Opticon

Weight

81g

Thickness

7.3mm

Plies

5-ply

Handles

FL

Material

AllWood

Head Shape

Standard

Balance

Balanced

Donic

Opticon

Donic Opticon is a 5-ply all-wood blade built for players who value exceptional control and versatile speed. Its unique construction pairs a lightweight Balsa core with Abachi and Beech plies, creating a dampened, vibration-free feel with excellent ball feedback. This design makes it a superb choice for developing players and tacticians who rely on precise placement and spin variation, offering enough speed for offensive play when needed. It feels like a natural extension of your arm, rewarding touch and strategy.

5-Ply Construction

The symmetrical 5-ply construction layers Beech on the outside for stiffness and direct feel, followed by Abachi for stability, and centers on a thick Balsa core for lightness and shock absorption. This specific sequence creates the blade's signature dampened, controlled, and feedback-rich character.

TT Sensei Ratings

Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics

Speed
8.0

Opticon operates in the All+/Off- range, offering a versatile speed profile. It's not inherently the fastest, but provides a solid foundation for offense. The speed comes alive with a noticeable kick during powerful strokes, especially when combined with dynamic rubbers. Players find it delivers more than enough pace for aggressive rallies while maintaining a controllable character.

Control
8.8

Control is where this blade truly shines. The combination of materials and construction provides outstanding feel and precision, allowing for accurate ball placement on all shots. This high level of feedback makes it incredibly forgiving and effective for developing consistency, strategic serves, and precise blocks. It's a blade that instills confidence in your touch game.

Feel
Medium-Soft
SoftMedium-SoftHard

Opticon delivers a distinct medium-soft feel characterized by excellent ball contact sensation and minimal vibration. The Balsa core absorbs shock effectively, creating a dampened, almost pure feedback that makes the blade feel like a direct extension of your hand. This clarity is perfect for touch shots and sensitive control.

Throw Angle
Medium
LowMediumHigh

Opticon produces a medium throw angle, making it versatile for a wide array of strokes. It's effective for driving, blocking, and looping, allowing players to adapt their arc naturally without needing extreme adjustments. This predictability supports a consistent, all-court game.

Dwell Time
7.5

Despite a relatively stiff profile, the blade offers good dwell time, allowing the ball to sink into the surface for effective spin generation. This makes it capable of producing heavy loops and controlled topspin, benefiting players who want to impart significant rotation on the ball.

Flexibility
5.0

The flexibility is best described as medium. While the outer plies provide stiffness for direct hits, the Balsa core introduces a slight softening effect, creating a balanced response. It feels solid on blocks and drives but has enough give to aid in looping and spin-oriented strokes.

Vibration
2.0

A standout feature is the exceptionally low vibration. The blade transmits a clean sensation of ball contact without the distracting buzz or shake common in some all-wood blades. This contributes significantly to its controlled, comfortable feel and reduces player fatigue.

Quality
6.5

The Opticon is generally considered a well-made blade with a unique playing character. However, players should be aware that the lightweight Balsa core can be susceptible to denting if struck against the table or handled roughly. While performance and feel are highly rated, this characteristic suggests careful handling is advised for long-term durability.

Technology

Donic Opticon utilizes a specialized 5-ply lamination process they call a 'new combination ply system.' The core technology is the integration of a lightweight Balsa wood core, renowned for its vibration-dampening and shock-absorbing properties. This is strategically combined with stiffer Abachi and Beech veneers. The result is a unique blade that deliberately sacrifices some raw stiffness to achieve exceptional feel, minimal vibration, and precise control, allowing for enhanced ball placement and a connected playing sensation.

Similar Blades

Donic Opticon RS

The Opticon RS is a tuned, more aggressive sibling. It shares the same core construction philosophy but is engineered to be stiffer and faster, catering to players who want a more direct, offensive punch from a similar platform while still retaining good control characteristics.