I really enjoy your podcast and love the fact you add chapters. One thing maybe you could address are the terms that are used a lot. I’ve learned so much, twist rate, swing weight, dinks, etc. but still fuzzy on some terms. Drops, speed ups etc.
I like Justin's take on a reviewers role when it comes to price. Like he said, for some people the cost of the paddle doesn't matter so they just want to know what would be best for their game. I wish that was me, but it just isn't, so I appreciate the cost vs. performance analysis. Great podcast guys!
Can’t we insert our own magic lead balls? (in the paddles, occurred to me that needed clarification) - drill fishing line split shot size holes in edge guard - shove in split shots - caulk hole Now that would be one awesome NERDTOWN youtube channel … DIY PADDLE HACKS. Even the playing field, not just rich people get magic balls, diving boards and foam. Justin, you’re welcome, remember me when you are famous. fyi … warning … that Gap expanding foam isn’t a good choice. I raised a piece of driveway with that stuff. 😉
Thanks for the episode! Originally subscribed because I loved your reviews of paddles when I picked up pickleball in early June. Was happy to hear about all the paddles and proud citizen of nerd town!! 🏘️
Nice job! Like you, I have wondered why nobody else has “copied” the Paddletek approach. Regarding their consistency, I recall Chris testing like six of their paddles with his starrett machine and he said he had never seen such consistency in surfaces. So is it the materials they use, their QC process, Gen 1process, American made?
The gold edge Alecto was a prototype. They definitely need to make the rcf gold version. The owner told me he's done with the Alecto series for now though. I do agree that the gold edge guard version is softer than the red version. Good vid y'all!
Justin... this may have been covered previously... but a basic question is "why is there often significant weight variation in identical paddles? meaning same brand same model"... they say the j2k has a weight range 8.0 to 8.3 oz for instance
I love the term “Frankenpaddle” Is it just me or does anyone feel like the more affordable 11six24 hurache - X control + with layer of fiberglass pocket ball similarly and gets not quite close to same power and pop, but less head heavy than the TKO-C & CX
You guys gotta check out that limited run of the pickleball apes energy s if you love the color way on the chorus! Justin: hat fan here: where can I get that hat???
lol … Dustin (Pickleball Medicine) beat Justin to the ESQ-C 14.3mm dirty little secret. Dustin took edge guard off, and Paddle was ball-less … just the ball housing putty. Come on … going to charge me $250 for gen 1 sandwich tech with magic balls, you better include those magic balls. 😂 Judge … Paddletek is guilty of ball and switch
NERD TOWN QUESTION: Why are many of the these power paddles, Ripple, Olympus, Circuit, etc, coming only in a 14mm width? Weight? Testing passing advantages? Something else?
I think mentioning that paddletek paddles are made in the US could be a good reasoning behind price. Just used your code to get buy the ESQ-C was waiting to see how you felt about it before I pulled the trigger. All the reviews have been raving about it. Was going to get a gen 3 but paddleteks quality has won my money. No core crush for me.
My cut off is $150 for 2 reasons. First reason there are so many good $100 paddles. I’m willing to give $50 more if there is a paddle I really wanted. The last is paddles wear out. If I go through two paddles a year I’m out 2-300$ vs 4-500.
I have found the olympus to be quite controllable. Weight in the butt cap and the sides. I thought it was probably the least poppy of the gen 3ish paddles. I feel my results were more similar to Chris's. Last 4 paddles ive been demoing were the ProX, Hush and the Revelon Pro Pure Hybrid. 🤷
Another great pod! I have a question for Justin - since you played with both the Thrive Azul and Spartus Olympus what would you say the big differences are? I currently play with the Thrive but I’ve been intrigued by the Olympus.
Completely and totally different feel between the Azul and Olympus. They are both quite poppy, but the Azul is stiff and crisp where as the Olympus feels much more muted and the pop comes from the elastic feel off the face. The Azul feels like a traditional paddle, but much stiffer. The Olympus honestly feels pretty unique. Beyond that, the Olympus is a 14mm and more maneuverable.
