Stiga Carbonado 290, 245 & Celero

Carbonado 245

Wt: 92 grams

Size: 156x150mm (approx.)

Hardness: Stiff

Thickness: 6.06mm

Speed: OFF+

Celero

Wt: 93 grams

Size: 156x150mm (approx.)

Hardness: 5.67mm

Speed: all+ to off-

<p ="MsonoSpacing">Let me just say that I was quite surprised with the newer
Carbonados because I was not expecting them to be different and really that
good. To be honest with you all, I was not expecting them to be that good. The
past Carbonados are good but not as good as the 290 and 245. The 290 and 245
are made very stiff, in fact they are very stiff which are a few notches below
the amultart or sardius. This is my personal opinion but in the past it is
possible that Stiga wanted a high speed blade with a woody feel that is why
they made the Carbonado 190 and 145. The speed of the 190 and 145 seem almost
enough with the right rubbers but people wanted more speed so they made the 290
and 245. The 245 and 290 on a bounce test against their bare blade surfaces
both have high bounce. The 290 has a higher bounce than the 245. Both have a
loud high pitch sound but not as high as sardius. The quality of both blades is
very good. The limba outer plies do not have any junctions or discontinuations.
I requested for the master flared ones because I am expecting an increase in
the weight of both blades. I used Mantra rubbers and DHS H3 for this test.
Water based glue was used also.

<p ="MsonoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p>

<p ="MsonoSpacing">About the speed of the 290 and 245, they are OFF+. The 145
and 190 in my previous review, I did not consider them to be true OFF+ blades
and for me they belong only to an OFF blade category. They had enough speed but
they belong to the category of control-carbon blades. They are not blazingly
fast but on the level of modern carbon arylate blades. The 290 and 245 speeds
are both another story. They are both faster than the Stiga Intensity Carbon which
in my opinion is already a very fast blade. The Intensity carbon has flex and
stiffness at the same time but the newer Carbonado blades have lesser flex especially
the 290 which is more than 6.14mm thick compared to the 245 which is 6.06mm
thick. When you do fh to fh and bh to bh drills, they are very bouncy with each
of the rubbers I mentioned using for the test. Even the Hurricane 3 being
itself a Chinese rubber is pretty fast for the 2 blades. The Mantra H and M
versions were awesome. I believe the Mantra H and M rubbers are on a class of
their own and when paired with both Carbonados, they have this potent
combination for speed and spin with some control over your shots. Both blades
feel like a harder and stiffer Innerforce alc blade.

<p ="MsonoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p>

<p ="MsonoSpacing">What are the differences between the 2 blades? There are
quite a few differences that I have observed actually. The 290 has a lower
throw or arc while the 245 has a high throw with the rubbers I have used for
testing. The 245 easily clears the net when you are looping the ball and the
height I have observed over the net would probably be 4-7 inches depending on
your angle but you will not have any problems hitting the net. You need to
adjust a little bit with the 245 because of the high arc and a long throw. First
few minutes I had to adjust but not much of a problem. The 290 however is a bit
unique. At first, you would be a bit nervous if your shots because you would
think they would hit the net and you would miss your shots but no. The low
throw and long arc of the 290 seem to be good in the long run. Yes, it has a
low throw but it is consistent at about 1-2 inches above the net BUT you seldom
miss with it. It is pretty consistent about its accuracy and height. When you
loop with the 245 it is easier because the ball has some clearance when you
loop it. The high throw of the 245 is more forgiving than the 290 but the 290’s
consistency on its low height can be hard to block against with. The low but
long trajectory of the 290 produces a very sharp flight pathway for the ball
and it is faster too. The 290 is faster than the carbonado 245. People would mistake
the ball going over the table with the 245 as the 245 being the faster of the 2
but it is actually the opposite. It is the 290 that is faster only that it has
a lower throw and the 245 due to the height and long trajectory of the ball,
makes you miss your placement sometimes.

<p ="MsonoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p>

<p ="MsonoSpacing">Which is my favorite of the 2? It is the 290 hands down! I
have never used such a stable and consistent off+ blade. It may be stiff and
very fast but the control is top notch. I have used this to loop near and away
from the table and it is seem easier to use that most off+ blades. The accuracy
is quite good despite the speed. The block is so good I was just literally just
standing straight with my knees not bent while blocking a friend’s loop against
block near the table. Most of all, the long and sharp trajectory makes it a
potent attacker’s blade. The 245 is also a good blade but the 290 has this special
traits that I really admire about. In the past I have chosen the 145 and 45
carbonado versions as blades that I prefer but I would give it to the 290 this time.
Only drawback I see here is the weight but it is manageable if you use master
flared and the set up with a Chinese rubber on one side seem NOT heady heavy.
Both blades have better balance compared to the past carbonado versions.

<p ="MsonoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p>

<p ="MsonoSpacing">The Celero

<p ="MsonoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p>

<p ="MsonoSpacing">The Celero blade is another blade belonging to the VPS
series. Its construction is limba outer with spruce??? 2^nd and ayous
inner plies. Not much to say about this blade but that it is slower than the
Infinity VPS. The speed is clearly noticeable where in you can feel the Celero
blade as the slower one between the 2. The blade produces a low pitch “thok”
sound when you are bouncing the blade against its bare blade surface. It is
pretty much controllable than the Infinity blade and it loops better due to the
control. One thing I like about it is that it is a good all around blade.
Placing a Mantra H or any other off+ rubbers you would have a fast but
controllable blade. I would recommend the Celero with an off+ Rubber or maybe
use long pimples with it.