Hurricane Long 5 GOLDEN version review

[SFF_lib]

Disclaimer, this is a review translated. I am not the original author.

The HL5 Gold was recently released in China. Only a few hundred had been released. The price is quite steep ~$790USD 😱

This reviewer compared the official National W968 (2021) to the HL5 Gold.

Design
The HL5 Gold has a lightly thicker core, and a slightly thicker handle. The lens at the end of the handle has changed to the picture of Ma Long winning his second Olympic Gold in 2021. See photos.





Performance
For those who don't know much about the national W968. It is slow with low impact. Once you loop it hard, it holds the ball for quite some time before producing the most monstrous top spin ever seen on Earth. But it requires a very strong and precise stroke like Ma Long. It is not amateur friendly.
On the other hand, the HL5 Gold is more linear. You get what you put in. It has a bit less dwell time so it's better for BH. It doesn't require that precision in timing or the strength to produce decent topspin.

W968 is quite head heavy as it is designed as a FH topspin monster. HL5 Gold is more balanced like Viscaria. Hence you get a quicker switch between FH and BH with HL5 Gold.

In summary:

1. W968 has the highest ceiling for speed and spin
2. HL5 Gold performs like Butterfly Lin Gaoyuan ALC but with a higher ceiling
3. With a thicker core HL5 Gold sits nicely in between outer and inner ALC
4. HL5 Gold has a much better control
5. It is still said that HL5 Gold uses the best quality material that HL5X can not match

 

[Michael Zhuang]

Why arent the X versions of DHS blades popular with either CNT or club players? Seems like everybody goes for the base version.

 

[SFF_lib]

Why arent the X versions of DHS blades popular with either CNT or club players? Seems like everybody goes for the base version.

You need to understand that CNT players can execute tremendous power with very fast recovery. So they go for the blade with the highest power ceiling- W968.

Anything with an X implies less dwell time, linear performance, less strength required for medium speed. The downside is lower max spin and speed.

With the same rubber and stroke, my 968 produces far more spin and speed than my Vis.

 

[Michael Zhuang]

The X has a thicker core ply and is thicker overall. So it makes sense to me that it has less dwell time than the base. I guess the carbon is pushed out closer to the surface, so that makes it slightly more linear i guess?

But why would the maximum speed be higher on the base version than the X version?

 

[SFF_lib]

The X has a thicker core ply and is thicker overall. So it makes sense to me that it has less dwell time than the base. I guess the carbon is pushed out closer to the surface, so that makes it slightly more linear i guess?

But why would the maximum speed be higher on the base version than the X version?

My hypothesis is that, with a thinner core, W968 can bend to a greater extent than a Vis when you are looping at 100% power. The repulsive/kicking effect is attributable to the inner ALC, hence greater top spin and speed.

 

[Michael Zhuang]

But you said the base variant has better max speed than the X.

Is that just your hypothesis or is it generally confirmed?

 

[DukeGaGa]

When I was recently shopping for a w968, I saw the HL5 Gold listed, and I thought about it. But in the end, I just bought two No.1 w968's and called it a day. Seems like I made the right choice.

 

[Michael Zhuang]

When I was recently shopping for a w968, I saw the HL5 Gold listed, and I thought about it. But in the end, I just bought two No.1 w968's and called it a day. Seems like I made the right choice.

Duke didn't you have a HL5 and a HL5x? Which had higher topspeed?

 

[Konrad Bak]

deleted

 

[MK73]

Crazy money for a blade.

 

[Konrad Bak]

deleted

 

[Dream2K]

Crazy money for a blade.

"Crazy like a fox" - an old EJ proverb

 

[ricospin]

Rumored that SYS, LJK, and WCQ are all using the national HL5X version. source 247tabletennis on instagram

 

[SFF_lib]

But you said the base variant has better max speed than the X.

Is that just your hypothesis or is it generally confirmed?

It is confirmed. That’s why nobody in the CNT use anything with an X.

 

[SFF_lib]

When I was recently shopping for a w968, I saw the HL5 Gold listed, and I thought about it. But in the end, I just bought two No.1 w968's and called it a day. Seems like I made the right choice.

Two No.1 W968[emoji33][emoji33][emoji33] that’s close to $3000?

 

[SFF_lib]

or those who don't know much about the national W968. It is slow with low impact. Once you loop it hard, it holds the ball for quite some time before producing the most monstrous top spin ever seen on Earth. But it requires a very strong and precise stroke like Ma Long. It is not amateur friendly.

exactly. I have w968 National version, its hard and very slow IT wont work with soft rubbers, IT is very head heavy, my wrist hurts me but all body swing shots looks like the heaviest spinny balls on earth . I choose 2,0 super Ventus aka Ventus extra by tsp/Victas and I liked G1 on backhand but I choose unboosted 1,9 fxp which is very bad on low impact, a lot of nets and easy to overshoot.
What I find about IT as Top Tier legendary EJ. Addiction. IT is like drug. IT is like blade for guys WHO likes fast rubbers but didnt get that their blades are too fast so IT is not amateur friendly if you dont know how put your body and put power IT wont work but if your technique is power from the ground ( old legendary technique) you will be happy except damaged wrist.
I dont know what kind of rubber I should put I think about short pips too. Maybe 2 hybrids?
I have koki niwa wood too I saw someone WHO use here

Lucky you have a national W968. National W968 had gone up in price after Ma Long won his second Olympic gold.

 

[GrayGhost]

I just bought two of them. I have a ton of other blades i'll be comparing it with... Vis SALC, HL5, LYJ szlc, LSW zlf, DHS K161, and more so stay tuned for a review whenever I receive them!

 

[Michael Zhuang]

It is confirmed. That’s why nobody in the CNT use anything with an X.

What is your source of confirmation?

 

[SFF_lib]

What is your source of confirmation?

From official reviewers on Bilibili


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Michael Zhuang]

Ohh Bilibili. You are high end. Don't you have to pass a anime quiz to get in?