Yinhe Big Dipper

It was used in 38°, surprisingly good, delivery similar to tensor rubber, faster than most Chinese rubbers, slightly sticky, construction quality, medium high angle, spinny, easy topspin, good backspin. I recommend it as one of the best Chinese rubbers, you can feel the new technology.

Compare four rubbers: two-ply rubbers Falco Tempo Long, Thibar K1, Golden Tango PS, Big Dipper 38°, Jupiter 3 Asia 38°.

Speed: BD<J3A<K1<GTPS
Turn: J3A<BD=K1=GTPS
Bow: J3A<K1<BD<GTPS
Feeling: J3A<GTPS<K1=BD
Hardness: GTPS=BD<K1<J3A
Control: GTPS<J3A<K1<BD

Absolutely high-quality rubber for such a price ($13). It came with factory-boosted + pre-glue + top sheet cover, which is amazing. As described, it’s a hybrid rubber with tensor + tackiness.

However, the tackiness seems to be gone after one training session; it becomes completely grippy with no tackiness at all (can’t stick the ball/pick up phones as normal tacky rubber at all).

Serves & short games are a bit worse than Chinese full tacky rubber, but other aspects, especially loops & pushes & block, are much better & safer.

Seems like a great bargain to me for such a low price.

I’m using this 2.2mm H38 Red version on the forehand of a 729 V6 blade. I usually have a DHS Hurricane 3 NEO 2.2mm H39 on my forehand, but lately I’m starting to loop too long with this, perhaps more often when playing on hard wooden floors. So I tried this instead.

It’s almost as spinny as the H3N, so brush looping feels almost the same. The difference was that the ball didn’t go long so often anymore. The feeling when making slower strokes is better, with more balls on the table. It might even be a bit lighter than the H3N, so it’s a big plus for me using this rubber instead of the H3N. Flat hits and smashes are also better with Big Dipper.

Update 191104:
The DHS NEO Skyline TG2 (2.15mm, H38) is similar to this BD in many ways. Skyline is a bit faster, but Big Dipper has way more control in all strokes, which is great for brush looping away from and close to the table.

Weight cut:
H38: 45-53g
H40: 50g
H40 uncut with plastics on both sides: 71g
H38 uncut with plastics on both sides: 63g

There is a significant difference in behavior between H38 and H40. The H38 is better in all aspects so far. I have trained one session with the H40, but I am changing back to H38 for now.

Very reliable, all-around excellent forehand rubber. It’s less demanding and easier to use than typical Chinese rubbers. It is much more bouncy and very much a hybrid rubber. It is quite fast and also very powerful. The 8.5 speed rating is too low in my opinion, so I gave it a 9. It is definitely bouncier/faster than H3. It’s probably a little faster than Battle 2 or Bloom Power.

Because of the bounciness, short game and slow-looping are not as good as more conventional Chinese rubbers.

Overall, it provides very fast topspin attack. It has less short-game control than H3. It’s not as tacky and spinny as H3 or Battle 2. It has a more clicky, responsive feeling than H3.

Review text:

I bought this rubber on AliExpress for 24 euros. It does the job. I have purchased this rubber twice now and have formed an opinion about it. It is an Asian rubber, so it is considered slow by European standards. However, for countering topspin, this rubber rates an 8/10. I think it is a great starting rubber and is good for learning technique. I am considering switching to a European rubber like Andro Rasanter R48 to achieve faster gameplay and better attacks.

The rubber has a tacky topsheet, which is the reason I gave this rubber a “not very durable” rating. The spin wears out over time, typically within four months, after which the rubber also appears dull.

Overall, I have had a great learning experience with this rubber and am quite satisfied with it, especially considering its low price point.

I have purchased this product on AliExpress and am still awaiting its arrival. I will provide my impressions once I have received it.

Najlepsza guma jaką miałem. Dobra prędkość, krótkie zagrania też ok. Fajny dźwięk, dobra kontrola. Na forehand genialna, na backhand nie, bo nie za wysoka parabola i za duża prędkość. Ogólnie super jak za taką cenę!!.

