Andro Hexer Powergrip SFX

UPDATE from 09/2020: Still “THE spin-monster” with outstanding control !!! - the current overall assessment of this rubber is completely underrated. The Hexer Powergrip SFX can be found at the same spin level, as the Grip SFX. … and beyond that, both rubbers are also significantly faster than specified. I am constantly testing new (different) rubbers, but in the end, I have to keep stating that this rubber is simply excellent, definitely one of the best medium rubbers at all !!!

After a long test phase with various rubbers (see addendum at the end!), on various woods (Carbon, ALC, SZLC), I can finally finish my odyssey. In recent years, I have played no rubber that has produced so much rotation. (- maximum a Tenergy 05!) My black one, with 1.7mm sponge, weighs (“extra light” selected) 94g packed and 61g uncut (- normally it is about 5g heavier!).

Since 18 months now, I play (in the end again and again) the Powergrip SFX !!! … with a weight of 43g (156 x 150mm), on a stiff and hard ZLC blade with koto outerplies. In my opinion, the speed of the Powergrip SFX is only less higher than by the Grip SFX. But the spin of both is equally outstanding, as well as the control.

I had also tested the following comparable rubbers: ( - sorted by speed, in parenthesis the weight on my blade.)

1. Andro Rasanter R 42, 2mm (45g),
2. Gewo Nexxus EL Pro 43, 1.9 (41g)
3. Joola Rhyzm-Tech in 2mm (45g) and Andro Bluefire M2 in 2mm (45g),
4. the DHS Gold ARC 5 with 42.5° in 2mm (43g) or in max. (45g)

The 3 Andro rubbers deliver the most spin. The Gewo Nexxus, Joola Rhyzm-Tech, and the Gold ARC 5 produce about the same spin. … but together with the Butterfly Rozena and the Bluefire M2, they produce all less.

Conclusion: Ultimately, none of these rubbers generates so much rotation and has such outstanding control. ( - like both Hexer SFX rubber !!!) I can only recommend to anyone to try them.

I’m a Cpen player using a YEO7 blade and I’m currently using this rubber on the BH side. This rubber suits me pretty well. Since I’m self-teaching, my technique is not very developed. Still, I’m able to make good quality shots. Topspin and looping are easy. Due to its medium-soft texture, you can perfectly feel the ball and place it wherever you want. Blocking is automatic. Making flicks is a little bit difficult because you need to have good acceleration and feeling; otherwise, the rubber may feel like it lacks power. But in a close-medium distance to the table, it’s a wonder. You can generate tons of spin with fair speed. Although it’s not a fast rubber, you still have plenty of power to make killer shots. The transition from defensive to offensive game is not complicated thanks to the control and confidence this rubber provides.

If you are looking for a rubber with plenty of control and enough power to win the point or a rubber to develop your technique confidently, you can’t go wrong with this one.

I do not recommend this rubber for playing far from the table unless you have a pretty good technique or a high-speed blade. Otherwise, it won’t generate enough power to complicate your rival, and they can easily block or counter your shot.

Andro HP SFX rubber excels in blocking, looping, and receiving. However, it has a slightly slower pace than the R47 rubber. When paired with a Hinoki/ZLC blade, it provides excellent responsiveness and user-friendliness on the forehand side.

A little faster than Hexer Grip SFX, but the spin is almost the same. It has a good weight, and the control is really good.

Review

I am a right-handed player with an offensive style. I use a Yinhe Galaxy T8-s blade.

For my forehand, I use AHPGsfx rubber, and for my backhand, I use R47 rubber. This setup has worked very well for me.

The AHPGsfx rubber has excellent spin and control. While speed is not my main concern, the rubber does provide enough speed for my blade. I can consistently return short and long balls with perfect direction, and I also have great control for chopping and blocking.

The price of this rubber is reasonable compared to other brands.

Overall, I am very impressed with this rubber. It is a great value and has helped me improve my game.

Keep moving!

This rubber falls between the Hexer Grip SFX and the regular Hexer Grip. It offers slightly more speed than the Grip SFX while maintaining a similar amount of grip and control, though slightly less.

I feel it lacks a bit of power to really kill balls (compared to most modern, harder tensor rubbers at least) due to the softer sponge and topsheet. I think this is a great rubber for players who focus on a controlled, spin-based game.

It is very good for spinning and blocking. I can block any smashing and topspin balls from my partners more than 80%. When I make backspin, they cannot lift from the net as usual.

My first impression after I put APGSfx on my Carbonado 245 blade was that it was a little bit heavy. I was paired with Yasaka Valmo on the backhand wing, approximately 189 gr.

Well, if it’s really heavy, what do I want to say? This morning I played close to the table and WOW! Amazing, blocking is very nice, counter attack is powerful, smash is hardy fast, spin is very easy and really magic. I got extra spin feeling.

I judge it is more powerful than T05 hard, and I would give it a 95 for speed and 97 for spin, with a control of 10. Please do not miss to try it.

I used the Hexer Powergrip SFX last season (2023/24) after not playing since the so-called Covid pandemic. I wanted a rubber that provided good grip for spin generation, and the Hexer PG SFX proved perfect.

After playing with it for a season, I decided to try newer hybrid rubbers. I tested many club members’ bats to find one that could generate more spin. Despite some rubbers having higher spin ratings on Revspin, I was disappointed to find that I could not generate as much spin as with my Hexer Powergrip SFX.

Joola Tronnix, Tibhar MK, Andro Rasanter R42/R47, and Gewo Nexxus were all excellent rubbers to play with. However, the Andro Hexer Power SFX provided just that little bit extra grip and spin.

After extensive testing, I will be using the Hexer Powergrip SFX on my backhand again next season due to its exceptional spin-generating capabilities.

On my forehand, where I play as a heavy hitter, I noticed that the rubber was not as durable and had deteriorated after heavy use. I preferred some other rubbers I tried due to their combination of speed, power, and spin.

If you are looking for a spin-beast that outperforms its Revspin rating, the Andro Hexer Powergrip SFX was a revelation for me and my game. It’s possible that my technique is particularly suited to this rubber, but I highly recommend it for its fantastic spin and good power combination.