Donic BlueStar A2

Review

Initial Impressions (06/24):

• DOTZ test reveals exceptional rotation-generating potential with minimal wrist action.
• Concerns about incoming spin sensitivity.

Playtesting on Huieson ZLC (28/6/24):

• Outstanding spin on serves, surpassing previous rubbers.
• Higher catapult and speed compared to Dignics 09c, leading to discomfort for the tester.
• Good control overall.
• Sensitivity to incoming spin confirmed.

Playtesting on Stiga Nobilis ZLC Hinoki (2/7/24):

• Softer feel of 50° sponge on stiffer blade.
• Reduced control compared to previous setup.
• Increased aggression required to maintain control.
• Improved performance for aggressive over-the-table play due to catapult, speed, and grip.

Conclusion:
Further testing is planned on Sanwei 75 ALC Inner before providing a comprehensive conclusion.

Donic Bluefire M3 Review

The Donic Bluefire M3 is an excellent rubber for the backhand side of a table tennis blade. When compared to Dignics 80, it is slightly slower but offers significantly higher control.

The Bluefire M3 excels in short game situations and is much easier to use for opening loops than the Dignics 80.

However, the rubber’s play in the second zone could be improved by making it stiffer. This is not a significant issue and can be overcome with the right technique.

Overall, the Donic Bluefire M3 is a highly recommended rubber for ambitious players.

Review of Donic Bluestar A1 and A2 Table Tennis Rubbers

I have been using the Donic Bluestar A1 rubber on my forehand for the past three months. It has excellent control and makes looping very easy. I am considering trying the Bluestar A2 rubber on my backhand, but I am currently still using the Acuda S2, which is also a very good rubber.

Nice mildly tacky and very grippy topsheet, but I found the rubber quite dead and slow. Two thin layers of Falco Platinium Booster brought it to life, but I wouldn’t normally expect to have to boost a hybrid-type rubber.

The Donic BlueStar A2 is a fantastic rubber from Donic. It is a modern hybrid rubber. The surface is slightly sticky and the sponge is fine-pored and very dynamic.

There are a few benefits for the Bluestar rubbers, if you know how to use them properly. They have a high trajectory when playing topspins. The A2 is quite controlled and not so fast when playing over the table short-short or flicks. But once you start swinging, the sponge will deliver a pronounced catapult-effect and high speed for your strokes. You can also put a lot of spin on topspins because of the very grippy surface.

The A2 is slightly softer than the A1 coming in at 50-degree sponge hardness. I think the A2 is more suitable than the A1 for most non-professional players. Overall it’s a premium, modern hybrid rubber and in my opinion the A2 has an optimal sponge hardness for playing a modern active, topspin game.

Once the rubber breaks in, it produces fast topspins and the ball kicks off the table. You need to make a brushing contact and the rubber does the magic. It has lasted me 4 months so far. The rubber is not jumpy either, very consistent and excellent for forehand.

This rubber made me disappointed. No spin, no speed. It looks like a very ordinary recreational racket. I’ve played with Acuda S1 Turbo for many years. Acuda is an amazing rubber. But this Donic rubber doesn’t worth it at all.

A little slow, but very spinny.