BTY 2017 Rozena

What's the weight of this rubber compare to Tenergy?  

So I got a sheet last week and tried it with a robot this weekend.

I have Evo EL-P (a few months old) on the other side and this is just based on one quick robot session...

Overall, Rozena plays very much like Evo EL-P.  It does not have the hard feel like MX-P.  So IMO, Rozena is closer to Evo EL-P than MX-P.  Also, when you examine the rubber, the top sheet looks very much like Tenergy.  I didn't pay attention to the thickness of it.  But it looks like a Tenergy topsheet.  Since I was quite excited to try it, I completely forgot to weight it even though I asked the question earlier... LOL.

In comparing EL-P, here it is:

On service, both rubbers generate about the same spin.  Rozena can generate good spin like you expect from a Tenergy rubber.

On short push, the ball spin seems a bit weak.  So the "bite" on the ball is a bit less than Tenergy, but in par with EL-P

Lifting Backspin shots is not as easy as I expected for bigger drive loop.  But for short spinny loop, it is much easier. So perhaps the sponge is a bit too firm and the top sheet does not have enough bite to pickup the ball for bigger stroke at times.  Or it can just be my poor technique...:(

Rozena is also not very sensitive to incoming spin in general.

Rozena clearly has a higher throw than EL-P, very much like Tenergy 05 high throw. So to me, this suits the FH side because I like a higher throw on FH.

This also makes service receive quite easier for those short push of Backspin serve over the net short.

The rebound from incoming balls are pretty much the same between the two rubbers.  When I hit the ball, the Rozena does have a louder sound than EL-P. But overall, the speed on the two rubbers are similar.  Granted, I don't have the space to test any long distance shots.  Some one can do this test from the club play.

All in all, I didn't have to change much on the strokes to adjust between the two rubbers except the higher throw from Rozena on timing.  The blade that I have is Tibhar Samsonov Force Pro Black Edition.  So this is a Clipper clone blade with some flex to it and a bit high throw.

I think that Rozena is definitely a tamed Tenergy that has some of the Tenergy characteristics with lesser spin and speed.  The rubber does have a higher tolerance and it is very easy to play with.  But there are other rubbers that have the similar characteristics.  So this may be a good one if someone wants to stay with Butterfly brand and enjoy some of the Tenergy traits with a lower price.

Believer has a good comparison with EL-P really - they're similar types of rubber in terms of use.  I'd give Rozena the edge in spin (and throw), and EL-P feels faster/bouncier to me.

Compared to T05, Rozena...

...less low-end catapult

...reduced spin sensitivity

...slightly harder to produce spin

...bit softer

...slightly lower throw (but still high)

It's also surprisingly loud on flat hits, which was a nice surprise for a rubber that isn't particularly soft-sponged.

Rozena has a very easy-going short game, much better than any of the Tenergy line.  I'd say that was the biggest advantage you get with it, while sacrificing some spin from half-hearted strokes.  I'd personally choose it over any Tenergy, and it's cheaper too.

The comparison with something like Karis is another one worth making - both are going for the no-nonsense, good performance without being demanding market.  Rozena is pretty laid-back in the short game and still has good top-end catapult, and I'd say this maps well to how Karis behaves too in terms of linearity.  But Rozena has better spin capabilities than Karis, and throws higher.  In contrast, Karis plays laser sharp with ridiculous precision, and Rozena needs more care with bat angles and attention to the quality of the incoming ball when the rally is opened up.

I'd say it's like T05 but with 10% less sponge hardness, speed, catapult (all from the low gears), spin.  For me, this makes it a better rubber for my level of play and needs, but I'd advise existing Tenergy users to be wary of the trade-off being made here - you might miss the features Rozena has toned-down.