I just won a pickleball tournament the other day in our advanced division with this exact red paddle after middling results in other tournaments. It’s a game changer. It hits very few dead balls and the spin is awesome.
Follow up to the follow up. For me this paddle was good for singles for the power but I just couldn’t get it under control at the kitchen. I sent it back and went back to my old faithful the CRBN1. A buddy let me play his crbn and I was like oh yeah, I remember that feeling and I had to go back. I didn’t get the same touch and feel from the Selkirk. Nothing wrong with it but it wasn’t for me in the end. Def an amazing paddle for power tho. And gorgeous
If you watch pickleball studio with Chris Olsen he has been doing spin videos for a while. He spin tests a ton of paddles and these paddles are higher spin rate than CRBN1 or 2.
Now that we have paddles with cut outs the USAPA should regulate head size by square inches, like tennis, rather than length plus width. I'd like to see this paddle at least 8 inches wide with a 5.5" long handle and 16.5 length.
Is the perimeter foam why the sweet spot is bigger? You should also review the new Selkirk Omega Max ($140), It has many of the properties of the Vanguard Air except for the cut out.
I actually don't know what they have inside this but would assume foam, but its a single piece molded paddle that is why the sweet spot is bigger. I have the max and will surely play with it, im not really a fan of thin paddles. These suprised me for sure. Thanks for supporting our channel.
@@theonlybaldie Not sure what you mean by a single piece molded paddle. The Air is a 1/2 inch poly core paddle with a molded edge and flex foam injected in the perimeter. The Omega Max is built the same way--1/2 inch poly core with flex foam in the perimeter and a molded edge. Both have faces that combine fiberglass and carbon fiber. The Omega Max has the traditional 16 x 8 inch size but only $140. Another reviewer got a 1700 RPM spin from the Omega Max which is exceptional.
@@gao57009 yes it is foam here is the write up Aero-DuraEdge Edgeless Technology for increased durabilty and aerodynamics: Introduced to increase edge reliability alongside the FlexFoam edge perimeter, Aero-DuraEdge Edgeless technology is composed of our specialty, impact resistant blend of composites and polymer. FlexFoam Perimeter for power, durability and a larger sweetspot: Achieved by injecting specially formulated foam into the entire perimeter of the paddle, our FlexFoam Perimeter technology increases durability, adds weight, enlarges the sweet spot, and absorbs the vibrations from every hit, for a stable, reliable feel. This technology was originally developed in Selkirk Labs for Project 002.
Yes I found it made it feel like the whole paddle was a sweet spot. Very stable this way. I have transitioned to the project 003 and it’s the same way that I tape it.
@@theonlybaldie Thanks for the review. Will you be reviewing the Project 003 anytime soon? I'm very interested in that paddle, though I wish the Invikta size was available now. Any feedback on the 003 will be greatly appreciated!
@@barney9997 The paddle is amazing and yes ill be releasing a review soon. That is my paddle of choice presently. I cant wait for the invikta version to come out.
I just received and played 2 days with my new power air epic. The first day I was hitting amazing shots and it was like no adjustment time needed for me. Prob best I’ve played. The second day I played for almost 4 hours and I just sucked. But I think it was just me having a bad day. There were good moments but overall I just didn’t feel connected to it. But I’m pretty sure it was just me having a bad day. I plan to give it some more time and see if I can get adjusted. I will say. It’s lively off the face when you hit the sweet spot. And it sinks well. Resets are taking some adjustment and ground strokes as well. Definitely shines with singles. Hopefully I can get adjusted. I wanna like it. I’ve heard that there’s an adjustment period coming from a control paddle which I did have before.
Absolutely is and if it’s too poppy you can put some of the lead tape underneath he over wrap on the handle. It will make it more controlled and less poppy.
This is a great paddle. I love it however it's not "a one year paddle", but a 150 hour paddle. The spin potential died down for me dramatically at around 150 ish hours. Kind of pricey for a paddle that only last a few months.
Maybe a Gearbox paddle but the honeycomb core based ones don't last more than 6 months. I've played Electrum, Selkirk, and Prolite with surface dead spots on all of them by that time if used regularly.
Phil- I agree, don't know anyone who changes paddles every 6mos/year..?? I've been with my Paddletek for at least 2 years and just won Gold in tournament. Not changing yet....
Depends on how hard you play em.. some people go through two or three a year...but then again, claiming a paddle is dead may just be an excuse to get a new model.
Love the review. Thank you Keith Valentine
Beautiful review , I’m waiting for my one to be shipped, I’m excited 😊
Hope you enjoy it!
I just won a pickleball tournament the other day in our advanced division with this exact red paddle after middling results in other tournaments. It’s a game changer. It hits very few dead balls and the spin is awesome.
Got this exact paddle! Loved the review.
Follow up. Day three and decided I love the paddle and yesterday was just a bad day. I’m adjusting to it and it’s amazing.
I also put some lead on the throat and bottom corners and also a strip in the hole and I think it helped with feel.
