Revisit - Xzile RF-X3

For the past few months, I have been joining a weekend group using the Xzile Razor Flight X3 aka RF-X3.

Tube colours for the RF-X3

The good news is that the shuttle has good flight characteristics and the shuttlecock is of average weight.

Archive pix of the shuttle

The bad news is it is not suitable for any smashing game. We tried playing a more intense game using the RF-X3. By 9-points, we had to change 3 shuttles - averaging 3-points per shuttle??? And the game was just getting warm up - we were not smashing that hard yet! We had to tone down the pace of the game (... [spoiling the enjoyment] ... bummer) as the organiser would scream murder!!!

Hence the shuttle is NOT suitable for intense games.

Do shop around as prices can vary between $20-$25 a tube. My personal opinion is that there are much MUCH better products for that price range.

Recent spate of shuttlecock price increases in Malaysia

I visited a sports shop I previously frequent in Johor (aka JB) during the June school holidays and must admit I am glad I no longer provide them any business. 

I was truly flabbergasted by the prices for shuttlecocks in that shop.

My original reason for discontinuing the business relationship was because they refuse to provide any discounts, even with my ever increasing purchases and patronage over the years eg from 5 tube per visit to then, 25 tubes per visit. My recent purchases are even more than the past.

For example. I used to buy a certain brand and model of shuttlecock from this particular shop eg brand&model-A. Pricing details as per below.

Brand&Model-A   MYR (aka Malaysian Ringgit)

Early 2014               57

After CNY               59

EOY 2014               61

After CNY               64

Before Jun2015      67

Jun2015                  71     (after introduction of GST)

Reasonable you say?

I would have agreed until  I saw brand&model-B of shuttlecocks for about RM60 in that JB shop. Reason is because I had recently purchased brand&model-B from a different shop for RM60 and brand&model-A for RM68 (AFTER GST implemented). A friend in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur (aka KL) reported the same brand&model-A for RM69 per tube AFTER GST has been implemented. Guess brand&model-A was popular and they decided to be greedy

Needless to day, we should reduce our purchases from such shops. If we do not, they will became bolder and bolder. We, the consumers then bleed

Note - Understand there has been another round of overall price increases after July2015 at all shops. Main reason quoted was the loss of value by the Malaysian Ringgit (again). Can shuttlecock price changes be then use as a rough inflation gauge of the Malaysian economy? 

What does the BWF logo on a tube of shuttlecock mean?

The full PDF of requirements can be viewed at PDF from BWF site

In short, the BWF stamp on a tube of shuttlecocks stand for the below. The manufacturer has to remove the logo if it can no longer meet the requirements.

Part1 of table of requirements from BWF PDF

Part2 of requirements from BWF PDF

Dunlop MF08

Found the sample in one of the halls I frequent. Have not used this shuttlecock before and adding to the library.

Cock structure is as per budget shuttlecocks.

Unknown brand#1

Adding to the library for future assessment.

Has flimsy ribcage structure and cork layer alike other previously budget shuttlecocks reviewed .

Work around for fast/brittle/slower shuttlecocks

I repeat the following procedure every few months after purchasing a new batch of shuttlecocks.

Hope the following tips are useful.

Please note there is no 100% cure but I find the following steps does help.

1. Try out the new batch for 2 sessions

2. Review the used shuttles and ask the regulars for feedback

3. Determine remedial action required

    A. Brittle shuttles

         - need to humidify shuttles

         - have to experiment exposure time to determine what works for you

         - for my current batch of shuttles, I empty the tube and leave the shuttles at normal room 

           temperature for 30-40min (80% humidity in the country)

    B. Softer shuttles

        - need to dry shuttles

        - leave in air condition or room with heater 

        - have to experiment exposure time to determine what works for you

        - previously empty the tube and left the shuttles in the air condition room overnight

    C. Slow shuttles

        - need to dry the shuttles

        - have to experiment exposure time to determine what works for you

       - previously empty the tube and left the shuttles in the air condition room for say 2-3hrs

    D. Fast shuttles

         - need to humidify the shuttles

         - have to experiment exposure time to determine what works for you

         - remove the tube covers and left the tube in the fridge for 3-4hrs

    E. Do nothing

         - this scenario does not occur often

Revisit - Protech Masterpiece

One organiser recently updated - prices for the Protech Masterpiece in Malaysia are now insane and he will no longer buy it.

