Black Opal 14mm

You want power and pop then this paddle is for you. Right from the first hit it was OMG this paddle is extreme. I have played now with this paddle about six hours and getting better at harnessing its ability. I am 64 and with the pop that this paddle has I am making more shots and less are being returned. There is a learning curve no doubt about that but if you have the ability to adapt your play and your good enough you will master it.

My first 6 Zero paddle I used was the double black diamond infinity. I absolutely loved the power and ability to drive the ball. The only downfall I found with the paddle was that after about a year, the surface seemed to loose its grit and became smooth making it more difficult to hit spin shots. Four months ago I bought the new Ruby infinity and just loved the amount of top spin I could put on the ball and the control it seemed to give me. I wasn't going to buy the Black Opal but after reading all the spec's and reviews it seemed like their goal was to blend the power of the Black Diamond with the spin and control of the Ruby. I must say I was a little disappointed with the lack of power I was able to generate in the first 10 to 15 games I played. I'm not sure why but in the last 4 or 5 games I've played its like the paddle has came alive. My drive shots are even more powerful and accurate than when I used my Black Diamond, and now I have the added bonus of spin and control. Thank you Santa I think you might have brought me the perfect Paddle.

Diligence is required to scrub the paddle after every one game or two, if you enjoy delivering high spin outputs.
General physics; the better the grip on the playing surface is, the more pickleball "dust" is created by the playing surface and retained on it.

I am able to hit excellent spin outputs with the Black Opal; the trajectory of the ball makes you wonder if I am playing pickleball, tennis or table tennis. (With local witnesses)

Power output is at least above average.
A reasonable consideration would be: Is the difference is price worth the additional performance in power when compared to the output of a UPA approved paddle that is priced at the 100 dollar range. There is no definitive answer.
Hands-on would be the best guage of this. Personally, I have yet to try smashing a rocket with more than 75% of my strength. That being said, the power output is good and I feel that the power output may actually be great.

Please take the declared control value of any paddle (by any brand) with a pinch of salt.
Control is exercise by the athlete/user. Generally, everyone has different level of inherent talent, sensory perception and life experience. A simple question would be asking yourself if you can consistently hit the ball within the sweet spot of the paddle and angle your paddle appropriately to deliver the return as you intended.

Hand feel: the Black Opal paddle feels slightly heavy. But is forgiving towards the wrist when you did not hit the ball in the sweet spot or executed an awkward backhand swing.
When returning/responding to heavy hits from the opponents, impact and vibration are reduced.

Regarding executing light drops from your kitchen area to the opponent's kitchen area; it is fairly easy to do so. Diagonal drop shots can be done without much difficulty too. Also, chop blocks and wrist flicks can be performed.

In closing:
Was I happy playing; is it fun - Yes
Did it surpass my expectation on spins - Definitely
Time required for adaption - Yes. Within 15mins.

I been using Black Opal for 1 month already.
Very powerful with minimal effort for drive the bal lback.
Shock absorbing on this paddle is no joke, whatever ball drive towards me, can return back without my elbow, arm feeling any vibration.
The surface of this paddle is very gritty, u can spin the ball without any issue.
The only down side, it is the small sweet spot, need to learn how tweak the gameplay to match the paddle output.
Anyways, it definitely improved my gameplay as a whole.

The ‘Opal’ has outstanding maneuverability and responsiveness. I noticed a remarkable improvement in my shots’ accuracy and spin, giving me an edge over opponents during intense matches. My hands battle also fast. Additionally, the paddle’s durability is commendable, as it has withstood rigorous use without showing any signs of wear and tear. This longevity ensures that the paddle remains reliable and consistent, making it a wise investment for serious pickleball enthusiasts. It’s the best price on the market for the quality after using referral. I like this paddle so much I bought another one as a backu.

Six Zero’s Black Opal is an amazingly powerful paddle. It’s slightly top heavy, but it still feels well balanced in your hand. Drives feel effortless, and the dense foam core plus gel layer really work well together to give shots a very satisfying and addictive feel. The silicone in the handle does noticeably reduce vibrations. The Diamond Tough paddle face surface enables you to create an amazing amount of spin, which is essential as you will need the extra top spin to keep your shots from sailing out! The downside is that the paddle’s sweet spot is small and unfortunately any contact outside this area is effectively dead. Also, it will take a fair amount of practice to learn how to control and adapt to the paddle’s high level of unforgiving poppy-ness. Overall, I found it to be a lethal paddle in singles matches, and have yet to master control over it for doubles.

A much improved feel and control without losing any power. Soft touch is great. Excellent paddle, highly recommend.

I was stunned by the feeling of my new Black Opal. Could feel and hear a powerful difference from my Black Diamond (which I still love).

If you’re serious about improving, this is an investment worth making.

There is nice pop off the face. Spin is nothing new. Power is the same as other quality paddles.

Great Paddle