing is smooth but lacks the agility of faster rackets.

On the court, the power is evident. With its 3U weight, high balance point, and decent elasticity in the middle shaft, each high-clearance shot combines speed, depth, and trajectory effectively, providing a solid and reliable performance with good power. Although slightly heavier rackets may struggle in prolonged rallies, the HX500P remains effortless to use, making shots more natural in controlled exchanges.

The racket uses familiar strong core filling, enhancing stability in the diamond frame, providing excellent directional control. This is particularly noticeable in drills and defense, allowing for precise placement of shots. It has a large sweet spot, contributing to high tolerance and reducing mishits during the adjustment phase.

It’s worth noting that the HX500P isn’t a speed-oriented racket. Its moderate swing speed and noticeable string bed wrap affect its performance at the net. When opportunities are lacking, aggressive pushes are not recommended, as the heavy head may cause shots to miss the target. Instead, it’s better to use its steady advantage to create opportunities through varied net play.

Although the HX500P excels in men’s doubles and mixed doubles, its slower swing speed and string bed wrap mean it often maintains a defensive position rather than taking the initiative. However, once the initiative is gained, the racket performs excellently in aggressive play, reminiscent of the HX80 and HX900X. Its head-heavy inertia aids in driving the middle shaft and storing energy for powerful smashes, which remain effective even with 65 strings, delivering strong, fast, and well-placed shots. The feedback is clear, and smashes feel satisfying.

Unfortunately, the stiffer and heavier setup also affects performance when the user’s energy is low, making powerful smashes harder to execute, especially in mixed doubles where energy consumption is a concern. Despite the HX500P meeting my preferences, it is not a racket that can be used recklessly. I once lent it to a teammate, and its slower swing speed and heaviness made him frequently miss shots. However, he appreciated its excellent smash feel and used it for several matches. To me, the HX500P is somewhat similar to the HX900X.

Interestingly, while I’ve generally used 4U rackets for mid-range models, I’ve opted for the heaviest specifications for high-end series, possibly due to lower acceptance of 3U rackets. When matched with adequate power, 3U rackets often provide better performance in optimal conditions. For 3U balanced rackets, there’s no need to resist; adapting to them might be wiser than sticking to 4U out of comfort.