This guy is called the Prince Pro Beast 750.
Note: this racket will be replaced by the Prince Phoenix Pro in 2019.
There are several versions of the Prince Pro Beast, and they have different specs. The 2017 version is as follows:
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Buy (Australia): amazon.com.au
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Racket Specs chart
Advertised weight (unstrung): 135 grams
Head size: 480 cm sq
String pattern: 14x15
Product Notes
This frame was first spotted as one of Prince’s 2017 models, but then there was a long stretch where you couldn’t get Prince rackets, and all their sponsored players switched to other brands. The word on the street was they were out of business, or otherwise seriously impaired. Well, looks like Prince is still around after all. The 2017 models are now appearing in Canada.
Note, this newer version of the Prince Pro Beast 750 is a few grams heavier in terms of advertised weight than the previous models. So it doesn’t appear to be the exact same racket as the 2016 model below. Same frame shape and stringing pattern though.
The 2017 racket has a similar green paint job to the 2016 model. One way to tell them apart at a glance is to look at the ‘P’ logo just above the grip. The 2017 model has a white P, whereas the previous model has a black P.
Reviews
Here’s a roundup I did of 8 current Prince squash rackets, including the Pro Beast 750:
Here’s the 2016 model, which was called the Prince TeXtreme Pro Beast PowerBite 750:
Image via princesquash.com
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Buy (Australia): ebay.com.au
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Buy (US): amazon.com | holabirdsports.com | squashgear.com
Here’s the original 2014 version of the Prince Pro Beast 750, or as it was sometimes called, the Prince Pro Beast PowerBite 750. This racket was promoted by Ramy Ashour for a time, though he never actually played with it.
Here’s the product photo:
Image via princerackets.co.nz
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Buy (Canada): controlthet.com
Buy (France): amazon.fr
Buy (Germany): amazon.de
Buy (UK): amazon.co.uk | sweatband.com
Buy (US): amazon.com | holabirdsports.com | squashgear.com
Product Notes
Weight: Light (128 grams)
Balance: Head-Light (35 cm)
Head Size: Medium (480 sq cm)
String Pattern: 14 x 15
Strung with: Prince Lightning 16 Gold
Thanks to Rick Young for the tip on this racket.
Reviews
Here’s my own review of the Prince Pro Beast. Short version: I loved it. Note: according to the specs, this is supposed to be a head-light racket, but as you’ll see in this review, it actually felt slightly head-heavy in my hand.
Here’s a review from Paul at PDH Sports. He says the “balance is great” and he’s “able to cut the ball in really nicely”:
Here’s a unprecedented SECOND review from PDH Sports. Paul says this racket doesn’t have much control, but it’s very powerful and fun to play with.
Spotted
PDH Sports have got some pictures up on their Google Plus page.
Image via PDH Sports
Image via PDH Sports
Though I haven’t seen Ramy using this racket yet, I did catch Sarah-Jane Perry using this at the British Open:
Photo by Steve Cubbins ∞
Ah, just seen James Willstrop also start playing with this racket:
Photo by Sofia Tapola ∞
Joey Chan has switched to this racket. Here she is at the 2016 British Open:
Photo via Steve Cubbins →
Andrew says
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Would love to try the Black Knight PSX Ion Element,has anyone got one to sell?Does it play like the Harrow Spark?which i have strung with Ashaway Powernick 19 string,any comments appreciated.
Rod says
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Where are you based Andrew? If you are Stateside then I have one to sell.
Andrew says
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Sorry Rod,am down in Australia!
Andrew says
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I’ve just re-strung my Prince PB 750 with the orange Ashaway super nick 1.25mm string at 25lbs,as it broke the Technifibre green 1.1mm too quickly.
Looking forward to seeing how it compares with my go to racket Head graphene xt cyano 135,which I find is super powerful and surprising control levels.
The Prince as said before is an easy string breaker and I feel slightly head heavy,I have the 128g model not the older or latest one
Rod says
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I play tested one of these rackets yesterday for a full match and I can’t say that I was impressed by it. I’ve been playing with the Black Knight PSX Ion Element for the past 2 seasons and found that the Prince was inferior in every way. The Pro Beast was significantly down on power compared the BK and the feel just wasn’t there. To me the feel off the strings was very stiff and I didn’t like it. Hard to say whether this was due to stiff/poor strings or not. Control was ok but my length tended to drop short because I was used to a racket with more power.
Andrew says
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Would love to try the Black Knight PSX Ion Element,has anyone got one to sell?Does it play like the Harrow Spark?which i have strung with Ashaway Powernick 19 string,any comments appreciated.
