Vatic Pro Prism Flash 16mm Pickleball Paddle Review (Feel, Power, Spin, Control)

Vatic Pro Prism Flash has been making waves lately in the pickleball community. Their entrance into the scene in 2023 with the release of two exceptional thermoformed paddles, the Vatic Pro V7 and Vatic Pro Flash, garnered significant attention for their quality and affordability.

Vatic has now introduced new iterations of these paddles with the Prism line. While the Prism paddles maintain the same dimensions and surface characteristics as their original thermoformed counterparts, they differ in their manufacturing process. Unlike the extended hot-molding thermoforming used for the V7 and Flash, the Prism paddles undergo a different method, resulting in a softer and more controllable paddle, albeit with slightly reduced stiffness and power.

The manufacturing process for the Prism paddles resembles the standard Gen. 1 raw carbon fiber production, with foam incorporated at the end of manufacturing through perimeter heat sealing, a technique commonly referred to as “thermofoaming.”

In this review, we’ll delve into the performance of the Vatic Pro Flash Prism paddle and compare it against its counterparts, notably the Joola Hyperion, which held the title of best-selling paddle in 2022, along with other competitors within the $100 price range.

I’ve previously reviewed the Vatic Pro V7 Prism, the Flash’s counterpart, which you can explore here.

Now, let’s explore the intricacies of the Prism Flash in this review.

Vatic Pro Prism Flash 16mm Technical Specifications

• Price: $99.99 BUY
• Shape: Hybrid
• Core thickness: 16mm
• Face: T700 Raw Carbon Fiber
• Average weight: 7.9 – 8.2 oz
• Grip length: 5.3″
• Grip size: 4.25″
• Swing Weight: ~114
• Twist weight: ~6.47
• Edge foam: Yes
• Core: C7 polymer & performance honeycomb
• Total length: 16.3″
• Width: 7.7″
• Warranty: 3-month

Vatic Pro Prism Flash Quick Summary

The Prism Flash fits snugly into the increasingly attractive “Gen 1.5” paddle category. It represents a step forward from the Gen. 1 paddles without the stiffness and explosiveness of the popular Gen. 2 thermoformed paddles dominating the market in 2023.

I would describe the Prism Flash as a control-oriented paddle. While last year it might have been seen as an all-court paddle due to its edge-foam injections offering more power compared to Gen. 1 paddles, the emergence of ultra-stiff and powerful Gen. 2 thermoformed paddles has shifted its classification towards the softer control paddle category.

One of the most intriguing aspects of the Prism Flash is its comparison to the Joola Hyperion CFS. The Hyperion shares many similarities with the Prism, including its manufacturing process utilizing “thermofoaming.”

However, there’s a significant price difference between them, with the Hyperion priced at $220 while the Prism paddles are available for $99.99 with my Amazon Affiliate Program. This raises the question: Can the Prism paddles truly match up to the performance of the Hyperion, considering the vast difference in price?

In short, yes, the Prism paddles live up to expectations. The Prism Flash performs remarkably similarly to the Hyperion CFS while addressing three key issues that may dampen the appeal of the Hyperion CFS:

• Price: One of the most glaring differences between the two paddles is their price point. The Hyperion CFS comes with a hefty price tag of over $200, making it more than twice as expensive as the Prism.
• Durability: The Hyperion has gained notoriety for its durability concerns, particularly regarding breakage issues at the neck of its carbon-forged handles. Additionally, its paddle faces tend to wear out quickly, leading to a decrease in spin rates over time. In contrast, the Prism boasts a unibody construction and utilizes high-end raw T700 carbon fiber for its paddle face, ensuring greater durability and longevity without encountering these problems.
• Weight and balance: Another notable distinction lies in the weight and balance of the paddles. Early releases of the Hyperion, in particular, are known for being head-heavy, which can contribute to or exacerbate symptoms of tennis elbow. Conversely, the Prism Flash is lighter and better balanced, avoiding these issues and allowing for swifter movement at the net.

Let’s dive into some specifics.

Feel

Handle shape

The handle of the Prism Flash maintains its octagonal shape, mirroring the design of the original Flash model. This shape bears resemblance to handles found on Ronbus and Six Zero paddles, a feature appreciated by many, including myself. It’s encouraging to see this shape gaining popularity, while more boxy-shaped handles, such as those seen on Electrum paddles, are falling out of favor (hopefully they’ll follow suit).

