Ronbus R1 Pulsar vs Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. 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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Quick answer
Ronbus R1 Pulsar wins this matchup for most players: it takes control, hand speed and value on Paddle DNA against the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16, which costs $332.99.
Power
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
95 vs 78
Spin
Too close to call
91 vs 88
Control
92 vs 84
Forgiveness
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
88 vs 84
Hand speed
104 vs 118 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$120 at IQ 83.5 vs $332.99 at IQ 87.1
Overall pick: Ronbus R1 Pulsar · $120 · IQ 83.5
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
Ronbus R1 Pulsar vs Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Ronbus R1 Pulsar | Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $120 — better | $332.99 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 83.5 | 87.1 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 7.9 | 8.25 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 104 | 118 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.1 | 7.2 — better |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.4 | 7.45 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.8 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw Toray T700 carbon | Multistrata T700 carbon with InfiniGrit |
| Core material | Polypropylene honeycomb | BoomCore PureFoam with EVA Power Ring |
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 power score 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
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, 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 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
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 is the clearer pick at this level — twist weight 92 vs 74, stability 92 vs 80, sweet spot 89 vs 84. Twist weight 7.2 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Stability
- 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 — maneuverability 84 vs 66, control 92 vs 84, touch 90 vs 80. At 104 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Maneuverability
- Control
- Touch
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 is a narrow pick at this level — power 95 vs 78, plow through 93 vs 72, spin 91 vs 88. Swing weight 118 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Power
- Plow through
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Ronbus R1 Pulsar
Ronbus R1 Pulsar is a narrow pick at this level — softness 84 vs 72. Its 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core at 7.9 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
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 scores 95 for 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 the higher forgiveness score (88 vs 84). Its 7.2 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, $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. 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 8.25 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.
Related comparisons
The other matchups shoppers open in the same session as this one.
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- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Perseus Pro V 16
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Coral Pro
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Perseus CFS 16
Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
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- R1 Pulsar vs Quartz Hybrid 16
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Ultré Power 2
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs 1X TruFoam Power
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Hyperion Pro V 16
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Labs 008 Project 16
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put Ronbus R1 Pulsar and Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 in context against the rest of the database.
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.