Yonex Astrox 100 ZZ (Kurenai)
Yonex Astrox 100 ZZ is a premium badminton racket for advanced players and professionals who enjoy a game of aggression. If you want an uncompromising combination of power and speed, choose Astrox 100 ZZ racket. This high-end head-heavy racket model from the Astrox 100 series is surprisingly easy to play with and does not tire you after long rallies. Adored by fans for relentless attack, intense power, and superior stability, the AX100ZZ racket will elevate your game and make you a stronger player.
Specifications:
- Item Code: AX100ZZ
- Flex: Extra Stiff
- Balance: Head Heavy
- Level: Advanced / Professionals
- Type: Offensive
- Head: Square/Isometric
- Frame: HM Graphite / Namd / Tungsten / Black Micro Core / Nanometric
- Shaft: HM Graphite / Namd
- Joint: NEW Built-in T-Joint
- Length: 10 mm longer
- Weight / Grip: 4U (Avg 83g) / G5,6 - 3U (Avg 88g) G4,5,6
- Stringing Advice: 4U (20-28 lbs), 3U (21-29 lbs)
- Recommended String (Control Players): AEROBITE BOOST
- Recommended String (Hard Hitters): BG66 FORCE
- Cover: Yonex Full Cover
- Color: Kurenai
- Strung Type: Unstrung
- Made in: Japan
- Used by: Shi Yuqi, Viktor Axelsen, Akane Yamaguchi, Takuro Hoki, Chen Qing Chen
- Technology: NAMD, NANOMETRIC, AERO+BOX Frame, ISOMETRIC, Rotational Generator System, Solid Feel Core, Hyper Slim Shaft, BLACK MICRO CORE, New Built-in T-Joint, Energy Boost CAP PLUS
Why should Yonex Astrox 100 ZZ be your Next Purchase?
Released on 20th March 2020, the racket is endorsed by several badminton players. If you are in the market to buy a new racket, here are compelling reasons to make Astrox 100 ZZ your next racket.
1. Enhanced Sweet Spot
When you compare the conventional round frames of traditional rackets and Astrox 100 ZZ, Yonex has introduced a modified ISOMETRIC frame in the latter to enhance the sweet spot and make it easier for players to produce more power while hitting the shuttlecock. The company mentioned that the Astrox 100 ZZ racket has a more square-like shape with a sweet spot enhanced by 2.9%. So, players can enjoy increased power even if they do not hit the racket center.
2. More Power than Ever!
Yonex has addressed even the tiniest things to ensure better power transfer to your shots. For example, the thumb-fitting shape of the newly-designed cap (E.B. CAP PLUS) helps you to transmit more power to the shuttlecock. E.B. CAP Plus structure also adds to the flexibility of the racket.
Additionally, the company has used NAMD material throughout the racket for immediate transfer of power, super swing speed, and incredible flexibility.
Used for the very first time in the history of Yonex, the Black Micro Core material at the top of the frame of the Astrox 100ZZ increases rigidity by 4% and vibration absorption by 2%. The material adds more weight to the head and, thus, makes powerful shots effortless for the players. It also lends a strong racket feel to the Astrox 100 ZZ.
3. Even Weight Distribution
Although Astrox 100 ZZ is a head-heavy racket like others in the power-focused Astrox series, it does not tire your arm. How? Yonex has introduced an innovative Rotational Generator System for precise weight distribution throughout the racket body. The new System also allows continuous smashes to tire out your opponent quickly.
In addition to the Rotational Generator System, the company has also used a new and lighter-than-ever built-in T-Joint to counteract the additional weight of the Black Micro Core material used in the head of the frame.
4. Improved Swing Action
ASTROX 100 ZZ has the combination AERO+BOX frame for a quick swing. It also has a Hyper Slim Shaft that Yonex considers the slimmest shaft ever. The racket shaft has the Nanometric material that delivers lightning-fast speed and control to this head-heavy racket.
It has the NAMD graphite material at its core to reduce air resistance by at least 11.8% than other rackets. Instead of keeping the shaft hollow, the graphite material makes it more resilient and delivers improved swing action.
Did you know the revolutionary New Graphite NAMD that the company has used throughout the shaft and frame offers faster snapback and, thus, dramatic swing speed and immense power to your shots? It means you enjoy more strength without the racket being too stiff in your hands.
5. Reduced Vibrations: More Stability
Several technologies used in the racket lead to reduced vibrations and more stability. For example, the Black Micro Core material is known for its vibration-dampening features that give a solid feeling to the racket. The racket also has the new built-in T-joint for increasing the stability of the shuttlecock when it makes contact with the racket bed, thus allowing your shots to be stable and more powerful simultaneously.
