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Sticky 88 reviews
This rubber is like an affordable Sriver Fx.
Awesome rubber…
Non-tacky Chinese rubber by Friendship, feels similar to G-1.
Review
I have been playing with this rubber for over 3 months. I chose it based on the ratings on revspin. I wanted light rubbers to reduce the overall weight of my paddle. The rubber met my expectations as I returned to playing after a long hiatus from the sport. The rubber’s strength lies in its control.
Pros:
I have one paddle with 44 hardness rubbers on both sides and another with 42 hardness rubbers on both sides. The primary difference between the two is that loops (both wings) against backspin are easier with the 44 hardness rubbers, likely due to the ball biting into the sponge more effectively.
Cons:
This is a call to everyone who thinks they have to rate something (especially speed, spin or control) and use the maximum rating of 10. The rating 10 stands for the maximum possible !!! - and something like that will only be sold to you by a dealer who lies to you in order to sell his goods.
…
AND, please do not enter any ratings in the tables without having written a report !!! - with that you are helping “nobody”. Please everyone think about it!
Now my REVIEW:
Attention: this rubber is since a short time with 42, 44 and 46 degree sponge hardness available !!!
Many years ago I bought this rubber in the 42 degree version, with 2.1 mm sponge (in China) for my FH. For its very low price, I thought it was really, really good. … but ended up putting it back “in the corner†. - Why? Too little spin !!! A few years later, I was looking for a light and cheap BH rubber and realized that 2.1 mm was too fast for me, so I ordered it (from “TTDD” for 16 Euro) in 42 degree version with 1,8 mm. At first I was disappointed that it was a lot heavier, but I was able to say, that I had made the right choice. This rubber has currently replaced my 61 Second Eagle (… specified with 36 degree sponge, in 2.2 mm thickness, … on my Stuor Nobilis ZLC Hinoki). I simply have more speed (or better more catapult) with the F3 Snipe for the half-distance by the same good control and comparable arc.
Conclusion: Good quality for a low price, … now inclusive 3 sponge options !!!.
Focus III Snipe Black 2.1mm H42
I recently acquired a sheet of Focus III Snipe Black in 2.1mm H42. It features an exceptionally soft sponge, making it the most pliable version of this rubber. When compared to DHS TinArc 3 Black 2.0mm H35 that I previously used on my backhand, it exhibits slightly more speed. It also offers greater ease in generating topspin than the TinArc 3. However, I am still fine-tuning my techniques for chopping and pushing. If care is not taken, the ball can easily be propelled too high when pushing. It feels more sensitive to spin compared to the TinArc 3.
Extended Usage Update (191231)
After half a year of using this rubber across various hardness levels, I have developed a deep appreciation for its qualities. The blocking capabilities are commendable, and backspin serves are particularly effective despite its relatively low tackiness. Executing backhand topspins requires a complete stroke, as this is not a tensor rubber. Its sponge is linear, yet springy, and the top sheet remains soft.
For those curious about its suitability for forehand play, it is a viable option. It excels in controlled looping if that is your preferred style. While it lacks the catapult effect of rubbers like DHS Hurricane/Skyline NEO or Yinhe Big Dipper/Saturn/Apollo, it offers exceptional control. Opting for a hardness of 44-46 is recommended for the forehand if looping is your primary focus. It is also an excellent choice for beginners.
Within my club, many players have switched from Stiga Boost TC to this rubber with positive results. I personally play approximately 8-10 hours per week, and after four months, I had to replace the backhand sheet. Notably, it is incredibly lightweight, with weight cuttings as follows: H46: 41g, H44: 42-45g, H42: 39-44g.
Not as good in spin, this rubber is average in all characteristics.
Similar to Yasaka Mark V, but at a more affordable price point.
Focus 3 Snipe Rubber Review
The Focus 3 Snipe rubber is a versatile choice for players below 1600 points in amateur leagues. It offers a wide range of capabilities, including fast speed when needed, slow speed for control, and excellent spin. Despite its high quality, it is very affordable.
Compared to other popular rubbers, the F3S is similar to Sriver or Mark V in terms of its all-around playability. However, it does not quite reach the level of the T05. When boosted with Falco, the F3S becomes significantly faster and produces a quiet click sound.
Switching from Battle2 to F3S, players will notice a lighter feel, increased speed, and more precision in attacking shots. The rubber also provides sufficient spin on serves.
Compared to the Aurora rubber, the F3S is more versatile and consistent. Despite not being much slower, it offers a broader range of playstyles. It also handles the Stiga Perform polyball without difficulty.
Review:
I purchased four sheets of rubber in 2.1mm thickness.
Red Rubbers:
The red rubbers exhibited poor durability, tearing easily and presenting difficulties during cutting due to their fragile edges.
Black Rubbers:
In contrast, the black rubbers lacked these issues.
