I forgot to add that I added 3 grams of tungsten tape to these paddles when play testing, so my comments on the play are after the weight is added. I added one strip of the selkirk tungsten tape - I divided it into 4 equal parts, and put each part on each corner. This significantly increased stability, sweet spot, and power.
@86309 1 strip divided into 4 equal parts. ("I added one strip of the selkirk tungsten tape - I divided it into 4 equal parts, and put each part on each corner")
Do you mean the vatic prism flash 16 or the vatic prism v7 16? The vatic prism flash 16 is close to the Luxx. Both models are control oriented, have huge sweet spots, are very forgiving, have lighter swing weights and softer feeling faces (less poppy than the standard thermoformed paddles these days). The difference would be I think the prisms have a slightly more plush feeling at contact that seems to dampen vibration a bit more (you can kind of feel the ball sinking into the face) whereas the luxx face feels a tad crisp (or firmer). Also, when you go after the luxx on full swings (serves, drives, overheads), I feel like the luxxs are more responsive and will provide a bit more power, I think partially due to the flex of the throat. However, with shorter swings like counters, I think the prisms will have a bit more initial pop. Also depending on the luxx model chosen, the luxx swingweights will likely be slightly lower, so they may be slightly faster in the hands. For control, I think the two are comparable, depending on the shape you choose. The S2 has a massive sweet spot, whereas the sweet spot on the invikta feels smaller than the prism flash. The sweet spot on the epic may be comparable to both the vatic prism V7 and the flash. Both the prisms and luxxs are similarly soft, but the 20mm thickness on the luxxs probably makes them a bit softer/easier to control a greater range of shots, like resets and drops. For spin, I think the luxx is comparable to the prism. Time will tell on the durability of the luxx spin, but I suspect the raw cf face on the prisms will outlast the grit coating on the luxxs, but that is just my estimation. Note, I will play more with the invikta shape in the coming days and may circle back on my thoughts for updates. Also, I posted a video about the prisms here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-OfpHxJCWnFU.html Hope this helps, and good luck!
I replied to Dave H.'s question in the comments about the vatic prisms here, so you may find helpful comments on that vatic model. It is much softer than the vatic flash (non-prism version), so it will have less pop, less power, but be easier to control with dinks, drops, and resets. The sweet spot will be bigger as well, as the luxx sweet spots are huge (maybe the biggest of any paddle Ive tried). The diadem 18K might be the only paddle that is softer than the luxxs. Thus, the 18k plays similar on soft game shots, but it has a much higher swing weight. Thus, it is much less maneuverable at the kitchen, resulting in it not being the best paddle for handspeed/hands battles/counters. Also, the 18K currently only comes in the elongated shape, so that is much slower in the hands than the S2, the epic, and even the invikta (due to the throat hole). Also, while the 18K has a large sweet spot, it is smaller than the luxx sweet spot. The 18K probably is spinnier than the luxxs though. That 18K cf is legit. I am shocked we havent seen it in more paddles. It feels so buttery soft on drops, dinks and resets. It really should be put into more shapes, and at lower swing weights. I think the 18K cf is the future of control paddles tbh. Hope this helps!
Yes, but depending on what you mean by "edge guard." If you mean electrical tape, yes. I do NOT recommend the tape selkirk sells and other companies sell for this purpose, as that type of tape usually comes in much heavier than electrical tape, so it adds unwanted weight to the tip of the paddle, which can significantly affect swing weight in ways that will be a detriment to most players. Electrical tape is thinner and lighter, but still protects the edges without much added weight.
No. Mine didnt at least and I havent seen/heard any different. It looks like Selkirk will still only supply the red paddle covers with the Labs paddles (where mine came from). The red ones are available for purchase at the selkirk labs site and the thinner black ones are available at the Selkirk [non labs] site, and possibly other places.
