Xiom Vega China VM Review

[K.K]

''We have received confirmation from Xiom that the formula of Vega China has not changed.

Since August 2024, the rubber has been manufactured using new machinery. A new protective film was introduced at the same time. This may explain why some newer sheets appear or feel different from earlier ones.''

the sponge changed too in this process and together with the new topsheet it does feel, look and play different then the old version: more hybrid and less h3

 

[_Bryce_]

the sponge changed too in this process and together with the new topsheet it does feel, look and play different then the old version: more hybrid and less h3

Could you or someone else provide a high resolution close up picture of the sponge? A few years ago (2017/18?) I also briefly played with the Vega China. I do remember that when I unpacked the rubber I noticed the very strange texture of the sponge; unlike any other ESN-sponge I've encountered before or after...and I've played/tested quite a lot from ESN over the years. It wasn't flat out black like the other Xiom sponges, more dark grey/anthrancit, and the texture was like very tight moss. Something in between a new sponge with pores and a traditional sponge (Mark V, Sriver etc.), if that makes sense.

 

[belllfador]

Finding similarities between the new XVC and J&H Z52.5. Same DNA, and plays far away from H3. Never played with the tacky C line, which is probably even closer to XVC.

 

[navuzor]

Could you or someone else provide a high resolution close up picture of the sponge? A few years ago (2017/18?) I also briefly played with the Vega China. I do remember that when I unpacked the rubber I noticed the very strange texture of the sponge; unlike any other ESN-sponge I've encountered before or after...and I've played/tested quite a lot from ESN over the years. It wasn't flat out black like the other Xiom sponges, more dark grey/anthrancit, and the texture was like very tight moss. Something in between a new sponge with pores and a traditional sponge (Mark V, Sriver etc.), if that makes sense.

This is the best I can do with my phone, that's the Helix Platinum M on the BH for reference

 

[navuzor]

Ah great! Then my normal vega china of begin this year is still good for the test when i do it! Thanks for info!

Amigo, I'm so eager to read your observations on this rubber, you surely are taking your time to review this one XD

 

[_Bryce_]

This is the best I can do with my phone, that's the Helix Platinum M on the BH for reference

Thanks, mate. Better still would have been a picture of the sponge in it's entirety before it was glued to the blade. Based on this one pic I tend to believe that it's the old sponge, but I wouldn't bet my house on it. All I remember from back then is that the Vega China sponge noticeably differed in the texture from the sponge of the Vega Pro, Vega Europe (and other ESN stuff for that matter). You don't happen to have the rest of the sponge, do you?

 

[navuzor]

I am afraid I don't have the rest of the sponge no. I will eventually test the H3N so when I do so, I'll take a picture of this sponge after I remove it from the blade.

 

[victormanriquey]

Amigo, I'm so eager to read your observations on this rubber, you surely are taking your time to review this one XD

Haha yeah i know i knooooww sorry for this, its been hectic with all new hybrids coming up, and you know I dont test lightly, if i test i test, 1 month full on hahaha

But im soon gonna start on XVC and im seeing what to pair on BH to make a nice combi, from the ones i have in the backlog.

In the meantime i need to finish iconixx 55/50 reviews (somewhen 2 weeks from now on) and start on MK/MK pro, i always wanted to test those in depth, have good memories from the couple times i have tried them.

And then likely helix hybrid and chintac or so, full agenda!!

And i hope next year i start on a couple new blades too, lets see how it goes haha