Playing Characteristics:
The rubber plays similarly to a Japanese or European rubber with a slight tackiness. It provides good control near the table and generates significant spin on serves with proper arm movement. It also excels in topspin and drives. The sound produced on wooden blades is a distinctive click.
Value for Money:
Considering the price, the rubber offers good value. It performs effectively on both forehand (FH) and backhand (BH).
After a few months, I could not adapt to this rubber. I like the sponge, but the rubber is strange, not that soft and with no dwell. I ordered Kokutaku Blutenkirsche 868 Tokyo instead.
729 Focus III Snipe Table Tennis Rubber Review
The 729 Focus III Snipe is an excellent table tennis rubber suited for European-style play. It offers a well-balanced combination of spin, speed, and control.
Spin and speed are moderate, allowing for precise and consistent shots. However, the rubber’s standout feature is its exceptional control, making it easy to handle incoming serves and execute effective blocks. The weight of the rubber is remarkably light, providing excellent maneuverability.
The Focus III Snipe is highly recommended for players of all levels, particularly beginners and those seeking to improve their backhand play. Its affordable price further enhances its appeal.
Lightweight, fragile, and not tacky. This rubber has a Euro tensor feel. It’s a cheap and good entry-level rubber. I use it for training. When I have the skill, I will change to other expensive tensor rubbers for more speed and spin.
Good forehand rubber.
Provides a feeling and performance very similar to classic Euro tensors. It has a bit more hardness on the sponge, which I found appealing. The rubber sounds absolutely glorious on power drives and rockets the ball to the other side.
It’s not too easy to loop with and not suitable for chopping.
On a Stiga Allround Classic and in max thickness, this rubber provides a very easy-to-use custom set-up. While not fast, it has excellent feeling and control, both for shot placement and when controlling opponent’s shots. It also performs well on basic strokes. This, along with the fact that it gets better with improving technique, makes it very good for players learning the game. Strong points include controlled blocking and a superb, easy serve receive. It makes a fantastic first rubber while also being very cheap and light.
Players who play a more advanced style such as power-looping and technical service will probably want more spin and speed, especially when looping away from the table. Lifting heavy backspin needs a good technique, although this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I found that it’s better-suited as a backhand rubber partly due to the soft sponge.
Focus 3 Snipe exceeded my expectations of a medium-quality cheap rubber and impressed me by its durability and little cleaning needed over the six months I used it (probably about 80 hours). All in all, I’d recommend it as a can’t-go-wrong first rubber or as a cheap rubber for relaxed club players. Enjoy your TT!
Update 2:
After two months of play, I am very impressed with the rubber. I have never played with a rubber for so long that is not a Rakaza, Acuda, etc. After two months of regular play, it plays just as new. I used it on forehand on BTY Viscaria and Donic ultracarbon senso blades.
Update 1:
Reviews given on this rubber are by very experienced and knowledgeable players. I totally agree with them. This rubber is truly amazing. Use it on off- and higher-rated blades to utilize all of its gears. I will use this for an upcoming tournament. Thanks.
Nice rubber. It’s not personally my type because I prefer tacky Chinese rubbers, and this is definitely a Japanese-style rubber. That being said, after having a few hits with it, I don’t mind it as much now. It definitely does what it does well.
I’m using this rubber on a Yinhe T 11+. I used this rubber 2 years ago and quit on it because I thought it wasn’t spinny enough. I’ve tried Tenergy 80, 05Fx, Andro RAsant, DHS HUrricane 3-50, Donic Coppa, and short pips. I now realize that the SNipe is the perfect rubber for certain types of players.
WHY SNipe: I’m a close-to-table blocker, I try to mix in some counters and 3rd ball attacks, but I usually stay close to the table. After trying all those other rubbers I found that on my forehand the control on the SNipe was the best out of all those rubbers for returning serve and best for counters keeping the ball on the table with good speed. The Hurricane was probably second best for control on the table in the short game. So why would I choose SNipe over H3-50? Cost and the weight. SNipe is much lighter which is important for a close-to-table blocker. Between the Balsa blade and SNipe I have a really light setup that still has above average speed.
Who should use SNipe?: The 3 main reasons to use SNipe 3 are:
I slightly boosted my SNipe…2 layers and use it on an Off+ blade so this review is only on the Yinhe T 11+. Choosing a rubber is all about style of play. I play better with SNipe than an $80 sheet of Tenergy. I’m not saying SNipe is better but for my game and style it wins me more points.
I have used this rubber for my training sessions as suggested by my coach. I found that this rubber suited my FH better than my BH. It is much easier to control my loop stroke with this rubber. However, the speed is quite slow because of the soft sponge.
Tried 1.5 and 1.8 as BH rubber on 729 f1 blade. It has a fragile top sheet, but the sponge is resilient, which makes it lightweight. It’s very predictable even when 6 months old, good for pushes, chops, and topspin loops, blocks, and especially good at flicks.
