Curiosity Series 266— Victor HYPERNANO X Air

Karry September 13, 2024 0

I waited for this racket for over six months, experiencing a moment of reluctance, a missed opportunity, and a fortuitous encounter before finally acquiring it from an unknown female player, albeit in less-than-perfect condition. Nevertheless, this racket is almost a concluding piece for the HypernanoX series from Victory, which has been full of regrets. Securing this rare model despite various obstacles and completing my series testing holds significant value.

Specifications:
5UG5, unstrung weight of 83.0g, balance point 315mm, 6.6mm shaft, 217mm long, stiffness rated medium-stiff, elliptical aero transition diamond frame, 9-3 point grommet system, 76-hole stringing pattern, tension warranty of 26 lbs, strung at 24 lbs with BGAS string.

First off, there were quality control issues; I discovered a rattling sound after receiving it. However, considering that during its release many high-end models from Victory were collapsing or cracking, a rare model like this having such a minor issue seems less concerning.

The deep blue base coat, combined with a lot of gold foil stickers on the aero frame, is very prone to damage! Despite this, the asymmetrical design and vibrant colors give it a universally appealing look suitable for both genders.

If it weren’t for the prominent HX branding emphasizing its lineage, it might fit better within the Speed series. Nonetheless, regardless of series, the Air model stands out among the Blue Factory’s high-end rackets today. It lacks the Flash Shaft and Pyrofil labeling, instead using Toray’s prepreg fabric. The equipment library shows the Air’s shaft as 7.0mm, but visually it appears more slender. Its unconventional design was my first impression.

I previously held the view that a super-light racket used for serious play should have a firm shaft, and the Air excels in this.

The seller paired it excellently, and I instantly fell for the Air’s hitting feel. The hard yet elastic AS string complements the Air’s own firm and elastic setup. Despite only 24 lbs tension, the feedback is substantial. The 5U weight and 315mm balance point make it easy to handle the shaft’s deformation, providing a very comfortable experience for high clears, without the effort and dissatisfaction of many ultra-light rackets. Even without the top-tier Bolo carbon, the shaft quality is top-notch.

Remarkably, it has no obvious power loss; you can even execute powerful smashes to pressure your opponent.

Surprisingly, the racket’s forgiveness level is extraordinary for a Speed model—no surprise given its frame type. The 76-hole stringing pattern provides consistent sweet spot size and performance, with no awkwardness or issues like mis-hits from strange swing speeds or weights. This could be the best 5U flagship model from the Blue Factory. High swing speed, excellent leverage, and stable string bed make it incredibly user-friendly.

Additionally, the larger hitting area makes it easier to hit accurate shots at the net, allowing smooth execution of techniques like flicks, drops, and pushes, with consistent feel.

However, to label it simply as a “soft feel” racket would be a significant understatement. In my testing, it demonstrated considerable attacking capability. The 5U Air supports string tensions up to 26 lbs, and the 4U version goes up to 27 lbs, meeting the needs of advanced players for various scenarios. It is a firm racket with excellent elasticity; even at 5U, it performs well under explosive smashes, comparable to the NF800LT with decent smash power and excellent attacking continuity. The racket maintains high efficiency in energy transfer to the shuttle, and the threshold for effective smashes is relatively low. Well-placed smashes can directly score points.

Its performance in flat drives is noteworthy, with good shaft recovery speed and fast swing speed, retaining the Speed series feel. Defense and transitioning to attack are also comfortable, avoiding the net errors common in some ultra-light rackets.

Having previously worked with various electronic products, I’ve noticed a pattern: Creativity Air, iPad Air, MacBook Air—good products. Hence, the HypernanoX Air is also a good product, without any faults.