Orion APEX

Wow! Great paddle for $69. I am a 63-year-old player from N.J. and have been playing pickleball for 3 years. I was visiting my son in L.A. and didn't bring my Holoulu J2k or Pickln Alecto. My son let me use his Spartus Apex for the week. Wow, I was able to drive the ball with a very heavy top spin, the ball would dip, and the opponent would block the ball into the net. Also, the paddle is great in the kitchen. Nice soft feel with control. After playing with the paddle for 4 days, I thought I was playing with a $200 paddle. I decided to google the paddle, and I couldn't believe this paddle is only $69. If you only have 1 paddle and need a spare, this is a must-have spare paddle for $69.

Wow! Great paddle for $69. I am a 63-year-old player from N.J. and have been playing pickleball for 3 years. I was visiting my son in L.A. and didn't bring my Holoulu J2k or Pickln Alecto. My son let me use his Spartus Apex for the week. Wow, I was able to drive the ball with a very heavy top spin, the ball would dip, and the opponent would block the ball into the net. Also, the paddle is great in the kitchen. Nice soft feel with control. After playing with the paddle for 4 days, I thought I was playing with a $200 paddle. I decided to google the paddle, and I couldn't believe this paddle is only $69. If you only have 1 paddle and need a spare, this is a must-have spare paddle for $69.

Love the power and control? Awesome paddle!

Great paddle at price point that should be the norm. Handle length is on the longer end for two hand back hands.

I really love this paddle. I've been playing with the Spartus Gladius (Gen 1, pretty much the same as XSPAK and CRBN 1) for the past couple years, and wanted something with just a little more kick but the same control and no crazy pop that's hard to manage. I also wanted a paddle that was less head-heavy, which was cumbersome during quick exchanges at the kitchen.

Orion is so much more balanced, but I actually gained significant power. I was afraid I'd lose some due to lower swing weight and would have to add lead/tungsten to the top or at 10 and 2, etc. However, I don't feel the need at all after playing with it. I have absolutely felt that power kick in when swinging hard or even with a quick flick. Doesn't work so well when missing the sweet spot, though. It seems like hitting the sweet spot is necessary to engage the trampoline-like effect utilizing the CF/Fib/CF and the 10mm honeycomb core (Boost Core?).

I didn't want to spend a fortune on Gen 3, so I don't know how it plays in comparison. I won't buy Gen 2. I'm confident Orion won't crush (just like my Gladius) because it wasn't heated for molding, so I should get another good run with it.

For reference, on a good day I can defeat 4.5s (I don't play in tournaments so I don't have a rating). I have plenty of power, so I don't need insane power paddles. I love to cut and spin due to experience playing tennis and volleyball, and Orion does it well.

I also love the 6" (almost) handle length. I think maybe that's the key for gaining power. I'll hang my pinky off the end and it gives that extra plow through. Choke up for hand battles once at the kitchen, so the options are there. Grit picks up dirt FAST (but easy to clean with an Amazon "Natural Rubber Eraser Stick").

So overall, Spartus gives it an accurate description as I believe it does exactly what it's advertised to do. Thus: five-stars.

And yes, I'm a real-life customer who actually bought this paddle on Amazon for $80 instead of a Vatic Pro Saga V7 LH, which looks like a very similar paddle. It's an incredible price (thanks, Spartus).