Hurricane Neo blue sponge provincial v national and 2.1 v 2.15

This user has no status.
This user has no status.
Member
Aug 2019
286
142
474
Hi guy, for anyone that can comment, has anyone extensively used/tried the above that can give me details into the difference between the provincial and national Neo blue sponge and difference in getting 2.1mm v 2.15?

I have been using provincial blue sponge 2.15 for over 3 years initially 39 degrees but since January been using 40 degrees which I love. I’m looking at trying the nation Neo blue sponge version and would like to know is there much difference to provincial and if difference in 2.1 and 2.15 that noticeable?

I understand that most use 2.1 as boost and stay under the thickness rule but I don’t have to worry about that. I do boost my 2.15 with seamoon and don’t really need to worry about that.

Any input in helping would be appreciated.

I guess I can get one of each 2.1 and 2.15 and test for myself lol.
 
  • Haha
Reactions: StreamOfWater
This user has no status.
This user has no status.
🏆 Top 1% Commenter
Well-Known Member
Apr 2023
1,595
1,482
3,891
Read 5 reviews
The difference between provincial and national is non existent. Just buy provincial to save your cash.

2.15 to me is slightly faster and powerful. That’s why I like 2.1 better; I get a good mix of control and power. It also gives me room to boost more too (although I know you don’t care)
 
This user has no status.
This user has no status.
Member
Aug 2019
286
142
474
The difference between provincial and national is non existent. Just buy provincial to save your cash.

2.15 to me is slightly faster and powerful. That’s why I like 2.1 better; I get a good mix of control and power. It also gives me room to boost more too (although I know you don’t care)
I have already been using provincial for a while just wanted to try national and more so find out if should get 2.1 or 2.15.
 
This user has no status.
This user has no status.
🏆 Top 1% Commenter
Well-Known Member
Apr 2023
1,595
1,482
3,891
Read 5 reviews
I have already been using provincial for a while just wanted to try national and more so find out if should get 2.1 or 2.15.
Get 2.1 then imo. Has much better feeling
 
This user has no status.
This user has no status.
🏆 Top 1% Commenter
Well-Known Member
Sep 2017
2,230
1,552
4,776
Read 1 reviews
Yeah I also asked a high end Chinese player at my club who uses provincial here but in china his team use to give him national version but he also said go for 2.1mm sponge I think debate is settled.
Why you didn't ask him from beginning? :)
 
  • Haha
Reactions: longle
says Passionate about table tennis 🏓
Are y'all crazy? Difference is literally 0.05mm, that's unnoticeable both by an eye and your hand. Thinner than a human hair. Pure placebo, pseudoscience. Hell, it's less than the thickness variation you already get from factory unevenness
 
Last edited:
This user has no status.
This user has no status.
🏆 Top 1% Commenter
Well-Known Member
Moderator
Oct 2014
19,975
26,536
70,870
Read 17 reviews
Are y'all crazy? Difference is literally 0.05mm, that's unnoticeable both by an eye and your hand. Thinner than a human hair. Pure placebo, pseudoscience. Hell, it's less than the thickness variation you already get from factory unevenness
Better ways to express oneself please, keep it civil and focused on the matter at hand. If your opinion is that there is no material difference, especially if it is based on some experience with the subject matter, please feel free to add, small differences (2.4%) can add up to big things in combination with other processes in life and TT.
 
  • Sad
  • Like
Reactions: longle and latej
This user has no status.
This user has no status.
Member
Aug 2019
286
142
474
Are y'all crazy? Difference is literally 0.05mm, that's unnoticeable both by an eye and your hand. Thinner than a human hair. Pure placebo, pseudoscience. Hell, it's less than the thickness variation you already get from factory unevenness
I guess if there’s no difference then Dhs are really wasting their time and effort producing so many variants.
 
says Passionate about table tennis 🏓
Better ways to express oneself please, keep it civil and focused on the matter at hand. If your opinion is that there is no material difference, especially if it is based on some experience with the subject matter, please feel free to add, small differences (2.4%) can add up to big things in combination with other processes in life and TT.
Sure, perhaps I have phrased it in quite poor manner, but it's truly a silly nonsense. It's like saying a 1-meter rope gives more swing than a 0.9995-meter rope. It's borderline insane, knowing that no rubber is 100% identical because of factory inaccuracies and no one here is such a high level to even try and demand such perfection from suppliers. No way anyone is noticing that difference in sponge thickness. Thinking purely objectively here. Especially when most people boost here and it's less than the thickness you gain from boosting (2-3 layers easily add 0.1-0.2 mm)
 
This user has no status.
This user has no status.
🏆 Top 1% Commenter
Well-Known Member
Apr 2023
1,595
1,482
3,891
Read 5 reviews
Are y'all crazy? Difference is literally 0.05mm, that's unnoticeable both by an eye and your hand. Thinner than a human hair. Pure placebo, pseudoscience. Hell, it's less than the thickness variation you already get from factory unevenness
If the overwhelming majority of people use 2.1 and say there’s a difference, it’s probably not a placebo then, no?
 
