{"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 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 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 Both rackets have a standard 27in length<\/strong> and a 100in<\/strong> Head Size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Both the FX 500 and the PD have a 4pts head light<\/strong> balance.<\/p>\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 Both rackets have the exact same beam width (23mm \/ 26mm \/ 23mm<\/strong>).<\/p>\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 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 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\nDunlop FX 500 vs Babolat Pure Drive Comparison<\/h2>\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> <\/td> <\/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
Length and Head Size<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Balance<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Frame Stiffness Rating<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Beam Width<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Power<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
String Pattern<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Availability<\/h4>\n\n\n\n