Ronbus R1 Pulsar vs Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 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
- 78Power95
- 92Control84
- 88Spin91
- 84Forgiveness88
- 84Sweet spot89
- 80Stability92
- 84Maneuverability66
- 70Pop90
- 90Touch80
- 86Consistency85
- 62Swing weight82
- 74Twist weight92
- 46Launch angle58
- 72Plow through93
- 84Softness72
Specs
| $120 | Price | $332.99 |
|---|---|---|
| 16 mm | Core | 16 mm |
| 7.9 oz | Weight | 8.25 oz |
| 104 | Swing weight | 118 |
| 6.1 | Twist weight | 7.2 |
| elongated | Shape | elongated |
| Raw Toray T700 carbon | Surface | Multistrata T700 carbon with InfiniGrit |
| 5.5 in | Handle | 5.8 in |
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.
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 verdict
The highest measured power in the database, and the twist weight (7.2) to back it up. The MOI tuning system lets you dial the balance, but nothing turns a 118 swing weight into a fast-hands paddle.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is plow through: Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 scores 93 against 72 for Ronbus R1 Pulsar — a 21-point gap. They are effectively level on spin, consistency, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Ronbus R1 Pulsar is $212.99 cheaper at $120.
Plow through
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 21 points (93 vs 72).
Pop
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 20 points (90 vs 70).
Swing weight
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 20 points (82 vs 62).
Maneuverability
Ronbus R1 Pulsar leads by 18 points (84 vs 66).
Which one should you buy?
Ronbus R1 Pulsar
Take Ronbus R1 Pulsar if you want maneuverability (+18), softness (+12), touch (+10). Its swing weight of 104 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Ronbus R1 Pulsar review →Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
Take Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 if you want plow through (+21), pop (+20), swing weight (+20). Its swing weight of 118 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 review →Ronbus R1 Pulsar vs Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Ronbus R1 Pulsar or the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.1 vs 83.5), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — plow through — Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 21 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Ronbus R1 Pulsar, at 104 kg·cm² swing weight against 118 for Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Ronbus R1 Pulsar or the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 measures 95 on power against 78 for Ronbus R1 Pulsar. That comes from a 16 mm BoomCore PureFoam with EVA Power Ring core swinging at 118 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Ronbus R1 Pulsar at 92 versus 84. 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?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 scores 91 for spin off its Multistrata T700 carbon with InfiniGrit face, against 88 for the Raw Toray T700 carbon face on Ronbus R1 Pulsar. In practice a 3-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16, with 7.2 twist weight against 6.1. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 carries the higher forgiveness score (88) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Ronbus R1 Pulsar costs $120, $212.99 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?
- Ronbus R1 Pulsar: 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core with a Raw Toray T700 carbon face. Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16: 16 mm BoomCore PureFoam with EVA Power Ring core with a Multistrata T700 carbon with InfiniGrit face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16, at 5.8 in of handle against 5.5 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 88 and sweet spot 89 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Ronbus R1 Pulsar at 7.9 oz against 8.25 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (104 vs 118) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Ronbus R1 Pulsar to the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads on plow through by 21 points; everything else is within 20 points. At $120 vs $332.99, 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.
- R1 Pulsar vs Sapphire 16
- R1 Pulsar vs Coral Hybrid 16
- R1 Pulsar vs BALLR+ 16
- R1 Pulsar vs Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Ultré Power 2
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Hyperion Pro V 16
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Friction Pro Elongated V2
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Labs Project 006
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: Ronbus R1 Pulsar and Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.