JOOLA Vision CGS 16 vs Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) edges it on the overall Paddle IQ score (85.6 vs 85.3), but the two split the scored categories — pick on the one trait you care about most.
Power
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)
85 vs 78
Spin
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)
95 vs 88
Control
Too close to call
90 vs 88
Forgiveness
88 vs 82
Hand speed
107 vs 110 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Too close to call
$175 at IQ 85.6 vs $180 at IQ 85.3
Overall pick: Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) · $175 · IQ 85.6
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 78Power85
- 90Control88
- 88Spin95
- 88Forgiveness82
- 88Sweet spot84
- 84Stability83
- 82Maneuverability84
- 74Pop82
- 88Touch86
- 90Consistency88
- 66Swing weight68
- 80Twist weight82
- 48Launch angle57
- 76Plow through78
- 84Softness80
JOOLA Vision CGS 16 vs Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | JOOLA Vision CGS 16 | Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $180 | $175 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 85.3 | 85.6 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 7.9 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 15 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 107 | 110 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.6 — better | 6.3 |
| Shape | standard | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.9 | 7.375 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.25 | 5.375 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Carbon grit surface | Aerospace bi-directional carbon with exposed aramid weave |
| Core material | Propulsion polymer | Nomex and polypropylene hybrid honeycomb |
JOOLA Vision CGS 16 verdict
The friendliest paddle JOOLA sells. Standard shape, 107 swing weight and forgiveness 88 make it the natural first premium paddle for a 3.0 player.
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) verdict
The exposed Kevlar weave is the story: it grips the ball like a fresh grit face but, unlike sprayed textures, it is the material itself, so the spin number does not decay over a season.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is launch angle: Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) scores 57 against 48 for JOOLA Vision CGS 16 — a 9-point gap. They are effectively level on control, maneuverability, touch, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($180 vs $175) that it should not break the tie.
Launch angle
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) leads by 9 points (57 vs 48).
Pop
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) leads by 8 points (82 vs 74).
Power
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) leads by 7 points (85 vs 78).
Spin
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) leads by 7 points (95 vs 88).
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
JOOLA Vision CGS 16
JOOLA Vision CGS 16 is a narrow pick at this level — forgiveness 88 vs 82, sweet spot 88 vs 84, consistency 90 vs 88. Twist weight 6.6 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Consistency
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86.2 vs 87.1 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — standard on the Vision CGS 16, elongated on the Series Four (Project Roadrunner).
- Spin
- Power
- Maneuverability
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) is a narrow pick at this level — power 85 vs 78, spin 95 vs 88, plow through 78 vs 76. Swing weight 110 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Power
- Spin
- Plow through
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
JOOLA Vision CGS 16
JOOLA Vision CGS 16 is a narrow pick at this level — softness 84 vs 80, forgiveness 88 vs 82. Its 16 mm Propulsion polymer core at 7.9 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
JOOLA Vision CGS 16
Take JOOLA Vision CGS 16 if you want forgiveness (+6), sweet spot (+4), softness (+4). Its swing weight of 107 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the JOOLA Vision CGS 16 review →Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)
Take Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) if you want launch angle (+9), pop (+8), power (+7). Its swing weight of 110 kg·cm² and 15 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) review →JOOLA Vision CGS 16 vs Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) FAQ
- Which is better, the JOOLA Vision CGS 16 or the Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (85.6 vs 85.3), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — launch angle — Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) leads by 9 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- JOOLA Vision CGS 16, at 107 kg·cm² swing weight against 110 for Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner). Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the JOOLA Vision CGS 16 or the Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) scores 85 for power against 78 for JOOLA Vision CGS 16. That comes from a 15 mm Nomex and polypropylene hybrid honeycomb core swinging at 110 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- JOOLA Vision CGS 16 at 90 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?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) scores 95 for spin off its Aerospace bi-directional carbon with exposed aramid weave face, against 88 for the Carbon grit surface on JOOLA Vision CGS 16. In practice a 7-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- JOOLA Vision CGS 16, with the higher forgiveness score (88 vs 82). Its 6.6 twist weight against 6.3 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- They are within $5 of each other, so price should not decide this matchup.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- JOOLA Vision CGS 16: 16 mm Propulsion polymer core with a Carbon grit surface. Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner): 15 mm Nomex and polypropylene hybrid honeycomb core with an Aerospace bi-directional carbon with exposed aramid weave face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner), at 5.375 in of handle against 5.25 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- JOOLA Vision CGS 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 88 and sweet spot 88 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) 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 7.9 oz, though swing weight differs (107 vs 110) and that is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the JOOLA Vision CGS 16 to the Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) leads on launch angle by 9 points; everything else is within 8 points. At $180 vs $175, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
Related comparisons
The other matchups shoppers open in the same session as this one.
- Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Series One Project Black
- Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Double Black Diamond Control
- Vision CGS 16 vs Quartz Hybrid 16
- Vision CGS 16 vs Double Black Diamond Control V2
- Vision CGS 16 vs Quartz Control
- Vision CGS 16 vs Radius CGS 16
- Vision CGS 16 vs Double Black Diamond Control
- Vision CGS 16 vs Pursuit MX 6.0
Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
- Vision CGS 16 vs Quartz Hybrid 16
- Vision CGS 16 vs Atlas 16
- Vision CGS 16 vs Double Black Diamond Control V2
- Vision CGS 16 vs Sapphire 16
- Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Series Two Project Flash
- Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Ruby Hybrid 16
- Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Vice V2 16
- Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Scorpeus Pro IV 16
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put JOOLA Vision CGS 16 and Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: JOOLA Vision CGS 16 and Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner). Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.