Stiga Calibra LT is very good

I bought it in red max thickness from Dandoy, glued it onto a Butterfly Viscaria using Donic Vario Clean.  I normally use T05 in my forehand, so this will mainly be a comparison with that rubber.

This rubber also comes in softer version called Calibra LT Sound which I also hit with a few days ago.  The sound version is softer -- and has more sound. 

The regular version has a top sheet that is very grippy and the rubber has a natural appearance quite like T05 and also the Boost series.  The sponge is orange colored but not porous like Butterfly spring sponges or some recent Tensors.  It is medium hard, I would say similar or maybe ever so slightly harder than T05.  Pip structure is like T64, which it resembles a bit in its playing characteristics.

This stuff has a really nice feel.  Stiga claims that this rubber has a long trajectory that makes it excellent off the table and that is certainly true.  Although the throw is a bit lower than T05, it can handle pressure just the same way in counter looping.  A lot of people who are bothered by the T05 high throw will like this one.  Actually, now that I think about it, Calibra LT has a lot in common with T64.  It is maybe just a touch less spinny, but not far off and it is spinny enough I think.  ALthough it throws lower than T05, it didn't bother me the way some tensors do.  Speed is more like T64 than T05, which is to say, it is a bit faster than T05.  Also, the Calibra LT is distinctly ligher than any Tenergy, which will gain it a lot of fans.  Serving I couldn't tell the difference from T05, it was also good on returns an short game, had a nice feel for blocking. It almost feels like a rubber that falls somewhere in between T05 and T64 in playing characteristics.

I will write more about this later after I have played with it some more, but at 40 USD from Paddle Palace and from Dandoy it is a lot cheaper than Tenergy series.  If you play with if for a few days, you will be at the same level as you were with Tenergy.  Another thing I am quite sure of; I played with it au naturel, but I will bet you anything that if you boost this stuff and then hit some loops with it you will see God.

Without any question, for the way I play this is the best rubber in the post speed-glue era that I have ever used that is not called Tenergy.  To date it is the only rubber that is an even close to viable alternative-- although I suppose I might put Hexer in that category too.

Sorry, have never tried  Magna II TC

If it's not too much trouble for you, Baal, can you take a picture of the Callibra?
Would be interesting to see the topsheet and the sponge.. thank you..


Edited by dragon kid - 08/31/2010 at 3:16pm

dragon kid, I'll try but will need to borrow a camera and learn how to use it for the necessary close shot.  

Calibra LT seemed fairly consistent to me.  I would be really curious to know if you liked it.  Let me play with it some more and I will try to figure better the issue of the contribution of topsheet and sponge to spin as a function of racket speed.  It's an interesting idea and I haven't given it a lot of thought before.  Calibra LT is more like Tenergy than anything else I have tried so far, if that is any help. It is also more versatile than Boosts and throws quite a bit higher.

OK Dragon Kid, will do.  Have some business travel this week, will try to do it early next week.

sorry no

jonyer1980 wrote: Here´s a vid of the rubbers of some dudes trying them: If it plays like the vid,  this it´s really CRAZY FAST!!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24SNH1I357Y

It sounds good!

I've got a Calibra LT Sound. The topsheet shines like the Boost series. The sponge is similar to Boost series except that it is orange color.

JKC

What are your initial thoughts on the way Calibra LT plays?

Looking at your pictures, I agree with Baal's comment about the pip structure, being similar to the pip structure of Tenergy 64.

It's a rubber that interests me, as I like Tenergy 05 and Tenergy 64. And if this is a viable alternative; then I'll buy some to test it myself.

Peter C wrote: JKC What are your initial thoughts on the way Calibra LT plays? Looking at your pictures, I agree with Baal's comment about the pip structure, being similar to the pip structure of Tenergy 64. It's a rubber that interests me, as I like Tenergy 05 and Tenergy 64. And if this is a viable alternative; then I'll buy some to test it myself.

I really like the stuff. Of the newer rubbers, I can only compare it to T05 as I have never used a Tensor. It is clearly faster than T05, slightly lower throw (medium high), blocks better than T05 though with less automatic spin. Opening loops very spinny, but a fraction less than a new sheet of Tenergy. Off the table it has real power and some of the old 'speed glue' feel and a nice sound too. I haven't done much pushing, but it is great for flicking the ball. Hits through heavy topspin very well and and is lots of fun to play with. After 4 hours or so of play it still looks as good as new, with all scuff marks still disappearing with a little moisture and a wipe off. Lets hope it lasts for a long time.  

Baal/JKC what blade you would fit this rubber best, flexible/stiff, carbon/all wood or a mix.

Carryboy wrote: Baal/JKC what blade you would fit this rubber best, flexible/stiff, carbon/all wood or a mix.

Carryboy wrote: Baal/JKC what blade you would fit this rubber best, flexible/stiff, carbon/all wood or a mix.

I think it depends on what you like, I used it on a stiff but soft ALC blade (Viscaria) and it felt good.  One way to think about it is if it is a good blade for T64 it will be good with this too.

pics from a chinese forum: