Sanwei Target National (Blue Sponge) vs. Sanwei Hyper Gear 39° for Forehand – Which One is Better?

[Furqan]

I am planning to build a new setup and need advice on my forehand rubber choice. Here’s what I am considering:

• Blade: DHS PG5X
• Forehand: Sanwei Target National (Blue Sponge) vs. Sanwei Hyper Gear 39° – Which one is better and more recommended for forehand?
• Backhand: Sanwei Hyper Gear 38° (Blue color)

Is this setup well-balanced for an attacking playstyle?
Also, if there are better alternatives in a similar price range, I’d appreciate any suggestions. Looking forward to your recommendations!
I have been playing table tennis for 4-5 years, starting from school, and now I am in university. Previously, I used Donic Acuda on my forehand and Yasaka Mark V on my backhand, but these were second-hand rubbers pasted on a Timo Boll 3000 Racket blade.

Later, I switched to a Yinhe N10s blade with Big Dipper 39 on the forehand and Mercury 2 medium on the backhand, but I felt that my game was degrading, especially my backhand. Since I primarily play an attacking style, with frequent backhand attacks, I found that setup too slow for my playstyle, so I sold it after playing for 3-4 weeks a few months ago.
I also lost a tournament final with this setup as I was unable to attack with much power and was forced into a defensive playstyle. I don’t play tournaments frequently, but I do participate whenever I get a chance to represent my university or play individually when free from studies.

Now, I am considering the above budget-friendly setup for myself and would appreciate your suggestions.

 

[Furqan]

I will be buying the equipment from AliExpress, in case this is relevant or important to my question.

 

[TensorBackhand]

I am planning to build a new setup and need advice on my forehand rubber choice. Here’s what I am considering:

• Blade: DHS PG5X
• Forehand: Sanwei Target National (Blue Sponge) vs. Sanwei Hyper Gear 39° – Which one is better and more recommended for forehand?
• Backhand: Sanwei Hyper Gear 38° (Blue color)

Is this setup well-balanced for an attacking playstyle?
Also, if there are better alternatives in a similar price range, I’d appreciate any suggestions. Looking forward to your recommendations!
I have been playing table tennis for 4-5 years, starting from school, and now I am in university. Previously, I used Donic Acuda on my forehand and Yasaka Mark V on my backhand, but these were second-hand rubbers pasted on a Timo Boll 3000 Racket blade.

Later, I switched to a Yinhe N10s blade with Big Dipper 39 on the forehand and Mercury 2 medium on the backhand, but I felt that my game was degrading, especially my backhand. Since I primarily play an attacking style, with frequent backhand attacks, I found that setup too slow for my playstyle, so I sold it after playing for 3-4 weeks a few months ago.
I also lost a tournament final with this setup as I was unable to attack with much power and was forced into a defensive playstyle. I don’t play tournaments frequently, but I do participate whenever I get a chance to represent my university or play individually when free from studies.

Now, I am considering the above budget-friendly setup for myself and would appreciate your suggestions.

Gear Hyper is really terrible in my opinion. I really don't know why it has gained so much mind share.

 

[Furqan]

Gear Hyper is really terrible in my opinion. I really don't know why it has gained so much mind share.

I'm curious to hear your thoughts! In which aspects did you find Hyper Gear terrible?
Was it the speed, spin, control, or something else?
Also, which rubber do you think is a better alternative in this budget?

I'd love to know what you recommend!

 

[TensorBackhand]

I'm curious to hear your thoughts! In which aspects did you find Hyper Gear terrible?
Was it the speed, spin, control, or something else?
Also, which rubber do you think is a better alternative in this budget?

I'd love to know what you recommend!

Speed is low, control is bad because of the low throw angle, spin is fine but not tacky at all.

There are so many better rubbers at this budget: Moon 12, AK47, big dipper, etc.

 

[Furqan]

Speed is low, control is bad because of the low throw angle, spin is fine but not tacky at all.

There are so many better rubbers at this budget: Moon 12, AK47, big dipper, etc.

