Curiosity Series 641— Yonex NANORAY Dynamic Action

Karry September 12, 2024 3 0

This is a racket used alongside the previous generation Bow Lite, and its merits and flaws are often determined through comparison. To be honest, although I bought this second-hand racket primarily for its appearance, the NR series has consistently impressed me. Even the NRSP, which wasn’t very suited to me, left a strong impression, so it’s worth exploring other lower-end models besides the former NRD1.

The summary after trying it out confirms my assessment: the NR series is indeed quite good.

Specifications: 4UG5, with cap, total weight in use 91.99g, balance point 293mm, shaft length 213mm, medium-low stiffness, box-shaped frame, 76-hole string bed, 9-3 o’clock string grooves, warranty 24 pounds, stringing 24lbs training string.

The color is pink, with a base of 80 points. The details include bright red coverage from the 4 and 8 o’clock positions of the frame, transitioning through black and gold to pink base paint for the three-way joint and shaft, and finally transitioning to a black cone cap. The appearance is very attractive even without stickers, immediately reminding me of ripe strawberries or strawberry-flavored snacks like Lotte bear biscuits or strawberry-flavored planet cups.

Another highly recognizable feature is the cone cap’s unique shape, designed with a deep fish-mouth and a ring on the edge, possibly for shock absorption or to enhance bonding, reminiscent of the NS6600. Like the previous Bow Lite, the structure of this racket doesn’t use premium materials but includes some signature technology, such as the now-common nanoscience.

The benefit of this technology is more noticeable than the nano-cushion, with the DA providing clearer feedback compared to the Lite, and the shaft can generate a driving force in high-clear shots. The large racket face and sweet spot offer good control for long shots, providing a more confident feel.

While the frame isn’t particularly wind-breaking, and the ZSP wasn’t known for its wind-breaking abilities either, it’s usable. As a 4U entry-level racket, its swing speed and overall sharpness aren’t exceptional. Often, the aggressive shots initiated from mid to front court can lead to a stalemate without gaining an advantage, often requiring soft blocks to break through. However, the racket is responsive and performs well in passive situations, with a good feel for short, powerful shots and no undesirable characteristics, making it feel usable.

Its smash performance is also average for its class. Though there aren’t many powerful backcourt shots, the shaft’s rebound is better than the Lite, providing more confidence during smashes. While it doesn’t have outstanding offensive performance, it is capable of producing consistent and aggressive shots. Additionally, the racket has some anti-torque advantages, with clear directionality during downward shots and occasional effective diagonal slices.

For a lower-end racket, this amount of description is appropriate. An unexpected fact is that the DA, like the Lite, is available in some supermarkets, which makes it easy to distinguish between them.