Xiom Vega Pro

I received a red sheet of Xiom Vega Pro max for free from our local table tennis shop (http://www.errateam.ch/webshop/) in order to test it.

I guess some of you have read quite a bit about this rubber, but I haven't until very recently. They told me that the rubber is supposed to be similar to a T05. I've heard about many rubbers that they were supposed to be T05 rivals, but to be honest, none could match my expectations. So I was not to thrilled about their promise.

I've played with T05 on both sides for quite some time and think that it is a rubber with outstanding characteristics and advantages, but in particular its sensitivity to incoming spin frequently embarrassed me.

T05 is the market leader in my opinion for non-Chinese rubbers, and while some may not like it, its performance outreaches any other rubber. I personally realized that I perform better with something a bit less extreme, and recently tested rubbers like T05 FX, Mark V HPS and Rakza7. They all worked very well for me, but something simply did not feel right.

Now to the Vega Pro. I must admit, if there has ever been a rubber which resembles the T05, than it is the Vega Pro.

Cutting it short, the Vega Pro is a T05, but a tad slower, with a bit less spin (but more spin than a T64 in my opinion), a bit lower throw (but higher than a T64) and much less sensitivity to incoming spin (even less than the T64).

I'm certainly not saying that the Vega Pro is a better rubber than the T05 because I think the T05 is still a tad ahead in terms of speed, spin and catapult, but the Vega Pro is somehow what I was hoping for with the T05 FX. The Vega Pro is a rubber which resembles the T05, but has more control overall and in particular more control in the short game. I in principle have learnt not to say that something is better than something else, but in my opinion the Vega Pro has a better short game than the T05.

Summarizing, the Vega Pro is certainly an outstanding rubber. I'm fully convinced that anybody who loves the T05 but has a level below let's say 2200 (still not very familiar with the USATT rating) should in principle use the Vega Pro instead of the T05. I think that in particular those who are torn between the T05 and the T64 should give the Vega Pro a try. If money is an issue (or an aversion towards Butterfly), then the Vega Pro might be your T05 replacement as well.

Let's see who disagrees and in which respect... I can already guess some

By the way, here is a picture:







Edited by High_Arc - 08/20/2010 at 12:30pm

LOOPMEISTER wrote: What's the weight difference?

My Vega Pro (red, max) is 46 gr precisely cut to my MJ blade (not streched or anything).

@High_Arc: It's funny that there is a thread going about whom we tend to agree with the most. I've decided to steer clear of that thread for various reasons, but I will say that if I were to comprise a list of those with whom I frequently agree regarding equipment, then you would be near the top of that list. 

In some of my explanations of Vega Pro, I'm fairly certain I've used precisely the same language as you. Given the uniqueness of Tenergy, I've come to the conclusion that there is no substitute for it. That is, no company makes a re-branded version of the exact same technology (as is the case with some other rubbers). However, there are alternatives to Tenergy. That is, although different in their composition and characteristics, there are rubbers that can perform in equally satisfying ways. One may lose some of the advantages of Tenergy in the process, but they will gain other advantages. In short, Vega Pro is such a rubber, IMO.

Especially for "lower level" players, it is an excellent alternative.

have u treid the vega elite?? i have tried Vega asia and i must say it very similar to t05 in terms of speed ans spin but i find asia to have alot more control then t05...

I have to disagree with you because I don't consider Vega Pro such a good rubber considering its price.
First I want to say that I'm just a basement player and my conclusions are based on my level of play. I tested on YEO, Stiga V1 and Donic Carbo OFF-, on the latter I liked the best.
I tried a pair of Vega Pro in MAX and I'll write first what I didn't liked:
- for serves it wasn't even close to what i could do with some Chinese rubbers, in order to get the spin I want I have to dig the ball in the rubber which makes the serve long
- the topsheet feels slick, there are moments when the ball slips on the rubber and fell down, maybe this is due to the fact that sometimes I'm brushing the ball
- when I hit hard it bottoms out easily, even on the BH, which makes it unpredictable
- it's not easy to open against backspin, for me it doesn't grip the ball enough unless I hit at the right angle
- when I push I have to use only the topsheet, otherwise the ball pops up and is easily killed if it's not going over the table
- I can't produce so wicked spin as I can with Chinese rubbers

