JOOLA Mod TA-15 After 2 Weeks | Is this just a legal Gen 3...?

[@waynekurtz660]

Keep up the good work, Rafa! You are one of the most informative and least biased reviewers! Great quality production!. My personal opinion is that these are too powerful, and the line for power/pop should be drawn somewhere below these maybe at the gearbox while similar in power they have a big trade off.

[@pickleballtechdude]

Thanks for the kind words per usual 🫡 need USAP to release some kind of guidelines ASAP it’s unfair to consumers at this point

[@kabob21]

I demoed the 14mm Mod TA-15 twice off a Joola sponsored player at my local indoor courts and couldn't understand the controversy. But I did enjoy the power but didn't think it was overwhelming and felt like the potential was there to hit some great controlled putaways at the net. Found a good deal on one and went ahead and bought it. Added edge guard tape around the entire perimeter to give it a touch more stability/weight/swing weight and an overgrip to get it to 8.2 oz. The first game I played with it felt much like the paddle I demoed, which was a relief. But then it started to break in more and the spin became crazy and the power off the charts. I also figured out how to hit dinks and volleys better the more I played and realized that these paddles really are like a cheat code for players with sound technique. Now I'm not sure if they're fair to other players like the critics have been saying. That said, I do play some of my best pickleball with it.

[@gongloui]

I just ordered the mod 15, i think it's a piece of history to be hold.

[@ArianaWilson-]

Thank you Rafa! I understand the difference between them. My friend switched to HUDEF Viva Pro Gen3 when Joola Gen3 was delisted. But their core is different.

[@douglasmurdoch7247]

There didn’t have to be changes, because these were approved even before the gen 3s were. These have been USAP approved for like 10 months

[@Mr.Miyagi_PPR]

Facts🙌

[@owenallenaz]

USAP cannot ban this paddle or else they would lose their entire standing in the lawsuit, because the claim in the suit is that THIS was the paddle submitted and approved, even though I think any reasonable human knows the paddle was banned for being too hot. So Joola said "bet" and released the original paddle. USAP will either be forced to allow a paddle with the same performance as gen3 or they will be caught in a lie and be forced to pay millions in damages to Joola. So either this paddle stays on market, or USAP goes bankrupt from legal liability.

[@vanadyan1674]

Joola has USAP in a trap, they are hosed either way. As I have said for a few months now, USAP is a dead org walking.

[@itmaslanka]

@@owenallenaz So why can’t one put 60 grit heavy sandpaper on the face and just switch it to a new one just like my sander !?!

[@BarbaraGans]

I am in the latter category of player. 64 5' tall woman with a modicum of racket background and good not great control. I am currently playing with a first generation Paddletek Wave Pro. I tried the Mod 15 the other day. It has a lovely feel. Most surprising to me was the area near the throat of the paddle was still a sweet spot. knowing that you can buy almost a square yard of polypropylene honeycomb panel for $41 I don't relish the thought of paying $280 for a paddle.

[@jtereva]

Good review. I have had the Mod TA-15 about a week and agree it’s similar to the Perseus Gen 3, 14” with a stiffer feel and better control, pretty, hard to believe. It also felt like it had more power as well. I hope they release an Anna Bright Mod TA-14 to replace her Gen 3, 14. I really like how that paddle feels.

[@pickleballtechdude]

The Gen 3S is releasing soon which might be up your alley! However I hear it will only be approved by UPA-A not USAP

[@jnagator]

Thanks for your video and the update. I have a Gen3 and have been frustrated with Joola. I have 2 open warranty tickets with them about Gen3. First one they wanted me to return it and I waited. Then I saw the Mod TA-15 and opened a new ticket to ask for an exchange to TA15 however they have not replied back. Net-Net - I love this paddle as I am an advanced player. I control every aspect of my hits with this paddle and it is by far my favorite of my 5 various paddles I own hands down. So now I just wait I guess like you said for USAP to see what happens on TA-15 and really pressure JOOLA for an exchange. Unless USAP says all Gen3 are legal again. Crazy however I hope the end is near as I love my Gen3 and would like it to be legal.

