Andro NUZN 48 Review: Faster and More Dynamic Than NUZN 45, But Still Controllable

[victormanriquey]

Hello everybody,

Last week I shared the review of the new Andro NUZN 45, and promised you all that very soon I'd have the review of the Andro NUZN 48 ready, I know a couple of you had good interest in that so here it is! I must say it's a great rubber and definitely one that I enjoyed as well. Very different from what I normally use, but nevertheless fun!

This time I tested it on both the forehand and backhand, not just on the backhand and you can read all about it here: https://www.tabletennisequipmenthelp.com/blog/andro-nuzn-48-review

And if you don't want to read the whole thing, here is the TL;DR as always:

Category	Andro NUZN 48
Weight	Medium-ish, it's about 69g uncut and 47.5g cut to my blade
Sponge & Topsheet	Medium tensor sponge with a grippy, very slightly tacky topsheet
Spin potential	High, a bit more than NUZN 45
Speed & Gears	Higher gears and speed than NUZN 45, no clear speed cap
Throw angle	Medium throw, lower than NUZN 45
Drives & Loops	Good quality and fast, and good control still
Serves	Spinny, more spin than other tensors I tried before
Flicks	Decent, similar to other medium throw and low-ish dwell tensors
Pushes	Good control and spin, ball doesn't pop up much on short balls
Blocks	Stable but easier with a relatively closed racket angle
Flat hits	Not bad, better than other harder tackier hybrids
Boosting	No need to boost it at all
Price & Durability	On the higher side but still fine, around 50-60€, seems durable

Next up, I will switch the gears a bit and get into the Donic Bluegrip series, so I'm back to a bit tackier rubbers and coming closer to home

Hope you guys enjoy the review and let's discuss any topics/questions/comments that you may have, happy to get feedback and have a good chat!

Take care and thanks,

Victor

 

[KM1976]

Hello everybody,

Last week I shared the review of the new Andro NUZN 45, and promised you all that very soon I'd have the review of the Andro NUZN 48 ready, I know a couple of you had good interest in that so here it is! I must say it's a great rubber and definitely one that I enjoyed as well. Very different from what I normally use, but nevertheless fun!

View attachment 41345

This time I tested it on both the forehand and backhand, not just on the backhand and you can read all about it here: https://www.tabletennisequipmenthelp.com/blog/andro-nuzn-48-review

And if you don't want to read the whole thing, here is the TL;DR as always:

Category	Andro NUZN 48
Weight	Medium-ish, it's about 69g uncut and 47.5g cut to my blade
Sponge & Topsheet	Medium tensor sponge with a grippy, very slightly tacky topsheet
Spin potential	High, a bit more than NUZN 45
Speed & Gears	Higher gears and speed than NUZN 45, no clear speed cap
Throw angle	Medium throw, lower than NUZN 45
Drives & Loops	Good quality and fast, and good control still
Serves	Spinny, more spin than other tensors I tried before
Flicks	Decent, similar to other medium throw and low-ish dwell tensors
Pushes	Good control and spin, ball doesn't pop up much on short balls
Blocks	Stable but easier with a relatively closed racket angle
Flat hits	Not bad, better than other harder tackier hybrids
Boosting	No need to boost it at all
Price & Durability	On the higher side but still fine, around 50-60€, seems durable

Next up, I will switch the gears a bit and get into the Donic Bluegrip series, so I'm back to a bit tackier rubbers and coming closer to home

Hope you guys enjoy the review and let's discuss any topics/questions/comments that you may have, happy to get feedback and have a good chat!

Take care and thanks,

Victor

Thank you for your testing and sharing your opinion. May I please ask you to update the number of playing hours for which you have tested the rubber? Also, in the durability section, it would be good to have some numbers and close up photos (to show the wear marks) after usage. Thank you and God bless.

Update: I apologize, I did take time to read through your review, and it says that you tested Andro NUZN 48 for a month. So can I say with 6-8 hours/week, it is between 30-32 hours of play? If you can the photos after 1 month of testing in your review then it would be a great assessment for players who are willing to try this rubber. Thanks once again.

