Weight
80g
Plies
5-ply
Handles
FL
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Opticon RS
Donic Opticon RS delivers a powerful offensive experience by enhancing the classic Opticon formula with a thicker, reinforced balsa core. This upgrade significantly boosts stiffness and speed, creating a blade that excels in acceleration for dynamic attacking play. It's engineered for players who demand explosive power on smashes and loops but still value the touch and feedback necessary for controlled aggression. The unique feel of the original is preserved, making it a compelling choice for advancing attackers.
The blade uses a symmetrical 5-ply construction. A thicker, reinforced balsa wood core is sandwiched between inner and outer wood veneers. This specific layering is designed to enhance stiffness and power from the core while the wood plies contribute to the overall feel and playing characteristics.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Opticon RS is a very fast blade. The reinforced balsa core and stiff construction provide explosive acceleration off the bounce, making it ideal for powerful attacking shots, fast counter-loops, and decisive smashes. It's built for players who want to dictate the pace of the rally with sheer power.
Despite its high speed, Opticon RS offers respectable control. The blade provides good feedback, allowing skilled players to execute controlled loops, precise serves, and placement shots. However, its inherent pace means it is less forgiving on passive blocks or touch shots, requiring active, committed strokes for consistency.
Opticon RS provides a direct, crisp, and stiff feel upon contact. The feedback is clear and immediate, which helps with shot placement. It lacks the soft, flexing sensation of some all-wood blades, favoring a more solid and powerful response.
It produces a medium throw angle. This, combined with its speed and dwell time, makes it well-suited for aggressive topspin play, allowing players to loop with good arc and penetration over the net.
It offers decent dwell time, particularly on fuller strokes. The balsa core helps pocket the ball slightly, allowing for effective spin generation on loops and serves, which complements its primary speed-oriented character.
This is a stiff blade. The reinforced core and construction provide very little flex, which is a key contributor to its high speed and powerful, linear ball response. It's designed for players who prefer a solid, unwavering platform.
Vibration is low to medium-low. The balsa core acts as a natural dampener, resulting in a clean, direct sensation with minimal buzz. This contributes to a feeling of solidity and control during play.
Performance is strong, but durability is a noted consideration. The balsa core and edges can be susceptible to denting or damage from hard impacts with the table or racket. Using edge tape is highly recommended to protect the blade during intense play.
Technology
Donic Opticon RS technology centers on a specially selected, thicker, and stronger balsa wood core. This core is the engine of the blade, engineered to be more robust than in the standard Opticon. Balsa is known for its excellent strength-to-weight ratio and vibration-dampening properties. By reinforcing it and pairing it with supportive wood veneers, Donic creates a structure that maximizes stiffness for speed and power while aiming to retain the tactile feedback and control crucial for offensive shot-making. The result is a direct, responsive feel tailored for attacking players.
Similar Blades
Donic Opticon
The standard Donic Opticon is the direct predecessor. The RS model features a thicker, stronger balsa core, making it stiffer, faster, and more powerful. The original Opticon offers a very similar feel and control profile but with less outright speed, making it a better fit for players seeking an offensive blade with more inherent forgiveness.
Donic Persson Powerplay Senso V1
Compared to the Donic Persson Powerplay Senso V1, the Opticon RS is generally stiffer, faster, and often lighter. The Senso V1, with its handle technology, may offer more pronounced feedback and a different, potentially more flexible feel. The Opticon RS is the more speed-focused and direct option of the two.