Mizuno Q3/Q4/Q5/QQ/Q1

Hi Sedis

Could you please compare Q Quality with others famous rubbers? Just to get a better idea how it plays.

And what about durability, was it noticeably more than avarage?

Thank you very much

did you like Q Quality?

I would say that those who like G-1 will like Q5 and may prefer Q5. But Q5 did not strike me as something out of this world - only a slight upgrade to G-1.

 

So normally I play with chinese style rubber on my forehand and rozena or Mantra H on my backhand, I actually prefer Rozena due to being more lively. My blade is a Joola Vyzaryz Trinity which I love since it has good speed for slow chinese rubbers has an excellent handle and good control and spin too.

So switching from 729 battle 2 gold and Tibhar K2 to Mizuno Q5 was a pretty big deal. Tibhar K2 is really fast, sticky and has a hard sponge (54deg). 729 Battle 2 has a 40 deg sponge (I would rate it around 50 deg, or maybe even a bit lower on Shore C), with sticky topsheet, but it is slow.

I like chinese and hybrid rubbers because they don't drop the ball on loopkill and they are easy to use for over the table forehand flicks, and of course you can keep the ball low with them if you decide to just push a serve return. (and they are on the light side too)

I am a power player, I loop kill if possible, and push if not possible, occasionally I do a semi-acceptable loop. I don't put too much faith in loops since they can be countered hard and then I have serious issues.

Anyway hybrid rubbers like Tibhar K2 in my opinion are excellent for current game (FH), fast, aggressive, controllable etc etc. And I say this while I really despise ESN manufactured rubbers.

Okay back to topic about the Q5...

I glued it on with 2 generous layers of DHS No 15 glue on the sponge, and 1 layer on the blade. I will start with the detriment... It was 55g cut to the Joola Trinity blade with some edge remaining. That is heavy... Detriments end here unless we count the charcoal smell of the rubber. (not booster, just I guess the manufacturing process makes it like this)

On positive note this rubber is absolutely polite. It is a gentleman, so easy to use. Super good grip and spin, the sponge is perfectly hardened and bounces really efficiently aka fast, it might be actually faster than MX-P, bit it is so polite, it gives you so much holding feeling that you can control everything. I never had the feeling where the rubber is taking over my shot when I didn't need it to, and when I needed the power it just gave it to me. Granted I only have like 150 minutes of playtime in it but I absolutely love it.

Pushes are really low and consistent, I never once pushed up a high ball even after using chinese rubbers before.

I can almost do the same loop kill as with chinese rubbers, maybe I need to pull up a big higher to clear the net. In this aspect I guess it's weaker than K2, but on other aspects it's so much more usable.

Spinny opening loops are far superior to K3 or Battle 2.

Counter loops are fantastic, the grip is great, the ball never slips. Speed is even better, control is fantastic.

I tried one of my teammates T19 and in hindsight I would cry blood if I purchased T19 instead of Q5.

The sponge has so much hold that it would be very suitable for backhand too.

I think with fewer layers of glue, the weight could be reduced to 51-2g. And then it could be a serious contender for both FH and BH, and as far as I understand Q3 should be lighter and even faster.

Honestly if I had 2 T19 on my racket I would burn them for 1 sheet of Q5... It's really so much better.

Super kudos to Mizuno and Sumitomo for designing and manufacturing such an excellent rubber.

If the durability is good (which I read is pretty darn excellent too) the 60 EUR price tag should not scare anyone away. ESN rubbers for 40-60EUR have absolutely no chance to compete. K2 is awesome, especially for 26USD from prott, but I wouldn't even take a glance at it in the shade of Q5 for 60EUR. Tenergy? Dignics? Nope. Rozena? For 33USD??? Difficult choice. For BH I think Rozena is good, but I'd take Q5 any day. I would actually try Q3 which has lower weight.

Sorry for my usual long rant. Hope you found it educational. 

Generally, it looks like the durability will be pretty good.

While I can't say it smells like any specific booster I'm aware of, Q5 has a very pungent odor for the first 48 hours outside of the package. I would describe it as a cross between beef jerky and burning tires. Overall, not a pleasant scent.

The good news is that by now, I really need to put the rubber right up to my face to detect any smell.

Not that I noticed. Certainly not a strong smell.