This is because of the ever increasing prices and degrading product quality. For instance. In Nov/Dec2014, the total cost of ownership+ for a tube was RM57. After Chinese New Year 2015, it was RM61 per tube. About a month ago it was RM71 per tube??? Reasons cited were depreciating MYR and introduction of GST in Malaysia from 1Apr2015.

Total cost of ownership (TCO) includes transportation to and from Malaysia to ferry 25-30 tubes as well as GST at the Woodlands checkpoint

His group previously preferred the Protech Masterpiece as they have been using it for many years. They previously remained loyal to the brand (and model) eventhough the quality drop year-on-year, with, some price increases throughout the years.

Someone I know who joins his group on-off informs the Protech Masterpiece nowadays is a light shuttle with feathers breaking easily. Hence atleast 2-3 shuttles would be required for a good involving game.

We stop using the Protech Masterpiece from late 2009 due to quality degradation (to be fair to Protech they did not increase the price often before 2009).

Revisit - Victor No1 (white & green colours)

Joined a group using the shuttlecock earlier in the week.

Basically a decent budget shuttle at a decent price - as long as your players are not the happy smasher type. Unfortunately quality is still very dependent on the QA for the batch concern.

Overall good value for money if the group comprise of recreational players.

Xu Yiong GC4

Have not use the following before and adding for documentation purposes.

Revisit - RSL Supreme

Joined a friend's group last night and they were using RSL Supreme shuttlecocks.

He advised the RSL Supreme is not as good as before and RSL has raised the price (again!) in-preparation for the introduction of GST in Malaysia on 1April2015. The previous price increase earlier this year was due to the MYR depreciation against the USD.

Sure enough the RSL Supreme shuttles were not as lasting as before - quite a few were tumbling a bit straight out from the tube(?), some had single broken feather after a few hits, and,  some deformed after several average hits.

The previous RSL Supreme I know would slow down after a few hard hits and it was extremely rare for any broken feathers or deform ribcage - till the life expectancy of the shuttle was truly up. My previous post

Hence another one bites the dust ... price increases but quality not maintained.

Looks like another manufacturer is making a bee line for profits only

Sintec 818 (revisit with updates)

Recently joined another group using the Sintec 818.

Pix from internet

Feedback after a few games are that the shuttle tend to slow down after a few hits. The slowdown seem to be on the later part of the flight. And a number of the shuttles from the same tube tend to be have inconsistent flight speed, Shuttle speed quality is thus quite batch dependant.

As before, feather does not break easily but tend to be ruffled easily. Would require atleast 2 shuttles if anyone does above average smashes during a set.

For SGD$29 a tube, I personally reckon there are better buys out there.


Update

Came across some groups using the 76-speed version instead of the 77-speed, which is suppose to be the correct speed for countries in the equatorial region.

Please note all my reviews are for the 77-speed version

Toalson Green

Not used before.

The cork structure speaks for itself and is common for the price range.

RCL Black Silver

The Black Silver is one of the better shuttlecock(s) we have tested from RCL (so far).

The shuttle is of reasonable weight, rib cage build quality is not the best but is above average quality. And the internal label has a tendency to came off after a few hits.

Flight characteristics is similar to RSL Tourney No1 but with much better durability. Initially a bit fast until after scoring a few points. There after it has been broken in. The Black Silver is then playable for quite a while.

Like all shuttles utilised, it is a balance between cost, durability and performance. For instance, the flight characteristics of the Black No1 is better than the Black Silver. However the Black Silver is much more durable than the Black No1. The Black Gold is even more durable but we find it has a tendency to slow down quite a bit after a few hard smashes - much alike RSL Supreme.