says Passionate about table tennis 🏓
If the overwhelming majority of people use 2.1 and say there’s a difference, it’s probably not a placebo then, no?
Majority opinion doesn’t automatically equal objective detectability. Lots of players also "feel" their rubber is slower on Tuesdays, significantly tackier after cleaning, or boosted when it isn’t

The difference between 2.1 and 2.15 is smaller than factory tolerance and smaller than what boosting adds — so whatever people are feeling, it isn’t the 0.05 mm

People might prefer 2.1 for many reasons, but attributing that preference to a difference below human perception doesn’t make it real
 
  • Love
Reactions: latej
This user has no status.
This user has no status.
🏆 Top 1% Commenter
Well-Known Member
Apr 2023
1,595
1,482
3,891
Read 5 reviews
Majority opinion doesn’t automatically equal objective detectability. Lots of players also "feel" their rubber is slower on Tuesdays, significantly tackier after cleaning, or boosted when it isn’t

The difference between 2.1 and 2.15 is smaller than factory tolerance and smaller than what boosting adds — so whatever people are feeling, it isn’t the 0.05 mm

People might prefer 2.1 for many reasons, but attributing that preference to a difference below human perception doesn’t make it real
And your proof that 0.05mm doesn’t change anything is? In the end, this is your opinion too, albeit in the minority

0.05mm can change the feeling entirely. I’ve used both even just unboosted for a fair test. The feeling of 2.1 is just better and there is a better balance of control, spin and speed
 
This user has no status.
This user has no status.
🏆 Top 1% Commenter
Well-Known Member
Moderator
Oct 2014
19,975
26,536
70,870
Read 17 reviews
Majority opinion doesn’t automatically equal objective detectability. Lots of players also "feel" their rubber is slower on Tuesdays, significantly tackier after cleaning, or boosted when it isn’t

The difference between 2.1 and 2.15 is smaller than factory tolerance and smaller than what boosting adds — so whatever people are feeling, it isn’t the 0.05 mm

People might prefer 2.1 for many reasons, but attributing that preference to a difference below human perception doesn’t make it real
So how do you know it is smaller than factory tolerance? What are your sources? You may very well be right, just want to know whether this is skepticism grounded in some expert experience with rubber or materials manufacturing or just your intelligent insight at work...
 
  • Like
Reactions: joshmak10
says Passionate about table tennis 🏓
And your proof that 0.05mm doesn’t change anything is? In the end, this is your opinion too, albeit in the minority

0.05mm can change the feeling entirely. I’ve used both even just unboosted for a fair test. The feeling of 2.1 is just better and there is a better balance of control, spin and speed
Personal experience isn’t proof — especially in a test where the uncontrolled variables (QC variance, sponge density differences, topsheet elasticity, humidity, factory inconsistencies) are far larger than 0.05 mm

DHS tolerances can vary by ±0.1–0.15 mm on the same labeled thickness. Boosting adds even more. So, when you compare two sheets labeled 2.1 and 2.15, you’re not comparing a controlled 0.05 mm difference — you’re comparing two random DHS sheets with multiple varying properties. Whatever "feeling" is different is coming from those factors, not the 0.05 mm

If you want proof: show two sheets with identical sponge density, identical hardness, identical topsheet tension, identical boosting, identical QC, identical humidity, and the only changed parameter being +0.05 mm. That test doesn’t exist because DHS doesn’t manufacture with that kind of precision

So, the claim that 0.05 mm "changes everything" is attributing the difference to the smallest, least influential variable instead of the actual ones that matter
 
  • Love
Reactions: latej
This user has no status.
This user has no status.
🏆 Top 1% Commenter
Well-Known Member
Apr 2023
1,595
1,482
3,891
Read 5 reviews
Personal experience isn’t proof — especially in a test where the uncontrolled variables (QC variance, sponge density differences, topsheet elasticity, humidity, factory inconsistencies) are far larger than 0.05 mm

DHS tolerances can vary by ±0.1–0.15 mm on the same labeled thickness. Boosting adds even more. So, when you compare two sheets labeled 2.1 and 2.15, you’re not comparing a controlled 0.05 mm difference — you’re comparing two random DHS sheets with multiple varying properties. Whatever "feeling" is different is coming from those factors, not the 0.05 mm

If you want proof: show two sheets with identical sponge density, identical hardness, identical topsheet tension, identical boosting, identical QC, identical humidity, and the only changed parameter being +0.05 mm. That test doesn’t exist because DHS doesn’t manufacture with that kind of precision

So, the claim that 0.05 mm "changes everything" is attributing the difference to the smallest, least influential variable instead of the actual ones that matter
Personal experience isn’t proof but yet your word is just the truth all of a sudden. I see. Still yet to hear your sources dude.

Just to add one more thought, if DHS made WCQ’s personal H3, which means they make the time and effort to tailor it to his needs, produce the highest possible quality rubber with 0 QC issues and variability, and make zero difference to each rubber they produce for him, but they change the thickness from his usual 2.1 to 2.15, you are saying he should not tell a difference?
 
Hey everyone,
In my experience, the difference between provincial and national is the topsheet... the H3 BS national neo version has a shine that lasts longer, which is reflected in the tackiness level.
I don't think the price difference between provincial and national makes sense for amateur players.
I prefer to replace the provincial H3 neo every 4 months after two booster treatments.
 
Top