Yinhe Big Dipper 4

I’ve been playing with this rubber, which has a hardness of 38 degrees and comes in black, on my forehand. The blade I’m using is the Yinhe Mercury Y-13.

This rubber is not suited for beginners due to its hardness and speed. It excels in short games and looping but feels very slow when it comes to blocking and is not sensitive to incoming spin. While it doesn’t generate much spin, it does offer good speed with more forward strokes.

Initially, I tried the rubber on a Petr Korbel Japan blade before switching to the Y-13. I must say that this rubber pairs well with carbon blades but does not perform as well on all-wood blades.

Overall, it’s well-balanced for those who are looking for speed, control, and a hard rubber that excels in looping and short game scenarios.

Review of Yinhe Big Dipper 4 - Red - 38-Degree Hardness

I tested this rubber initially on my forehand. However, due to its high throw angle, medium hardness sponge, and a noticeable catapult effect, I found myself sending many balls off the table.

Once I tried it on my backhand, I discovered that it is a perfect match for that stroke. The medium hardness combined with the high throw allows me to execute very spinny topspins effectively. Additionally, blocking is effortless with this rubber, and pushing, serving, and chopping are all exceptional.

Overall, this rubber performs remarkably well on the backhand. It truly feels like a hybrid between Chinese and European rubbers. The control on my backhand, at least for me, feels like a perfect 10/10.

This review focuses on a 40-degree rubber designed for fast, offensive blades. It offers excellent speed and control, making it suitable for fast blades. The throw angle is relatively low, which facilitates executing fast topspin loops effectively.

However, the spin generated is less impressive compared to the Battle 2 or Usual BD due to its lower tackiness. Nonetheless, it allows for easy lifting of backspin, enabling players to finish points on slower returns, provided they are agile on their feet.

Additionally, the speed and power it delivers surpass that of the BD4. I have boosted the rubber for enhanced control; however, it performs well even without boosting.

Overall, this is a solid rubber choice for forehand play, especially for those who prefer hard rubbers.

The DHS Hurricane 3 Provincial Orange Sponge with booster is a remarkable table tennis rubber that stands out in terms of performance.

It offers incredible speed and spin, making it ideal for players who enjoy aggressive play styles. The rubber’s unique sponge composition enhances its overall responsiveness, allowing for better ball control and precision during rallies.

Furthermore, the enhanced grip of the surface enables players to execute powerful spin shots with ease, which is crucial for gaining an advantage over opponents. Overall, the DHS Hurricane 3 Provincial Orange Sponge with booster is a top choice for competitive players looking to elevate their game.

The uncut weight of the rubber is 62g, while the weight cut for a normal blade is 47g. I tried this rubber during a two-hour training session, using the red 2.2mm H38 version on a Yinhe MC-4 carbon blade. Having previously used the original Big Dipper and other Yinhe rubbers, I was disappointed with this performance.

The rubber feels quite slow compared to what I expected. The sponge is noticeably softer than that of the Big Dipper. Brush looping requires all the power you can muster to execute strikes effectively, and even then, the spin produced is lacking. While the spin is decent, it doesn’t come close to the original Big Dipper, Moon Pro, or the DHS Hurricane/Skyline NEO series.

I can’t help but feel that this rubber is not utilizing the same sponge as the original Big Dipper. It isn’t pre-glued like the original version, which adds to my disappointment. Overall, this rubber feels like a step down across all aspects, except for control. The control is indeed better, likely due to the slower speed of the rubber.