OOAK Table Tennis Forum

Thanks for your thoughts, Carsten. The Viper is an excellent rubber that does pretty much everything I want it to do, but yes, after a few months, it does start falling apart, which is common for cheap Chinese pips but unusual for a long pips rubber at this price point and not something I've experienced with most other European/Japanese/Korean pips I've used, even soft ones (Xiom Guillotine, several of the TSP pips, Joola Badman Reloaded, Butterfly Feint Long II, Tibhar Grass D.TecS, Spinlord Agenda, etc.), and even with some of the better quality Chinese pips I've tried (Giant Dragon Snowflake, Talon & Cropcircles, Air UPUPUPUP, Bomb Talent, etc.). Of course, I wouldn't be using the Viper if any of these other pips were as good as it is in all aspects of the game that I'm looking for (passive and active blocking, a bit of chopping, attacking underspin, dealing with no-spin), so until I find something better, I guess I'll stick with the Viper.

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I. Re-Impact Tachi Plus 2019; FH: Nittaku FastArc G-1 1.4mm; BH: Saviga 77 Monster OX
II. Re-Impact Turbo; FH: Spinlord Sandwind 1.5mm; BH: DMS Kamikaze OX
III. Re-Impact Smart; FH: TSP Spinpips RED 2.1mm; BH: Dr. Neubauer Gangster OX
IV. Sauer & Troger Firestarter; FH: Spinlord Waran 1.8mm; BH: Giant Dragon Snowflake OX

You might want to try Dragon Talon. Dawei 388 D-1 is also a good suggestion.

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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

Thanks, Doug. I used the GD Talon for about six months in 2015 (including the National version), and it was definitely up there among the best long pips I've tried, but I ultimately found the pips a bit too stiff and, therefore, a bit less dynamic than what I like to use, plus it was too vulnerable to no-spin. This led me to try the GD Snowflake, which I found to be an improvement, and then, ultimately, the Viper, which was nearly perfect for what I like to do with my pips (other than its fragility). Might try the 388 D-1 at some point.

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I. Re-Impact Tachi Plus 2019; FH: Nittaku FastArc G-1 1.4mm; BH: Saviga 77 Monster OX
II. Re-Impact Turbo; FH: Spinlord Sandwind 1.5mm; BH: DMS Kamikaze OX
III. Re-Impact Smart; FH: TSP Spinpips RED 2.1mm; BH: Dr. Neubauer Gangster OX
IV. Sauer & Troger Firestarter; FH: Spinlord Waran 1.8mm; BH: Giant Dragon Snowflake OX

have you tried viper soft? because its softer it doesnt have to be less durable...it is newer rubber than regular viper so maybe they improved it?

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My TT blog
I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn my inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.

Yes, tried it before trying the regular version, actually. It was great for chopping but awful for blocking.

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I. Re-Impact Tachi Plus 2019; FH: Nittaku FastArc G-1 1.4mm; BH: Saviga 77 Monster OX
II. Re-Impact Turbo; FH: Spinlord Sandwind 1.5mm; BH: DMS Kamikaze OX
III. Re-Impact Smart; FH: TSP Spinpips RED 2.1mm; BH: Dr. Neubauer Gangster OX
IV. Sauer & Troger Firestarter; FH: Spinlord Waran 1.8mm; BH: Giant Dragon Snowflake OX

I am also using Dr Neubauer Viper.

I played with my first Viper rubber about 8 months and had no problems. Only lost several pips on the area under my finger.

But recently I bought my second Viper rubber - for my second blade. This blade exactly the same, I just wanted to try another pips-in FH rubber with the same LP and blade.

Less than a month has passed and I lost about 15 pips in the central area. I was very disappointed.

And at the same time I want to ask a question:
Can someone describe the main differences between the Viper and Desperado 2 and Gangster?

Thank you.

There are several comparisons of Desperado 2 and Gangster found on the Desperado 2 Ooak forum, but none directly comparing against viper.
viewtopic.php?f=11&t=32474

I have used the 3 previously mentioned pips but I haven't used viper recently enough to give you an accurate comparsion.

This is my brief recollection
Hardness: Desperado 2 (D2) > Gangster > Viper
Speed: D2 > Viper > Gangster
Grip: Gangster > Viper >/= D2
Hitting and Aggressive shots: Gangster > Viper >/= D2

I wont comment further as its been too long since I last used viper.

There's always the Tibhar Dtecs, which does feel similar to Viper (although Dtecs is more bouncy and harder to control), and it's very durable.

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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

So can you name non chinese durable long pips that are harder to play against?

I agree with "haggisv" after going to the Viper, Dornenglanz & Death I've gone back to Dtecs. It's a lot more robust & I find it very disruptive for my opponents & very controllable for me.

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Setup 1: Blade: TSP Trinity Carbon | Joola Golden Tango black 1.8mm FH & Tibhar Grass D.TecS acid green OX BH
Setup 2: Setup 2: Blade: TSP Trinity Carbon | Joola Golden Tango PS black 2.00mm FH & Tibhar Grass D.TecS red OX BH
Setup 3: Blade: TSP Trinity Carbon | Joola Golden Tango black 1.8mm FH & Spinlord Gigant anti-spin red BH
See the ball, be the ball...

I played with Viper ox for a year and a half on my main blade. Only lost less than 10 pips in that time, and most of those were after the first year. I mainly use backhand in matches, so they get plenty of use. Been using Viper soft for a couple months. No pips lost so far.

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Trying to master: Dr N. Firewall Plus w/ Rhyzm Tech 2.0 & Viper (ox)
Usual setup: Andro Fibercomp w/Domination 1.5 & Viper (ox)

USATT- 1832