Honolulu J2CR vs RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2
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
- 92Power92
- 89Control86
- 93Spin94
- 90Forgiveness84
- 90Sweet spot86
- 89Stability88
- 78Maneuverability72
- 87Pop88
- 86Touch82
- 89Consistency86
- 74Swing weight80
- 88Twist weight86
- 56Launch angle60
- 86Plow through88
- 82Softness74
Specs
| $230 | Price | $250 |
|---|---|---|
| 16 mm | Core | 16 mm |
| 8 oz | Weight | 8 oz |
| 112 | Swing weight | 117 |
| 6.8 | Twist weight | 6.5 |
| hybrid | Shape | elongated |
| Blue Grit textured carbon | Surface | CarbonBite raw carbon with Axial Carbon Layup |
| 5.5 in | Handle | 5.5 in |
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
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is softness: Honolulu J2CR scores 82 against 74 for RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 — a 8-point gap. They are effectively level on control, consistency, twist weight, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Honolulu J2CR is $20 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 should you buy?
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
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 vs RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 FAQ
- Which is better, the Honolulu J2CR or the RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2?
- 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 Honolulu J2CR or the RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2?
- Honolulu J2CR measures 92 on power against 92 for RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2. 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 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 6.8 twist weight against 6.5. 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?
- Honolulu J2CR costs $230, $20 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. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2: 16 mm Tri-Density core with EVA foam ring core with a CarbonBite raw carbon with Axial Carbon Layup face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Honolulu J2CR, 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 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 117) 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 $230 vs $250, 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
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Ultré Power 2
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Hyperion Pro V 16
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Pegasus Gen 3
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs CRBN-1X
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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.