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Nittaku Zalt |
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AndySmith
Premier Member Joined: 11/12/2008 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 4378 |
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Posted: 12/02/2014 at 8:17am |
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Picked up a sheet of this last week. Made in China.
Sponge is porous. Colour is very near to the colour of tenergy's sponge colour (Zalt is a little lighter, less red). Probably about the softness of the FX tenergy sponge. Zalt's sponge pores are smaller and tighter than the T-FX sponge though. I can get a side-by-side pic if anyone seems interested. The topsheet is interesting. Tall, thin pips with fairly wide spacing. Topsheet is very, very thin. Totally non tacky. Rubbing your finger down the sheet reveals a very rough, bumpy feel. You can feel the pips through the topsheet. In play it's a good, solid allround+ rubber. IMO, it slots into the "modern classic" category along with Andro Shifter and Xiom Musa. Not massively fast and not hugely bouncy, spin is excellent, throw is medium. Whereas Musa feels more like a toned-down (untuned) tensor, Zalt has a far more Japanese feel to it. I immediately thought of a more flexible, elastic Mark V with a more modern feel. And it's reasonably light - lighter than Musa, for example (but Musa's sponge is harder...). Not sure which Chinese company is making this on behalf of Nittaku, but the quality is really high. No imperfections anywhere. |
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This was a great signature until I realised it was overrated.
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dannyreventon
Super Member Joined: 05/22/2014 Location: Japan Status: Offline Points: 235 |
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If you have to choose between the two? Musa or Zalt, which would you choose? :)
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Main Setup:
Timo Boll Spirit FH: Neo H3 Prov 39deg BH: Xiom Musa Stiga Clipper Wood FH: Neo Skyline 3 BH: Stiga Neos Sound ST Avenger 5 FH: Neo H3 Bh: Xiom Musa |
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AndySmith
Premier Member Joined: 11/12/2008 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 4378 |
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Tough question! ;-) I prefer the lighter weight and feel of the Zalt at the moment. But! Being made in China, I worry a little about the QC between sheets. And Zalt's softer sponge does have less power - particularly noticeable when punching or playing half-strokes over the table. I had a few shots "wash out" and drop into the net because I wasn't used to the lack of pop. If you twisted my arm then I'd probably go with Zalt and make some stroke adjustments. Zalt has a particularly nice feel when in a BH counterloop situation, which can be a tricky area for me, so it gets a few points there. Of course, I haven't tried Musa 2 yet... |
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This was a great signature until I realised it was overrated.
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dannyreventon
Super Member Joined: 05/22/2014 Location: Japan Status: Offline Points: 235 |
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Me too! Darn that elusive Musa 2. ha ha ha. Wonder why only ttnpp is the one selling it. |
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Main Setup:
Timo Boll Spirit FH: Neo H3 Prov 39deg BH: Xiom Musa Stiga Clipper Wood FH: Neo Skyline 3 BH: Stiga Neos Sound ST Avenger 5 FH: Neo H3 Bh: Xiom Musa |
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AndySmith
Premier Member Joined: 11/12/2008 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 4378 |
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Yeah, that is a bit mysterious. Fills me up with conspiracy theories. Zalt seems really overpriced in US TT webstores. TT-Japan is a better option. |
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This was a great signature until I realised it was overrated.
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dannyreventon
Super Member Joined: 05/22/2014 Location: Japan Status: Offline Points: 235 |
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Of course, TT-Japan is one of the best shop to buy. :) Had it not for that darn Butterfly, who banned TT-Japan from selling their ridiculously overpriced products, I would have bought butterfly prod from tt-japan. :( |
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Main Setup:
Timo Boll Spirit FH: Neo H3 Prov 39deg BH: Xiom Musa Stiga Clipper Wood FH: Neo Skyline 3 BH: Stiga Neos Sound ST Avenger 5 FH: Neo H3 Bh: Xiom Musa |
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Crowsfeather
Super Member Joined: 08/03/2013 Location: Thailand Status: Offline Points: 448 |
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Great for backhand!!
