Proton Series Two Project Flash vs Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. 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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Quick answer
Proton Series Two Project Flash wins this matchup for most players: it takes power, spin, forgiveness and hand speed on Paddle DNA against the Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta, which costs $200.
Power
Proton Series Two Project Flash
84 vs 74
Spin
Proton Series Two Project Flash
92 vs 86
Control
Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta
95 vs 88
Forgiveness
Proton Series Two Project Flash
84 vs 80
Hand speed
Proton Series Two Project Flash
111 vs 116 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Too close to call
$200 at IQ 85.3 vs $200 at IQ 83.6
Overall pick: Proton Series Two Project Flash · $200 · IQ 85.3
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 84Power74
- 88Control95
- 92Spin86
- 84Forgiveness80
- 86Sweet spot82
- 84Stability84
- 80Maneuverability72
- 80Pop66
- 86Touch94
- 88Consistency90
- 70Swing weight74
- 80Twist weight78
- 50Launch angle44
- 80Plow through82
- 80Softness88
Proton Series Two Project Flash vs Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Proton Series Two Project Flash | Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $200 | $200 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 85.3 — better | 83.6 |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 19.05 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 111 | 116 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.7 — better | 6.2 |
| Shape | hybrid | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.3 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.6 | 7.375 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.4 | 5.25 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Gritted raw carbon | Quadcarbon woven carbon fiber |
| Core material | Thermoformed polymer honeycomb | X5 polypropylene 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 Vanguard Control Air Invikta verdict
The softest premium elongated paddle in the database. The thick Quadcarbon build absorbs pace so completely that resets from mid-court land in the kitchen almost by default.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is pop: Proton Series Two Project Flash scores 80 against 66 for Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta — a 14-point gap. They are effectively level on consistency, twist weight, plow through, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Both sell for $200, so price cannot break the tie.
Pop
Proton Series Two Project Flash leads by 14 points (80 vs 66).
Power
Proton Series Two Project Flash leads by 10 points (84 vs 74).
Maneuverability
Proton Series Two Project Flash leads by 8 points (80 vs 72).
Touch
Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta leads by 8 points (94 vs 86).
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 83.5 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — hybrid on the Series Two Project Flash, elongated on the Vanguard Control Air Invikta.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Twist weight
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86 vs 84.2 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — hybrid on the Series Two Project Flash, elongated on the Vanguard Control Air Invikta.
- Maneuverability
- Power
- Spin
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85.3 vs 83.5 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — hybrid on the Series Two Project Flash, elongated on the Vanguard Control Air Invikta.
- Power
- Spin
- Maneuverability
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta
Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta is a narrow pick at this level — softness 88 vs 80. Its 19.05 mm X5 polypropylene honeycomb core at 8 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
Proton Series Two Project Flash
Take Proton Series Two Project Flash if you want pop (+14), power (+10), maneuverability (+8). 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 Vanguard Control Air Invikta
Take Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta if you want touch (+8), softness (+8), control (+7). Its swing weight of 116 kg·cm² and 19.05 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta review →Proton Series Two Project Flash vs Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta FAQ
- Which is better, the Proton Series Two Project Flash or the Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta?
- Proton Series Two Project Flash carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (85.3 vs 83.6), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — pop — Proton Series Two Project Flash leads by 14 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Proton Series Two Project Flash, at 111 kg·cm² swing weight against 116 for Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta. 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 Vanguard Control Air Invikta?
- Proton Series Two Project Flash scores 84 for power against 74 for Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta. 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?
- Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta at 95 versus 88. Its 19.05 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 86 for the Quadcarbon woven carbon fiber face on Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta. In practice a 6-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Proton Series Two Project Flash, with the higher forgiveness score (84 vs 80). Its 6.7 twist weight against 6.2 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Both list at $200. Too close to call — neither has an advantage here.
- 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 Vanguard Control Air Invikta: 19.05 mm X5 polypropylene honeycomb core with a Quadcarbon woven carbon fiber face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Proton Series Two Project Flash, at 5.4 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?
- 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. Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta 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 8 oz, though swing weight differs (111 vs 116) and that is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta to the Proton Series Two Project Flash?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Proton Series Two Project Flash leads on pop by 14 points; everything else is within 10 points. At $200 vs $200, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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Top alternatives to both
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Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put Proton Series Two Project Flash and Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Proton Series Two Project Flash and Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.