Gearbox GBX Review
Looking for a new pickleball paddle? The Gearbox GBX might not be your best bet. While marketed as having their R3 and Power One Technologies, this $199 paddle fails to deliver the power and maneuverability that players are looking for. The paddle feels hard to generate power with, and that it lacks power compared to cheaper options that can perform better in singles games or with more experienced doubles players. The paddle is also heavier than other options and is underwhelming compared to other thermofarmed paddles. For players looking to purchase a new paddle, it's worth considering other options before settling on the GBX. While the paddle is marketed with impressive-sounding technologies, it fails to deliver in terms of power and maneuverability. Players looking for a better performing paddle should consider options like the Vatic Pro or Legacy in the $140-$150 price range, or even the Carbon 1X. Ultimately, the GBX is overpriced, making it a hard sell for those looking to get their money's worth.
Pros
- The GBX has a Torre t700 carbon fiber surface and is engineered with Gearbox's R3 and Power One technology to strengthen the paddle structure and increase swing speed.
- It has an elongated shape, edge guard, and weighs 8.5 ounces, making it easy to handle and maneuver.
- The paddle has a grip circumference of 4 inches and a handle length of 5.5 inches, providing a comfortable hold during play.
- The GBX has a sweet spot on the court that allows for a high level of spin and is not the softest raw carbon fiber paddle on the market.
- It has a unique feel that is described as dense and plush, and feels like it's sinking into thick material.
- The paddle is not the best for singles games, as it lacks power and requires a larger swing than normal.
- The RPMs of the GBX were tested and found to be in the high tier for spin, although not as high as other premium paddles.
Cons
- The GBX paddle lacks power, making it difficult to generate deep serves and needing larger swings for singles games
- Maneuvering with the paddle is challenging and consistently late on drives and hand battles
- The paddle's combination of materials, weight, and balance creates a perplexing and heavy feel that lacks power
- Compared to other paddles in the market, the GBX performs poorly in terms of sweet spot and edge foam and thermofarming technology
- The paddle is overpriced at $199 compared to its competition
- The Gearbox branding of R3 and Power One Technologies did not live up to expectations in terms of performance
Overview of Gearbox GBX
The Gearbox GBX paddle is sure to turn heads among pickleball players.
Its elongated shape, 16mm polymer core, Torre T700 carbon fiber surface, and edge guard make it a truly unique paddle.
Its 8.5oz weight and 5.5 inch handle length, as well as its 4 inch grip circumference, make it a great choice for players of any experience level.
What really sets the paddle apart is its R3 Technology, a Gearbox-engineered layout that reinforces the paddle's structure without adding extra bulk.
The Power One Technology at the throat also provides added flexibility for power and optimal stiffness, increasing swing speed.
All these features come at an impressive price of $199, making it an attractive option for those seeking a top-of-the-line paddle without breaking the bank.
The Gearbox GBX is sure to be a hit - now let's see how it performs.
Paddle Features
The GBX paddle by Gearbox is sure to turn heads.
Boasting a 16-mm polymer core, a Torre t700 carbon fiber surface, and a yellow edge guard, the elongated shape of this paddle weighs an impressive 8.5 ounces and has a handle length of 5.5 inches, along with a grip circumference of 4 inches.
Not only does the GBX look great, with its sleek black and green color scheme, but it also has some special features.
The paddle is equipped with Gearbox's R3 Technology, a layout specifically designed to strengthen the paddle structure without adding extra weight.
Additionally, its Power One Technology at the throat allows for maximum flex and optimal stiffness, increasing the paddle's swing speed.
As a result, anyone using the GBX paddle is sure to have an advantage over their competition.
Overall, it's clear Gearbox has put a lot of effort into the GBX paddle, and it shows.
Now all that's left to do is see how the paddle performs in action.
Performance Review
After testing the GBX paddle, the reviewer found that it did not live up to their expectations.
Serves lacked depth and the reviewer had to exert more effort to reach a similar ball placement as with other paddles.
The GBX was late to the drive, and it felt like it was sinking into a thick material when impacted by the ball.
In spite of its weight and balance, the paddle seemed to be lacking in power, thus requiring larger swings when playing singles.
Moreover, the paddle achieved a RPM of 1524, a relatively high level of spin when compared to other paddles, yet the sweet spot was not as adequate, as it seemed to dissipate energy quickly when the ball was struck towards the edges.
This lack of potency and spin could cause one to struggle while returning challenging serves or attempting to hit hard shots.
In comparison to other paddles within the same price range, such as the Vatic Pro and Legacy, or the Carbon 1X, the GBX does not fare as well.
This is despite Gearbox's R3 Technology and Power One Technology incorporated into the paddle.
It appears that Gearbox could have done more to optimize the GBX, such as by introducing a different type of edge foam and thermofarming.
Additionally, the GBX is priced higher than its competition, indicating that Gearbox should have opted for a lower cost to show that many companies are charging an excessive amount for their products.
