TPS Reponse R8

[FluxCapacitor 0]

I see the TPS Reponse R8 Lite is on sale at SportCheck for $89.99, regular $149.99. Pretty good deal, and a VERY light stick. It seemed noticeably lighter than anything else in its price range.

Three questions:

1) Any thoughts on it?

2) Also, it's available in two patterns: PP19 and PP10. What are these patterns? I've been having a hard time finding info on what these patterns are.

3) It's only available in 95 flex. Is the TPS 95 flex similar to 85 in other manufacturers? I am a 5'10", 175 lb beginner, so I wouldn't want something too stiff. I currently use an 85 flex wood Easton.

[mhkehoe 1]

Here is TotalHockey's listing for that stick, and it lists the blade curves.

http://www.totalhockey.com/Product.aspx?itm_id=6409&div_id=41

I have a teammate who loves that stick. It feels a lot like my Sherwood T90, but a tad lighter. I think that stick may be a tad stiff for you, but that is hard to say for sure.

[bigdmac 12]

Had a prostock R8 a couple years ago and absolutely loved it! I believe it was a Ricard Wallin stick and his pattern was perfect for me, haven't been able to find anything like it since. Sportchek had them on for $89 a few months ago and I picked one up and wasn't as pleased as I was with my first one. Didn't seem to have the same performance and it broke about two weeks after the warranty. It is an incredibly light stick but the 95 flex did seem to be a little stiffer than some of the other 95 flexes out there. I would say go for it, at $89 it is a pretty good deal, you shouldn't be to disappointed in it.

[FluxCapacitor 0]

Here is TotalHockey's listing for that stick, and it lists the blade curves.

http://www.totalhock...=6409&div_id=41

I have a teammate who loves that stick. It feels a lot like my Sherwood T90, but a tad lighter. I think that stick may be a tad stiff for you, but that is hard to say for sure.

Great link for the reviews. Unfortunately, they don't list the PP10 or PP19 on their charts. Neither does HockeyMonkey. So I haven't been able to find out much about those two patterns, in particular. Anyone know anything about these patterns?

Thx for the advice bigdmac. I was trying to compare the 95 flex to the standard 85 in other brands, just by bending the sticks in the store. But, it was hard to tell the difference... It seemed like the 95 flex might be a bit stiffer than the Easton 85, but I am not sure if it's because I already know that it has a higher number (my own bias), or if it is actually stiffer.

[EvilPepe 24]

The PP19 is the Bergeron, I believe.

The PP10...I think it used to be the Leclair...similar to a Sakic but with a lower lie (and maybe not quite as deep?). Might have better luck searching under the names.

It should be a bit stiffer than your 85 Easton, but perhaps not as much as you'd expect.

[MarsB 33]

Bergeron is P119. PP19 and PP10 are old Sherwood curves (Spezza and LeClair), maybe Sherwood did up some R8s in their curves after they acquired TPS?

[EvilPepe 24]

After Sherwood acquired TPS it seemed like there was a revolving door of patterns they were using on their version of the R8, so I would say it is likely.

[FluxCapacitor 0]

Hmm... So I went and compared the two blades and the PP19 is definitely a lower lie that the PP10, which seems to contradict what you guys are saying. the Leclair should be the lower lie stick right?

Also, I just noticed that one is a "PP10 Pro" and the other is the "PP19 Ace". Don't know if that extra info helps at all.

Edited to add: And for further confusion, the PP19 Ace has a squared toe.

[The Webster 0]

I absolutely loved the Whip Flex they use to do.

[Chadd 916]

PP19 was the YP/Drury clone for TPS if I remember correctly.

[sharks25 9]

Maybe call the shop and ask them to email you pictures of the curves? They may be willing to.

[innotastic 12]

if pp19 is their sherwood spezza equivalent then it would be a lie 5 (easton). it is a lower lie than a standard drury. the sherwood ryan is the modern day equivalent to the sherwood spezza.

[gxc999 7]

It's a really solid twig. It reminded me a little of the SE16 in terms of puck feel (maybe that was just me, I dono) but I felt the R8 shot better on one-timers and slappers for me. It's an A+ stick whether it's at $80 or $130.

[phunky_monkey 6]

I have a few of the post-buyout R8's and am not a fan of them. They are very different to the old Canadian TPS R8's, with noticeably lower levels of puck feel and a different feel and shape to the shaft. They also do not have the same balance as the older sticks. I don't use mine.

However, the pre-buyouts are one of the best sticks I've used. Great feel, and the balance is off the chart. Not as much pop as my TotalOne but a nicer balanced stick, with better puck feel.

Disclaimer: All of mine are pro-stocks so they could very well not be representative of the retail sticks so your experience may be different than mine.