Maxbolt
Navigator II
Maxbolt's power racket for improving players — a head-heavy 300mm balance with a medium-stiff shaft that attacks properly while staying controlled.
GOS verdict
Read this first"A proper attacking racket that doesn't run away from you."
The Maxbolt Navigator II is Maxbolt's power racket for players moving beyond a basic starter frame. Maxbolt builds it at 84 ± 2g with a 300 ± 3mm balance point, rates the frame to 35 lbs and labels its play style "Power". At GOS it pairs that head-heavy balance with a medium-stiff shaft and a high-modulus graphite frame, a step firmer than Maxbolt's medium-flex Predator.
Smashes are its strongest zone: the weight toward the head puts real momentum behind attacking shots and helps clears reach the back line, while the firmer shaft keeps them on target. The honest limitation is speed in fast exchanges — like any head-heavy frame it is slower to bring back in rushed net and drive rallies than an even or head-light racket, and the medium-stiff shaft asks for a little more technique than a flexible one. For an improving player who likes to attack, it is a well-judged step up at its GOS price point.
- Moving up from a basic starter racket
- A player who likes to attack from the back
- Wanting power that stays accurate
- The attacking partner at the back in doubles
- Wanting the easiest power on a slow swing — choose the Predator
- A net or defence-first player
- Already an advanced player with a fast swing
- Looking for a light, head-light speed racket
Maxbolt Navigator II Badminton Racket
4U · Violet or Red · God of Sports · Authorised stockist
What is the
Navigator II?
01 / 08
The Maxbolt Navigator II is a power-focused 4U racket. Maxbolt lists it at 84 ± 2g with a 300 ± 3mm balance point, a standard 675mm length, a 35 lbs tension rating and a "Power" play style. At GOS it comes in Violet and Red with a G5 grip.
It is aimed at players who have outgrown a basic starter frame and want a racket that attacks properly while still covering the whole court. The head-heavy balance supplies the attacking momentum; the medium-stiff shaft and high-modulus graphite frame keep the response direct, so smashes and drives go where they are aimed rather than relying on a whippy shaft to do the work.
The Navigator II's defining decision is controlled power. Maxbolt pairs a head-heavy 300mm balance with a shaft that is a step firmer than the medium-flex Predator. The extra firmness trades a little easy power on a slow swing for more direct, accurate attacking shots — the right trade for a player whose swing is starting to develop.
Maxbolt Navigator II Badminton Racket
4U · Violet or Red · Available at God of Sports
Technical
specifications
02 / 08
← The defining spec
Series
positioning
03 / 08
For an improving player, Maxbolt's rackets at GOS form a clear step-up path. The Navigator II sits in the middle: more direct than the Predator, more forgiving than the Superstar 11.
Within the Navigator II line at GOS
This racket
Same racket, red colourway
Technology
breakdown
04 / 08
A medium-stiff shaft in a head-heavy racket — why make it firmer than the Predator?
Navigator II — medium-stiff shaft
Alternative — medium-flex shaft (Predator)
Firmer than a flexible or medium shaft, it releases the shuttle more directly for accurate smashes and drives, while still bending enough to help a swing that is still developing.
Weight toward the head adds momentum to smashes and helps clears reach the back line, so attacking shots take less effort than with an even-balanced starter racket.
A carbon graphite frame that is lighter and more responsive than the aluminium or basic composite frames of starter rackets.
Maxbolt's rating for the frame, with a 76-hole grommet system. Plenty of headroom — most improving players get the best feel in the low-to-mid 20s.
On-court
performance
05 / 08
Recommended setup: Yonex BG80 Power or Yonex BG65 Titanium at 22–26 lbs. 4U / G5. Head-heavy 300mm balance.
