Astrox 77
Model AX-77
Where to find it
The Astrox gateway: NAMD comes to the mid-tier
The first democratization
When Yonex launched the Astrox series in 2017, the flagships — the 88 and 99 — got the headlines and the player associations. The Astrox 77 got something quieter and arguably more significant: it was the first time players outside the flagship tier could access NAMD shaft technology and the Astrox frame architecture. At $250 Made in Japan, it delivered a more balanced, accessible version of the Astrox promise — counter-balanced head, NAMD shaft, tungsten grommets — without demanding the full commitment of a head-heavy power weapon.
What the testing showed
Yonex's own robot testing documented a 7.1% greater smash power and a 2.3° steeper smash angle compared to the previous generation — genuine numbers, not marketing rounding. Medium flex made the AX-77 quick around the net: reviewers found it 'fast and perhaps this is where it shines best,' noting the lighter overall weight suited sustained front-court exchanges better than the sustained back-court smashing the 88D or 99 were designed for. That balance-point difference was by design: the AX-77 is Astrox DNA tuned for versatility.
The underpriced first chapter
Available in Metallic Blue and Shine Yellow, 4U and 3U, the AX-77 1st Gen is now discontinued — the AX-77 Pro replaced it in 2022 with a different color, different spec, and different price tier. At $250 with no YoY movement, the first-generation Japan-made piece is the most underpriced 1st-gen Astrox in the database. It was the entry point into an entirely new Yonex era, and the secondary market hasn't caught up to that significance.
NAMD designation on shaft. HM Graphite + NANOMETRIC + Tungsten frame. Medium flex — notably softer than the AX-88 or AX-99. Head-heavy balance. Made in Japan. Standard Yonex hologram. First-gen colorways: Metallic Blue or Shine Yellow — distinct from AX-77 Pro's palette.
The most accessible 1st-gen Japan-made Astrox. Appreciation will follow as the Astrox Pro family distances itself further from original platform specs. Patient buy.
Prices last updated March 2026. All data based on tracked secondary market transactions.