I agree with Lee, there seems to be some misunderstanding of our problem. I'll try again to explain what I think is going on.
I believe these struts are meant to function in 2 ways:
One, they provide assistance in opening and closing the canopy by offsetting the considerable weight of the canopy by way of high gas pressure (spring) inside the strut that forces it into the extended or fully open position.
Two, they have a damping action that slows or controls the rate of extension. This is necessary because of the very high spring force which if left uncontrolled, would allow the canopy to slam against the stops. The damping action, or lack of it, is where the problem lies.
My old struts provided much more of the damping action in the opening direction. It could be heard and felt from about the half open position to full open and effectively controlled the opening rate. (Not enough to just let go of it though). The new ones don't kick in until the canopy is almost fully open and then it's too little, too late to be of much help.
I don't think they are intended to provide any damping action in the closing direction. I have not sensed it on either set of struts. But the gas pressure assists closing by countering some of the weight.
This is not something I can't live with because I always hold on until it gently reaches the stops. BUT, if it was to slip accidentally out of my hand or a gust of wind caught it, or someone else opens it and lets go, the rate of speed by the time it reaches the stops could cause considerable damage. There is definitely a difference in how the 2nd set performs compared to the old ones. Maybe I got a bad set?