Nittaku GALZE: The Review

So this review is long overdue..apologies to those who've been calling me out and sending me PM's regarding the performance of the rubber. Hopefully, this review would do justice haha.

Just a quick backgrounder, I decided to give this rubber since it was rumored (unless confirmed) that it's manufactured in the same factory as the Tenergies. Not that I was looking for a Tenergy alternative, and neither was i hoping to experience a Tenergy-like performance from the Rubber, instead I was merely wanting to see if this was a rubber that had distinct qualities that would make it stand on its own.

So went ahead and bought the rubber from Rakuten for Y3220, roughly US$40.  For comparison, I will compare it together with T05 2.1 and Stiga Calibra LT Max...so on to the review...

Setup:
Red 2.1 Galze
Blk 2.0 Tin Arc
BTY MJ ST Blade

Appearance: if this rubber was indeed manufactured by the same factory where Tenergy's are produced, then I will have to say yes.  the Rubber's surface texture and appearance is very Tenergy-like.  The Sponge is porous, but the holes are not as large as Tenergy's...think about Roundell-sized pores.

Rubber Weight: Was not able to weigh the rubber cut/uncut, but on the same setup, it's definitely lighter than T05 and slightly heavier than the Calibra LT.  Light-to-Heavy: Calibra LT Max>Galze>>>T05

Speed: The Galze is a fast Rubber, but has a lot better control than T05 and Calibra.  If you're a player who loves a fast rubber with an element of control, this rubber would be another suggestion from thousands out there.  From my own personal Scale: T05=9, Calibra=9.3, Galze=8.8.

Spin: The Galze would be the least spinny of the 3.  The spin generated by the rubber is a bit of a dissapointment for me and even my 5month old Calibra on the same blade played for about 5hours a week, is spinnier than the Galze.  To provide justice to the rubber and remain objective, the rubber still awesome in its spin play, but given its price point - one would think it should perform better.  Personal Scale: T05=9.5, Calibra=9.1, Galze=8.9

Bounciness & Trajectory: The Galze is definitely the least bouncy of the 3, but it's not at all a disadvantage.  The Galze is more attuned and representative of what your Blade's speed is.  The Galze offers a lot more linear trajectory and play than the T05, which in my opinion has an element of unpredictability due to its bounciness.  Still, the Galze would be a tad less bouncy than the Calibra.  Depending on how one would view it, the Galze's lesser bounce and more predictable trajectory can either be good or undesirable.  My opinion leans towards the former.

Durability: The Calibra still tops any of the more recently manufactured rubbers out there in this department, and I would opine that the Galze is equal to T05's "durability" or lack of it.  After a week's play, I had a small tear on the side of the sheet when I accidentaly (and ever so slightly) hit the rubber on the edge of the table off a counterblock.  Personal Scale: Calibra=10, T05 & Galze=8.9

Overall, the rubber is another decent outing by Nittaku but hardly something to write/email your TT friends about. If it was $10 cheaper or priced along with other Mainstream ESN's, the rubber would probably be more saleable IMO.

Thnx! Really, too expensive for controllable allround offensive rubber.

pablogilberto, thank you for review!  Since you have Tin Arc, could you please compare it with Galze as well?

Edited by stefashka - 07/19/2011 at 1:46am

How is the throw comparison?
Is T05>Glaze>Calibra LT?

Pingpong-Pete wrote: Thanks for this really helpful review. I have to admit thzough that I'm a bit disappointed by the Galze. I would have expected more from this rubber.

Pete, the best feedback on any equipment is your own.  I would suggest you try it and form your own impressions...don't let my somewhat less than stellar review of the rubber completely influence you. 

You're probably right there, Pablogilberto. But I think the spin category is not that subjective and hence if it's harder for you to generate spin with the Galze, I think it will be harder for me, too. And that makes me doubt if it's wise to invest 30 Euros into a rubber that doesn't sound too promising to me.
The Galze obviously doesn't seem to be my Tenergy substitute, the next rubber I set my hopes in is the Cornilleau Pulse Racer.

pablogilberto wrote: So this review is long overdue..apologies to those who've been calling me out and sending me PM's regarding the performance of the rubber. Hopefully, this review would do justice haha. Just a quick backgrounder, I decided to give this rubber since it was rumored (unless confirmed) that it's manufactured in the same factory as the Tenergies. Not that I was looking for a Tenergy alternative, and neither was i hoping to experience a Tenergy-like performance from the Rubber, instead I was merely wanting to see if this was a rubber that had distinct qualities that would make it stand on its own. So went ahead and bought the rubber from Rakuten for Y3220, roughly US$40.  For comparison, I will compare it together with T05 2.1 and Stiga Calibra LT Max...so on to the review... Setup: Red 2.1 Galze Blk 2.0 Tin Arc BTY MJ ST Blade Appearance: if this rubber was indeed manufactured by the same factory where Tenergy's are produced, then I will have to say yes.  the Rubber's surface texture and appearance is very Tenergy-like.  The Sponge is porous, but the holes are not as large as Tenergy's...think about Roundell-sized pores. Rubber Weight: Was not able to weigh the rubber cut/uncut, but on the same setup, it's definitely lighter than T05 and slightly heavier than the Calibra LT.  Light-to-Heavy: Calibra LT Max>Galze>>>T05 Speed: The Galze is a fast Rubber, but has a lot better control than T05 and Calibra.  If you're a player who loves a fast rubber with an element of control, this rubber would be another suggestion from thousands out there.  From my own personal Scale: T05=9, Calibra=9.3, Galze=8.8. Spin: The Galze would be the least spinny of the 3.  The spin generated by the rubber is a bit of a dissapointment for me and even my 5month old Calibra on the same blade played for about 5hours a week, is spinnier than the Galze.  To provide justice to the rubber and remain objective, the rubber still awesome in its spin play, but given its price point - one would think it should perform better.  Personal Scale: T05=9.5, Calibra=9.1, Galze=8.9 Bounciness & Trajectory: The Galze is definitely the least bouncy of the 3, but it's not at all a disadvantage.  The Galze is more attuned and representative of what your Blade's speed is.  The Galze offers a lot more linear trajectory and play than the T05, which in my opinion has an element of unpredictability due to its bounciness.  Still, the Galze would be a tad less bouncy than the Calibra.  Depending on how one would view it, the Galze's lesser bounce and more predictable trajectory can either be good or undesirable.  My opinion leans towards the former. Durability: The Calibra still tops any of the more recently manufactured rubbers out there in this department, and I would opine that the Galze is equal to T05's "durability" or lack of it.  After a week's play, I had a small tear on the side of the sheet when I accidentaly (and ever so slightly) hit the rubber on the edge of the table off a counterblock.  Personal Scale: Calibra=10, T05 & Galze=8.9 Overall, the rubber is another decent outing by Nittaku but hardly something to write/email your TT friends about. If it was $10 cheaper or priced along with other Mainstream ESN's, the rubber would probably be more saleable IMO.