Long 5 Blades vs TMXi Blades

[disaster3]

Hi all,

quick questions, if you have 2 National W968 version to choose with the same weight and the only difference is in the thickness of the blade, one is 6.00mm and the other is 6.05mm which one might be better, or maybe what the 0.05mm differences might differ each other?
Thanks in quick reply!

 

[vossi39]

I doubt that you would be able to tell the difference in a blind test. If you said 5,85 vs 6,05 that would be a noticeable difference, but 0,05mm? The tolerances in your rubbers including glue will be 10x bigger.

 

[disaster3]

That’s why I’m asking as I’m not sure if I will notice the difference or maybe there is a reason to take thicker if the weight is similar or opposite because of something which I’m not aware.
Would like to know if I have chance to choose 😀

 

[Leno]

Choose the one with the lower number! The rank their blade according to quality control.

Also if you really need to compare, compare the weights and rebound percentage.
Those affect more your play than the thickness of 0.05mm

 

[joshmak10]

@joshmak10 why change blade? if vis/fzd alc is working fine then save the $$$ and stick with it. Also you are josh mak the 2300 yea? https://usatt.simplycompete.com/userAccount/up/4910

Lots of people giving advice can't even hit 30+ loop FH so their opinions are invalid.

But to answer your question. Long 5 is trash, quality control is wacky, there are dead spots here and there. tmxi pro is slow and uncontrollable, doesn't bite the ball for your h3 like w968. Even An jyuehan the blade name after him doens't use it.

If u have to do it try w968 provincial. If $$$ is an issue, just don't buy at all. Nothing wrong with vis + h3 + 09c, fzd alc migjht be a b it slower compare to vis.


/scrubjesus

Lmao I’m not that Josh Mak, but we do follow each other on IG. I have both a vis and a w968 provincial and currently using the vis with h3n blue and d80

 

[mcfly]

Lmao I’m not that Josh Mak, but we do follow each other on IG. I have both a vis and a w968 provincial and currently using the vis with h3n blue and d80

sad day for me. i've always admired your serve posture

 

[joshmak10]

sad day for me. i've always admired your serve posture

View attachment 32354

I’ll let him know about it haha

 

[Saiph]

Anyone has any experience / tips in balancing out the head-heaviness of TMXi? I'm not even playing the Pro version, but pairing it with H3N and J&H makes the setup weigh 197gr and sometimes put a strain on my forearm, especially when doing multiball session...

 

[lt kettch]

Anyone has any experience / tips in balancing out the head-heaviness of TMXi? I'm not even playing the Pro version, but pairing it with H3N and J&H makes the setup weigh 197gr and sometimes put a strain on my forearm, especially when doing multiball session...

You can try this, starting about 3:25. Perceived weight will change, even though you're adding weight.

I know some people shave a couple mm off which has the compounding effect of less wood and less rubber but that's very permanent

 

[RefereeNumber2]

Anyone has any experience / tips in balancing out the head-heaviness of TMXi? I'm not even playing the Pro version, but pairing it with H3N and J&H makes the setup weigh 197gr and sometimes put a strain on my forearm, especially when doing multiball session...

Depending on which J&H you're playing on backhand (I assume it's backhand), perhaps Omega 7 Pro could be a substitute. It's very light for being a high-performance rubber. Dignics 05 is also pretty light.

You could also try playing around with grip tape on the bottom part of the handle for a lower balance and better grip. As a bit of a long aside: I play the TMXi Pro version, and I recently tried the same rubber setup on a Harimoto ALC which (AFAIK) has the same handle shape and dimensions as the non-pro TMXi. Despite the Harimoto being 3-4 grams lighter and with a smaller blade face than my main blade, I actually found it felt head-heavier and overall more tiring to swing! This seems to be because the TMXi Pro has a meaningfully longer and more thickly-flared handle at the bottom, which lets me grip the handle more securely with my bottom two fingers and have a more relaxed overall grip (and the additional mass from the larger handle may shift the balance as well). I've been able to replicate this by adding some grip tape to the bottom half (or so) of some thinner handles.

 

[Saiph]

You can try this, starting about 3:25. Perceived weight will change, even though you're adding weight.

I know some people shave a couple mm off which has the compounding effect of less wood and less rubber but that's very permanent

Thanks for the suggestion. I actually stumbled upon this video in my feed, but didn't really pay attention to it. Seems worth to try, although putting weight like what Mr. Popovich did I think will compromise the handle comfort.

I've been able to replicate this by adding some grip tape to the bottom half (or so) of some thinner handles.

I did think of using grip tape, but I wondered, will adding grip tape affect balance that much?

 

[latej]

I own a TMXi which I use from time to time, and have used a TMXi Pro for a short period of time.

TMXi Pro:
Very good blade, great handle, a lot of power but you need to be phisically very strong cause the plate being 160x152mm with two inverted OFF/OFF+ rubbers (> 47,5° / 50°) the racket weights a lot (200gr +) and you'll seem to have a sail attached to your hand when doing topspin

TMXi:
For us mere mortals this is a nicely balanced blade, with enough speed and control. Think of it as an Ovtcharov ALC a bit slower and a bit more controlled, on BH mainly.

