Author Topic: Donic Barracuda?/Andro Hexer? (Read 5905 times)

speedplay · « **on:** October 09, 2009, 09:45:30 PM »

http://www.affordablett.com.au/shop/product_info.php?cPath=2_34&products_id=1003&osCsid=f2190cb2d6c9f109663e2a6efd0686e3

Haven't seen or heard about this before, any one who have tried it yet? Looks interesting enough, but I would like to know more about it's speed and grip compared to Roxon 450/500 and Platin, regular and soft.

speedplay · « **Reply #1 on:** October 15, 2009, 04:49:24 AM »

Still no one who has tried this? I thought we had some EJ's here, but I guess I was wrong... Or is it that you all prefer the new Andro rubbers? Cause the hexer sounds promising. How would that compare to the Roxon series, both in hardness and grip?

JKC · « **Reply #2 on:** October 17, 2009, 07:30:17 AM »

As it has a price similar to the tried and tested 'Tenergy' then it is unlikely that many players are going to rush to try it until there are some reviews from trusted players. Personally if I was spending that much cash I would want to know about its durability especially as Tenergy is known to last a very long time.

speedplay · « **Reply #3 on:** November 03, 2009, 06:52:39 AM »

Rob, I'm utterly disappointed at you! I thought that by now you would have told us your impressions of these new rubbers. So far, it seems that the Hexer is given excellent reviews everywhere, slightly slower then the Roxon 450, but much more control and more spin as well. Sounds like a nice rubber. The Barracuda haven't been received as well, I've heard that it is really, really slow, while the spin is amazing, according to some, it it up there with Tenergy, while other claims it outspins Tenergy. Almost sounds like a rubber for JKC and his spin oriented game!

pingpongrob · « **Reply #4 on:** November 03, 2009, 11:05:43 PM »

Quote from: speedplay on November 03, 2009, 06:52:39 AM

Rob, I'm utterly disappointed at you! I thought that by now you would have told us your impressions of these new rubbers. So far, it seems that the Hexer is given excellent reviews everywhere, slightly slower then the Roxon 450, but much more control and more spin as well. Sounds like a nice rubber. The Barracuda haven't been received as well, I've heard that it is really, really slow, while the spin is amazing, according to some, it it up there with Tenergy, while other claims it outspins Tenergy. Almost sounds like a rubber for JKC and his spin oriented game!

Dont Be dissapointed, the simple reason is that I love Roxon & dislike Tenergy. All the Reviews I read about Tenergy make me feel Sick. Its not as good as Roxon. But as soon as I state my mind people think I have an alternative motive. Rubbers like Roxon Require a lot of training, but once you get used to them there is no turning back.

I have 2 identical blades, One has Hexer & the other Roxon. Lets just say that I prefer the Roxon hands down. That doesnt mean that the Hexer is No Good, Just that its not good for me. I could have gone on about its excellant control, and its super spin, Just like some of the reviewers on the other Forums, I could have even bagged it (or just not given it the Thumbs up), like the owner of another forum, but decieded to allow others to speak their mind.

People are missing out on the Power of Roxon. I'll make it easy - I have yet to be beaten by a player at my level (You all Claim C grade), that is using Tenergy. I have spoken to a few of my Sponsored players and they can feel the extra Spin, and Dip - its obvious I'm not good enough to see the differance's. I believe that rubbers like Hexer will be an excellant starting point for those that want to Join the Tensor Club. I've been using Tensors for 13 years now, and have no problems at all with Durability, Spin, Power or Control. Its just a matter a selecting the Right Blade and Rubber Thickness.

Silver · « **Reply #5 on:** November 17, 2009, 09:22:01 AM »

I'm going to go back to my EJing ways and grab some hexer/barracuda/revofire/coppa speed to try out.

priior · « **Reply #6 on:** November 17, 2009, 11:40:40 AM »

ive been playing with one side roxon 330 (BH), one side hexer (FH) for 4 weeks now.

coming from a 2 sided impulse speed background, the hexer blew me away... the roxon slightly disappointed me... at first.

4 weeks later,

i am _loving_ the roxon... but i'm realizing it required me to adjust my technique, fix my angles... and i still don't have it down 100% yet. BUT, with the correct stroke movement, the roxon delivers crazy spin.

the hexer is still a bit of a mystery to me.. sometimes, it delivers outstanding amount of spin, other times, less than the impulse speed would... it's intriguing... one thing;s for certain, with my level of play (not pro!) i land way more offensive shots on the table than i used to.

also, the hexer is a much nicer defensive rubber than the roxon. (at least at this point in my play) much easier to return the incoming spin than with the roxon.

another thing i noticed, being close to the table mostly it didnt hit me at first... but both rubbers _REALLY_ shine at close to mid distance (as opposed to close)

down sides:
roxon: if your (my) timing is slightly off, the ball's in the net. the roxon doesn't tolerate error (like the impulse speed used to)
hexer: much less feeling as the ball hits the rubber than the impulse speed used to give me.

