The choice between putting a peel-ply (raw carbon fiber) layer on a paddle versus spray on grit comes down to the graphics you want to put on a paddle. When you use a peel-ply layer for texture, the graphics go on top of the peel-ply. That's why you see very minimal graphics on raw carbon fiber paddles. Otherwise, the graphics would completely cover up and smooth out the texture of the peel-ply. Sprayed on grit is applied on top of the graphics. As a result, you can use graphics that cover the entire face of the paddle. So, they probably valued the design on the LUXX over using a peel-ply texture. We have a paddle coming out soon (Cheetah Predion E20) that is very similar to the LUXX Invikta. But it's a little heavier and much less expensive. We also chose to go with a full paddle face design, instead of using a peel-ply. In my opinion, paddle reviewers are using an unrealistic unit of measure to describe spin. Everyone is using Revolutions Per Minute (RPM). That's fine for cars where there is an engine continually propelling a drive shaft for a minute. But in pickleball, a minute is never surpassed between one hit and another. And there is no engine continually providing spin on the ball. Once it's hit, the spin rate starts to immediately decrease. In my opinion, it should be Revolutions Per Second (RPS), a more realistic period of time between hits. Just divide the RPM numbers by 60 to get the RPS. As a result, you'll see that there's not a real big difference between spin on paddles. And that's why USAP designed the Surface Roughness and Coefficient of Friction metrics, so paddles would have relatively the same spin capabilities. For example, a RPM of 2,000 would be an RPS of 33. An RPM of 1,500 would be an RPS of 25. The difference is 8 rotations...not a big difference if you ask me. My thoughts.
I appreciate the thoughts, though I don't agree with most of it. I'm aware of the reasons paint grit is used over peel ply and the drawbacks that come with each. However, if you're going to claim to have your highest end product be the highest performing and then go for the marketing approach with graphics, you've made a mistake in my opinion. Heavily brand your cheaper stuff with loaded graphics if you want. Doesn't make sense for what is supposed to be the top tier performant paddle. Especially when Selkirk is charging $250 for a Luxx where the grit will be worn down in
If they combined the Vanguard Control with the Luxx Control Air to make something like a Control Air Vanguard Luxx with raw carbon edgeless, still with aerodynamic hole and thermoformed now that would be a paddle!
As someone who is afflicted with tennis elbow this is fantastic to give us a low swing weight elongated option. I don't have to deal with a standard shape anymore. This ultimately gives us the CHOICE to switch to something else. Traditional low swing weight models are of the standard shape. This finally brings us another option. And for that I am happy 🎉
Ive been playing with it since it came out . Went from the halo power to the luxx to this . I’m primarily a right side player with fast hands . Resets are on point with this paddle I also added the hexcore grip .
Electrum model e stealth has super low swing weight is 35$ less still made in the us has edge foam. Probably the most comparable to the lightweight invikta
@@gg80108I have a midweight (started at 7.9oz) and with pink hesacore + gamma supreme overgrip it’s at 8.35oz. You take the Selkirk grip off to add the hesacore
I was disappointed by their “lifetime warranty.” My paddle kept feeling “off” like you could hear the paddle make a THUMP sound and they said “you can send it in and let us take a look at it if it qualifies, but overtime paddles degrade. So more than likely not a warranty.” Well I’ve only had this paddle for 3 MONTHS and not playing with it more than MAYBE once a week. Moral of story I’m never buying a selkirk paddle again. Sticking with Friday, sixzero, and one Joola paddle (when it releases [Magnus]). Selkirk’s “lifetime warranty” is a joke. If I’m going to pay $200 for a paddle the quality is better on a sixzero.
my first two paddles were the SLK Evo Soft XL, and the original Vanguard Invikta (that I lovingly nicknamed "Watermelon Sugar"). The only advantage I had at my advanced intermediate league with the Vanguard were opposition complaining that they'd "lose sight" of the green/yellow pickleball off the green part of the face of my paddle. My $50 HISK has done more for my game than either if these paddles and wish I had switched to Toray Carbon fibers earlier than I did. Selkirk also ships their overpriced paddles with NO free case and horribly shipped in plastic bags that could easily warp in transition getting to you. The HISK includes two free wrist bands, extra grip, free cover, and is a superior paddle over this latest model too I'm sure. Selkirk is a joke. Also, nearly everyone in my league that "upgraded" to the Luxx is playing worse now and losing more against the bangers haha. Buyer beware: do NOT use those rubber erasers on Selkirk paddles. It will destroy the surface. I learned the hard way on that too.
