Gearbox Pro paddles review: am I switching YET AGAIN!? 

Thanks for stopping by again!

My pleasure, thanks for stopping by.

Let me know how you like it

Thank you for the compliments, I really appreciate it! And thank you for your previous comments as well. I can't speak to the shoulder pinching since I'm not a doctor, but I can speak to the power element. One thing that is critical to understand is that the vast majority of your power is going to come from your mechanics. So the question I would have for you is: how well do you know your own mechanics? Do you know if you're doing things properly? If not, then improvement in that area will do more than any paddle ever could. The 2nd thing to look into is: how much more power do you actually need? How do you know if getting an extra few MPH will positively affect the game? Do you know that for sure? The new pro line that came out and the CX14 are fairly differently from each other, especially when it comes to the pop. In fact, I've recently changed to the control version of the pro line because the power version just had too much. Overall, think about those two questions above, then let me know what you think.

@@PickleballKitchen Dude, soooo love your thoughts and time! Wow. Once again, i'm honored and thankful. And, "yes" it's also the mechanics. wait, it's mostly! guilty. Both self diagnosis and some peeps i play with have spotted it. (I'm a 4.0 but play with some 5.0 pros) So, you are correct. However, I did have less pain when i used to use the gearbox, so, like anything else, the more you do the better. Get this, i hold my paddle (grip) to slightly favor a backhand - which means it messes up my forehand smash. (something has to give) it's killing me. I need to go to a more pure continental, and if anything favor/lean towards the backhand - because without a doubt - i'm compensating. Anywhose, you probably didn't need to hear all that. ha! i just wanted to validate what you are suggesting as you are spot on. THANKS. So, i'm changing my grip and am looking for a paddle to help me get some pop. INVITE: If you are ever in chicago (suburbs) keep my info around and let me know as you and your peeps can stay with us. We live in naperville. (and, we have a nice set up with plenty of room) and, happy to share with you and yours. I'm not kidding. Keep it in mind and stay in touch. (TRUST ME, we cook great, and it's better than staying in a hotel, plus, i can plug you into the entire pickleball situation and logistics) -t hanks again and all the best, roc

@@PickleballKitchen thanks so much. I will keep you updated. I know you are right about mechanics and I need to play more in front of my body as I can tell that's part of my issue. I ordered gearbox fusion. Thanks again

Out of town right now, will respond this weekend. Thanks.

@@PickleballKitchengreat review. You might put in a sticky note that you ended up with the Control paddle and why as that’ll be meaningful to those of us who follow you.

Me too and yeah, I feel ya on that.

Same on the CX 14 I love mine and I’m not switching yet

I have the CX14 Ultimate. Still love it. Great touch. Enough power. But of course it’s tempting to try the new one.

Exactly in same boat. CX14, but I don't think it is worth it at this time to upgrade.

Well, I ordered a Pro Control Fusion. I’ll report how it feels versus my CX14H Ultimate. I love that paddle, but if the Pro Control Fusion has just a bit more pop and power and a similar feel on control I’ll like it.

for 274 you can buy two paddles and probably two lessons.

Wow, that's hefty! It's a great paddle though so I think you'll like it. How is PB doing in the UK these days?

Where did you buy for international shipping?

​@PickleballKitchen starting to grow really fast. Last year at the English Open there were 500 entries and this year, there were a little over 1000!

​@@fe0gI had to call gearbox USA directly

how do you like your new paddle @bernie? was it worth it? just wondering as its been 3 months now

And if you compare the Power Elongated to Control Elongated and Regular shape power to control -- the swing weights are slightly higher on the control versions compared to the power which is exactly why they feel heavier.

I have the Pro Control Fusion coming from the CX14H Ultimate. I really liked the Ultimate a lot. I am more of a control player and I liked my ability to reset and dink and drop with it. I did find myself wishing it had more power on serves, ground strokes, drives and put-aways. I really like the Pro Control Fusion and it is a keeper for me. It isn’t world’s different from the Ultimate but it does have easier power. After an adjustment (I have had it a couple weeks and played and drilled with it) I found that, yes, it has more power for the shots I mentioned above, but the control is still great. In fact, just as good. I feel like I am making less movement for certain touch shots so less room for error if that makes sense. I have been adding more controlled drives and more aggressive ground strokes to my game. But I am still a control player relatively speaking. And this paddle still enables that. I think the Power version might be too much for the game I want to play. And I have never played elongated. To me the sweet spot seems about the same. I am a solid 3.5 player. Is it worth the money if you have the Ultimate? For me it was, but $279 for a new paddle isn’t a stretch for me so I wasn’t overly concerned about the cost. Like I said it isn’t world’s different but for me as good or better in every respect versus the Ultimate.

Thanks Dave- sounds like we have similar games.

Huge difference from the CX11 for sure.

You might check out the Selkirk Luxx control air. They also have a 30 day return policy unlike GBX. Personally I prefer offensive play and use a vanguard power air. I’ll probably buy the Gbx pro power elongated

I'm 4.5 player and played with black ace for awhile but felt sweet spot was small causing inconsistent rests and drops. So switched to 14mm 6.0 DBD and rests and drops way better with less power and pop. Tried a friends the GB PRO Fusion Power and loved it so I ordered one and been playing with it about 2 weeks now. Pop and power is better than black ace and I feel rests, drops dinks are better than my 6.0 DBD. There is a slight adjustment for soft game but learning curve is quick. If you are going from the blace ace to the GB Pro Fusion you will love the GB and won't be disappointed.

@kevinkraieski2267 thanks! I've been playing with the GB Power Pro Fusion for about four months now and absolutely love it! Much more forgiving on soft shots than the Black Ace.

