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Tag: VICTOR DriveX 09

  • Badminton Racket Victor Drive X 09 Reviews

    Badminton Racket Victor Drive X 09 Reviews

    Find a few unusual basic-level rackets to try. Pay attention to the wording—basic-level means there’s no other racket in the series with an official price lower than this full carbon fiber model. This distinguishes it from entry-level rackets. I’ve always trusted Victory’s basic models, whether new or old, because I often find interesting elements in them.

    Speaking of which, I wonder if any readers remember when I wrote about the TK330. It’s an entry-level racket with a 6.6mm shaft, which plays softly but still feels decent. The Yu 09 attracted me for a similar reason: I just wanted to see how the most basic 6.8mm shaft from the Blue Factory feels.

    Specifications: 3UG5, without grip tape, total weight in use 91.05g, balance point 290mm, shaft length 215mm, low stiffness, fluid box frame, 76-hole string bed, 9-3 o’clock string grooves, string tension warranty of 26lbs, strung at 24lbs with VBS70.

    Of course, offering multiple color choices is a way for low-end rackets to boost their product power. When they can’t provide much performance, they should at least meet aesthetic needs. The version I have is red and black, with vibrant red used on the 4-8 o’clock positions of the racket head and the cone. Visually, it provides a basic sense of layering. The model on the shaft uses a bold font typical of the Yu series, and “09” is a more basic code compared to the 0 and 1L. A similar naming pattern is used in the Speed series. I wonder how this racket looks to others. To me, aside from the head, the current color scheme reminds me a lot of the Duora 8XP.

    This racket is aimed at amateur beginners, so it naturally can’t have too much head-heaviness. Besides, given the positioning of the Yu series, this should be a balanced racket. The materials used in this 6.8mm shaft are identical to the slightly pricier Yu 0 and Yu 1L models. Or you could say the 1L at least has the advantage of being lighter, but the Yu 0… is it just because of its looks that it differs from the positioning of the Yu 09? I can accept that.

    Originally, I thought this level of racket would feel rather dull, but after using it, I found that the increased stiffness of the 09 improved the overall feel of hitting the shuttle. It feels quite different from the soft and dull sensation of the Yu 0 and 1L. The 09 is a bit stiffer than those two, and its reduced diameter gives it a slight improvement in elasticity. When handling close shots, the power release feels much better, and the dampening effect is reduced. The shaft doesn’t feel too soft when hitting, and although its increased stiffness makes it harder to flex, the benefit is a much clearer feel.

    As you can see in the image, the strings are a bit off, which might not sit well with perfectionists. However, there’s no need to worry about these small details, as the stringing condition was pretty average during the test. But here’s the question: why wasn’t this better shaft used in the Yu 0 and 1? Could it be a cost issue?

    When I first tested the Yu 0 and 1L, I struggled to adapt to the low elasticity when hitting powerful smashes. Not only did it produce a dampening effect, but the feedback wasn’t very clear, and I wasn’t confident in the power of my shots. But the Yu 09 doesn’t have this problem. As a “basic model,” it reminds me of the unattractive 3U-spec ProKennex Bluebird. Although their feel is in two different directions, the performance ceiling is similar. Whether for casual play or low-intensity matches, it’s really sufficient for me.

    As for other aspects, such as drives, net play, defense, and handling passive shots, I’m at a loss for words—the racket embodies the balanced style of the Yu series. The performance and experience of this type of racket are likely more influenced by the strings. If I had a fresh 26lb 66N setup, everything would improve. But with the VBS70, which is losing tension, well…

    I think it’s worth recommending. For players who are serious about the game, there’s no need to consider other entry-level Yu series rackets—this one can carry you to an intermediate level. Not to mention, I picked up the second-hand unstrung racket for under 100 yuan. Players tired of the 9500 might want to consider this one, which offers a more balanced feel and a slightly better shaft.

