Prince o3 Speedport Black

Product Description

Prince o3 Speedport Black
The Prince O3 Speedport Black features the first true 'tweener offering in the Prince O3 Speedport racquet line. This racquet is ideal for players looking for some extra power and mobility without sacrificing control and placement. With a Prince Power Level of 975 and a 100 square inch head, the O3 Speedport Black offers a more-controlled option in the new O3 Speedport line to the very popular O3 White. Overall, the O3 Speedport Black is sure to be one of the best all-around racquets for an intermediate to advanced player with a moderate to fast swing speed.

The Prince O3 Speedport Black features an aerodynamic refinement to the largest sweetspot offered in the Prince racquet line thanks to the use of new square-shaped O-Ports that generates a livelier response across the entire string bed.

Another innovation in the Speedport Black is the use of the Speedport Tuning System (S.T.S.) This system allows customization of the port inserts in the frame at 3, 9, and 12 o'clock positions. The string PORT insert provides a softer, more-damped feel, while the string HOLE insert resembles a traditional grommet that provides more feel and feedback from the stringbed. Each Speedport Black comes with both sets of inserts (the String PORT insert is installed from the factory.)

Ideal for players with moderate, powerful strokes. Recommended for the 3.0-4.5 NTRP level players.

Head Microgel Extreme Rackets

The Head Microgel Extreme Racket series comes in a variety of styles to give every club player a chance to play their best. There is the leading Microgel Extreme Pro, Extreme Prestige, Microgel Extreme Team racquets. See also the Microgel Radical racquets, Microgel Mojo racquets, and Microgel Instinct rackets. The Microgel technology is enhanced in the 09 version of Head microgel rackets with introduction of teflon coated racket grommets. Reduced friction in the grommets allows more power transfer giving you unusual power for a control Tennis racket. Advanced tennis players will appreciate the performance of Head Microgel Extreme Pro and Extreme Prestige rackets. The latest Head Microgel Rackets provide an excellent on court advantage.

Reviews

Prince O3 Speedport Black Videos

Current Reviews: 1

REVIEWED BY: Marc Pinckney
REVIEW DATE: 09/19/2007
RATING: 5 of 5 Stars!

The O3 Speedport Black is one of two new for 2007 Prince Racquets featuring the exclusive Speedport Tuning System. The frame can be strung with the String Port Insert for a softer feel with a larger sweet spot, or with the String Hole Insert which replicates the feel of a traditionally strung racquet. Generally many of the technology changes that the industry trumpets are empty promises, but the Prince Speedport Tuning system delivers in a big way. I much preferred the racquet set up with the String Port Insert. The ball felt solid coming off of the string bed, with a clean crisp sound. There was little vibration, and the use of any good dampener will eliminate what vibration there is. I have to say that I would not recommend the setup where the String Hole Insert is used. The sweet spot is much reduced, and the racquet plays like any number of midsize-oversized products with an unresponsive tinny feel, and a very pingy sound. There is also a very high vibration level, even on hits just off-center where this would not normally be an issue in a high quality frame.

THIS RACQUET IS SUITABLE FOR...

Ideal for players with moderate, powerful strokes. Recommended for the 3.0-4.5 NTRP level players. The O3 Speedport Black is rated at 975 on the Prince Power scale. This number means that the racquet delivers a low to medium amount of power in the hands of a solid player with a fairly long swing. The frame is 27 inches long, with a head size of 100 square inches. The Speedport system allows the player to achieve greater racquet head speed and hence power, without greatly accelerating their swing and losing control as would be required with other racquets.

FIRST IMPRESSION

This is a great looking frame. The Black cosmetics are very cool and sleek looking, and the silver inserts serve to highlight the Speedport technology. The first thing that you notice with this frame is the soft feel of the ball. It is very unlike the feel of other frames with ‘soft’ feel where the ball usually feels mushy coming off the string bed. The ball comes off of the strings with a crisp sound and a clean ‘soft’ feel. Right away you can tell that the technology means something here.

STRING / TENSION

One demo I played with for over 40 hours was set up with the String Port Insert, and strung mid-range with Prince Syn Gut 16.

The other demo I played with for about 10 hours was set up with the String Hole Insert and strung with Luxillon Big Banger ALU Power 16, and in another setup a hybrid of Prince Syn Gut 16 with Durablend in the crosses and Prince Tournament Poly 16 in the mains.

MY PLAYING STYLE

I play an attacking style; mainly serving and volleying, when receiving trying to position myself with my forehand for forays to the net.

GROUND STROKES

On ground strokes, my forehand especially I had a much higher level of control with the Black O3. The frame allowed me to control the ball directionally, specifically on angled shots, to a much greater tolerance than I have been able to with my previous frames. I had a little trouble with the backhand at first, but that was more due to trouble finding my backhand grip with the much rounder Prince grip, than the squarer grips I have utilized in the past. On defensive shots I think that the Speedport system allows you to deliver more racquet head speed and spin from a bad position, than other frames. This is one of those qualities that is an advantage both to advanced players competing against solid heavy ball strikers, and intermediate players who may mishit a ball slightly from time to time.

VOLLEYS

I use a backhand grip for all my volleys and found more pop right away. It did take me a little while to adjust to the added power, and for sure you don’t want to be hitting swinging volleys ala Agassi or the Williams sisters with this frame. Balls hit with underspin slide very nicely though. A couple of my practice partners commented right away that my slice was staying down even lower than usual.

SERVES

The word on the serve is more power and more control. The frame feels longer than it is, probably because of the larger sweet spot. The Speedport system makes a huge difference on the serve. Especially if you prepare with the racquet going sideways, before forearm pronation at the top of the swing. Prepare to hit the serve harder with more accuracy.

CONCLUSION

I am a little biased, in that the O3 Speedport Black will be my new frame. But the String Port Insert is a huge technological break-through. You simply don’t have to work as hard to hit many of the shots and that could be a huge advantage over the course of a tough match on a hot day. I think that the power rating is a little soft. Advanced players should expect the ball to sail a little initially. But for sure this racquet is a weapon in the hands of a player who knows what they are about.

ABOUT THE REVIEWER

Marc Pinckney is the Head Teaching Pro at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, located in scenic La Jolla, California. He plays Open and Age group tournaments on a local and regional basis, and has coached players at both the high school, junior and professional tour level.

Tennis Racquet Specification Table

Player Level:	Intermediate / Advanced
Power Level:	Moderate
Swing Type:	Moderate to Full, Medium and Powerful
Player Power Level:	Need More control than power
(NTRP) rating:	3.0 - 4.5
String Tension:	53-63 pounds (Recommended)

Brand:	Prince
Short Desc:	The Prince O3 Speedport Black features the first true 'tweener offering in the Prince O3 Speedport racquet line.
Head Size:	100
Length:	27.00 "
Strung Weight:	11.5 oz.
Balance:	2 pts Head Light
Composition:	GraphitExtreme/Titanium/Tungsten
Beam Width:	23/24/33 mm
Power Level:	Moderate
Swing Type:	Moderate to Full, Medium and Powerful
String Pattern:	16 Mains x 19 Crosses
Grip Type:	DuraPro+
String Tension:	53-63 pounds Recommended

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