Honolulu J2 Ti Balanced Pickleball Paddle Review

TL;DR

The Honolulu J2 Ti is a balanced, allcourt paddle with a plush, springy feel from its carbon fiber/PET weave surface. It provides good spin, hand speed, and an oversized sweet spot with forgiveness. Add weight for more power without sacrificing control. Similar to the popular J2K but slightly more control-oriented with better power on full swings and a softer response. An exceptional value paddle. Slight breakin effect early on mutes pop a bit while maintaining power.

J2 Ti Paddle Overview

Construction and Design

• Same hybrid shape as Honolulu’s popular J2K paddle
• Twill weave facing with carbon fiber and PET (polyethylene terephthalate) threads
• Softer, plush feel compared to other hybrid paddles
• Gen 2 construction with polypropylene honeycomb core and unibody design with edge foam
• Surface has an epoxy peel ply over the twill weave
• Four layers on each side: peel ply texture, 3K twill cloth (carbon fiber + PET), and three unidirectional carbon fiber layers at 90°

Performance Metrics

Comparison with J2K:

• Nearly identical spin, twist weight, and balance point
• J2 Ti has slightly lower swing weight, more power on full swings, and less pop on shorter strokes
• J2 Ti leans slightly more control-oriented than J2K

Firepower Score:

• J2 Ti scores 65/100 on Firepower metric (combination of power and pop)
• Similar to Ruby, Engage Pursuit EX Pro and Thrive paddles

Other Metrics:

• Good hand speed and maneuverability
• Big sweet spot and solid spin
• Well-balanced across power and control

Playing Experience

• Softer, more plush feel than J2K and other hybrids
• Combination of soft feel and springiness adds touch more power on full swings
• Reduces vibrations and increases forgiveness on finesse shots
• Subtle break-in period where pop cools off slightly while power remains

Modifications

Mod 1 (Tungsten Tape):

• Added 5g tungsten tape to sides
• Increased twist weight to 7.3 and swing weight to 114
• Slight bump in power, subtle decrease in pop

Mod 2 (Tungsten Tape + Slice Cap):

• Added 1oz slice cap to handle
• Increased twist weight to 7.4, swing weight to 115
• Very slight bump in power and pop
• Significantly lowered balance point

Overall Assessment

• Solid all-court paddle with good balance between power and control
• Performs well across different game situations
• J2 Ti or J2K are both exceptional options for balanced play style
• At $140 with discount code, great value compared to higher-priced alternatives

The J2 Ti paddle is a well-rounded option offering a balanced mix of power and control that performs admirably across various game situations. For its $140 price point (with discount code), it represents an excellent value compared to more expensive alternatives. Overall, the J2 Ti or J2K are both highly recommended choices for players seeking a versatile all-court paddle.:wq!