@@Pickleballetc Thanks for giving your opinion on this comparison. I prefer the hybrid shape and am always looking for the next paddle. After listening to the podcast I wish Paddltek would make a Bantam hybrid, that would be awesome!
Is the "grit" warrantied on the Vanguard? Sick burn on Justin, "4-5 inches, you'd know" OUCH! Are there any patents on the ESQ to account for the higher price.?
Ace Heart sounds interesting! I've been looking for a paddle with a more string bed-like feedback (pocketing, some rebound). One of the suggestions I am considering from another paddle reviewer I like a lot is the Pulsar FX. May I get some suggestions from you guys as well? Ideally elongated or hybrid, no problem on swing weight, but I can adapt as long as the feel is right. Thanks!
If you're looking for something that really pockets well and has great feel, I'd suggest the Honolulu J2Ti or Bread & Butter Shogun. Both have really nice pocketing feel much better than the Pulsar FX. The Ace Heart might be a great fit as well, but it is a 14mm so keep that in mind.
@Pickleballetc The J2Ti and the Shogun were the other 2 paddles suggested to me! Looks like I definitely need to try the Shogun out since it's the only readily available paddle around me to demo. Would you say dwell time has more to do with the titanium surfaces these paddles share over the underlying core structure like in the FX?
@@jatseng0000 Yeah, it's the Ti face material that gives the "pocketing" feel. Other than that, those 2 are standard construction. the J2 shape is super nice and stable and the Shogun shape is the classic elongated shape that people usually adjust to quite easily. I like the idea of the tech in the FX, but honestly it doesn't feel that unique to me.
@Pickleballetc These are some great info. I'll focus my search on titanium paddles. Meanwhile, have you hit the Nexus Prostar? It checks several of the features I am looking for, but the core and their advertisement seemed concerning. Now if there is a titanium faced J7, that will probably be just what I am looking for!
I enjoyed the podcast and the paddle reviews. Can Justin tell me how to secure the metal beads back into the Paddletek paddles, if they ever come loose? I was able to get $100 off my purchase of the Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C from Pickleball Central, because I belong to their Rewards Program. Pickleball Central has different levels within their Rewards Program. Take care and have a wonderful day.
If the balls come loose, you can get a brand new replacement under warranty. Not easy at all to "fix" them. You have to pull the edge guard off and the Paddletek edge guards are glued realllly well so it's nearly impossible to do without damaging the paddle.
Your guys’ thoughts on the Olympus were basically saying it’s top 5 power paddle when other reviewers say it’s all court 1st-power 2nd. I wonder if yours just hits harder for some reason?
Yea I would put it very close to the top of the power/pop spectrum. Justin and I were very shocked others had different feelings about it however maybe our models are a little different than most.
Can you speak to the handle on the ESQ? My biggest issue with Paddletek is that their handles/grips always feel blocky and clunky. A premium price tag should have a premium feel. How did it feel to you guys?
They are certainly a little more blocky than your traditional thermoformed handle however I don't have any issue with the new handles but I'm not super sensitive to handles like some are.
I'm not 100% that the Circuit is coming in 16mm, but I do know that Larry has dropped some hints that the Circuit might come in some additional variations so that would make sense. NXTGen Valor Pro is very gritty. At least the ones that Louis and I have are some of the grittiest legal paddles we've felt *when new*.
Besides handle length between EsQ and updated ALW-C any differences in power, stability, sweet spot, pop? I can’t understand how these paddles would feel different when shape and materials are almost identical.
How do you like the handle on the new Paddletek ESQC paddle. Also is it 4.250 inches. Is it still slightly blocky feeling or did they do a little better job of making it more hexagon shape
Its a very different paddle. The Ripple paddles are very much an exponential power curve paddle and the ESQ-C feels like you control the amount of power output the paddle is giving you. I think the ESQ-C 14.3 is SIGNIFICANTLY easier to play with that the r2 ripple howerver the r2 ripple hits harder for sure.
Louis … can you compare red Alecto stiffness and feel to Thrive Azul. Looking at their website … Alecto is a greek winged vengeful sister. Just tell your paddle that your opponents hate females before your games.
@@PickleballPursuit Hurry up and turn that top 4 club into top 5 and you will get the Azul. 🤣 I will be curious what you think if you hit the Azul. It was the first paddle I have hit that immediately felt too stiff. I only had a couple of minutes with it, and stock. That isn’t really a fair test unless you get to add lead because we have all learned that can change feel more than you would think. For all I know Azul isn’t any stiffer than my V7, but V7 never struck me as too stiff, and I never needed to add lead to it. Carry on … if I remember correctly today is your day to go for a two day playing great streak. Good luck. My streaks can change from game to game, actually in the middle of a game. Trash pickup always parked near by. One of those days was Oni … wife partner had seen enough and suggested I change to the purple paddle. Ouch.
@@PickleballPursuit I will interpret this for my fellow nerds: - Louis still likes new main = played treed above trash level again Congrats … hope it rubs off on me. I will be playing retro V7 with new grip and all head electrical tape removed. Recycled retro paddle almost has that new paddle smell.
So … you two just playing the field … serial padlelizers … weekend fling. I think many male Vamps are womanizers … I know because I watched True Blood. It’s inevitable the vamp lack of commitment would find its way into other aspects of your life. {this Vamp theme won’t age well … too many new viewers going wtf is wrong with 65atBest?} fyi … lots wrong. btw … if you look up definition of “main” there is an implication of non exclusivity … just sayin.
@@Pickleballetc I give up figuring out which “main” completes me. I pulled out my 8.4 oz head heavy 120ish swing weight Vatic Pro V7 today. I probably had retired it 6 months ago. Played some of my best, fast hands and dinking was no problem. My guess is my kitchen skills have improved over the last six months and 120ish swing weight no longer the disadvantage it was. Hopeless … paddle riddle can’t be solved. This would be my current preferred attribute list which will probably change before day is over: - I like gritty surfaces like Apollo and Prism where ball feels like ball stays on surface longer over the spring of Huarache Control+ and stiffer boardy feel of V7 (played great with V7, example where what we like more doesn’t always mean play better with) - standard/wide out, probably hybrid but extended is “so you are telling me there is a chance” - going to have to go with more baseline drive power than Prism, I shelved too much “tennis” in the name of control and pickleball dark arts. Whatever power level a V7 is considered these days, I definitely could go up more from it. feel: - like how XSPAK played, hated not feeling anything on contact, and hated the square grip - was happy with V7 feel for months, but tried Prism Flash and preferred that - like V7 stiffness ok, do not like Thrive Azul stiffness - Huarache Control+ felt great/fun … but I have to go with gritty Prism not-springy, also not Vatic Pro Flash springy At least I have fooled myself into thinking I have learned anything.
Justin knowingly smiling while Louis is fan-girling for this weeks main is a meme.
I really enjoy your podcast and love the fact you add chapters. One thing maybe you could address are the terms that are used a lot. I’ve learned so much, twist rate, swing weight, dinks, etc. but still fuzzy on some terms. Drops, speed ups etc.
I like Justin's take on a reviewers role when it comes to price. Like he said, for some people the cost of the paddle doesn't matter so they just want to know what would be best for their game. I wish that was me, but it just isn't, so I appreciate the cost vs. performance analysis. Great podcast guys!
I'm loving the Pickln Alecto3. Can't believe the price for what you get. Control is good and pop is amazing.
Potential nerd town topic - the construction and materials involved with quiet paddles - love the tons of paddles today btw - great job as always !
The best pickleball podcast by far
Can’t we insert our own magic lead balls? (in the paddles, occurred to me that needed clarification)
- drill fishing line split shot size holes in edge guard
- shove in split shots
- caulk hole
Now that would be one awesome NERDTOWN youtube channel … DIY PADDLE HACKS. Even the playing field, not just rich people get magic balls, diving boards and foam. Justin, you’re welcome, remember me when you are famous.
fyi … warning … that Gap expanding foam isn’t a good choice. I raised a piece of driveway with that stuff. 😉
Color matching your hat and drink cup is a next level flex...😂
I already ordered my KiwiLabs Circuit. Can't wait!!!
