Honolulu J2CR vs RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2
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 forgiveness, hand speed and value on Paddle DNA against the RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2, which costs $249.99.
Power
Too close to call
92 vs 92
Spin
Too close to call
94 vs 93
Control
Too close to call
89 vs 86
Forgiveness
90 vs 84
Hand speed
112 vs 117 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$230 at IQ 88.7 vs $249.99 at IQ 86.3
Overall pick: Honolulu J2CR · $230 · IQ 88.7
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 92Power92
- 89Control86
- 93Spin94
- 90Forgiveness84
- 90Sweet spot86
- 89Stability88
- 78Maneuverability72
- 87Pop88
- 86Touch82
- 89Consistency86
- 74Swing weight80
- 88Twist weight86
- 56Launch angle60
- 86Plow through88
- 82Softness74
Honolulu J2CR vs RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Honolulu J2CR | RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $230 — better | $249.99 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 88.7 — better | 86.3 |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 112 | 117 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.8 — better | 6.5 |
| Shape | hybrid | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.3 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.6 | 7.5 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.125 |
| Surface | Blue Grit textured carbon | CarbonBite raw carbon with Axial Carbon Layup |
| Core material | Full foam core | Tri-Density honeycomb core with EVA foam ring |
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.
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 verdict
The James Ignatowich signature build is an unapologetic attack paddle: 16.5 in of reach, a grippy CarbonBite face and a tri-density core that launches drives without giving up the sweet spot the first V2 lacked.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is softness: Honolulu J2CR scores 82 against 74 for RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 — an 8-point gap. They are effectively level on control, consistency, twist weight, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Honolulu J2CR is $19.99000000000001 cheaper at $230.
Softness
Honolulu J2CR leads by 8 points (82 vs 74).
Forgiveness
Honolulu J2CR leads by 6 points (90 vs 84).
Maneuverability
Honolulu J2CR leads by 6 points (78 vs 72).
Swing weight
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads by 6 points (80 vs 74).
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, sweet spot 90 vs 86, consistency 89 vs 86. Twist weight 6.8 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Consistency
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, forgiveness 90 vs 84, control 89 vs 86. At 112 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Maneuverability
- Forgiveness
- Control
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86.8 vs 88.1 on the weighted index). Take Honolulu J2CR and keep the $19.99000000000001.
- Maneuverability
- Touch
- Control
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Honolulu J2CR
Honolulu J2CR is the clearer pick at this level — softness 82 vs 74, forgiveness 90 vs 84, 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?
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2
Take RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 if you want swing weight (+6), launch angle (+4). Its swing weight of 117 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 review →Honolulu J2CR
Take Honolulu J2CR if you want softness (+8), forgiveness (+6), maneuverability (+6). Its swing weight of 112 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Honolulu J2CR review →RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Honolulu J2CR FAQ
- Which is better, the RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 or the Honolulu J2CR?
- Honolulu J2CR carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (88.7 vs 86.3), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — softness — Honolulu J2CR leads by 8 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Honolulu J2CR, at 112 kg·cm² swing weight against 117 for RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 or the Honolulu J2CR?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 92 for power.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Honolulu J2CR at 89 versus 86. 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?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 scores 94 for spin off its CarbonBite raw carbon with Axial Carbon Layup face, against 93 for the Blue Grit textured carbon face on Honolulu J2CR. In practice a 1-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 84). Its 6.8 twist weight against 6.5 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Honolulu J2CR costs $230, $19.99000000000001 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?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2: 16 mm Tri-Density honeycomb core with EVA foam ring core with a CarbonBite raw carbon with Axial Carbon Layup 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. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 at 7.9 oz against 8 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (117 vs 112) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 to the Honolulu J2CR?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Honolulu J2CR leads on softness by 8 points; everything else is within 6 points. At $249.99 vs $230, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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Read the full reviews: Honolulu J2CR and RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.