The cost difference wasn't that significant when I last checked.
And my GA8 50 is giving me no compelling reason to change, so I guess the search for a thermo nuclear backhand, that isn't from butterfly, continues...
NEW Gold Arc 9
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And my GA8 50 is giving me no compelling reason to change, so I guess the search for a thermo nuclear backhand, that isn't from butterfly, continues...
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GA9 is $20, GA5 $25 and GA8 is $32. I'd say GA9 is similar in speed to GA5 but with better spin and a more japanese feel. The price difference isn't massive here, and something newer like Vega Korea is $34 (another one of the grippy control/spin options out there).
It's a long way from a GA8 50 degree in all sorts of ways, you'd have to be looking for something a lot slower/softer to justify it.
It's a long way from a GA8 50 degree in all sorts of ways, you'd have to be looking for something a lot slower/softer to justify it.
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Halo everyone,
I need some help with selecting a new FH rubber. First I played with the DHS Gold Arc 5 47° and found the speed to be good, but I was missing spin and had difficulty attacking backspin balls.
I then switched to the DHS Gold Arc 8 Max (47°) and the spin and speed were much better. However, since I play close to the table, I often overshot the table, it was too bouncy for me. I also tried the Gold Arc 8 (50°) with 1.9mm thickness, but it was too slow for me and less spin.
Since the choice day on AliExpress starts tomorrow, I'm considering trying either the DHS Gold Arc 9 (38°) or the DHS Gold Arc 8 (50°) in max.
Can anyone advise which would be better for topspin close-to-the-table play style?
I need some help with selecting a new FH rubber. First I played with the DHS Gold Arc 5 47° and found the speed to be good, but I was missing spin and had difficulty attacking backspin balls.
I then switched to the DHS Gold Arc 8 Max (47°) and the spin and speed were much better. However, since I play close to the table, I often overshot the table, it was too bouncy for me. I also tried the Gold Arc 8 (50°) with 1.9mm thickness, but it was too slow for me and less spin.
Since the choice day on AliExpress starts tomorrow, I'm considering trying either the DHS Gold Arc 9 (38°) or the DHS Gold Arc 8 (50°) in max.
Can anyone advise which would be better for topspin close-to-the-table play style?
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Gold arc 9 is even slower than GA8 50d 1.9mm, so I would not recommend that for you
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Hi TTAntiPlayer, have you tried Rakza 7 2.0 mm? It is pretty cheap on TT11 (since it lasts 6 months at least).
1. On my backhand, I have no problems lifting long backspin balls. It has very good grip, and produces acceptable spin.
2. I've heard that Gold Arc 8 is slightly more powerful than Rakza 7, so since you say you "overshot the table, it was too bouncy" with Gold Arc 8, then that is another reason to recommend Rakza 7.
3. 50 degree rubber is quite hard and requires a different stroke compared to softer rubbers to use well, or at least so I've heard. Rakza 7 is around 47.5 degree rubber, so I've heard.
Lastly, I've read from others that Rakza 7 can still be used effectively at the 2000 USATT level (although by then, it would definitely feel like a slower/control rubber?).
So, if you are ok with a slight downgrade in easy power, but much better consistency, I would try Rakza 7 2.0 mm on BH. For forehand, 2.0 mm or MAX should be fine?
Also, I may be mistaken, but usually very hard rubbers (like 50 degrees) are less good close to the table, and better far from the table, because you need a bigger stroke and the table gets in your way when you are close.
Edit: wait you use fastarc g1. Why not try g1 on your fh?
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I run GA8 50 on my backhand, whatever the max thickness version is.
It is by no means slow.
The 1.9mm was your problem, get the GA8 50 with the thick sponge and you'll have the happy medium you're after.
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For playin close to the table, only one choice for me: DHS H3 or H3 Neo.
Cheers
L-zr
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I've decided to give GA9 a try and just ordered it in Black 38d Max. My curiosity got the best of me since I've already played with GA5 and GA8.
The biggest issue I had with GA8 was its durability and shrinking. It really shrinks a lot over time.
A couple of years ago, I tried Rakza 7, but I didn't like it because the arc was too high for me. Currently, I'm testing G-1 and finding it quite good. If I don't like GA9, I think G-1 will become my new forehand rubber.
In the meantime, while waiting for my GA9 sheet, I'll try 729 Bloom and H8 to see if I like the "Chinese feel" rubbers.
As soon as I spend some time with GA9, I'll share my findings here with you.
The biggest issue I had with GA8 was its durability and shrinking. It really shrinks a lot over time.
A couple of years ago, I tried Rakza 7, but I didn't like it because the arc was too high for me. Currently, I'm testing G-1 and finding it quite good. If I don't like GA9, I think G-1 will become my new forehand rubber.
In the meantime, while waiting for my GA9 sheet, I'll try 729 Bloom and H8 to see if I like the "Chinese feel" rubbers.
As soon as I spend some time with GA9, I'll share my findings here with you.
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What is with these durability issues?
I'm abusing my GA8 basically every day; not even the slightest sign of wear on the main section. The only giveaway that it's even been used is the forefinger shaped hole I'm wearing into it.
That's 80 hours of this big idiot (me), trying to crush to crush the ball out of the air, with almost no sign of use.
Do you stretch rubbers when gluing them?
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For me, it loses grip in the forehand topspin sweet spot after 3 months, making it more difficult to attack backspin balls. In the last 2 years, I've changed and tried between 7-10 forehand rubbers, and the only one that has shrunk is GA8. I've read other people's posts complaining about the same issue. The sheet I mentioned in the earlier post—GA8 50d Mid—was almost 0.8mm smaller after laying for some time in the drawer when I wanted to re-test it on the same blade.
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I bought it for 23.5$ usd and thought it is the upgraded version of GA8. But I soonly realize that is not. The GA9 is close to Rozena or Rakza7 soft. Intermediate speed, spin, catapult. I would not reccommend it
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Good price, it's 30-33 euro with delivery to Europe from Ali, it's easier to just buy Rozena
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Can someone campare it to yinhe moon 12 blue? I want to know if its worth a try.
I really like moon 12 m+ as a bh rubber, because it's so stable and precise.
I really like moon 12 m+ as a bh rubber, because it's so stable and precise.
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I used Moon 12 blue H in my BH of the seconde racket. The Moon quite softer than GA9, but its easy to flick or loop in BH side.
For me, the Moon blue is more p/p compare to GA9
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It's got more spin than Rozena, similar speed, plus some options on sponge hardness (Rozena is just....Rozena), But it's definitely in that ballpark, I think the 38 degree version is similar to Glayzer (normal, not 09c) too. Last sheet I ordered was $20 from prott, $5 shipping.
To be honest - I don't think it's worth worrying about the smaller details with this one - it's a good option when compared to the intermediate Butterfly rubbers. Don't expect massive performance and you won't be disappointed - advice that would apply to Rozena / Glayzer also, and a host of ESN options. If you're looking for a solid, intermediate rubber then it's worth a go at this price point.
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I just mean location matters. Goods outside of EU have to get VAT applied, which Aliexpress does automatically now. So it's $20-25 for you and €30-33 for us. For your price I'd definitely try it.
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