Thanks for the insight! From the rubbers you mentioned—Moon 12, AK47, and Big Dipper—which one would you recommend for forehand and backhand, considering I don’t want to use booster?

I’ve already tried Big Dipper 39* on Yinhe N10s Blade, but my shots were too easy for my opponent to return, so I’m looking for something else. Would love to hear your thoughts!

Also, what do you think of the DHS PG5X blade? Would it pair well with any of these rubbers?

 

[TensorBackhand]

Moon 22 and ak47 are good for bh. Big dipper is good for both sides.

If you cant get enough power, you may need to boost.

The only rubber that is more powerful unboosted is Double Fish FC218.

Volant is also plenty powerful

 

[impluse101]

I am planning to build a new setup and need advice on my forehand rubber choice. Here’s what I am considering:

• Blade: DHS PG5X
• Forehand: Sanwei Target National (Blue Sponge) vs. Sanwei Hyper Gear 39° – Which one is better and more recommended for forehand?
• Backhand: Sanwei Hyper Gear 38° (Blue color)

Is this setup well-balanced for an attacking playstyle?
Also, if there are better alternatives in a similar price range, I’d appreciate any suggestions. Looking forward to your recommendations!
I have been playing table tennis for 4-5 years, starting from school, and now I am in university. Previously, I used Donic Acuda on my forehand and Yasaka Mark V on my backhand, but these were second-hand rubbers pasted on a Timo Boll 3000 Racket blade.

Later, I switched to a Yinhe N10s blade with Big Dipper 39 on the forehand and Mercury 2 medium on the backhand, but I felt that my game was degrading, especially my backhand. Since I primarily play an attacking style, with frequent backhand attacks, I found that setup too slow for my playstyle, so I sold it after playing for 3-4 weeks a few months ago.
I also lost a tournament final with this setup as I was unable to attack with much power and was forced into a defensive playstyle. I don’t play tournaments frequently, but I do participate whenever I get a chance to represent my university or play individually when free from studies.

Now, I am considering the above budget-friendly setup for myself and would appreciate your suggestions.

to OP (with your choice of blade)

• Blade: DHS PG5X
• Forehand: Battle 2 Gold/Prov BS or LAC
• Backhand: Jupiter 3 Asia 38° or Moon 12

 

[Furqan]

to OP (with your choice of blade)

• Blade: DHS PG5X
• Forehand: Battle 2 Gold/Prov BS or LAC
• Backhand: Jupiter 3 Asia 38° or Moon 12

Thanks for the recommendation!
Do these rubbers need boosting, or are they good unboosted?
Also, how would Jupiter 3 Asia 39° on FH and 38° on BH play compared to your suggestion? Would it be faster than Big Dipper?
And what do you think of DHS 8-80 on BH and DHS 3-50 on FH? (Unboosted)

 

[Furqan]

@impluse101 @TensorBackhand

Also what do you guys think of yinhe moon speed?
what if i use soft version on backhand and medium on forehand will it be good?

 

[TensorBackhand]

@impluse101 @TensorBackhand

Also what do you guys think of yinhe moon speed?
what if i use soft version on backhand and medium on forehand will it be good?

Moon Speed is old, but decent.

Moon 12 is better

 

[banbekas]

For around that price,

Forehand: Vega China VM if you can find it or Nittaku H3 OS is good. At my place, the price of STN and Nittaku H3 and Vega China is similar. Only $7 difference.
Backhand: Vega Europe if you are looking for easy opening, or if you want something harder Fastarc G1/ C1. You could try Volant Phoenix 2 too.

Jupiter and Moon 12 are just not worth it, imho. Volant Phoenix 2 is a much better choice than those two rubbers.

 

[Azku]

I'm a one-sided penholder.
I'm using Gear Hyper and loving it. I use the 38 degrees version. I prefer not-too-hard rubber, so haven't tried the 39 degrees.
It's an all around good rubber for me. Good control, good spin, enough power.
I don't boost it.
The matte blue colour if pretty and doesn't get dirty easily.

Having said that, there are still many rubbers that I haven't tried, but Gear Hyper is good enough for me that I stopped searching for the 'perfect' rubber.