Executive Summary
The Solinco Blackout v2 occupies a distinctive niche in the advanced racquet market — a precision-first, feedback-rich frame designed for players who prioritise control and feel above raw power. At 305g strung with a 98 sq in head and an open 16x19 pattern, it sits squarely in the competitive advanced segment, but carries a character that distinguishes it from the Head Radical, Wilson Blade, and Tecnifibre TF40 it competes against.
Solinco's construction philosophy leans heavily into a carbon-intensive layup that eliminates unnecessary dampening and maximises string-bed feedback. The result is a frame that feels connected and alive — every ball clearly communicating pace, spin, and placement. For advanced players who make decisions based on what they feel through the grip, the Blackout v2 is exceptionally communicative.
Where the v2 earns its reputation is in the combination of spin potential and surgical precision. The 16x19 open pattern, balanced with a 315mm balance point and ~64 RA stiffness, creates a frame that rewards complete players — those who can generate their own pace and want the racquet to translate swing mechanics into ball trajectory with minimal interference. The Solinco Blackout v2 is not for everyone, but for those it suits, it is difficult to replace.
Performance Profile
The Blackout v2 is compared here against the Blackout Tour — the denser-patterned, heavier sibling designed for flat hitters requiring maximum stability.
Blackout v2 vs Blackout Tour — Performance Radar
Seven-axis comparison across key performance categories. Values rated 6–10.
On-Court Playtest
We took the Solinco Blackout through a full hitting session strung with a co-poly in the low 50s. Here's how Solinco's surgical all-court frame plays, shot by shot.
Groundstrokes
Off the ground the Blackout is a precision-and-spin frame: a thin beam and control-oriented layup give a flat, penetrating, accurate ball, but the open string bed lets you generate heavy topspin when you swing fast. It is a surgical, low-powered frame that rewards committed, technically sound players with pinpoint placement plus spin on demand. Aggressive baseliners who supply their own pace will love the control-with-bite combination.
Serve
On serve the Blackout favours placement and spin shape, with respectable flat pace from a full swing. Kick and slice bite nicely thanks to the open pattern.
Volleys & Net
At net the thin-beam, connected feel makes volleys precise, with enough stability for confident play. A control strength rather than a power one.
Return & Defence
On the return the control bias lets you block and redirect cleanly, and on defence the spin access helps you loop heavy recovery balls while the frame stays predictable.
Comfort & Feel
It is a thin-beam control frame with a crisp, connected feel — firmer than an ultra-flexible classic but not harsh. A soft or shaped poly at a sensible tension is a great match for comfort and spin.
Pros & Cons
The quick scannable summary of what we liked — and what to be aware of.
Pros
- Surgical control with a flat, penetrating ball
- Heavy topspin on tap from the open string bed
- Crisp, connected, precise feel
- Excellent for aggressive advanced baseliners
- Strong control-and-spin balance
Cons
- Low-powered — you supply the pace
- Thin beam offers less free depth and forgiveness
- Demanding for beginners and short swings
- Crisp feel is firmer than a flexible classic
Model Context
The Blackout v2 line covers three distinct player profiles — from the elite flat hitter to the developing 4.0–4.5 player building their game. All share the same fundamental Solinco DNA: feedback-rich construction, precise string-bed feel, and a carbon-intensive frame philosophy.
Blackout v2
The spin-control specialist — precise, surgical, excellent string bed feedback. The flagship of the Blackout line.
Blackout v2 Tour
Denser pattern, higher stability for precision flat hitters who generate own pace and demand predictable response.
Blackout v2 Lite
Same character as the standard, more manageable weight for 4.0–4.5 players building toward the full Blackout experience.
Technical Must-Knows
Who Plays With This?
The Blackout v2 is a strong favourite among advanced club players and competitive amateurs. Solinco's profile keeps it out of the mainstream tour spotlight, but its devoted following is built on genuine performance merit.
The surgical ball-striker who wants maximum control and feedback from their frame. Generates own pace, relies on precise shot placement, and demands clear information through the handle on every contact.
Players already committed to Solinco strings — Hyper-G, Tour Bite — who want complete frame/string ecosystem synergy. The Blackout v2 is the natural home for Solinco's string catalogue.