Thanks for the episode! Originally subscribed because I loved your reviews of paddles when I picked up pickleball in early June. Was happy to hear about all the paddles and proud citizen of nerd town!! 🏘️
Spartus should add a 16mm Olympus. That would be a great addition.
would be quite heavy.My 14 Olympus was 8.2 static
A 16 mm ripple would be my dream
Good nerd town, I have a follow up question. How do honeycomb cell size differences affect playing characteristics?
Nice job! Like you, I have wondered why nobody else has “copied” the Paddletek approach. Regarding their consistency, I recall Chris testing like six of their paddles with his starrett machine and he said he had never seen such consistency in surfaces. So is it the materials they use, their QC process, Gen 1process, American made?
Dang torn between the J2Ti and Neonic Flow Swift
The gold edge Alecto was a prototype. They definitely need to make the rcf gold version. The owner told me he's done with the Alecto series for now though. I do agree that the gold edge guard version is softer than the red version. Good vid y'all!
ohhh, so I have a special collector's item then. It's very nice!
First! 🎉 I can’t wait to listen to Spotify 🙌🏻
$250 is a lot of money for a paddle but hey they need to pay ALW, Christian, and Koop somehow.
Justin a real one
Justin... this may have been covered previously... but a basic question is "why is there often significant weight variation in identical paddles? meaning same brand same model"... they say the j2k has a weight range 8.0 to 8.3 oz for instance
I love the term “Frankenpaddle”
Is it just me or does anyone feel like the more affordable 11six24 hurache - X control + with layer of fiberglass pocket ball similarly and gets not quite close to same power and pop, but less head heavy than the TKO-C & CX
You guys gotta check out that limited run of the pickleball apes energy s if you love the color way on the chorus! Justin: hat fan here: where can I get that hat???
I'm looking forward to hearing more about the Neonic Flow Swift and Flow Prime X. Also, do you know when the Flare Prime X will be available?
lol … Dustin (Pickleball Medicine) beat Justin to the ESQ-C 14.3mm dirty little secret. Dustin took edge guard off, and Paddle was ball-less … just the ball housing putty. Come on … going to charge me $250 for gen 1 sandwich tech with magic balls, you better include those magic balls. 😂
Judge … Paddletek is guilty of ball and switch
When you guys are done testing these paddles, who do you send them to?? Asking for a friend... 👀
NERD TOWN QUESTION: Why are many of the these power paddles, Ripple, Olympus, Circuit, etc, coming only in a 14mm width? Weight? Testing passing advantages? Something else?
I have a Flow Prime X hits hard felt heavy to me
How hard?
I wonder how a paddle would play if the core was a scaled down version of foam like the purple mattress uses.
I think mentioning that paddletek paddles are made in the US could be a good reasoning behind price. Just used your code to get buy the ESQ-C was waiting to see how you felt about it before I pulled the trigger. All the reviews have been raving about it. Was going to get a gen 3 but paddleteks quality has won my money. No core crush for me.
I would choose the paddleteks over any gen 3 paddle 10 times out of 10
Without a doubt the all USA made paddles require the higher cost. Materials, labor and possible patent cost, come into play.
My cut off is $150 for 2 reasons. First reason there are so many good $100 paddles. I’m willing to give $50 more if there is a paddle I really wanted. The last is paddles wear out. If I go through two paddles a year I’m out 2-300$ vs 4-500.
I have found the olympus to be quite controllable. Weight in the butt cap and the sides.
I thought it was probably the least poppy of the gen 3ish paddles. I feel my results were more similar to Chris's. Last 4 paddles ive been demoing were the ProX, Hush and the Revelon Pro Pure Hybrid. 🤷
A 16mm Olympus might be better!
Another great pod! I have a question for Justin - since you played with both the Thrive Azul and Spartus Olympus what would you say the big differences are? I currently play with the Thrive but I’ve been intrigued by the Olympus.
