Friendship/729 Aurora

I’m sorry, but the provided text does not contain information on where to buy the rubber. Therefore, I cannot answer your question.

I ordered this rubber based on reviews I found here and because it seemed to fit my playing style. However, it turned out to be a huge disappointment.

After only about 2 hours of play, some huge blisters started to form on the FH rubber and some smaller blisters on the BH. The rubber was separating from the sandwich. Now when I start peeling at the edge, it’s clear that the rubber is loosely attached to the sandwich.

It’s too bad because it seemed like a good rubber, but I’m not ordering it again.

Wonderful backhand rubber. It is both spinny and fast. You can end the point with a magical loop or a shot.

This is a specialist rubber for players who know what they want, not for beginners to learn BH chopping with. I would not recommend this for any over-the-table chopping game. The closer to the net, the worse this fast and furious rocket launcher gets.

I would recommend Super FX 1.5mm for an all-round BH game or Sanwei Gears or any general-purpose rubber for the new TT player. This is a specialist rubber for specialist players, and they are the players that give such high marks to this rubber. Just thought someone should say that, or we will get the wrong type of players spending their money on it.

Went from Yasaka Rising Dragon to this rubber on a DHS PG-7 blade. Played a couple of hours yesterday, and it took several games to get used to the lower throw and faster speed. My loops were going into the net, and drives off the table. Towards the end, though, I was starting to find the range with good speed and spin.

Control is very good as well. Looks like this rubber is a keeper, and for less than half the price of YRD.

Update: After a couple of months of use, I have come to really like this rubber. It’s insensitive to incoming spin, powerful, and accurate. Starting to show some signs of wear, but still plays well.

Offensive Rubber with a Bite

This attacking rubber grips the ball like a pitbull and launches it with ferocious speed. In my opinion, it outperforms the H3 Neo. I tested it in 2.2 mm, which felt more like 2.5 mm, and 42 degrees, which resembled 40 degrees.

It maintains control in close play and catapults when you push forward into the ball. It’s potentially the budget-friendly version of the BTY T05.

While this rubber performs well with robotic play, it offers limited opportunities for creativity, as it encourages continuous attacking play.

Incredible backhand (BH) rubber. Also very good play on forehand (FH).

Good rubber in terms of speed and spin for such a low price. Looping is a bit hard since it is medium-grippy rubber. Blocking and smashing are easy. Can be used for FH and BH.

This is a good backhand rubber with great performance.

However, the durability is an issue. It becomes worn quickly and always peels off, regardless of the type of glue used. This indicates poor quality control.

The top sheet is slightly hard, but the sponge grips the ball easily. Despite its low price, the speed is outstanding. It’s slightly tacky, which provides a good balance between spin and control.

I have the black 42 deg rubber, which weighs around 66g uncut. I used it on BTY Primorac Carbon and now I have it on T-11+.

This rubber is too soft for my FH playing style. It’s fine for my BH, however, I still prefer it to be 12% stiffer. The manufacturer designed this rubber as a BH rubber, and I strongly agree.

It is very fast and springy, and can generate very fast BH strokes. It has good spin and is good for brush strokes, but it is too soft for blocking, BH punching, and smashing even though I am using it on a fairly stiff blade. I like the non-tacky surface similar to European/Jap rubbers. Chopping is so-so. The throw is medium low, better for BH than FH.

Too bad you cannot get it in 46 deg hardness and 2.0mm, which would be my ideal BH rubber. Because of the softness, I want to try a different rubber next time. Still, for the price (around $19 shipped), it’s a good deal as a BH rubber.

Bought the BLACK 40 degree sponge 2.0mm top sheet for $19 on 12/5/14. Used this on a T11+ blade.

It provides good bounce (7 ball bounces from 5 inch height), a medium throw angle, a non-tacky surface, yet still makes it as spinny as the H3 I used. It is very fast on the blade and offers great control compared to Galaxy YinHe Moon. Recommended for FH topspin loop. It is also great for BH block and flick, as it is very fast and provides many gears.

I would buy Aurora over Moon any day.

Highly recommended.

UPDATE: 3/9/2015

The rubber still performs very nicely as a BH rubber and plays like new. I use it as FH on volleys.

I changed my FH from Moon to Sanwei T88-I, but I am not happy with it yet.

I will update again if my opinion changes.

Very nice rubber for both forehand (FH) and backhand (BH). I use it on an Innerforce ALC blade.

Here is a comparison to a rubber in the same price range: KTL Red Diamond Mechanical
http://www.tabletennisdb.com/rubber/ktl-red-diamond-mechanical.html

729 Aurora is arguably the most affordable rubber with exceptional performance for players who prefer catapult-effect style Euro/Japanese rubbers. Friendship has now ascended to the “Champions League group stage” of table tennis rubbers. (Anticipate more with Friendship 729 Battle!)

Contrary to the product description, Aurora’s click sound is not particularly high. In fact, it’s not loud at all. Previous reviews have accurately summarized Aurora’s strengths. Its price-to-performance ratio is astonishing.

If brand recognition is not a concern and you’re a budget-conscious amateur player with an aggressive attack style, consider giving this formidable rubber a try. It excels as both a forehand and backhand rubber. Kudos to 729!

This rubber is good for forehand (FH) play. It is suitable for quick attack, looping, and hitting styles.

Glued on, Bty Chinese Ulc. Definitely better vs Focus III Snipe. Compares very well to Boost TX/Magna TX II at less than half the cost. A tensor rubber at $18, great job 729.

I think the sponge is very soft, feeling 35°.

Nice and amazing tensor rubber currently produced by 729. It offers great value for your money (very affordable) and is definitely worth a try. (Currently using Viscaria FL.) I will provide further updates on its performance and durability in the future.

Red (42 deg)

• Uncut mass: 66g
• Also available in 40 deg

729 Aurora (42 deg) RED

A consistent backhand rubber with medium throw and low spin sensitivity.

• Similar spin and attack speed to Acuda S2, but slightly less grip and lower throw
• Excellent block, comparable to or better than Acuda S2
• Sponge effectively eliminates incoming spin
• Precise opening loops with good feedback
• Hardness and dwell time closer to Acuda S1
• Less catapult effect than Acuda, but better controlled
• Needs time to regain its performance

Performance (Untuned)

Top speed: 9/10
Throw: 5/6
Spin (opening loop, serve): 8/9
Spin (powerloop): 8/8
Spin insensitivity: 9/10
Hardness: 6/6
Block: 9/10
Versatile: 9/10

Performance (Tuned)

Compared to Acuda S2/S1

• Top speed: 9/10/9/10
• Throw: 6/6/6/7
• Spin (opening loop, serve): 9/9/9/9
• Spin (powerloop): 8/8/7/9
• Spin insensitivity: 10/8/8/8
• Hardness: 6/5/6
• Block: 10/9/9/8
• Versatile: 10/9/9/8

Black (42 deg)

• Same uncut mass: 66g
• Softer topsheet, better grip, higher throw
• Harder red topsheet may require softer sponge or oil treatment

Other Notes

• Durability: Excellent, no visible wear or damage after two months of usage
• Similar hardness to Focus III Snipe 46
• Easier opening loop with higher spin than Focus III Snipe 46, but lower top speed without tuning