Xiom Vega China VM

My review compares the Xiom Vega China (XVC) to unboosted Hurricane 3 Neo (H3) and Skyline 2 Neo (TG2). The XVC has a very high throw angle compared to H3, TG2, and the new Sanwei Target National. This high throw angle made the XVC unusable for me, as I am accustomed to the lower throw angles of traditional Chinese rubbers.

One positive aspect I discovered is that the XVC is incredibly fast. I tried it on both my forehand and backhand. With my backhand, I could execute a fast block with minimal hand movement. However, the rubber was difficult to control. When I applied more force or performed longer strokes, the ball often went out. To be fair, I am still adjusting to this higher throw angle. After about three hours of play, I managed to achieve decent topspin loops. I also found that my reflex blocks, which typically do not succeed, had a much better success rate with this rubber. This seems to be because only a small movement is needed to propel the ball forward with topspin.

The catapult tensor effect of the XVC is very strong. However, I found it to produce much less spin compared to H3 and TG2. Consequently, I struggled to perform slow topspin loops and had difficulty looping against backspin.

I recommend this rubber for players who currently use tensors like Donic Bluefire M2 and are looking to transition to harder rubbers without the drawback of a low throw angle. However, I do not recommend it for those like myself, who have used unboosted H3 and TG2 and are seeking a similar but faster option. In my experience, both the XVC and the new Sanwei Target National were tested, and I found that the Sanwei Target National better fulfills this specific purpose.

In 2024, the Vega China VM remains an excellent choice, significantly better than the newer Vega Pro Hybrid, which has a mushy feeling and lacks tackiness.

The Vega China VM shines at the table and performs well at mid-distance; however, playing from far away requires more effort.

I have paired it with the Timo Boll CAF on my forehand. This combination makes blocking, serving, short game, and topspin shots much easier due to its forgiving nature. My next step is to pair it with the TB Innerfiber ALC.

I bought a pair of Vega China Max rubbers a few months ago, but I didn’t have the time to try them out. While cleaning my house last weekend, I found an unused blade—a simple limba-ayous, 7-ply, Clipper-like blade. I decided to test it during my training session this evening, and I was truly impressed.

The adaptation time was very short; after about 30 minutes of warm-up, I was ready to play a match. My conclusion after two hours of play is that it’s one of the most underrated rubbers available. It’s essentially a springy alternative to H3, much more forgiving, and somewhat similar to H3-50, but bouncier and faster in the short game. However, it is not as tacky as the H3 series.

This rubber is usable even by beginners who are willing to learn the Chinese technique. In the right hands, it becomes a spin monster and is quite fast. To those who complain about the lack of speed from this rubber, I’m sorry, but I believe the issue lies with your skills.

I love the hard feeling of the sponge! It’s also great for backhand play; control isn’t an issue as long as you remain active. This is a pure offensive rubber—it is NOT suited for a passive or defensive game.

I consider this one of the best hybrids I have tried (I call it a hybrid because it’s tacky, yet you really feel the tensor) and it’s one of the cheapest options available as well. My only complaint is its above-average spin sensitivity.

I also don’t understand why there haven’t been any reviews since 2014.