In 1.8mm, it’s also good at punch blocks and smashes too. In 1.5, it takes a bit too much effort. 1.8 allows play a bit further away from the table but is still very good at chops and offers good control. The throw is lowish, especially the 1.5mm sponge version. There is no choice of sponge hardness in 1.5 and 1.8mm. I’ve had many sheets of this rubber, and they always perform the same, indicating very good quality control. If you clean it regularly, it can generate good spin. I expect to keep this setup for another year or two.
Speed
This rubber is fast, making it not recommended for beginners.
Spin
The spin is disappointing, but it does make punch strokes easier to execute.
Control
The rubber is not easy to control.
Tackiness
It is completely non-tacky.
Throw Angle
The throw angle is low, making it difficult for forehand strokes but good for backhand.
Weight
The rubber is lightweight.
Sponge Hardness
The sponge is very soft.
Gears
The gears are good.
Durability
The durability is excellent. It has been in use for six months and still performs like new.
Overall
While the rubber has good durability, it is not recommended. It has been used on the backhand for six months and performs well, but there are better options available.
Perfect backhand rubber. It’s non-tacky, soft, light (cut to 38g!), and fast, but not very spinny.
Used in 2.1mm on both FH and BH, with a fast carbon blade. Hardness: 42.
I am OK with this rubber on my BH, but dislike it on FH due to its low throw and failure to generate topspin from small moves. As a result, I can’t get my topspin/sidespin blocks over the net, and my (admittedly lower-quality) loops also need to be very precise in height or they will not land on the table.
Circa 37g glued, medium-soft, rather insensitive to incoming spins (compared to my other rubbers); of course, cheap. Did not last long on my 12-year-old son’s FH (but did force him to make large, more-correct moves). IMO, good only for early training or money-challenged players.
Went through a handful of cheaper Chinese rubbers looking for something decent, and finally found this. Currently have two sheets: 1.5 on a carbon blade (Xi Enting Shark), and 1.8 on a slower wood blade (Yasaka Sweden Classic).
It’s amazing on the carbon blade, with good speed, easy control, and great for service. It doesn’t feel quite as perfect on the slower wood blade, but it’s still better than anything else I’ve tried so far.
I purchased two rubbers with different sponge hardnesses:
On my backhand, I found the 42-degree rubber too soft and slow for my preference. It was only effective for returning heavily topspinned balls with ease.
In contrast, the 46-degree rubber on my forehand performed significantly differently. The sponge is relatively hard, resulting in high speed, although not exceptionally high. The control is satisfactory. The spin generation is impressive, allowing me to surprise opponents with sidespin serves and execute effective topspins. However, I encountered difficulties performing gentle strokes.
The rubber has a slight tackiness and is fairly lightweight. The throw angle is rather low, which conflicted with my preference for rubbers with a higher throw angle. This caused issues, often leading to the ball hitting the net.
After 3.5 months of use, I noticed the edge of the rubber starting to separate, not due to contact with the table but rather from forceful hitting.
Overall, this rubber offers great value for its price. When purchasing, I recommend selecting a version with a harder sponge, such as 44 degrees or 46 degrees.
Got this rubber with my new Galaxy T-11+. At first, I found it to be impossibly fast, firing the ball off the racket like a shot. However, a month or so later, as it gets broken in, the rubber becomes much more predictable and controllable.
Nice rubber, powerful and fun to use.
I bought three sheets of black rubber at 2.0 thickness. However, each sheet exhibited distinct characteristics.
One sheet proved unsuitable, causing the ball to slide off its surface. Another sheet performed exceptionally well, allowing me to generate significant spin. Surprisingly, the third sheet possessed an almost glossy finish. Overall, I was disappointed with the inconsistency in quality among the sheets.
A good rubber for backhand, especially for blocking.
Gears are OK, spin and flicks require the upper top sheet of the rubber.
Flicks are slow on the middle part, which is designed for blocking.
I’ve tried the 1.80mm, 40-42 version on an all-round/off- blade and found it a little bit disappointing. It was slower than expected, softer, and a bit inconsistent. Maybe the harder and bigger sponge versions are better.
For a Chinese rubber, this is a unique combination of non-tacky yet grippy, more like Japanese/European rubbers. It’s lightweight, consistent, and an all-round rubber suitable for every player.
Among all-round rubbers, only the Yasaka Mark V comes close to matching its qualities.
Since it’s an all-around rubber, it excels in various aspects of the game, including learning the basics, practicing, competitive play, footwork, drills, and both defensive and offensive playstyles.
This rubber stands apart unless you seek power and speed, attributes that come with a hefty price tag. However, this rubber boasts a long lifespan, ensuring value for money.
It’s a keeper recommended for all levels of players, from beginners to intermediate, defensive to offensive. Even advanced players may appreciate it for a good workout without sacrificing their game or style.
Until you desire faster and more powerful equipment, which comes at a significantly higher cost, this rubber offers exceptional quality at a competitive price.
Good for FH on Butterfly Iolite Neo blade. Feeling good, and speed is very good. I use 42 degrees of hard, 2.1mm thickness.
Easy to play non-tacky BH rubber.
Enough speed and spin.
Mine is red, its top sheet looks like expensive Jap/Euro rubbers.
This rubber does not play like a regular one. You will need to get used to it and totally readjust the angle of your paddle when top spinning (looping or driving) the ball. But once you are used to it, it is an extremely deadly weapon. It feels like a tuned tensor type. I only recommend it for the real offensive European style player. It produces a loud click noise, is soft, and very fast. So do not stick it on a fast blade nor use speed glue on it, or the ball will shoot out like an out of control bullet. You stick this rubber on an allround blade and it becomes an offensive blade. So keep this in mind before you buy.
When top spinning the ball, it will shoot at a very sharp straight line with tremendous spin. Regular top spin stroke we usually do on a regular rubber will not work on this one. Your stroke will have to be very sharp forward. Friendship was serious when they named this rubber “SNIPE”. Your paddle acts just like a riffle. My opponents were having so much difficulty returning top spin drives. Even in practice. It just ends the point right there.
Smashing is good, but make sure your movement is short. It is totally effortless. Moving your wrist will already produce a very fast shot.
Blocking is good, and is not affected much by incoming top spins.
Serve return is good, under spin, side spin, and top spin. It doesn’t get affected much by spinny serves.
The downside is that producing heavy spin on serves is a bit difficult. You will have to slice the ball harder than normal, and make sure the ball doesn’t get pressed into the rubber much.
I tried playing close, mid, and away from the table, and it performed well.
I have been using it for 6 weeks, around 8 hours of play per week, constantly top spinning the ball, and the rubber is still perfect. No signs of wear.
This rubber is a killer. In a few hours of play, you will get adjusted to it. I highly recommend it. It’s cheap and a good replacement for those expensive European and Japanese rubbers.
Good quality and well-priced at €14, this non-tacky Chinese rubber has a European style. It is linear with good control. I like 729 products, especially short pips. However, it is a little slow even on the Avalox BT777 blade. It may perform better on a faster blade like my Stiga Hybrid Wood.
Like many Chinese rubbers, this one comes in different hardness levels. I’m currently playing with a 42° hardness (although I would say it feels more like 40°) with a 2.1mm thickness on my backhand. It is a European-style rubber, far removed from a Chinese hard and tacky rubber.
It seems to be a versatile rubber: it reminds me a lot of Sriver FX, which I used to play with, but it’s a bit faster. It’s not too fast, not tacky, and not that spinny either (definitely not better than a European rubber such as Desto F3, but still decent). However, it does have pretty good control. The topsheet seems to have a medium hardness, which makes this rubber suitable for almost any kind of player. It performs well on every stroke: topspin, blocks, counter-attacks, and backspin strokes.
I would not advise it to attackers who are used to playing further away from the table, as it may not be powerful enough to deliver effective attacking strokes.
I’m not yet sure if I’ll keep it for the entire season (I’m also waiting for an LKT Rapid Sound), but I definitely won’t have any issues using this rubber for tournaments and official competitions.
The topsheet of Focus 3 Snipe is of the best quality I’ve seen out of 729. However, the sponge crumbles and tears easily. I was only able to transfer it to another paddle once before the sponge became unusable. Therefore, if durability is a concern, look elsewhere.
Otherwise, it was a relatively easy rubber to control. It generates very little spin but is easy to control and fast. Blocks were very easy to perform with this rubber.
A terrific rubber for beginners. It’s a cheap way to learn every stroke. It’s nicely behaved and honest.
Review text:
Use on forehand of my Gergely. Average in everything. Great control and block. Linear, accurate pinpoint shots. Good for opening loop followed by accurate drives. Fast when you need it.
Just glued f3s, 40 degrees, 2.1. Cutting away unnecessary parts was a real struggle. I used a razor blade and went through the same place five times. In the end, it was okay. Without razor blades, it would have been more difficult.
The sponge is yellow and quite soft - something around 40 degrees. If Xiom Omega 4 Elite is 40, this is the same or a bit harder. The topsheet is very different from traditional Chinese stuff - soft and grippy.
The throw angle is lower than Palio 2 Side Loop, let’s say medium. The bounce is quite high, but XO4E has a higher bounce.
I had a few attempts on a robot - quite similar to XO4E, maybe a little bit slower. I’ll add some ratings after playing in a tournament.
I played in a tournament - compared to traditional Chinese stuff, this is different. The throw is medium, and the speed is lower than Xiom tensor rubbers. To me, it felt a bit plastic, but maybe it needed more play to soften the sponge.
Let’s say it’s a medium rubber, but if I want my shots faster and spinier, I choose Xiom.
When removed from the blade, the sponge dented a little bit. But maybe on hard wood, it would feel better; I used a seven-ply soft wood.