Great control!! Not very spinny or sticky |
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I'm no longer an EJ and I'm proud .
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Crowsfeather
Super Member Joined: 08/03/2013 Location: Thailand Status: Offline Points: 448 |
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Impression
A son of yasaka fusion, step up for more speed more spin, a bit harder. |
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I'm no longer an EJ and I'm proud .
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Alwin
Member Joined: 04/05/2015 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 60 |
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Rather than start a new thread, I'll ask on here and hope someone replies :)
I'm considering this rubber as my new BH rubber. Quick background: Compact BH stroke because I'm used to traditional Chinese rubbers like TG2 and PF4-1, but I struggled with BH looping. Changed to Flextra at the end of last year which is nice, but BH opening loop is still not great. I'm not looking for a rubber to fix my technical problems, but one that will suit my natural stroke and I can develop my BH looping with. (if you want to read more: http://mytabletennis.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=70967&PID=866813) My qs are > How is Zalt for developing/learning strokes?
> How much of a difference is it from Flextra - will it be too fast or lack control? > Is it durable? > Is it a non-tensor rubber? > How does it perform on serves and touch shots? |
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T05H | HL5 | TG3-60
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CipheR
Member Joined: 02/26/2015 Location: Philippines Status: Offline Points: 47 |
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I'm currently using a nittaku zalt, middle thickness, as a BH rubber and I must say it's a very good rubber for developing strokes. It's a more of a modern take on the classic rubber, it's a non-tensor rubber. It's durable. And with serves and touch-shots it's pretty good there. It's an all-around rubber, if you ask me.
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ㅈㅈ지지ㅎㅎㅋㅋ
Nittaku Custom Blade FH: Neo Hurricane 3 Provincial BH: Xiom Musa |
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AndySmith
Premier Member Joined: 11/12/2008 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 4378 |
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+1 to CipheR's post.
> How is Zalt for developing/learning strokes? Great! It isn't too fast, is quite soft, and the topsheet has an unusual quality of being insensitive to spin unless you use a fast stroke action, so it's very forgiving. > How much of a difference is it from Flextra - will it be too fast or lack control? It's not too dissimilar actually. It does throw a little higher and I did find it easier for BH looping (although I can't remember the last time I used Fextra - many years ago!). It isn't much faster at all. > Is it durable? Yes, pretty good. > Is it a non-tensor rubber? Yes, non-tensor. It's made in China (more on that below). > How does it perform on serves and touch shots? Really well during service return. It doesn't have a hugely grippy topsheet so it isn't the best when serving yourself. So, this is made in China and since my original post above I'm 90% sure it's made by 729, simply because it's really similar to 729 Battle 1. Battle 1 has a grippier topsheet on an almost identical sponge, and is cheaper too. If you're prepared to go one small step further up the rubber performance chain away from Flextra (more grip, slightly faster than Zalt), you should give Battle 1 a try.
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This was a great signature until I realised it was overrated.
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piligrim
Premier Member Joined: 06/21/2011 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 5319 |
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what the weight cut to standard size blade? |
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CipheR
Member Joined: 02/26/2015 Location: Philippines Status: Offline Points: 47 |
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+1 to Andy's answer. It really has a very high throw. Higher than my musa's.
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ㅈㅈ지지ㅎㅎㅋㅋ
Nittaku Custom Blade FH: Neo Hurricane 3 Provincial BH: Xiom Musa |
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AndySmith
Premier Member Joined: 11/12/2008 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 4378 |
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My red sheet ("super thick", heh) is 38.75g cut to 158x152, which is a tad bigger than standard.
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This was a great signature until I realised it was overrated.
