Matt, Are all the shuttles from the same manufacturer? I have seen different brands fly at different speeds for the same rating. ie. one manufacturer's 77 is almost like another manufacturer's 76 or 78. In some extreme cases I have seen stuff thats probably mis-labled. I have one tube of Aeroplane 101 (red label) thats labeled (hand written ) as 4.9 (equivalent to speed 76), but they fly at 79 I think, good for those cold saturday mornings in winter when the temps are in the 40's.
BaddGolfer They were from various brands such as Victor, BestBuyPlaza, Aeroplane and some other Chinese brand names which were either 77 or 76. This is compared to while I'm using a Yonex AS-40 speed 4. So that would probably a good explaination. You would assume in the perfect world that with a shuttle which rated speed X, would fly identical regardless of which manufacturer it for consistancy.
No, from my limited experience, I have seen a lot of variation from manufacturer to manufacturer. From the names you mention, if you gave me speed 77 (#3) of Victor (Champion 1), Yonex As-40, Aeroplane (EG or SG), I can almost say Aeroplane is like a 78 and Victor is like a 76 compared to the Yonex. May not be a one full rating, but atleast in that direction. Others' observations may vary...
Very intresting BaddGolfer. My question would be, which brand name would be accurate (or at least close to it) on rating of the shuttle? I would assume most likely that Yonex by any chance?
Matt, Do a test of the new shuttle before your play. You are suppose to test it first before start. The rating is just a reference.
Yep, regardless of the shuttle and stated speed, we always test each shuttle, during a serious match.
Luckily I do that everytime I grab out a new shuttle. Just others, since it is their shuttle they do not really care, so we play at the supposed faster speed.
especially for calgarian players. Speed 74 isn't a common speed so testing shuttles before use is mandatory here. I have kason KS88 and KS99 (their #1 and #2 best feather shuttles) rated for 76 speed, and flew so fast. When i weighted them, they were all 5.0 to 5.1 g. So goes with tronex, 2 speed faster than expected. I think yonex seem to come closest to its rated speed among the feathers.
Except for the top grade of goose feather shuttles, most goose feather shuttles are not consistent in weight. If you want consistency you have to specify and be prepared to pay more. I buy speed 77 goose feather shuttles that weigh from 5g to 5.6g, which are off-specs. But for the price I pay and the fact that I weigh each shuttle and tip their feathers appropriately before play, I have no complaints. The 5.6g goose feather shuttles last and last, even if tipped at two spots on each feather. Even when battered they are still very playable.