Big Dipper fulfills my forehand needs almost perfectly, and it’s affordable. I acquired mine (40 degrees hardness) for approximately $12. This rubber is slightly less tacky than H3 but faster with more control than unboosted H3. The topsheet is relatively soft for a Chinese tacky rubber.

Surprisingly, the uncut weight is a mere 67g, which is on the lighter side. In fact, it weighs less than some medium hard tensor rubbers. When paired with most of my blades, this rubber produces a medium-high throw angle, which I find desirable. The balance between spin and speed is excellent. The tacky topsheet facilitates executing touch shots that remain very short and spinny. Loops and drives are swift with ample topspin.

This rubber aligns with all my requirements in terms of spin, speed, control, weight, and price.

Big Dipper Classic Black

• Hardness: 40
• Package: White
• Blade: Viscaria 92 grams

Initial Impressions:

After one session of use, the Big Dipper Classic Black exhibits a more hybrid feel due to factory tuning (foil on topsheet and sponge, glossy tacky layer on sponge). It offers more speed than the BD IV version, despite the TT-Maximum review stating otherwise.

The spin is comparable to the BD IV, but the speed component is enhanced by the tuning. Short play is slightly less easy, and extreme arc loops with high spin are possible. The Classic Big Dipper is more akin to Euro/Jap tensor/high tension rubber than BD IV but with moderate catapult effect and dynamism.

Extended Use Impressions:

After 12 hours of play, the Classic Big Dipper aligns with the description in the TTCP post. Compared to H3 Neo and untuned BD4, the topsheet is more elastic, dynamic, and responsive. In competitive play, the rubber performed well in singles and doubles.

The combination with Viscaria provides a sharp, precise feel with linear behavior and ample feedback. On an Avalox BT777 blade, the feel is softer, more flexible, and slightly slower. The red sheet of Big Dipper H40 on True Carbon offers a softer, more wooden feel and is marginally slower than the black sheet on Viscaria. It’s possible that different colors exhibit varied behaviors, with black typically preferred by Chinese rubber users.

Overall, the Big Dipper H40 in various combinations demonstrates excellent linearity, low catapult, and enhanced consistency compared to tensor or tension rubbers. It excels in short play while offering ample power and feedback for play near and far from the table.

Update 02/2022:

Due to arm problems, the H38 version was tested and found to be a preferred solution. The Big Dipper H38 is softer than the H40 and aligns more closely with Euro/Jap hybrids, providing the best solution for the individual at that time.

An excellent hybrid between European and Chinese rubbers, it has the advantages of both sides and almost no disadvantages.

I used a sponge hardness of 38 degrees. This rubber feels very bouncy when the sponge is activated, so it doesn’t feel slow on short strokes. Even beginners can use this rubber on a soft blade to develop their technique, including short game, drive, flat hits, and smashes. Additionally, experienced players can achieve good spin and speed on topspins, making this blade an excellent value for its price.

For me, Big Dipper is good rubber for attacking, but it is not good for defense. I use it for my forehand side, and I use Moon Soft rubber for my backhand side. The combination of Big Dipper and Moon Soft is very balanced for me.

Ulasan Karet Tenis Meja

Saya menggunakan karet ini untuk posisi FH. Kesan pertama yang saya rasakan adalah spin yang mantap dan kecepatan yang kencang. Namun, sayangnya, dari segi kontrol kurang sesuai dengan karakter bermain saya.

Untuk nilai keseluruhan, saya beri 8,5. Saya menggunakan bilah Yinhe N10s sebagai pelengkapnya.

Terima kasih.

I tested the 39-degree variant, which I gathered is not the truest Chinese-style version. I tried it boosted and unboosted. The rubber cut down to butterfly headsize is heavy (more than 50 grams). When boosted, it is even heavier.

I use Euro/Jap rubbers and wanted to try some Chinese FH rubbers. This rubber is a very decent piece of equipment, offering both tempo and spin. Serve receiving and ball handling are naturally easier with the slightly tacky topsheet.

Overall, on the forehand, most loops demanded much more effort to be fast and spinny simultaneously. Dropping was easier, but the main downside of this rubber was smashes. It was really hard to get them over the net. However, because you have a good touch with this rubber, you can force many high balls, which are easier to smash than loop to win.