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piligrim
Premier Member Joined: 06/21/2011 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 5319 |
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really?? so light! thanks Andy Can you compare please it's speed to other tensor rubber for example Acuda or Evolution? |
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AndySmith
Premier Member Joined: 11/12/2008 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 4378 |
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Yup, it's quite light compared to most modern rubbers. It's a bit slower than any tensor really, which is where the comparison to Musa comes in. It has some of the elastic snap and loose feel of a tensor but without the speed. Even though it throws quite high, it does lack spin. This makes it really easy to use and to develop a BH loop with, but when playing at a reasonably high level it's hard to generate threatening levels of spin with it. The topsheet is really something - the thinnest I can remember seeing. Battle 1 is similar in feel but with a grippier topsheet, and is very close to something like Acuda S2/S3, but maybe 80% of the top speed and more linear.
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This was a great signature until I realised it was overrated.
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piligrim
Premier Member Joined: 06/21/2011 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 5319 |
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thank you very much. so it slower than Acuda ... maybe on OFF+ blade will be still fast enough ... with this rubber racket weight will be super light.
Battle 1 has similar weight to Zalt? |
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AndySmith
Premier Member Joined: 11/12/2008 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 4378 |
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Bit heavier - 44.36g for the same cut size.
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This was a great signature until I realised it was overrated.
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Alwin
Member Joined: 04/05/2015 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 60 |
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Thanks AndySmith and CipheR! I got Zalt today for a nice price and I'll try it out when I hit in a few days time Maybe in the future when my BH is more developed I'll try Battle 1.
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T05H | HL5 | TG3-60
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CipheR
Member Joined: 02/26/2015 Location: Philippines Status: Offline Points: 47 |
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Glad to be of help. :)
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ㅈㅈ지지ㅎㅎㅋㅋ
Nittaku Custom Blade FH: Neo Hurricane 3 Provincial BH: Xiom Musa |
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sonykurniawan
Member Joined: 03/17/2014 Location: Indonesia Status: Offline Points: 77 |
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Alwin, dont forget to say something about Zalt since you tried it
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Alwin
Member Joined: 04/05/2015 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 60 |
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Sure I haven't done a review before and I'm not too sure what to write, so I'll just put my impressions and hope it adds to this thread. I got 2.0mm in red for my backhand. This was labelled as "Super Thick" on the package (I do wonder what they would call a 2.2mm version... ultra super duper thick?). Compared to a very old tenergy 05 I have which came on the old DHS blade I've been restoring this past week (sanding down bits of sponge, filling cracks and sealing the blade) I have agree with AndySmith on the general appearance. It does have a lovely looking topsheet that's really thin and impressive. When playing, the first thing I noticed was the higher throw, much higher than I'm used to coming from PF4, TG3 and Flextra. When a drive a high ball or hit through high top spin, my blade almost finishes horizontal to the ground. I really have to follow through properly on my bigger strokes. It does feel a tad faster than Flextra, which was the main reason for changing, so when I hit the ball with my natural stroke it lands ~10cm from the opposite table edge rather than in the middle when using Flextra. The ball travels further in a shorter time. Surprisingly it does make a very satisfying 'click' when I hit at full power which reminds me of tensor rubbers I've tried on friends' blades. But, there is barely any catapult effect on normal strokes. During BH loop drills, I feel like I've made a good choice. I don't have to hit 'forward' as much just to get the ball to land deep. It has a really nice arc too, maybe because of the higher throw, that brings it down on the table. It makes opening loops and flicks a lot more easier. Also, maybe because of my stroke, I get some side spin on my loops. Not a lot, but enough to curve the ball from my opponents sweet spot to the handle if I'm looping to his FH. I also have no idea how to control this side spin as it's something I didn't get with previous rubbers. Yeh, overall I find it a very nice rubber to play with. It suits my game a lot more than any thing else I've tried and the only issue that I have is that sometimes when I (passive) block the ball just falls into the net. Probably due to sloppy technique than equipment - I'm too used to just sticking my bat out and letting hard tacky rubbers do their thing. I didn't passive block too well with Flextra either EDIT: I twiddled and used it on my FH last week. Similar feeling when looping, higher throw with nice arc and pace. The 'click' noise was louder too which sounded great, but I still prefer TG3 for its low vicious arcs when looping.
