Neonic Titanium Flare Paddle Review: All Hype or Legit Banger?

[@robertcuomo7084]

Going with this one, ordered it yesterday. Thanks for the review, cannot wait to try it.

[@AllDriveNoDropPickleball]

You’re welcome!

[@Olorin323]

Love my Monarch Control. Probably going to grab this though for a bit softer feel, but more power and pop. Also, thanks for the weight setup. I agree with your recommendation for the wide body paddles!

[@AllDriveNoDropPickleball]

Thank you! Yeah, trying to get the word out there

[@hruntingson]

I like how you gave some comparisons to its competitors as well as hinting how it is similar/different to other paddles. I’d definitely also add ubiquitous paddles to help fill out the experience spectrum like VPF or DBD.

[@AllDriveNoDropPickleball]

I’ll take that into mind next time

[@hruntingson]

@@AllDriveNoDropPickleball 👍🏽constant improvement unlike my game. 😅

[@cardinals5516]

I really appreciate the comparisons and weight setups. Thanks for the great review!

[@aaronsegal1682]

Used your code to order this a few minutes ago. Always trust you. Will be using this along with my Bread & Butter FatBoy and my Neonic Flow. Love both companies.

[@AllDriveNoDropPickleball]

Thank you appreciate it and enjoy!

[@RTJ-PB]

Great work as always, I really appreciate your including potential sensitivity to tennis elbow in your recent reviews - I’ve had it in the past and can appreciate the fact that certain paddles have a higher potential to irritate that condition - I can think of 3 or 4 right off the bat that I would avoid due to that factor - primarily non thermoformed - anyhow keep up the good work - thanks! Paul

[@AllDriveNoDropPickleball]

Yeah, tennis elbow is a hard one because the cause can be different for different people. All I can do is tell you how it feels for me.

[@wafarris]

It sounds like another great paddle. So many to chose from these days. Thanks for the review.

[@2166226569]

Thanks for another great review and I just noticed your maize and blue shirt. Go Blue!!!!

[@HowieB-isMe3885]

Sounds like a great paddle. Nice that it is ready to go ( doesn’t need weight added for stability).

[@morganmiller3477]

Woo wee more and more wide bodies! Love it! Great looking paddle!

[@MattyRut2922]

Another great review. I play with a weighted up Spartus Apollo (weighted like your Flare), or when I need a little more umph or just need a change I go with a Thrive Azul (it has less weight on it and lead on the butt cap). My next purchase was going to be a more powerful widebody, but with so many being released I'm going to wait a bit on it purchasing one. INSTEAD I ordered a Pkoll Quiet 2 in the hopes of improving my sweet spot accuracy. If I had to buy now it would be this one, although I am very curious to see the Rombus R2 Ripple reviews but scared of its pricing!

[@AllDriveNoDropPickleball]

Thank you! I know people want that power widebody to replace the gen 3 Scorpeus and they might be getting it but the cost will be similar

[@kimleith1378]

Hope to see your compare test between the NEXUS ProStar. I have several Wide bodies, Elektrum, Players, and OM. Looking forward to get my NEXUS this week.

[@ravhannah]

I play with the Apollo, and when I tried the Shogun it definitely felt heavier; not sure if it's because of swing weight. I will be interested to try this out since you mentioned this feels light.

[@AllDriveNoDropPickleball]

It will feel lighter to swing than the Shogun by far. I believe my Shogun was at 121 so compared to the Neonic Flare it is a lot harder to maneuver

[@rocheedeleon5892]

Looking forward to this review.

[@ryan72371234]

Nice review, thanks for the comparison. Exactly what I was looking for. Does better dwell time usually equate to spin lasting longer since it's not as dependent on grit?

[@AllDriveNoDropPickleball]

Yeah, the more the spin comes from the paddle than the grit the longer the spin lasts.

[@josedvasquez3473]

have you tried the neonic carbon fiber flare?

[@AllDriveNoDropPickleball]

Yeah, they are getting another batch because the first one wasn’t made to their specifications so more to come on that should be released mid October

[@marmotdude]

if you have this deta available can you start including balance point

[@AllDriveNoDropPickleball]

Great suggestion!

[@bryanyee7]

When it comes to the soft game and control/touch, how does this compare to the Gen 1.5 paddles such as the Monarch Jelly Bean or the Vatic Pro Prism Flash 16mm?

[@AllDriveNoDropPickleball]

It has a bigger sweet spot and has a soft feeling like those. Maybe a little more pop off the face but overall a better paddle for just a little more $

[@johntrotter9887]

How does it compare to Volair M2F? I went from Joola Hyperion OG to C2 to Ruby(loved it but surface deteriorated quickly) then M2F then Chorus shapeshifter.. went back to M2F recently as I could not get Shapeshifter dialed in even weighting in a variety of areas. Thx for insight Jt

[@AllDriveNoDropPickleball]

It has more power than both the 14mm and 16mm. Less pop than the 14mm and more than the 16mm. If you want more power with that softer feel this is a good option.

[@quiquer1]

Could you do a review of the pakle silence?

[@AllDriveNoDropPickleball]

Possibly if Pakle reaches out

[@BAMBAMPASTOR]

Thanks for reviewing it. How does it compare to the Apollo?

[@AllDriveNoDropPickleball]

More power and similar pop. Apollo has more maneuverability and spin.

