I bought Bryce following a training session with a local player who is ranked inside the top 100 in England. Having tried this rubber with and without speed glue, it certainly seemed fairly unresponsive when not fresh glued. Very good for short-stroke topspin play enabling quick recovery, it excels in mid-distance counter-looping. Also surprisingly good for flat hitting, it was used on a Tibhar Chila Light. This is certainly a modern loopers rubber! This rubber is fairly elastic with a low throw angle, and weighed in at 41g cut.

Speed 9, Spin 8 and Control 7.

Butterfly Challenger Attack: Out of all the pips, I have to say I disliked this one the most. It was too spiney for a pips-out rubbers. The pips are bouncy, but it seemed like the sponge is not. I couldn't figure it out. Sorry, I can't give a review for this rubber. Also, I used it to play with 38mm, not 40mm. Note: I used this with Stiga Clipper CR.

This long pimple was particularly good for flicking over the table offering some disturbance and wobble as well as an unusual ease for performing the flick stroke. However, for all out defence it did not provide as much spin reversal as other Long Pimpled-out rubbers.

Played on the Stiga Allround classic. This long-pimple is probably best used for a disturbance orientated over the table attacking game with the ability to defend when necessary, and would probably work quite well on a fast blade.

Speed 50, Effect 60 and Control 50

Butterfly Resilon: It was really good for blocking. I could spin the ball with it a little. I remember that I hit very well with it. It's soft, but at the same time it got the kick. I remember it was so easy for me to block with this rubber. However, I used it when the 38mm balls were still around. I don't know how it works with 40mm balls. I don't even know if you can still get Resilon or not. This rubber is good for someone who flips and blocks. Note: I used this with Stiga Clipper CR.

Butterfly Rein and Yasaka PB1: These 2 pips-out rubbers are very similar, except that Rein is just a little bit faster. These 2 rubbers are very very very good for blocking and counter-hitting off-the-bounce. I remember there are times that my opponent looped the ball so faster that I just had enough time to get the racquet in front of the ball, and the ball just landed on the other side. Note: I used this with Komann Blue Tiger (old version).

Glued up with Tibhar Rapid Clean on the forehand wing of a Timo Boll Spirit blade, it gave the impression that it would be somewhat lacking without speed glue. This Sriver is spinier than the original, particularly on service spin. Good for the mid-distance looping game and looping against chop. Sriver-EL has a higher throw angle than Sriver L, but with a good glue job and maximum sponge the throw angle is significantly reduced.

On the TBS, cut, this rubber weighed in at 40g. Speed 7.5, Spin 8 and Control 8.

Personally, my least favourite of the Sriver family. Although the glue effect was profoundly greater than on any of the other sheets, the sponge was just a little too soft for me, even on a semi-rigid blade (Chila Light). This is the spiniest of the original Srivers (pre G2), and would mostly suit an away from the table looper, while I prefer to play much closer to the table. The throw angle is again slightly higher than it’s predecessors, but this can be lowered with layers of fresh glue.

Speed 7, Spin 8.5 and Control 8.

I tried this rubber on the super fast Stiga Tube Aluminium. This is a very good and cheap long pimple rubber – particularly accessible to those new to the world of long pimples. Offers excellent spin reversal for defending and offers good disturbance in over the table blocks, pushes against service and flicks.

TIP: Try serving off the logo and writing at the bottom of the rubber for some service spin as a variation... This rubber is more suited to the away from the table defensive player who likes to come in and flick drop shots and service with their long pimples.

Speed 5, Effect 7.5, and Control 5.5. Weight – 20g (0.6mm)

Slightly spinier than 729FX, G666 seemed to perform better off the table than over it. This rubber did, however, give me some problems playing my trademark backhand flat hit, which seemed to be trajectory based – you had to pick the ball up and put it back down rather than hit through it.

Used on a Tibhar Chila Light, this rubber seemed heavy nevertheless – a weigh in brings it out at 46g. When used with speed glue this rubber is fairly fast and works good as a loopers sheet.

