Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta vs Six Zero Quartz Control
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Six Zero Quartz Control 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
- 74Power78
- 95Control93
- 86Spin90
- 80Forgiveness91
- 82Sweet spot92
- 84Stability90
- 72Maneuverability82
- 66Pop72
- 94Touch92
- 90Consistency91
- 74Swing weight68
- 78Twist weight90
- 44Launch angle50
- 82Plow through72
- 88Softness89
Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta vs Six Zero Quartz Control specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta | Six Zero Quartz Control |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $200 | $190 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 83.6 | 88 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 19.05 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 116 | 108 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.2 | 7.2 — better |
| Shape | elongated | standard |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16 |
| Face width(in) | 7.375 | 7.9 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.25 | 5.25 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Quadcarbon woven carbon fiber | Raw carbon friction |
| Core material | X5 polypropylene honeycomb | Thermoformed polymer |
Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta verdict
The softest premium elongated paddle we measure. The thick Quadcarbon build absorbs pace so completely that resets from mid-court land in the kitchen almost by default.
Six Zero Quartz Control verdict
A control build in the Double Black Diamond tradition, only lighter and quicker. Twist weight and sweet spot are the standouts; power is deliberately mid-pack.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is twist weight: Six Zero Quartz Control scores 90 against 78 for Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta — a 12-point gap. They are effectively level on control, touch, consistency, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($200 vs $190) that it should not break the tie.
Twist weight
Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 12 points (90 vs 78).
Forgiveness
Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 11 points (91 vs 80).
Sweet spot
Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 10 points (92 vs 82).
Maneuverability
Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 10 points (82 vs 72).
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
Six Zero Quartz Control
Six Zero Quartz Control is the clearer pick at this level — forgiveness 91 vs 80, sweet spot 92 vs 82, twist weight 90 vs 78. Twist weight 7.2 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Twist weight
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Six Zero Quartz Control
Six Zero Quartz Control is a narrow pick at this level — maneuverability 82 vs 72, forgiveness 91 vs 80, spin 90 vs 86. At 108 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Maneuverability
- Forgiveness
- Spin
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (83.5 vs 84.2 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — elongated on the Vanguard Control Air Invikta, standard on the Quartz Control.
- Maneuverability
- Power
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Six Zero Quartz Control
Six Zero Quartz Control is the clearer pick at this level — forgiveness 91 vs 80, twist weight 90 vs 78, softness 89 vs 88. Its 16 mm Thermoformed polymer core at 7.9 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta
Take Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta if you want plow through (+10), swing weight (+6). 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 →Six Zero Quartz Control
Take Six Zero Quartz Control if you want twist weight (+12), forgiveness (+11), sweet spot (+10). Its swing weight of 108 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Six Zero Quartz Control review →Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta vs Six Zero Quartz Control FAQ
- Which is better, the Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta or the Six Zero Quartz Control?
- Six Zero Quartz Control carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (88 vs 83.6), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — twist weight — Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 12 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Six Zero Quartz Control, at 108 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 Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta or the Six Zero Quartz Control?
- Six Zero Quartz Control measures 78 on power against 74 for Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta. That comes from a 16 mm Thermoformed polymer core swinging at 108 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta at 95 versus 93. 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?
- Six Zero Quartz Control scores 90 for spin off its Raw carbon friction face, against 86 for the Quadcarbon woven carbon fiber face on Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta. In practice a 4-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Six Zero Quartz Control, with 7.2 twist weight against 6.2. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Six Zero Quartz Control carries the higher forgiveness score (91) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- They are within $10 of each other, so price should not decide this matchup.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta: 19.05 mm X5 polypropylene honeycomb core with a Quadcarbon woven carbon fiber face. Six Zero Quartz Control: 16 mm Thermoformed polymer core with a Raw carbon friction face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta, at 5.25 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?
- Six Zero Quartz Control is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 91 and sweet spot 92 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Six Zero Quartz Control rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Six Zero Quartz Control at 7.9 oz against 8 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (108 vs 116) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta to the Six Zero Quartz Control?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Six Zero Quartz Control leads on twist weight by 12 points; everything else is within 11 points. At $200 vs $190, 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.
- Vanguard Control Air Invikta vs Pursuit MX 6.0
- Vanguard Control Air Invikta vs Luxx Control Air
- Vanguard Control Air Invikta vs Perseus CFS 16
- Vanguard Control Air Invikta vs Sapphire 16
- Quartz Control vs Radius CGS 16
- Quartz Control vs Sapphire 16
- Quartz Control vs Magnus 3S 16
- Quartz Control vs Double Black Diamond Control
Top alternatives to both
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Read the full reviews: Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta and Six Zero Quartz Control. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.