What I like:
- better control over table compared with other tensors
- at medium speed strokes the ball goes where I want
- good for flips
- good for blocks
- easy to use far from table

I haven't played with T05, I played only against it and I got my ass kicked real bad. I'm no fan of Bty products and I'm not using them, but I try to be realistic with what a rubber can or can't do.

bozbrisvegas wrote: High_Arc wrote:   Summarizing, the Vega Pro is certainly an outstanding rubber. I'm fully convinced that anybody who loves the T05 but has a level below let's say 2200 (still not very familiar with the USATT rating) should in principle use the Vega Pro instead of the T05.  You may be refering to me, bud. I agree with HIgh arc most the time but here on this particular point I feel the "convinced" part is a bit to emphasized. You did then soften it with the in "principle" part which was nice. I am always happy to hear another review about rubbers that most tried reviewed and moved on from, but I will not agree that this rubber is better than 05 for lower level players on the forehand.   Less spin without a doubt, less speed some have argued, but the control arguement is getting old.  Yes if you are a "lower" level what ever that point is, you should use short pimples because even $10 chinese tacky rubber is too hard to control for somebody who doesn't understand spin or give time to adjust.  The price difference has increased for sure since we posted our reviews of vega and it looks a bit more promising for this but I still would stick to my 05 on fh and find the vega to stiff for backhand and dwelly, I have moved on from any tenergy for now! Nice review, and lets see the next youtube vid hay?

i was certainly not referring to you. first of all i would guess that your level is higher than the mentioned one (probably higher than mine as well), second i think that the t05 really suits your game (in particular considering these high arching side spin balls, which are probably quite a bit higher quality with a t05).

i see that i was perhaps a bit too harsh with my last statement, however i actually meant to be a bit harsh to get some controversy. and i honestly think that the difference between the t05 and the vega pro are small enough that it doesn't make much sense to go for a t05, which is more than twice as expensive.

considering the control argument, it may be getting old to some extent. nevertheless i feel that it is justified here. i would assume (i am convinced ) that the extra bit of spin you get from a t05 does not compensate for the 'control difference' for most players not competing at the highest level, me included of course. this extra rotation (and extra speed) of the ball probably matters at the top, but for me there is more than enough spin with the vega pro. as i've said, i think it is spinnier than a t64, which is considered to be a very spinny rubber.

HOw many hours have used the vega pro?  Because I was very impressed also on the first day in particular and thought I had found my 05 substitute.  But in about a week it started to become too noticable for me focus on spin.

Expect a massive drop in performance within next two sessions(at least 50%) after third session it will become anti. I guarantee that by fourth session your vega pro will self-destruct,damage your blade and burn your hand.

Anton Chigurh wrote: prott.co.uk wrote: Expect a massive drop in performance within next two sessions(at least 50%) after third session it will become anti. I guarantee that by fourth session your vega pro will self-destruct,damage your blade and burn your hand. It gave me an STD.

The sheet you sold me gave me Ebola. My HMO didn't cover it.

Anton Chigurh wrote: prott.co.uk wrote: Expect a massive drop in performance within next two sessions(at least 50%) after third session it will become anti. I guarantee that by fourth session your vega pro will self-destruct,damage your blade and burn your hand. It gave me an STD.

I think that was more to do with blade than the rubber.

That's weird, I find Vega Pro to be softer than T05.

For me Vega Pro has more spin when brushing the ball like serving, pushing, etc, because of the softer feeling. But once the sponge becomes involved, like looping and brush looping, Tenergy is easily spinnier.

karabijntje wrote: Vega feels harder, T05 feels softer and is more dynamic. When playing slow strokes, T05 is faster, but when playing harder strokes, Vega is faster. Brush looping is better with T05 for this reason and for driving I like the Vega better. Vega comes very close to the spin T05 can generate, throw is a little bit lower tho, so there's less arc, but still alot of spin.

Wtf  a white sponge vega pro? Tell us more!

Omigosh!!... no more the power of 'carbon' in carbo sponge!!  

Correct...but that it's just a special case...If you practice daily and with a national coach you have the opportunity to improve fast your level...but again if you are a amateur player that it's playing 2,3 times a week I don't think that it is wise to chose T05 hoping that you will improve your game. You will make unforced errors and you will not understand what to do...because the only advice you will get from yourself .