Speed 8, Spin 8 and Control 7.

First thing first, the ad claims that this pips give you "disturbing effects". Well, it really does. I already mentioned about this on other post. I said that I play with it and play against it. I practice this with my friend, and we both agree that this pips is very difficult to play against.

Ok, now here are other things:

I tried this on Stiga Super Carbon and Clipper CR, and of course, it's much better on the Super Carbon. I know the ad said that the speed it's around 9+. Well, not really. The sponge is not a normal sponge that you have seen. It's a double sided foam tape kind of thing. Here is an example of it: shoplet.com. So, tell me how fast this foam can be? I played with it, and to me, it doesn't have the speed like other pips.

Ok, so what styles is best to use this Pistol?

If you use this pips to do the following, then it's perfect for you:

1. Blocking
2. Placement
3. Return Serve
4. Spin (looping)

If you use this pips to do the following, then it's bad for you:

1. Flat hitting (it's slow for me)
2. Counter-Hitting (it's slow for me)

If you think this pips is fast enough for your game, then this is the best pips ever for you. For me, I think because it's not elastic enough. By the way, you can't speed-glue this pips because it has the self-adhersive foam. Maybe you can, but I CAN'T.

This is an allaround GOOD pips-out. I can do a lot of things with this rubber. I like it a lot. It's easy to hit with, to block with, and you can spin the ball sometime. I don't like to spin the ball a lot, but for you guys out there looking for a spinny pips that also can with with. Probably, this is the one for you. The sponge is around 35-40 degree hardness. It's probably good for regluing. Oh, I forgot mention that it's a very cheap rubber. GOOD DEAL! YOU CAN'T GO WRONG WITH THIS RUBBER. Note: I am using it with 729 Super Carbon.

Fresh out of the package, the topsheet feels like sticky tape. Excellent to serve and push with, but terrible to loop with. Unglued, this thing is worse than H3...dead, heavy and slow.

Speed 4, Spin 8, Control 8. Although I haven't weighed it, I'd say same as H3. Glued, it plays slightly better, but you need a lot of glue before it softens till it is looper-friendly. Topsheet is rigid and very tacky, it has a low-sh throw.This rubber is great for those corkscrew spins, although a softer sponge would produce a much more pronounced effect.

I'd recommend this for the hitter.

My personal weapon of choice for my Backhand, a relatively hard sponge (42-45degrees) with a very tacky top-sheet, it is capable of generating strong spin on service, pushing and looping. Due to its relative slowness it is quite easy to hit or flick with, even against chop. With all this in mind, its price tag is all the more appealing.

Used on the Timo Boll Spirit, this rubber is certainly more suited to hitters, who require the ability to loop or chop the occasional ball as a variation. This rubber has a high throw angle when brush looping, and is suited more to over the table play. When used with speed-glue (you need a lot) you get slightly more speed and much better ‘ping’ for hitting. This rubber is heavy and plays similarly to Hurricane 2/3 and G666.

I would rate this rubber: Speed 6, Spin 9, and Control 8, 43g

The same soft (35-40degree) sponge as used with the 802-40 short pimpled sheets. Works very well with speed glue providing the opportunity to use a tacky Chinese style rubber in the more modern away from the table looping game; this is a modernised equivalent to the harder original.

Used on a Tibhar Chila Light. This rubber would suit a hitter and a looper. When used with speed-glue it can be played with over the table for controlled topspinning and hitting, as well as mid-distance looping. Compared to the original, this rubber has a medium-throw angle, rather than a high one, and is considerably lighter.

Speed 8, Spin 8, and Control 8, 39g

Although the sponge is different to 729, it is still in the 40’s for degree of hardness, and overall this sheet plays fairly similarly to classic 729. Very tacky topsheet for strong over the table spin shots, but takes speed glue slightly better than traditional 729.