Does the Engage Pursuit Pro MX Lite not qualify for low swing weight and elongated? Granted, not a control paddle, but I think it qualifies as raw carbon fiber, etc.
I don't have a lite model to confirm the swing weight on it. Though, I'd be really surprised of it went to 104. That's extremely low even for a square paddle.
The only thing I can think of that’s as late to the party as this paddle, would be this review. Love your reviews Chris BUT this should have come out a month ago.
This review is certainly late. 😂 I would love to do reviews faster, but it takes time to do a review properly. I wouldn't feel good hitting a paddle a few times and trying to pass off the information. Most reviews take me two weeks to complete unless it is a first look video.
Several Selkirks are made in China. The entire SLK line, Control Air, and a few others. But the Vanguard has always said made in USA vs assembled in USA.
there is no reason to buy any Selkirk products unless you're literally getting paid by them... absolutely behind the curve products for an over charge price
![Oasis - Oasis Live '25 [Official Trailer]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/gol_JnuEtKM/mqdefault.jpg)
The choice between putting a peel-ply (raw carbon fiber) layer on a paddle versus spray on grit comes down to the graphics you want to put on a paddle.
When you use a peel-ply layer for texture, the graphics go on top of the peel-ply. That's why you see very minimal graphics on raw carbon fiber paddles. Otherwise, the graphics would completely cover up and smooth out the texture of the peel-ply.
Sprayed on grit is applied on top of the graphics. As a result, you can use graphics that cover the entire face of the paddle. So, they probably valued the design on the LUXX over using a peel-ply texture.
We have a paddle coming out soon (Cheetah Predion E20) that is very similar to the LUXX Invikta. But it's a little heavier and much less expensive.
We also chose to go with a full paddle face design, instead of using a peel-ply.
In my opinion, paddle reviewers are using an unrealistic unit of measure to describe spin. Everyone is using Revolutions Per Minute (RPM). That's fine for cars where there is an engine continually propelling a drive shaft for a minute.
But in pickleball, a minute is never surpassed between one hit and another. And there is no engine continually providing spin on the ball. Once it's hit, the spin rate starts to immediately decrease.
In my opinion, it should be Revolutions Per Second (RPS), a more realistic period of time between hits. Just divide the RPM numbers by 60 to get the RPS.
As a result, you'll see that there's not a real big difference between spin on paddles. And that's why USAP designed the Surface Roughness and Coefficient of Friction metrics, so paddles would have relatively the same spin capabilities.
For example, a RPM of 2,000 would be an RPS of 33. An RPM of 1,500 would be an RPS of 25. The difference is 8 rotations...not a big difference if you ask me.
My thoughts.
I appreciate the thoughts, though I don't agree with most of it.
I'm aware of the reasons paint grit is used over peel ply and the drawbacks that come with each. However, if you're going to claim to have your highest end product be the highest performing and then go for the marketing approach with graphics, you've made a mistake in my opinion. Heavily brand your cheaper stuff with loaded graphics if you want. Doesn't make sense for what is supposed to be the top tier performant paddle. Especially when Selkirk is charging $250 for a Luxx where the grit will be worn down in
If they combined the Vanguard Control with the Luxx Control Air to make something like a Control Air Vanguard Luxx with raw carbon edgeless, still with aerodynamic hole and thermoformed now that would be a paddle!
As someone who is afflicted with tennis elbow this is fantastic to give us a low swing weight elongated option. I don't have to deal with a standard shape anymore. This ultimately gives us the CHOICE to switch to something else. Traditional low swing weight models are of the standard shape. This finally brings us another option. And for that I am happy 🎉
Ive been playing with it since it came out . Went from the halo power to the luxx to this . I’m primarily a right side player with fast hands . Resets are on point with this paddle I also added the hexcore grip .
did you strip the original grip off?. did you put an over grip over. You get any rips while installing? For $30 I'll let someone else experiment.
Electrum model e stealth has super low swing weight is 35$ less still made in the us has edge foam. Probably the most comparable to the lightweight invikta
@@gg80108I have a midweight (started at 7.9oz) and with pink hesacore + gamma supreme overgrip it’s at 8.35oz.
You take the Selkirk grip off to add the hesacore
I have really enjoyed my time playing with this paddle, just wish there was a tiny bit more pop at the net
I was disappointed by their “lifetime warranty.”
