Hammond Z2 Special or Omega 8 Euro/Pro for Acoustic Inner?

[NetProphet]

I tried the G1 today, and I can't agree more, explosiveness of the Z2 special (I guess it would be the same with the normal Z2) is missing. With the Z2 special you can hammer down opponent topspin easily. With the G1 I didn't find the setup yet to do it consistantly.

How do you find G1 for the short game V Z2?

 

[Rinforzando]

How do you find G1 for the short game V Z2?

G1 is more controlable thanks to being less bouncy on passive plays. Z2 special is far from being uncontrolable in the short game though.

 

[Rinforzando]

I found that Fastarc G1 is less reactive compared to the Hammond Z2 special. The best example is when I'm doing some passive blocks, the ball lends on the middle of the table instead of the end of the table like with the Z2S. Same goes for slow opening topspin against backspin.

 

[noFeeling]

I found that Fastarc G1 is less reactive compared to the Hammond Z2 special. The best example is when I'm doing some passive blocks, the ball lends on the middle of the table instead of the end of the table like with the Z2S. Same goes for slow opening topspin against backspin.

Did you try z2 special on the BH? Is it hard to generate spin with it? Have you tried C1 to compare it?

 

[Rinforzando]

Did you try z2 special on the BH? Is it hard to generate spin with it? Have you tried C1 to compare it?

Yes I tried, I would say it is hard but due to my technique I'm not able to put as much spin as on my forehand. Never tried C1

 

[joshmak10]

If your game and priority on BH is spin, I think a soft Hybrid rubber like Andro C45 could do you well.

 

[Angerer]

If your game and priority on BH is spin, I think a soft Hybrid rubber like Andro C45 could do you well.

Good advice, imo C45 is a surprisingly spinny rubber and springy enough. In fact, I think it's the only one that makes sense in the C series.

 

[You're Tacky & I Hate You]

Hello! It's my first post here.
My setup is Acoustic Inner Carbon with Fastarc C-1 on both sides and I'd say I'm a low intermidiate player, my backhand is my weaker side and I think I have relatively good feeling and blocking. With that said, I'm looking for a new BH rubber to try when the local league ends (3 weeks from now).

The short version is: should I go with Hammond Z2 special version (softer sponge, 45º) or Omega 8 Pro/Euro?

A little bit of context: C1 is really good for controlling the game, but I feel I don't get a lot of spin off it, a big part of it has to be my technique, I know. But with my FH I've noticed that my topspins don't have that much spin (before I used Rakza Z and I remember the oponents having more trouble with my attacks). So I thought that maybe I need something easier to activate in my BH, and I've read that Omega Pro/Euro usually are really good on the BH. And I've also read that Z2 is a good BH rubber but I think the normal version would be too much for me. The thing is that there is almost no reviews online for the Special Version. I'm also switching to G1 on my FH.

Thank you and sorry for all the text!

I've played with C1, G1 and Z2 (normal not special) enough to get a feel for them so hopefully I can help a little.

If you can't spin well with C1, I wouldn't recommend Z2 or Omega.

You admit that your technique is lacking when it comes to the spin you want. My immediate thought there is that you must be hitting too flat. If you move to a rubber like Z2 it will be faster and if you can't spin the ball well enough, you'll probably miss the table more.

C1 and G1 have quite hard feeling topsheets, which helps them feel more controlled and less bouncy in my experience. Z2 has a softer, springier topsheet that is easier to activate but harder to control. But none of them will spin well if your technique isn't adequate.

Sorry to be the party pooper, I know it's always more exciting to try new rubber, but you'll get way more mileage from getting some coaching and making your technique work no matter what rubber you choose.

If I can make a recommendation for you though. I would suggest Xiom Vega Korea on your backhand, great control and in my experience very easy to activate for spin. It has a 45 degree sponge and a softer feeling topsheet without it being so bouncy like Z2.

Hope this helps, good luck.

 

[Angerer]

Just got my Hammond Z2 Special Version for backhand and... in my opinion, it's better in every way. In fact, it plays better on my FH and makes executing shots much easier.
Unlike the regular Z2, the Z2 SV has a lower speed threshold but it activates very early and the spin is easier to produce. Once my main Z2 dies, I think I will replace it with the SV.

 

[Max66]

I am interested as well in trying the Z2 Special; anyone knows the weight of this rubber? Comparing the same thickness, is Z2 S lighter than G1?

 

[Angerer]

Dunno why, but my regular Z2 is about 1-2g lighter than G1, although G1 feels softer.
So I reckon Z2SV is about 2-3g lighter than G1.

