Andro Hexer Grip SFX
Rubber description:
Overview
The Andro Hexer Grip SFX is a tensor rubber characterized by its 40-degree sponge hardness, offering a soft-to-medium feel. It is widely recognized for prioritizing control, consistency, and a high degree of precision in ball placement. Designed with a balanced dynamic, it features a moderate catapult effect that avoids the excessive bounciness found in some other tensor rubbers, making it a reliable choice for all-around and attacking playstyles.
Performance Characteristics
- Spin and Grip: This rubber is noted for being quite grippy, capable of generating significant spin on serves, loops, and pushes. Players often describe it as a “spin monster” that performs well with the modern ABS ball, providing a nice arc that curves down late on the opponent’s side of the table.
- Control and Feel: The standout feature is its superb control. The rubber is forgiving, allowing for high consistency in blocks, drives, and short-game touch play. It offers good feedback, with many users reporting a satisfying “clicky” sound and a light overall weight.
- Speed and Dynamics: While it is not categorized as the fastest high-end tensor on the market, it possesses sufficient power for effective attacking. Because the sponge is not overly bouncy, players find it easy to manage gears, allowing for effective acceleration and deceleration during rallies.
- Throw Angle: Opinions on the throw angle vary from medium-high to high; while it facilitates lifting underspin, players should be aware that the trajectory may require adjustment depending on individual technique.
Practical Considerations
- Durability: Feedback regarding durability is mixed. While some users find the rubber robust, several reports highlight a potential susceptibility to edge damage if the rubber impacts the table, with instances of chipping or cracking in the topsheet and sponge.
- Application: It is frequently cited as an ideal choice for the backhand, though it is also highly capable on the forehand for players who prefer a softer feel or more control-oriented game. It is well-suited for intermediate players or those transitioning from basic rubbers, offering a professional-level sensation without being overly demanding.
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Recent Reviews
#1 — November 2024
Good control rubber. It returns the ball well and has gears so it can accelerate/decelerate well. More power than I was anticipating but less spin.
#2 — January 2023
As an intermediate-level amateur player, I favor an all-around style close to the table and at mid-distance.
My current setup consists of a Nittaku Piecea (5-ply hinoki woods) blade with Nittaku Sieger PK 50 (2.0) on my forehand and Andro Hexer Grip SFX (1.9) on my backhand.
The Andro Hexer Grip SFX is an exceptional rubber with a moderate hardness. It provides excellent spin and a moderate catapult effect. While its speed and sensitivity to incoming rotation are average, its control is noteworthy. However, it requires some playing time to acclimate to its characteristics.
Compared to the Rakza 7 Soft, which shares similarities with the Grip SFX, the Grip SFX exhibits slightly lower control and throw angle. However, it generates more challenging strokes that can be difficult for opponents to handle.
Based on my experience, I highly recommend this rubber. I use it on my backhand and am exceedingly pleased with its performance.
In summary, my ratings for the Andro Hexer Grip SFX (on a scale of 1 to 10) are as follows:
Speed: 8.5
Spin: 9.3
Control: 9.0
#3 — January 2023
I have adjusted my ratings!
Update from 06/2020: I have finally found it: the spin monster with outstanding control! (Weight: “light” selected, black, 1.7 mm, packed 90 g and 58 g uncut; 43 g on my OFF+ blade. (150 x 156 mm))
After a 4-month test phase with various rubbers on various blades (carbon, ALC, Super ZLC), I can finally end my odyssey! In recent years, I have not played with any rubber that has produced so much rotation. (- And that included a Tenergy 05 FX, among others!) Due to the introduction of the ABS ball, I was looking for a new forehand rubber that would give the ABS ball the rotation I was used to.
So far, I have mostly played with rubbers with a sponge hardness of max. 42.5 degrees around 2 mm thickness. By the way, I have opted for a harder, stiffer, and faster blade. (Jun Mizutani Super ZLC replica.) In combination with the HEXER Grip SFX (which has only a 40° hard sponge and a tight upper rubber), with this harder blade, I now have a similarly wonderful game feeling as before! (- I previously played a Timo Boll ALC with the Joola Rhyzm-Tech in 2 mm.) I play this rubber in 1.7 mm thickness on a Super ZLC blade on my forehand, and I’m simply thrilled!
Conclusion: This new SFX version with its 40° sponge plays amazingly direct and pleasantly and is undoubtedly suitable for the backhand as well as the forehand. Whether in active or passive play, every game situation (including service) can be mastered with great certainty.
Yesterday, while training with this wonderful new rubber, I was very surprised. My opponent could not return my service. When I played the old Hexer Grip (which is much harder, … but slower!) on a Sanwei King Kong 2 (carbon blade), almost all my services came back!
- I can only recommend to anyone to try this rubber!
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