Yasaka New Era and Yasaka Zap

This is not exactly a review, but rather some information on these rubbers as a lot of people ask me questions on them.

These rubbers have been around for about a year or so, and only available from China. Some sellers have brought them in from China and are trying to sell them in other markets.

I've tried a few of these, they're not bad, but not all that special either, although I know of a few people that really like them.

The big selling point seemed to be Yasaka Rubber at the price tag of a chinese rubber. Well I'm almost certain that these rubbers are made in China by the Palio factory, and are NOT endorsed or made by Yasaka. Not endorsed would explain why these version are only released in the chinese market, since only China does not appear to have copyright laws. They are NOT of the same quality and consistancy as the other Yasaka rubbers, like Mark V.
The New era has a mildly tacky topsheet, with a range of different sponges, whick are mostly quite firm. They are supposed to have some tension, but I can't really feel it. The different models are basically the same rubbers with different hardness sponges. The Zap is non-tacky (but grippy), also with a range of sponges but in a softer range.

I also found some of the New Era sheets came with the plastic protection firm quite loose, and not attached in some areas. As I mentioned it's not that bad a rubber, but don't expect normal Yasaka quality control. There were also significant differences between different batches, so it's not good in terms of consistancy. I think there are many better chinese rubbers out there personally.

NOTE There is one official version of New Era, which looks very different, and seems to be only available in a few countries, like Germany. This has a cartoon style cover.

Hope this helps...