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[729 fx]

What is actually Tensor Rubbers, one may be asking and the followings are some facts on Tensor rubbers :
1: The word "Tensor" is a registered trademark.

2: The company holding the rights to the Tensor trademark is ESN Elastomer GmbH (I will called it ESN for short)

3: All "Tensor" products are marked with the logo wit 4 arrows each pointing up, down, left and right respectively, except for Donic, Tibhar and Yasaka who have probably bought the rights and name the tensor technology as their own thing. Donic calls their Tensors "Formula Donic"and their 4th Generation (4G) Tensor Bios rubbers are called "New Formula Donic". Yasaka calls their 3rd Generation Tensors "STS", or "Spin - Tension - System". Their newest Tensor, Pryde, is labelled "Power Tension". In my opinion, I guess this is an advancement of 3G Tensor, or it could be a 4G tensor. Tibhar "Clear Technology" and "DtecS" systems are their Tensor line.

4: The Tensor line is currently up to their 4th Generation. This is called Tensor Bios represented by their logo in Blue/Green with the capital letters BIOS at the bottom.

5: All Tensors are made in Germany but rubbers made in Germany does not automatically is a Tensor. ESN do make non-Tensor rubbers. Rubbers which are Made in Japan or Made in China, are not a Tensor.

6 : Rubbers not labelled Tensor or not mentioned above are NOT Tensor rubbers. This includes (but not limited to):
a) Butterfly High Tension
b) Butterfly Spring Sponge
c) Stiga Mega Tension
d) TSP Hi Tension
e) Donic DSS (Donic Sound System)

[729 fx]

Here is a list (to my knowledge) of Tensor rubbers currently in the market. There could be more which I am not aware of, so if any members knew about it please feel free to add to the list for everyone's information.

CURRENT TENSOR LIST (started on 30/9/2009)

ANDRO
- Impuls
- Impuls Speed
- Plasma (includes the following models Women,380,430,470)
- Revolution C.O.R. (Emotion, Supersponge, COR)
- Revolution C.O.R.2 (Emotion, Supersponge, COR2)

DONIC (As Formula Donic)
- 001 Coppa JO Platin (Soft, Platin)
- 002 Vario Gold
- Coppa JO Gold
- Coppa JO Silver
- Desto F1 (F1, F1HS, F1 S)
- Desto F2
- Desto F3

JOOLA
- Energy
- Tango

PALIO
- Macro
- Macro Era
- Macro Pro

TIBHAR (As DTecS [3G Tensor], Clear Technology/SPI [4G Tensor])
- Nimbus (Sound, Soft, Medium, Nimbus)
- Rapid DTecS
- Vari Spin DTecS

XIOM
- 002 Zeta (Euro, Asia)
- 003 Omega IV (Euro, Asia)
- Omega I (Euro, Asia)
- Omega II (Euro, Asia)
- Omega III (Euro, Asia)
- Yanus DF

YASAKA (As Spin Tension System [3G Tensor] and Power Tension [4G Tensor])
- 001 Pryde
- 002 Pryde 30
- 003 Xtend LB
- Xtend
- Xtend (HS, HS, PO)

Note : From what I have read, the reason tensor are less durable is that the topsheet is applied to the sponge under tension and stretches it. This thins out the topsheet and makes it more prone to wear and tear. The topsheets on tensors also tend to be a softer material than many other rubbers as well. The older gen tensors had 2 major issues, that is :

1) the rubber tended to crumble at the edges easily and
2) the material would "oxidize" on its surface if left exposed to the air for too long, making the rubber look "patchy" and dull. (That is why they needed a sticky protective sheet but this issue was overcame in the new generation ones and are more durable; they do not require the sticky sheet, for example Andro Roxon 450).

Like any other rubbers, if you look after the tensor rubber better, the longer it will last. For example, getting edge tape right up to the brim of the rubbers edge to protect it, and trying not to hit the table with it ( early generation tensors cannot live beyond the knocks)

[varghese]

The German brands like Joola, DONIC, Andro and Korean brand like XIOM has most of their new generation rubbers made with Tensor technology. I don't about TIBHAR and other brands as I have not tested them.

Here is the tensor website: http://www.tensor.de

[729 fx]

Yes that is a good link on tensor information, varghese.

As for Tibhar, I was told their "Clear Technology" and "DtecS" systems are their Tensor line. The only way to proof it is to check if the packaging has the Tensor certification/marking on them.

[729 fx]

At least Butterfly High Tension & Spring sponge are not tensors. I believe the Goldway Stinger which claims to have the built-in Tru-Trnsion glue effect is also not Tensor.

Which reminds me to test out at least one or two tensor rubbers (maybe Andro or Xiom brand) in the near future.

[varghese]

A lot of German brands bring the rubbers from ESN don't use the same Tensor technology. ESN has different technologies sell that to the different brands based on the brands share in the company. The Andro, DONIC and XIOM get the best deal most of the time.

I have spoken to some people who have said they are buying XIOM ZETA for $32 because it is the same as $50 Omega III or Andro $60 rubbers. The truth is that it is not. All the rubbers come from ESN and marked as Tensor are not the same, even between brands.

The ESN is turning towards new technology. The greatest challenge they had was the durability of the rubber.

What is the ultimate effect on the consumers? It is simple as the consumers are going to pay high price.

[729 fx]

Yes, the amount you pay is the quality of product that you get.

Tensor rubbers greatest drawback is its durability of the rubber. I would say that consumer will have to pay more (higher price) for the new technology. It is as simple as that.

Varghese, I agree with you 100%.

[hurricane]

Once you go Tensor, there no going back. For me it feels great and good for every shot, I might have improve a little bit due to this technology more wins than before Can't wait to get my hands on the Omega 1

[ejunkie]

I have use some of those marked tensor rubbers and they are just not as good as Tenergy. Right now there isn't a rubber as good as Tenergy for sure. May be Spin Art will be the one.

[729 fx]

Once you go Tensor, there no going back. For me it feels great and good for every shot, I might have improve a little bit due to this technology more wins than before Can't wait to get my hands on the Omega 1

Yes, I believe you are using the Xiom rubber on one of your blades.
Maybe I will give tensor a try.