Like any Yonex racket built in Japan, the Astrox 100 ZZ racket has a built-in solid feel core to reduce vibrations on the impact.
Yonex Astrox 100 ZZ vs. Other Racket Models
Let's compare the AX100ZZ racket with other popular rackets.
1. Astrox 100 ZZ vs. Astrox 100 Game vs. Astrox 100 Tour
Astrox 100 ZZ: Premium-range, made-in-Japan racket
Astrox 100 Tour: Mid-range, made-in-Taiwan racket
Astrox 100 Game: Low-range, made-in-Taiwan racket
Although Yonex manufactured Astrox 100 Tour and Astrox 100 Game in Taiwan, their finishes and performances are similar to the flagship AX100ZZ model.
The Tour and Game models can prove the right choice if you want an affordable purchase. They are well-made with only minor changes from the Astrox 100 ZZ racket. For example, the Tour racket has a similar E.B. Cap Plus, and the Game racket has a slightly boxy support cap which Yonex has previously used in other Astrox series.
AX100ZZ has the slimmest shaft, followed by Tour and then the Game racket in the same order. Astrox 100 ZZ and 100 Tour have fully recessed frames, while the game racket has a recessed pattern only on the top of the racket.
Astrox 100 ZZ racket has the HM Graphite / Namd / Tungsten / Black Micro Core / Nanometric material in the racket frame and shaft. On the other hand, the 100 Tour has HM Graphite / NAMD / Nanomesh Neo / Tungsten. The 100 Game has HM Graphite / Nanomesh Neo / Tungsten.
Astrox 100 Game has a slightly lighter head, less stiffness, and reduced power if compared to other racket models in the series. Hence, it is easiest to play with, especially if you are an intermediate player/beginner/recreational player.
The Astrox 100 3U rackets will be the preferred choice for an advanced player with a strong build. You can choose the 4U models if you want a lightweight racket model.
2. Astrox 100 ZZ vs. Astrox 99 Pro vs. Astrox 77 Pro
Yonex Astrox 100 ZZ, Astrox 99 Pro, and Astrox 77 Pro are the top-of-the-line flagship rackets. All are better suited to advanced players.
All three rackets have NAMD material in the shaft for creating explosive energy and force when the racket comes in contact with the shuttlecock. However, the difference is in their shaft diameter.
As we know, Yonex has used the Black Micro Core technology for the first time in the Astrox series with the AX100ZZ. It reduces the vibration and delivers a more stable performance, thus, ensuring that players enjoy the feeling of power every time they hit a shot.
One difference between the three rackets is that Astrox 99 Pro is the only one with the Power-Assist Bumper in the racket frame. It gives more power to the racket head for explosive shots. The other rackets do not have the technology because they are more of an all-around racket.
In conclusion, Astrox 99 Pro is the preferred choice of badminton professionals who play the singles game and love playing power shots. On the other hand, the AX100ZZ may be a head-heavy racket, but it does not compromise speed for power. Its weight distribution is more even, thanks to the innovative Rotational Generator System and the new built-in T-joint. Astrox 77 Pro is also an all-around racket with improved playability than its predecessor the AX77 racket.
3. Astrox 100 ZZ vs. Astrox 100 ZX
Overall, both Yonex Astrox 100 ZZ and Astrox 100 ZX badminton rackets focus on enhancing your power and speed on the court. However, there are a few differences in terms of the technology used in creating them. Let's take a look:
The frame material used in Astrox 100 ZZ increases rigidity by 4% and absorbs vibration by 2%. Yonex has balanced the extra weight of the Black Micro Core material with the new built-in T joint. It makes the racket 1.3% lighter than other Yonex racket models. With the innovative design of the Astrox 100 ZZ racket, you can get more power from your smashes.
Astrox 100 ZX racket has the Nanomesh NEO material in the frame. Yonex also used it in other Astrox rackets because it acts as an adhesive to combine the graphite fiber with resin. It results in a strong and more flexible frame. The Nanomesh NEO allows the shaft to revert to its original position quickly. It enables you to play attacking shots quickly and continuously.
The Astrox 100 ZZ has a Hyper Slim Shaft. It includes a graphite material at the core of the shaft that delivers an 11.8% reduction in air resistance. It makes the racket more resilient and ensures strong shots.
The Astrox 100 ZX has an Extra Slim and Rexis Shaft. It is a high-performance shaft with an advanced molding technique and high-quality graphite material. The new Rexis technology allows the racket to slice through the air to generate speed and power.