Lloyd says
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Sarah jane perry has stopped using this racket as of the world series finals. I can’t tell what she is using at the moment as its not stenciled. It could be a technifibre that shes using? (It certainly isn’t the pro beast anymore)
Pierre says
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It does look like a Carboflex. Looks like she’s put an “SJP” logo on the shaft:
Lloyd says
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Ahhh awesome!! Has she got a signature racket on the way do you think or something or is it just decoration?
Lloyd says
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(Also i’m watching her match against massaro now, and she looks like shes got a white stencil on the racket. It looks like a single dot? Is that anything significant?
B says
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I don’t think it’s the carboflex 125 anyways, there’s no red on her racket, maybe the 135?
Ethen says
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I have used this (the Textreme version), technifibre 125S and the dunlop biomimetic ultimate GTS. The technifibre is amazingly easy to pick up with lots of power and is a very consistent racket. The dunlop is a special one; it seemed slightly head heavy at first compared to the other two and lacks a bit of power but the control is superb after getting used to the racket.
The pro beast, on the other hand, generates a lot of slice and “cut” which is how ive always liked to play. It generates more power than the other 2 mentioned above, and feels extremely light. One problem, however, is how brittle the string is. Due to the 15×14 string pattern the string breaks almost too easily, especially if you love to cut the ball like i do. There was once it broke after less than 4hours of play (technifibre 305 1.2mm, 26lbs). I’d recommend getting strings >1.3mm to counter this problem.
zari says
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good review.. can you tell me how the new string is working is it perfect or same issue is coming again as i am fed up changing the string after every 2-3 days. which string you are playing with now and its details thankyou.
ethen says
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Hi Zari i’m currently using ashaway supernick XL 1.25mm at 27lbs. Have only used them a couple of times so i can’t really tell the durability. The strings are slightly heavier than the technifibre so flicks and short swings are not that easy now though it should get better if you get used it them. I do feel that the technifibre 305 is more “crisp” and have a better feel about it though.
I have in fact started using the Dunlop Biomimetic Ultimate GTS now as my main racket as the control it gives me is quite a lot better than the pro beast. The pro beast sure is nice when you do cuts, drops or deception but the accuracy and tightness of my drives are compromised. (the dunlop is also alot cheaper in my region)
zari says
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so sir what about the durability of ashaway supernick XL 1.25mm now ?
ethen says
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My racket has broke (refer to post below) but i managed to get a couple of good weeks out of the racket and new string and I must say the string felt really good with the racket. There is more power than the technifibre though i felt the slicing is not as smooth as before (it also feels a lot more durable). I highly recommend it!
ethen says
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Unfortunately my pro beast 750 textreme has broke after just 6 months of play (i didn’t hit the wall). Prince racquets seem a little more fragile and they cost quite a lot from where i come from, so i guess i’ll be sticking to my dunlop for now :/
Pierre says
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Sorry to hear that Ethen
M.A. says
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I just saw James Willstrop practicing for the Netsuite Open in San Francisco – looks like he’s back to an older Prince model – it may have even been the Speedport Black (strung with green strings, so assuming the 305, as he’s used in the past).
Pierre Bastien says
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Thanks M.A., will keep an eye out for that!
Jazz Puri says
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I bought this racket and have played with it for over a week. I think its a terrific racket. Easy to get used to and move anywhere. I do not feel it head heavy at all, but I did use some lead tape to give stability to the racket head, makes it steady and give a more controlled plough through when you hit the ball at any speed or from any distance.
Jazz says
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I have both rackets, Tecnifibre Carbolflex 125 and Prince Pro Beast Powerbite 750. The Tecnifibre 125 is more consistent and powerful.
Raja says
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has anybody used power bite 750, air stick 550 and technifiber carboflex 125 ?. i m confused between these 3 rackets, which 1 to buy ? … which racket offers the most power, durability and cutting the ball short ??
kishore says
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Hi There,
I have tried the air stick 550 and the technifibre.
My preference is air stick 550, its so manoeuvrable, durable and light
Only I think it should have been a little more head heavy
Which I guess the 750 is? If you ever use 750 pls let me know as I am thinking buying it
Ammar MAS says
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I have tried all three.. although I did not try the air stick 550 for long as it belongs to my friend who no longer plays at my area.