RebornTTEvnglist · « **Reply #7 on:** November 18, 2009, 06:53:04 PM »

Quote from: Silver on November 17, 2009, 09:22:01 AM

I'm going to go back to my EJing ways and grab some hexer/barracuda/revofire/coppa speed to try out.

You mean there was a time you stopped YOUR EJ ways? Or yoou just went to someone ELSE's EJ ways for a while?

Silver · « **Reply #8 on:** November 19, 2009, 08:24:55 AM »

haha, yeah. I actually jumped sports for a while there...

pingpongrob · « **Reply #9 on:** November 19, 2009, 06:22:47 PM »

Quote from: Silver on November 19, 2009, 08:24:55 AM

haha, yeah. I actually jumped sports for a while there...

How much harder was the other sport, and was it possible to EJ.

Silver · « **Reply #10 on:** November 19, 2009, 10:00:30 PM »

squash. Not really easier or harder. I've got the basic shots ok I think. Mostly it just empathises my lack of fitness :P But at least I can beat my workmates! hehe.

Yes and no to EJing. I ditched my $70 8 year old graphite 180g racquet with really loose strings for a $100 noname 150g racquet that was surprisingly good (good power but easily maneuverable and good touch). Then 4 1/2 months later and a few loose strings, I ordered a $200 top of the line super fast titanium racquet (135g) with large holes in the frame and now it's still going strong. The strings are now noticeably looser than new though, but not time to get it restrung yet. I'm happy with that thing and having tried a few others I much prefer mine.

So basically I went from a cheapo heavy galaxy premade to a korbel with bryce to a schlager carbon with whatever superfast rubber you can think of... except it's super light and I can swing it very fast.

Luckily it's a bit different to tabletennis...

The majority of my current EJing is relegated to photography. You really don't want to know how much I've spent...

Luckily photo gear holds it's value better than tabletennis gear!

Silver · « **Reply #11 on:** November 21, 2009, 01:58:42 PM »

argh.
Can't decide what I should try first.
Barracuda, Coppa Speed, Revofire, Hexer?

Silver · « **Reply #12 on:** November 21, 2009, 02:25:21 PM »

Interestingly enough, Schoeler Micke dive the barracuda and hexer identical ratings.

pingpongrob · « **Reply #13 on:** November 21, 2009, 05:34:51 PM »

If You Liked Tenergy 05, then Hexer is for you to try first.

speedplay · « **Reply #14 on:** November 21, 2009, 06:48:46 PM »

Silver, try the Hexer and the Barracuda first! I need some one I can trust to give some accurate rating to these rubbers. From reviews, I've come to the conclusion that Barracuda is spinnier, but Hexer is faster as it has the extra gear that Barracuda seems to miss.

I would love to give either of these rubbers a go!

Silver · « **Reply #15 on:** November 24, 2009, 05:26:29 PM »

I've acquired another Rutis, so I'll be able to test barracuda side by side with hexer.

And t05.

Silver · « **Reply #16 on:** November 24, 2009, 05:42:35 PM »

Mmmmmmmmmm

I have two offcuts of Baracuda and Hexer, both black, both max thickness.
As far as I can tell, they're identical. Same sponge, same thickness in max, same topsheet thickness, same pimple geometry, same sponge hardness, same topsheet hardness, same topsheet grip and feel.

The orange porus sponge is very different to Bty's spring sponge. Much more rubbery and smells different.

pingpongrob · « **Reply #17 on:** November 24, 2009, 06:58:19 PM »

Quote from: Silver on November 24, 2009, 05:42:35 PM

Mmmmmmmmmm

I have two offcuts of Baracuda and Hexer, both black, both max thickness.
As far as I can tell, they're identical. Same sponge, same thickness in max, same topsheet thickness, same pimple geometry, same sponge hardness, same topsheet hardness, same topsheet grip and feel.

The orange porus sponge is very different to Bty's spring sponge. Much more rubbery and smells different.

The Hexer maximum is 2.1mm
The Baracuda Maximum is 2.3mm

Something is wrong here Silver !

Silver · « **Reply #18 on:** November 24, 2009, 07:45:28 PM »

I'll get my calipers...

