New Victas Short Pips ( japanese translation neede

I find the S3 very 'precise', which gives me good control, however others might not feel the same.

Edited by Sedis - 05/21/2021 at 12:02pm

mykonos96 wrote: How does S3 behave when you block loops? Sink the balls into the net..you said the opponets  have more trouble? They sank the blocks?

Edited by Sedis - 05/23/2021 at 3:08am

Sedis wrote: Shiro wrote: Sedis wrote: The S2 was slightly heavier and harder at 43g and 46 degrees Shore O, The S3 was 40g and 44 degrees Shore O. The S2 has an orange sponge which seems to soak up glue a bit more than the S3. The S3 sponge looks very similar to TSP Spectol Red, but is closer in hardness to Spectol Blue. The top sheets for both are a slightly darker red colour and look slightly less matt/more shiny, very similar to Nittaku Sonic AR. When bouncing a ball, S2 feels very similar to Spectol blue. It is very difficult to tell without actually playing, but doing some spin tests, it feels like S2 has a similar amount of grip to Spectol Red/Blue, possibly very slightly less. S3 feels like it has less grip, but until I actually play with them, I don't know for sure. How is the S3 spin to open serves with loop? Thank you for the comparisons. When you get the chance to test out the Victas Spectols, do you mind posting which one plays and feels more closely related to the TSP Spectol Red?  I got to try both S2 and S3 tonight, the short answer is S3 is the closest to Spectol Red It is not exactly the same, the sponge is harder, like Spectol Blue, but the top sheet is a bit more flexible, which seems to compensate this to a degree. In 2.0mm S3 is slightly faster than Spectol Blue in 1.8mm. Is has a similar low throw. It would be a good replacement if you are mainly a SP hitter or a blocker. I found it a bit tricker to control in the short game, but this is probably a case of having to adjust slightly. It is very similar for chopping. S2 is different, it has a much higher throw and gives a less dead ball. It is really easy to control in the short game, seems to have more gears and is more lively but only when you really attack. My practice partner said the S3 was the hardest to play against, he really had to adjust and lift the ball more.  Spectol Blue was a close second, with similar characteristics. I'll be able to tell you more once I regain a bit of form after the forced lockdown break, but I think I will be changing to S3, but only after I have used my remaining sheets of Spectol Red and Blue. If S3 came in 1.8mm, I would be very tempted to change straight away. S2 is OK, but I prefer the S3. I think S2 might be a good alternative to some of the more spin oriented pips if you wanted something in between those and the S3.

comodoensis wrote: Between S2 and S3, which one has the softest sponge?

What is the best replacement for TSP SpinPips Blue?

kim_taek_soo wrote: The SpinPips series is pretty unique among Japanese short pips because all SpinPips topsheets are "cooked." Cooked (i.e., not translucent) topsheets are the norm for Chinese-made short pips but not Japanese-made and ESN short pips. If you want to replace SpinPips Blue, it probably makes sense to look at its successor, SpinPips D2, which is made in China. I'm sorry I can't really comment on D2 beyond that, as I haven't tried it yet. Two short pips I have tried that feel similar to SpinPips Blue are Mizuno Booster SA and Yasaka Spinate. Both have strong emphasis on spin, but are not as fast and aggressive as VO>102, Impartial XS, and Rakza PO. Both Boster SA and Spinate have horizontally aligned trapezoidal pips, same as SpinPips Blue. In terms of sponge hardness, I think Spinate is close to SpinPips Blue. I remember Booster SA feeling harder. Another possible option is Tuttle Summer 3C, which has a cooked topsheet and good spin, but it's noticeably slower than Booster SA and Spinate. Hope you can  find something you like

Sorry, I have not tried the S1 either, so I can't compare it to the other Spectols. Victas markets it as an exact copy of the original Spectol, so I take that to mean no tension or factory booster/tuning. This makes sense considering the original Spectol (the one with the green and white package) is essentially the Sriver or Mark V of short pips. It's so successful, they would be stupid to ever stop selling it.

S2 and S3 are interesting, although I can't say I like either of them very much. S2 is indeed a high-tension Spectol. It keeps the same topsheet as the classic Spectol but the sponge is much springier. To me it feels uncontrollable, even on an all-wood blade. S3 is a slightly trickier/more deceptive version of Spectol. From what I can tell, the pips are not actually taller, but they are narrower (at least the tops are narrower, not sure about the bases) and there are more pips per square inch compared to the other Spectols. This gives more variety on passive shots (sometimes spin, sometimes dead ball) but it makes powerful hits and counters more difficult. A little more control than S2, but not much. I only tried them in 2.0 and 1.6, maybe MAX sponge would be a different story.

Sedis wrote: mykonos96 wrote: How are S3 and S2 blocking spinny loops? Blue almost has no  knuckleballs on 1.8mm..max spectol blue is harmless. S3 in 2.0mm is very similar to block with to Blue in 1.8mm and might even disrupt/reduce the incoming spin slightly more.  S2 is easy to control when blocking, but gives a less awkward/flat return.

mykonos96 wrote: Somebody has tried S1 if  it plays the same as old spectol?

Edited by ludo - 09/25/2022 at 3:55pm

Sedis wrote: I've purchased a couple of sheets of S3 in blue, which has just been released. I've only seen it for sale at Iruiru so far. The top sheet has a more matt/cooked appearance than the sheets I have in red.  After using it for a few weeks, I'm convinced it plays closer to the TSP Spectol Red I used to use than the S3 in red does.

AcudaDave wrote: Tried S3...it was very fast and had a sinking effect, but it was not easy to play with for me. I use short pips on FH, so gave the rubber to a friend of mine that uses it on his BH. He plays well with it, and it is definitely more deceptive than some other short pips.  I have played with Victas 102 many times over the years, and decided to order another sheet recently. This time I ordered 2.0 instead of 1.8 and I don't know if they have changed anything or not, but this rubber curled up out of the package more than any I've ordered before. This rubber also is louder than any short pipts I've played with. It definitely has a sound like it's been speed-glued. It's softer than I remember, but I like it so I'll use it for now. I suspect Spectol Red and Blue made it to the Victas "S" series. I didn't care for Red or Blue nor S3. It's pretty hard to beat Victas 102 if you want a good pips out for attacking and spin. If something for BH that is a little stranger then try S3.

Does Victas make a rubber that plays similar to TSP Super Spin Pips 21 ?

I've tried more than my share of short pips on my forehand. SSP21 seems to have the perfect balance, and has a good sink effect.