  • Badminton Racket VICTOR DriveX 09 Reviews

    Badminton Racket VICTOR DriveX 09 Reviews

    Uncovering the DriveX 09: Basic Yet Reliable

    Find a couple of unusual base model racquets to use. Note the use of the word, base model, meaning that there is no other full carbon fiber racquet in the same series that is officially priced lower than it is, which can be a good way to differentiate it from a starter racquet. And I always trust Victor’s base model products the most, whether old or new, mainly because I tend to see something interesting in them.
    I don’t know if any of my readers will recall the TK330 that I wrote about, but it’s an entry-level racquet with a 6.6mm center stick that’s soft but fun to play with. The DriveX 09 appealed to me for similar reasons, I just wanted to see what the Blue Factory’s most basic 6.8mm center was like.

    Performance Review: Stiffness and Feel

    Parameters: 3UG5, de-bottomed, 91.05g total weight in used condition, 290mm balance point, 215mm mid-shaft length, low stiffness, fluid box frame, 76-hole string bed, 9-3 point string groove, 26 lb. warranty, 24 lb. stringing VBS70.
    Multi-color options are certainly a way for lower-end racquets to gain more product power, and when they don’t deliver as much performance they should deliver more aesthetics. The version I have in hand is red and black, with the head-4-8 points and the tapered cap section in a brighter red color, visually providing a basic level of sophistication in the first place. The model number on the center bar is formatted in the bold font of the DriveX 09 series, and 09 is a more basic designation to distinguish it from 0 and 1L, a similar naming convention used on the Extreme series. I don’t know how this racket looks to everyone, but I think the current color scheme, minus the head, easily reminds me of the Double Edge 8XP.

    Design and Aesthetics: A Balanced Approach

    The racket is aimed at amateur beginners, naturally, the head weight can not be made too strong, and from the positioning of the Drive series, this is supposed to be a balanced racket. The 6.8mm center stick looks exactly the same as the slightly more expensive DriveX 0 and DriveX

    1L. Or at least the 1L has the advantage of being lightweight, while the DriveX 0 …… is because of its value? Is that why it’s positioned differently from the DriveX 09? It’s not like I can’t accept it.
    I thought this level of racquet would still be wooden to hit, but in the process of playing, I found that the 09’s stiffness has improved the texture of the whole stroke. Unlike the 0 and 1L, which were soft and woody, the 09 is a bit stiffer than the two, and after the diameter was tightened up, it was actually …… a bit more flexible. When dealing with the overhand ball, the feeling of power is a lot better, the feeling of unloading is suppressed, the power out of the ball in the middle of the club is not very weak performance. Although the stiffness has increased so that the deformation is not as easy to happen, but the benefit is more clearer ball feel.

    Cost and Value: A Smart Choice for Advanced Players

    The picture above is not OCD-friendly, but you don’t need to care about these details, after all, the cable was in average condition at the time of the trial. So the question arises, why isn’t this somewhat better rod used on 0 and 1? Could it be for cost reasons?
    At the beginning of my trial with the 0 and 1L, I wasn’t used to the feeling of the low elasticity of the racket on heavy kills. In addition to the feeling of unloading, the feedback was not very clear, and I didn’t know what to expect when I hit a big shot, but with the 09, I had no problem. As a “basic” racquet, it reminds me of the ugly 3U Polaris Bluebird, but the upper limit is close to it, although the feel is in both directions. Whether it’s for touch fishing or less intense matchups, it’s really good enough for me.

    Conclusion: Why the DriveX 09 is Worth Considering

    Other than that, in terms of draw, small ball, defense, and passive ball handling, I’m running out of words, the racquet behaved very much in the style of the DriveX series, highlighting a middle-of-the-road. Maybe the performance and experience of this kind of racket will be more affected by the string, if you pull a new 26 lbs 66N, everything will be fine, but the VBS70, which has dropped lbs, is not …….
    I think it can be recommended, serious players do not need to look at other entry-level Drive series, at least it can be used to the advanced, not to mention the author recovered when the second-hand empty racket less than a hundred dollars, tired of playing the 9500 players can consider this, with a more balanced feel and a slightly better mid-range.