 

[Nash77]

Good review, thx Victor.

could you compare NUZN 48 to Fast arc G-1?
I think you tested both

 

[victormanriquey]

Thank you for your testing and sharing your opinion. May I please ask you to update the number of playing hours for which you have tested the rubber? Also, in the durability section, it would be good to have some numbers and close up photos (to show the wear marks) after usage. Thank you and God bless.

Update: I apologize, I did take time to read through your review, and it says that you tested Andro NUZN 48 for a month. So can I say with 6-8 hours/week, it is between 30-32 hours of play? If you can the photos after 1 month of testing in your review then it would be a great assessment for players who are willing to try this rubber. Thanks once again.

All good no problem! I play around 7h a week yes, and I think it was 4-5 weeks that I had it on, so likely indeed around that!

Actually the photo I posted in the blog is from today so you can see it there! If you need better quality I can send it also!

 

[victormanriquey]

Good review, thx Victor.

could you compare NUZN 48 to Fast arc G-1?
I think you tested both

Thanks @Nash77 !

I have tested G1 quite a lot yes, but not on any of my blades, usually from 2 of my regular training partners, and they play it on an innerforce and on a pure wood, so very different blades than my b2x and wang chuqin, so please take this with a pinch of salt what Im about to say, I still need to review G1 in depth one day with my test and control setups

I think the nuzn 48 is more controlled in the short game, but has more power and more catapult when you engage the sponge (at higher gears) and G1 is overall a rather linear and controlled tensor, but the initial bounce is a bit more noticeable in the short game.

I will revisit this in a while so I can have a more objective view on it!

 

[Kilogramme]

Thanks @victormanriquey for the review. I am indeed very curious about it. How would you compare it to H8-80 in terms of easiness to play drill etc.. And open up on backspin or flicks ? As you know already, I am considering replacing T19 with something less dynamic for more control. Also, lower throw than T19. I tested LAC and Hybrid MK, I could find more safety in my shot. I might have a "chinese" BH maybe, more than european. My swing is kinda big, and toward the top more than the front. And By closing the racket I hits the slice of the racket. So a bit lower throw (not too low, I want to be able to open up easily) could help as well as a more controlled rubber, especially for serve return.

 

[BackhandSteve]

Thank you sir Victor. Could you compare this with stiga dna hybrid or dignics 09c?

 

[victormanriquey]

Thanks @victormanriquey for the review. I am indeed very curious about it. How would you compare it to H8-80 in terms of easiness to play drill etc.. And open up on backspin or flicks ? As you know already, I am considering replacing T19 with something less dynamic for more control. Also, lower throw than T19. I tested LAC and Hybrid MK, I could find more safety in my shot. I might have a "chinese" BH maybe, more than european. My swing is kinda big, and toward the top more than the front. And By closing the racket I hits the slice of the racket. So a bit lower throw (not too low, I want to be able to open up easily) could help as well as a more controlled rubber, especially for serve return.

Thanks!

Compared to 8-80 it is much more lively and bouncy, so its a very different rubber, its like comparing apples and pears a bit haha 8-80 is slow and controlled and very tacky, nuzn is more aggressive, non tacky and fast, so pick your poison! haha

Nuzn is a bit more controlled than T19, but its not a huge world of difference like with 8-80

Maybe LAC boosted or asia jupiter 3 are in the middle of what you may want!

 

[victormanriquey]

Thank you sir Victor. Could you compare this with stiga dna hybrid or dignics 09c?

Dna hybrid I cant say, need to test it, its at home but will take a while to get to it, I had only done some shots with it before, felt fast on an outer carbon blade. With D09c, nuzn 48 has less spin, less arc, les power when hit properly, but more catapult for sure at lower gears. Also no tackiness on the nuzn 48 side.

I think its more comparable to dna hybrid than to D09c, D09c is then more comparable to bluegrip than to nuzn I think.

 

[Kilogramme]

Thanks!

Compared to 8-80 it is much more lively and bouncy, so its a very different rubber, its like comparing apples and pears a bit haha 8-80 is slow and controlled and very tacky, nuzn is more aggressive, non tacky and fast, so pick your poison! haha

Nuzn is a bit more controlled than T19, but its not a huge world of difference like with 8-80

Maybe LAC boosted or asia jupiter 3 are in the middle of what you may want!

