Friendship/729 Dragon-F

Regarding the rubber, the speed is indicated as 7.8. However, I would rate its speed closer to 8.8, making it faster than Yinhe Big Deeper and comparable to Xiom Vega X, with a speed value between 8.8 and 8.9.

The tires are excellent, offering good value for their price. I initially used them on the DHS Fang Bo B2X base, but they performed better on the Butterfly Viscaria.

I also have a 729 Dragon F Medium. Its hardness is around 52 degrees (relative to tensors), sponge thickness is 2.1 mm, and it does not catapult. It provides powerful revs and is enjoyable to play with. The boost enhances its performance. I use it for forehand, though the manufacturer suggests it can be used for backhand as well. However, backhand play requires better technical skills. It generates a good arc.

Despite the soft top-sheet, the sponge gives it a solid feel when playing.

Review:

Used with various blades from defensive to offensive without boosting. For short-to-short shots, an active approach is required to prevent the ball from falling into the net. Topspin with slower blades is challenging due to the rubber’s closed angle, resulting in edge hitting. Slow topspins with heavy rotation are also difficult.

The rubber excels at attacking shots, offering good speed and control.

However, the overall performance was disappointing, leading to frustration. After boosting the rubber, its performance improved to an average level.

Compared to the Battle series, this rubber is not recommended. While it is affordable, it requires boosting to perform effectively.

Comprata per via del prezzo molto basso. L’ho montata sul mio DHS 301 su entrambi i lati. Ottima gomma secondo me. Appiccicosa e abbastanza rimbalzante. Come tutte le gomme cinesi ha bisogno di essere boosterizzata con almeno 2 mani. Ottimo controllo, puoi mettere la palla esattamente dove vuoi se hai buona tecnica. Non puoi avere velocità da queste gomme se non colpisci alla perfezione ma se lo fai avrai una traiettoria bassa e ricca di spin. Qualche dubbio sulla durata ma il topsheet non sembra fragile come su altre cinesi. Da provare senza dubbio.

Played this Dragon pro F medium-hard for 1 month. I can tell it is definitely a Battle 2 clone with less speed (~80% of Battle 2) and more control.

Loop & topspin are very safe & accurate, but quite predictable since the speed is somewhat mediocre.

When you flat hit, it doesn’t produce a loud sound unlike Battle 2’s loud crack sound.

Overall, it’s a good rubber for $15. 729 has a tradition of renaming their rubbers…

Mid-Hard RED

• Uncut weight: 68g (165x165mm)
• In my opinion, this manufacturer offers their old rubbers, repackaged under a new name.
• Even though they put a slightly better sponge under it, the red topsheet is too hard and inflexible for combinative play.
• Similar to Battle II, the black rubber is good, but the red one is bad quality.

Observation:

• Based on the manufacturer’s photos, I assumed it was a thin and soft topsheet.
• In the cross-section photo, the topsheet appears thin, but this is not true. In reality, it is much thicker than the height of the pips.

Conclusion:
Due to the aforementioned issues, I will not be purchasing from this manufacturer again.