GAMMA Obsidian 16 vs Vatic Pro Atlas 16
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Vatic Pro Atlas 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 Atlas 16 wins this matchup for most players: it takes power, spin and value on Paddle DNA against the GAMMA Obsidian 16, which costs $150.
Power
78 vs 72
Spin
86 vs 74
Control
Too close to call
88 vs 86
Forgiveness
Too close to call
90 vs 88
Hand speed
102 vs 106 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$110 at IQ 84.8 vs $150 at IQ 80.3
Overall pick: Vatic Pro Atlas 16 · $110 · IQ 84.8
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 72Power78
- 86Control88
- 74Spin86
- 88Forgiveness90
- 86Sweet spot90
- 78Stability84
- 84Maneuverability82
- 68Pop74
- 86Touch86
- 84Consistency88
- 62Swing weight66
- 72Twist weight80
- 46Launch angle48
- 68Plow through74
- 86Softness82
GAMMA Obsidian 16 vs Vatic Pro Atlas 16 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | GAMMA Obsidian 16 | Vatic Pro Atlas 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $150 | $110 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 80.3 | 84.8 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 7.7 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 102 | 106 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.2 | 6.7 — better |
| Shape | standard | widebody |
| Face length(in) | 15.8 | 15.9 |
| Face width(in) | 8 | 8.1 |
| Handle length(in) | 5 | 5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.125 | 4.125 |
| Surface | Textured graphite composite | Raw T700 carbon |
| Core material | Polypropylene honeycomb | Polypropylene honeycomb |
GAMMA Obsidian 16 verdict
The softest paddle in this group and one of the lightest-swinging. Softness 86 plus a 102 swing weight is a recipe for confident dinks — provided you accept a low power ceiling.
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
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is spin: Vatic Pro Atlas 16 scores 86 against 74 for GAMMA Obsidian 16 — a 12-point gap. They are effectively level on control, forgiveness, maneuverability, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Vatic Pro Atlas 16 is $40 cheaper at $110.
Spin
Vatic Pro Atlas 16 leads by 12 points (86 vs 74).
Twist weight
Vatic Pro Atlas 16 leads by 8 points (80 vs 72).
Power
Vatic Pro Atlas 16 leads by 6 points (78 vs 72).
Stability
Vatic Pro Atlas 16 leads by 6 points (84 vs 78).
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 a narrow pick at this level — twist weight 80 vs 72, sweet spot 90 vs 86, stability 84 vs 78. Twist weight 6.7 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Sweet spot
- Stability
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 74, power 78 vs 72, control 88 vs 86. At 106 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Spin
- Power
- Control
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Vatic Pro Atlas 16
Vatic Pro Atlas 16 is a narrow pick at this level — spin 86 vs 74, power 78 vs 72, plow through 74 vs 68. Swing weight 106 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Spin
- Power
- Plow through
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84 vs 83.8 on the weighted index). Take Vatic Pro Atlas 16 and keep the $40.
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
GAMMA Obsidian 16
Take GAMMA Obsidian 16 if you want softness (+4). Its swing weight of 102 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the GAMMA Obsidian 16 review →Vatic Pro Atlas 16
Take Vatic Pro Atlas 16 if you want spin (+12), twist weight (+8), power (+6). Its swing weight of 106 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Vatic Pro Atlas 16 review →GAMMA Obsidian 16 vs Vatic Pro Atlas 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the GAMMA Obsidian 16 or the Vatic Pro Atlas 16?
- Vatic Pro Atlas 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (84.8 vs 80.3), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — spin — Vatic Pro Atlas 16 leads by 12 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- GAMMA Obsidian 16, at 102 kg·cm² swing weight against 106 for Vatic Pro Atlas 16. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the GAMMA Obsidian 16 or the Vatic Pro Atlas 16?
- Vatic Pro Atlas 16 scores 78 for power against 72 for GAMMA Obsidian 16. 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 86.
- Which paddle spins the ball more?
- Vatic Pro Atlas 16 scores 86 for spin off its Raw T700 carbon face, against 74 for the Textured graphite composite face on GAMMA Obsidian 16. In practice a 12-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Vatic Pro Atlas 16, with the higher forgiveness score (90 vs 88). Its 6.7 twist weight against 6.2 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Vatic Pro Atlas 16 costs $110, $40 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?
- GAMMA Obsidian 16: 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core with a Textured graphite composite face. Vatic Pro Atlas 16: 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core with a Raw T700 carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both run a 5 in handle, short enough that either forces the bottom hand up 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. GAMMA Obsidian 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- GAMMA Obsidian 16 at 7.7 oz against 7.9 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (102 vs 106) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the GAMMA Obsidian 16 to the Vatic Pro Atlas 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Vatic Pro Atlas 16 leads on spin by 12 points; everything else is within 8 points. At $150 vs $110, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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- Obsidian 16 vs Black Ace LG
- Atlas 16 vs Vision CGS 16
- Atlas 16 vs Radius CGS 16
- Atlas 16 vs Ruby Hybrid 16
- Atlas 16 vs Crush Control 16
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Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put GAMMA Obsidian 16 and Vatic Pro Atlas 16 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: GAMMA Obsidian 16 and Vatic Pro Atlas 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.