Joola’s launch of the original Ben Johns Hyperion CFS 16 was by all means a success. Lots of people love it and play with it. However, those that didn’t like it had one complaint. It was too head heavy. Like, really head heavy. That’s what kept me from playing with it too. You can read my review of it here. Joola listened to all the reviews and comments of their customers and developed a lighter version of the Ben Johns signature paddle that is half an ounce lighter. They’re calling it the Swift version. A half an ounce is no small change for a pickleball paddle and I imagined the weight reduction would change the performance of the paddle quite a bit. So I decided to do a full review of the Swift model.
In addition to releasing the Ben Johns CFS 16 Swift they also made a Simone Jardim signature CFS 16 and 16 Swift models that are the same as Ben’s versions but have Simone’s signature, a different colorway, and have a slightly smaller handle circumference. They should play the exact same, though.
My questions going into this review are:
- Will the Swift model still feel too head heavy despite the reduction in weight?
- Will the Swift model keep the same magic feel and performance of the original?
- Will the Swift model be worth the extra $50 more than Joola’s Vision CGS 16?
After playing and drilling with the Joola Hyperion CFS 16 Swift for over two weeks, here’s my review of its performance and my answers to the questions above.
Table of Contents
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GET FITTEDPerformance Summary
The first thing you pay attention to when hitting this is the weight. You have to, right? It definitely feels lighter and more well balanced. Hitting through backhand volleys and staying in front of the ball in fast volley exchanges was not nearly as cumbersome. However, I thought this was the only advantage this Swift had over the original.
I was hoping that the Swift would be able to maintain the magic feel of the original that was plush and somehow still had some pop. It didn’t. It actually felt fairly firm and stiff. I was never able to connect with the paddle and control it as well as I did with the original model. I wasn’t a fan of how it felt.
It also lost a little forgiveness and stability in comparison to the original though those ratings were still good for the Swift in comparison to other 16 mm elongated paddles. It still had good spin and decent power, though. It didn’t have as much power as the original but it has more than similarly constructed paddles like the Electrum Model E or even the Joola Vision CGS 16.
Joola has a very similar paddle as the Swift called the Vision CGS 16. The Vision is a bit lighter, has a softer feel and has a little less power than the Swift. I thought the addition of control and feel you get with the Vision over the Hyperion CFS 16 Swift was worth more than the little extra pop the Swift gives you. If the weight of the original Hyperion CFS 16 is too much, then I’d recommend the Vision over the Swift.
Bottom line: The paddle is lighter and easier to maneuver but it lost the magic feel of the original Hyperion CFS 16 and dropped in performance everywhere else in comparison to the original other than it is easier to maneuver.
Hyperion CFS 16 Swift Quick Stats
Price: $220
| Technical Specifications | |
|---|---|
|
Weight |
7.9 oz avg |
|
Length x Width |
16.5″ x 7.5″ |
|
Thickness |
16 mm |
|
Facing Material |
Carbon Friction Surface (CFS) |
|
Handle Length |
5.5″ |
|
Handle Circumference |
4.25″ |
Question 1: Will the paddle still feel too head heavy despite the reduction in weight?
I think they got this part right. The weight feels great. It seems evenly balanced and not head heavy. The weight is much more friendly to a wider variety of players than the original version was.
You can’t really tell from a weight perspective that they inserted foam around the perimeter of the paddle. You certainly feel it with the original Hyperion CFS 16, though.
Question 2: Will the Swift model keep the same magic feel and performance of the original?
This was the big question I had. If this version did maintain that same feel and performance of the original then it could’ve been the paddle to end all paddles. The short answer is no, it didn’t. I was surprised how differently it felt and played in comparison to the original. It’s a bit tricky to explain. Overall, it felt stiffer, harder and had an inconsistent feel. What was weird was when I was dinking with it, it didn’t feel too bad and I liked it, but as soon as the ball sped up it changed. Whenever the ball was moving faster or when I was putting a bigger swing on it, the paddle went from a softer, nice feel to a stiffer, firmer feel and lost its touch. My serves, drives, blocks, drops and resets all were a little off and I was never able to get a hang of it during the two weeks I drilled and played with it.
The original Hyperion CFS 16 had a consistent soft feel with a little bounce. This gave a unique high combination of control and power. The Hyperion CFS 16 Swift did not have that same feel and combination. I honestly was pretty happy when the two week mark arrived and I didn’t have to play with it anymore. I liked it less and less each time I drilled and played with it.
Question 3: Will the Swift model be worth the extra $50 more than Joola’s Vision CGS 16?
With the weight coming down, the specs of the CFS 16 Swift are awfully close to Joola’s Vision CGS 16. The Vision CGS 16 has an average weight at 7.9oz, which is .1oz less than the Swift. The Vision does not have the carbon forged handle, or the foam inserted around the edge. Other than that, the shape, face, and core thickness are all the same. With the paddles looking so similar on paper, I have to ask if the Swift is worth $50 more than the Vision CGS 16. My answer is a quick no.
The Vision is softer and feels more consistent. I much preferred playing with the Vision CGS 16 over the Swift and feel confident recommending it over the Swift to anyone. If you don’t like the extra weight of the original Hyperion CFS 16 then go with the Vision CGS 16 instead of the Swift. The only thing the Swift has over the Vision is that it gets a little more power when you hit it right. But, if you’re looking for a little more power than the Vision CGS 16 but want everything else to be similar then take a look at the Diadem Warrior Edge.
Other Player Comments
Recommendation
I would recommend the Vision CGS 16 mm over the Swift. If you’re worried the Vision CGS 16 is going to be too soft for you then there are other paddles that can give that to you a bit more power to go along with the lighter weight and high spin like the Diadem Warrior Edge. Both the Vision and the Edge are $50 cheaper and perform better in my opinion.
I sell the paddles I review and like in my store but I won’t be carrying the Hyperion CFS 16 Swift.
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GET FITTEDBraydon competes at the 5.0 level and plays in 5-10 tournaments a year. He plays/drills 3 to 4 times a week and would play more if time allowed it.