I bought this rubber based on the positive reviews, and they turned out to be true! What surprised me the most was its speed. I have it on my forehand on a Stiga AR, and it plays very controlled and quite fast.
Previously, I was using the H3 Provincial on my forehand, but when I realized the Snipe was faster, I switched sides. The looping is also strong and controlled.
I just ordered two Cream Transcend rubbers to put on my new off-blade, so we’ll see how they compare.
Without Tuner:
Tuned:
Additional Info:
Hardness: Black 42 / Red 45
Weight: Medium-heavy
Tactics: Slightly tacky when new
Sponge: Medium to medium-hard
Speed: Fast
Spin: Good, less than tacky rubbers
Control: Good
Throw Angle: Medium-high
Blocking: OK, sufficient bounce
Pushing and Chopping: OK for control, spin not heavy
Attacking: Good pace and control, could have heavier spin with a tackier rubber
Durability: Lasts longer than average
Consistency: Always identical
Overall Rating: 8.5
I was looking for a cheaper backhand rubber with good spin and speed, so I ordered this based on the reviews on this site. It turned out to be a complete disappointment. The sponge feels dead, while the top sheet looks okay and can generate some spin, but way below the rated value. This rubber can be used as a defensive rubber, but it is too thick for defenders to consider.
I’m a penholder and I have the Focus 3 Snipe (2.1mm/40°) rubber on my BH on a Ma Lin extra offensive blade.
The Focus 3 is extremely forgiving. In fact, it’s a better version of Yasaka Mark V but with a very low sponge quality. This rubber works best with a hard, stiff blade because of its soft sponge.
It has good speed, very good spin, and magnificent control.
I bought the black one in 1.8 mm with a hardness of 42 degrees, and the feel was really good. The sponge was soft, so I decided to buy the red one with a hardness of 40 degrees. However, I was really disappointed. The 40-degree rubber was much harder than the 42-degree one, and it felt more like a 46-degree hardness.
I tried to complain because the hardness was stamped on the cover, and I thought it was a mistake. But the response I received was unsatisfactory. The manufacturer explained that the hardness of 42 to 46 degrees is from one manufacturer, while the hardness of 40 degrees is from a different manufacturer. So, if you rely on the numbers stamped on the cover, I wish you good luck.
I was looking for a good backhand rubber with medium throw and unfortunately i bought this one in black. It’s non-tacky which means serves are not spinny, and it has a very high throw. I bought the red one also hoping i got a bad sheet, but no.
This rubber has a 8.0 throw in my opinion, it’s way higher than H3 Neo or other DHS rubbers and the worst part is that you can only feel this very high throw at higher speed. This rubber forces you to close you paddle twice as much as you should with a regular rubber (CreamTranscend, LKT Pro XP, Rapid Speed, etc). This also makes blocks a bit weird, as you have to close your paddle a lot to block a fast incoming ball.
All in all, unusable for bh, and too slow and non tacky for FH. It’s speed is highly overrated by other peoples and I can’t figure it why. Durability of the sponge is just terrible: as hard as you would try it’s impossible to remove the water-glue from the sponge without making dents.
I have 2 sheets in my drawer, accumulating dust, good for neither bh of fh. Hope this serves as a warning for others.
My friend has this rubber (black 40°) on his blade (Galaxy Earth E3). We sometimes switch our setups, so here is my opinion:
Control: 9.7
Speed: 9
Spin: 8
This rubber is really a SNIPER FOCUS. It has very, very good control (almost perfect) with very nice speed and medium spin. You can make some loops with this rubber, but your swing has to be like 90%, and still, you won’t get the effect that you want. If you are a loop player, choose something else.
It’s perfect for blocking because this rubber does not count your enemy’s spins, and you can use this control to simply point the direction where you want to place the ball.
A well-balanced all-round rubber, it’s not too fast, not too spinny, but offers nice control. Its durability is impressive, and it’s very affordable. At $9.30 on eacheng.net, it offers a lot for its price.
For all-round players, it’s a fantastic choice.
For beginners, it’s a great rubber to start with.
With Haifu water glue, it has a better feel in every aspect. It provides more speed and spin, but maintains good control.
Probably the best 729 rubber, I feel much better using this rubber. It has everything I need to sharpen my game!
Not the spinniest, speediest or most controlled rubber, but it has a well-balanced combination of spin, speed and control, with a medium-soft feel like Japanese and European rubbers.
Everyone who’s looking for a combination of a spinny shot like Chinese rubber and a fast speed like Japanese or European sponge should try this one. You’ll never regret it!.
Suitable for close to the table attacking players (all to off+), depending on the blade used.
Water glued, it won’t lose speed and spin. Special rubber from 729…nice!
This is a well-balanced Chinese rubber that I’ve been searching for a long time. It makes every stroke spinny and under control.