Hi, do they have same handle? Can you compare the handle with the Ovtcharov ALC handle and Viscaria handle?

I'm considering buying a inner-layer blade, ideally like 159x150 with Viscaria-like handle, weight cca 90-92g... temporarily... my blade has an injury... shame on me ;-)

Candidates:
- HM X-Imperium
- Xiom TMXi, not decided whether Pro (160) or non-Pro (158) yet
- Ovtcharov ALC

Classical Limba Ayous Composite Ayous-Core composition is a must. Feel free to suggest other candidates ;-)

 

[Matt Hetherington]

An himself seemed to prefer the Long 5 as that's what he switched to while he was still Xiom

 

[latej]

An himself seemed to prefer the Long 5 as that's what he switched to while he was still Xiom

Thanks Matt, I think W968 and Q968 are great blades, but too expensive. The Long 5 - I'm not so sure though. Btw. did An play with Long 5 or the W968?

Anyway, valuable information, thanks.

So as you see, I'm searching for "alternatives" until SDC's queue is processed and he can build another perfect blade for me ;-). But the alternatives always have some cons:
- W968, Q968 - price
- HM X-Imperium - head size only 157x150
- Ovtcharov ALC - strange head shape

Of course these are perhaps only my impressions, and some of those blades are very likely more than good enough for me...

Btw. now I'll have to play with my Viscaria. Last time it felt a bit hollow. Actually everything feels hollow after SDC's super dense ayous great blade... But if I endure, I might get accustomed again. It's a great blade too...

EDIT: yes, something like this.

 

[doppelmoral]

Thanks Matt, I think W968 and Q968 are great blades, but too expensive. The Long 5 - I'm not so sure though. Btw. did An play with Long 5 or the W968?

Anyway, valuable information, thanks.

So as you see, I'm searching for "alternatives" until SDC's queue is processed and he can build another perfect blade for me ;-). But the alternatives always have some cons:
- W968, Q968 - price
- HM X-Imperium - head size only 157x150
- Ovtcharov ALC - strange head shape

Of course these are perhaps only my impressions, and some of those blades are very likely more than good enough for me...

Btw. now I'll have to play with my Viscaria. Last time it felt a bit hollow. Actually everything feels hollow after SDC's super dense ayous great blade... But if I endure, I might get accustomed again. It's a great blade too...

I can heavily recommend the ajh tmxi pro.
sure ajh himself switched to w968 but can you find yourself a player version w968?

tmxi pro is the most linear blade I ever used. its so controllable , and fast when you give sufficient power. it has great dwell, and the backhand is amazing. the handle is big and the most comfortable I ever tried. I was worried about the headsize of 160x152 making it too headheavy, but quite the opposite. The blade is so stable especially on block and I dont even like to do topspins anymore with regular size blades because the whip effect of tmxi pro feels that good.

I played hugo hal for a long time and tmxi pro replaced it because it just feels so good in my hand.

most of the people in my club that tried my setup feel very comfy with it immediately, which I think is always a good sign that the blade might be good. I want to add though that it took me a while at first to finish points. This blade is only fun if you like to generate your own power.

viscaria type blade is faster but tmxi pro has more power. its muuuch easier to generate speed with viscaria, blocks and smashes are more dangerous.

dont bother with the regular tmxi version by the way

 

[latej]

I can heavily recommend the ajh tmxi pro.
sure ajh himself switched to w968 but can you find yourself a player version w968?

tmxi pro is the most linear blade I ever used. its so controllable , and fast when you give sufficient power. it has great dwell, and the backhand is amazing. the handle is big and the most comfortable I ever tried. I was worried about the headsize of 160x152 making it too headheavy, but quite the opposite. The blade is so stable especially on block and I dont even like to do topspins anymore with regular size blades because the whip effect of tmxi pro feels that good.

I played hugo hal for a long time and tmxi pro replaced it because it just feels so good in my hand.

most of the people in my club that tried my setup feel very comfy with it immediately, which I think is always a good sign that the blade might be good. I want to add though that it took me a while at first to finish points. This blade is only fun if you like to generate your own power.

viscaria type blade is faster but tmxi pro has more power. its muuuch easier to generate speed with viscaria, blocks and smashes are more dangerous.

dont bother with the regular tmxi version by the way

Cool, interesting... I also worry about the head size, but now I'd now risk it... However, I spoke with Mr. Vodak per email and there is a high chance he'll be able to repair the blade... So I'm now glueing the Glayzer from my blade to Viscaria and will play with it for a week or two, I have DF VP on it (FH), possibly will glue old Rxton9 or the Xuperman rubber on it, but not sure now it's worth the trouble...

Thanks for your post.

 

[Table10Ice]

Has somebody compared the Xiom ANJ TMXi to Synteliac VCI and/or Tibhar Zodiac Libra ZAC?

I'm thinking of getting two of these, preferably two that is different to each other. Which two should I choose?