[@thewildwest2013]

So, I have case # with joola for my two Ben johns hyperion GEN3. Even though I bought them from an ebay seller, joola at first was going exchange for any paddle except a new product MOD TA 15's. The last email I received said as of August 1 they are no longer accepting any returns or exchanges for GEN3 that were delisted by USAP. Can we join the Class action lawsuit in Florida?

[@pickleballtechdude]

Insanity very sorry to hear about this - hope JOOLA gives some answers sooner rather than later!

[@jnagator]

@@thewildwest2013 I have not received any response from Joola so I am all for getting a legal paddle. They sold the paddle under false pretense as it was certified and then delisted.

[@ericrhinehalt1206]

I had the exact opposite experience, but I bought direct and not from a reseller like Amazon. I had an open ticket and my mailing label, communicated I was keeping it hopeful of the injunction or positive action of legal action. When the Mod came out I sent a note to requesting a change from refund to exchange. They replied, confirmed I wanted 16 mm, and I sent it off with new one on way after Joola receiving old one in CA. Joola also helped a friend who bought his from a local paddle jockey. Wouldn’t refund, but did give a huge discount on his Mod. It was funny as I thought the class action ambulance chaser was suing USAP when I gave him my info. Joola is making people who bought through proper channels whole so don’t see reason to sue.

[@LouisBrown19]

Good job Rafa. The specs of this Mod TA-15 are similar to the HUDEF Viva Pro Gen2.

[@kabob21]

Hits way harder than the Hudef.

[@julialoehlein9778]

Thanks very much for your thoughts!

[@ryanrego5516]

Tyson has been using one thats labeled the Ha-15 for a while now which seems to obviously be the gen 3 magnus.

[@Mr.Miyagi_PPR]

Wish we could get our hands on that one

[@omadscience7358]

The issue which was highlighted and shown on Reddit between the two paddles as described was the amount of foam used in the core. They outlined the fact that they x-rayed the two paddles and they are not the same between the mod and the gen 3 hence the delisting

[@pickleballtechdude]

But these paddles are legal and play so similar to the Gen 3 I bet the changes in foam are minimal if at all… hence the dilemma for USAP here 😬 why were the Gen 3s delisted if they play so similar 🧐

[@omadscience7358]

@@pickleballtechdudeJust because they play alike and sound alike doesn’t mean they are the same paddle. The power pop and spin are no where close to the Gen 3. Wait till all the reviews come out… The lawsuit reply states they x rayed the 2 paddles and they were not the same. I’m assuming that’s why they are de tuned. The foam in the core is different. The face material is different. The grit is different. I’ve played with both the 14 and 16 and the 14 is absolute garbage. The 16 plays ok but not worth switching. This paddle is no where close to the Gen 3 in any aspect in my opinion

[@pickleballtechdude]

Can I ask how long you played with each? My testing is pretty rigorous and happens over the span of several days and 12-15 hours. I think a couple of other reviewers have already stated they found very little difference between the Gen 3s and the Mod TAs… the numbers don’t lie. Foam in the core is not significantly different. Face is not different. Peel ply texture to produce the grit is the main difference, which we agree on!

[@omadscience7358]

@@pickleballtechdudeI played about 8-10 hours w the 16mm. I played about 4 hours w the 14 and it was such a piece of crap I sold it. Problem is neither of these paddles do a single thing well in my opinion. They definitely are not worth buying. I’m waiting for someone to actually slice them open. This I’m assuming is going to make Joola look dumb. I assure you the Gen 3 and the mod have different amounts of foam in them hence the mod was approved and the Gen 3 got banned based on the similarity clause. Just my 2 cents… will see.. The new paddle as well that Colin is using and some other pros is called the Joola 3S. This paddle is UPA approved and not USAP Approved. Seems UPA - A has their paddle testing up and running. Now we are going to have USAP approved paddles and UPA approved paddles, oh my.... @pickleballtechdude

[@vanadyan1674]

@@pickleballtechdude Cannot tell a lick of difference between my well worn Magnus 14mm and the new TA 14mm. Same paddle as far as I can tell. USAP stepped right into a trap here.

[@jonnygibaud7954]

Great update.

[@metal_bloo]

Does a core crush as easily as the original GEN threes?

[@SellAhts]

I ordered a Mod TA-15 over a week ago and Joola has not processed the order yet. I tried to contact them to get an order update but they haven't responded yet. I am wondering if USAP threatened to de-list it?

