Yonex Nanoflare 700, 700 Pro, and 1000Z: the speed series decoded
Three speed rackets, three different jobs. Here is who each one is for, and why the lighter sample sometimes smashes harder.
Overview
For offensive doubles wanting threatening rear-court pressure, I think balance should be at least 296 mm — best 298–300 mm. Higher and you lose agility in fast doubles rhythm. Swing speed must be fast; frame must be aero enough. Overall torsion stability solid. You guessed it — I mean Astrox 88D Pro. Fits me perfectly. Wrong — today's star is Nanoflare 700 Pro. Straight to 700 Pro offence — the long intro was for this. At 293 mm balance you really cannot press down; flat drives sit higher than usual. On G5 grip, however hard I pull the overgrip it is not slim enough. I stripped the butt cap and added two layers of shock film — balance hit 300 mm. Only then did I unlock 700 Pro's final form. With EXBOT63 at 27 lb plus Toray M40X — not mysticism: Nanoflare with M40X vs without are totally different; Astrox new-dimension carbon same idea. Once added, torsion and shot rigidity jump at least two levels. 700 Pro frame contact very direct, bright crisp bounce — shuttle almost shoots straight out with no drag. Large frame deformation still obvious; whip smashes sweet-spot flex slightly hurts precision versus smaller 88D Pro directionality. Light crisp agility makes tap attacks more threatening. Small motion, hidden-action drops comfortable — no forearm burden. Front-mid court you press freely — big motion no fear, smooth even sharp attacks. Drive-block is 700 Pro's unmatched strength — silky fore-back switch, crisp fast push hard block, inspired passive placement. Every link lives up to Nanoflare 700 Pro fame. Doubles front-mid players are blessed. After cap removal — press harder; forward court feels invincible. Strongly suggest removing the butt cap. Net play: drop finish softness not as obvious as original Nanoflare 700 — somewhat like recent Pro Nanoflare 800 with same string holes but harder crisper frame, more direct output, needs more touch. Rigidity is not as strong as 78-hole Nanoflare 800 Pro; impact not that exaggerated. Defence: large face, high forgiveness, thin-wing aero frame — but stiff shaft plus face rebound leverage not as focused and powerful as 88D Pro small frame. For me 700 Pro's speed-plus-large-face defence boost is not that obvious. Versus original Nanoflare 700, 700 Pro feedback crisper, more accurate, naturally faster. To some degree it Pro'd speed and some offence — same as my launch-event feel. Frame hardness between Nanoflare 700 Pro and Nanoflare 800 Pro; among the three, 700 Pro shaft hardness feedback is hardest. For better offence I suggest removing the butt cap — all NF series recommend it. Recommend for players who like Nanoflare 700 but cannot accept Nanoflare 800 Pro's overly hard direct crispness, yet want some offence boost — safe buy, will not step on landmines.
Recommendation
Versus original, no higher entry — still easy accessible seamless doubles speed racket. Large sweet area suits most players, men and women.