Best 729 rubber I ever played with. It scores highly in balance. I feel like I am playing with an expensive rubber such as the Mark V HPS or T Energy 05 FX. Try this one, it’s great.
Nice rubber, good for every kind of shot, especially for looping. It feels very amazing… I feel like playing with Tibhar Energy 25 FX but with better control.
What a quality rubber from 729! It’s well-rated in every aspect, although it’s not the spinniest or fastest, it has a nice balance to it.
It feels like you play with a Japanese or European sponge with a top sheet of Chinese rubber, great control with nice spins.
Great value! It isn’t the fastest rubber, but it has very good control and a good dwell time. Spin is average. It can do almost all shots well, but looping is one of its main strengths. Very good rubber all in all. One of the better Chinese rubbers available.
By far, the best rubber you can buy for 10 USD. In fact, it worked even better than Palio Thor’s on my Andro Temper Tech All+ blade.
It has good speed, enough spin, excellent control, and is great at winning points. Keeping the ball close to the net with Snipe 3 is as easy as it can get.
Globe 999 National is a great match for my Xi Enting X 969 blade. This makes me doubt if it is worth paying more than 15 USD for a rubber.
Thumbs up for Friendship! This is definitely a rubber worth buying if you find the right blade for it.
This is a low-quality rubber.
No speed glue effect built inside.
Not a professional-level rubber.
Can replace something like Sriver.
The price equals the quality at $13.50.
Very easy rubber to play with. I have it on both the forehand (FH) and backhand (BH), but I find much more use of it on the BH. It’s great for blocking shots since it’s so soft, and the control is one of the best I’ve tried, but it’s also relatively fast. It would be a good choice for a defensive-minded player.
I like it. Surprisingly fast and offers pretty decent spin. It’s great for blocking. I’d say it’s a step up from Mark V but a notch below Gambler Outlaw. The best part is that you get all this good performance in a light weight sheet (usually 52 grams uncut, but sometimes 48 and I’ve had one at 55). If you have a heavy forehand sheet and blade, putting this on the backhand can keep it from getting a top heavy feel.
I’m not surprised there are a lot of good and bad opinions, but I think it’s a really good rubber family.
There are many kinds of sponge thickness and hardness available (40, 42, 44, 46 deg, 1.5mm, 1.8mm, 2.1m). That gives a lot of different characteristics; the 46deg is harder than Tenergy, the 40deg is softer than Sriver FX.
The thinner or harder the sponge, the more throw angle and spin there is. I would recommend a harder version if one is using it with a flexible blade.
The default values are incorrect: Control=11, Spin=11, Speed=12. The true values are 11-8-9. I prefer Transcend Cream which performs better in all aspects.
However, the remarkable qualities of this rubber are its control and weight. These attributes should be incorporated into all 729 rubbers. I recommend this rubber for beginners or players seeking an all-around style with precise ball placement.
This rubber is one of the most overvalued rubbers I’ve tried this year (2011). The spin and control are disappointing, while the speed and weight are decent.
This rubber might be a good fit for newbies who do not have any spin-based games. In my opinion, it is overpriced for the value it offers.
Incredible and versatile rubber, in black with 40 degrees of hardness and a thickness of 1.8 millimeters. It is similar to the Sriver FX, but I believe it has a better surface.
I also liked the hardest sponge. This still has low spin reactivity, good dynamic, and maximum speed.
40 deg (hardness: soft)
46 deg (hardness: medium, slightly harder than Tenergy)
Personal Experience
I have tried all sponge hardnesses (40, 42, 44, 46). My favorite is the hardest version (46 deg). It offers the best spin and attack force, along with a good throw angle.
Comparison to Other Rubbers
Comparing different rubbers, such as Cream (a traditional Chinese rubber with a tacky surface) and Snipe (a forgiving Euro/Jap rubber with a thin, elastic non-tacky top sheet), is akin to comparing apples to melons.
Galaxy LQ1 is excellent for loop attacks and easy to control incoming spin. It lacks a bit of bite for serving and short game. I find it hard to keep smashes down playing with Galaxy LQ1 with an all-around game. The thickness of the sponge appears to be around 2.3mm. A better choice for flat hitting would be 2mm, but I don’t think it’s available in this thickness.
Best Chinese Rubber Ever!! Can make good loop, good spin, and good speed. NOTHING LESS FROM THIS RUBBER!
I use this rubber in 2.1 on an LKT Instinct blade as a backhand rubber. It is fairly light but with decent speed. I’m an average player, so on my backhand I don’t have many shots that make use of its spin capabilities. That said, I find its spin to be low but have messed around with it on my forehand and was able to produce good spin.
Blocking does not return very fast balls (mostly likely due to the Instinct) but is very consistent. The short game is about average. I believe this rubber is capable of playing up to mid but is more accurate playing close. The price point is good in any scenario. Being non-tacky I know it reacts less to spin than tacky rubbers, but I find it reacting more than I thought it would.
