Franklin Signature Carbon STR vs Vatic Pro Prism Flash
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Both land on the same overall IQ score (79.8), so the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Vatic Pro Prism Flash wins this matchup for most players: it takes spin and value on Paddle DNA against the Franklin Signature Carbon STR, which costs $110.
Power
76 vs 71
Spin
84 vs 80
Control
Too close to call
86 vs 83
Forgiveness
Too close to call
85 vs 85
Hand speed
Too close to call
109 vs 110 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$74 at IQ 79.8 vs $110 at IQ 79.8
Overall pick: Vatic Pro Prism Flash · $74 · IQ 79.8
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 76Power71
- 83Control86
- 80Spin84
- 85Forgiveness85
- 86Sweet spot82
- 78Stability78
- 82Maneuverability83
- 76Pop72
- 79Touch80
- 81Consistency83
- 54Swing weight48
- 72Twist weight72
- 63Launch angle62
- 64Plow through60
- 82Softness84
Franklin Signature Carbon STR vs Vatic Pro Prism Flash specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Franklin Signature Carbon STR | Vatic Pro Prism Flash |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $110 | $74 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 79.8 | 79.8 |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 110 | 109 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6 | 6 |
| Shape | standard | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16 | 16.3 |
| Face width(in) | 7.9 | 7.6 |
| Handle length(in) | 5 | 5.3 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.125 |
| Surface | Raw carbon | Raw T700 carbon fiber |
| Core material | Polymer honeycomb | Polymer 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 Prism Flash verdict
Raw carbon spin numbers usually cost twice this much. The elongated shape is slightly less forgiving, so pick this only if you already make consistent contact.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is swing weight: Franklin Signature Carbon STR scores 54 against 48 for Vatic Pro Prism Flash — a 6-point gap. They are effectively level on control, consistency, softness, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Vatic Pro Prism Flash is $36 cheaper at $74.
Swing weight
Franklin Signature Carbon STR leads by 6 points (54 vs 48).
Power
Franklin Signature Carbon STR leads by 5 points (76 vs 71).
Spin
Vatic Pro Prism Flash leads by 4 points (84 vs 80).
Sweet spot
Franklin Signature Carbon STR 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 (81.4 vs 81 on the weighted index). Take Vatic Pro Prism Flash and keep the $36.
- Sweet spot
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (81 vs 82 on the weighted index). Take Vatic Pro Prism Flash and keep the $36.
- Spin
- Control
- Maneuverability
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (77 vs 76.8 on the weighted index). Take Vatic Pro Prism Flash and keep the $36.
- Power
- Plow through
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (81 vs 82.1 on the weighted index). Take Vatic Pro Prism Flash and keep the $36.
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
Franklin Signature Carbon STR
Take Franklin Signature Carbon STR if you want swing weight (+6), power (+5), sweet spot (+4). 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 Prism Flash
Take Vatic Pro Prism Flash if you want spin (+4). Its swing weight of 109 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Vatic Pro Prism Flash review →Franklin Signature Carbon STR vs Vatic Pro Prism Flash FAQ
- Which is better, the Franklin Signature Carbon STR or the Vatic Pro Prism Flash?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both carry the same overall Paddle IQ score (79.8). The split is trait by trait — Franklin Signature Carbon STR leads on swing weight by 6 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Vatic Pro Prism Flash, at 109 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 Prism Flash?
- Franklin Signature Carbon STR scores 76 for power against 71 for Vatic Pro Prism Flash. That comes from a 16 mm Polymer honeycomb core swinging at 110 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Vatic Pro Prism Flash at 86 versus 83.
- Which paddle spins the ball more?
- Vatic Pro Prism Flash scores 84 for spin off its Raw T700 carbon fiber face, against 80 for the Raw carbon face on Franklin Signature Carbon STR. In practice a 4-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 85 on forgiveness, off the same 6 twist weight.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Vatic Pro Prism Flash costs $74, $36 less. Whether that gap is worth closing depends on whether you actually use the traits it trades away — check the head-to-head DNA bars above before paying up.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- Franklin Signature Carbon STR: 16 mm Polymer honeycomb core with a Raw carbon face. Vatic Pro Prism Flash: 16 mm Polymer honeycomb core with a Raw T700 carbon fiber face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Vatic Pro Prism Flash, at 5.3 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?
- Franklin Signature Carbon STR is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 85 and sweet spot 86 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Vatic Pro Prism Flash 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 oz, though swing weight differs (110 vs 109) and that is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth switching between the Franklin Signature Carbon STR and the Vatic Pro Prism Flash?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Franklin Signature Carbon STR leads on swing weight by 6 points; everything else is within 5 points. At $110 vs $74, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put Franklin Signature Carbon STR and Vatic Pro Prism Flash in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Franklin Signature Carbon STR and Vatic Pro Prism Flash. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.