Haifu Dophin & Haifu Penguin

All,

Alex asked my to test out these two pips and do the review.  So, I tested and here is my review:

                       Stiga Royal                 Haifu Dophin                Haifu Penguin
=====================================================

Speed                   10                                 8                                   7
Spin                       7                                  9                                   8
Control                  8                                  7                                   9



Haifu Dophin has good spin.  It plays very similar to 802-40.  It is ok close to the table attacking game.  It has higher throw than both Penguin or Royal.  I don't like it too much because the throw is kind of high for short pips.  However, I switched it to my forehand and tried it on the forehand.  Well, it's not bad at all for a forehand short pips.  It's good for forehand short pips.

Haifu Penguin is softer and smaller pips.  It's slower than Dophin, but it has more short pips characteristics.  Because it's slower, it's easier to counter block and flat-hit close to the table.  I  I tried that on my forehand, it's not too good for forehand.

In short, the Haifu Dophin is good for forehand close to the table spin/smash combination attack.  Haifu Penguin is good for backhand counter block and setup smash followed by the second more powerful smash.  I found this combination is really good. 

Note:  If I have to pick one of them, I would pick the Penguin because is deadlier, and it has lower throw.

i got a couple Dolphin tuned, sponge was rock hard, almost plays like an inverted, so might as well play w/ an inverted.

Penguin would be interesting if it had really good glue effect.

dalamchops wrote: i got a couple Dolphin tuned, sponge was rock hard, almost plays like an inverted, so might as well play w/ an inverted. Penguin would be interesting if it had really good glue effect.

If you guys like the 1.8mm Royal or 1.9mm Flarestorm, you will like Penguin (with some differences).

Next - Haifu Pufferfish and Haifu Eel (long pips!) 

alexli wrote: Speedy, beeray1, thanks for the reviews!

No problem!

would not have guessed penguin plays better than dolphin, thanks for the info I will try a penguin.

Can some one tell me what is the color of the sponge on the Penguine?  I just got one, and the color is light red, looks exactly the same as the BWII upgrade (RED sponge version), so I wonder if the Penguine I got is also an upgrade version...  Anyway, the PIPs are quite hard and do not have a lot of grip, which is ok for a MP, but since the sponge is also hard, it is very hard to control.  Hitting, and blocking fast and spinny loops are good and fast (very fast), but it's very hard for me to attack under spin, as the ball does not stay on the blade long (too hard, no grip), I ask a few PIP players in my club to try and they are all having problem controlling it too.I took out the pre-tune on the sponge, and soften it with some PO, and it is a little better, but still very hard to control.  I wonder if anyone playing with this rubber experience the same problem, or know how to tame it, please let me know.

Edited by mhnh007 - 12/21/2011 at 10:58am