I think the factory strings of both air stick 550 and power bite 750 are great. I feel a bit more control with the air stick but a more natural feel with the power bite (easy to do cuts with power bite too).. they are both awesome rackets… but i do agree that the frames do not feel as solid like the technifibre carbolex 125…
however, i still prefer carboflex 125 over those two as it just “feels rights”. Carboflex 125 really feels like an extension of my hand… can’t wait for the new carbolex 125 S….
my few cents… some people may have different preferences and opinions 🙂 but i do feel that the shape of prince rackets are about the same.. and if you like the feel that comes with that shape.. prince might be a better option for you…
Happy trying!
Jon Catuccio says
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There is a bit of vibration in the 750, but to be honest, it’s not really bothersome to me. I used a Black Knight ION (red) the other day and was shocked at the solid feel, and by that I mean the sweep through a backhand, connecting with the ball, and follow through all felt like one powerful and cohesive action. This is probably in part due to the style of racquet as compared to the beast, and the heavy weight, also maybe the 18 AWG strings. The 750 is in a way a little head heavy, I have to agree, but not in a bad way. As Pierre pointed out, it let’s one mark the position of the racquet in space, and I have found it exceptionally at quick volleys to return hyper-powered cross courts by my opponent.
JB says
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I have used the 750 and the 125. The 125 has more power, the 750 better cut and spin. The 750 is great for rails the 125 is a blast to play with. Both held up great. I still use the 750……I need more control then I do power….a plus for the 125 is it comes with great string in it….if it is the correct tension…..both great racquets the 125 makes it easy to get carried away with a power game the 750 a more all around game because it doesn’t have one thing that stands out above the others if that makes sense. If you need more power in your game the 125 if you need to balance your game because you have enough power then the 750. Enjoy the Game!
Jonathan Catuccio says
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Why do you think Paul at PDH Sports notes the 750 doesn’t have a lot of control. I wonder if he refers to the need for more accuracy or a higher caliber of player given the small head size? IIRC he noted he could cut the ball nicely etc. There are times I am fatigued or generally playing out of focus where I hit the rim of this racquet and it could be due to the light balance of this racquet that results in it not balancing itself. Hard to explain unless you have used the 750, it’s so evenly balanced and light you might not know it’s orientation in space.
Jason says
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Think I spotted Willstrop using it in the swedish open.
Pierre Bastien says
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Thanks for the tip Jason! I blogged about it here: https://www.squashsource.com/james-willstrop-using-prince-pro-beast-750/
George says
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Still havent seen ramy use it
Feudallordcult says
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I hv played squash for 27years. Yes,prince rackets are indeed brittle. I played with the extender sc, extender, the extender cts followed by ctsII. all were simply wonderful rackets but every piece was so fragile. I recall a friend breaking five extender comp in a month. I subsequently switched allegiance to dunlop but recently went back to prince air stick 130 which I personally think is the best racket of all times. I tried this beast and it generates really serious power owing to the enlarged string bed. Overall, methinks dunlop is killing itself after the 4d series. I dun think I will buy another dunlop unless it’s the shabana ultimate or the gaultier elite.
Pierre Bastien says
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Thanks!
Themanwithaplan says
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Thanks, Pierre. Actually it also states that on Ramy’s page at princesquash:
http://www.princesquash.com/athletes/touring-pros/ramy-ashour/
Themanwithaplan says
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Is this the racket Ramy Ashour is holding in the picture of the four players on the prince squash frontpage: http://www.princesquash.com/ ?
Pierre Bastien says
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Yes, that is the Pro Beast 750.
Lewis B says
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I have been playing squash for over 20 years and I use Prince rackets because I consider them to be the best on the market for playing with. However I have broken countless different models. Most break very easily. The airstick 130 seems to be the most durable in my opinion / exerience.
Pierre Bastien says
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Thanks Lewis
Snelly says
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I would argue that Prince rackets are the least robust of all that I have used. The Dunlop Biomimetics are fragile too. If you want a strong racket, Tecnifibre is the way to go.
The 03 Black is a lovely racket though, just make sure you don’t tap it on the wall..
Pierre Bastien says
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Ha! Thanks Snelly
Mike says
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Hi, I am very tempted to buy Prince, but I have seen some comments about them breaking too easy? Is this true, or has Prince resolved this? Thanks
Pierre Bastien says
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Hi Mike I haven’t heard any complaints about Prince racket being especially prone to breakage.
Ben says
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Hi everyone, there is a new prince range coming out in April. There is another one called the prince sp black 950 which i might get, it is meant to be very powerful, i think that is what the 950stands for (power level.)
Ben
Pierre Bastien says
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Hi Ben I am hearing that SP Black is the latest iteration of the Prince Speedport Black.