With a thickness of 4.25 inches, the Prism handle is not overly bulky. This makes it ideal for players with smaller hands or those who simply prefer a more compact grip. For those who desire additional bulk, it’s easy to add one or two overgrips. Additionally, the absence of exposed polymer in the handle is a significant advantage for a paddle priced below $100.

Handle length

The handle of the Prism Flash remains consistent with that of the original Flash model, measuring 5.3 inches in length. This falls within the elongated range, providing players with ample room to execute two-handed backhands comfortably.

While I personally prefer handles that are slightly longer, ideally around 5.5 inches, I find Vatic Pro’s handles to be quite satisfactory. This is especially true because of their narrow neck taper, which allows players to comfortably choke up on the paddle if desired.

Weight/distribution

The Prism Flash exhibits excellent balance, a characteristic that has consistently been a strength across all of Vatic Pro’s paddle lines. While players have the option to add lead tape to the Prism according to their preferences, it typically doesn’t necessitate such modifications.

Setting it apart from the weighty Hyperion, the Prism Flash is not head-heavy. Transitioning from a Hyperion to a Flash should result in reduced strain on the wrists and elbows, thanks to the Prism’s balanced design. Additionally, players will notice that the balanced nature of the Prism Flash allows for quicker paddle movement.

How it feels to contact the ball

The Prism Flash offers a soft and responsive playing experience, characterized by a plush feel similar to that of the Ronbus R1.16 and Hyperion CFS. Unlike the original Flash 16mm and other thermoformed paddles, the Prism Flash doesn’t exhibit stiffness or excessive pop, but it still delivers excellent feel and feedback.

Its dense yet plush feel makes it ideal for executing controlled shots such as drops, dinks, and resets with precision. While it may require a brief adjustment period for hitting speed-ups and counters compared to using a thermoformed Flash, players will quickly find themselves dialed in after a couple of games.

Power of Vatic Pro Prism Flash

The power output of the Prism Flash lived up to its advertised performance. It delivers slightly more power than a Gen. 1 raw carbon fiber paddle but noticeably less than a thermoformed paddle. In comparison to the Ronbus R1.16, I found that the Prism Flash hits slightly harder and is on par power-wise with the Six Zero Sapphire, although they have distinct hitting characteristics.

While my drives and serves with the Prism Flash weren’t as potent as those with thermoformed paddles, the exceptional control and spin it offers more than compensate for this. It’s still possible to generate significant power, particularly with ample swing time. However, short strokes and blocks/counters may not have the same potency as with Gen. 2 paddles.

Despite this, you can still execute deep serves and returns with speed and power, albeit relying more on effort and precise swing mechanics compared to a thermoformed Vatic Pro Flash.

I did notice that the Vatic Pro V7 Prism provided slightly more power and plow-through than the Prism Flash, owing to its elongated shape and higher swing weight. However, it sacrifices a bit of hand speed and maneuverability in the process.

For those opting for the Prism Flash and desiring more power, I highly recommend adding some weight to it. This adjustment will enhance both power and stability, enhancing overall performance.

Pop

The Prism Flash doesn’t exhibit excessive pop, falling somewhere between Gen. 1 carbon fiber paddles and highly reactive options. While it offers a bit more pop than Gen. 1 paddles, it’s not overwhelmingly so. This balance lends itself to a paddle that feels more manageable and controlled, albeit slightly less aggressive and dynamic in offensive play.

Control of Vatic Pro Prism Flash

The Prisms represent Vatic’s most control-oriented paddles, noticeably softer compared to their original and Alchemy lines.

While you may sacrifice some power, you gain exceptional control and touch with the Prism Flash. It’s an ideal paddle for refining your soft game, excelling in drops, dinks, blocks, and resets. Its plush and reliable feel can significantly boost confidence and effectively limit out-balls on the court.

Personally, I find myself opting for drop shots more frequently with this paddle compared to my thermoformed ones, leading to more engaging dinking battles that have greatly enhanced my patience and control game.

The sweet spot on the Prism Flash is superb and forgiving, akin to the Hyperion CFS. The foam-injected edges contribute to enlarging the sweet spot and preventing dead spots, allowing room for error on resets and dinks.

Transitioning from thermoformed paddles, I noticed it took a few repetitions to adjust my blocks and counters with the Prism Flash. The softer Prism demands a bit more effort to deliver energy into these shots. However, if you’re accustomed to non-thermoformed paddles, this adjustment should pose no issue.