It definitely feels a different, but not an enormous way. The big difference is the power. Night and day, as I mentioned in the video. Give it a shot and let me know how you like it.

@@PickleballKitchen Couldn't wait for the Demo program. After listening to Rafael on another pod, I got pumped for the Power E and ordered it. Shhhhh!! Don't tell my wife.

These paddles have very low twist weights. If you always hit the sweet spots, sure. If you miss hit often, I would steer clear.

And by the way when I take out Gx5 control in 4.0 to 4.5 rec games. The gx5 is no slouch. Great underrated paddle, forces you to keep you placement in check& thats the real bonus with gx5 control.

I haven't played with any CRBN paddles, sorry!

The 1x is the elongated shape so the power elongated.

@@mbr05c thanks.

I'd like to get a whiteboard table, but they're pretty expensive.

You can’t demo the new paddle as it stands and they are selling so quickly I doubt they will make them available as a demo until the stock catches up.

Oh give me a break.

@@jc2604 you don’t have any phobias? Nails on a chalkboard, the feel of squeezing cotton, holes in a pattern..that sorta stuff. I probably wouldn’t have noticed it on my phone, but my desktop has better speakers and it was unnerving. Not trying to be that guy, but I’d rather tell him about it than not.

@@WadeOntheLure Some people have phobias. But it is being "that guy" because if a content creator had to react to every phobia out there, the screen would be blank. I just feel like it's such a niche thing that it's really not worth mentioning.

The GB pro control is nowhere near as soft as the Luxx, its only slightly behind the Pro Power in pop and speed.

If you get 6 months out of the Gearbox it's already less expensive than those 200 dollar paddles. Plastic cores don't last.

@@mbr05c 6 months--that’s about how long my CX14 lasted

Edit to my original post...I just ordered the Pro Power Elongated model.....I like the muffled sound and the increased power rating of the paddle

@@mbr05c I have a Selkirk Amped Epic for three years now play two to three times a week and hardly shows any wear, but there is a little, not much. The core is fine.

People breaking a carbon fiber core down in 6 months ? I gotta ask a question . What are you using for balls, baseballs ? ⚾️. 😂

According to the speed numbers put out by other reviewers it’s a hair slower, but by maybe 1mph. So basically yeah, it hits that hard.

What about the controversy? Aren’t there many people saying this paddle should not be allowed in tournaments?

@@ginjaninja3627 It's still somewhat hard to control regardless of how many people tell you it's got "just as much as their old paddle". It's been out for a bit any the world hasn't fallen apart. In the scheme of things it's still just a paddle.

Haven't played with the Forza.

Likely a mixture of both. I'm sure that some of the materials are made in China. However, assembly is likely mostly done in San Diego.

PK hat is next!

Nice your own hat. Will you be selling or giving away some for free?@@PickleballKitchen

no

Bruh.

Gearbox paddles only became usable once they dropped the CX14e. That being said, it was mush soft and it wears out your shoulder having to over swing. On top of that the sweet spot was still smaller than honeycomb. Then they came out with the power ultimate and they were closer to the mark, but still not quite there yet. The rigidity of the paddle was an issue for me. Just not arm friendly paddles. That all goes out the door if they match EVA power though. It’s a gamechanger. We will see how it pans. To be fair though, all of their SST paddles use more carbon fiber than any other brand, so I don’t know what you are talking about there.

So because not a lot of 5.0+ players didn’t use gearbox before, all their previous paddles were bad? Absolutely nothing touches gearbox in terms of durability. That’s pretty amazing if you ask me. Pickleball Will even said if you wanted a Selkirk power air, one of the most popular paddles, to just get a cx11 power cuz it does the job while lasting longer. Not to mention there are many like me who prefer the softer feel and longevity of gearbox over others. GBX paddle was a fail? Rafa and Gearbox determine that and considering the paddle is still on the site and the price remains the same, they stand by that paddle and deem it successful for what it is, a gen 1 CF paddle with their name on it. I didn’t buy it but I wouldn’t call it a fail.

Im taking a chance and bought the power elongated. Im saying most people felt their old models had a small sweetspot and not enough power. Moreso, a critque on the review not the paddle itself.

@@CohenAcademy ah, that’s fair

@@CohenAcademy Sure. The sweetspots on the older paddles were definitely small.

china

not sure of the big deal about the sound, it literally has 0 impact and is a bit quieter which is what the sport needs

It does take time to get used to. I hated it at first.

If anything it should mess up your opponents timing than bother you

After watching several videos on this, the Fusion size increases hand speed and helps significantly in kitchen battles. There is a benefit to shorter if you prefer it.

@@steveramey8654 Agree. Shortening the face helps with hand speed but no reason not to make it 8" wide. That loss of 1/2" in width will significantly decrease the sweet spot.

They are approved. They wanted to keep the details hush so it won’t be on the list until the next database update.

@@mbr05cAny idea how often the approved list is updated by chance? I looked on their site but couldn’t find any info on it.

It is now…

@@NOT_A_TOP_FAN Just 1? Where are the other 3?

@@sccks good question…. Another question is why can a paddle company essentially tell the USPA to “not approve” a paddle until a specific time release. Meaning, they are wanting USPA to not show an approved paddle “too soon”…. I’ve noticed that on some of the big companies and the release of their paddles…. To me, I would think USPA approves a paddle wherever it is in their pipeline to approve…and if that falls way before a companies official release date, then so be it. Just seems a bit too convenient for some companies…

rumors - its the sound that people cant figure out, its quiet , so they think its slow.

Ummm. I don't think so .lol check all the other main review channels and they say the same thing

:)

Guy above said he would “take” one… I would PAY ya for the elongated power