I’ve been playing with this rubber for 4 months, and with regular cleaning with water, I do notice a decrease in performance, but not a detrimental one. Overall, it is a decent rubber for the price as either a forehand or a backhand. It doesn’t have anything special other than perhaps the lightness that gives one an edge; however, good technique and practice will not go unused with this rubber.
Spin: 8
Speed: 9
Control: 10
This is an incredibly versatile rubber!
I bought this rubber because many reviewers said it is a good rubber for mechanical / euro style looping. However, this is not entirely true. The rubber is lightweight and faster than most Friendship/729 rubbers, but the spin is very low. I can make fast shots, but there is simply not much spin no matter how I drive it (brush or mechanical).
This is linear rather than tensor, but fast and has a good throw angle.
With tuner oil, it is faster and more predictable than the tuned T64, used with the same blade.
This rubber is impressive! Many people are adding it to their backhand as a non-tacky tensor. It’s fast due to the very springy, medium-soft sponge. For that reason, I wouldn’t recommend going above 2.0 thickness to maintain control. Trust me on that!
Overall, this rubber rivals other high-end brand rubbers that cost two to three times as much. If this type of rubber is what you need, get one. You will not be disappointed!
This is a brilliant rubber with nice quality.
It is amazing for precise looping, as its control is really good for that amount of speed.
It is a good combination of a soft sponge and a thin, stiffer, non-tacky Chinese top-sheet. The overall game feeling is medium soft, and it has the lowest sensitivity to incoming spin I have ever played.
Simply safely topspin against backspin.
Snipe is medium fast (similar to SFX, Desto F3) and light (uncut mass: 50-54g!), but with tuner oil on the top-sheet (without removing it), it is as good as any factory-tuned tensor in most areas (PME, T-05FX).
Review Text:
I’ve been playing with backhand rubber and was determined to find a suitable companion for my Rakza 7 Soft. To begin my review, I must mention the “Tenergy-mania” that has been rapidly developing since 2010. However, the high price and steep trajectory of Tenergy rubbers discouraged me from choosing them.
In comparison with Butterfly Tenergy, I discovered that Yasaka rubbers possess several advantages:
Now, I’ve decided to give Focus III Snipe a try.
Focus III Snipe is a Chinese tensor rubber (2.1 mm) with a superior topsheet. I ordered two sets (red and black) from ttnpp.com. Interestingly, the first set had “H.42” (Hardness 42) marked on the back of the rubber, while the second set received a month later had “H.40” (Hardness 40), indicating a softer and more elastic sponge.
I recently discovered “eacheng.net” online, which is highly recommended for its exceptional “quality-price” services in table tennis. I inquired about the hardness options and the reason for the inconsistency in the market. Within a few hours, they responded, informing me that the Chinese factory currently offers a wide range of hardness levels: 40, 42, 44, and 46 degrees!
This is a truly remarkable development. The Focus III Snipe is a true “sniper” rubber. It is exceptionally forgiving when returning serves, with the ability to effectively reverse the spin. Unlike Tenergy rubbers, which are highly sensitive, and Rakza 7 Soft, which requires precise angle compensation, Focus III Snipe only needs minimal angle and force, providing fantastic control.
Another notable feature is its versatility. This rubber offers numerous gears, depending on the blade used. While it may not be as lightning-fast as some other rubbers, it is a tensor rubber nonetheless. It exhibits multiple gears when pushed, allowing players to achieve faster strokes with less effort. However, this often comes at the cost of reduced control and technique. Conversely, the capabilities of extremely fast rubbers are limited, as they restrict the variety of styles one can employ against opponents. Typically, these rubbers promote a specific style with little room for adaptation.
What I particularly appreciate about Focus III Snipe is its balance of offensive and strategic capabilities. It excels against pimples-out rubbers, heavily spun serves, and rapid playstyles.
Its durability (lasting a considerable amount of time), affordability (especially from eacheng.net), and the option to choose from multiple sponge hardness levels make this rubber an exceptional choice. I anticipate that its price will remain stable for the foreseeable future.
However, it’s essential to note that the hardness indicated on the sponge is according to the Chinese scale. Unlike other Chinese rubbers (e.g., the classic 729 FX, which is softer than expected), Chinese 40° equates to 36° on the European scale, and so on for the other degrees.
In conclusion, I currently use this rubber for my backhand and a Rakza 7 Soft (2 mm) for my forehand on a Yasaka Extra 3D blade. Due to its exceptional forgiveness, I am considering switching them, as I find I can smash return serves more effectively with Focus III Snipe. It is even more forgiving and less sensitive to the returning spin. Its blocking ability is also impressive. It is rare to find such a versatile rubber.
Thank you for reading my review. I believe that everyone can find their ideal rubber among the various sponge hardness options (40, 42, 44, and 46). When ordering from eacheng.net, be sure to specify the desired sponge hardness.
Best regards from France!