Edited by Alwin - 04/18/2015 at 3:08am |
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T05H | HL5 | TG3-60
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sonykurniawan
Member Joined: 03/17/2014 Location: Indonesia Status: Offline Points: 77 |
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Nice and in depth review. Thanks much mate
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frogger
Premier Member Joined: 08/03/2010 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 3062 |
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I thought Zalt played much like Mark V. A safe rubber selection for more control. Perhaps a tic faster but not by much. Zalt is a good allround rubber. Plays well on BH. |
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Wood Paddle
Red side Black side. |
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asifgunz
Gold Member Joined: 09/15/2013 Location: Queens NY Status: Offline Points: 1448 |
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Mark V is cheaper. I was under the impression reanos hold and both zalt played similar to good old mark v.
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"I do not have any idols. I am my own idol." - Zhang Jike Feedback: http://mytabletennis.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=71761&PN=1#905629 |
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IanMcg
Gold Member Joined: 05/27/2011 Location: Somehere Status: Offline Points: 1151 |
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Mark V and zalt cost just about the same at tt-japan.net (for some reason my computer won't let me type a capital z)
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frogger
Premier Member Joined: 08/03/2010 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 3062 |
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Renanos Hold is more powerful overall. Not as forgiving as Zalt or Mark V. |
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Wood Paddle
Red side Black side. |
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CipheR
Member Joined: 02/26/2015 Location: Philippines Status: Offline Points: 47 |
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Is RH harder than Zalt? Topsheet harder? Sponge Harder? Is it tackier?
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ㅈㅈ지지ㅎㅎㅋㅋ
Nittaku Custom Blade FH: Neo Hurricane 3 Provincial BH: Xiom Musa |
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Alwin
Member Joined: 04/05/2015 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 60 |
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I just thought I'd do a update, since I've been playing pretty regularly with Zalt with the old cell ball and polly ball.
Driving: Very easy on backhand, I can hit through a lot of top spin shots I get as long as I remember to follow through a bit and keep my bat closed. Plenty of speed for me, and a lot of control. I'm hitting the lines a lot more than I used to. Looping: I use a lot of wrist when I loop and at first it took me a while to figure out to use the sponge effectively. I like the high throw a lot because the majority of my opening loops against backspin clear the net by a good margin, and there is enough top spin to bring the ball down quickly. Flicking: With the old cell ball, I get a lovely banana curve and good kick when it hits the table. I've been told a couple times that my backhand rubber is very spinny because of this. With the poly ball, the curve is less and the kick is much less, but there is still good spin. I can now flick the majority of serves (if I read them right lol) which was something I never used to be able to do Pushing/blocking: This is where I've had to adjust the most, because I was too used to relying on tack to push. I can dig the ball into the sponge and get a fast spinny attacking push, but short pushes off the bounce are still hard for me as they often pop up. Same for blocking if I don't close my bat enough when blocking top spin, the ball pops out and goes long. Serving: Same thing, literally no tack now so I've been working on using the sponge a lot more for backhand serving. It's getting there, but again taking some getting used to coming from tacky rubbers. Plenty of spin though, when I get it right. Durability: two and a bit months in, it's looking good. The only sign of wear are my sweat marks from my fingers. The sheet is still just as fast as when I got it and when I block a heavy loop or drive the ball with power a couple metres from the table the lovely 'tock' sound is still there! Thoroughly recommend this rubber to anyone looking for an alternative to sriver or mark v or other classic rubbers
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T05H | HL5 | TG3-60
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frogger
Premier Member Joined: 08/03/2010 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 3062 |
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Nice update Alwin, It's good to see a rubber in this class with a higher throw. It appears it would be a very good choice for a broad range of players who need more control and still maintain decent speed and spin. |
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Wood Paddle
Red side Black side. |
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