JOOLA Vision CGS 16 vs Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. JOOLA Vision CGS 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
Add a third paddle to this comparison →
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 78Power82
- 90Control90
- 88Spin82
- 88Forgiveness84
- 88Sweet spot84
- 84Stability88
- 82Maneuverability70
- 74Pop76
- 88Touch90
- 90Consistency90
- 66Swing weight78
- 80Twist weight84
- 48Launch angle48
- 76Plow through86
- 84Softness84
JOOLA Vision CGS 16 vs Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | JOOLA Vision CGS 16 | Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $180 | $180 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 85.3 — better | 84.7 |
| Weight(oz) | 7.9 | 8.4 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 19.8 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 107 | 120 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.6 — better | 6.5 |
| Shape | standard | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.9 | 7.375 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.25 | 5.25 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Carbon grit surface | FiberFlex fiberglass |
| Core material | Propulsion polymer | X5 polypropylene 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.
Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta verdict
Selkirk's long-running Invikta shape in the softer Vanguard 2.0 build. Touch 90 and consistency 90 with 86 plow-through make it a drive-and-reset paddle for patient players.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is maneuverability: JOOLA Vision CGS 16 scores 82 against 70 for Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta — a 12-point gap. They are effectively level on pop, touch, control, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($180 vs $180) that it should not break the tie.
Maneuverability
JOOLA Vision CGS 16 leads by 12 points (82 vs 70).
Swing weight
Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta leads by 12 points (78 vs 66).
Plow through
Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta leads by 10 points (86 vs 76).
Spin
JOOLA Vision CGS 16 leads by 6 points (88 vs 82).
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 (86 vs 86.6 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — elongated on the Vanguard 2.0 Invikta, standard on the Vision CGS 16.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
JOOLA Vision CGS 16
JOOLA Vision CGS 16 is a narrow pick at this level — maneuverability 82 vs 70, spin 88 vs 82, forgiveness 88 vs 84. At 107 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Maneuverability
- Spin
- Forgiveness
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (83.5 vs 83.4 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — elongated on the Vanguard 2.0 Invikta, standard on the Vision CGS 16.
- Plow through
- Power
- Touch
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84 vs 84.4 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — elongated on the Vanguard 2.0 Invikta, standard on the Vision CGS 16.
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta
Take Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta if you want swing weight (+12), plow through (+10), power (+4). Its swing weight of 120 kg·cm² and 19.8 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta review →JOOLA Vision CGS 16
Take JOOLA Vision CGS 16 if you want maneuverability (+12), spin (+6), forgiveness (+4). Its swing weight of 107 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the JOOLA Vision CGS 16 review →Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta vs JOOLA Vision CGS 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta or the JOOLA Vision CGS 16?
- JOOLA Vision CGS 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (85.3 vs 84.7), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — maneuverability — JOOLA Vision CGS 16 leads by 12 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- JOOLA Vision CGS 16, at 107 kg·cm² swing weight against 120 for Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta or the JOOLA Vision CGS 16?
- Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta measures 82 on power against 78 for JOOLA Vision CGS 16. That comes from a 19.8 mm X5 polypropylene honeycomb core swinging at 120 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta at 90 versus 90. Its 19.8 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?
- JOOLA Vision CGS 16 scores 88 for spin off its Carbon grit surface face, against 82 for the FiberFlex fiberglass face on Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta. In practice a 6-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- JOOLA Vision CGS 16, with 6.6 twist weight against 6.5. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and JOOLA Vision CGS 16 carries the higher forgiveness score (88) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- They are within $0 of each other, so price should not decide this matchup.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta: 19.8 mm X5 polypropylene honeycomb core with a FiberFlex fiberglass face. JOOLA Vision CGS 16: 16 mm Propulsion polymer core with a Carbon grit surface face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta, at 5.25 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. Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- JOOLA Vision CGS 16 at 7.9 oz against 8.4 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (107 vs 120) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta to the JOOLA Vision CGS 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. JOOLA Vision CGS 16 leads on maneuverability by 12 points; everything else is within 12 points. At $180 vs $180, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
This matchup is a forgiveness vs power decision
Browse every head-to-head that splits on the same trade-off:
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 Atlas 16
- Vision CGS 16 vs Double Black Diamond Control V2
- Vision CGS 16 vs Sapphire 16
- Vision CGS 16 vs Radius CGS 16
- Vanguard 2.0 Invikta vs LUXX Control Air Invikta
- Vanguard 2.0 Invikta vs Model E Max V3
- Vanguard 2.0 Invikta vs Nova R1
- Vanguard 2.0 Invikta vs Pursuit MX 6.0
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: JOOLA Vision CGS 16 and Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.