String Setup Guide
The Blackout v2 responds well to a mid-tension poly setup. Its feedback-rich construction means tension selection significantly affects feel — lower tensions increase pocketing and spin; higher tensions sharpen control and reduce dwell time.
- Recommended range: 49–58 lbs for full poly or hybrid setups
- Spin maximisers: 49–53 lbs with shaped polys (Hyper-G, Tour Bite) for maximum snapback
- Control preference: 54–58 lbs for a firmer, more precise response on flat shots
- Hybrid option: Solinco poly main + natural gut or multifilament cross at 52–55 lbs for added comfort and tension maintenance
- Avoid: Stringing above 60 lbs — reduces the pocketing that makes the 16x19 pattern effective
| Setup Type | String | Tension | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Poly — Spin | Solinco Hyper-G 1.25mm | 50–54 lbs | Maximum spin, shaped cross-section bites and snaps back aggressively |
| Full Poly — Control | Solinco Tour Bite 1.20mm | 49–53 lbs | Exceptional bite and control, thinner gauge increases power potential |
| Full Poly — Premium | Luxilon ALU Power 1.25mm | 51–55 lbs | Tour-level feel, crisp response, very consistent tension maintenance |
Top 3 String Recommendations
The natural pairing for the Blackout v2 — Solinco's own shaped square poly delivers outstanding spin production and a distinctive firm-yet-connected feel that complements the frame's feedback philosophy perfectly. The green square cross-section bites the ball and snaps back with authority.
Tour Bite's thinner gauge and sharper shaped cross-section increases the bite angle on the ball, producing excellent directional control and spin from an all-court setup. The thinner gauge also delivers slightly more power and feel than Hyper-G — preferred by players who want bite without sacrificing touch.
The global benchmark for tour-level poly performance. ALU Power's consistent tension retention and crisp, predictable response suits the Blackout v2's precision character. Delivers excellent control and a satisfying dampened feel without deadening the frame's natural feedback.
Full Specifications
| Specification | Blackout v2 | Blackout v2 Tour | Blackout v2 Lite |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head Size | 98 sq in | 98 sq in | 98 sq in |
| Weight (strung) | 305g | 310g | 290g |
| Length | 27 in | 27 in | 27 in |
| Balance | ~315mm (8 HL) | ~310mm (9 HL) | ~320mm (6 HL) |
| String Pattern | 16x19 | 18x20 | 16x19 |
| Stiffness (RA) | ~64 | ~64 | ~63 |
| Swing Weight | ~320–328 | ~330–340 | ~305–315 |
Our Verdict
The Blackout is Solinco's surgical all-rounder — pinpoint control with heavy topspin on tap, built for competitive advanced players who want precision and bite.
It's the frame we'd recommend to advanced, aggressive baseliners (4.5+) who want a control frame that also spins the ball heavily and who generate their own pace. You get little free power and it asks for full, committed swings, but for a surgical control-and-spin game it is excellent value and performance. Players who want easy power or maximum comfort should look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Solinco Blackout good for beginners?
No. The Blackout is a thin-beam, low-powered control-and-spin frame for advanced players (4.5+) with sound technique who generate their own pace. Beginners and improvers should start with a more powerful, forgiving frame.
Who is the Solinco Blackout best for?
It is best for competitive, advanced, aggressive baseliners who want surgical control and a flat penetrating ball, plus the ability to generate heavy topspin from the open string bed. It rewards full, fast, technically sound swings.
Is the Solinco Blackout arm-friendly?
It has a crisp, connected feel that is firmer than an ultra-flexible classic but not harsh. For sensitive arms, string a soft polyester at a lower tension or use a poly-and-multifilament hybrid rather than a firm poly at high tension.
What string and tension is best for the Solinco Blackout?
A soft or shaped co-polyester in the low 50s lbs is the best all-round starting point and complements the frame's control-and-spin character. Use a shaped poly to maximise spin, drop tension or add multifilament crosses for comfort, and go a touch tighter for more control.
Is the Solinco Blackout a control or power racquet?
It is primarily a control frame with strong spin potential — a surgical, low-powered racquet built for precision and heavy topspin rather than free power.
Does the Solinco Blackout produce a lot of spin?
Yes. Despite its control bias, the open string bed lets you generate heavy topspin when you swing fast, giving a useful control-with-bite combination for aggressive baseliners.