Honolulu J2CR vs Proton Series Two Project Flash
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Honolulu J2CR 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
- 92Power84
- 89Control88
- 93Spin92
- 90Forgiveness84
- 90Sweet spot86
- 89Stability84
- 78Maneuverability80
- 87Pop80
- 86Touch86
- 89Consistency88
- 74Swing weight70
- 88Twist weight80
- 56Launch angle50
- 86Plow through80
- 82Softness80
Honolulu J2CR vs Proton Series Two Project Flash specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Honolulu J2CR | Proton Series Two Project Flash |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $230 | $200 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 88.7 — better | 85.3 |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 112 | 111 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.8 — better | 6.7 |
| Shape | hybrid | hybrid |
| Face length(in) | 16.3 | 16.3 |
| Face width(in) | 7.6 | 7.6 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.4 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Blue Grit textured carbon | Gritted raw carbon |
| Core material | Full foam core | Thermoformed polymer honeycomb |
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.
Proton Series Two Project Flash verdict
The grittiest face Proton has made. Spin 92 puts it in the top tier of the database, and the hybrid shape keeps it usable at the kitchen line.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is power: Honolulu J2CR scores 92 against 84 for Proton Series Two Project Flash — a 8-point gap. They are effectively level on maneuverability, softness, control, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Proton Series Two Project Flash is $30 cheaper at $200.
Power
Honolulu J2CR leads by 8 points (92 vs 84).
Twist weight
Honolulu J2CR leads by 8 points (88 vs 80).
Pop
Honolulu J2CR leads by 7 points (87 vs 80).
Forgiveness
Honolulu J2CR leads by 6 points (90 vs 84).
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
Honolulu J2CR
Honolulu J2CR is a narrow pick at this level — forgiveness 90 vs 84, twist weight 88 vs 80, sweet spot 90 vs 86. Twist weight 6.8 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
- Sweet spot
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (87.9 vs 86 on the weighted index). Take Proton Series Two Project Flash and keep the $30.
- Power
- Forgiveness
- Control
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Honolulu J2CR
Honolulu J2CR is a narrow pick at this level — power 92 vs 84, plow through 86 vs 80, spin 93 vs 92. Swing weight 112 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Power
- Plow through
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Honolulu J2CR
Honolulu J2CR is a narrow pick at this level — forgiveness 90 vs 84, twist weight 88 vs 80, softness 82 vs 80. Its 16 mm Full foam core core at 8 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
Honolulu J2CR
Take Honolulu J2CR if you want power (+8), twist weight (+8), pop (+7). Its swing weight of 112 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Honolulu J2CR review →Proton Series Two Project Flash
Take Proton Series Two Project Flash if you prefer a hybrid face and a 5.4 in handle — it gives up nothing measurable to Honolulu J2CR.
Read the Proton Series Two Project Flash review →Honolulu J2CR vs Proton Series Two Project Flash FAQ
- Which is better, the Honolulu J2CR or the Proton Series Two Project Flash?
- Honolulu J2CR carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (88.7 vs 85.3), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — power — Honolulu J2CR leads by 8 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Proton Series Two Project Flash, at 111 kg·cm² swing weight against 112 for Honolulu J2CR. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Honolulu J2CR or the Proton Series Two Project Flash?
- Honolulu J2CR measures 92 on power against 84 for Proton Series Two Project Flash. That comes from a 16 mm Full foam core core swinging at 112 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Honolulu J2CR at 89 versus 88. 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?
- Honolulu J2CR scores 93 for spin off its Blue Grit textured carbon face, against 92 for the Gritted raw carbon face on Proton Series Two Project Flash. In practice a 1-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Honolulu J2CR, with 6.8 twist weight against 6.7. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Honolulu J2CR carries the higher forgiveness score (90) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Proton Series Two Project Flash costs $200, $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?
- Honolulu J2CR: 16 mm Full foam core core with a Blue Grit textured carbon face. Proton Series Two Project Flash: 16 mm Thermoformed polymer honeycomb core with a Gritted raw carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Honolulu J2CR, at 5.5 in of handle against 5.4 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Honolulu J2CR avoids.
- 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. Honolulu J2CR rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Honolulu J2CR at 8 oz against 8 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (112 vs 111) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Proton Series Two Project Flash to the Honolulu J2CR?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Honolulu J2CR leads on power by 8 points; everything else is within 8 points. At $230 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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- J2CR vs Infinity Ruby 16
- J2CR vs Pro Ultimate Elongated 16
- Series Two Project Flash vs Ruby Hybrid 16
- Series Two Project Flash vs Crush Control 16
- Series Two Project Flash vs Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0
- Series Two Project Flash vs R3 Pulsar
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: Honolulu J2CR and Proton Series Two Project Flash. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.