 

[Max66]

Dunno why, but my regular Z2 is about 1-2g lighter than G1, although G1 feels softer.
So I reckon Z2SV is about 2-3g lighter than G1.

Thanks for the info; actually I started to consider Z2 S after I read your considerations regarding the comparison between Z2 and the Special Version .

BTW, have you ever tried Rasanter R45, VJ>07 Stiff or Omega VII Pro? If so, can you pls compare with Z2 S?

 

[Angerer]

BTW, have you ever tried Rasanter R45, VJ>07 Stiff or Omega VII Pro? If so, can you pls compare with Z2 S?

I have only tried R45 from the 3 rubbers you mentioned, and it's way too different compared to Z2 S.
R45 has a higher arc, better "thin grip", and less catapult effect--I would describe it as an old textbook tensor rubber for backhand.
Z2 S is better if you apply a wider/stronger swing during the backhand stroke--the speed and spin are excellent.
The only common thing between the two is blocking. For years, Rasanter R (especially 42 and 45) was the blocking benchmark for me, but Z2 is on par with the R series.

 

[Haraold]

so all in all how is the new Z2 soft loved the normal one,but it was more on the speedier side but with good spin.
Liked it on my SDC Spectra Hexshape on bh,but was a rubber whwere you had to counterattack quickly with good dwell,so you had to be quick and godd footwork.how is the new sponge compared to the old one?anyone tried both z2´s?

 

[StreamOfWater]

Hello! It's my first post here.
My setup is Acoustic Inner Carbon with Fastarc C-1 on both sides and I'd say I'm a low intermidiate player, my backhand is my weaker side and I think I have relatively good feeling and blocking. With that said, I'm looking for a new BH rubber to try when the local league ends (3 weeks from now).

The short version is: should I go with Hammond Z2 special version (softer sponge, 45º) or Omega 8 Pro/Euro?

A little bit of context: C1 is really good for controlling the game, but I feel I don't get a lot of spin off it, a big part of it has to be my technique, I know. But with my FH I've noticed that my topspins don't have that much spin (before I used Rakza Z and I remember the oponents having more trouble with my attacks). So I thought that maybe I need something easier to activate in my BH, and I've read that Omega Pro/Euro usually are really good on the BH. And I've also read that Z2 is a good BH rubber but I think the normal version would be too much for me. The thing is that there is almost no reviews online for the Special Version. I'm also switching to G1 on my FH.

Thank you and sorry for all the text!

Try whichever you feel more interested it. You and your technique will make it work, not the other way around

 

[Angerer]

so all in all how is the new Z2 soft loved the normal one,but it was more on the speedier side but with good spin.
Liked it on my SDC Spectra Hexshape on bh,but was a rubber whwere you had to counterattack quickly with good dwell,so you had to be quick and godd footwork.how is the new sponge compared to the old one?anyone tried both z2´s?

I described it earlier: Z2 Special (soft) is a very bouncy 47 tensor but with a clear speed limit, a bit grippier, a bit higher arc, without the "click" that Z2 (hard) has on powerful shots. Spin, blocking, and dwell time are about the same.
The main advantage of Z2 Special (soft) is that it is a "wristy" rubber that doesn't require full-body engagement. But it's surely not as deadly as the regular Z2 (hard).

 

[Fruitlover]

One question to all Z2 special owners: Today I received this rubber, too, but the rubber looks like the regular Z2, nowhere I can read "special version" or something like this. Is this correct?

 

[docbroke]

I have Z2 (regular) and G1 on Sanwei F3 pro.
Z2 has more spin but to achieve that sponge needs to be fully engaged, which requires fast movement with full commitment. With Z2 it is easy to generate spin during serves, but when lifting backspin there is risk of overshooting the table (due to high speed sponge), unless one is having very fast hands, and soft touch. But once mastered z2 is amazing.
On the other hand with G1 it is relatively easy to generate high spin. For push/chops G1 is better. For blocks/smash/loops I z2 is better.

 

[Netbounce]

I am interested as well in trying the Z2 Special; anyone knows the weight of this rubber? Comparing the same thickness, is Z2 S lighter than G1?

Hi, Max66 and others who might wonder the same,

Here are the weights of my rubbers in max thickness, uncut with no glue/cut with 2 thin glue layers (glue weight 1–1,3 grams):
Z2 Special: 66,6/46,4
G1: 68,2/49,7

The blade is Sanwei V5 pro (medium/small size).

Stay loose!

 

[Fruitlover]

I tested the Z2 special and had serious problems with looping fast backspin balls (friendly matches and robot). Very uncontrollable. Strange. Anyone who experienced the same? Therefore I probably will continue to play with the normal Z2 (backhand).