Attacking Play
Despite the shortcomings mentioned earlier, the Gearbox GBX paddle can still be effective in attacking play. The paddle's elongated shape and Torre T700 carbon fiber surface can generate a decent amount of spin, which can be advantageous in creating topspin shots that drop just over the net.
Additionally, the Power One Technology at the throat allows for maximum flex and optimal stiffness, increasing the paddle's swing speed and providing more power for aggressive shots.
When it comes to volleys and smashes, the GBX paddle's 16mm polymer core provides a solid feel, making it easier to control and direct shots towards opponents' weaknesses. The paddle's weight and balance can also be an asset in generating powerful hits, especially for doubles players who need to cover a larger area of the court.
Moreover, the paddle's R3 Technology reinforces the paddle's structure, making it more durable and resistant to wear and tear. This can be especially useful for players who play frequently and need a paddle that can withstand constant use.
The Gearbox GBX paddle may not be the best option for players looking for a versatile paddle that can perform well in all aspects of the game. However, for players who prioritize attacking play and want a durable paddle that can generate spin and power, the GBX paddle can still be a viable option.
Control Play
The Gearbox GBX paddle can also be effective for players who prefer a more neutral play style, focusing on control and precision over power and spin. The paddle's 5.5 inch handle length and 4 inch grip circumference provide a comfortable grip, allowing for greater control and maneuverability of the paddle during play.
The paddle's R3 Technology also helps to maintain stability during shots, providing a more consistent feel on the court. This can be particularly beneficial for players who value accuracy and placement over power, as the paddle's solid feel and consistent response can help to place shots exactly where intended.
The paddle's elongated shape can also be useful in defensive play, allowing players to reach balls that may be out of reach with other paddles. Its 16mm polymer core and Torre T700 carbon fiber surface provide a good balance of touch and feel, allowing for greater control when reacting to opponents' shots.
Furthermore, the paddle's weight and balance make it easy to handle and maneuver, allowing for quick changes in direction and placement. The paddle's edge guard also provides additional protection, reducing the risk of damage from contact with the court or other objects.
Comparison to Other Paddles
Testing the Gearbox GBX paddle made it clear that it could not compete with some of the top-tier paddles on the market.
Compared to other thermofarmed paddles, such as the Vatic Pro and Legacy which retail at around the 140-150 dollar mark, the GBX does not boast the same power or sweet spot on the court.
For example, the Carbon 1X paddle in the same price range outperforms the GBX in terms of power and maneuverability.
The GBX does generate a decent amount of spin, but is not as proficient as other paddles on the market.
Additionally, the sweet spot on the court is not as large as other thermofarmed paddles, as the ball tends to lose energy quickly when hit near the edges.
This paddle also does not possess the same power as other paddles during serves and hand battles.
It appears Gearbox was a bit overambitious when creating the GBX, as they should have stuck with their standard of creating fairly priced paddles.
It is unfortunate that the GBX is up for sale at $199, as this is considerably more than paddles like the Vatic Pro and Legacy, and the Carbon 1X, both of which display superior power, spin, and maneuverability.
The GBX is not a bad paddle, however its high price tag is not justified by its features.
Price and Value Conclusion
After a thorough analysis, it is evident that the Gearbox GBX paddle is a perplexing piece of paddling equipment.
Although it is priced at $199 and ranks among the highest-priced polymer paddles, the value does not match the cost.
Gearbox is known for providing affordable paddles, but the GBX is an anomaly.
It lacks power and its edge foam and thermofarming could use some improvement.
Therefore, it would be more beneficial to look at some of their other paddles if you are a fan of Gearbox, as they would provide better value.
The competition is far superior to the GBX, with paddles such as the Vatic Pro, Legacy, and Carbon 1X all outperforming it.
Additionally, the RPMs on the GBX are only 1524, which is not up to par with paddles in the 1800+ range.
Furthermore, the sweet spot is not as good as other thermofarmed paddles, as it loses energy swiftly when the ball is hit near the edges.
Ultimately, the Gearbox GBX paddle is not the wisest purchase, as it does not offer the best value for money.
If you want a good paddle, then it is recommended to look at some of Gearbox's other paddles or the competition.
While it is nice to have a varied selection of paddles available, this one is probably not worth the money.
Ultimately, it is up to you to decide whether or not it is worth it.
Conclusion
In summary, the Gearbox GBX paddle is a new paddle that utilizes Gearbox's R3 Technology and Power One Technology. After a two hour play session, the content creator found that the GBX was lacking in power and seemed to be harder to maneuver than other paddles. The paddle is described as soft, plush and dense, but the reviewer felt that it was heavy and lacked power compared to other paddles in the same price range. The RPMs were also not as high as other paddles. The reviewer believes that Gearbox should reconsider their view on edge foam and thermofarming, and they should have stuck with a lower price to prove that many of the companies on the market are charging too much for what they're selling.
