Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 vs Honolulu J2CR
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Honolulu J2CR takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Honolulu J2CR wins this matchup for most players: it takes power, forgiveness, hand speed and value on Paddle DNA against the Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16, which costs $275.
Power
92 vs 88
Spin
Too close to call
93 vs 90
Control
Too close to call
89 vs 89
Forgiveness
90 vs 86
Hand speed
112 vs 116 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$230 at IQ 88.7 vs $275 at IQ 86.8
Overall pick: Honolulu J2CR · $230 · IQ 88.7
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 88Power92
- 89Control89
- 90Spin93
- 86Forgiveness90
- 88Sweet spot90
- 90Stability89
- 72Maneuverability78
- 83Pop87
- 86Touch86
- 88Consistency89
- 76Swing weight74
- 86Twist weight88
- 55Launch angle56
- 86Plow through86
- 80Softness82
Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 vs Honolulu J2CR specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 | Honolulu J2CR |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $275 | $230 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 86.8 | 88.7 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 116 | 112 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.8 | 6.8 |
| Shape | elongated | hybrid |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.3 |
| Face width(in) | 7.375 | 7.6 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Toray T700 raw carbon with TXR grip texture | Blue Grit textured carbon |
| Core material | SSTCore carbon-fibre ribs with Smart Dampen foam | Full foam core |
Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 verdict
Gearbox's rib-suspended SSTCore feels unlike any honeycomb paddle: firmer through contact, quieter on resets, and unusually consistent shot to shot. You pay $275 for that engineering.
Honolulu J2CR verdict
The foam paddle with no obvious hole. Elite power and forgiveness in a hybrid shape that still moves at the kitchen, on a Blue Grit face that holds its spin numbers far longer than most textured surfaces.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is maneuverability: Honolulu J2CR scores 78 against 72 for Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 — a 6-point gap. They are effectively level on spin, sweet spot, swing weight, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Honolulu J2CR is $45 cheaper at $230.
Maneuverability
Honolulu J2CR leads by 6 points (78 vs 72).
Power
Honolulu J2CR leads by 4 points (92 vs 88).
Forgiveness
Honolulu J2CR leads by 4 points (90 vs 86).
Pop
Honolulu J2CR leads by 4 points (87 vs 83).
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 (87.6 vs 89.3 on the weighted index). Take Honolulu J2CR and keep the $45.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Twist weight
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Honolulu J2CR
Honolulu J2CR is a narrow pick at this level — maneuverability 78 vs 72, spin 93 vs 90, forgiveness 90 vs 86. At 112 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Maneuverability
- Spin
- Forgiveness
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Honolulu J2CR
Honolulu J2CR is a narrow pick at this level — power 92 vs 88, maneuverability 78 vs 72, spin 93 vs 90. Swing weight 112 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Power
- Maneuverability
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Honolulu J2CR
Honolulu J2CR is a narrow pick at this level — softness 82 vs 80, forgiveness 90 vs 86, twist weight 88 vs 86. Its 16 mm Full foam core at 8 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16
Take Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 if you prefer an elongated face and a 16 mm SSTCore carbon-fibre ribs with Smart Dampen foam core — it gives up nothing measurable to Honolulu J2CR.
Read the Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 review →Honolulu J2CR
Take Honolulu J2CR if you want maneuverability (+6), power (+4), forgiveness (+4). Its swing weight of 112 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Honolulu J2CR review →Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 vs Honolulu J2CR FAQ
- Which is better, the Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 or the Honolulu J2CR?
- Honolulu J2CR carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (88.7 vs 86.8), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — maneuverability — Honolulu J2CR leads by 6 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Honolulu J2CR, at 112 kg·cm² swing weight against 116 for Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 or the Honolulu J2CR?
- Honolulu J2CR scores 92 for power against 88 for Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16. That comes from a 16 mm Full foam core swinging at 112 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 89 for control.
- Which paddle spins the ball more?
- Honolulu J2CR scores 93 for spin off its Blue Grit textured carbon face, against 90 for the Toray T700 raw carbon with TXR grip texture face on Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16. In practice a 3-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Honolulu J2CR, with the higher forgiveness score (90 vs 86). Twist weight is identical at 6.8, so the gap comes from sweet-spot size and face stability rather than resistance to twisting.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Honolulu J2CR costs $230, $45 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 Pro Ultimate Elongated 16: 16 mm SSTCore carbon-fibre ribs with Smart Dampen foam core with a Toray T700 raw carbon with TXR grip texture face. Honolulu J2CR: 16 mm Full foam core with a Blue Grit textured carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both run a 5.5 in handle, long enough that neither forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Honolulu J2CR is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 90 and sweet spot 90 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 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, though swing weight differs (116 vs 112) and that is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 to the Honolulu J2CR?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Honolulu J2CR leads on maneuverability by 6 points; everything else is within 4 points. At $275 vs $230, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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Guides featuring these paddles
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Read the full reviews: Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 and Honolulu J2CR. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.