Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated vs Proton Series One Project Black
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Proton Series One Project Black 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
- 93Power86
- 83Control86
- 86Spin90
- 78Forgiveness80
- 80Sweet spot82
- 87Stability86
- 70Maneuverability72
- 89Pop82
- 80Touch82
- 84Consistency84
- 82Swing weight76
- 84Twist weight86
- 60Launch angle54
- 91Plow through86
- 68Softness68
Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated vs Proton Series One Project Black specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated | Proton Series One Project Black |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $250 | $200 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 83.4 | 83.8 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.4 | 8.3 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 123 | 117 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.3 | 7 — better |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.6 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.3 | 7.5 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Textured carbon | Raw carbon fiber |
| Core material | Solid-span carbon (no honeycomb) | Thermoformed unibody with foam walls |
Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated verdict
Gearbox's solid-span construction with a genuine power tune. It feels unlike any honeycomb paddle — firmer, more direct — and rewards players who already hit clean.
Proton Series One Project Black verdict
A thermoformed unibody built around stability. The foam walls push twist weight to the top of our measured range, which is why off-center drives still land deep.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is power: Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated scores 93 against 86 for Proton Series One Project Black — a 7-point gap. They are effectively level on control, forgiveness, sweet spot, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Proton Series One Project Black is $50 cheaper at $200.
Power
Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated leads by 7 points (93 vs 86).
Pop
Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated leads by 7 points (89 vs 82).
Swing weight
Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated leads by 6 points (82 vs 76).
Launch angle
Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated leads by 6 points (60 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
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (82.1 vs 83.4 on the weighted index). Take Proton Series One Project Black and keep the $50.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Twist weight
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (81.6 vs 82.8 on the weighted index). Take Proton Series One Project Black and keep the $50.
- Spin
- Control
- Maneuverability
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84.9 vs 84.4 on the weighted index). Take Proton Series One Project Black and keep the $50.
- Power
- Plow through
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (73.6 vs 74.5 on the weighted index). Take Proton Series One Project Black and keep the $50.
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated
Take Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated if you want power (+7), pop (+7), swing weight (+6). Its swing weight of 123 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated review →Proton Series One Project Black
Take Proton Series One Project Black if you want spin (+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 →Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated vs Proton Series One Project Black FAQ
- Which is better, the Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated or the Proton Series One Project Black?
- Proton Series One Project Black carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (83.8 vs 83.4), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — power — Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated leads by 7 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Proton Series One Project Black, at 117 kg·cm² swing weight against 123 for Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated or the Proton Series One Project Black?
- Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated measures 93 on power against 86 for Proton Series One Project Black. That comes from a 14 mm Solid-span carbon (no honeycomb) core swinging at 123 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Proton Series One Project Black at 86 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?
- Proton Series One Project Black scores 90 for spin off its Raw carbon fiber face, against 86 for the Textured carbon face on Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated. In practice a 4-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Proton Series One Project Black, with 7 twist weight against 6.3. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Proton Series One Project Black carries the higher forgiveness score (80) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Proton Series One Project Black costs $200, $50 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?
- Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated: 14 mm Solid-span carbon (no honeycomb) core with a Textured carbon 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?
- Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated, at 5.5 in of handle against 5.5 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Proton Series One Project Black is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 80 and sweet spot 82 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Proton Series One Project Black at 8.3 oz against 8.4 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (117 vs 123) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated to the Proton Series One Project Black?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated leads on power by 7 points; everything else is within 7 points. At $250 vs $200, 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.
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- GX2 Power Elongated vs Hyperion Pro V 16
- Series One Project Black vs Ruby
- Series One Project Black vs Oni 16
- Series One Project Black vs Pro Ultimate Elongated 16
- Series One Project Black vs 2X Power Series
Top alternatives to both
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Read the full reviews: Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated and Proton Series One Project Black. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.