Blitz 601
The Specifications
Model: Blitz 700
Level: Advance
Racket Type: All Rounder
Flex: Medium
Weight: 85g ± 2g (4U)
Grip Size: G2
Frame: H.M 40 Tonne Graphite + Woven
Shaft: H.M 40 Tonne Graphite
Stringing Tension Main: 22-24lbs
Stringing Tension Gross: 24-26lbs
Stringing Tension Optimum: 28lbs
Balance: 285-295mm
First Impression
There is a lot more subtleness to this racket than that of the ever so shiny Blitz 600 however this racket has it's own appeal. It's quite delicate in that it used a solid colour throughout as to not attract attention but mean business. The 700 is the White Colour and the 701 is the Red Colour. I personally own this racket and have for the last 6 months, it is my choice in the Yang Yang Blitz Range. I own the 701 because I like the dark red colour that doesn't attract too much attention matched up with some black strings to have a stealthy look.
Blitz 700 - It's Brand New so it was a bit hard to take a photo because it is so white!
Blitz 701 - It appears more cherry because of the lighting I used. (My Personal Racket)
The Performance
All my badminton life I have used Balanced Rackets, Balanced Rackets have no sense of Head Heavy or any other unbalance. When the racket is picked up, it feels very firm and worn't work against your grip when you hold it up horizontally. Because my last racket was very balanced this change to the 701/700 by feel doesn't make much of a difference. Their in similar weight classes, and same flex, it wasn't until I had a hit with it then I realised the difference. It is normal for a racket to degrade over time as this is known as ware and tare. A top end racket can last you a very long time, but like all things, it will wither with time. Either I had gotten use to my old racket or my old racket always had this problem, with every hit there was a vibration that was sent from the head down the shaft into the grip and felt on my hand. When I swapped over to this 701, the racket was rock solid, vibrations weren't felt at all, each shot was solid with no recoil. The 700/701 comes strung like all other Blitz Rackets with top Yang Yang strings.
When hit the racket delivers unbelievable power. Even when rated at a medium flex, it seems to push both boundaries, stiff when you need it to be and flex when your trying to deliver power. With it's more resistant shaft and frame it produced a noticeable amount of power without the extra weight. Moving with this racket worn't be too difficult and a change of shot or trick shot wouldn't be too difficult with this racket, you will always be in control.
The Verdict
After using this racket for a few months, I feel I have not made a mistaken in choosing this racket as my first racket's successor. I have used a range of rackets, through the brands, and I believe my investment in this racket is by far the most worth it. It's not too expensive and has all the qualities of what a pro is after. I have also given this racket to other advance players, and they enjoy playing with it a lot. In a generous test with out brand discrimination, they would not mind using this racket because it is so balanced.
The stings it comes strung with are excellent, however as mentioned before they are strung at pretty high tension at first, and it worn't forgive you if you miss hit!
I recommend this racket for the advance players, in particularly singles players. It is a full all rounder that gives power without needed to shift weight throughout the racket. For deceptive shots, this racket is in the game. Your drop shots will be sharp, your smashes will be fast, and you'll feel like this racket isn't weighing you down!
Conclusion
My Recommendation
This racket is best Suited for:
Strong Players
Singles Players
Players who enjoy deceptive shots
Players with power but would like to conserve it in a stamina draining singles game
And last but not least, it is a Yang Yang, and this again goes to show that the name of Yang Yang isn't just that of a former world champion, but a product backed by the champion himself. It is a badminton racket designed by a badminton player, for badminton players.
