Interesting and thorough review. I've been playing the original Icon (traditional shape) for the last 18 months or so and really like the paddle. I thought I'd give the V2 a try and had the chance to demo it for a couple of hours earlier today. From the moment I set foot on the court, I was hooked. The paddle sounded and felt great. V2 had a little more pop than V1 and the new version was clearly more forgiving with off-center hits -- on both hard and soft shots. V2's level of spin was similar to V1, but I hit a number of hard slices in which the ball seemed to be oscillating. I don't remember that ever happening with V1 I'm not sure I agree with the review that V2 feels like a different paddle from V1. Based on seven or eight games of doubles, I thought the new version of the Icon felt very familiar, but also very much improved. I'm going to buy V2 and make it my go-to paddle.
Just getting into paddle ball. Great review. for an intermediate * very athletic and a 4.5 tennis player) that doesn't need power ut wants spin and control I have narrowed the search to three paddles: Diadem icon v2 Middleweight, Vatic 14mm Prism Flash or Crown Black 14. I prefer NOT having grit paint but also want to not spend more than around 120 for a paddle. Suggestion on paddle of these three or other option ? Thx.
Great review. Wanted to love this paddle as I’ve played with the original Icon for over a year now. I love the original so expected V2 to be mind blowing. Was very excited to hear a newer version was coming. I Tried to make it work and just couldn’t get there. Ultimately I’m back to my original Icon until something makes me change my mind. The original is a great fit for me!
Good review. Valid points about the naming issue. I have the original Icon and still love it, but nothing I have seen or heard makes me want to purchase the V2.
I bought this paddle after demoing my instructors. On my first day playing with my own I paddle tapped my partner and completely broke one of the edge guards. Later in that session I hit one off the toe and chipped the other end of the edge guard. I will not be paddle tapping anymore with this. Hopefully I don't hit too many more off the toe lol.
I've never tried a Diadem paddle. I wanted a shoulder friendly paddle and the shop recommended the V2. I loved it! I played 3 hours and no shoulder problems and my game was great! I was also trying the Kinetic ovation flight and didn't like it. I didn't like the sound of it and the overall feel. I don't know about the original paddle but I loved the control and the spinning was fantastic and no pain. My friends all agreed, this paddle worked for me. (The spin was great.) I'm sold!
Good review. I have the original and the V2E. I use a ping pong grip so the E makes up for the loss in reach from choking up. I also have a Vice. I was going to sell my original Icon but the difference was so much that I'm keeping the original. I agree with you on the name issue. I sold my Pro Kennex ACE because I did not like the "wack" of the ball hitting the face. The V2 hits softer on impact with better control as well.
Nice review on the V2. I own both. I've been using the original Icon for a long time, and love that paddle. I've stopped using it since I got my Vice, but still play with it occasionally, and marvel at how good the original Icon is. I was also excited to try the V2, which I've been playing with the past couple of weeks. I agree with you, it's a good paddle, but I think I enjoy the original better. Maybe because I'm used to playing with it, and it seems to fit my game. The new V2 is a fine paddle, but you're right, it doesn't feel like a better version of the original, which is what we would expect. I'm still playing with it pretty regularly and seeing if I can warm up to it gradually, but right now my favorite paddles are still the Vice and the original Icon. Also, one thing to note is the V2 is a bit on the pricy side, and original Icon's are at a bargain price now, since they're trying to clear them out.
I hated the original Icon, so I never used it for anything past testing. The new Icon after you lock in is lights out. It seems to get better the more I play with it.
interesting how you and the commenters all seem to feel that it isn't very similar to the original icon. Is there a paddle it feels more like? i do like the minimal edge guard, which i guess is more of a weighted perimeter than a real guard
I played with the original icon for about a year. I felt that it was starting to go dead around the edges particularly at the top. I moved on to a crbn and then got both v2s to try. I agree with most of the review points. My kick is that doing away with the material was used in the original which was unique and had a great combination of dwell and leaves a paddle that has a very crisp feel but less control. It's not a lack of spin it's at the ball pops off the face and the paddle does not have the same feel as the original. It very much is not a successor to the icon it's a different paddle. I'm going to give each size another week or so I think I'm going to try a couple of other new paddles before I settle on trying to make it work. I'd really like to see a paddle with the construction of this one but the face from the original icon 🤔🫣😬