Follow up to the follow up. For me this paddle was good for singles for the power but I just couldn’t get it under control at the kitchen. I sent it back and went back to my old faithful the CRBN1. A buddy let me play his crbn and I was like oh yeah, I remember that feeling and I had to go back. I didn’t get the same touch and feel from the Selkirk. Nothing wrong with it but it wasn’t for me in the end. Def an amazing paddle for power tho. And gorgeous
How does it compare to the CRBN 1 16mm for spin? That’s what I’m most interested in 🤔 thanks
If you watch pickleball studio with Chris Olsen he has been doing spin videos for a while. He spin tests a ton of paddles and these paddles are higher spin rate than CRBN1 or 2.
Now that we have paddles with cut outs the USAPA should regulate head size by square inches, like tennis, rather than length plus width. I'd like to see this paddle at least 8 inches wide with a 5.5" long handle and 16.5 length.
What kind of tape did you put on the corners?
Juts lead tape from Amazon
for the discount does it not say when you put it in? it just took 1 cent off and said it will be assured in 7-10 days in your email. Is that correct?
That’s right you will get it in the mail.
Great review!
Glad you enjoyed it
Is the perimeter foam why the sweet spot is bigger? You should also review the new Selkirk Omega Max ($140), It has many of the properties of the Vanguard Air except for the cut out.
I actually don't know what they have inside this but would assume foam, but its a single piece molded paddle that is why the sweet spot is bigger. I have the max and will surely play with it, im not really a fan of thin paddles. These suprised me for sure. Thanks for supporting our channel.
@@theonlybaldie Not sure what you mean by a single piece molded paddle. The Air is a 1/2 inch poly core paddle with a molded edge and flex foam injected in the perimeter. The Omega Max is built the same way--1/2 inch poly core with flex foam in the perimeter and a molded edge. Both have faces that combine fiberglass and carbon fiber. The Omega Max has the traditional 16 x 8 inch size but only $140. Another reviewer got a 1700 RPM spin from the Omega Max which is exceptional.
@@gao57009 that’s pretty good spin but the power air gets over 1800 per some tests. I’ll play it now that you say that and I’ll let you know.
@@gao57009 yes it is foam here is the write up
Aero-DuraEdge Edgeless Technology for increased durabilty and aerodynamics: Introduced to increase edge reliability alongside the FlexFoam edge perimeter, Aero-DuraEdge Edgeless technology is composed of our specialty, impact resistant blend of composites and polymer.
FlexFoam Perimeter for power, durability and a larger sweetspot: Achieved by injecting specially formulated foam into the entire perimeter of the paddle, our FlexFoam Perimeter technology increases durability, adds weight, enlarges the sweet spot, and absorbs the vibrations from every hit, for a stable, reliable feel. This technology was originally developed in Selkirk Labs for Project 002.
@Gary Ocheltree ua-cam.com/video/g1nqKYsDjkY/v-deo.html here is the SLK review
Is the red and black only different by color?
Yes
Keith, did you weigh the top of the opening, in addition to the four corners?
Yes I found it made it feel like the whole paddle was a sweet spot. Very stable this way. I have transitioned to the project 003 and it’s the same way that I tape it.
@@theonlybaldie Thanks for the review. Will you be reviewing the Project 003 anytime soon? I'm very interested in that paddle, though I wish the Invikta size was available now. Any feedback on the 003 will be greatly appreciated!
@@barney9997 I will be releasing a review of the Project 003 soon. Its my paddle of choice presently.
@@barney9997 The paddle is amazing and yes ill be releasing a review soon. That is my paddle of choice presently. I cant wait for the invikta version to come out.
@@theonlybaldie Thanks Keith. I'm looking forward to your review.
I just received and played 2 days with my new power air epic. The first day I was hitting amazing shots and it was like no adjustment time needed for me. Prob best I’ve played. The second day I played for almost 4 hours and I just sucked. But I think it was just me having a bad day. There were good moments but overall I just didn’t feel connected to it. But I’m pretty sure it was just me having a bad day. I plan to give it some more time and see if I can get adjusted. I will say. It’s lively off the face when you hit the sweet spot. And it sinks well. Resets are taking some adjustment and ground strokes as well. Definitely shines with singles. Hopefully I can get adjusted. I wanna like it. I’ve heard that there’s an adjustment period coming from a control paddle which I did have before.
Absolutely is and if it’s too poppy you can put some of the lead tape underneath he over wrap on the handle. It will make it more controlled and less poppy.
Did you use the thick or thin led tape?
I used thick , got it at about 8.68.
This is a great paddle. I love it however it's not "a one year paddle", but a 150 hour paddle. The spin potential died down for me dramatically at around 150 ish hours. Kind of pricey for a paddle that only last a few months.
yeah I said it feels like it can be a one a year paddle but I think in all honesty no paddle will last more than 6 months!!
lifetime warranty though right?
I really don't give a shit about sound
A lot of people do though and can’t play with a paddle that they don’t like the sound!!
Paddles last much longer than 6 months.
Maybe a Gearbox paddle but the honeycomb core based ones don't last more than 6 months. I've played Electrum, Selkirk, and Prolite with surface dead spots on all of them by that time if used regularly.
Phil-
I agree, don't know anyone who changes paddles every 6mos/year..??
I've been with my Paddletek for at least 2 years and just won Gold in tournament.
Not changing yet....
Depends on how hard you play em.. some people go through two or three a year...but then again, claiming a paddle is dead may just be an excuse to get a new model.