New Xiom Vega Blades

fatt wrote: I sold all my blades and bought 2 Vega Pro ST for a total of 3; I am done!  The Vega Pro is discontinued. I bought mine new for $115 a piece. I hear that they have about 19 left; 10 ST and 9 FL at that price. I would jump on a couple of them if I were you. It's a VERY GOOD PRICE for such a good blade imho. You might get a gift if you buy 2 at a time. For more info, contact forum member arteepr. He is a legit worker in a TT shop and always willing to help; also very responsive via facebook or PM here. NOTE: He did the skull test and I have 2 blades with the exact same sound and they are 1 gram apart. Well done arteepr! you are such a great resource.  สดไทยยาว

How come both the blades look a bit different?

I'm interested in this blade but need to confirm a few things from you if you don't mind sharing your expert opinion.

I'm currently using YEO 7 Power blade which has a hard walnut outer layer but it doesn't feel that stiff at all. I'm using MX-P on FH and EL-P on BH and my game is an all-round attack based game. I do serve returns by either pushing/choping or BH banana flicks and I am a passive BH blocker but I also like to punch on my BH. I like to top-spin and side spin the ball with my FH and attack whenever I see a chance. My FH strokes mostly emphasize on spin even when I smash I spin drive the ball rather than killing/smashing. I also like to play close and mid distance and want enough power here to finish the point from away the table. What's most important for me is to be able to feel the ball dip into the rubber as my stroke is spin oriented. For this reason I did not like the feel of Viscaria or the feel of HL5, I don't know if you call this being less dwelly maybe?

So do you think this blade will be right for me?

Thanks in advance.


Edited by unstopabl3 - 01/25/2017 at 7:11am

Vega Euro is softer , a bit slower and higher throw angle than Vega pro. Euro has Koto outer ply but Vega pro has Limba outer ply which make their feeling different.

fatt wrote: unstopabl3 wrote:   ... How come both the blades look a bit different? I'm interested in this blade but need to confirm a few things from you if you don't mind sharing your expert opinion. I'm currently using YEO 7 Power blade which has a hard walnut outer layer but it doesn't feel that stiff at all. I'm using MX-P on FH and EL-P on BH and my game is an all-round attack based game. I do serve returns by either pushing/choping or BH banana flicks and I am a passive BH blocker but I also like to punch on my BH. I like to top-spin and side spin the ball with my FH and attack whenever I see a chance. My FH strokes mostly emphasize on spin even when I smash I spin drive the ball rather than killing/smashing. I also like to play close and mid distance and want enough power here to finish the point from away the table. What's most important for me is to be able to feel the ball dip into the rubber as my stroke is spin oriented. For this reason I did not like the feel of Viscaria or the feel of HL5, I don't know if you call this being less dwelly maybe? So do you think this blade will be right for me? Thanks in advance. I am mainly coming from mizutani Jun and Tb alc. I found the Vega Pro to offer me stability and control in those shots where I was too long in drives/smashes or too high/long in the short game. I did not feel like I was losing much power in loops so on my 1st day I knew this was it and I had proof in the pudding with clear wins v. People beating me more often. That blade offers all advantages of the zlc without the dull feel of composite; it has the warmth of a powerful all wood blades. It comes easily in the low 80 gr unlike your typical composite from butterfly. It is far better than any alc blade I ever tried while being as good as the mj for people having an arm slower than what it takes to fully handle the mj. No matter where we are from style wise and the stuff we have used, all modern players who have a loop on both wings, hit and smash, want a short game under control and want a blade that serve them instead of feeling the blade force them to play a certain style should try a Vega pro under 85 grams.

Thanks for your input.

Is it slower than TB ALC? How is it from mid distance? How big is it's sweet spot?

If I didn't like the stiffness of HL5's limba outer veneer, do you think I will also dis-like the limba on Vega Pro?

Thanks

@fatt, where did you hear that Vega Pro blades are discontinued?

TT11 still have it in stock

One thing that is always good advice is, if you find a blade from Xiom that you really really like, better buy a few of them right away because very few companies discontinue blades as fast as they do.

who is selling the blades? should I contact arteepr?

The funny thing is that I have revised my opinion of the Vega Tour. I now appreciate what Xiom was doing with it. It's the only one that is clearly OFF among all the blades while keeping the same feel. So that is what gives it a distinct character.

It's faster with and has all the usual implications of bring faster, other than that because of the hinoki outer, I prefer it to the Euro, and the Euro is the only Koto blade I have ever given a chance. Vs. The Pro, it is a wash. It really depends on my mood, though because the Tour I use has a straight handle and I prefer flares, the Pro will get more burn.

fatt wrote: you are on the right track; for you and me, vp!  Power mj>vp Speed mj>vp Spin mj<vp Bounce mj>vp Dwell mj<vp Control mj<vp the vp is close to the mj but it is much better if the player like me has a slower arm :)

Thanks for the above comparison fatt. Which rubbers have you tried with XVP, have you tried tenergy and tibhar evo rubbers with it?

Would you say it would be a waste of money if I got both MJ ZLC and XVP to test which one better suits me?

fatt wrote: If you buy them both used, I believe you can get your money back selling one of them on the forum. An old mj 1st gen at $120 max (they used to be $140 but people price it in function of the new one's price...) and a used vp at $90 is where I would look at. Both are keepers if you do not mind immobilizing a couple hundred bucks into 2 blades: nothing wrong owning them both :) I just decided not to own a mj because that's what I will play for fun at the expense of the control the vp gives me.

Thanks that's a great suggestion, I'll keep an eye on the sale section :)

How is the new MJ ZLC different from the old one?

fatt wrote: MX-P max: did not like it T80fx max: liked it a lot on the bh. Note: bluefire m2: near perfect for me on the fh

You didn't like MX-P as a rubber or you didn't like it on this blade specifically? And why didn't you like it? I ask because I've been using MX-P on my FH for about 6 months now and I'd hate to switch to a different rubber if it's not suitable with XVP.

Thanks

I feel more confident with mxp in 2.0 thickness its more controllable than the max.. I am currently using xvp and mxp as my bh rubber

Edited by Saitama - 02/11/2017 at 8:41pm

fatt wrote: He he never again... I almost bought that beautiful violin dan_can is selling.: Incredible blade, one of the best ever; and the deal from tommy16: I had to resist so bad; and the donic crest from Assam... I'm in recovery! 3 VP and 1 cofferlait to remind me not to blunder. Play, play, play is what I need to focus on.

The Dark Side of the force has its perks...

Which one from the vega series is best for short pips?