Completely and totally different feel between the Azul and Olympus. They are both quite poppy, but the Azul is stiff and crisp where as the Olympus feels much more muted and the pop comes from the elastic feel off the face. The Azul feels like a traditional paddle, but much stiffer. The Olympus honestly feels pretty unique. Beyond that, the Olympus is a 14mm and more maneuverable.
@@Pickleballetc
Thanks for giving your opinion on this comparison. I prefer the hybrid shape and am always looking for the next paddle. After listening to the podcast I wish Paddltek would make a Bantam hybrid, that would be awesome!
Had ALW demo that was awesome. Bought an ALW and it had no pop or power compared to the demo. Had to return it.
Is the "grit" warrantied on the Vanguard? Sick burn on Justin, "4-5 inches, you'd know" OUCH!
Are there any patents on the ESQ to account for the higher price.?
The grit is not warrantied on any selkrik paddles. I'm unsure of what the price increase is for.
Ace Heart sounds interesting! I've been looking for a paddle with a more string bed-like feedback (pocketing, some rebound). One of the suggestions I am considering from another paddle reviewer I like a lot is the Pulsar FX. May I get some suggestions from you guys as well? Ideally elongated or hybrid, no problem on swing weight, but I can adapt as long as the feel is right. Thanks!
If you're looking for something that really pockets well and has great feel, I'd suggest the Honolulu J2Ti or Bread & Butter Shogun. Both have really nice pocketing feel much better than the Pulsar FX. The Ace Heart might be a great fit as well, but it is a 14mm so keep that in mind.
@Pickleballetc The J2Ti and the Shogun were the other 2 paddles suggested to me! Looks like I definitely need to try the Shogun out since it's the only readily available paddle around me to demo. Would you say dwell time has more to do with the titanium surfaces these paddles share over the underlying core structure like in the FX?
@@jatseng0000 Yeah, it's the Ti face material that gives the "pocketing" feel. Other than that, those 2 are standard construction. the J2 shape is super nice and stable and the Shogun shape is the classic elongated shape that people usually adjust to quite easily. I like the idea of the tech in the FX, but honestly it doesn't feel that unique to me.
@Pickleballetc These are some great info. I'll focus my search on titanium paddles. Meanwhile, have you hit the Nexus Prostar? It checks several of the features I am looking for, but the core and their advertisement seemed concerning. Now if there is a titanium faced J7, that will probably be just what I am looking for!
I enjoyed the podcast and the paddle reviews. Can Justin tell me how to secure the metal beads back into the Paddletek paddles, if they ever come loose? I was able to get $100 off my purchase of the Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C from Pickleball Central, because I belong to their Rewards Program. Pickleball Central has different levels within their Rewards Program. Take care and have a wonderful day.
If the balls come loose, you can get a brand new replacement under warranty. Not easy at all to "fix" them. You have to pull the edge guard off and the Paddletek edge guards are glued realllly well so it's nearly impossible to do without damaging the paddle.
how is the power and pop comparison between the Valor Pro and the Alecto 3(red)?
Your guys’ thoughts on the Olympus were basically saying it’s top 5 power paddle when other reviewers say it’s all court 1st-power 2nd.
I wonder if yours just hits harder for some reason?
It needs weight to move the needle to more power than all court.
@@mlee9049 yeah I noticed when I put any lead on it, the power/pop increased by a lot which kind of through me off tbh lol
Yea I would put it very close to the top of the power/pop spectrum. Justin and I were very shocked others had different feelings about it however maybe our models are a little different than most.
Can you speak to the handle on the ESQ? My biggest issue with Paddletek is that their handles/grips always feel blocky and clunky. A premium price tag should have a premium feel. How did it feel to you guys?
They are certainly a little more blocky than your traditional thermoformed handle however I don't have any issue with the new handles but I'm not super sensitive to handles like some are.
Two question: I heard the new Kiwi Labs is also coming in a 16mm version. How gritty is the NXT Gen Valor Pro?
I'm not 100% that the Circuit is coming in 16mm, but I do know that Larry has dropped some hints that the Circuit might come in some additional variations so that would make sense.
