DHS Skyline 2 Neo TG2
Rubber description:
This is a sticky (tacky) Chinese table tennis rubber featuring a factory-tuned sponge. It is designed primarily for offensive play, requiring active, full-body swings to unlock its full potential.
Playing Characteristics
- Spin and Dwell Time: This rubber excels at generating high levels of spin, particularly on serves and brush loops. The tacky topsheet provides excellent grip on the ball, facilitating heavy topspin, though the tackiness may slightly diminish with extended use while maintaining high spin performance.
- Speed and Power: The rubber is not inherently bouncy; it is linear, meaning the speed is directly proportional to the force applied by the player. It is generally considered to have moderate speed, requiring a full, aggressive stroke to produce significant pace. It performs best for players who generate their own power.
- Control and Throw Angle: While the throw angle is typically described as medium, it can feel higher when the rubber is new or during high-arc brush loops. It provides high control in the short game and on blocks, though it requires precise technique. Because it is a hard-sponge Chinese rubber, it is generally less forgiving of lazy strokes or passive play compared to European or Japanese tensor rubbers.
Usage and Maintenance
- Break-in Period: The rubber typically feels “dead” or sluggish out of the packaging. It requires a break-in period of several hours of play to reach its optimal lively and bouncy state.
- Style Recommendations: It is best suited for offensive players with solid technique who prefer close-to-table or mid-distance looping. Because of its weight and the physical demand required to engage the sponge, it is often preferred as a forehand rubber, though some skilled players utilize it on the backhand.
- Maintenance: The tacky surface is highly susceptible to dust and lint, requiring regular cleaning. Using a foam cleaner and a soft tool to remove residue is recommended to maintain its grip. The rubber is known for its durability, often maintaining its playing characteristics over long periods.
Submit a Review
Recent Reviews
#1 — June 2024
After playing with this rubber on my forehand for around 2 months (2.15 black, 39 degrees unboosted on a Yasaka Silverline Allwood), I can confidently say that it can compete with H3 and even surpass it in some aspects.
The tackiness, spin, speed, and control are all similar, if not slightly better, than H3. Although the difference is not significant, this rubber performs exceptionally well in blocking, looping, forehand flicks, counterloops from a distance, and counter-topspins. The spin it produces is lethal, surprising many of my training partners with its effect.
The speed suits my muscular playstyle, allowing me to adjust the pace of the game as needed. Control is also excellent, enabling me to place the ball accurately in corners and to my opponents’ middle.
However, like most tacky Chinese rubbers, it requires regular maintenance. Wiping the rubber with your breath and forearm every 5-8 points is necessary to maintain its tackiness as it easily accumulates dust. When cleaning, a drop of water wiped down with a sponge is sufficient and may even enhance its performance compared to using rubber cleaner.
#2 — June 2024
I use this rubber on forehand on Stiga Allaround (wood) NCT (5 plies) - C. Penhold (RPB). It has an orange sponge. The top sheet looks very different from H3 Neo, and the whole package works a little differently from other similar Chinese rubbers.
I just bought it and used it for a bit. This rubber creates a lot of spin and if the body is used properly there is a powerful combo with a lot of speed and control. It is recommended for flexible blades, but mine is at the middle and still works well.
I know there are many illusions in TT, but a cheap rubber can play the same or even better than expensive ones and can be durable too. I like this rubber for its very good control (+spin), which is what I looked for. I think it plays very well in short games.
Edit: If you do not use your whole arm, you will look like a noob and you will not have success. This is made for loopers, like In Pai style, Chinese style. It is made for players like Xu Xin. You have to put your arm far back of the body before the stroke of the ball. Or you have to swing really fast for this beauty to shine. You do not need a booster unless you are very lazy. I do not use a booster and I have not used one so far. My FH rubbers usually were Chinese rubbers like H3 Neo, Friendship Super FX, Palio AK47 Blue, PF4, and you have to play a while (20-30 hours) for all of this to break in.
This rubber is very good on smashes and works on less flexible blades - this is the difference of TB2 Neo and other Chinese rubbers that I used. It has a great feeling on wood blades and looks very durable. Orange sponge-black sheet-max.
#3 — April 2023
Looping
- On loop kills, it has a lower arc than Hurricane 3 NEO.
- It has a higher arc when replay brushing and loading up.
Spin
- It provides the same or more spin on 5 or 7 plies and is faster than Hurricane 3 NEO on composite blades.
Serves, Receives, and Openings
- It produces a lower arc, making it safer, but creates more pressure on opponents than Hurricane.
- It is easier to open with loop kills than with Hurricane 3 NEO.
Blocking
- It is easier to block with than Hurricane, with a more direct and less reactive topsheet when being passive on opponents’ loops.
Counterlooping
- It is slightly less impressive in comparison to Hurricane 3 NEO but still performs well. It can lose spin and bottom out more than Hurricane 3 NEO.
Flipping
- It is a bit harder to execute effectively.
Compatibility
- It works well in tandem with flexible and hard/soft blades, depending on the player’s preferences.
Other Observations
- It has a tendency to clip the net more than other Chinese rubbers but still generates a significant amount of spin.
Overall Impression
- It is worth the money and works well for both backhand and forehand players.
- It plays well unboosted or boosted.
Get Notified of New Equipment and Reviews
༼ つ ◕_◕ ༽つ No spam or other useless stuff. We plan to send out some newsletters from time to time with the latest reviews and project updates. Feel free to unsubscribe at any time.