Overall, I find this rubber a good, very good H3 alternative. This is an upgrade from the H3 Neo and a substitute for higher variants of the H3. Also, please consider Palio HK 1997 Gold.

Butterfly Dignics 09C

This rubber is very hard to smash with and makes it difficult to loop far from the table. It requires spinning the ball rather than throwing it. It is ideal for intermediate spinners. The tacky top sheet, similar to most Chinese rubbers, allows for heavy and spinny chop serves with backspin. However, its low trajectory requires more power to cross the ball during topspins.

Review text:

Big Dipper is almost perfect for my forehand needs and it’s cheap. I got mine (38 degrees hardness) for around $12. This rubber is slightly less tacky than H3, but it’s faster with more control than unboosted H3. The topsheet is fairly soft for a Chinese tacky rubber. Surprisingly, the uncut weight is 67g, which is on the lighter side. In fact, this rubber weighs less than some medium-hard tensor rubbers.

When combined with most of my blades, this rubber produces a medium-high throw angle, which I like. The balance of spin and speed is great. The tacky topsheet allows touch shots to stay very short and spinny. Loops and drives are fast with a lot of topspin.

In terms of spin, speed, control, weight, and price, this rubber checks all the boxes for me.

39deg Black

• 72g uncut and 56g cut
• Factory tune+glue option

Review:

This rubber excels as a forehand rubber, as it provides excellent control and power for smashes, loops, and blocks. While its spin capabilities are not as pronounced as some other rubbers, they are still adequate. The 39deg Black strikes a balance between European and Chinese rubbers, making it suitable for a wide range of playing styles. I found it to be a great fit for my style from the first hit.

Good Chinese rubber that plays like European rubber. It has high spin and a high throw. The catapult is good, and the blue sponge is really nice with good feedback when looping.

Review of Big Dipper Table Tennis Rubber

Big Dipper rubber effectively combines a modern porous sponge with a Chinese topsheet. After trying it on my forehand in 38 deg, I found it to be a suitable replacement for Neo Hurricane 3. Players transitioning from European or Japanese rubbers to Chinese-style rubbers might appreciate it as a good compromise. Big Dipper excels in short game and looping.

Despite its sponge, I noticed some weakness in the passive block. Additionally, after breaking it in (the initial tack wearing off), spin on serves loses potency, which is perhaps expected.

One minor issue I encountered was that many loops and drives close to the table went out. This could be attributed to my need to adjust my technique and the sponge. Given its greater liveliness compared to Hurricane, I believe it would complement a 5-ply blade rather than the 5+2 ply carbon blade (which I was using).

Overall, Big Dipper is a fast and spinny forehand rubber with adequate control and excellent value for money. After an adjustment period, Hurricane enthusiasts might consider this a suitable replacement, even for the provincial version, given its performance and affordability.

Additional Notes:

• A cut (normal sized Stiga head) is 51.
• I played with this rubber on a 7-ply Carbon (5+2) blade - Stiga Super Carbon WRB.
• My playstyle is backhand-dominated two-winged shakehand looper with Chinese forehand technique.

Excellent rubber for this price.

A more modern Hurricane 3, very similar to a provincial H3 Neo. Something of a hybrid Chinese-Euro rubber with a bouncy sponge and a soft, tacky top sheet. It has a cool blue sponge and is just a bit heavy at 53g when cut. It also boosts well.

Packaging:

• Excellent packaging with plastic film protecting the topsheet and sheet protector safeguarding the sponge.

Speed:

• Lightning-fast speed that initially proved challenging to control but became manageable with practice.

Spin:

• Exceptional spin generation initially, but gradually diminished over time.

Control:

• Moderate control requires practice and technique adjustments.

Tackiness:

• Initially tacky, briefly holding the ball, but diminished within a week.

Throw Angle:

• Slightly elevated throw angle, providing a safer zone over the net for pushes.
• Proper loop technique is crucial to avoid flying off the table or hitting the net.

Service:

• Limited spin generation on pendulum serves.
• Precision serves require refined movements.