[@65atBestPB]

That’s a good looking poly paddle. Since it’s just the color … can I get a copper one? 🤪 Oh … tennis elbow … trust me on this: - massage forearm (fingers and thumb will do) every time before you play - get a theraband flexbar (green one) and search for the TE exercise with it I can give a longer explanation, but this is a time I actually know what I’m talking about. Is it tennis elbow (outside) or golfer elbow (inside)?

[@AllDriveNoDropPickleball]

Outside for me, really only seems to happen when I am testing stiffer paddles and for some reason the Joola Gen 3s aggravated it the most of any paddle

[@65atBestPB]

@@AllDriveNoDropPickleball Good, TE easier to deal with than GE. Massaging before will keep the elbow twinge demons away. The flexbar will increase the load your extensor muscles/tendons can handle (the exercise is an eccentric strengthening exercise). TE can turn into something much worse than many realize. I got TE near the end of my tennis years (ironically poly strings the culprit), and it took months to rehab. I couldn’t hit a tennis serve for 9 months. I got back to 100% playing tennis, but elbow remains more sensitive than before TE. Paddles haven’t bothered it much, but would get the occasional warning twinge (never during play, usually next day). Went back to my pre-tennis match routine of always doing brief massage before leaving house for pickleball, and no more elbow twinges. TE sucks.

[@AlanChang1]

Titanium is one I like to pick up next but widebody isn't my thing even though the price makes it a good value to consider. More keen on the Nexus ProStar but there are bare a few review on that one so far.

[@AllDriveNoDropPickleball]

Yeah, I think there might be some reviews coming for the ProStar

[@kimleith1378]

Reviews on their website are good. Sure they won't put up bad ones. I ordered the Prostar.

[@Tal13]

Mark One vs Chorus Shapeshifter? Priority is stability and spin/control (but would like a bit more pop/power than say a J2K)

[@AllDriveNoDropPickleball]

Chorus Shapeshifter if stability is your priority there. Both are really stable with a bit of tungsten tape on though unless you really want it stock. I’d still chose the Shapeshifter for your criteria

[@ernest4483]

Another great content and review Jacob, the Flare is an interesting standard/widebody, Neonic is releasing the Prime and the Prime X to compete more with the Fatboy and Monarch AC

[@AllDriveNoDropPickleball]

Thank you! I believe the Prime X is meant to compete with the ALW-C maybe a little toned down

[@ernest4483]

​​@@AllDriveNoDropPickleballok if I want a good widebody I'll towards the Monarch AC, so how would you compare the the Flare to the Gruvn Lazr 16S

[@AllDriveNoDropPickleball]

@@ernest4483 lazr will be more maneuverable, stiffer with more pop and less power

[@mooremathewj]

Good job on this review. I like the comparison. Like your modifications for a wide body. I’ve been using a 1oz Slyce speed cap and tungsten with my Fat Boy on and off for a few weeks now. For my personal playing style the Slyce speed cap is working fine. Some people say it’s unnecessary for a wide body but ultimately you have to go with what works for you. Recognize when there’s more art than science.

[@AllDriveNoDropPickleball]

@@mooremathewj For sure, there is art to the game that equates to that feel

[@Tal13]

Shapeshifter vs. Apollo? Down to these two and would like to know your opinion

[@AllDriveNoDropPickleball]

What are your criteria they are not in the same category?

[@Tal13]

@@AllDriveNoDropPickleball j2k owner. I feel like it lacks a bit in pop/power. However I enjoy the spin and control it offers. Arguably the most stable paddle I’ve hit. I enjoy the hybrid shape and have yet to try a wide body. My gut says shapeshifter is better for me but I want to be competitive with pace on my shots regardless of net or baseline presence

[@AllDriveNoDropPickleball]

@@Tal13 if you really want to go up a bigger power level I’d go the Olympus. The shapeshifter between the two is the better option and I’d weight it up at least a little to get the full potential. 3g at 4 and 8 if you have pre cut strips. I’m doing 4.5g of .5g/inch tungsten from the bottom to top corner on most hybrids now

[@greyorbit]

these highlights always show you playing Washington generals.

[@AllDriveNoDropPickleball]

Thank you for appreciating my Globetrotter skill level

[@greyorbit]

@@AllDriveNoDropPickleball I'm in oak park. It's crazy to see you play so close. Palmer park is pretty good too.

[@akoimichael]

So this isn’t actually made with titanium? Just titanium colored?

[@AllDriveNoDropPickleball]

Correct, the titanium colored polyester they use is responsible for the softer springier feel

[@akoimichael]

@@AllDriveNoDropPickleball I’m assuming all the other brands that are claiming to use titanium are all using the same polyester material but calling it titanium?

[@AllDriveNoDropPickleball]

@@akoimichael Most likely but I’ll let the brands answer that. I think the material has held up well and plays well. Whether it is titanium, polyester or something else the performance is what matters to me.

[@akoimichael]

@@AllDriveNoDropPickleball can you do a long term review of the shogun if possible. I’d be curious whether the materials hold up longer than T700 or Kevlar. Initial performance will all be pretty good, but we all know after a couple of months things with begin to degrade.

[@jetjaguar5198]

How does it compare to j2ti?

[@AllDriveNoDropPickleball]

Check out my top 5 titanium video breakdown is there

[@samuelborthwick4867]

More powerful than the neonic force?

[@AllDriveNoDropPickleball]

Great question, I’d have to get that one back out

[@benwu3150]

That's the paddle for me, need power and touch of plushness.