Franklin Signature Carbon STR vs Vatic Pro Atlas 16
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Vatic Pro Atlas 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 76Power78
- 83Control88
- 80Spin86
- 85Forgiveness90
- 86Sweet spot90
- 78Stability84
- 82Maneuverability82
- 76Pop74
- 79Touch86
- 81Consistency88
- 54Swing weight66
- 72Twist weight80
- 63Launch angle48
- 64Plow through74
- 82Softness82
Franklin Signature Carbon STR vs Vatic Pro Atlas 16 specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Franklin Signature Carbon STR | Vatic Pro Atlas 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $110 | $110 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 79.8 | 84.8 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 110 | 106 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6 | 6.7 — better |
| Shape | standard | widebody |
| Face length(in) | 16 | 15.9 |
| Face width(in) | 7.9 | 8.1 |
| Handle length(in) | 5 | 5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.125 |
| Surface | Raw carbon | Raw T700 carbon |
| Core material | Polymer honeycomb | Polypropylene honeycomb |
Franklin Signature Carbon STR verdict
Franklin's most credible performance paddle to date. It will not win a spin shootout, but the balance and build quality are honest for the money.
Vatic Pro Atlas 16 verdict
The most forgiving paddle Vatic has shipped and still under $120. Sweet spot 90 and forgiveness 90 in an 8.1 in widebody is the profile most improving players actually need.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is launch angle: Franklin Signature Carbon STR scores 63 against 48 for Vatic Pro Atlas 16 — a 15-point gap. They are effectively level on power, pop, maneuverability, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($110 vs $110) that it should not break the tie.
Launch angle
Franklin Signature Carbon STR leads by 15 points (63 vs 48).
Swing weight
Vatic Pro Atlas 16 leads by 12 points (66 vs 54).
Plow through
Vatic Pro Atlas 16 leads by 10 points (74 vs 64).
Twist weight
Vatic Pro Atlas 16 leads by 8 points (80 vs 72).
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
Vatic Pro Atlas 16
Vatic Pro Atlas 16 is the clearer pick at this level — twist weight 80 vs 72, forgiveness 90 vs 85, consistency 88 vs 81. Twist weight 6.7 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
- Consistency
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Vatic Pro Atlas 16
Vatic Pro Atlas 16 is a narrow pick at this level — spin 86 vs 80, touch 86 vs 79, control 88 vs 83. At 106 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Spin
- Touch
- Control
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Vatic Pro Atlas 16
Vatic Pro Atlas 16 is the clearer pick at this level — plow through 74 vs 64, spin 86 vs 80, touch 86 vs 79. Swing weight 106 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Plow through
- Spin
- Touch
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Vatic Pro Atlas 16
Vatic Pro Atlas 16 is a narrow pick at this level — twist weight 80 vs 72, forgiveness 90 vs 85. Its 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core at 7.9 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Franklin Signature Carbon STR
Take Franklin Signature Carbon STR if you want launch angle (+15). Its swing weight of 110 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Franklin Signature Carbon STR review →Vatic Pro Atlas 16
Take Vatic Pro Atlas 16 if you want swing weight (+12), plow through (+10), twist weight (+8). Its swing weight of 106 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Vatic Pro Atlas 16 review →Franklin Signature Carbon STR vs Vatic Pro Atlas 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Franklin Signature Carbon STR or the Vatic Pro Atlas 16?
- Vatic Pro Atlas 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (84.8 vs 79.8), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — launch angle — Franklin Signature Carbon STR leads by 15 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Vatic Pro Atlas 16, at 106 kg·cm² swing weight against 110 for Franklin Signature Carbon STR. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Franklin Signature Carbon STR or the Vatic Pro Atlas 16?
- Vatic Pro Atlas 16 measures 78 on power against 76 for Franklin Signature Carbon STR. That comes from a 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core swinging at 106 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Vatic Pro Atlas 16 at 88 versus 83. 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?
- Vatic Pro Atlas 16 scores 86 for spin off its Raw T700 carbon face, against 80 for the Raw carbon face on Franklin Signature Carbon STR. In practice a 6-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Vatic Pro Atlas 16, with 6.7 twist weight against 6. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Vatic Pro Atlas 16 carries the higher forgiveness score (90) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- They are within $0 of each other, so price should not decide this matchup.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- Franklin Signature Carbon STR: 16 mm Polymer honeycomb core with a Raw carbon face. Vatic Pro Atlas 16: 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core with a Raw T700 carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Franklin Signature Carbon STR, at 5 in of handle against 5 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Vatic Pro Atlas 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 90 and sweet spot 90 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Vatic Pro Atlas 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Vatic Pro Atlas 16 at 7.9 oz against 8 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (106 vs 110) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Franklin Signature Carbon STR to the Vatic Pro Atlas 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Franklin Signature Carbon STR leads on launch angle by 15 points; everything else is within 12 points. At $110 vs $110, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
- Signature Carbon STR vs SLK Evo Hybrid 2.0
- Signature Carbon STR vs Prism Flash
- Signature Carbon STR vs Essentials 16
- Signature Carbon STR vs Radical Tour Ultra 16
- Atlas 16 vs Radius CGS 16
- Atlas 16 vs Crush Control 16
- Atlas 16 vs Double Black Diamond Control V2
- Atlas 16 vs Sapphire 16
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: Franklin Signature Carbon STR and Vatic Pro Atlas 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.