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This post is a special post that we got from a BadmintonBites fan known as Nihal S.! Nihal has recently got a Yonex Astrox 77 and wanted to share a review with us to let all of our readers get honest feedback of the racket.
This is the first time we got a request for something like this on our website and it’s super exciting. Big props and thank you to Nihal for being so enthusiastic and proactive in doing this.
If you would like to contribute to the knowledge base for other badminton fans, feel free to email me at b4dmintonbites@gmail.com. Without further ado, let’s get to Nihal’s review!
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Rating | Score |
---|---|
Overall Rating | 3.7 out of 5.0 |
Control Rating | 3.5 out of 5.0 |
Power Rating | 4.5 out of 5.0 |
Speed Rating | 3.0 out of 5.0 |
Hi all, just got the Astrox 77 (Ax77 4u4) one month back and I’m absolutely enjoying the change in my game with more power and steeper drops and smashes and overall better feel.
I have the Yellow color 4u4 version strung with Nanogy 95 (NBG 95) at 25 lb for the mains and 27 lb for the crosses. I used the Yonex Super Grap (AC102EX) black grip.
Testing it for the first time: It felt weird because I’ve been using a really old and not-so-good racket (Voltric LD 100) and using an Astrox racket for the first time felt weird. Clears required more effort and the sound just felt different. However, I noticed more power immediately.
After 1 month of constant use for 2 hours a day: Love it, way way way better than my previous racket. As I’m an intermediate singles player, this suited me the most. I never use it for doubles (as I don’t want the racket to end up cracked). Overall, worth the price. I feel the steeper smashes and bigger sweet spot.
Who it is for: It is for a more attacking or neutral kind of game style in singles and is suitable for all around players in doubles. It’s suitable for anyone.
After 3 months of use: My string just recently broke so I went for the Yonex Nanogy 99 (NBG99) white at the same tension as before. I also changed my grip to the Yonex Clean Grap without any overgrip.
My thoughts after 3 months: I used to have tons of mishits and frame hits before I got this racket and now it has dramatically reduced to no frame hits, and maybe 1 or 2 mishits along the way. Definitely learned how to use this racket for power. It isn’t designed for the hardest smash but it is pretty good according to my testing. Clears were effortless as it is for most head heavy rackets. Drops are sharp, and nice.
Pros:
- Not too head heavy, still easy to move fast for quick drives
- Effortless clears and smashes
- Steeper smashes compared to my old racket (FYI, there isn’t a racket that can improve your smash immediately, it depends all on your technique and timing of the shot)
- Easy to use and forgiving even if you hit outside the sweet spot
- Easy to get used to it
- Medium flex shaft, so it’s good for people who are learning technique
- Easy on your hand and shoulder
- Very good sound when hitting (depends on string, try Yonex Nanogy 99 or 95 or BG80, my personal recommendations)
- Good colors available
Cons:
- Even though it isn’t that head heavy, it’s definitely sluggish and slow compared to some other rackets
- Takes a little while to get used to but once you get used to it, no problems with it
- I had a small clash or just small tap of the rackets with my friend and the paint immediately came off, so the paint is not that good IMO.
Ratings
Overall Rating: 3.7 out of 5.0
Control: 3.5 out of 5.0
The control is pretty solid but the reason I deducted the points is that it does feel more sluggish and slow than other head-heavy rackets. Not a huge problem though, seems fine after playing with it for a while and getting used to it.
Power: 4.5 out of 5.0
Power is definitely the selling point of this racket. Steeper and more powerful smashes can be felt even with the 4u version. Not meant as an attacking racket like the Z-Force II but still has plenty of power.
Speed: 3.0 out of 5.0
Probably the sector in which Astrox 77 lacks. Not as fast as all the other head-light rackets like NF800/NF700. The speed is less but even if you don’t get the timing right, the power of the racket helps you to get some momentum in your shots. Definitely go for the 4u if you play doubles mostly in the frontcourt.
Final thoughts: A good racket for those getting into the intermediate level, definitely my go-to racket and I enjoy it more than the Astrox88S, Astrox88D, Astrox88D Pro or even the Astrox99 or Astrox99 pro.
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