Used on a Tibhar Chila Light. Like the classic 729, this suits and over-the-table looper and hitter, and with a good speed-glue job works well as a medium distance looping rubber. This rubber is fairly heavy, inbetween classic 729 and 729 soft. The throw angle is lower than original 729FX. In thick sponge and glue this rubber would suit a looper well, with a medium thickness it is a good hitting reverse rubber, and in thin sponge it would provide good spin and control for a chopper.

Speed 7, Spin 9 and Control 8

Soft sponge, quite lively. Unglued: speed 6.5, spin 7, control 7.5. It is excellent to loop with. Elastic topsheet and medium-light sponge.

It has medium throw and great allround rubber. Glued(3 layers): speed 8.5, spin 7.5, control 5.5. It has much higher throw once glued and contributes to its low control rating (especially against topspin, against bottomspin it has low throw). Great speed and soft. Great for attacking players would want that extra speed. Once again, terrible for choppers.

This short pimple rubber was very similar to 802-40, but with slightly harder sponge. The pimples were also slightly narrower. Perhaps not as good for flat-hitters as 802-40, it was definitely not as crisp, but was slightly spinier. Works well with Speed Glue for extra “ping.” Played on the Timo Boll Spirit. For the spin-conscious hitter who wants a little more control and feeling, and the ability to spin the ball when necessary. Definitely an over the table rubber!

Speed 8, Spin 5.5, and Control 8.5 Weight – 38g cut.

This is a good, strong, consistent “Tensor” rubber. Good for over the table wristy topspin pick-up shots when pushes are short and tight. Provided excellent spin when bat-speed was ample. This rubber was very fast with reasonable control, and is a tensor specially designed for speed glue. Good for the modern looping game and quite like Bryce, definitely suited to small and quick players away from the table counter-looping. Titan has a low throw angle and takes glue very well, with significant increases in both speed and spin.

Speed 9, Spin 9 and Control 7. Weight – 40g cut.

Tango Ultra is a very stable soft short pips. I tried this on 729 Super Carbon, LKT Arylate-Carbon, Stiga Clipper CR, and finally, I stay with Stiga Super Carbon. Tango Ultra has soft "tensor" sponge, so it absorbs the speed/spin from your opponent easily. So, this pips is very good for blockers and counter-attackers.

Tango Ultra is very spinny. You can actually loop the ball with this pips (of course, your stroke must be different from inverted). It is very light and elastic if you glue it up really good. I tried that once, and I had a hard time to control it. I works with and without speed-glue. Without speed-glue, the pips seems to be more stable and easier to control.

Tango Ultra has low-throw on the flat hit and the block and has medium-throw on the spin/loop. I tried to chop with this short-pips about 7 feet from the table. It's really good for chopping also.

My style is counter attack close-to-the-table game. So, I recommend this pips for players who would like to stay close-to-the-table to block and counter attack. Off-the-bounce blocking and off-the-bounce countering are perfect games for Tango Ultra.

Note: Because the sponge is too soft, the pips become useless if you are too far from the table.

Juic Offense Ultima: I saved the best for last. This is the best short-pips that I have ever played with. You might asked "then why do I use 802-40?" Well, just because of the cost. Offense Ultima costs $30/piece, and 802-40 costs $14/piece. 729 802-40 can do about 80%-90% of what Offense Ultima can do. Well, let's do the math and see which one you would choose. So, you agree with my decision, right? Anyhow, I feel that Offense Ultima is similar to 802-40, and yes, Offense Ultima is a little bit better rubber in every single way. Note: I used this with Komann Blue Tiger. (One more thing, it's really fast if you reglue your pips. I tried on my friends racquet).

Hammond FA: This is nothing special about this pips-out. It is an allaround OK pips-out. If you want to learn how to use pips-out, you might want to start with this rubber. Note: I used it with both 729 Super Carbon and Joola MC1.

1. Almana: Not really good for looping on a carbon blades (i.e. Stiga Super Carbon). It's fast; so, it's really good for smashing on carbon blades. If you want to loop with it, use an all-wood blade (I tested on Clipper CR, and it's not bad at all). Do you need to speed glue this rubber? The answer is NO; however, you know it's almost always better with speed glue.