Weight:

• Heavy rubber, comparable to traditional Chinese rubbers.

Sponge Hardness:

• Hard sponge, but not excessively stiff.

Gears:

• Versatile rubber with varying speeds based on the force applied.

Durability:

• Average durability.
• Tackiness waned quickly, while speed and spin gradually decreased.
• Topsheet prone to dust accumulation.
• Occasional separation of topsheet from sponge.
• Performance remains adequate after six months of moderate use.

Conclusion:

• A challenging rubber to control due to its speed and inconsistent spin generation.
• Durability is mediocre.
• Recommended for aggressive attackers with flat loops and excellent footwork and technique.
• Suitable for forehand only, not backhand.

Purchase Recommendation:

• Purchase decision is subjective.

I got one new Big Dipper topsheet in August 2015. My Big Dipper is a black topsheet with 38 hardness on a Max sponge. It’s very tacky when new (really super tacky).

Okay, let’s start the review of its performance.

SPEED: This rubber is fast enough if you play with the right movement (full swing, whole body and brush really hard).

SPIN: Big Dippers play a lot like Hurricane 3. Its spin is very deadly. My spare partner noticed my forehand stroke is harder to block.

GEAR: This rubber plays lively on an OFF+ blade like Yinhe T4.

Durability: Lasts a long time if you put some plastic cover to protect the topsheet from dust and open air.

OVERALL: It’s very worthy for rubber with a $20 price tag. It’s perfect for forehand rubber, suited for players that put a lot of effort (full swing like Chinese players).

I had the 40deg version (hardest). There’s no doubt this is a fast rubber for what it’s supposed to be (Chinese forehand rubber). It’s noticeably faster than TG3, probably because of the porous sponge.

I don’t like it because of the hard top-sheet, which after a few cleans with water, became NON-TACKY (none at all). If there’s some inconsistency with the reviews about tackiness, then it must be down to manufacturing inconsistency because I’m 100% sure. It was to the point where the ball would sometimes squeak and SLIP on the surface. This may not be so prominent in the softer sponge versions.

A mildly tacky tuned rubber that plays differently based on the sponge used. Sheets with 38-degree hardness are softer and easier to play with than those with 40-degree hardness.

This rubber boasts better tacky properties than other rubbers with euro sponge. Unlike Thors, it does not exhibit a significant drop-off effect, except in the harder 40-degree sponge.

The rubber demands a committed stroke and engagement of the sponge to unlock its potential. It offers effective blocking and requires a full stroke for serves.

The longevity of the tuned sponge’s bounce remains to be tested. The price point is favorable, and consistency has been commendable across three sheets.

An okay rubber with nice packaging. It has good control, average speed, and spin. Overall, it’s about what you would expect from a $20 rubber.

I think Yinhe Moon is better than this one. This rubber lacks spin (average). It’s quite fast but very good in control. It has a catapult effect, so you can play loops like European or Japanese rubber. It should be good if you stick it on a hard blade.

This is a great rubber with absolutely incredible performance for the money. You get a semi-tacky, elastic topsheet on a modern porous sponge. On lighter, shorter strokes, you get many of the advantages of Chinese tacky rubbers, such as an excellent short game, big spin on brush strokes, and controllable speed.

On bigger shots, when the sponge is engaged, the results are brilliant. You get a medium-high throw, good speed, and absolutely massive spin.

I use the 38-degree sponge, which maximizes this hybrid feel. The results are very much like a modern tensor when playing aggressive attacking strokes. Harder sponges dial this behavior down a fair bit. The 40-degree sponge gives more of a classic Chinese hard-sponge feel, more linear, lower throw.

The only downside I find with the 38-degree is the non-linear behavior. When the sponge kicks in, Big Dipper gets lively. If you play aggressively, though, this gives you many advantages.

I had high hopes for this rubber but was disappointed. Spin was quite low, so topspin felt very difficult to execute. While the rubber provided good speed, it felt inconsistent at times. Occasionally, it felt slow, while other times it exhibited blasting speeds. The unpredictable nature of the rubber’s speed made it challenging to control. After struggling to understand the rubber’s characteristics, I decided to change it.