Well, it is hard for to find out what i want on my BH. Because, at the same time, I am not even sure what playstyle I want to develop. I mean, I consider my BH not that bad, but I feel like I am more dangerous using my FH, and doing a lot of pivot. Really my BH should be about, open up, and controlling the game to be able to use my FH. For that purpose, maybe H8-80 is a good fit, but here again, I am scared that it will be too demanding, and late in tournament that could hurt me.

I prefer not to boost anymore tbh.

 

[victormanriquey]

Well, it is hard for to find out what i want on my BH. Because, at the same time, I am not even sure what playstyle I want to develop. I mean, I consider my BH not that bad, but I feel like I am more dangerous using my FH, and doing a lot of pivot. Really my BH should be about, open up, and controlling the game to be able to use my FH. For that purpose, maybe H8-80 is a good fit, but here again, I am scared that it will be too demanding, and late in tournament that could hurt me.

I prefer not to boost anymore tbh.

I see, since it seems you'd like your BH to be based on control, then I'd choose for a moderately slow rubber that can do safe openings and is good at both attack/defense, an all rounder really. Many in this category, depending of whether you want more tacky, pure hybrid or just tensor! For example, more hard and tacky can be 8-80 but also jupiter asia 3, more hybrid can be glayzer 09c, rakza z, bluegrip s2, and many others. More tensor could be nuzn 45 or similar

 

[Kilogramme]

I see, since it seems you'd like your BH to be based on control, then I'd choose for a moderately slow rubber that can do safe openings and is good at both attack/defense, an all rounder really. Many in this category, depending of whether you want more tacky, pure hybrid or just tensor! For example, more hard and tacky can be 8-80 but also jupiter asia 3, more hybrid can be glayzer 09c, rakza z, bluegrip s2, and many others. More tensor could be nuzn 45 or similar

I turned my racket a bit, to try the open up with my Vega China, tacky helps so much in open up. But Rakza Z did not work for me. Maybe a tacky with soft topsheet could make it work. I am afraid Glayzer is too hard, and with a throw too High.

 

[victormanriquey]

I turned my racket a bit, to try the open up with my Vega China, tacky helps so much in open up. But Rakza Z did not work for me. Maybe a tacky with soft topsheet could make it work. I am afraid Glayzer is too hard, and with a throw too High.

I see, if you need tacky with soft topsheet maybe bluegrip S1/C2? Doing the testing in depth now and happy with the results so far

For myself, I do like rakza Z a lot I must say, and Glayzer 09c not bad either! Or try chinese hybrids like target national/gear or similar? Big dipper V is working nicely on FH lately (you could do 38 for BH but maybe too hard indeed), will review soonish as well

 

[Kilogramme]

I see, if you need tacky with soft topsheet maybe bluegrip S1/C2? Doing the testing in depth now and happy with the results so far

For myself, I do like rakza Z a lot I must say, and Glayzer 09c not bad either! Or try chinese hybrids like target national/gear or similar? Big dipper V is working nicely on FH lately (you could do 38 for BH but maybe too hard indeed), will review soonish as well

Problem is, most people in my club plays with Viscaria like, so hard to try some rubber on a blade I don't like. At least if it was innercarbon. The only one I tried on a HL5 copy, is Hybrid MK from Thibar. Felt nice actually. But I ordered a H8-80 37. 25€, not that expensive test. I will apply 1 layer of Haifu nat, for the break in.

 

[victormanriquey]

Problem is, most people in my club plays with Viscaria like, so hard to try some rubber on a blade I don't like. At least if it was innercarbon. The only one I tried on a HL5 copy, is Hybrid MK from Thibar. Felt nice actually. But I ordered a H8-80 37. 25€, not that expensive test. I will apply 1 layer of Haifu nat, for the break in.

MK is different from bluegrip, as MK is more like nuzn, durability seems to be an issue for some people but its a good rubber I will review too this year I think!

Lets see 8-80 then, be careful boosting ir, it gets agitated after doing so, I didnt like it boosted initially.

 

[Grumms]

On my new blade, my Telson 100 is a very bit too slow. I was thinking about coming back to some tensor. When I was using a Yinhe Pro 05, I was glad with Gewo Nexxus SS 48 or Inventus 47,5°.