Silver · « **Reply #19 on:** November 24, 2009, 10:25:40 PM »

mmm
I think that the baracuda is marginally thicker overall. The topsheets are the same thickness anyway. I'm starting to think that the physical difference between the two is 0.2mm sponge...

speedplay · « **Reply #20 on:** November 25, 2009, 08:15:56 AM »

Look forward to read about the (eventual) differences between them in action. I've heard that the Barracuda out spins everything there is, while the Hexer also is very spinny it can't quite compare, but on the other hand, the Hexer is supposed to have an extra speed gear, while Barracuda is simple slow with no higher gear to it...

Silver · « **Reply #21 on:** November 25, 2009, 11:17:13 PM »

Ok. Blades are 3 Rutis c's, 70.something, 73.6 and 74. something like that. Not much difference anyway. Two had brand new JP Gold Max on the backhand, the other had current sheet of JP Gold Max.
Barracuda max, Hexer max, T05 max, all black.

Comments:

-The Barracuda is faster than the Hexer.
-Hexer feels slightly harder.
-Both feel harder than the T05.
-Bottom end speed is probably a bit less than T05 as it springs a bit more.
-Mid speed is about the same.
-Both are faster than T05 at the top end. Not by much though.
-Neither can get close to T05 for spin in soft and hard impact.
-Neither throw as high as T05.
-Hexer threw lower than Barracuda.
-Barracuda felt like it had a bit more spring than Hexer.
-T05 arcs more than both.
-Barracuda probably arcs a tiny tiny bit more than Hexer.
-Both are harder than Roxon 450
-Barracuda was slightly heavier than Hexer
-Surprisingly T05 felt the lightest.

There's not much difference overall. Pretty much drag and drop replacements for each other. I sort of prefer T05 for 3rd balling but Barracuda and Hexer for rallying. Barracuda had a nicer feel overall than Hexer to me. Hexer felt 'difficult' to play with especially so since my touch is all out of whack. Reminded me of a better version of Roxon 500.

speedplay · « **Reply #22 on:** November 26, 2009, 01:37:20 AM »

Thanks for the great comparison, al though you hardly made it any easier for me to pick one of them

I'm still not sure if I will proceed with the Roxon 450, or if I'm going to give the Barracuda a go...

priior · « **Reply #23 on:** November 26, 2009, 10:48:11 AM »

the more i play with the hexer.. the more im realizing in fast play, the hexer imparts less spin than the roxon 330.

but it also has a higher throw angle (than the roxon 330) and is less susceptible to incoming spin, so more of the shots land on the table.

pingpongrob · « **Reply #24 on:** November 26, 2009, 03:22:19 PM »

The Roxon Series, although better than the Plasma Series (Control wise), still takes a while to get used to. Once mastered is Just Awesome.

Skippy · « **Reply #25 on:** December 16, 2009, 08:35:28 AM »

-Surprisingly T05 felt the lightest.

A guy at the club I play at gave me a sheet of T05 that he had extra laying around, and it's heavier than any Chinese rubber I have had on my blade. How is it possible that everyone is all the sudden making rubbers that are heavier than the blades? I believe you when you say that the Hexer, and Cuda are as heavy if not heavier than the T05 but man. I thought that was a huge drawback of the rubber, but it would seem everyone is beginning to make a heavier rubber.

Silver · « **Reply #26 on:** December 16, 2009, 10:04:58 AM »

I think the heavier rubbers is just a side effect of making the sponge faster.

Skippy · « **Reply #27 on:** December 16, 2009, 01:20:15 PM »

I kinda think the weight will be a big factor in them being able to make far more durable rubbers.

Silver · « **Reply #28 on:** December 16, 2009, 05:11:56 PM »

I don't. It's the topsheet that gets damaged, not the sponge.

I'm going to try Roxon450 on my Rutis tonight.

pingpongrob · « **Reply #29 on:** December 16, 2009, 10:16:45 PM »

Quote from: Silver on December 16, 2009, 05:11:56 PM

I don't. It's the topsheet that gets damaged, not the sponge.

I'm going to try Roxon450 on my Rutis tonight.

Silver, I just replaced a pair of Roxon 500's that have been used for 3 hours per day for 1 year, No these rubbers have serious wear marks arount the edges, but thats after a year of hacking by some basement player. I say that sometimes performace must be sacrificed with some wear, When I first stated using Roxon, I had some wear when I hit the Table for my aggressive pushed, but now this is nearly no existant, not sure if Andro has improved the Durability once again, or I'm just getting better. One think is for certain, Roxon's are much more Durable than Plasma's were for similar type of play.

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Author Topic: Donic Barracuda?/Andro Hexer? (Read 5905 times)