[@pickleballtechdude]

Hmm interesting please let us know what you find out!

[@rickm4773]

Other than the new Joola, what paddles would you say are closest to the Joola Magnus 3 16mm? Thank you so much!

[@pickleballtechdude]

That’s super tough it’s a unique shape… maybe the new Gearbox? The Astria SP is a toned down version imo. The Gearbox supplies the same power level while the Astria provides the same feel. Up to you which is more important!

[@rickm4773]

❤​@@pickleballtechdude

[@rickm4773]

Are you referring to the Pro Power or Ultimate Pro. Thank you again for all of your great videos!

[@007kali]

Hi do you have a review on the gen 3s and comparison to the mod ta 15?

[@gunzorro]

I own the 14mm Gen3 Anna Bright and love it. I don't feel it is out of line with other power paddles such as Selkirk Invikta Power Air (another favorite). I'm holding on to my Gen3, but if I can later return for new "legal" Mod TA-15 of same type, I'll do so. Great update, Rafa! Nothing in pickleball matches the power and impacts of racketball, so what is all the concern about? Wear protective eyewear if you are concerned (I always wore protection for racketball).

[@brettmack]

Haha

[@thewildwest2013]

I just got an email from Joola. As of August 1, they are no longer refunding or exchanging any GEN3. I've been trying to return the two Hyperion GEN3 I bought on Ebay. I too wanted to exchange them for the MOD 15.

[@joem6010]

I contacted Joola the day the Mod TA-15 was announced and they told me I missed the July 15 deadline and would not exchange my two Gen 3s. This was like 3-4 days after the deadline.

[@pickleballtechdude]

It sounds like JOOLA isn’t offering exchanges to the Mod TAs right now unfortunately :/

[@keithheintzleman7831]

IMO increased speed is damaging the game, and taking away the uniqueness of Pickleball versus other racquet sports. Pickleball's a great multi-generational game. The need for protective eyewear's an obvious problem with the faster paddles. Few people wear protective eyewear today, and adding that requirement detracts from the appeal of the game.

[@215cyclone]

Great video, well spoken. I think the Gen 3 should return. ALL paddles have sone degree of “trampoline” effect. Physics 101

[@erikavonheilandstrader1318]

Great review.. but would like to add a few pertinent details: 1. Mod Ta-15 was the prototype of the Gen 3’s that were approved by USAP in sept 2023 2. Joola has always asserted that the Gen 3’s are materially the same as the prototypes.. 3: this came before the Gen 3’s and don’t have changes to it.. 4: issue in lawsuit was the paddles sent for similarity testing 5. The paddles that launched were not the same paddles in similarity testing rather paddles that are materially the same as the prototype..

[@kabob21]

But the Gen 3 production paddles are materially the same as the Mod TA-15 paddles with the exception of the level of grit on the surface. Surface grit/spin level doesn't seem to be the reason the Gen 3 paddles were delisted so why were they?

[@Mr.Miyagi_PPR]

Great video all around 👏 background lighting on point, studio set up is beautiful, audio was clear and crispy and content was on point to what this video advertised. I loved all the little effects throughout the video. Like the spinning paddle on the bottom left corner was a nice touch. Definitely just subscribed and liked for the algorithm. Question is though….. Would we rather play with wooden paddles to make it fair for everyone like baseball? Or shall we juice up this sport with better tech? What is everyone thoughts? I think even if the game does get “sped” up, it adds another layer of Chess play for the higher level players. Yes the bangers on the lower end are going to bang but I’m all for it.

[@BradyHilton]

Hello, any insight on if they may get more paddle shapes for these? Thank you!

[@carltietze2596]

I'll admit I am confused. The Perseus mod ta 15 was approved on 9/16/23. These new Perseus are identical to the Gen 3s. I've looked at the USAP approved list and this latest group has not been approved, unless they are trying to say these are the same as the ones approved in '23. There's no way these are the same paddles.

[@Ang0704]

Great video- wonder how all of this will play out for USAP!!

[@pickleballtechdude]

Thank you! Me too!!