For the Cybershape Carbon, I was thinking again about Inventus 47,5°, but NUZN 48 came to my mind, along with Omega VII Pro. What do you think about it ? Bluegrip S2 is too slow, any tensor below 47° would be too soft, and I don't know if I would enjoy real hybrid like Rakza Z.

 

[victormanriquey]

On my new blade, my Telson 100 is a very bit too slow. I was thinking about coming back to some tensor. When I was using a Yinhe Pro 05, I was glad with Gewo Nexxus SS 48 or Inventus 47,5°.

For the Cybershape Carbon, I was thinking again about Inventus 47,5°, but NUZN 48 came to my mind, along with Omega VII Pro. What do you think about it ? Bluegrip S2 is too slow, any tensor below 47° would be too soft, and I don't know if I would enjoy real hybrid like Rakza Z.

It could work! I have not tried inventus (heard great things on it though from friends), S2 is too slow yes, S1 is also a good one, playtesting it now in depth, very good and similar to nuzn 48, just more dampening and dwell, less durability/grip, spin is similar. I like rakza z on forehand as well, depends on the blade, if its hard/stiff like my B2X then is good

 

[Kilogramme]

On my new blade, my Telson 100 is a very bit too slow. I was thinking about coming back to some tensor. When I was using a Yinhe Pro 05, I was glad with Gewo Nexxus SS 48 or Inventus 47,5°.

For the Cybershape Carbon, I was thinking again about Inventus 47,5°, but NUZN 48 came to my mind, along with Omega VII Pro. What do you think about it ? Bluegrip S2 is too slow, any tensor below 47° would be too soft, and I don't know if I would enjoy real hybrid like Rakza Z.

I have my old Rakza Z unused. I mean, i glued it on your Stuor Long 5 I bought from you . Tbh, the stuor is much quicker than my GHL5 lol. I don't know if it is the surface treatment you did, the feel is harder, kinda like koto feel. Yet close in feeling to my main blade. Anyway, I glued the Rakza Z on it, until my H8-80 arrive to properly test back the H8 on an HL5. So, if we meet again, I can give it to you, and you can give me another test rubber ? What do you think ?


@victormanriquey On the french forum about Nuzn, one forumer said the Nuzn 48 kinda has 2 speed. A bit like chinese rubber. Slow and controllable at low impact (like short game or serve recieve) and blocking. But quick and spinny when you topspin. Did you feel that too ? Also, do you think the throw angle is higher/lower than T05/T19. I know you did not reviewed them, but I think many player have tested or played with T05 at some point, and T19 is similar in that area. Durability wise, the french forumer also complimented it.

 

[Grumms]

I have my old Rakza Z unused. I mean, i glued it on your Stuor Long 5 I bought from you . Tbh, the stuor is much quicker than my GHL5 lol. I don't know if it is the surface treatment you did, the feel is harder, kinda like koto feel. Yet close in feeling to my main blade. Anyway, I glued the Rakza Z on it, until my H8-80 arrive to properly test back the H8 on an HL5. So, if we meet again, I can give it to you, and you can give me another test rubber ? What do you think ?

Thank for the proposal. I ordered the NUZN48 yesterday, I will try it next week. If it does not fit, I might enjoy a try of the Rakza Z.

 

[victormanriquey]

@victormanriquey On the french forum about Nuzn, one forumer said the Nuzn 48 kinda has 2 speed. A bit like chinese rubber. Slow and controllable at low impact (like short game or serve recieve) and blocking. But quick and spinny when you topspin. Did you feel that too ? Also, do you think the throw angle is higher/lower than T05/T19. I know you did not reviewed them, but I think many player have tested or played with T05 at some point, and T19 is similar in that area. Durability wise, the french forumer also complimented it.

Yes this is correct, nuzn is a bit more linear than normal tensors, meaning that it releases the catapult slower (more in stages) and this is why people feel the 2 gears. This is a key characteristic of hybrid rubbers and why more people have started playing with those, slow on the low gear where touch beats power, fast when needed on the high gear.

I think the throw angle of nuzn 48 is lower than the tenergies and durability seems to be good, I think higher than other hybrids. Likely because the topsheet doesnt have much tack to lose and sponge is good quality