2. Almana Sound: It's awesome. I speed glue this rubber, and it gives me the best performance that really surprised me. Anyhow, I tested without speed glue for 3 weeks. It gives me at least 85% of the speed and 90% of the spin comparing to when I speed glue it. Oh, and the sound is rediculously loud. I love the sound.

Life-span: I played at least 4 times a week. I usually changed my rubbers every 4 weeks (on the average). I have used Almana Sound for 128 hours (approximately 8 weeks) and have used Almana for 40 hours. Well, I am still using them. I think it's better to rate them by hours, so you guys can calculate how long it lasts since some of us probably play more and some of us probably play less than I do (within a week).

Last but not least, you probably ask, so which one is better for looping? smashing? blocking? blah blah blah... well, it's all relative. However, if you don't reglue, I recommend the regular Almana (smasher and blocker). If you reglue, I recommend the Almana Sound (looper, and maybe smasher). They are equally good for what they are designed for.

In conclusion, Almana can go without speed glue, and Almana Sound is best with speed glue (well, it's designed for speed-glued anyway). The most important thing is that I think they both have very good control. They are NOT fast like Stiga rated them.

This was another rubber that I was disappointed with (or it might be just me). I had a hard time hitting the ball with it. Blocking is ok. You all know that pips-out are easy to block the ball with, and I just say "blocking is ok". So, it's not really good comparing to other pips-out. However, there is one thing that I did really well with it. Returning serves. That's about what I can do with it. It seemed so slow and dead to me. Note: I used this with Komann Blue Tiger (old version).

I play a two-winged looping style with shakehand grip. I vary my playing distance from close to mid-distance and the occasional lob here and there. Its speed is quite fast even without glue.

I'd say 7.5, spin however is another story, about 4. Control varies from one person to another, but for me a 6. I played with this unglued. The rubber is quite elastic and feels rather soft, it is medium light in weight. It plays medium-high throw so blocking is kind of difficult.

This rubber is definitely for the looper. Choppers will not like this since it's too fast and does not proiduce enough spin. A smasher would prefer something harder.

A fairly spinny short pimple rubber, with a 1mm sponge it was very crisp for flat hitting and punch-blocking. Very good at hitting through chop, and offers some disturbance/wobble/reversal when soft-blocking opponents loops over the table.

Used on the Timo Boll Spirit. This rubber is for out and out over the table hitters and reacts nicely with speed-glue for a little extra spin and a lot more bite when hitting.

Speed 8.5, Spin 4, Control 7.5. Weight – 29g (1mm sponge)

Very fast, particularly with glue, but did not feel as spinny as some suggested it would be – particularly in comparison charts in catalogues and on websites. This rubber really does crack as loud as people suggest, though! Another for the modern looper requiring maximum speed and good spin with small strokes and quick recovery.

Used on the Timo Boll Spirit With speed glue this rubber is very fast and the speed glue sound is as loud and as distinctive as with any other rubber, Excels in counter-looping and has a medium-low throw angle.

Speed 8.5, Spin 8 and Control 7. Weight – 41g.

The pingiest and the crispest short pimpled rubber I have tried for the all out hitting game. Excellent for blocking, punching, driving and hitting through spin. A good over the table counter-hitting rubber which gives acceptable service spin when combined with Spinmax.

Used with speed glue for extra “ping”. Reviewed on the Timo Boll Spirit.

Speed 9, Spin 3.5 and Control 7. Weight – 35g.

This rubber has very soft 30 degree sponge which makes it pretty much a necessity that it is speed glued. Much spinier than a lot of modern glued rubbers with a slightly higher throw angle. Particularly good for service and pushing spin and looping chop. A rubber for the all-out looper, particularly mid-long distance away from the table in the counter-looping rallies. With speed glue there is a profound ‘click’ and a significant increase in speed, spin and control.

Speed, 8.5, Spin 8.5, Control 7.