Gambler mech-tek predator rubber?

Edited by mizzao - 05/25/2018 at 12:00am

I've not seen that either, but I have a very small sample size to judge by.

mizzao wrote: I like Mech-Tek. However the latest sheet I got from ZP had strange dimples in it after gluing. Note how the surface is not smooth, but there is a shallow "valley": https://photos.app.goo.gl/cWUyi7GLat9Khrwt2 I didn't inspect the rubber carefully before gluing but noticed there were air bubbles between the film and rubber (never saw that before). The ZP people said it was my fault for gluing the rubber wrong and not waiting for the glue to dry before attaching, and that this also happens with Donic Bluefire. However I've glued many sheets of rubber and have never seen this problem. Did I do something wrong or are they pulling my leg?

mizzao wrote: cole_ely wrote: I notice the plastic cover is crinkled like you put it down once, peeled it up and reset it. Or is that plastic wrinkle at the top part of the overall problem? Hard to see. It arrived in the package with large bubbles between the film and the topsheet. Once I glued and pressed it down, those bubbles got compressed into "crinkles". I've never seen such bubbles before, hence why I thought this sheet was problematic. vanjr wrote: What did you do to press the rubber? That looks like what I have done when the overlying weight I use to "press" the rubber is slightly irregular. I just repress it with a flat, heavy book and things are fine. I suspect the sheet plays fine. I pressed it down on a flat marble countertop with the handle hanging over the edge. By "repress" do you mean re-glue? What is the best way to line up a rubber properly with the blade when re-gluing? The rubber plays OK, despite the dimple in the middle. It seems to add some randomness to my shots—not going exactly where I'm aiming, although I'm not sure if that's because of the rubber or because of me :) On the forehand I have Gambler Burst with Thor's Hammer—just a fantastic rubber. I'd describe it as an almost-boosted Hurricane/Skyline that can counterloop. Still has quite a tacky surface, so it can serve spinny and loop over the table. But has so many gears, from a light short push that barely goes over the net to fast long-distance spinny counterloops. For $14 these rubbers are the real deal.

OK, was it sent in a box or in a flat? Maybe it got bent. Packaging looked OK?

I do have a small dent in one of mine that does not affect play. I just did not notice.

I have 2.1 and it is clearly harder than elp or T5 both in max. I think it blocks niceky

It is an interesting rubber, I don't think it feels as hard during play as my Donic M2, but the spin and speed are fine, may even be easier to generate spin in some shots.  I haven't used it enough to form any firm opinions yet, but I haven't changed my strokes any, and everything just works. It may not be a direct replacement for my M2, but it is close enough to switch back and forth without any real issues.

Anyone know of any videos of this rubber on action?

I got a sheet of red 2.1 for my backhand a few days ago. The sponge is just way too hard for me to backhand flick underspin. It just goes into the net. So no go for the backhand. I'll try using it for forehand and see how it works out.

Oh, and RPB flicking was a dream. 

This rubber is, IMO, very dependent on the blade for characteristics. I tried a sheet of red 2.0mm on my Gambler Fire Dragon Touch (another experimental product testing from the Gambler line that I absolutely LOVE - adequately taking over spot of JOOLA Rossi Emotion) and the trial was a total flop - it felt heavy and dead on this blade. But then I put it on a stiffer blade (Gambler Zebrawood IM8) and it literally came to life. Not very fast, but not disappointingly slow either, generates great spin on serves and pushes, loops and drives feel predictable and stable. For $14 it's absolutely worth a try.