NXTGen Valor Pro is very gritty. At least the ones that Louis and I have are some of the grittiest legal paddles we've felt *when new*.
Besides handle length between EsQ and updated ALW-C any differences in power, stability, sweet spot, pop? I can’t understand how these paddles would feel different when shape and materials are almost identical.
They are very very similar. The esq-c has a slightly larger sweet spot in my testing.
How do you like the handle on the new Paddletek ESQC paddle. Also is it 4.250 inches. Is it still slightly blocky feeling or did they do a little better job of making it more hexagon shape
It’s a little blocky but nothing too annoying. Much better than the old alw handles!
what's the best Gen 2 paddle in terms of power when serving and driving the ball for you guys?
Louis, how the ESQ compares to Ripple R2?
Its a very different paddle. The Ripple paddles are very much an exponential power curve paddle and the ESQ-C feels like you control the amount of power output the paddle is giving you. I think the ESQ-C 14.3 is SIGNIFICANTLY easier to play with that the r2 ripple howerver the r2 ripple hits harder for sure.
Louis … can you compare red Alecto stiffness and feel to Thrive Azul.
Looking at their website … Alecto is a greek winged vengeful sister. Just tell your paddle that your opponents hate females before your games.
I have not hit the Azul so I couldn’t compare unfortunately
@@PickleballPursuit Hurry up and turn that top 4 club into top 5 and you will get the Azul. 🤣
I will be curious what you think if you hit the Azul. It was the first paddle I have hit that immediately felt too stiff. I only had a couple of minutes with it, and stock. That isn’t really a fair test unless you get to add lead because we have all learned that can change feel more than you would think. For all I know Azul isn’t any stiffer than my V7, but V7 never struck me as too stiff, and I never needed to add lead to it.
Carry on … if I remember correctly today is your day to go for a two day playing great streak. Good luck. My streaks can change from game to game, actually in the middle of a game. Trash pickup always parked near by. One of those days was Oni … wife partner had seen enough and suggested I change to the purple paddle. Ouch.
@@65atBestPB Day 2 just finished and I'm still all in on the ESQ-C 14.3mm
@@PickleballPursuit I will interpret this for my fellow nerds:
- Louis still likes new main = played treed above trash level again
Congrats … hope it rubs off on me. I will be playing retro V7 with new grip and all head electrical tape removed. Recycled retro paddle almost has that new paddle smell.
So … you two just playing the field … serial padlelizers … weekend fling.
I think many male Vamps are womanizers … I know because I watched True Blood. It’s inevitable the vamp lack of commitment would find its way into other aspects of your life. {this Vamp theme won’t age well … too many new viewers going wtf is wrong with 65atBest?} fyi … lots wrong.
btw … if you look up definition of “main” there is an implication of non exclusivity … just sayin.
🤣
@@Pickleballetc I give up figuring out which “main” completes me. I pulled out my 8.4 oz head heavy 120ish swing weight Vatic Pro V7 today. I probably had retired it 6 months ago. Played some of my best, fast hands and dinking was no problem. My guess is my kitchen skills have improved over the last six months and 120ish swing weight no longer the disadvantage it was.
Hopeless … paddle riddle can’t be solved. This would be my current preferred attribute list which will probably change before day is over:
- I like gritty surfaces like Apollo and Prism where ball feels like ball stays on surface longer over the spring of Huarache Control+ and stiffer boardy feel of V7 (played great with V7, example where what we like more doesn’t always mean play better with)
- standard/wide out, probably hybrid but extended is “so you are telling me there is a chance”
- going to have to go with more baseline drive power than Prism, I shelved too much “tennis” in the name of control and pickleball dark arts. Whatever power level a V7 is considered these days, I definitely could go up more from it.
feel:
- like how XSPAK played, hated not feeling anything on contact, and hated the square grip
- was happy with V7 feel for months, but tried Prism Flash and preferred that
- like V7 stiffness ok, do not like Thrive Azul stiffness
- Huarache Control+ felt great/fun … but I have to go with gritty Prism not-springy, also not Vatic Pro Flash springy
At least I have fooled myself into thinking I have learned anything.
retro ugly