ProKennex Black Ace LG vs Ronbus R1 Pulsar
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Ronbus R1 Pulsar takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Ronbus R1 Pulsar wins this matchup for most players: it takes power, spin, control, hand speed and value on Paddle DNA against the ProKennex Black Ace LG, which costs $200.
Power
78 vs 74
Spin
88 vs 82
Control
92 vs 88
Forgiveness
88 vs 84
Hand speed
104 vs 109 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$120 at IQ 83.5 vs $200 at IQ 83.1
Overall pick: Ronbus R1 Pulsar · $120 · IQ 83.5
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 74Power78
- 88Control92
- 82Spin88
- 88Forgiveness84
- 86Sweet spot84
- 82Stability80
- 78Maneuverability84
- 70Pop70
- 90Touch90
- 88Consistency86
- 70Swing weight62
- 78Twist weight74
- 48Launch angle46
- 76Plow through72
- 92Softness84
ProKennex Black Ace LG vs Ronbus R1 Pulsar specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | ProKennex Black Ace LG | Ronbus R1 Pulsar |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $200 | $120 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 83.1 | 83.5 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 109 | 104 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.4 — better | 6.1 |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.3 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.4 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Textured carbon | Raw Toray T700 carbon |
| Core material | Kinetic core with damping chambers | Polypropylene honeycomb |
ProKennex Black Ace LG verdict
The most arm-friendly build in the database. Softness 92 comes from ProKennex's Kinetic damping, and it is the one paddle we recommend without hesitation for players managing tendon pain.
Ronbus R1 Pulsar verdict
The value benchmark for an elongated control paddle. It gives up thermoformed power, but the swing weight is low enough that fast hands stay fast into the third game.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is swing weight: ProKennex Black Ace LG scores 70 against 62 for Ronbus R1 Pulsar — an 8-point gap. They are effectively level on sweet spot, stability, consistency, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Ronbus R1 Pulsar is $80 cheaper at $120.
Swing weight
ProKennex Black Ace LG leads by 8 points (70 vs 62).
Softness
ProKennex Black Ace LG leads by 8 points (92 vs 84).
Spin
Ronbus R1 Pulsar leads by 6 points (88 vs 82).
Maneuverability
Ronbus R1 Pulsar leads by 6 points (84 vs 78).
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
ProKennex Black Ace LG
ProKennex Black Ace LG is a narrow pick at this level — forgiveness 88 vs 84, twist weight 78 vs 74, sweet spot 86 vs 84. Twist weight 6.4 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
- Sweet spot
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Ronbus R1 Pulsar
Ronbus R1 Pulsar is a narrow pick at this level — spin 88 vs 82, maneuverability 84 vs 78, control 92 vs 88. At 104 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Spin
- Maneuverability
- Control
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Ronbus R1 Pulsar
Ronbus R1 Pulsar is a narrow pick at this level — spin 88 vs 82, power 78 vs 74, maneuverability 84 vs 78. Swing weight 104 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Spin
- Power
- Maneuverability
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
ProKennex Black Ace LG
ProKennex Black Ace LG is the clearer pick at this level — softness 92 vs 84, forgiveness 88 vs 84, twist weight 78 vs 74. Its 16 mm Kinetic core with damping chambers core at 8 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
ProKennex Black Ace LG
Take ProKennex Black Ace LG if you want swing weight (+8), softness (+8), forgiveness (+4). Its swing weight of 109 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the ProKennex Black Ace LG review →Ronbus R1 Pulsar
Take Ronbus R1 Pulsar if you want spin (+6), maneuverability (+6), power (+4). Its swing weight of 104 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Ronbus R1 Pulsar review →ProKennex Black Ace LG vs Ronbus R1 Pulsar FAQ
- Which is better, the ProKennex Black Ace LG or the Ronbus R1 Pulsar?
- Ronbus R1 Pulsar carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (83.5 vs 83.1), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — swing weight — ProKennex Black Ace LG leads by 8 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Ronbus R1 Pulsar, at 104 kg·cm² swing weight against 109 for ProKennex Black Ace LG. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the ProKennex Black Ace LG or the Ronbus R1 Pulsar?
- Ronbus R1 Pulsar scores 78 for power against 74 for ProKennex Black Ace LG. That comes from a 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core swinging at 104 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Ronbus R1 Pulsar at 92 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?
- Ronbus R1 Pulsar scores 88 for spin off its Raw Toray T700 carbon face, against 82 for the Textured carbon face on ProKennex Black Ace LG. In practice a 6-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- ProKennex Black Ace LG, with the higher forgiveness score (88 vs 84). Its 6.4 twist weight against 6.1 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Ronbus R1 Pulsar costs $120, $80 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?
- ProKennex Black Ace LG: 16 mm Kinetic core with damping chambers core with a Textured carbon face. Ronbus R1 Pulsar: 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core with a Raw Toray T700 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?
- ProKennex Black Ace LG is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 88 and sweet spot 86 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Ronbus R1 Pulsar rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Ronbus R1 Pulsar at 7.9 oz against 8 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (104 vs 109) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the ProKennex Black Ace LG to the Ronbus R1 Pulsar?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. ProKennex Black Ace LG leads on swing weight by 8 points; everything else is within 8 points. At $200 vs $120, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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- R1 Pulsar vs Quartz Hybrid 16
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Read the full reviews: ProKennex Black Ace LG and Ronbus R1 Pulsar. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.