Spin

The Prism Flash stands out as a top-tier paddle when it comes to spin performance. I’ve witnessed it achieve impressive RPMs nearing 2,000, which is truly remarkable. It easily holds its own against the existing line of Vatic Pro paddles and has rightfully secured its place on my list of the best pickleball paddles for spin. You can tell it’s exceptional when the paddle face effortlessly removes dust from the ball, leaving distinct marks behind.

The sheer amount of spin that the Prism Flash generates adds a layer of excitement and enjoyment to the game. This is where it distinguishes itself most prominently from the Hyperion. While the Hyperion offers decent spin, it tends to degrade quickly and simply can’t match the performance of the Flash in this regard.

The abundance of spin imparted by the Prism Flash significantly enhances all aspects of the game. While my drives, serves, flicks, and roll volleys may not have the same brute force as with certain paddles, the ability to shape them with ample topspin ensures they remain potent weapons on the court.

Moreover, the spin capabilities of the Prism Flash truly shine in net play, particularly in intense dinking battles. The excellent combination of control and spin provided by this paddle allows me to elevate the quality of my spin dinks to new heights.

Hand speed of Vatic Pro Prism Flash

The Prism Flash’s aerodynamic shape enhances hand speed, allowing for swift maneuverability on the court. In comparison to my original Vatic Pro Flashes, I found that the Prism Flash felt just as fast in hand.

Moreover, the Prism Flash exhibits greater maneuverability than the head-heavy Hyperion. After playing with both paddles for an afternoon, I developed a strong preference for the speed and agility of the Prism over the more cumbersome Hyperion CFS.

Durability of Vatic Pro Prism Flash

Vatic Pro is renowned for producing highly durable paddles, and the Prism line is no exception. With a unibody construction, where the pad extends seamlessly through the handle as a single piece, you won’t encounter issues like neck breakage commonly seen in other paddles, such as the Joola. Personally, I’ve experienced multiple instances of breakage with Hyperion CFS paddles, without any extreme events triggering it; they simply aren’t as robust.

Additionally, since the Prism paddles undergo a different manufacturing process compared to full thermoforming, concerns like core crushing, delamination, and disbonding are not a worry.

In terms of paddle face durability, my experience with Vatic Pros has been excellent, and I anticipate the same level of durability with the Prism. It’s crafted from the same high-end raw TORAY T-700 carbon fiber used in Vatic’s more expensive paddle lines, ensuring long-lasting performance even under gritty conditions.

Value

I firmly believe that the Prism line offers the best value in the pickleball market right now. Releasing a paddle of such high quality at such an affordable price point is truly impressive, particularly when considering that the Prism line competes with paddles priced at $200 or more, such as the Hyperion.

Both the Prism Flash and Prism V7 stand out as the top choices in the $100 range, alongside the Ronbus R1.16. While I have a fondness for the Ronbus, it lacks edge-foam injections like the Prism, resulting in a slightly less forgiving sweet spot.

Compared to other paddles in this price range, such as the Z5, the Prism offers unparalleled value and performance.

Should you buy the Vatic Pro PRISM 16mm Flash?

If you’re in the market for an affordable control paddle that surpasses many premium-priced options in terms of build quality and performance, look no further than the Prism Flash.

The Prism stands out as a paddle that instills immediate confidence in any player. Amidst the hype surrounding thermoformed paddles, this “Gen. 1.5” paddle proves to be better suited for the majority of players.

Offering a perfect balance of plush feel, control, and adequate power, all at an industry-leading low price, the Prism hits the mark. It’s no wonder the Prism is featured in both my lists of the best paddles under $100 and the best paddles for beginners.

For those seeking more power than what the Prism Flash offers out of the box, adding lead tape to the paddle can provide the desired boost. Alternatively, opting for the elongated Prism V7 paddle, which offers a bit more power than the Prism Flash, is another option worth considering.

Additionally, there’s the original Vatic Pro Flash, which delivers the thermoformed pop and power that some players prefer. If you’re a singles player, the OG Flash may align better with your playing style.

Summary of Vatic Pro Prism Flash

In summary, the Vatic Pro Prism Flash is an outstanding paddle that offers excellent control, durability, and spin at an unbeatable price. Its balanced design and comfortable feel make it perfect for players looking to improve their soft game. While it may not match the raw power of thermoformed paddles, it compensates with precision and maneuverability. For anyone seeking a high-quality paddle without breaking the bank, the Prism Flash is a top choice that delivers exceptional performance and value.

FAQs about Vatic Pro Prism Flash