All - equipment: anyone-tried-the-2-new-ektelon-rackets-yet

ferris · Posted July 09, 2010 by ferris

I see Ektelon have brought out a couple of new bats, one with the more recent stringing pattern, one with the older o3 black/red pattern. Has anyone demoed these yet or even bought one and how do they compare to previous models??
My speedport camo is cracked so will need to replace soon. Like the lightness of head so looking for a similar replacement.

kyles · Posted July 09, 2010 by kyles

I am sure that someone will chime in soon especially as we approach fall and the racquets become more readily available. If your tired of cracking $200 Racquets you should seriously Demo the Gearbox sticks. TOUGH as nails and really feel great when you hit them.

jonwoods1111 · Posted July 09, 2010 by jonwoods1111

From what I understand the ignite is going to be basically the same as the EXO3 Black. I have hit with one of the Attack prototype frames and really liked how it felt. Less power than the EXO3 black model, but it seemed much more durable and controllable. I am guessing a lot of this is due to the more dense string pattern (14x17 vs 16x19). I can't wait for the new ones to ship!

m3d6y82 · Posted July 10, 2010 by m3d6y82

Tried the Attack - it felt great, lots of control - although it felt heavier than the original. Maybe its just me though

m3d6y82 · Posted July 10, 2010 by m3d6y82

Didn't try the ignite though

tomkat3120 · Posted July 20, 2010 by tomkat3120

I had the Attack in a test team program during the winter. I loved every swing of it. I would have preferred to have been able to change the side and top inserts for a lighter frame with the heavy head feel. Everyone can change the frame to their personal preference. Its going to be great. I can't wait.

TomKatRacquetball
tomkat@tomkatracquetball.com
www.tomkatracquetball.com
www.lohmanmo.com

SoulPuppy · Posted July 21, 2010 by SoulPuppy

I tried them both. The Attack felt weird. I couldn't get used to it.

The Ignite felt a lot better to be, but the stupid vision grip came unglued so I couldn't hang onto it. Finally I took the grip off and put a wrap grip on it. (It was just dumb luck that I had an extra one with me) That was MUCH better, but it still didn't feel solid and it vibrated too much after contact. One of the Ektelon players at our club said the come from the factory with a horrible string & that problem can be fixed with different string. Why would they do that?

Also, he suggested that I put some of the weights in to see if I liked that better, but the weights are strung into the racquet. I wasn't about to have the demo restrung several times to experiment. How long does it take the Ektelon guys to figure out how they like the weights?

Trying to demo these racquets was a nightmare & it cost me a wrap grip. (I forgot to take it off when I was done)

reid · Posted July 21, 2010 by reid

So are the power levels up to 10000 yet?

NUKES

Because sometimes you're just tired of talking

GEARBOX

peter8d9 · Posted July 22, 2010 by peter8d9

reid
So are the power levels up to 10000 yet?

They're at least over 9000!

tomkat3120 · Posted July 24, 2010 by tomkat3120

I got my first of the year order, which included 8 Attack and Ignite model racquets. Wow, was it ever better than the Demo models from months ago. I sold 4 at the Friday Night Challenge Court matches. I didn't bring enough to the event to fill all the orders, but will on Sunday's Morning Racquetball matches. That's a first for me. I've never sold out in the first week of having a new racquet model.
I played three doubles matches with the Attack model and the games were scintillating.I haven't felt this much excitement from new racquets since the DPR Lite came out 5+- years ago. My shoulder isn't even fatigued. I got up this morning and expected a very sore shoulder,,,, nothing.. Much like the EX03 Black's non reverberation back into your arm , but with much better feel when playing the racquet.
I gotta say, its going to be a great year for racquetball.
TomKat

TomKatRacquetball
tomkat@tomkatracquetball.com
www.tomkatracquetball.com
www.lohmanmo.com

jkilman · Posted July 27, 2010 by jkilman

Had the chance to demo both the new racquets the other night. The attack was not bad but the balance felt a little weird to me. I really like the ignite and didn't want to stop hitting with it all night. Felt very natural from the start even with the weird Ektelon grip (not normally a fan of ektelon grips).

John

rwallace7 · Posted July 28, 2010 by rwallace7

I also had a chance to demo both racquets. I have to agree with John that the Attack was a bit too unbalanced and a tad too heavy. However, I really liked the Ignite. I'm coming from a 03 white with the 2 red plugs at the top which makes the racquet a tad head heavy, (the 03 white is head light without the plugs). After playing a few matches with the Ignite, I couldn't help wondering; if I added the gray power strip (heavier than the white strip), at the top, (which would make the Ignite 2 points head heavy), would that not only add more power, but also be closer to the "feel" of my old 03 white....(with the red plugs)? I think the Ignite is a great racquet with lots of power. However, I think initially it felt a little too light, especially in comparison to the Attack racquet. Too bad you have to re-string in order to change the weight and balance of the racquet. I think if I buy the Ignite, I would prefer to try it with 17g Tech 505 string. Anyone out there with an opinion on this racquet?

