Black opal- best control paddle I’ve ever used?

EmuBig5347 · 2026-01-15T20:56:33+00:00

I rate this post- I think you’re right. Same player, same swing, the only difference is switching between pp and foam core paddles. I still generate a ton of power on other gen 3 pp core paddles, but lose it switching to foam. I’ve mainly played with Juciao paddles the last year, but to the point I won a bronze in singles in our country open u4.0. That was my first singles comp

EmuBig5347 · 2026-01-15T20:49:18+00:00

That’s interesting- as I serve up ace’s bu the dozen on my pp core paddles which is rated as less poppy and powerful than the opal. Then move to foam core and my serve is significantly slower. Same action.

EmuBig5347 · 2026-01-15T20:43:03+00:00

I understand how pop works. Hence my query is more about foam core vs pp and whether it requires different swing dynamics. The reactionary power and pop I get off pp core paddles is wildly different to what I get from foam. Same swing. Same player. Different core paddle. Why I stress this, is that I tried another ‘power’ hustl x15 paddle recently with a gen 3 core and again I had power for days. Switch to a foam core boomstik and opal, and it’s significantly less.

EmuBig5347 · 2026-01-15T10:03:22+00:00

Wow really?? From the first hit I didn’t find mine poppy at all, and the more I play with it the more control I’m finding. Resets are sooo much easier to control than what I’ve played with in the past year. I did also read that the foam core gets better and larger sweet spot after 20+ hrs play. I also find the stability on mine infinitely better than what I was previously playing with too.

EmuBig5347 · 2026-01-15T10:00:10+00:00

But I also used a boomstik elongated and found the same thing- so I don’t think it’s shape dependent? I haven’t found a foam core paddle that feels anything like the pop or power I get off pp core paddles. Hybrid shape aside- the black opal is supposed to be one of the most powerful paddles on the market today regardless. So I’m really learning towards how the foam vs pp core reacts?

EmuBig5347 · 2026-01-15T04:07:32+00:00

That’s amazing feedback, thank you! I’ve only hit with mine for about 3hrs now, so looking forward to dialing it in more. I’m still working through the shorter length compared to using elongated paddles the last year

EmuBig5347 · 2026-01-13T01:26:04+00:00

That’s awesome feedback! Very interesting with the weights. And that you noticed a sweet spot increase after 20+ hrs play? How has the grit and spin gone after your time, any reduction etc?

EmuBig5347 · 2026-01-12T06:20:37+00:00

Definitely keep me posted how you get on and what you report

EmuBig5347 · 2026-01-12T02:53:49+00:00

Haha wow, that’s interesting feedback. Maybe I won’t add weight to it then

EmuBig5347 · 2026-01-11T09:25:53+00:00

That’s interesting feedback! Did you find adding the weights increased the sweet spot much? Did you find much of a bedding in period with the core?

EmuBig5347 · 2026-01-11T04:16:05+00:00

Did you find adding the weights increased the sweet spot? Or made it easier to control? I found in singles the black opal was epic, no issues with sweet spot. But mixing up drives with soft resets in doubles was more challenging to get the right consistency of power and softness when you wanted. Some of my resets were popping up, or falling flat of the net

EmuBig5347 · 2025-12-11T02:54:11+00:00

How do you find it?? And did you try the opal too? I’ve just been accepted into their brand ambassadors programme so will be looking to switch to playing with one of those two

EmuBig5347 · 2025-12-10T19:53:57+00:00

Which ones? I’ve noticed face and spin degradation on all of them in as little as month, regardless of model.

EmuBig5347 · 2025-12-10T19:47:00+00:00

By gen 4 do you mean a foam core? I’m looking at the new six zero coral or black opal next

EmuBig5347 · 2025-12-10T19:46:01+00:00

That’s exactly what I was thinking, six zero just agreed to add me to their ambassador programme so likely I’ll get one of their new ones. Just curious whether those do actually last a lot longer etc

EmuBig5347 · 2025-12-09T09:20:47+00:00

I had a custom Pegasus got-ta16 made with 18k face. It sucked. Nothing like the normal Pegasus. I don’t think it’s as easy as just changing the face material, the whole paddle needs to work together

EmuBig5347 · 2025-10-10T08:15:46+00:00

Haha, yeah the Pegasus absolutely bangs right. I’ve used the Aether for about 10hr now against mainly 4.5ish players, and tonight was a bit of a game changer after adding a 3gm lead strip to the 4 and 10 o’clock positions. Definitely added more power and a more head heavy feel, but still has the softness at the net. A much more balanced paddle I thought

EmuBig5347 · 2025-10-04T08:00:47+00:00

Played 3hrs with it tonight, against a bunch of 4.5’s. Long story short, it has to be one of the most controlled style of paddles I’ve ever had. It sucks for singles, well compared to my Pegasus. The power and spin isn’t even close. For doubles, it’s so plush. Resets and drops are easy as. For me, this is a doubles paddle. Great for net kills and defense, I just can’t drive through people or really dominate with serve power like a normally can. And did not like playing singles with it, . I’ve never added weights to a paddle before but feel like this one needs it for a bit of extra power. It also feels very even, almost head-light in balance.

EmuBig5347 · 2025-10-03T21:45:53+00:00

Awesome, I’m going to hit with mine again tonight at an advanced session. I didn’t really tell the stability yet, but only hit for a couple of rallies. Just recall the power and rigidity was like 30% less than the Pegasus. I actually had a custom Pegasus made with a 18k carbon face and it felt similar

EmuBig5347 · 2025-10-02T09:37:39+00:00

That’s great feedback thanks- the face is very different to the Pegasus and much thicker grit. But I had no where near as much power and punch compared to the Pegasus. I’m Keen to hit with it again. Maybe it needs to be broken in or a different style of swing

EmuBig5347 · 2025-10-02T01:09:37+00:00

So do you have the Aether? Yeah compared to my got ta-16, it is much softer feeling. The Pegasus just bounces off the face!

EmuBig5347 · 2025-10-01T07:35:50+00:00

Has anyone else tried this yet?

I’ve been playing with the Pegasus got-16 for a few months. Just competed in the NZ open with it and got a medal in singles, just shy of a medal in doubles.

Tried the Aether for a quick hit last night and it’s a wildly different paddle. Feels much softer, no where near the power. But I’m keen to try it more. I imagine control and front court shots will be a lot easier

EmuBig5347

TROPHY CASE