{"id":6579,"date":"2022-05-18T13:03:31","date_gmt":"2022-05-18T13:03:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/toomanyrackets.com\/?p=6579"},"modified":"2023-09-12T22:18:16","modified_gmt":"2023-09-12T22:18:16","slug":"dunlop-fx-500-vs-babolat-pure-drive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/toomanyrackets.com\/dunlop-fx-500-vs-babolat-pure-drive\/","title":{"rendered":"Dunlop FX 500 vs Babolat Pure Drive"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Babolat Pure Drive<\/a> has been one of the most popular tennis rackets amongst pro and club players for many years now as it offers a good mix of power and spin with a large sweet spot<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, there are some drawbacks to the Pure Drive<\/strong> as it is a very stiff racket, and is not the best when it comes to control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So today, I thought I would take a look at one of the alternatives to the Pure Drive, the Dunlop FX 500<\/strong>, to see whether it is a good option for players looking to make a switch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Dunlop<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dunlop FX 500 vs Babolat Pure Drive Comparison<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For this racket comparison, I will be using the 2021 Version of the Pure Drive<\/strong> (or “PD”) and the 2023 version of the Dunlop FX 500<\/strong> (or “FX 500”).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I was surprised by how similar these rackets are in terms of racket specs as the only differences were the FX 500 having a slightly lower swing weight (321 vs 320<\/strong>) and frame stiffness rating (69 vs 71<\/strong>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Racket Specs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Specs:<\/th>FX 500<\/th>Pure Drive<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Version:<\/strong><\/td>2023<\/td>2021<\/td><\/tr>
Design:<\/strong><\/td>\"Dunlop<\/td>\"Babolat<\/td><\/tr>
Head Size:<\/strong><\/td>100in<\/td>100in<\/td><\/tr>
Length:<\/strong><\/td>27in<\/td>27in<\/td><\/tr>
Strung Weight:<\/strong><\/td>320g (11.3oz)<\/td>318g (11.2oz)<\/td><\/tr>
Swing Weight:<\/strong><\/td>321<\/td>320<\/td><\/tr>
Head Heavy or Head Light:<\/strong><\/td>4 Pts Head Light<\/td>4 pts Head Light<\/td><\/tr>
Stiffness Rating:<\/strong><\/td>69<\/td>71<\/td><\/tr>
Power:<\/strong><\/td>Low to Medium<\/td>Low to Medium<\/td><\/tr>
Beam Width:<\/strong><\/td>23mm \/ 26mm \/ 23mm<\/td>23mm \/ 26mm \/ 23mm<\/td><\/tr>
Composition:<\/strong><\/td>Graphite<\/td>Graphite<\/td><\/tr>
Colors:<\/strong><\/td>Blue and Black<\/td>Blue and Black<\/td><\/tr>
String Pattern:<\/strong><\/td>16×19<\/td>16×19<\/td><\/tr>
Grip Type:<\/strong><\/td>Dunlop Synthetic<\/td>Babolat Syntec Pro<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Strung Weight and Swing Weight<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The FX 500 has a strung weight of 320g (11.3oz)<\/strong>, which is just 2 grams more than the PD (318g (11.2oz)<\/strong>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The FX 500 also has a slightly higher swing weight at 321g<\/strong> versus the 320g<\/strong> of the PD so the FX 500 will be slightly less maneuverable than the PD but it isn’t a huge difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Length and Head Size<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Both rackets have a standard 27in length<\/strong> and a 100in<\/strong> Head Size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Balance<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Both the FX 500 and the PD have a 4pts head light<\/strong> balance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Frame Stiffness Rating<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The PD has a stiffness rating of 71<\/strong>, which is two more than the FX 500 (6().<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have had arm or elbow issues in the past then you are probably better off going with a less stiff frame like the Wilson Clash 100<\/a> or the Head Boom MP<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beam Width<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Both rackets have the exact same beam width (23mm \/ 26mm \/ 23mm<\/strong>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Power<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Although both of these tennis rackets are in the low to medium range in terms of power, I would say they are closer to medium than to low as I had no issues generating power on my shots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are an advanced tennis player then you may find the rackets give too much help with power and not enough help in terms of control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

String Pattern<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Both rackets have an open 16×19 string pattern which should make it easier for you to generate topspin on your shots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want to find out more about how string patterns affect a racket then check out my article on Tennis Racket String Patterns<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Availability<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Both of these rackets are available to buy on online shops such as Amazon<\/a>, Tennis Warehouse<\/a>, and Tennis-Point<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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