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ENGAGE
ELITE PRO
X-SERIES
REVIEW
Look/Cosmetics:
Familiar design with
Engage’s trademark
diagonal stripe against a solid color
background. Comes in a choice of four color
patterns. Traditional handle length and paddle
shape.
Comes in two weight choices: light and
standard.
Serves/Returns/Groundstrokes:
Predictable and solid come to mind here.
Lots of pop to keep serves and returns deep.
The proprietary skin (“liquid graphite”) allows
maximum spin and feel off the paddle face.
Terrific from all areas of the court. This is a
“grab and go” paddle.
Touch/Feel:
The unique chemically bonded skin gives you
surprising touch for a powerful paddle. Very
solid feel on hard blocks and volleys. Not as
soft as graphite paddles, but an all-around
weapon that excels with every type of shot.
It’s a Swiss army knife, not a butter knife.
TMPR
TANTRUM
GXT
REVIEW
Look/Cosmetics:
Bold, colorful graphics
that demand attention.
Large “T” logo in the middle with an abstract
print design behind it. Comes in 2 vivid
colors (red, pink). Handle has angled edges
(not round) and will feel at home with former
tennis players. “Omni-directional” graphite
face feels slightly textured. Paddle shape
is slightly more rounded than usual, which
provides a larger sweetspot.
Serves/Returns/Groundstrokes:
The Tantrum GXT is a control-oriented
paddle, but with a little more power than you
typically get from a graphite paddle. Returns
and serves take a little extra effort, but you
will like the control you get once you get to
the line. Lots of spin off the face, as is usually
the case with graphite.
Touch/Feel:
Super soft-feeling paddle really comes
into its own once you get up to the kitchen
line. Dinks are feathery soft and it’s tough
to accidentally pop balls up too high. Hard
shots right at you are easy to take pace off
of and you will gladly welcome folks to try to
pass you. Strong net players will find a very
capable weapon here in the GXT.
By Jack Bandel
ONIX Z5
OUTBREAK
REVIEW
Look/Cosmetics:
Really modern-looking
paddle that will get
noticed when you take
the court with it. Large
“Z5” emblem on the face
with checkerboard-like squares behind it. My
demo model was green in the center with black
background. Grip shape is a bit squarer than
most, but helps to keep the paddle stable in your
hand. Traditional paddle shape, which many
players prefer.
Serves/Returns/Groundstrokes:
The Z5 Outbreak is an enhanced version of the
Z5, which is an extremely popular paddle seen
on pickleball courts everywhere. It also has a
“Textreme” reinforcing the graphite face. Serves
and returns felt good with power at a moderate
level. The lighter weight (7.3-8oz) allows the
paddle to swing through the air easily.
Touch/Feel:
The new Textreme-reinforced graphite fibers in
the Z5 Outbreak give you nice touch and control
on all your shots…but especially your dinks and
finesse shots. This is an “all-around” paddle that
works as well in the kitchen as it does back on
the baseline. Shots are very predictable and not
erratic coming off the face too hot or too soft. This
may be due to the Textreme technology, which
allows the graphite fibers to lay more flat.
Sound/Sweet Spot:
The sound on impact was somewhat loud and
more noticeable than I would have liked. Some
may like this more, but it’s just a personal
preference thing. Sweet spot was very forgiving,
and like the standard Z5 paddle, the wide body
shape gives you an equal sweet zone in all
directions.
Sound/Sweet Spot:
The huge sweet spot is the star of the show
here. Larger than average size and feels
very solid when blocking and also makes it
tough to mishit a ball. The weight feels very
even while swinging and this allows for quick
maneuvering at the net. Sound/Sweet Spot:
Sound is a bit unique, but not offensive. The
rounder paddle shape seems to allow the
sweet spot to extend outward more, so if you
need some help centering your shots, this
paddle will help. Sweet spot is larger than
the leading graphite paddles out there, but
you still need a decent amount of skill to play
with it. Summary:
All you players who love a traditional
shaped paddle, here is the Engage model
you’ve been waiting for. This is an excellent
“all‑purpose” paddle that will let you play
your game and not get in the way. Really no
weaknesses to report here, so if you don’t
bring home the medal with this one, it’s on
you! Check it out! Summary:
TMPR is coming out with some very solid
offerings at very competitive prices. This one
gives graphite lovers a more playable paddle
than some of the similar paddles out there.
Super-soft feeling without too much power
loss. Highly recommended for you dink
masters out there! Summary:
Fans of Onix’s most popular model, the Z5, will
want to check out this new and improved version.
The Textreme-reinforced carbon face gives it a
fresh look and feel, while the newer technology in
the materials improves the feel and response in
this paddle while maintaining the playability and
user-friendliness of the original Z5.
For more info, go to:
www.pickleballpaddlereviews.net. For more info, go to:
www.pickleballpaddlereviews.net. For more info, go to:
www.pickleballpaddlereviews.net.
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The poly core also aids in absorbing shock and
keeps your elbow feeling fresh.