[@WhitePillMan]

It’s annoying to feel like you have to have a certain paddle to keep up. Only certain players know how to properly use the Gen 3/Mod TA but when playing against the few who do, it feels unfair. Gearbox didn’t bother me bc it’s so hard to control. Could pretty easily get them off their sweet spot with enough spin.

[@pickleballtechdude]

My thoughts exactly

[@steveolivares8746]

I’d take a look at the pro’s vs 5.0 pickleball channel. They had pros play with wooden paddles. Spoiler alert, the pros won

[@WhitePillMan]

@@steveolivares8746 for pros it doesn’t matter. They play with what suits their game best.

[@ghxstleader485]

But playing someone of your own level and losing because they have that paddle is the issue​@@steveolivares8746

[@MrGbustamante]

Its not the arrow its the indian

[@GerdaGeiger]

Excellent summary! Would you have the specifications for the Joola Perseus? I have the Perseus and the Perseus Gen 3 and I am curious to compare the difference like you did for the Gen 3 vs Mod TA-15. Thanks

[@saikrishnagangavalli8477]

Now time To slice it up and see the difference 😂😂😂. Great work Rafa

[@pickleballtechdude]

Absolutely - hopefully will get to that soon

[@yasim9435]

Could you double check technical specs presented on side by side slides. They show 16mm paddle spin and power being greater than 14mm of the same model. Also it shows , at 3:21 time , modified version has greater power and spin RPM rating than Gen3. Was not the point of modification to reduce spin and power a little bit ?

[@yasim9435]

What about Tyson McGaffin Magnus paddles ? Can you really talk about Gen 3 vs Mod s-15 as general category base$ on couple models out of the whole model variety? Gen 3 Magnus 14mm has much higher spin RPM rating than 16mm if published specs are accurate, so it is reverse to spec you provide$ between different thickness of the same models.

[@yasim9435]

Again term “trampoline effect” is useless without specific physical characteristics/ thresholds just because each and every plastic paddle functions as trampoline to the ball because every legal paddle deflects on impact with ball and returns to its shape.

[@pickleballtechdude]

Reducing power and spin was the point of the paddle however I found they were unsuccessful. Waiting to see if they fix this with the 3S!

[@douglasmurdoch7247]

Plain and simple, this is one of the best paddles of all time. Same as the gen 3. People hate it, but nothing feels so good to use. And I feel fine playing against them. But their sound, their feel, nothing can match it.

[@Mr.Miyagi_PPR]

100% on point

[@2musiclover534]

Agree!

[@danielchavez5807]

I played against someone using one of these last night. Can confirm it's literally just a Gen 3 with a different paint job.

[@pats300zx]

Great video as always Rafa !!! What about the rumored Gen3S’s they are supposed to drop on 8/20 ? They are only UPA-A approved.

[@pickleballtechdude]

I think this is what Collin Johns was playing with this weekend

[@ChangJuan-h7p]

Do you like the 14 or 16mm better mod TA?

[@DianSusiana98]

Enjoyed your video. Reminds me of Magnus UPA-A's paddle I saw on Instagram the other day. Will that one be available?

[@TylerDelCotto]

are they both UPA AND USAP approved?

[@GarthFlint-nc2vj]

I am an average rec player. At least I can usually hold my own at my local court. I demoed a Perseus Gen three for a week. Really fun but it really did not improve my game. I play with a Perseus Gen 1 which was much better for my skill level. I demoed the new Gearbox Pro Ultimate last week. Again a lot of fun but not $275 better than the Perseus 1 I play with. It seems that many of these high end paddles are just not meant for rec players. Most of us are older than Jesus and have terrible hand and eye coordination. We need a really big sweet spot with lots of control and not enough power to get us in trouble.

[@nunyabidness3075]

I’m with you. Sweet spot is what I want. Keep the rally going with more control to help balance my lack of skill. A good put away doesn’t need to be a hard ball at my level. Besides, we are trying NOT to body bag our opponents at my club.

[@vanadyan1674]

It definitely isn't a paddle for anyone below 4.5 or so. It is an amazing paddle, but you need to be very precise, and have great touch to get the benefit out of them.

