Yinhe Big Dipper vs Yinhe Mercury II: Which Should You Buy?
| Yinhe Big Dipper | Yinhe Mercury II | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 |
| best_side | forehand | both |
| control | high | very high |
| speed | medium (offensive) | medium |
| spin | extreme | high |
| sponge_hardness | 38/39/40 degrees (provincial-style blue sponge; 39 measures roughly 51 ESN) | medium to medium-soft (36-38 degrees Chinese scale) |
| type | hybrid tacky (blue sponge) | tacky inverted (budget Chinese) |
| weight_uncut_g | 68 | 60 |
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Both are affordable Yinhe tacky rubbers, but they suit different commitment levels. Big Dipper is a forehand-focused rubber on a stiff porous blue sponge that delivers extreme spin and almost no slippage, rewarding hard active hitting. Mercury II is a softer, very controllable tacky rubber that works on both wings and is far easier to handle.
Choose Big Dipper if you are a spin-oriented forehand attacker who swings full or pairs it with a fast blade and wants performance approaching a boosted Hurricane 3. Be ready for break-in, possible boosting and some sheet variance, and know it is slow at low power.
Choose Mercury II if you want easy control and tacky spin at an even lower price, especially for a first custom racket, all-round play, chopping or defense. It is lighter and more forgiving, though slower and lower-throwing, so passive shots can clip the net. Simply put, Big Dipper is the demanding forehand weapon, Mercury II the controllable everyman rubber.
FAQ
Which is easier to play?
Mercury II. It has very high control, a forgiving elastic sponge and works on both wings, while Big Dipper is stiff, forehand-focused and demanding at lower power.
Which produces more spin?
Big Dipper, with extreme spin and outstanding stability when you swing fully. Mercury II still gives high tacky spin and is easier to access at lower effort.
Which is the cheaper option?
Mercury II is the bargain pick at around five dollars a sheet. Big Dipper costs more but offers near-provincial Chinese spin in its higher versions.