11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3 vs Proton Series One Project Black
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. 11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3 edges it on the overall Paddle IQ score (85.1 vs 83.8), but the two split the scored categories — pick on the one trait you care about most.
Power
Too close to call
89 vs 86
Spin
Too close to call
91 vs 90
Control
Too close to call
87 vs 86
Forgiveness
Too close to call
83 vs 80
Hand speed
Too close to call
117 vs 117 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Too close to call
$190 at IQ 85.1 vs $200 at IQ 83.8
Overall pick: 11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3 · $190 · IQ 85.1
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 89Power86
- 87Control86
- 91Spin90
- 83Forgiveness80
- 84Sweet spot82
- 87Stability86
- 71Maneuverability72
- 86Pop82
- 84Touch82
- 85Consistency84
- 81Swing weight76
- 82Twist weight86
- 59Launch angle54
- 87Plow through86
- 83Softness68
11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3 vs Proton Series One Project Black specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | 11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3 | Proton Series One Project Black |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $190 — better | $200 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 85.1 — better | 83.8 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 8.3 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 117 | 117 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.3 | 7 — better |
| Shape | hybrid | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.4 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.5 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw carbon friction | Raw carbon fiber |
| Core material | Foam-injected polymer | Thermoformed unibody with foam walls |
11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3 verdict
A drive-oriented hybrid with unusually high spin. The Pegasus rewards players who swing through the ball rather than block it back.
Proton Series One Project Black verdict
A thermoformed unibody built around stability. The foam walls push twist weight to the top of our scored range, which is why off-center drives still land deep.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is softness: 11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3 scores 83 against 68 for Proton Series One Project Black — a 15-point gap. They are effectively level on power, forgiveness, sweet spot, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($190 vs $200) that it should not break the tie.
Softness
11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3 leads by 15 points (83 vs 68).
Swing weight
11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3 leads by 5 points (81 vs 76).
Launch angle
11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3 leads by 5 points (59 vs 54).
Pop
11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3 leads by 4 points (86 vs 82).
Which one is right for your level?
Each call below re-weights the Paddle DNA traits that matter at that level, so the winner can differ from the overall pick.
Beginner
New to 3.0 — still building a consistent contact point
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84.3 vs 83.4 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — hybrid on the Pegasus Gen 3, elongated on the Series One Project Black.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Stability
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84.1 vs 82.8 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — hybrid on the Pegasus Gen 3, elongated on the Series One Project Black.
- Forgiveness
- Power
- Touch
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85.8 vs 84.4 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — hybrid on the Pegasus Gen 3, elongated on the Series One Project Black.
- Power
- Touch
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3
11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3 is the clearer pick at this level — softness 83 vs 68, forgiveness 83 vs 80. Its 16 mm Foam-injected polymer core at 8.3 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3
Take 11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3 if you want softness (+15), swing weight (+5), launch angle (+5). Its swing weight of 117 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the 11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3 review →Proton Series One Project Black
Take Proton Series One Project Black if you want twist weight (+4). Its swing weight of 117 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Proton Series One Project Black review →11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3 vs Proton Series One Project Black FAQ
- Which is better, the 11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3 or the Proton Series One Project Black?
- 11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (85.1 vs 83.8), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — softness — 11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3 leads by 15 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both swing at 117 kg·cm², and swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the 11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3 or the Proton Series One Project Black?
- 11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3 scores 89 for power against 86 for Proton Series One Project Black. That comes from a 16 mm Foam-injected polymer core swinging at 117 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- 11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3 at 87 versus 86. Its 16 mm core holds the ball on the face slightly longer, which is what makes resets and dinks land shorter.
- Which paddle spins the ball more?
- 11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3 scores 91 for spin off its Raw carbon friction face, against 90 for the Raw carbon fiber face on Proton Series One Project Black. In practice a 1-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- 11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3, with the higher forgiveness score (83 vs 80). Proton Series One Project Black actually carries the higher twist weight (7 vs 6.3), but 11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3 makes it back on sweet spot (84) and overall face stability.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- They are within $10 of each other, so price should not decide this matchup.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- 11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3: 16 mm Foam-injected polymer core with a Raw carbon friction face. Proton Series One Project Black: 16 mm Thermoformed unibody with foam walls core with a Raw carbon fiber face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both run a 5.5 in handle, long enough that neither forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- 11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 83 and sweet spot 84 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Proton Series One Project Black rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both are listed at 8.3 oz with the same 117 kg·cm² swing weight.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Proton Series One Project Black to the 11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. 11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3 leads on softness by 15 points; everything else is within 5 points. At $190 vs $200, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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