[@Mr.Miyagi_PPR]

Hahaha that’s hilarious 😂

[@kabob21]

Uh, most beginners and lower intermediate players might be "older than Jesus and have terrible hand-eye coordination" but 80% of the high-3.5 to 4.0+ players in my area are in their 30s-40s at oldest. Personally I don't need the power of a Gen 3 paddle (or the Mod TA-15) but anecdotally, I see mostly older 3.0-3.5 folk playing with them.

[@GarthFlint-nc2vj]

@@kabob21 I see the same thing. The older players that are real good (I played a guy in his '90s that was amazing) are playing with control paddles and can place the ball exactly where they want it. No power, just placement. That is my goal. The older 3.0-3.5 players with power paddles seem to live in the net or out of bounds and do a lot of pop-ups at the kitchen. I think for most of them a different paddle would improve their game. Our older club pro gave up his gen 3 paddle. He said he could play with it but it required a lot of focus and really was too much work. Like most sports, what the pros on TV use is usually not what the average player should use.

[@DrDinks-po8jr]

Are the new paddles both USAP and UPA approved? I may have misheard on another podcast they are still not USAP approved, but I don't see why they would release these if they were not legal in general?

[@pickleballtechdude]

Mod TAs are approved by both organizations. The rumored Gen 3S paddles coming soon are only UPS-A approved

[@DrDinks-po8jr]

@@pickleballtechdude Ah true true that's what it was

[@silverdc5]

Ta15 plays alot like the gearbox ppe now without the gritty surface

[@austinbarnes3764]

The paddle I got core crushed/delaminated after 2 weeks of play. During that time, it continued to get hotter and hotter until it was uncontrollable. This is a well documented problem from many players online. Joola will only replace one paddle and will not honor a return on the replacement. Their other Gen 3 paddles were banned shortly after they sold them and now the Mod Tech paddle only lasts a few weeks. I would not recommend this paddle or Joola as a company.

[@gongloui]

The hottest single pickleball player Staksrud play with this paddle and won utah open and bristrol open. in the semifinal of britrol open he pickles the opponent 2 straight games. That saids a lot about the deadly power of this paddle. His opponent complains about the paddle.😅😅😅

[@kimleith1378]

Play with a guy who weighted his Mod-TA15 all the way around. With static at 7.9 I see how he would put so much weight on it.

[@Gadrad-y2l]

Does anyone know if joola is still offering refunds for the gen 3 paddles. I bought mine at Dicks sporting goods on 5/3/24 and don’t have the original receipt

[@Foshokosugi]

I think you are too late. Deadline for returns was in July.

[@love2jibe]

Aside from being banned or not, Are you still concerned about core crushing on the MOD as you were on the perseus3? That seemed to be a big developing problem at the time.

[@Houjixful]

hey chris olsen did an interview with joola and they admitted to designing their gen 3 to alter in its structure so who will win the lawsuit

[@brianporter2806]

What's behind the name "Mod TA-15"? It's far from a marketing name, sounds more like a bar code. Is that because that was the model name of the paddle originally submitted and approved?

[@pickleballtechdude]

Definitely possible - not a fan of the name either. The “15” doesn’t seem to stand for anything haha

[@douglasmurdoch7247]

Yes, it’s the exact name the initial approved gen 3 style paddle was filed under.

[@brianporter2806]

@@douglasmurdoch7247 that's hilarious and somewhat strategic by Joola's part I'm sure. They basically released the prototype paddle exactly as it was submitted and approved with zero modifications (no graphics or even the bar code name). How crazy of a move by Joola in their ongoing drama...

[@roguegaston]

I heard the Colin Johns paddle had a UPA-A logo on it...

[@NKG13]

I love it for what it’s good for. Power. But defense, dinking, resetting, and accurate hand battles….i think it’s doing too much now. The Gen2 had a reasonable amount of power with everything else balanced as well.

[@austinwhite8171]

On the gen 3 vs mod ta graphic you swapped the color on accident just a heads up pickleball tech dude

[@pickleballtechdude]

Oops can you point out to me where?

[@austinwhite8171]

@@pickleballtechdude 3:19 you color coordinate green with mod and the green stats are the gen 3 stats and vice versa

[@pickleballtechdude]

Wow you’re absolutely right thanks for catching that!