My paddle kept feeling “off” like you could hear the paddle make a THUMP sound and they said “you can send it in and let us take a look at it if it qualifies, but overtime paddles degrade. So more than likely not a warranty.”
Well I’ve only had this paddle for 3 MONTHS and not playing with it more than MAYBE once a week.
Moral of story I’m never buying a selkirk paddle again. Sticking with Friday, sixzero, and one Joola paddle (when it releases [Magnus]).
Selkirk’s “lifetime warranty” is a joke.
If I’m going to pay $200 for a paddle the quality is better on a sixzero.
lifetime warranties are largely a marketing gimmick, especially since they don't apply to wear & tear.
I’ve owned, bought and sold over 30 Six Zero paddles and I haven’t had any issues with any of them.
Thanks for mentioning the HISK Rav Pro. They really are quite remarkable, especially for such a low price. You've really got to try one.
my first two paddles were the SLK Evo Soft XL, and the original Vanguard Invikta (that I lovingly nicknamed "Watermelon Sugar"). The only advantage I had at my advanced intermediate league with the Vanguard were opposition complaining that they'd "lose sight" of the green/yellow pickleball off the green part of the face of my paddle. My $50 HISK has done more for my game than either if these paddles and wish I had switched to Toray Carbon fibers earlier than I did. Selkirk also ships their overpriced paddles with NO free case and horribly shipped in plastic bags that could easily warp in transition getting to you. The HISK includes two free wrist bands, extra grip, free cover, and is a superior paddle over this latest model too I'm sure. Selkirk is a joke. Also, nearly everyone in my league that "upgraded" to the Luxx is playing worse now and losing more against the bangers haha. Buyer beware: do NOT use those rubber erasers on Selkirk paddles. It will destroy the surface. I learned the hard way on that too.
Awesome intro shots
Made in the USA with foreign parts. What a joke. Glad you gave an unbiased review and called out some of Selkirks mistakes in their product line
Better than nothing
@@HeavyAndLow Arguable.
Really like trying new ideas dor visuals like at 0:56 but honestly I find them really hard to see at some points. Great review though
Will keep working on it. 👌🏻
Great honest review. Thanks
Please review the Mach 2 Forza. Love the DBD but interesting in buying a Mach 2 Forza not sure if I want the 14mm or 16mm
It does seem like the lightweight is the only option. Still very expensive.
Curious to see how the PKKL grit sheet would work on the LUXX?? Hoping to find a used wore out LUXX for sale and try it.
Can you please review the Carbon Pickle Pro?
Selkirk confuses me as well
Does the Engage Pursuit Pro MX Lite not qualify for low swing weight and elongated? Granted, not a control paddle, but I think it qualifies as raw carbon fiber, etc.
I don't have a lite model to confirm the swing weight on it. Though, I'd be really surprised of it went to 104. That's extremely low even for a square paddle.
The only thing I can think of that’s as late to the party as this paddle, would be this review. Love your reviews Chris BUT this should have come out a month ago.
This review is certainly late. 😂
I would love to do reviews faster, but it takes time to do a review properly. I wouldn't feel good hitting a paddle a few times and trying to pass off the information. Most reviews take me two weeks to complete unless it is a first look video.
The Invikta handle is 5.5” but your specs say 5.25”
He probably did not include the tape the part that isn't the handle.
Ha, you’re correct. I think I hit command Z on a typo and sent it back to 5.25” from 5.5”.
This is a gen 1 paddle?
Selkirk has fallen behind
can you do the mark kinetic
They are sending them to me mid April.
I wouldn't buy a Selkirk based on "made in the US" reason, I know someone who visited the Selkirk factory in CHINA, just saying.
Several Selkirks are made in China. The entire SLK line, Control Air, and a few others. But the Vanguard has always said made in USA vs assembled in USA.
I hope you are good friends with the guy you kept destroying in these clips haha. he seemed frustrated!
there is no reason to buy any Selkirk products unless you're literally getting paid by them... absolutely behind the curve products for an over charge price
"Any"? They do have unique products that no one else has such as the Luxx Control. That one feels amazing even though the grit does wear out quickly.
I wouldn’t play a Selkirk if you gave it to me. So late to the party
First in!
Meh
I LOVE pickleball studio, but I think ironically... this review is too late as well.
This video should come with a warning: 'May cause extreme joy