Mysterious Blue Advance, Powerful and Strong—Experience with Bonny J20-008

Karry September 20, 2024 1 0

When it comes to Pollen, one cannot overlook its core competitive product—the “Wu Que” series. The unique woven frame structure and the clear carbon fiber texture wrapped in distinctive resin showcase a strong industrial style, making it stand out.

Of course, in today’s diverse opinions, many players have become immune to the hard hitting feel of the Wu Que series, losing that initial freshness. However, it must be acknowledged that the Wu Que series has always been Pollen’s flagship product.

This time, I want to share my experience with the Pollen Wu Que J20-008, which attracted me deeply with its appearance. It retains the familiar woven design, but instead of the dull cement gray or the series’ signature bright silver, the 008 boldly uses a striking ice blue in an asymmetric form on the 4 and 10 o’clock positions of the frame.

The J20-008, weighing 4U and having a balance point of 300±5mm, features moderate shaft elasticity. The frame has a large head square design with 76 string holes.

With its sharp, streamlined aerodynamic frame structure and an overall weight of 4U, the 008 boasts a high balance point of 303mm (after applying the grip), yet maintains a fast swing speed.

As the frame transitions to the bottom, the rounded and stable fluid aerodynamic structure enhances its anti-torsion properties in the T-joint area, making it a reasonable choice.

In actual gameplay, the 008 makes it easy to hit high clear shots thanks to its forward balance point. Coupled with the direct and crisp mid-shaft feedback characteristic of the Wu Que series, the feeling is as if the shuttlecock is “hit and gone” without any lingering, but players familiar with the Wu Que series won’t be satisfied with just this straightforward feel, as it’s merely the basic performance of the series. Strung at 28lbs with VBS66N, the 008 delivers significantly enhanced sound upon impact, with a metallic resonance!

Powerful and dynamic. High stiffness is undoubtedly the 008’s most proud attribute. Whether it’s a fast flat block at the net or a push and release, the 008 offers excellent directionality and continuity.

When holding the racket level and targeting the net tape, I can distinctly feel the friction and vibration when the shuttle makes contact with the string bed during small movements like soft shots. The stable frame ensures the 008’s shot directionality is quite precise. Pairing it with a rougher string can enhance its frictional properties, adding more spin to net shots.

In mid-court exchanges, the light weight and swing weight of the 008 balance its dynamic shot-making capabilities, allowing for considerable variation. The overall cross-section of the frame shows excellent torsional stability. Although the shot-wrapping and hold time are brief, the speed and placement are crisp, akin to hitting metal.

However, with benefits come trade-offs; the advantage in speed means sacrificing much of its absolute offensive capability. When executing heavy smashes with the 008, the feedback can be quite firm, requiring solid technique to effectively leverage its attacking potential. Therefore, I recommend players use the 008 to focus on quick continuity and rhythm during aggressive play.

The large head design of the 008 not only allows for quick offensive strikes but also performs well defensively, thanks to its rapid rebound speed and high margin for error. During defensive counterattacks, it delivers a sharp, forceful response, with the mid-shaft rebounding quickly and stably, maintaining good control over shot trajectories. However, its strong frame rigidity means that during fast-paced doubles play, hitting off the sweet spot will noticeably lower shot quality, illustrating the pros and cons of its stiffness in both offense and defense. Passive defensive responses require more patience to adapt.

—Recommendation Summary Pollen, known for its “cost-performance ratio,” has produced many excellent works within its core Wu Que series. However, it’s rare to see something as “novel” as the 008, which stands out for its distinctive appearance and feel. Its dynamic yet sturdy hitting attributes avoid the common pitfalls, and the moderate shaft elasticity provides a nice balance amidst the stiffness. However, its lack of a wrapping feel may not suit players who prefer finesse. I recommend this racket for singles players who favor speed and can also handle fast-paced doubles. It’s best paired with a rigid VBS-66N or an elastic VBS-63. The performance of the J20-008 will certainly not disappoint you.