OOAK Table Tennis Forum

Any thoughts on how the different versions perform in this new ball era?

Spectol (regular)
Spectol Red
Spectol Blue
Spectol 21

Am I missing any?

Are these generally still considered the best? Dr. N has some cool new offerings. There's also Nittaku's Beautry and the ol' 802-40.

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I am Tommy Zai
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2800 view so far, but no response. Holy Moly!

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I am Tommy Zai
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I tried the Spinpips Red but have never used Spectol. Sorry I can't help!

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"The greatest teacher, failure is"
USATT Rating: 1725
Blade: Stiga Cybershape Carbon
FH Rubber: Butterfly Tenergy 19 2.1
BH Rubber: Dr Neubauer ABS3 1.5

I think the regular Spectol and Spectol 21 are similar, the 21 has a slightly lighter and faster sponge.
The blue and red are a lot faster with glue-effect sponges. The red has a softer sponge, the blue a harder sponge as is faster.

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OOAK Table Tennis Shop | Re-Impact Blades | Butterfly Table Tennis bats
Setup1: Re-Impact Smart, Viper OX, Victas VS 401 Setup2: Re-Impact Barath, Dtecs OX, TSP Triple Spin Chop 1.0mm Setup3: Re-Impact Dark Knight, Hellfire OX, 999 Turbo
Recent Articles: Butterfly Tenergy Alternatives | Tenergy Rubbers Compared | Re-Impact User Guide

Thanks for the reply. I was using Dr. N's Killer. I had some success as it's sort of a hybrid SP/MP, but I need a bit more control. I'm about to experiment with Dr. N's Explosion but would like a plan B. For years I've heard that TSP SPs are the best. So, my question is . . . which one?

Which has the most control and is that version also the best at hitting through spin? Hmmm.

Is Spectol 21 the new version of the regular Spectol?

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I am Tommy Zai
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I'd go for the regular Spectol, it has the most control and still decent speed.

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OOAK Table Tennis Shop | Re-Impact Blades | Butterfly Table Tennis bats
Setup1: Re-Impact Smart, Viper OX, Victas VS 401 Setup2: Re-Impact Barath, Dtecs OX, TSP Triple Spin Chop 1.0mm Setup3: Re-Impact Dark Knight, Hellfire OX, 999 Turbo
Recent Articles: Butterfly Tenergy Alternatives | Tenergy Rubbers Compared | Re-Impact User Guide

Not tried spectol 21 but the Normal spectol is very nice and great control. Probably better on a faster blade and thicker sponge. The spectol/spinpip Red is very fast, faster than the blue and has a softer sponge. I prefer red sponge the softer sponge feels nicer and I can't really tell much difference between spectol and spinpips. I actually prefer the red after a month or so of use, it slows slightly and become better control as opposed to a fresh sheet.
If you like to chop then stick with normal the others are way to fast

Spectol Red

I have been using this since Jan 2019, I have played over 150 matches and lots of practice.
I am not a short pimple expert but have tried a few others too.
Spectol Red is excellent in 1.8 on my bh when and if I attack.
It is great against spin and gives back nasty balls against spin.
Good for looping backspin.
It is pretty bouncy and I find touch shots difficult with it.
It has little pips with big gaps compared to things like waran and victas 102 etc.
I think this makes it great for hiiting through spin.
It does not have a great deal of deception.
I have tried it on 5ply blades, a 7 ply wood and a carbon blade. It felt best on the 7 ply although on the carbon, it was fantastic for even looping just a little bit wild and hard to control.
I would really only recommend the red in 1.8 or above if you are pretty much all out attack.

Funnily enough, because of the bounce i bought and tried some Spectol Blue today.
My initial thoughts are that it was much more stable, outstanding for blocking power and spin shots.
Fantastic for hitting but feels a little flatter so might need to improve accuracy.
definately less bouncy for serving and returning tight serves and touch shots in general.
Still i think it will be an all out attack type pimple

there are several videos of me using spectol red on you tube on my channel, i'm not great but it might give you an idea of how they play.

Red is faster and few gears like a clasic pip on a premade only for amateurs
Blue is more flat have better gears more pro