Rick

Clubber · Posted August 05, 2010 by Clubber

I am playing with the Ignite and it is legit. I liked the Camo as well when I played with that.

tomkat3120 · Posted August 07, 2010 by tomkat3120

I've been playing my Attack for right at a month now and I restrung Friday. I put in my usual 18 G Syn Gut w Dura Flex(until they make Premier in 18G) and changed the two side inserts with the lighter inserts to lessen the weight slightly and make the frame one point head heavy.
I really liked it as it was from the factory, but tonight it was SWEET with the changes. It now feels like the 03 Ruben Gonzales I was playing with before and I can feel the ball blasting out of the string bed like it was before with the Ruben G now too.
I changed the main string pattern to a 12 main pattern and lessened the X's by two as well.With the 18G string, changed lighter side inserts, silencer in the string bed, vision grip and wrist laser combined the total weight at the post office weighing machine it was 191 grams total. Before from the factory it was 199 + - 2grams. The wrist laser (dry) is 8 grams. The 18G string with less mains and less x's seems to make a little difference too.

The main thing is it hits like a ton and is so well balanced.

I think its going to be a very good year for racquetball.

TomKatRacquetball
tomkat@tomkatracquetball.com
www.tomkatracquetball.com
www.lohmanmo.com

rwallace7 · Posted August 09, 2010 by rwallace7

I finally decided on the Ignite. I've been playing with it for a week now and it is a great powerful racquet. I had it re-strung from the get-go with tech 17g 505 strung at 36 lbs. This racquet is so powerful with the control needed for pinches and splats. I personally like the balance of the racquet like it is from the factory. I don't think I will change anything but the string. I'm hoping that it turns out to be a durable racquet as well. Only time will tell.

Rick

ferris · Posted August 11, 2010 by ferris

how does it compare in weight, balance, power and touch to the o3 white would you say?

rwallace7 · Posted August 12, 2010 by rwallace7

The new Ignite Ektelon racquet feels a little lighter in swing weight to me. I feel like is has more power than the 03 white, but the 03 white has adequate power. The Ignite is still a new racquet to me, but I like it more and more as I play with it. Let's face it, there are times that it wouldn't matter what racquet I was playing with, I'm just not ON that day. I like the 03 white with the red plugs at the top to give it a slightly head heavy feel. I also do not like stock strings. So that being said, I feel that the 03 white has a fat sweet spot, very nicely balanced, and plenty of feel/touch. The Ignite has all that with a touch more power, especially in the back court. I am also a big fan of the Head Blackjack, which I thought was a light and very balanced racquet too, with plenty of power and control. It's a matter of experimentation and choice. Get out there and demo some of these great racquets.

Rick

ScottF200 · Posted August 13, 2010 by ScottF200

jkilman
Had the chance to demo both the new racquets the other night. The attack was not bad but the balance felt a little weird to me. I really like the ignite and didn't want to stop hitting with it all night. Felt very natural from the start even with the weird Ektelon grip (not normally a fan of ektelon grips). John

John, did you know they have a "round" grip now as of last year.

SS - 3 5/8
SSR - 3 5/8 Round
SMALL/SM - 3 7/8 (Large Grip)

- If you only do what you've done, you will only get what you got. Motivating Quotes
- Conditioning (ie. Change) = reiteratively transform the meaning or association from a neg (ie. pain) to a pos (ie. pleasure). NLP
- The Racquetball Blog - Independent Writing and Reporting on Racquetball

ScottF200 · Posted August 13, 2010 by ScottF200

ferris
how does it compare in weight, balance, power and touch to the o3 white would you say?

Both are customizable. Mostly unique to Ektelon. Very cool.

ATTACK

IGNITE

- If you only do what you've done, you will only get what you got. Motivating Quotes
- Conditioning (ie. Change) = reiteratively transform the meaning or association from a neg (ie. pain) to a pos (ie. pleasure). NLP
- The Racquetball Blog - Independent Writing and Reporting on Racquetball

ScottF200 · Posted August 13, 2010 by ScottF200

I ordered two IGNITEs as they match the camo/red I was use to. Dual Point DPR string bed down to 2 points (see above picture). Wider frame from side view.

I tried the ATTACK tonight at a demo night. Skinnier frame from side view and a little more flex.

I am switching to the ATTACK. It felt just as powerful but with a little flex that seemed to add control and more comfort. I surprised myself.

Another odd thing was I was trying to hit off center and I really believe the sweet spot is bigger. It still hit well and with control being off center. It was weird and surprising.

I don't usually notice this stuff but it was more apparent with all these demos on hand.

- If you only do what you've done, you will only get what you got. Motivating Quotes
- Conditioning (ie. Change) = reiteratively transform the meaning or association from a neg (ie. pain) to a pos (ie. pleasure). NLP
- The Racquetball Blog - Independent Writing and Reporting on Racquetball