Friendship 729 Battle II vs DHS Gold Arc 8: Which Should You Buy?
| Friendship 729 Battle II | DHS Gold Arc 8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.5/10 | 8.4/10 |
| best_side | FH | forehand or backhand |
| control | 8 | medium-high |
| speed | 8 | high |
| spin | 9 | high |
| sponge_hardness | hard | 47.5 deg (also a 50 deg version), ESN scale |
| type | tacky | non-tacky high-elastic ESN tensor, inverted |
| weight_uncut_g | 68 | 69 |
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Both are value-minded Chinese-brand rubbers that play very differently. The Battle II is a hard, tacky sheet with a low diving arc and long dwell that loads serves and brush loops with elite spin and linear no-catapult control, best on a forehand close to the table. The Gold Arc 8 is a non-tacky, high-elastic ESN tensor around 47.5 degrees with a balanced offensive feel, high spin, high control, superb blocking and an easy short game on either wing.
On style and speed, the Gold Arc 8 is the more rounded two-wing rubber, not sensitive to incoming topspin and stable on counter-attacks, though it is slower than top tensors, drops off at long range and has only limited tacky bite for heavy backspin. The Battle II spins through tackiness with elite serve quality, but it demands committed strokes and is weaker far from the table.
Choose the Gold Arc 8 if you are a developing-to-advanced offensive player who wants a spinny, controllable looping rubber on both wings without elite-tensor prices. Choose the Battle II, the marginally higher rated of the two, if you want heavier tacky serve and loop spin and a forehand-led close-table game on a tight budget. Both keep costs well below premium tensors.
FAQ
Which works better on both wings?
The Gold Arc 8 works well on both forehand and backhand with high spin, high control and superb blocking. The Battle II is forehand-dominant and best for a Chinese-style looping game.
Which has more spin on pushes and serves?
The Battle II loads serves and pushes more heavily through tackiness, while the Gold Arc 8 has only limited tacky bite, which makes heavy backspin on pushes harder.
Which is more stable against incoming topspin?
The Gold Arc 8 is not sensitive to incoming topspin and allows stable counter-attacks. The Battle II is a tacky rubber with linear, no-catapult control.
Which is the better value?
Both are strong value. The Gold Arc 8 is far cheaper than Tenergy or Dignics, and the Battle II often sells three to four sheets for the price of one premium tensor.