The Luxilon Smart tested by Mike. This string 'stiffens' with hard balls and gives more with balls on feeling. And with a stringing advice of 20 +- 2 kg (!) my attention was aroused!
Specifications:
Brand: Luxilon String: Smart Gauge: 16L (1.25 mm) Type: Co-poly with 3 cores Comparable strings: Luxilon M2 Pro and the Luxilon Element to some extent
Judgement:
Durability: 7.5 Tension retention: 8 Spin: 7.5 Ball feel: 8.5 Power: 7.5 Control: 8.5 Comfort: 9
I tested the Luxilon Smart in the Diadem Elevate 98 at 18/18 kg. Luxilon recommends 20 +- 2 kg for this string. I put it to the test with 18/18 kg. In this review, among other things, the comparison with the Luxilon Element 1.25. I have previously tested the Element and it comes close to the Smart in terms of comfort. However, I have not yet played the previously released Luxilon M2 Pro. The M2 Pro is actually the predecessor of the Smart.
Durability/Voltage maintenance
The durability of the Luxilon Smart is not bad for a somewhat softer co-poly. I found the string certainly more wear-resistant than the Element 1.25, also a comfort-oriented co-poly but with the well-known Luxilon 'multimono' technology. This technology provides the feel of a multifilament in a monofilament string. The Element is certainly comfortable, but so is this Smart. More about that later. I found the tension retention better than the Element 1.25. In terms of tension retention, the Smart must also clearly win over the M2 Pro, which is actually its predecessor.
Spin
What the Luxilon Smart should do is give more flexibility on topspin hits and stiffen up on hard hits. A smart string, hence the name. The rotation was more than sufficient I must say, but not remarkable. Similar spin as many other poly's in my opinion.
Ball feel and comfort
This is where the Luxilon Smart really shines! There is definitely more feeling in the string than a standard poly. I noticed it perhaps most with touch balls such as stop volleys and drop shots: a very nice smooth feel with the string. And in terms of comfort/vibration damping this string is also very strong! That also makes the Smart widely applicable. As a first introduction to polyester Luxilon recommends the Element 1.25, this Smart follows shortly after and I agree with that. Very nice comfort. This string almost gives the playing feel of a multifilament string in a monofilament and that is special!
Power/control
I didn't notice much of the string stiffening when hitting hard. The power was more than sufficient though. In terms of control I did notice that this string offers much more feeling than other polyester strings. There is more touch in it and that is very nice. Especially the slice backhands and dropshots were very nice.