Jayce
I have always been eager to try out Bonny’s new products. Bonny’s offerings have two significant advantages: firstly, the pricing structure is stable, and the launch prices of flagship products online are often more than 50% cheaper than those of the three major brands. Secondly, Bonny’s rackets consistently deliver excellent feel and performance, with products suitable for players at all levels, and there are almost always reliable recommendations that won’t go wrong.
However, these advantages have also led to some of Bonny’s excellent models being more susceptible to supply constraints, resulting in frequent stock shortages, especially with the “boron fiber” upgraded products in the past year. This scarcity has even led to a rare occurrence of certain models selling at higher prices in the second-hand market, proving the old saying, “the sooner you buy, the sooner you enjoy.”
Parameters:
- B212: 4UG5, with grip, total weight in use 93.68g, balance point 295mm, 6.5mm shaft, length 218mm, medium stiffness, box frame, 78-hole string bed, 9-3 point grooves, warranty at 30lbs, strung at 25-27lbs with VBS69N.
- BlackMamba Pro: 4UG5, without grip, total weight in use 90.11g, balance point 303mm, 6.3mm shaft, length 220mm, medium-high stiffness, aerodynamic frame, 72-hole string bed, 9-3 point grooves, warranty at 30lbs, strung at 25-27lbs with Li-Ning N68.
These two new releases are hot off the press. Due to their different positioning, their color schemes also follow the design styles of their respective series. The B212, like the B213, belongs to the latest 1982 series, maintaining the InterstellaX theme with a sci-fi feel of interstellar travel. The racket frame at the 2 and 10 o’clock positions features a black inner lining, and it has a glossy finish, distinguishing it more from the B213. The paint quality continues to uphold Bonny’s flagship standards.
On the other hand, the BlackMamba Pro stands out with more “exotic” elements. The entire racket is black, with the Bonny logo at the T-joint replaced by a cobra emblem, reminiscent of the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500. The two fangs on the racket head exude aggression, and the frame and shaft are adorned with reflective stickers in purple, bronze, and silver, creating a very layered visual effect. The extremely thin shaft also makes the racket appear more refined, though the design elements at the base of the shaft seem to borrow from the Thunder series. Man, what can I say?
The main upgrade of the B212 is, of course, the addition of boron fiber, and the racket’s stiffness has been adjusted accordingly to match the new material. Although the racket face remains largely the same as previous models, the increased shaft stiffness takes it out of the category of “easy-to-use” rackets, adding a bit of a learning curve. From the feel of long rallies, the B212 offers a more “solid” sensation, making it easy to generate high shuttle speeds after applying power. This version retains the easy power generation and borrowing power advantages, allowing for more aggressive shots on long lines, while maintaining the same level of accuracy and directional control, merging some of the traits from the hard version of the 1982 series.
The BlackMamba Pro, however, is noticeably stiffer. The ultra-thin shaft provides clear feedback on its deformation, with more direct impact feedback, and a sweet spot that is slightly harder to find. The overall difficulty level of using this racket is higher, making it more suitable for advanced players. This might not be immediately obvious when you’re in a good position to take the initiative, and it may even feel like you can hit powerful shots effortlessly. However, in slightly more passive situations, the increased difficulty of generating power requires more from the player. Compared to the B212, the BlackMamba Pro exhibits a more extreme side, consistent with its product positioning.
The B212 is an offensive racket, but its stiffness is slightly lower compared to the B213. The addition of boron fiber makes it a bit stiffer and more elastic than any previous offensive and defensive version of the 1982 series. With the increased shaft stiffness, its capacity to handle explosive power has seen a breakthrough, effectively reducing energy loss and allowing for heavier downward shots. Unlike the B155/152, which relied on frame weight to enhance shot power, the B212 derives its power more from the shaft’s rebound. With the new material, this is finally a racket that I can confidently use for offensive play in mixed doubles, though it did take some time to get used to.
However, the BlackMamba Pro outperforms the B212, as it’s a dedicated offensive racket with a specialized design. Although the BlackMamba Pro feels slightly lighter, its more pronounced head heaviness enhances the downward trajectory of shots, allowing for effective downward drives even when the power isn’t perfectly concentrated. When it comes to aggressive attacks, the new 6.3mm shaft displays impressive explosiveness, with its potential revealed through strong rebounds after deformation, delivering a whip-like feel and sharp sound. This snake’s bite is both sharp and lethal.
Despite both rackets being capable of keeping up with my doubles pace during the trial, there are subtle differences in their swing speed and flexibility. Overall, the aerodynamic frame of the BlackMamba Pro offers a faster swing speed, validated by its performance during extended offensive plays from the backcourt, allowing for a sustained offensive stance. This smooth offensive continuity is a result of both the swing speed and the rapid recovery of the shaft. However, the B212, with its slightly lower head heaviness, has a quicker swing initiation, offering better flexibility, which is advantageous in intercepting and quick exchanges in the mid-front court, thanks to its stable and high forgiveness.
When it comes to net play and backcourt control, there are noticeable differences between the two. The BlackMamba Pro has a stiffer and more direct shot feel, with a smaller margin for error in terms of force and angle, and a relatively smaller sweet spot. This makes it less prone to errors during precise operations, but also leads me to prefer lifting the shuttle out of tricky situations. The B212, on the other hand, offers longer contact time with the shuttle, providing more room for adjustment, especially in executing backcourt drops and slices with more confidence. At the net, I found myself more inclined to play disruptive shots, with a higher probability of hitting quality soft shots. In simple terms, the BlackMamba Pro is better suited for larger swing actions, while the B212 excels in finer, more controlled maneuvers.
In conclusion, the 6.5mm boron fiber shaft on the B212 delivered the expected upgrade in experience, while the 6.3mm shaft on the BlackMamba Pro provided a more powerful punch. I previously expressed concern about the slow update cycle of certain Bonny series, but after testing these two new products with Bonny’s latest shaft technology, I can confidently say that the improvements are substantial compared to their predecessors. The BlackMamba Pro, with its rich heritage from the Pro 2.2/Princess frame, may have become a swan song, as there are no updates on the horizon for the latter two. However, I now understand why this mid-to-high-end model, filled with quirky elements, isn’t as popular as other products, given its more wooden and shock-prone feel. On the other hand, the 1982 series remains evergreen, though the B212’s and B213’s positioning seems to deviate slightly from the official promotional material. Could there be some corrections needed?
