Franklin Signature Carbon STR vs Vatic Pro V7 Pro 16
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Vatic Pro V7 Pro 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Vatic Pro V7 Pro 16 wins this matchup for most players: it takes power and spin on Paddle DNA against the Franklin Signature Carbon STR, which costs $110.
Power
86 vs 76
Spin
88 vs 80
Control
Too close to call
84 vs 83
Forgiveness
Too close to call
85 vs 84
Hand speed
Too close to call
110 vs 110 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$110 at IQ 79.8 vs $140 at IQ 83.7
Overall pick: Vatic Pro V7 Pro 16 · $140 · IQ 83.7
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 76Power86
- 83Control84
- 80Spin88
- 85Forgiveness84
- 86Sweet spot84
- 78Stability84
- 82Maneuverability80
- 76Pop84
- 79Touch80
- 81Consistency84
- 54Swing weight70
- 72Twist weight80
- 63Launch angle54
- 64Plow through82
- 82Softness74
Franklin Signature Carbon STR vs Vatic Pro V7 Pro 16 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 V7 Pro 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $110 — better | $140 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 79.8 | 83.7 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 110 | 110 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6 | 6.6 — better |
| Shape | standard | standard |
| Face length(in) | 16 | 16 |
| Face width(in) | 7.9 | 7.9 |
| Handle length(in) | 5 | 5.25 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw carbon | Raw T700 carbon |
| Core material | Polymer honeycomb | Thermoformed 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 V7 Pro 16 verdict
The standard-shape sibling to the Prism Flash. Same face, wider body — a better first thermoformed paddle for players who miss the middle.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is plow through: Vatic Pro V7 Pro 16 scores 82 against 64 for Franklin Signature Carbon STR — an 18-point gap. They are effectively level on consistency, sweet spot, maneuverability, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Franklin Signature Carbon STR is $30 cheaper at $110.
Plow through
Vatic Pro V7 Pro 16 leads by 18 points (82 vs 64).
Swing weight
Vatic Pro V7 Pro 16 leads by 16 points (70 vs 54).
Power
Vatic Pro V7 Pro 16 leads by 10 points (86 vs 76).
Launch angle
Franklin Signature Carbon STR leads by 9 points (63 vs 54).
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 V7 Pro 16
Vatic Pro V7 Pro 16 is a narrow pick at this level — twist weight 80 vs 72, stability 84 vs 78, consistency 84 vs 81. Twist weight 6.6 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Stability
- Consistency
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Vatic Pro V7 Pro 16
Vatic Pro V7 Pro 16 is a narrow pick at this level — spin 88 vs 80, power 86 vs 76, consistency 84 vs 81. At 110 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Spin
- Power
- Consistency
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Vatic Pro V7 Pro 16
Vatic Pro V7 Pro 16 is the clearer pick at this level — plow through 82 vs 64, power 86 vs 76, spin 88 vs 80. Swing weight 110 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Plow through
- Power
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Franklin Signature Carbon STR
Franklin Signature Carbon STR is a narrow pick at this level — softness 82 vs 74, forgiveness 85 vs 84. Its 16 mm Polymer honeycomb core at 8 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Franklin Signature Carbon STR
Take Franklin Signature Carbon STR if you want launch angle (+9), softness (+8). 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 V7 Pro 16
Take Vatic Pro V7 Pro 16 if you want plow through (+18), swing weight (+16), power (+10). Its swing weight of 110 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Vatic Pro V7 Pro 16 review →Franklin Signature Carbon STR vs Vatic Pro V7 Pro 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Franklin Signature Carbon STR or the Vatic Pro V7 Pro 16?
- Vatic Pro V7 Pro 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (83.7 vs 79.8), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — plow through — Vatic Pro V7 Pro 16 leads by 18 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both swing at 110 kg·cm², and 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 V7 Pro 16?
- Vatic Pro V7 Pro 16 scores 86 for power against 76 for Franklin Signature Carbon STR. That comes from a 16 mm Thermoformed polypropylene honeycomb core swinging at 110 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Vatic Pro V7 Pro 16 at 84 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 V7 Pro 16 scores 88 for spin off its Raw T700 carbon face, against 80 for the Raw carbon face on Franklin Signature Carbon STR. In practice an 8-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Franklin Signature Carbon STR, with the higher forgiveness score (85 vs 84). Vatic Pro V7 Pro 16 actually carries the higher twist weight (6.6 vs 6), but Franklin Signature Carbon STR makes it back on sweet spot (86) and overall face stability.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Franklin Signature Carbon STR costs $110, $30 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 V7 Pro 16: 16 mm Thermoformed polypropylene honeycomb core with a Raw T700 carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Vatic Pro V7 Pro 16, at 5.25 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 V7 Pro 16 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 with the same 110 kg·cm² swing weight.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Franklin Signature Carbon STR to the Vatic Pro V7 Pro 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Vatic Pro V7 Pro 16 leads on plow through by 18 points; everything else is within 16 points. At $110 vs $140, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
Related comparisons
The other matchups shoppers open in the same session as this one.
- Signature Carbon STR vs Ben Johns Signature Pro
- Signature Carbon STR vs BALLR+ 16
- Signature Carbon STR vs Signature 16 Composite
- V7 Pro 16 vs Double Black Diamond Control
- Signature Carbon STR vs SLK Evo Hybrid 2.0
- Signature Carbon STR vs Blaze Pro 16
- Signature Carbon STR vs Essentials 16
- Signature Carbon STR vs Atlas 16
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
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put Franklin Signature Carbon STR and Vatic Pro V7 Pro 16 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Franklin Signature Carbon STR and Vatic Pro V7 Pro 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.