DHS says they manufacture the topsheet as well for GA9, the entire rubber is now made by them unlike earlier versions.So I assume made in china with Gold arc top sheet which is manufactured by ESN in Germany
Some H9, I think the green and maybe violet?Does anyone know which, if any, of the other DHS rubbers that use the #80 sponge (other than H8)?
Eagerly awaiting your raw first impressions.My sheet of GA9 has arrived. Red, 2.0mm, 37 degree. 65.9g uncut, H169mm x W164mm. Comes in a sealed packet inside the cardboard wrapper, and has a sparkly piece of card protecting the topsheet. Looks nice, will give it a try over the weekend.
I fully agree with what you said about the japanese feel, i am pretty impressed by GA9I didn't spend long enough with GA9 this week to give proper feedback - we're getting our juniors ready for an event this weekend, short on time, only had 1 hour to myself for practice. I will say Topspinslinger's impressions sound right - it's slower than GA8, around the GA5 area but less catapult and more spin.
I was generally impressed by it, and as far as chinese-made non-tacky rubbers go, this is a good one. It's the closest to a "japanese feel" I've seen from DHS, Yinhe, 729 etc. Reminds me the most of some of the linear Daiki rubbers, like Nexy Etika. Seemed like a good, solid BH rubber option, maybe a little lacking in speed but I think many users will be using tacky FH rubbers and will probably have fast blades so offset a little by that. Would be too slow for me on an allround blade.
like Glazer?@Lawsy First 5 hours:
Measurements Pro01/Viscaria: 48 gram
Hardness (non measure) around 48
Transition between this and DNA is very small for me. Both are under 50d, but i feel GA9 is slightly harder compared to DNA. This rubber feels controlled with good spin. It is slower than most high end tensor, Goldarc 8 is 10% faster.
On forehand i need to use good technique, it feels too slow for 47d for me to use.
Backhand felt very good, this rubber is stable during every stroke.
The rubber has amazing dwell time for a non tacky rubber, it has a very "meaty" feeling during play. Almost like JOOLA fire.
To sum up my first thoughts, this rubber has good spin with some catapult. It is very forgiving with high margen for error. The weight is good, blade feels balanced with heavier forehand rubbers.
Topsheet has good grip, as expected.
Bought €30 a sheet without discount.
Valid price for this rubber, i like this better then other 37D rubbers from DHS.
Butterfly Glayzer is a lot more bouncy and trampoline effect. While GA9 has equal grip, GA9 has higher spin on any power shot.like Glazer?
How would it compare to ESN rubbers? Is it more chinese-like or closer to bouncy hybrids?Butterfly Glayzer is a lot more bouncy and trampoline effect. While GA9 has equal grip, GA9 has higher spin on any power shot.
How does GA9 compare to specifically Rakza 7 2.0 mm on the backhand? I am not greatly experienced, but it sounds similar to Rakza 7.I didn't spend long enough with GA9 this week to give proper feedback - we're getting our juniors ready for an event this weekend, short on time, only had 1 hour to myself for practice. I will say Topspinslinger's impressions sound right - it's slower than GA8, around the GA5 area but less catapult and more spin.
I was generally impressed by it, and as far as chinese-made non-tacky rubbers go, this is a good one. It's the closest to a "japanese feel" I've seen from DHS, Yinhe, 729 etc. Reminds me the most of some of the linear Daiki rubbers, like Nexy Etika. Seemed like a good, solid BH rubber option, maybe a little lacking in speed but I think many users will be using tacky FH rubbers and will probably have fast blades so offset a little by that. Would be too slow for me on an allround blade.
Closer to ESN type, it isn't tacky. It has good grip without tacky surface.How would it compare to ESN rubbers? Is it more chinese-like or closer to bouncy hybrids?
Thank you for the reply. Perhaps I should try the DNA pro M, if I can find someone at my club who uses it.Closer to ESN type, it isn't tacky. It has good grip without tacky surface.
It isn't as bouncy as DNA pro M or rakza 7. It is slightly harder with higher error rate
DNA pro M is very similar to Rakza 7 in spin, speed and control. Rakza 7 has better feeling on wood blades while DNA on outer carbon and stiff blades.Thank you for the reply. Perhaps I should try the DNA pro M, if I can find someone at my club who uses it.
(But really, I do not need any change to my rubbers at all, Rakza 7 on my backhand is plenty powerful when I train and play against my peers at club.)
From a 3rd party perspective, at least, it sounds to me that GA9 is not bringing anything to the table that we can't already get elsewhere, so much so that I'm struggling to understand why DHS bothered bringing it to market.Quick update on GA9 37. I find I really like using it on BH during training sessions, very stable and everything goes on. During a match it lacks power - blocks and flat hits are slower than I'd like, looping is consistent and spinny but on the slow side. I wouldn't call it super slow but it lacks some meat on the bone. I'm going to give the 38 degree sponge a try - I think it's got potential and for $20 good value, so perhaps a harder sponge is an option.
I tried a variety of blades and it definitely improves if you go faster / bouncier / harder there. But don't expect top-end ESN / BTY performance from GA9.
In China they cost half as much as other ESN rubbers, about the same as H8-80 there. Even GA8 is 40% more expensive than GA9 in China .From a 3rd party perspective, at least, it sounds to me that GA9 is not bringing anything to the table that we can't already get elsewhere, so much so that I'm struggling to understand why DHS bothered bringing it to market.
If my logic is flawed, let me know, but as far as I can tell:
- It isn't cheap enough to attract the budget builders, or the beginners (who, if anything, would probably like it the most).
- It isn't fast enough to attract the speed demons, who normally spend more on EJing, ruling out most high-level club through to professional players as well.
- It sounds like it has plenty of spin, but so do a host of other options (many are cheaper).
So who is the target customer, what's DHS' long-term sales strategy here, if it provides no compelling benefit?