Very high-quality rubber from 729. It is grippy and light, similar to a Sriver clone. The top sheet is thinner with smaller pips, resulting in more spin and control.
There are two sponge versions available. I ordered two rubbers (red and black) from ColesTT. The red is marked 42 degrees but feels like 38, while the black is marked 40 degrees but feels like 36.
Interestingly, the red rubber comes with a sticky film, while the black only has a piece of cover paper. The harder version plays like regular Sriver, and the softer version plays like Sriver EL/FX.
I totally agree with Jac; this is very good rubber, but do not expect this to be your big offensive weapon. It has average speed and spin, but very good control. For the price, it’s an excellent backhand rubber.
This has a few layers of PO and is perfect!!!
This Chinese rubber has a reputation for nice control and decent spin. But do not expect it to be as spinny as a Nittaku rubber. This rubber is not of a tensor type, nor is it comparable to Japanese spring sponge type. It appears as a clone of F3 but lighter.
If you loop far away from the table, you can hardly make it. This rubber is definitely not for speedy mid-distance attacks but only for quick, close to the table attacks and defenses.
The price is unbeatable. I use it for my backhand to lower the weight of my racket (Darker 7p-2a.7t).
An incredible and very fast rubber, it has a European style. This efectuoso rubber is very frivolous and ideal for the players of offensive game who want the maximum speed.
Review text:
Excellent rubber!
Just got this rubber. I’ve been playing with Desto F3 for years on the backhand and I gotta say this rubber is much better than I thought it would be. I don’t usually like Chinese rubbers as they are too sticky and too slow for me, but I gotta say this was pretty close to F3, and for the price, can’t beat it. F3 is probably a little better quality, but for lower-level players under 1600, this is good rubber. Thumbs up - first Chinese rubber I actually liked.
This rubber is extremely soft, a big clone of the Slam, but not well cloned. I thought it was a Focus III but with lighter sponge, but it’s not.
This rubber has no grip at all compared to normal Focus IIIs, and overseas products are much better, such as ESN products.
This is a very friendly all-around European-style weapon. It is a linear rubber with average spin, offering excellent control and effective forehand hitting. Looping is easy from all distances, and you can vary the spin and speed of the ball at will. The rubber works very well, regardless of the incoming spin on the ball.
Blocking is consistent, and the short game and pushing are good. When comparing it side-by-side with my tuned Dawei Inspirit Quattro UL 40, the Focus 3 Snipe is a little slower, but it is far better in all other aspects. The Snipe is likely to replace the other rubber on my FH and BH.
This rubber appears to be a factory-tuned version of Focus 3. It is an excellent rubber for the forehand of a defensive blade. You can loop with it effectively and keep the loops low with so much spin that your opponents may misjudge it and shoot it off the table. It is a great choice for players who prefer soft rubbers.
SETUP:
The rubber is noticeably soft, lightweight, and delicate. Even the 46-degree version feels softer than tacky rubbers like H3neo.
SPIN:
This rubber generates a considerable amount of spin in various situations. It’s quite bouncy yet imparts significant spin in serves. In terms of service spin, it surpasses Mark V.
RATINGS:
COMMENTS:
On a Stiga Allround Classic in maximum thickness, this rubber fosters a highly accessible custom setup. While it lacks exceptional speed, it offers excellent control and feel, both for shot placement and countering opponents’ shots. It also performs well on fundamental strokes. Coupled with the fact that it responds favorably to improved technique, it becomes a suitable choice for players learning the game. Its strengths include controlled blocking and a superb, effortless serve receive. As a fantastic beginner’s rubber, it’s also highly affordable and lightweight.
Advanced players who employ power-looping and technical service techniques may desire more spin and speed, particularly when looping away from the table. Although it demands good technique to lift heavy backspin, this isn’t necessarily a drawback. Due to its soft sponge, I found it better suited as a backhand rubber.
Focus 3 Snipe exceeded my expectations for an affordable rubber of moderate quality. Its durability impressed me, requiring minimal maintenance during the six months I used it (approximately 80 hours). Overall, I recommend it as a solid first rubber or a cost-effective option for casual club players.
Enjoy your table tennis!
UPDATES:
Update 1:
Reviews for this rubber come from highly experienced and knowledgeable players, and I wholeheartedly concur. It’s a remarkable rubber… Utilize it on off- and higher-rated blades to unlock its full potential. I intend to use it in an upcoming tournament. Thank you.
Update 2:
After two months of play, I remain thoroughly impressed with this rubber. It’s the first non-Rakaza or Acuda rubber I’ve used for such an extended period. Despite regular play, it performs as if new. I’ve used it on the forehand of BTY Viscaria and Donic Ultracarbon Senso blades.
PERSONAL OPINION:
It’s a good rubber, but it’s not my personal preference since I favor tacky Chinese rubbers. This one has a definite Japanese style. However, after playing with it for a while, it has grown on me. It certainly excels in its intended purpose.
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