This Yonex Astrox 77 review was part of the Yonex Astrox 77 vs Astrox 99 vs Astrox 100ZZ comparison. Check out the video here.
The Astrox 77 is by far the oldest of the Astrox models. If I remember correctly, this was the very first racket Yonex made for the Astrox series.
Traditionally, Yonex tends to launch a series with a mid-high end racket ending with the number 7, before moving up the gears with 8, 9 or 10. With the Astrox series, it was the Astrox 77, then the Astrox 88, then the Astrox 99, and finally the Astrox 100. Similarly, the Arcsaber series started off with the Arcsaber 7, then the Arcsaber 10, then the Arcsaber 9, and finally the 11. The Duora series also started with the Duora 7.
The 7's tend to be a bit more conservative in terms of performance and feel. It's as if Yonex is testing its new materials and manufacturing technologies in the market with the 7's. Don't get me wrong, the Astrox 77 is a super nice racket to play with. It is very user-friendly, with good power and speed.
However, the Astrox 77 does not have a standout speciality. Its speciality is its ability to do everything pretty well. It's a steady, solid racket. Nothing is poor by any standards, but at the same time, nothing is spectacular, it's all above average. I would describe it as a racket that scores a 7/10 in all aspects:
Head-heaviness - 7/10
Speed - 7/10
Power - 7/10
Stiffness - 7/10
You get the drill.
It reminds me of the Arcsaber series which is great at everything, but without a single super spectacular trait that I can think of.
If we compare the Astrox 77, the Astrox 99 and the Astrox 100ZZ, in terms of head-heaviness, I think the Astrox 77 is the lightest, followed by the Astrox 100ZZ, then comes the sledgehammer, the Astrox 99.
For ultimate stiffness, I think the Astrox 77 is more pliable than the Astrox 100ZZ, which is really responsive and good to play with, and the Astrox 99 is the stiffest amongst them.
In terms of speed, I would rank the Astrox 99 as the slowest racket within the series, followed by the Astrox 77. The Astrox 100ZZ is, in my opinion, the fastest racket amongst them, which is very impressive considering the amount of head weight and power you have access to with it.
Which racket in the Astrox series is your favourite? Leave me a comment and let me know!
Yonex Astrox 77 vs Astrox 99 vs Astrox 100ZZ comparison video here.