Proton Series Two Project Flash vs Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Proton Series Two Project Flash 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
- 84Power80
- 88Control88
- 92Spin89
- 84Forgiveness84
- 86Sweet spot85
- 84Stability82
- 80Maneuverability78
- 80Pop78
- 86Touch86
- 88Consistency86
- 70Swing weight70
- 80Twist weight80
- 50Launch angle55
- 80Plow through76
- 80Softness80
Proton Series Two Project Flash vs Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Proton Series Two Project Flash | Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $200 | $100 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 85.3 — better | 83.8 |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 111 | 112 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.7 — better | 6.2 |
| Shape | hybrid | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.3 | 16.4 |
| Face width(in) | 7.6 | 7.4 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.4 | 5.75 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Gritted raw carbon | Raw T700 carbon fiber |
| Core material | Thermoformed polymer honeycomb | Rev-Core polymer honeycomb |
Proton Series Two Project Flash verdict
The grittiest face Proton has made. Spin 92 puts it in the top tier of the database, and the hybrid shape keeps it usable at the kitchen line.
Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control verdict
A $100 raw-carbon elongated with a 5.75 in handle — the cheapest credible paddle in the database for a two-handed backhand player who wants real spin.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is launch angle: Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control scores 55 against 50 for Proton Series Two Project Flash — a 5-point gap. They are effectively level on spin, stability, maneuverability, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control is $100 cheaper at $100.
Launch angle
Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control leads by 5 points (55 vs 50).
Power
Proton Series Two Project Flash leads by 4 points (84 vs 80).
Plow through
Proton Series Two Project Flash leads by 4 points (80 vs 76).
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 (84.8 vs 83.9 on the weighted index). Take Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control and keep the $100.
- Stability
- Consistency
- Sweet spot
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86 vs 84.4 on the weighted index). Take Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control and keep the $100.
- Spin
- Power
- Maneuverability
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Proton Series Two Project Flash
Proton Series Two Project Flash is a narrow pick at this level — power 84 vs 80, plow through 80 vs 76, spin 92 vs 89. Swing weight 111 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Power
- Plow through
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (81.1 vs 81.1 on the weighted index). Take Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control and keep the $100.
Which one should you buy?
Proton Series Two Project Flash
Take Proton Series Two Project Flash if you want power (+4), plow through (+4). Its swing weight of 111 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Proton Series Two Project Flash review →Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control
Take Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control if you want launch angle (+5). Its swing weight of 112 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control review →Proton Series Two Project Flash vs Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control FAQ
- Which is better, the Proton Series Two Project Flash or the Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control?
- Proton Series Two Project Flash carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (85.3 vs 83.8), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — launch angle — Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control leads by 5 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Proton Series Two Project Flash, at 111 kg·cm² swing weight against 112 for Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Proton Series Two Project Flash or the Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control?
- Proton Series Two Project Flash measures 84 on power against 80 for Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control. That comes from a 16 mm Thermoformed polymer honeycomb core swinging at 111 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Proton Series Two Project Flash at 88 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 Two Project Flash scores 92 for spin off its Gritted raw carbon face, against 89 for the Raw T700 carbon fiber face on Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control. In practice a 3-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Proton Series Two Project Flash, with 6.7 twist weight against 6.2. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Proton Series Two Project Flash carries the higher forgiveness score (84) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control costs $100, $100 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?
- Proton Series Two Project Flash: 16 mm Thermoformed polymer honeycomb core with a Gritted raw carbon face. Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control: 16 mm Rev-Core polymer honeycomb core with a Raw T700 carbon fiber face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control, at 5.75 in of handle against 5.4 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Proton Series Two Project Flash is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 84 and sweet spot 86 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Proton Series Two Project Flash rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Proton Series Two Project Flash at 8 oz against 8 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (111 vs 112) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control to the Proton Series Two Project Flash?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control leads on launch angle by 5 points; everything else is within 4 points. At $200 vs $100, 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.
- Series Two Project Flash vs Ruby Hybrid 16
- Series Two Project Flash vs Crush Control 16
- Series Two Project Flash vs Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0
- Series Two Project Flash vs R3 Pulsar
- SLK Halo XL Control vs Crush Control 16
- SLK Halo XL Control vs Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0
- SLK Halo XL Control vs V7 Hybrid
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: Proton Series Two Project Flash and Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.