Zone-by-zone assessment
| Zone | Rating | Performance | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smashes | 86 | Exceptional | The racket's identity. Head weight puts momentum behind the smash and the firmer shaft keeps it on target — solid, direct attacking power for a racket at this level. |
| Control | 82 | Good | The medium-stiff shaft keeps placement accurate, though it is a little less forgiving on mistimed shots than a flexible racket. |
| Flat drives | 81 | Good | Drives go through with pace and direction; in very fast exchanges the head weight makes it a touch slower to reset. |
| Net play | 80 | Good | Firm net kills and controlled pushes when you arrive early. Quick, rushed net exchanges favour a lighter-headed racket. |
| Defence | 78 | Good | Stable for blocks and lifts when you are set, but very fast smashes to the body are harder to recover from than with a head-light frame. |
| Maneuverability | 77 | Good | Honest limitation. Like any head-heavy frame it is slower to bring back in the fastest exchanges than an even or head-light racket. |
Real on-court situations
| Situation | Level | What the player feels |
|---|---|---|
| Full smash from the rear court | Exceptional | Real momentum from the head weight, and the shuttle goes where it is aimed. |
| Deep clear to the back line | Good | Reaches length with less effort than an even-balanced starter racket. |
| Drop shot or slice from the back | Good | Accurate, with the firmer shaft holding the line. |
| Mid-court drive exchange in doubles | Good | Pacey and direct; a fraction slower to reset than a lighter-headed frame. |
| Net kill when arriving early | Good | Firm and decisive. |
| Slightly mistimed shot | Good | Mostly stays in control, though less forgiving than a flexible shaft. |
| Smash straight at the body | Adequate | The head weight makes quick recovery harder — get the racket up early. |
Head-to-head
comparison
06 / 08
Compared against its most natural competitor at GOS: the Yonex Astrox 99 Game, Yonex's head-heavy attacking racket for developing players.
| Maxbolt Navigator II | Yonex Astrox 99 Game | |
|---|---|---|
| Character | Controlled power for improving players | Head-heavy attack for developing players |
| Weight | 84 ± 2g (4U) | 84g (4U) |
| Balance | Head-heavy · 300 ± 3mm | Head-heavy |
| Shaft flex | Medium-stiff | Medium |
| Frame | High modulus graphite | HM Graphite · Nanomesh Neo · Volume Cut Resin · Tungsten |
| Grip | G5 | G5 |
| Max tension | 35 lbs | 28 lbs |
| GOS score | 4.0 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
| Choose Navigator II if... | You want a firmer, more direct shaft, a higher 35 lbs tension rating and room to grow your swing | |
| Choose Astrox 99 Game if... | You want a slightly softer medium-flex shaft for easier power and a Yonex frame supplied pre-strung | |
String
recommendations
07 / 08
All recommendations sit well inside the Navigator II's 35 lbs rating. For improving players the best balance of power, feel and durability is between 22 and 26 lbs — there is no need to use the full rating.
Durable, with a crisp feel for club players
Tension guide: Club 22–24 lbs · Intermediate 24–26 lbs · Frame rating 35 lbs · Professional machine stringing above 26 lbs recommended.
Who should
buy this?
08 / 08
- Moving up from a basic starter racket
- A player who likes to attack from the back
- Wanting power that stays accurate
- The attacking partner at the back in doubles
- A developing singles player who wants to attack
- Wanting the easiest power on a slow swing
- A net or defence-first player
- Already an advanced player with a fast swing
- Looking for a light, head-light speed racket
- Needing a 3U or 5U option
- Solid, direct smashes (86 / 100)
- Medium-stiff shaft keeps attack accurate
- Head-heavy balance makes clears easier
- High 35 lbs tension rating
- A real step up from a starter frame
- Two colourways at GOS
- Slower in the fastest exchanges (77 / 100)
- Harder to recover from body smashes
- Less forgiving than a flexible shaft
- Not the easiest power on a slow swing
- Only 4U at GOS
- Advanced players will outgrow it
Buy the Maxbolt Navigator II
God of Sports · Authorised stockist · Pan-India delivery from Mumbai
Also explore: Maxbolt Predator · Maxbolt Superstar 11 · Maxbolt Superstar Nova · Yonex Astrox 99 Game · All Maxbolt Rackets at GOS