Badminton Racket VICTOR JETSPEED S 03H Reviews

Jayce October 11, 2024 2 0

Making a hard racket in the low-end category is not very popular since its target audience mainly consists of beginners who might struggle with it.

In this context, the JETSPEED 03H stands out as a distinctive model in its current price range. As far as I recall, the only other racket at this level with a hard setup is the Bullpower Black Mamba 5. However, the 03H is not only cheaper than the latter but also has a warranty tension of up to 34 lbs…

It looks quite hardcore, so is it easy to play with?

Specifications: 3UG5, stripped-down, 92.0g in playing condition, balance point 299mm, 6.8mm shaft, 215mm length, hard setup, elliptical aerodynamic transition frame, 9-3 o’clock grooves, 76-hole string bed, 34 lbs warranty, string tension 28-30 lbs with VBS70.

The bright yellow color is vivid, and among the color choices, the 03H is my favorite type. Victor’s yellow rackets often open up my taste buds for testing. The details are also noteworthy, comparable to the JETSPEED 2SP. Besides the yellow-black color scheme, some lines and fonts use a striking blue color, adding layers to the racket’s appearance. Despite the high warranty tension, the frame thickness hasn’t been significantly increased compared to the JETSPEED series; it just has more elliptical frame proportions. It looks good and feels fast.

Additionally, based on my experience, FRS (Frame Reinforcement System) generally causes a slight wooden feel on the racket face—something you gain and lose at the same time.

The racket feels like a balanced racket in hand. Compared to the previous TK100F, both rackets have substantial weight, but the JETSPEED 03H has a slightly lower swing weight. This isn’t obvious from the balance point value. Perhaps due to the string configuration, I felt that the vibration dampening was not as effective; the TK100F also had some residual vibration but not as pronounced as with this racket. However, with high tension strings on this racket, there are no major complaints—“you get what you pay for.”

Leaving aside the high string tension factor, this racket’s ease of use falls between beginner and intermediate levels. Beginners might find the shaft a bit hard. However, it provides a good feeling of leverage and power during strokes, with a smooth swing and no sluggishness. As long as you learn proper stroke techniques, using the JETSPEED 03H to hit the shuttle to the baseline shouldn’t be a problem; the 3U version is relatively energy-consuming.

The JETSPEED 03H performs very well in terms of swing speed. Although it’s not extremely sharp, it ranks in the top tier for its price and specifications—slightly faster and more flexible. Some might suggest that an ultra-light racket could achieve good swing speed, but ultra-light rackets often sacrifice solid feel, which the 03H doesn’t. For beginners focusing on lightweight and speed, I strongly recommend comparing the feel of a 3U racket with a low balance point and a 5U racket with a high balance point in flat shots before making a decision.

Moreover, with its high frame rigidity, the racket has a crisp feel for shots. Even with VBS70 strings, which are known for durability, the shuttle’s flight remains efficient without any sluggishness. In short, the JETSPEED 03H is not afraid of fast-paced mid-court rallies, and it would shine even more with more elastic strings.

In terms of downward power, the JETSPEED 03H performs well compared to other rackets in its class. However, this may not apply to all players. As mentioned, its higher hardness relies more on the user’s own power during attacks, and the shaft’s elasticity doesn’t offer advanced performance. Using traditional hard strings like 68/80 might require more skill from the user to generate the necessary explosive power. Additionally, with increased material hardness, the vibration feel becomes more noticeable, which can be unfriendly. Besides, its coherence and downward power are not an issue, and it can generate high-speed smashes. However, this alone may not be enough to break through an equally skilled opponent’s defense in doubles; greater angles and personal skill are needed to win. In terms of directional control, it still doesn’t compare to the performance of box-shaped frames like the T-head models; it’s adequate but requires some adjustment.

Receiving smashes and clears can be a bit challenging. While handling shots close to the body is manageable, with the right wrist and forearm strength, overall defense requires good technique. I’m particularly dissatisfied with the performance of the 03H on low backhand shots; during the trial, it mostly resulted in straight-line net shots, and many subsequent shots were easily intercepted.

The price is reasonable, and the performance ceiling is quite high. However, it does have some demands on the user’s skill. If you’re expecting a sugary, high-speed racket, you might be disappointed with the 03H. It’s more suited as a versatile, budget-friendly backup racket for intermediate players.

I was also planning to praise its durability, but having seen examples of wear and tear in the equipment library, I’ll reserve my opinion for now.