[@austinwhite8171]

@@pickleballtechdude no problem

[@vanadyan1674]

I think Im just gonna throw some white electric tape on my Magnus

[@pickleballtechdude]

😂

[@fjg8340]

And sharpy the other graphics

[@juansantiago1441]

Nothing more Trampoline than a Gearbox and they are legal. 🤷🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️

[@pickleballtechdude]

Very true

[@jnagator]

My buddy has Gearbox and it plays so fast - faster than my Gen3. So where is the control on these paddles. USPA needs to make up their minds on how to regulate the game to a certain max speed -IMO.

[@Kaiheallen]

Sounds like a person who has a gearbox

[@orangemike802]

Tyson's paddle is Gen 3 with a different paint job... just listen to the sound of the paddle... it's the same

[@brianbanks3044]

looks like money did some talking to get this paddle approved....a few tweaks and all of a sudden it's OK....get ready to start ducking again to all the bangers out there...get your safety glasses on if you don't have them already

[@pickleballtechdude]

Just picked up the CRBN glasses so hopefully I’m covered haha

[@benvanderwielen4019]

These were the ones approved originally.

[@douglasmurdoch7247]

This is actually the initial approved paddle. This was approved before the Gen 3s

[@AlphaPickleball]

Hi we’d love to send you some Alpha’s to test out!

[@pickleballtechdude]

Dm me on instagram! @pickleballtechdude

[@markblain8438]

I go with the paddle that Ben won with the Hyperion Everything else is a flimsy spray on gimmick.

[@tomngo1153]

I don't think players realize that these "Propulsion Core" help players that have tennis elbow. It's like playing with high pound tensions on your tennis racket vs reducing the string tension and giving the trampoline effect on a tennis ball. When you stifle a sport from innovating, you end up killing the sport . . . e.g., racket ball.

[@Kaiheallen]

Corporate wants you to find the difference between this picture and this picture. *shows gen 3 and mod ta* They are the same picture.

[@itmaslanka]

Golf has no limit on power but baseball says no to aluminum bats !

[@XxKiLLaKoop420]

That isn't true at all, drivers in golf are limited to specific rules and regulations

[@user9b2]

Why nobody can have the paddle like the elite’s? 9:52

[@pickleballtechdude]

😆

[@jorowi]

These new paddles don't appear to be helping the Johns brothers. I understand the competition has gotten better but they appear to missing shots that they normally wouldn't. They haven't adjusted to the new paddles and the new balls as well as others.

[@thecontralawrian7575]

What is this guy talking about. It was advertised on the web site. pre order July 27th. I ordered, received it Aug 5. Been playing with it, including a tourney, AND it is phenomenal! A bit less powerful than the Gen 3, but feels softer and I have better control than with the Gen 3. Absolutely nothing to complain about and it's no different than what Gearbox paddles are producing now

[@mr.mr.3301]

What happed to the thousands of paddles joola hand already made?

[@charlesjeffery9770]

guess they sold out.

[@jkeiffer]

I hate playing against these paddles. If I hit a speedup, and it comes back twice as fast just from a block, that's not normal at all.

[@123BV8]

Can’t beat them join them…..

[@pickleballtechdude]

Blocks become counters with these it’s crazy

[@86309]

Only thing to add is that the MOD TA 15 was before the Gen3 , they were the “Alpha”

[@pickleballtechdude]

I’ve been trying to confirm that for a while because the “alpha” and mod TA paddles are listed independently on the site… so I assume they are different but in the end they probably play very similar so not sure it matters 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@logical333]

Get rid of them!!!!!

[@DannyBPlays]

Gen 3's(and anything similar) ruin the game. The sound alone can tell you that something is massively different. a much more hollow *thunk* sound that pretty much any other paddle

[@mr.mr.3301]

So odd and cost joola a ton of money.

[@logical333]

These paddles are ruining the game. No reason a guy should have one of these paddle unless he just wants to overpower opponents instead of finesse and strategy

[@gorgangorgan3]

This is some bull💩 takes the game too far & we need consistency. The paddle does propel the ball, sometimes I’m speeding up & someone just blocks the ball- but it comes back with MORE pace

[@scruffyd0039]

Screw Joola honestly. They are so shady and deserve to lose all the money. Get these bs paddles out of the game. They are making the game worse